Disclaimer: I own nothing except a great love for CB and the many inhabitants of the UES
A/N: Sorry this took so long to get up…had crazy busy weekend but hope to make up for it with this extra long chapter…just couldn't stop typing. As always Thanks for all your thoughts and good words on the last chapter. I'm still having a ball get this all down and hope it continues to be a thrill for you. New GG tonight, finally, but for now here is my humble submission. Thanks for the continued show of support from my fellow CBers, fanforum buddies, and reviewers. Love you all and just keep reading. Lynnie honey love ya babes. And special dedication to my girl Jackie. :kisses ladies:
Chapter 8
Much like their daughter only nights before, she was waiting for him the moment he stepped out of the elevator. Well, not really. She sat back on the sofa, one left crossed over the other, and her complete attention held by the magazine across her lap.
There were others piled high on the coffee table. Her former maid had insisted that Chuck keep up with all of Blair's favorite subscriptions, switching out the old for the new every month.
The initial shock that held him immobile seemed to wear off, and the very idea of it all brought of quiet laugh from him, bringing those chocolate eyes to his. Well finally. "Sleeping beauty finally awakens and does she go looking for her prince? No, she dives straight into the latest couture."
Blair stood slowly that familiar smile curving her lips, "She wouldn't have the time to do so if her prince was where he was supposed to be."
Chuck walked to her as if in a daze, lifting his hand until it stroked her jaw, cupped her chin. "How?" His eyes took in every part of her.
"It worked." She told him.
Too wrapped up in the reality of her standing there, her skin beneath his fingertips, those eyes drinking him in…he almost didn't hear her words. "What worked?"
"Magic." She said, then laughed. "What do you think I meant? Your little science experiment. McCarty's drug. You brought me back. I came back for you." Blair stepped closer, their faces bare inches apart. "Well, Bass. Are you just going to stand there? Or do I need to go back over the…"
He cut her off. Brushing his mouth against her, tasting her and finally after five years of trying to awaken his slumbering Queen, she was there, wrapping her arms around him. Responding to his kiss. She threaded her fingers the soft hair at his nape, curling them ever so slightly..
God, he'd missed this. Missed something as simple as a kiss from Blair. But he suddenly wanted more and apparently so did she as her hands slid away from his hair and down his chest, nails scrapping gently, through the fabric of his shirt. She started undoing buttons.
Panting, Chuck pulled away slightly, reaching for her hands. She yanked him back. "Where do you think you're going?"
"We're taking this little show upstairs. The girls are a little young for Sex Ed, don't you think?" He scowled, saying next. "Then again they won't exactly be needing that class, anyway. Since when they're old enough for us to worry, no boy or man is setting foot near them."
"You don't have to worry about them. They're gone." Blair told him, trailing soft kisses along his jaw. "I sent them away."
"What? What? Blair, stop." He tried to pull away again, step back from her grabbing, grasping hands. With effort, his bracketed her thin wrists in his hands. "What the hell are you talking about? Where are Kat and Evie?"
"I'm bored with this conversation. Kiss me, Bass. Right now or I walk out of here and…"
Chuck shook her gently, "Where the fuck are our children, Blair? What did you do?"
She tried to get him to let go, but his grip was unrelenting. "You're hurting me. Fine. I finally did what was best for all of us. What I should've done in the first place." Blair told him, "My mother was right, Chuck. They don't belong with us. They almost killed me for godsakes. Just like you killed your mother."
Heart in his throat, Chuck let her go, looking at her as if he'd never seen her before. "What did you say?"
"You heard me, Chuck. Your little brats almost killed me…the same way you killed your mother. Did you actually expect me to look at them everyday and not remember that? Are you forgetting how much Bart resented you for killing your mother?" Blair said, "Why couldn't you love me that much…"
"Blair, I do love you." He whispered. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"
She only shook her head, "This isn't going to work. I can't be with you. Just wake up, Bass."
"Chuck, I'm serious man. Wake up."
Chuck frowned. Blair's lips were moving but for some reason it was Dan Humphrey's voice coming out.
He tried reasoning with her again, giving her the words she'd wanted before. What he'd withheld in fear. "I love you."
"I swear if you try kissing me, I'm going to hit you. Again." That voice said.
Chuck shook himself, trying to get rid of that intruding voice. He needed to find out where Blair had sent Kat and Evie. She turned away and he reached out to stop her but she slipped away from him. He started after her only to wrap his arms around his suddenly aching ribs.
What the fuck was wrong with him? "Blair!" He called out his voice registering below a whisper.
"Chuck, wake up." Humphrey's voice came again out of nowhere and someone shook him by the shoulder, jarring his sore ribs.
"Get your fucking hands off me." Chuck's eyes snapped open, taking in Dan Humphrey's retreating back.
"Sorry, thought you might appreciate it if I woke you before you started calling out loud enough to get the guard back here."
Chuck straightened, his entire body stiff and sore from falling asleep sitting up with only the cinderblock walls pillowing his back. He felt embarrassment flush through him as he wondered just what he might've called out in his sleep. He'd had that fucking dream again. Except not in the forgiving privacy of his own bedroom. No he had to be in jail. With Dan Humphrey no less. Shit.
