Disclaimer: I own nothing except a great love for CB and the many inhabitants of the UES
A/N: As promised. Runs on the long side, as well, I was feeling a bit wordy, haha. Please forgive any mistakes or grammar faux pas that I may have missed in my mad rush to get this posted. As always, your words and thoughts always mean a great deal to me and I think you for them. You guys are love. Big kiss ;) and hugs all around. Hi to my girls and special thanks to Wifey…just cause you're so friggin amazing and always looking out. Thanks hon.
Chapter 19ஐ
Not far away, Chuck and Eric walked the halls of the hospital. Chuck waited patiently or rather impatiently for his brother to speak his mind. Finally he asked, "Eric. You wanted to talk to me. What's going on?"
Eric thrust his hands in his pockets, his expression uncertain, "I don't know. Maybe what you told me earlier is making me paranoid but no…this is just weird. And now I'm rambling."
"Yes, you are. Just tell me. Eric, what's wrong?"
"I don't know that it's wron…It's just something that Eleanor said to me earlier…before we—er interrupted you guys." Eric said, "She thanked me for my concern yesterday. She said that when the nurse told her that her son…Eric Waldorf called to check on Blair that she was a little thrown at first."
Chuck's eyes narrowed as his brother's words sank in.
"I kept thinking about what you said before…and then someone using my name to check in on Blair's condition. It just got me thinking. Am I losing it? Looking for trouble where none exists." Eric laughed nervously, waiting for reassurance from Chuck.
Reassurance would have to wait as Chuck's next words were quietly hissed. Chuck demanding that his brother tell him exactly what Eleanor had said. Every detail that could be remembered.
Eric told him about meeting up with Eleanor, Harold and the others on their way back up with the kids. And then Eleanor's words about the nurse calling her over to the phone to speak with her "son." Her "son" who'd been worried about his sister's health. There really wasn't much to tell and Eric hadn't denied Eleanor's assumption that it had been him. Instead, he'd mulled it over in his mind, worry seeping in with every passing moment. Especially given his earlier conversation with Chuck. Something had his siblings on edge and Eric couldn't shake the feeling that this was connected.
Chuck listened, quiet. He spoke only to have Eric repeat his recounting at least another three times.
After that third time, the younger man fell silent, waiting for Chuck's theories as to what was going on. He knew that earlier Chuck hadn't felt comfortable sharing whatever the problem was but this wasn't business, if Blair was being pulled in…that meant there was something big going on that could affect them all. Him. His mother. His nieces and nephew.
"I know I said that I was okay not knowing before, but I'm asking now. Do you have any idea what's going on?" Eric asked.
Chuck nodded after a moment, meeting his brother's worried eyes. "I have a fairly good idea who may have called. A man. Dr. Phillip McCarty. I think he's the reason Blair's awake."
"And you're worried." Eric said.
"I am terrified."
The blond man nodded, "Well, I'm listening if you need to talk about it. What's he got to do with Blair?"
"I've been funding his research into alternative treatments for cases like Blair's. he developed this drug. He wanted to give it to her months ago…test it on her."
"God, Chuck. You didn't."
"No, of course not. I'd never chance her like that. Not ever." Chuck glared, forgetting for a moment that this was the little brother he loved dearly. "I told the bastard to go to hell. May have thrown a punch or two. He wanted to give it to her despite the fact that the fucking side effects could've killed her."
"Shit. Shit. But how?" Eric asked, "The private hospital she's been in wasn't exactly Fort Knox but I don't see how the doctors and nurses could've just let McCarty slip it to her right under their noses."
"That's what's throwing me." Chuck admitted. "I've had my PIs checking into this."
Eric smiled despite himself, "Of course."
"They couldn't find any evidence of McCarty coming stateside over the past few months."
"You think he was working with someone. Maybe one of the nurses at the hospital?"
Chuck nodded, "It makes sense. I'm heading over there. Before I definitely send her back there for rehab…I want to be sure of who exactly's been treating her and to make sure that McCarty can't get to her again." He sighed, "If I could manage it, I'd just take her back to the apartment now and hire a private nurse."
"Um, well why not just do that?"
"Gotta get Chambers to clear her first and I want her heavily monitored. At least for the next few weeks. Just in case any more of those fucking side effects pop up." Chuck said.
"Anything I can do right now?" Eric asked.
"No but you'll be the first to know if that changes." Chuck assured.
~ஐ~
"Nate told me you were here. I hope this isn't a bad time." Serena said, the cycle of anger and worry that she'd been cycling through on the cab ride over, deserting her.
