After Emily moved away, Ed didn't exactly sit around pining over her. Sure he missed her, but he wasn't going to give up partying and going out so he could just wait for her return. It was his senior year, he wanted to enjoy it. Plus, he had an image to maintain.
But when it was time for the annual Vanderbilt start of the holiday's party, Ed couldn't help but find himself looking forward to it. The party was thrown by Emily's parents, so he figured she had to be present for it as well and he hoped that the time apart had reduced her anger towards him, even if she hadn't been returning his calls or texts.
The Basses arrived at the party and Ed immediately began skimming the crowd for the petite, strawberry-blonde beauty he hadn't seen in way too long. He slowly made his way over to the table where his twin brother and Anne Archibald were seating. Even once he was seated he kept searching for Emily among the mingling guests.
"You're not going to find her," Anne said, breaking his concentration, "She's not here."
He turned to her with a glare, "What do you mean she isn't here? This is her family's party."
"Yes, but Emily came down with a sudden illness that prevented her from traveling," Anne told him in an airy tone with a roll of her eyes, "Or at least that is what my Aunt and Uncle are telling people. In reality they just didn't want her here. They think she is finally getting on the right track and that it was 'too soon' to bring her back around us bad influences."
"That's such bullshit." Ed said angrily as his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
"Ya think? Especially considering how miserable she is down there. She hates it. She has no friends. No one cares that she is a Vanderbilt, in fact, a lot of them hate her because of it. They think her dad is a simple trust fund brat who got to where he is because of his name instead of his accomplishments." Anne's eyes narrowed into a harsh glare, "Why are you so upset, anyway? It sure doesn't seem like you have been missing her for the past couple of months."
"Anne-" Theo warned, but Ed was already provoked enough to respond.
"Fuck you, Archibald. You know that Theo fucks all those random club whores wishing that they were you." He spat gesturing towards his brother, "What makes you think that my situation with Emily is any different?"
Anne raised a skeptical brow, "Are you saying that you actually care about her?"
"I'm saying that this conversation is over," He rose from his seat and straightened his suit jacket, "Now if you'll excuse me, I need a drink. This night is going to much longer than originally anticipated."
Ed walked away from the table upset but not discouraged. Emily's parents thought keeping her away from him would help drive him away but the fact that Emily wasn't at the party that evening only made him want to see her again that much more.
…
It was the Friday before Christmas break and Emily could not wait for the day to be over. That night was the winter formal at her fancy private school, but she could care less about going. She didn't have any friends in DC and she really didn't want to go and stand awkwardly against the wall by herself, even if her mother was pushing her to go.
Emily had been on her best behavior for weeks, doing everything her parents asked of her and getting perfect grades at school, in the hope that they would allow her to finally return to New York at least for a visit if not for the final semester of her senior year. But the night before she had over heard her mother on the phone with her brother telling him that they would be spending Christmas in Washington because she didn't trust Emily to spend an extended period in the city 'among those hooligans she used to associate with.'
Emily was furious, but there was nothing she could do. So she went to school that morning and continued to be the image of the perfect child. If she wanted her parents to allow her to attend Columbia in the fall, she need to convince them that she was a changed woman; that she wouldn't fall into the same traps as she had a few months ago.
After her last class, Emily visited her locker to get the books she would need to study over the break and walked towards the front entrance of the school. As she was walking out the door, she was so busy thinking about how she would keep herself busy over the long break stuck here in Washington that she almost didn't notice how all the students gathered in the front of the school were whispering and staring at something.
She was only shaken out of her revere when she heard two girls talking to each other.
"I wonder who he is here to pick up."
"I don't know, but if she doesn't show, I'll take her place. Look at that guy; he could be a freaking model."
"And don't forget that limo and those clothes. He has to be rich, like, super rich."
Emily's brow furrowed and she looked up to see who the girls were talking about and her mouth dropped open. There, parked right in front of the school, was Ed Bass, leaning casually against his limo in a Prada wool coat. His hair was wind-tossed and sexy and when he caught her eye a devilish smirk appeared on his face.
She walked over to him slowly but confidently, well-aware that everyone was staring at her as she approached.
"What are you doing here, Bass?" She asked with a cautious, coy smile.
He placed a hand on her hip and pulled her closer to him, "I heard there was a dance tonight. I assumed you needed a date, and what better escort could a girl ask for than a Bass?"
Emily was in shock, "How did you even know about-"
Ed tilted his head and gave her a knowing look, "Like I said, I'm a Bass."
She shook her head and stood up a bit straighter, "Well it is too bad I'm not going to the dance," She said in a haughty tone, "I didn't get a ticket or a dress or anything."
Ed leaned forward so his lips were pressed against her ear, "Lucky for you I came prepared." He pulled a pair of tickets out from the inside of his jacket.
"What-, how-" Emily stammered, completely at a loss for words. She knew Ed and his family had connections, but she could not believe he had managed to find out when her schools dance was and purchase tickets to it as well.
"Don't worry about it, Princess," He said, pressing a kiss to her nose, "And did I hear you mention something about a dress? Because I brought down the latest designs from Eleanor Waldorf and Jenny Humphrey, so hopefully you will be able to find something to wear among them."