His expression dark, and mouth twisted into a scowl, Chuck glared at the other man. "Let me guess, Humphrey. You were taking notes. Getting everything down for your next bestseller…oh wait. I forgot. Your efforts at being a novelist tanked. I wonder why. Must have something to do with your lack of---originality."
Dan rolled his eyes.
"Or imagination. Anything resembling talent."
"Fuck you, Bass."
"Get in line." Chuck puckered his lips, kissing the air. Then he smirked taking in the other man's rumpled appearance. The busted lip and if memory served he'd blooded the guy's nose, as well. "You are aware of that drool right…yup. Right there."
"Thanks." Dan offered grudgingly.
Chuck shrugged, "Don't bother with the gratitude. I didn't want to have to look at it. Waking up to your face is bad enough."
"How's the eye?" Dan asked, smiling then flinching and bringing his hand up to his injured mouth.
Chuck shifted uncomfortably, making an effort not to hold his ribs as he moved. They weren't broken but the ached like a bitch. And his eye, he didn't need a mirror to know that his fucking eye was turning all shades of the rainbow…it probably looked a little like Humphrey's nose. Chuck didn't think he'd broken it…unfortunately.
He shook his head. Looking to his watch, only to realize that it had been confiscated along with the rest of his things. "Fuck. I still can't believe that I ended up sharing a cell with you. Again."
"Oh, don't get me started. Twice in one lifetime is more than enough for me, too." Dan said.
"You know this is your fault."
"My sister could've died because of you. Because of some bullshit you pulled. Bastard should've gone gunning for you directly."
Chuck didn't say the words aloud because he hated for the other man to know that he was in complete agreement. He had no firm idea how much time had passed. He'd demanded his phone call and lawyer hours ago, only to be told that they'd get to him as soon as possible Hadn't the fuckers ever heard of a little something call unlawful imprisonment? His lawyers would have a goddamn field day. Surely Nate or Serena would've called them by now.
Shit like it was his fault that those two uniforms had gotten caught up in the middle of his "discussion" with Dan-boy over there.
The fight hadn't even been at Chuck instigation this time. He'd been talking to Nate and Miller about the fires. None of them aware that Dan had joined their little group until Brooklyn went apeshit, yelling accusations at Chuck and swinging fists. At first, Chuck hadn't wanted to fight. Figuring the other man was just upset about his sister, but he wasn't going to just stand around with his thumb up his ass while Humphrey pounded on him. So they'd started going at it. Getting away from Miller and Nathaniel as they tried to hold the two combatants away from one another. Dan extracted himself from Miller's grasp and Chuck had shaken his best friend's hold, shoving him to the side. It hadn't been long before two uniforms arrived, trying to break up the fight, as well. Too caught up in their two-man brawl, Dan cold-cocked one of the officers and Chuck hadn't exactly helped his case, resisting arrest when they slapped the cuffs on both him and Brooklyn.
Chuck sighed, "Look, I'm sorry about Jenny. She's a nice kid. I have no idea what's going on." His voice suddenly dropped dangerously low. "But whoever did this…whoever is coming after me this way…they're going to damn well pay."
He looked eyes with Dan so that the other man could read just how deadly serious he was on the issue. Dan looked away after a moment shifting uncomfortably, his eyes on the bars that locked them in together.
They were both quiet. Dead silence filling the tiny space.
"I wasn't even going to come."
Chuck looked up, but Humphrey's focus seemed to still be on the bars or something further…beyond them. Probably with his sister in that fucking hospital bed. "What?"
"I was going to back out at the last minute. Had this shitty little article and approaching deadline. And here's Jenny with her own business. And her designs in a major magazine." Dan said.
Chuck shrugged, "Little friendly sibling rivalry. Nothing wrong with that, Humphrey."
"I was jealous as hell." Dan admitted, "And I was nervous about seeing Serena again."
Chuck's mouth tipped up in a toothy smile that wasn't a smile at all. "Ah."
"I never said goodbye." Dan confessed. "I mean we've talked since I left for college but not really. Just inane, pointless and uncomfortable enough to make us both need to get the hell away from one another as soon as humanly possible."
As Humphrey rambled on, Chuck suddenly remembered the other reasons he found the other man so damned annoying.
"Blair told me that I'd regret it like nothing else and damned if she wasn't right." Dan said.
At the mention of his beloved's name, Chuck's expression softened before turning cool. Trying to sound uninterested. But he was hungry to hear anything about her. Even something from Dan Humphrey's lips. He cleared his throat, "And just when did she give you her sage wisdom on that issue."
"Right before I left for Berkeley that last time. Jenny called me less than a week after to tell me what happened. That your daughters had been born. Blair was in a coma. And you…" Dan trailed off not sure what to say. In no mood to pick another fight with Chuck.
Chuck finished for him, bitterness in his eyes. "And I was nowhere to be found."
He forced himself to meet the other man's gaze dead on. "How'd she seem?"
"Her usual self. Only softer…or harder. Depended which way her mood was swinging at any given second. She seemed sad, but excited, surrounded by a stack of old movies and frilly baby clothes, wondering about her next manicure."
That was his B. Chuck nodded.
"Missing you." Dan finished.
"Ah. I bet—Blair had a few choice words concerning my continued absence." He nodded.
Dan wasn't about to tell the other man that the mother of his children had deemed him the worst of cowards. And probably Dan right along with him. "She just missed you. Wanted you to call her again. Wanted you home."