She'd all but forgiven Chuck and Nate for misleading her and keeping their secrets. And she'd been too worried about Dan to let him feel the full brunt of upset that she'd been feeling the night before. Not that he would've known either way since he'd been groggy and too far gone after the ER doc finished giving him the once over.
Dan stepped back to let her inside, his hair still dripping and wet from his shower. "Come in. Have you eaten, yet? I just ordered room service but I can always have them…"
"No, that's okay. I can't stay for long. I left Alex with my Mom but she has plans later." Serena said.
"Okay," He said, "Well, let me go put something on…"
"No…I mean. That's okay. Like I said…" Serena locked eyes with him, completely aware of Dan's robe-clad form. "I just needed to see …ugh talk to you."
"Is everything okay?" He asked.
Serena shook her head after a moment. "Yes. No. I talked to Chuck. I know what's been happening."
"So he finally told you."
"Yes, he did and I really wish that you had."
Somehow, Dan had known that was coming, "It was Chuck's story to tell and he didn't want us saying anything."
Okay, so maybe she and Nate had felt beholden to keeping quiet for Chuck given their shared history but her brother and Dan was something else entirely. She shook her head, her expression a mix of disbelief and wild humor.
"What?"
"It's unbelievable. You guys can't stand one another and yet here you are covering for him…and Chuck…Chuck's asking you for favors."
Dan nodded, "Weird, right?"
For some reason, Serena found the idea of Dan and Chuck working together, all kinds of ironic and hilarious to boot. She laughed, bitterness mixing in with hysteria. Serena didn't realize that she was crying until Dan put his arms around her. Tentative. Hugging her close.
"Hey. Ssh. It's okay."
"Just give me a minute…okay?" She hugged him back, squeezing until he winced in reaction. "I'm sorry. Sorry. You just have no idea what I went through yesterday. I thought something really bad had happened to you and then it turns out that I was right."
"It's okay."
But it hadn't been. Not yesterday. He could've died and he and the others had all lied to her. Her ire of before came back. Here she was apologizing for her tears and they'd put her through hell. Her arms fell away from him and her entire body stiffened. Dan, who'd been murmured words of comfort pulled back frowning.
Well, fuck, he thought. There was a face that he'd grown quite familiar with during the course of their tumultuous relationship back in high school. As Eric had told him on more than one occasion, that face was not his friend.
She stepped back, arms crossing over her chest. An air of expectation crowding around her, Serena watched him…waiting.
Dan finally had to ask, "What is it?" What the hell had he done now?
"Don't you have anything to say to me?"
Not really, Dan thought but wisely kept the sentiment to himself. Instead he merely shrugged, "Why don't you clue me in on what's got you suddenly so upset."
She scoffed, "Upset? What's got me upset? I don't know…I'm just realizing that…here I am. Pouring my heart out and letting you know just how afraid I was…apologizing and you have nothing to say to me besides 'give me a clue'…"
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Dan tried backtracking. "Serena, I…"
"A clue. He wants a clue." She brushed past him.
"What are you doing?" He didn't move, but tracked her movements as she marched to the hotel door.
Serena yanked open the door and stuck her head in the hallway. "DAN HUMPHREY IS AN ASSHOLE!!!"
Dan stood unmoving as she slammed the door shut again and came back to stand in front of him. "Feeling better?"
Her expression unchanged, she shrugged. "A little"
"Well, you aren't thinking of slugging me, are you?" He said, trying to lighten the mood, make her smile at him again.
"Hadn't considered it yet. But now that you mention it." Despite her words, she reached out to stroke Dan's bruised features, anger cooling. "No more secrets. Okay, Dan? Not between you and me. Not for my brother. Not for anyone. All right?"
"Yeah. Right. Consider it done." Dan nodded, waiting for her to step back. Except she didn't. Her eyes drifted to his mouth and he couldn't keep his wandering gaze from reciprocating.
"Good. Now promise me that you'll be careful." She whispered, her face bare inches from his. "I don't want to feel anything like I felt when I heard you were hurt."
"Of course." His eyes still locked on her mouth. "No more secrets and be careful."
His thoughts muddled but just the proximity of this blonde beauty who'd intimidated him and overwhelmed him for most of their relationship. What an unlikely pair they been and hadn't they broken up enough times to prove all the reasons why they shouldn't have even tried. It never worked out. There were so many reasons why he should just step back and let her be on her way. Only he couldn't think of a single one of them. All he could do was wonder how it would feel to kiss her again.