Her eyes widened, "Ed-" she began but he placed a finger on her lips.
"Shut up, Vanderbilt, and kiss me." He smirked as he moved his face closer to hers, "Aren't you going to give these stuck up bitches the show they have been waiting for?"
Emily grinned in understanding as she moved her hand to the back of his head and pulled his face down so her lips could meet his, showing all her classmates that this strikingly handsome, rich man that they were all fawning over was all hers.
…
That night at the dance, Emily had the most fun she had probably had since she moved to Washington. She had called her mother after school to tell her that she had decided to go to the dance with some friends and she was going to spend the afternoon getting ready with them and then sleep over at one of their houses afterwards. Maureen was thrilled and told her to have a good time without questioning the sudden change of heart.
And once they were at the dance everyone was looking at them enviously and it felt great. She was wearing a form-fitting, emerald backless Eleanor Waldorf Original dress and Louboutin heels and Ed was in a perfectly tailored Armani tux. They looked absolutely stunning and Emily was able to hold her head high like the queen she was for the first time among her new peers.
Ed was sitting alone at a table drinking from his self-spiked punch while Emily was in the ladies room when one brave girl sat down next to him.
She leaned forward seductively, showing off her voluptuous cleavage, "Hey."
Ed looked over at her with disinterest, "Can I help you?"
"My name is Kimberly," She said, extending a hand towards him. But when he ignored it she quickly continued, "My friends and I couldn't help but noticing that you are here with Emily Vanderbilt."
"I am."
"Well, why?" She asked with an unladylike scowl, "I mean she's not even that pretty. And her family is a joke. They are all about entitlement and greed when in reality everyone thinks they are completely ridiculous."
Ed's eyes narrowed angrily, "Where I come from the Vanderbilts are considered to be royalty and Emily is the fucking queen." He saw Emily making her way back from the restroom so he rose and looked down at the girl condescendingly, "Oh, and if you think she isn't the most attractive woman that has ever graced this godforsaken town then you are obviously just jealous of the fact that she can look completely perfect with absolutely no effort while you have to put on pounds of make-up and a push-up bra to even walk outside your house."
The girl looked like he had slapped her as he turned and took a few steps forward to meet Emily.
"What were you talking to Kim Brady about?" She asked as she looked between the girl and Ed with a mixture of concern and bitterness, "Was she offering to give you a good time later tonight?"
"She probably would have," Ed said with a shrug, "Before I told her she was an ugly bitch."
Emily looked shocked, "You did?"
"Well, I didn't use those exact words, but I'm pretty sure she got the message," He took her hand and smirk, "But let's not waste anymore time talking about that slut. I suggest we take one more turn around the dance floor and then we get out of here. What do you think?"
She grinned as she followed him, "It sounds like a plan to me."
…
Once they were back at the hotel, things heated up between the pair quickly. It had been so long since they had been together, too long in Ed's mind, and as soon as the door was closed he had Emily pressed up against it with his mouth latched onto hers.
As his lips trailed down to her neck, Emily's grip on his shoulders became more of a push as she tried to get some space. "Ed," She gasped, "Ed, wait-, wait a minute."
He groaned and pressed his face to her collarbone, "What's the problem Vanderbilt? Don't you want this? I know you've missed it."
"I have," She agreed, looking down nervously, "I just-, I need to know why you're here."
He scowled, "I told you, Anne told me how awful it was for you here-"
"That's not what I meant," She interrupted him with a shake of her head, "Why did you want to help me? Why did you actually come? What was in it for you?"
Ed sighed. He wanted to tell her the truth. He wanted to tell her that she was all he could think about, even when he was with other girls. He wanted to tell her that being apart from her was literally painful to him, that she made him feel things he never had before. He wanted to tell her that he loved her.
But he couldn't say that. That was something Ed Bass would never say and she would never believe him even if he did. So instead he decided to tell her another truth.
"I'm here, Vanderbilt, because for some reason that I have yet to explain, you have provided the best sex I have ever had." He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her jaw, "So as long as you are offering, I'm ready and willing to take whatever it is you will put out."
She pushed him away in disgust, "You are vile."
"But you love it."
Before she could come up with a response, Ed pulled her back to him and crashed his lips onto hers, causing her to quickly forget everything but him.
…
Early the next morning, Emily woke up to the feeling of someone kissing along her jaw, down her neck, and across her shoulders. She moaned and threaded her fingers through Ed's hair as her eyes fluttered open.
He looked up at her with a mischievous grin, "Good morning, Princess."
"Good morning," She smiled and pulled his head up so his mouth could meet hers.
They kissed for a moment before Ed pulled away, "When are your parents expecting you back today?"
"Not until later this afternoon."
His smirk grew, causing Emily to question him, "Why? What time is it now?"
"Only nine," He said as he pressed a kiss to her lips, "And my flight doesn't leave until three, so we have plenty of time."
She giggled before his mouth moved over hers and he began to kiss her once again.
….
A/N: Ah, long chapter. So, the next one will possibly/most likely contain the first Chuck and Blair flashback of the Ed and Emily section. Get excited! Oh, and review, please.