Chuck was still, letting Humphrey's words sink in. "I can't believe she confided in you of all people."
Dan shrugged, "Mood swings. Guess I was in the right place at the right time…or wrong time…cause like I said. One second to another wasn't exactly pretty."
Chuck grinned at the image in his head of a very pregnant Blair smiling sweetly at Brooklyn and then eviscerating him. Damn, he'd missed it all.
Something clanging against the bars, stole the attention of both men. Detective Miller stood there holding a cup of coffee and looking well-rested.
"Gentlemen, I trust the accommodations weren't too daunting for your little overnight visit."
Feigning boredom, "I've enjoyed better."
"I'll bet." The cop retorted, shaking his head. "Seems the officers you assaulted yesterday are feeling charitable given the circumstances and the holiday season. They've decided not to press charges and the hospital's lobbying for your release, too."
"So we're free to go?" Dan stood to his feet slowly while Chuck lounge against the wall as if he were sunning on some beach in Monaco, at least until the detective finally swung the open.
At that point, Chuck lazily got to his feet, cringing internally as if body protested—his ribs in particular. Then he swaggered out, following Humphrey at his own pace.
"I'd say it's been a pleasure, Detective, but then that wouldn't be quite the truth."
He and Dan waited patiently or not so patiently for Chuck's part for his things. They left the station together. Neither saying a word. The minute they stepped out into the morning air, the sharks were waiting with their cameras and microphones.
"Mr. Bass, can you tell us the details behind your altercation yesterday with one of fire victims?"
"Bass, how do you believe this will affect your ongoing battle with Eleanor Waldorf-Rose?
"Sir, you were involved in yesterday's altercation, correct? Is it true that you attempted to bludgeon Mr. Bass with a chair?"
"Witnesses say you resisted arrest."
"Which of you struck the office?"
The questions came hard and face, flashing lights blinding Dan, while Chuck's expression blanked out. "No comment." Chuck merely said, making his way through the crowd of reporters as he spotted Arthur's lean figure and the open door of the limo. Chuck kept his focus on that goal only stopping to turn and motion Humphrey to follow. "I'll drop you back at the hospital."
Dan plucked at the clothes that he'd been wearing since the party and shook his head. "Hotel first. Think I'd better get cleaned up."
"Fine." Chuck slipped inside, leaving Dan to follow.
The door closed against the crowd and Arthur behind the wheel, Chuck called out, "Arthur, get me the fuck out of here."
~ஐ~
On that same Monday morning, Nate returned to the Brownstone that he'd shared with his wife for more than two years. He walked inside and it didn't feel like home anymore. He wasn't sure that it ever would again.
"Get a move on, Archibald." He told himself. He'd talked to Miller already and Chuck and Dan were being released at any moment. He'd called Chuck's longtime driver, so that the man would be standing by. There wasn't anything that he could do about the deluge of reporters that would be waiting to pounce on his best friend. He'd asked Miller to let them out the back entrance but he doubted the old man would listen.
Nate walked up the stairs and entered their bedroom. The sheets were rumpled and bed unmade. The sight of it brought unwanted images of Vanessa and her faceless lover. How long? How long had she been doing this? Had they fucked in the bed that he'd fucking paid for….in the house that his money had bought?
The questions dogged him, even as he tried to shake them off. Focus on the fire. Poor Jenny. Chuck. Anything but his own problems.
He used the luggage his mother had gifted them with along with their honeymoon trip to the Maldives. He'd been intent on only bringing enough for a few days but once he started packing up his clothes, his just began filling one bag after another. He was sweaty and breathing hard…looking at the empty hangers in his walk-in closet, when she spoke from behind him.
"Don't think you'll get that shut." She said.
Nate glanced at the last suitcase he'd filled, overstuffing it and it probably wouldn't close for him. What the hell ever, he'd find something else to put it in. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be working or something?"
"I took the day. Spent half the night at the hospital."
"Any change?" He asked, still not ready to look her in the eye. Poor Jenny.
"The doctors are worried about the chance of infection. She hasn't woken up. They're keeping her knocked out because of the pain." She came to stand on the other side of their bed, walking right into his line of vision. "You staying at Chuck's?"
Nate froze, the anger back, boiling to the surface. "I swear to god if you accuse me of cheating again…"
"I asked if you were staying with Bass."
"Why? Why do you care? I'm sure as hell not staying here." He said. "What you want to make sure that the field is clear so you can bring your boyfriend? Feel free."
"He's not my boyfriend. And I'm not bring—look I just wanted to know where you'd be just in case I needed to reach you."
Nate closed up the first suitcase he'd packed up. "You've got my cell number. But I can't guarantee that you'll get me to answer. I'll have someone stop by to pick up the rest of my things."
"Nate." She called out as he reached the doorway.
For a split second he stopped, wondering what she could possibly say. What he might need to hear. And there was nothing. She didn't say anything which was find because there was nothing that could've made him stay with her. Not now. Possibly not ever.
He could hear her sobbing as he reached the steps. He didn't stop, didn't pause. What the hell did she have to cry for? She was the one who'd broken them.