"Good, 'cause I don't think that I could handle anything really happening to you…" She murmured, her warm breath fanning his skin.
What could possibly happen to him? Logic and reason tried to butt in and diffuse the moment. Safe. She wanted him safe. The arsonist? They guy might be after him even know, thinking that Dan had gotten a look at his face. His entire reason for accepting Chuck's offer inside of booking a room where his father was staying. Heaving a regretful sigh, Dan was the one who pulled away.
Serena blinked at him in confusion. "What…"
"I should probably get dressed. I know you said that you couldn't stay long. And I need to return some phone calls for work." He tried not to make it sound so much like a dismissal…even if that's what it completely was.
"Um. Right. Of course." Serena said, "I'll call you later and maybe when you're feeling up to it we can have those drinks. Or I could make us some dinner at my place."
"You're going to cook?" Dan smiled.
In mock offense, Serena pretended to glare, "Well, Martha Stewart I'm not but I'll have you know that I can hold my own in the kitchen."
"As cocky as I remembered. I like it. Guess I'll have to let you experiment on me." Dan said.
"You should stop talking now before I change my mind about slugging you." Serena warned.
Dan released the breath he didn't realize that he'd been holding once she was gone. "My life beyond sucks." He cursed softly and cancelled his room service order, in favor of a very, very long cold shower.
~ஐ~
Nate cursed himself for every type of fool as he disentangled himself from the clinging limbs of the naked woman at this side. He'd dozed. They both had after the fire and heat of coming together. Putting all of the heavy emotions that'd left him ragged out of his mind.
Long dark hair, tickled his bare chest and obscured her face. He pulled away slowly. Not wanting to wake her. Not wanting to talk or dissect what they'd just spent the past few hours doing. It didn't mean anything. It didn't change a goddamn thing and he hoped to God that she understood that.
Nate searched the living room, gathering up his discarded clothing peppering every corner of the room, mixed in with hers.
Fuck. He should've just left earlier with his goddamn suitcases before she'd walked back through that door. He should've just kept going when she felt the sudden need to "explain" her actions. Her affair. But he couldn't. A perverse part of him needed to know what'd happened. What'd gone wrong? But he couldn't let her finish. Not when she seemed so despairing…echoing the cracks in his heart. He'd stopped her…suitcases falling to the floor when she started to cry. Kissing her to assuage the need to throttle.
He hated her. Loved her. Hated her for breaking them apart. Shattering them into pieces that they could never glue back together. So he kissed her. With every bit of loathing and love that he could muster. They'd made love…no that wasn't right. They'd fucked…going at it for stretches of time, losing track. At the back of his mind, Nate had wondered if maybe he was trying to erase what had passed between Vanessa and her lover. Ruin her for anyone's touch but his alone.
Wasn't that what she deserved? To carry on through with life…unfulfilled and dissatisfied with anything and anyone except him. The only problem with that sentiment was that he was very afraid that the same was true for him. And so he left her sleeping on couch, wanting to shake her…wanting to love her.
He left before he could decide on doing either one of those.
Twenty minutes later, Vanessa awoke slowly, her limbs heavy and Nate's scent all around her. Even before she opened her eyes, Vanessa knew that he was gone. The empty sound of the house around her, achingly familiar.
Wrapping the afghan around her body, she wandered from the room, leaving her clothes where they lay. Finding all of his suitcases gone, Vanessa tried to console herself. Hadn't she expected him to finally take them all this time? Didn't she know that their afternoon had changed nothing, but the empty spot by the stairs still cut deep.
She still hadn't told him about Carter. She'd been ready…or as ready as she was ever going to be. Then he'd kissed her and she hadn't pushed him away. Why would she have…he'd given her the exact hell and solace that she'd been running to Carter's bed for the past few days looking for.
~ஐ~
Over the days that followed, a routine of sorts fell into place for the friends. Serena and Dan spoke on the phone almost every night, dancing around the subjects of their almost kiss and the fact that Dan deflected her every attempt to get him to come over for dinner. Nate was as surprised as Vanessa, each night he found himself mounting the familiar steps outside of their brownstone. He never stayed the entire night and she never asked him to. Chuck spent his nights with Blair. Leaving for early for board meetings and conference calls that demanded his presence at Bass Industries. Chuck always made certain that he knew who would be with Blair and what doctors or nurses were likely to be in her room for the day. She thought that he was being sweet to make sure that Dorota, Serena, or even her mother was free to spend those hours with her, having no idea that it was merely another precaution.
He'd talked to his PIs about having the people on staff investigated as well but his people advised that the undertaking was an impossible one, even before considering the fact that their resources were already stretched beyond belief with looking for McCarty and into the Franklin family's past.
Chuck freely admitted that he was paranoid about all the various technicians who kept appearing in her room. And that fucking Chambers seemed to have decided that Blair was his new pet project. The guy was always hanging around. So he settled for Mike checking out "Dr. Feelgood," as his dear sister liked to joke. Chuck wasn't finding any of it the least bit funny. The man was quickly becoming a pain in his ass.
He was almost wishing that Mike could come up with some dirt on the doctor, but Chambers and the others who worked closest with Blair checked out with nothing shady in their pasts. No connections to McCarty, whatsoever.
Ensconced in the back of the limo with papers on either side of him, Chuck couldn't make himself concentrate on the business of…well business. He'd been so distracted by everything that work had become less of a priority. Chuck had a business lunch in another hour but first he needed to make a quick stop
He checked his watch and saw that he had more than enough time, as long as traffic cooperated. He reached for his cell phone and dialed his sister's number.
Serena answered on the third ring, sounding out of breath. "Yes, Chuck."
"Hello to you, too, Sis." Chuck said, "What in the hell are you doing?"
"Walking."
"I thought you were at work."
"I was. I left early. Had a few things to take care of for this little surprise that you've got brewing for Blair. I had my doubts before, but it's definitely a good idea." Serena said.
Yes, now if only he could get Chambers to cooperate then all else should fall right into place. "You're heading over later to relieve Dorota, right."
"Yes, Chuck." He could all but see her rolling her eyes. "You know it'd be easier to just tell her the truth and hire an actual bodyguard…"
"No. This will work."
"So we're just going to do this…you spending your nights at the hospital and the rest of us taking shifts while you work. She's going to get suspicious Chuck. And as much as the girls love sleeping over at my place and with Mom and Eric…they miss you. They miss being in their own space."
"I know." Chuck said, "Everything you're saying, believe me. I've thought about it over and over again. I've got a plan coming together, though. I need to work on a few more things before I let you know the details."
The limo pulled to a stopped and Arthur called through the intercom. "Sir, we have arrived."
"Listen, I need to go. I've got a few more meetings. Then I promised to take the girls out for an early dinner and they want to try smuggling ice cream in to their mother." He smiled.
"B, would love that."
Mindful of all that needed to be done within a limited amount of time, Chuck said his goodbyes to his sister and let himself out of the limo. "I won't be long." He told the driver.
"Of course, sir."
Chuck left him there. Heading for the familiar building where he'd spent hundreds of hours over the past five years.
Greetings of "Mr. Bass" and congratulations followed with questions of Blair's health and the twins.
"Mr. Bass. You're back. We're all over the moon with Miss Waldorf's recovering. We can only imagine how you and the family are feeling right now." The nurse smiled, falling into step beside him as he made his way to Blair's old room.
"We're all quite happy to have her back."
"Nurse Timpkins told me that you'd decided against having Miss Waldorf transferred back here, after all." The woman said, "We were going to pack up her things but then thought maybe that your family would rather take care of it."
Chuck nodded. Though he'd have been happy to send to send someone from his staff over to pack up Blair's old room. He'd been ready to send her back to this place but the more and more he thought of his conversation with Eric, the more wrong it felt even contemplating bringing her back here. Chuck had more than enough money. He'd hire a private staff and lease one of the apartments in his building. Renovations were already being done on the apartment directly below his. He'd hired contractors to have it ready in time for Blair's release. The place would be outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. That way Blair could just come home with him and the kids and do her physical therapy right there in the building. The private staff would mean him not having to worry about her safety and McCarty somehow getting to her again.
Now he just needed to figure out how it happened in the first place. If not McCarty then who at the private hospital could've given B the drug? Risking her life. Risking everything.
"We were all extremely worried when she went into cardiac arrest, but what a wonderful miracle." The nurse said, following him inside Blair's old hospital room, still decked out with the Christmas decorations that Cyrus and Eleanor had put up.
Chuck wandered over to the night table and picked up the closest picture frame. A family shot that Lily had insisted on. They were all there…him, the kids, Serena, Eric, Alex, Lily and even Dorota. They'd have to take a new one with Blair. It would replace this one which took up space on the mantel, back at the apartment. The more that he thought of his plans and the surprise that he and Serena had brewing for Blair…the more excited he was becoming.