~ஐ~
Lily was on the phone with Eric, poring over the Monday morning editions of the newspapers spread out in front of her. Most showcased photographs and front page stories of her stepson. The stories mostly dealt with the fight between he and an as yet unidentified individual who'd been victim in the fire that had been all over the news the day before. Many of the stories went salacious, dredging up Charles' bad boy past as rakehell. Bringing up the seemingly endless round of drinking and women. No worse time than after Bart's death. They mentioned her late husband as well. There was a small blurb of her billionaire stepson's stellar record as CEO of Bass Industries and his philanthropic activities, but most dwelled heavily on the past.
"Damn vultures." She murmured. "Eric, I want you to keep the television off and don't let the girls anywhere near the papers."
"Already done, Mom." Eric assured her.
"I mean, when is this family going to catch a break." Once again she consoled herself with the fact that her own family was at least still healthy and unharmed. The thought of Serena trapped with all those people in that burning building left her shaken.
The soft beep over the line broke into her thoughts. "My darling, another call is coming through. I'll call you back." Saying their goodbyes, she clicked over. "Lily Bass."
"Lily. It's Eleanor." Blair's mother said.
God, what now? Pasting an unnecessary smile on her face, Lily greeted the other woman. "Eleanor. Hello. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"
"I'm in New York." She said without preamble. "And I needed to speak with Charles."
Damnit. Lily glanced at the papers spread out in front of her and could all but guess just as exactly what the woman wanted with her stepson. "I'll bet you would, Eleanor."
~ஐ~
Sheepish, Dan walked the halls that he and Bass had almost literally been dragged out of the day before. No one seemed to care or notice though as he walked by, so he relaxed only to tense with worry as the reality of why he had to be there hit him again. He went to the front desk to find out Jenny's room number. Heart heavy, he found the area with ease. He was told that he wouldn't be able to go in without being fully outfitted and decontaminated to keep the patient safe from germs and infection. They warned that while her burns could kill, it was the chance of infection that was more dangerous than anything. He stood outside the observation window, his sister's image a blur behind clear protective sheets of plastic hanging from the ceiling.
Squinting he made out another figure, shrouded in green scrubs and plastic cap.
"Your father." Serena told him, suddenly appearing at his elbow.
His mouth opened in surprise, "Serena. You stayed? Have you been here all night?"
"No, not really. Only long enough for your dad to get here. Your mom's around here somewhere. She got in late last night."
"Thanks for doing that." He said, meaning those words.
"Well," She surveyed his expression. "You look none the worse for your night in the slam. You enjoy your bread and water."
"Didn't you know? Chuck Bass doesn't do bread and water. More like a bottle of Dom and croissants." He rolled his eyes.
"Be serious." She laughed despite herself.
"Didn't exactly have an appetite." His stomach growled, announcing his continued negligence.
Serena too his arm, "Come on. Your father just got back in there and I'm guessing he'll be a minute. Let's get you something to eat." She shook her head, taking in his injuries. "At least Chuck didn't break your nose," she reached out with a ginger hand and touched his bruised mouth and nose, wincing when he flinched.
"I'm gonna tell you what I tell Alex."
"And that would be." He said, his skin still tingling where her touch had been.
"Your words, honey, next time use your words."
"I'll keep that in mind the next time your brother provokes me. Does he get the same reprimand?" He smiled despite his aching mouth as they stepped onto the elevator.
"Oh, trust me. Kat and Evie will handle Chuck."
~ஐ~
After dropping Humphrey at his hotel, Chuck stopped home to shower and shave. He arrived around the same time as Nate did with his suitcase in hand. Chuck didn't ask the immediate questions, the obvious questions and Nate didn't tell.
He called out to Dorota, letting her know that his best friend would be staying with them indefinitely. She quickly installed Nate's things into one of the guest rooms that was all ready and waiting. Changing the unused linens that she'd replaced only the day before.
Nate went off, consumed with his own thoughts putting out more than enough signals that he didn't want to be bothered with. That was fine with Chuck, he had his own worries. It wasn't thoughts of the serial arsonist or the long list of enemies he had his people compiling. Thoughts of Blair came in, as always, obliterating everything else that might claim his attention. Bits and pieces of the dream came to him. The same dream that he'd been having for years. That had started to fade as time went by.
Different variations. But always the same. Blair awake and in his arms only to slip away as the real world came calling. As always with each time before, he was seized with the urge to go to her. The need to see with his own eyes that she was still trapped in dreams and sleep. He wondered if she dreamed of him as he did of her. Was she scared? Did she have nightmares?
Needing to be near her, to soothe himself and to see her, Chuck was leaving the apartment less than an hour after getting home.
The girls called his phone on the ride over. Their voices coming over the line. A balm to the darkness that wanted to swallow him whole.
"Where are you?" That was Evie's demanding tone.
His quiet Kat, threw in, "It's Monday, Daddy. I thought your trip was over yesterday."
"It was. Daddy had a few things to take care of." He told them, cursing silently, hating to ever disappoint them the way his father had done with him. But damned if those words didn't echo what he'd heard from Bart too many times to count. "Aren't you guys supposed to be in school right about now?"
"You weren't here to take us." Evie said, making guilt sharpen again. Not intentionally but still it dug into him.
Since the girls had started kindergarten in September, he'd made a point of dropping them of every morning. No matter what. He might not be picking them up in the afternoon because of late meetings and conference calls, but the mornings belonged to his girls. He'd known at some point he'd find himself out of town but he'd gotten back in time. He'd just been in lock-up.
"Uncle Eric said we could start our Christmas vacation early." Kat said.
"Yeah, so that was better." Evie said, "We still gotta do our recital, though."
"It's going to be so cool."
"You're not going to miss it, are you Daddy?"
Not a chance in hell. "I'll be there. Listen. I'm going to visit Mommy and then I'll be by to pick you up. All right?"
They both laughed, agreeing quickly.
"Wait until you hear what we did this weekend. It was so much fun. You should come next time." Evie said.
"Next time." He promised, which meant that it was a done deal in their eyes. "Gotta go. See you in a bit."
They said their goodbyes. He hung up not saying anything about Nate. They'd be excited to have their Uncle Nate staying with them, but Chuck wasn't sure what to tell them about it. What to say about their Auntie Vanessa who they had a soft spot for…who hadn't wanted to spend any time with them since her second miscarriage. He felt bad for Vanessa but she was still being a bitch to Nate which did not sit well with Chuck. Not at all.
"Sir, we're here." Arthur announced when Chuck made no move to exit the limo.
Chuck gave the driver the next few hours to himself. Letting him know that he'd call when he was ready. He walked into the private facility, nodding to those he knew and ignoring the few curious glances he received, while the other, more discreet individuals smiled politely and went about their work. The nurses' station closest to Blair room was empty.
The hallway itself, however was crowded with chattering people, standing just outside of B's door. Chuck's heart rate picked at the sight of the nurses' smiling faces and excited voices. They took turns peeking inside the room three—four at one time.
The head nurse turned to him smiling, "Mr. Bass. Wait until you see it…"
The staff parted like the Red Sea, letting him inside. His eyes flew first to Blair still laid out in the hospital bed. Her mother stood there at her bedside. Eleanor's attention wasn't on the woman in bed. She like everyone else watched the short man aggressively directing the two people decorating Blair's room.
"Not enough. Not enough." Cyrus told them. "You there…move that just another few inches up on the right. And you…you don't move."
Feeling foolish for sudden burst of excitement and hope, Chuck's eyes flew back to the sleeping woman.
"What's going on in here?" He demanded softly.
Cyrus looked around, "Charles, my dear boy. There you are. What do you think of all the decorations? Eleanor and I figured we'd spread a little holiday cheer. How do you like the tree? And we even got her a little menorah." He walked over to a tree little bigger than a table lamp.
Chuck dragged his gaze from Blair once again, looking around the room taking everything in. As the Roses had joined their lives together it looked as though they'd tried melding some of their favorite holiday traditions as well. Besides the small menorah. He spotted a dreidel and Christmas stockings with Blair's name and one for each of the girls.
Eleanor met his gaze before looking down at her daughter, smoothing hair from her forehead. "She was sad that last Christmas. You were gone and I just remember her throwing herself into putting on the biggest show. I'm sure we had a tree in every room that year. And she loved celebrating Chanukah with Cyrus."
Chuck nodded, still unsmiling, "She'd have like the idea of eight days of getting new presents."
"Yes. She did." Eleanor told him. She cleared her throat, "I myself haven't been much for celebrating and caroling or decorating some dying tree since she—but Blair loved it all. I thought that this would be a good thing to do." She said.
Eleanor and Chuck fell silent. Two wary combatants, sizing one another up, the tension rising until it was impossible not to notice. Behind him he felt more than saw the slow dissipation of the people crowding the hallway, their footsteps squelching against the floor as they went about their business. Cyrus excused himself, mumbling something about homemade ice cream and hot cocoa.
The door shut firmly behind Cyrus and Chuck walked over to the half decorated tree and the stockings sporting all of his girls' names. Distrust still too strong to ignore, he turned on Eleanor. "So…I'm expected to believe that you just flew right over. With nothing but the purest of intentions. Spread the holiday cheer. Sorry, Eleanor but I just don't see holly and goodwill to all men when it comes to you."
"You can believe what you'd like Charles."
"Why not say something about your plans to fly over when we talked yesterday morning?" He asked.
Eleanor shrugged, "I didn't think to…hadn't planned to so soon but then I…"
"Heard about my little go-round with Humphrey and decided to see how you could milk it?" Chuck questioned softly.
"No. Cyrus called me and told me the news about Jenny Humphrey and I decided to come home earlier than planned. I'm not looking to pressure you about seeing the girls…as much as I truly do want to meet them. I was worried about that Jenny and needed to be close to my daughter. I know the circumstances are different but it brings things up again." She explained. "So I don't expect you to understand or believe me about this. But it's the truth."
He pinned her with a hard, searching look and she met his gaze, not backing down. Reminding him of B. Always standing up to him, challenging him. Sighing, Chuck made his decision and hoped to God that he was doing the right thing, "The twins have this recital on Christmas Eve. I'm sure that they'd be delighted if you could attend. What happens after that…let's just 'we'll see' and leave it at that."
Excited, the older woman clapped her hands. Her smile one of pure delight. "Excellent. Oh, I'm going to tell Cyrus the news right now. This wonderful, wonderful news."
Eleanor started to hug him but they both shook their heads. "I'll be right back. You keep our girl company." She grinned hugely, pulling their door open and fairly running down the morning nurse, Carol. "So so sorry. Now where is that husband of mine?" She hurried off.
Carol watched her go before turning a questioning glance on Chuck who only shrugged as if he had nothing to do with the woman who'd just hurried out, smiling like a madwoman.
"Mr. Bass. I was wondering you'd seen Nurse George. Olivia. She said she was coming to check on Miss Waldorf and I could've sworn I saw her head this way." Carol said."
Chuck frowned searching his memory, "No. I don't think I ever recall meeting—Nurse George, was it?"
"Yes, Olivia George. She's has very, very short, dark hair. She's about my height."
"Nope. Pretty sure I haven't met her. If you do see her, though. Ask her to skip Miss Waldorf's room on this go round. I don't wish to be interrupted…" He threaded his fingers through Blair's without meeting the nurse's eyes.
"I'll take care of it." She disappeared, closing the door behind her, leaving him alone with Blair. Finally.
"Hey, Waldorf." Chuck smiled now, offering his usual greeting, the soft brush of his lips against hers. Imagining the slightest response because he wanted there to be one. Stepping back anyway and studying her for any sign, any reaction. Of course there were none. As was the usual case.
He smiled, stroking her hair away from her forehead. "Hell of a weekend, baby. You wouldn't believe half of what's gone down."
Leaning close, a smile on his lips for the most part. Chuck told her of his trip and waking up with Dan Humphrey. He talked about everything. He talked about nothing. The sound of his voice filling every corner of the room.
~ஐ~
Over the next few days, the twins were too preoccupied with their Uncle Nate moving in and the idea of finally meeting Eleanor. They asked question after question of Chuck, Dorota, and anyone else who'd ever crossed the woman's path. Chuck was almost tempted to go against his original idea and have the damn woman join them for dinner. Happily enough they were too busy to harass him over the puppy he was still considering.
Still the fact that they were so excited about Eleanor told him that he'd done the right thing. Chuck only went into the office a few hours, bringing most of his work home and having his assistant re-route his conference calls. His good pal, Nate took the opposite approach, spending every waking hour at the precinct and even falling asleep at his desk once or twice.
"You look like hell, Nathaniel." Chuck greeted the other man, as his best friend stepped off the elevator.
"Good Morning to you, too." Nate said, his feet dragging, the evidence of his sleepless nights in his face and sloping set of his shoulders. Instead of calling it a night…or day and throwing himself across his bed in the guest room, Nate walked the few yards to sit down with his best friend. He reached out for a wedge of toast and glass of orange juice. "Where's everybody?"
"As we speak, Dorota and the girls are on their way to Lily's. You just missed them." Chuck shoved his plate away, "I'm glad we got a minute to ourselves. I wanted to talk to you about something."
Choking on a bite of toast, Nate drank down another glass of juice. He coughed out, clapping his own chest.
"You all right?" Chuck asked.
"I'm fine." Nate coughed again, "Went down the wrong way. And we've talked about this. The subjects of Vanessa and my marriage are off limits. Remember?"
"She's bringing you down, man. You can't see it. But I do and it pisses me off." Chuck said, "But in keeping with respecting your wishes…that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."
"Fine. Good. What is it?" Nate asked.
"I had some ideas about the case. The fires." Chuck said, watching his friend's expression perk up at possibility of a new lead. "My people are still checking but we've eliminated the Skull & Bones boys…none of them quite have the stomach for something quite like this. Beside, couldn't see any in the bunch willing to risk their inheritance or aspirations for the public life if certain information were to be leaked."
"Ok, so still no leads."
"Not quite. But there's something I need to talk to you about. Might bear further looking into, if you will." Chuck said. Feeling uncertain, even after all his years of silence, he felt as if he were betraying his father even if it was only Nate whom he was confiding in. "Remember years back, I told you Humphrey tried writing that article for New York Magazine."
Frowning, Nate nodded, "Yeah. You said they hired him to write some kind of expose but you wouldn't tell me what it was about."
Chuck looked at his oldest friend. He'd always trusted Nate. With his life. With his girls. And his father had been gone for years so telling Nate the truth wasn't exactly a betrayal. But what would happen to his father's memory if the truth came out after so many years.
"Chuck, what is it?" Nate leaned forward.
Running a hand through his hair, Chuck stood slowly, walking over to pour himself a drink. It was barely ten in the morning but damned if he wasn't going to need it. Savoring the taste, the liquid fire rolled across his tongue and down his throat before he turned back to the man who was his brother in everything but blood, "There was another fire."
"What? When?" Nate asked, coming to join Chuck as he sank down on the sofa, rolling the glass tumbler between his palms.
"A long time ago. Before we were born. There was a fire and somebody died. My father did some things that were less than honest. And someone ended up dead. Somehow..." Chuck ran a hand down his face, "Somehow, Humphrey found out and thankfully Jiminy Cricket gave him a swift kick in the ass before he actually wrote the damn story."
"Shit. Shit. Chuck." Shaking his head, he cleared his throat. "What do you want me to do?"
"Well I'm going to talk to Brooklyn. See what he knows. Try to find out who exactly was involved all those years ago. See if there's a connection. You, Nathaniel, I need to get the old case files. See what you can dig up on your end and my PI will do the rest." Chuck said.
"Chuck, if this is the connection. It's highly likely that we won't be able to keep all the details under wraps. You're okay with that?"
"For now, I'd prefer us working under the radar….we can think damage control later." He said.
"When are you going to talk to Dan?"
Chuck said, "I was actually just about to head out when you arrived."
"Think you might want company.? Or a referee?" Nate offered.
"Ha…Ha. You're hilarious, Archibald." Chuck said, "Damn referee. You were supposed to have my back you know."
"Hey, that chair missed your skull, didn't it?" Nate joked.
Holding his thumb and finger the barest of inches apart, "By that much." His smile faded slowly and his expression sobered, "I'm sure that Humphrey and I can get along…or resist the urge to strangle one another long enough to have a fairly civilized conversation. You should head up. You really do look like shit."
"And that just sounds better every time you say it."
"I'm out of here, Nathaniel. And unless you want me riding your ass later about what a bitch you married…"
"Don't call her that."
Chuck continued, not even acknowledging that Nate had spoken. "You'll take better care of yourself. Go get some fucking rest because you do in fact look like shit. Really. Trust your boy."
"Yes, Mom."
"Good. And please don't ever call me that again."
Leaving Nathaniel to his own devices, Chuck set out to find the last person he ever considered working with. But besides the old scandal, Brooklyn had unearthed six years before, he couldn't think of anything else…couldn't fathom anyone who would come at him in quite this manner.
~ஐ~
Georgina was sick of playing around. She wanted to get on with the business of things but Waldorf still refused to cooperate. The other nurses were really starting to get on her case for her "disappearing acts" and damned if there wasn't always someone in Blair's goddamn room. Either staff or family or friends. Georgina couldn't quite understand what these people got out of it. They came in and sat there with B for hours. Talking as if she was taking any of it in. Didn't they get tired of that shit. Because quite frankly, she'd had about enough. She'd been pumping Blair full of McCarty's drug for a fucking week and still no prize.
Damn. It was time to cut her losses and just move ahead with the next phase of her plan. Then she'd take care of McCarty for selling her on his worthless science project.
~ஐ~
He wasn't at the hospital. Couldn't be found in his hotel room. It took a call to his stepsister for Chuck to find out where just the hell Dan Humphrey was hiding himself. He wasn't sure which was worst…the fact that he was traipsing all over New York in search of Dan Effing Humphrey or that he was about to ask the guy for help. He found Dan after hitting three out of four of his favorite hotspots which Serena had tipped him off on.
The New York Public Library. Where the hell else, Chuck shook his head, spotting his former classmate. So what now? Was Humphrey taking another stab at writing?
The other man was camped out in a dark corner. His laptop and paperwork taking up one table, but Brooklyn wasn't typing. He was looking through old microfilm….news clippings from the 1980s.
Fuck. He and Dan on the same wavelength. Utterly horrifying proposition.
"Humphrey." Voice soft, Chuck tapped the other man on the shoulder.
"Bass." Dan turned, his appearance as exhausted as Nate's had been earlier. The stress and strain of worrying over his little sister for the past few days showed. "What are you doing here? Researching your next takedown. Thought you hired people for that."
"Actually." Chuck took the seat across from him, "I was looking for you."
"Chuck Bass tracking me down…can't be good." Dan said.
Now comes the fun part. Chuck's eyes narrowed and he sat back against his chair. "Actually, Humph…Dan. I have a proposition for you."
"I'm listening."
Chuck jumped right in, "You already know about the other fires. I was talking to Nate earlier and we were thinking that there is the possibility that these fires are connected not to me…but my father." Tipping his chin to the microfilm that Dan had been scanning. "Seems you had the same idea."
"And?"
The bastard wasn't going to make things easy, was he? Chuck said, "And you want to find the person responsible for hurting your sister. I want the same. Why not combine our efforts?"
"You're asking for my help." Dan smiled, liking the idea.
"I'm asking that you—uh, contribute certain information in your possession. Information that will benefit us both." Chuck leaned forward, smile in place but his voice dangerously low. Reminding Dan of a large cat stalking its prey.
"You're not going to say it, are you? Fine." Dan gave in. "Where do you want to start?"
Chuck wanted to start and finish anywhere but right there with Humphrey. Still he didn't have any other choice.
"If this is about my father, then you might have the right idea. Let's start at the beginning. Do you have copies or any of the information that you dug up six years ago?"
"Nope. Gave it all to your father." Dan shook his head, "Do you think he might've hidden the information somewhere. Safety deposit box."
"My father wasn't a fool. He would've destroyed any and all evidence the minute it came into his hands. What about your source? The guy who put your onto the trail of the arson story."
Dan shot that down fast, "No. Seems he came into some money…not long after my initiation into journalism. Bart Bass covering his tracks again, right?"
"Thoroughly."
"So we're starting from scratch. Better get started then." Dan said, "Here we can get through this faster if we both look through them."
Chuck was about to suggest that he simply have his PI's take care of it but he thought of his words to Nate earlier. This was sensitive and though he paid his people damn well, he wasn't up to taking any chances with it. Not yet.
~ஐ~
Christmas Eve arrived and Jenny's prognosis was getting better with each passing day. She'd regained consciousness two days after the fire that destroyed her home and business almost destroyed her as well. The Humphrey family gathered that afternoon putting forth their best efforts at cheering up the youngest Humphrey. They sat together, recounting memories of Christmas past.
Meanwhile, the Bass family and all that came with them convened at Serena and Blair's alma mater. They filed inside the auditorium amongst the other families attending the Snowflake Recital featuring students from surrounding elementary and middle schools. Any other time and anyone else's children involved Chuck might've been wary of the night's coming entertainment. Sugarplums and Rudolph…yeah not his cup of tea. At least not without a boatload of scotch on standby.
Eleanor and Cyrus were already there with Harold, saving seats closest to the front. The girls still had yet to meet Blair's mother, and dear God if he hadn't heard enough about the woman over the past few days.
"Eleanor." He tipped his head politely. Reaching beyond her to shake hands with Harold and Cyrus. "No Roman?"
"He's taking a later flight. He'll be with us before Christmas but he insisted that I fly ahead. Get here in time for the girls' performance." He motioned to the closed curtain on stage.
"The girls can't wait to see you. Any of you." He told them meeting Eleanor's shocked eyes before turning his attention to Cyrus. "They saw the menorah by the way and you won't be surprised to learn that they feel the same as their mother concerning eight days of presents."
"Well, we'll be more than happy to oblige." Cyrus took Eleanor's hand and squeezing. "This beautiful lady dragged me from one store after another buying up the place. Buying up enough clothes and toys for ten children."
Rolling her eyes as Cyrus proceeded to give a complete rundown of her shopping exploits since landing back in New York, Eleanor turned to greet Lily and her children. "You look wonderful as ever. Serena where's that adorable little boy of yours."
"Carter has him for tonight. Dinner with the Baizen family. Then he'll drop him off tomorrow to open his presents from Santa." Serena explained.
It wasn't long before the overhead lights dimmed and none other than, Headmistress Queller mounted the stage.
"Good Evening, ladies and gentleman. This year, The Constance Billiard School for Girls has been lucky enough to be chosen as hosts to the Upper East Side Winter Carnival. Kicking off the events leading up to the New Year, we are happy to present The Nutcracker Prince starring grades kindergarten through 8. So please. Sit back and enjoy. I know your children all rehearsed their little hearts out…now we have the pleasure of watching them shine." She stepped away as the curtains opened slowly, revealing the elaborate set of a ballroom. A huge Christmas tree sat center stage, with piles of colorfully wrapped presents beneath.
Kat and Evie's class were up first. The little girls all wore ball gowns and slippers to match in varying shades of red, yellow, and green. Each girl wore their hair up in a neat bun, with ribbons and bows somehow intertwined and streaming from the heads. The little boys wore tuxes and matching tails.
Chuck stole a glance at Eleanor who seemed entranced at the sight onstage as the girls curtseyed to their partners and began "waltzing" for all of two minutes before they were shooed off to the sidelines, their chins cupped in the palms and dark eyes watching closely as the play began to unfold. He knew they'd be in action again before the entire thing was through…he'd listened to silly song their had to rehearse enough to be able to sing along with them…not that he planned to. Maybe things wouldn't turn out so bad after all.
~ஐ~
This was definitely her last night in this hell hole. She'd officially had enough. McCarty's little experiment was a complete bust and now the bastard was AWOL. No matter. She'd find him soon enough. For now it was time to take care of Queen B.
Georgina set off for her rounds one last time. Ignoring the old lady in 308. Why couldn't they all be like Blair. So accommodating. Well mostly. Georgina had been kinda looking forward to B waking up finally. It would just be so much less fun destroying everything Chuck and Serena cared about without Blair awake so that she could feel it too. All them a little heaven before sending them all to hell.
Oh, well. Plans change. She could be flexible. B's swan song wouldn't have the oompf, Georgina had been going for but damned if they wouldn't feel it. She let herself into Blair's room, fingers curving around the syringe in her pocket.
"Time's up, B." She said.
~ஐ~
The darkness pulled at her again, black, sticky tar that left her heavy and unmoving. She heard their voices. Her mother's. Dorota's. Chuck's. Right there. Beyond the dark. Mixing together and fading away. Too far for her to follow. She was tired. She wanted to swim but the dark wouldn't release its grip.
She gasped out suddenly, the blackness filling her insides, corroding and killing. It hurt. Her chest. It burned. Everything burned.
"Time to let go, Blair." A familiar voice pierced darkness and pain.
The pain came again, sharper, grinding into her.
It hurts. Make it stop, she cried out and tried to get closer to that commanding voice. It hurts!
"You have to let go." It said. He said.
I don't know how, she tried. Tried burrowing deeper into the darkness, closer to the voice. But even as she pushed her chest tightened with that damn pain. She wanted to reach out and hit something, someone but there was no one. Only the darkness and that damned voice. Familiar. It sounded…it sounded like…Mr. Bass. Bart!!!
That was the voice. With a new surge of energy she pushed on. Trying to get closer to Mr. Bass. Chuck father. He'd make it stop.
"Not to me. To him. You need to go back, Blair." He ordered, "Let go before it's too late. Time's almost up."
Blair screamed out as white hot fire seemed to ignite, piercing every part of her. She blinked, blobs of color and light eating away at the darkness, crowding it out. I don't want to go! Mr. Bass!!!!
The pain took over again, making her chest feel as if it were ready to explode. Then all was dark again and she knew nothing more, but sweet relief then nothing at all.
TBC
A/N: The whole way through this…or atleast CB's parts Bloc Party's Biko kept running through my head. And like I said this came out superlong but don't think ya'll be too mad at me about that…so what'd you think. I will be updating ASAP…our show is on as we speak and so I'm gone. New CB. :snoopydance:
Courtney