Nothing could diminish it. Not this shit with the fires. Not Eleanor's attempts at undermining him.
"We really are going to miss all of you around here. In case you hadn't noticed, the staff has grown very attached to your girls. Everyone who meets them falls in love."
"I know I did." Chuck smiled. He turned to her. "Listen. I'd like to do something special. Maybe throw a party of sorts for all of you. For everything that you've done for Blair and me and my family."
The woman blushed as he turned up the charm another notch…intent on getting what he came for. "That's not necessary. We were only doing our jobs."
"It's very necessary. Trust me. Your quick actions I'm told probably saved Blair's life." His own heart stuttered at what might have happened if they hadn't gotten to her so quickly and then sent her to St. Vincent's. "Were you here that night?"
"Me? No. I was with my sister…doing some last minute shopping." She said, her tone deprecating and her expression helpful. "I wasn't here but Griff and the usual night staff was on duty. And poor Olivia."
"Olivia?" Chuck tried not to jump on that. The name didn't sound familiar. He'd grown to know all the usual suspects on staff and he couldn't remember an Olivia. "Don't think I've met her."
"Oh, she's fairly new. Young girl…dark hair. Nice enough. Most of the time." She said as if those other times when this "Olivia" was less than "nice enough" were a doozy. The nurse looked at him, flushing guiltily when she thought she may have said something inappropriate.
Chuck gave her that lazy smile and waiting expectantly for her to continue.
She didn't disappoint, spurned on by his obvious interest. "Well, Olivia started a few weeks ago. Nice enough girl but don't think she's cut of for this type of job at all. She can be a bit abrasive at times and I think that what happened to Miss Waldorf scared the bejesus out of the poor thing."
"Why do you say that?" Chuck asked.
"Well, she hightailed it out of here pretty fast, or I heard…you know once the others arrived. All the alarms and such. And Miss Waldorf going into arrest was probably too much for her. Olivia's called in sick everyday since it happened. Guess maybe she's rethinking her career in nursing. She probably thought working here would be different than the bigger hospitals."
"That's a shame. I hope she comes back. 'Olivia,' you said right?" He confirmed. So perhaps McCarty had an accomplice after all.
The woman nodded, "Yes. Nurse Olivia George."
~ஐ~
Blair was laughing and Dorota following her oldest charge…arms held out as the older woman had done numerous times when Kat and Evie were first learning to walk and taking their tumbles. Blair seemed to be holding her own even with her own personal spotter constantly on her tail as she maneuvered around the room, using a walker. Serena shook her head at the picture the twosome made.
"Miss Blair. I really think that is enough."
"Just a few more minutes." Blair said, unknowingly sounding like her girls whenever they were trying to push their bedtime back an hour or three.
"New toy, Blair?" Serena asked. "Maybe you should listen to Dorota. You don't want a repeat of your less than graceful…"
"Serena…"
"Something happen?" Dorota looked between the old friends, her ears perked and eyes narrowed. "Tell me now."
"It was nothing. Dorota, would you please help me back to the bed. I think I am feeling a little tired." Blair glared at Serena. She didn't need Dorota hovering and fussing any more than she already was. She glanced at her best friend and raised a brow at the bevy of bags bearing designer names and gasp…Bendels.
Bitch. Bitch. Bitch. Blair couldn't help the pout that surfaced. She was stuck here all damn day and Serena had gone shopping.
"Don't look at me like that, B. I come bearing gifts. It's all for you." Serena said, "Well, mostly."
For her? Now that changed matters.
"I know you're tired of wearing that."
"You know me well," Blair looked down at the silk robe and pajamas that Chuck had bought for her after her continued complaints of the hospitals less than imaginative wardrobe choices. She'd been grateful enough and had even kiss him once or ten times for being so thoughtful but Serena was right. She was sick to death of pajamas. She wanted really...supergirly clothes with all the frills. God, she hoped Serena hadn't brought her anymore pajamas. Cute or not. She wanted to feel pretty. Not like she was a patient. Which she was but that couldn't go on forever. Dr. Will would be signing her out of here any day now. She'd do her time at the private hospital and then she'd get to go home with Chuck and the girls. "Really for me?"
"Yes, and if you want to see…you're going to have to sit down. I know you've lost a lot of weight and your old clothes probably wouldn't fit. And thought you'd probably want new stuff to get you started, anyway. So come and sit down so we can look through it all." Serena said.
Only then did Blair realize that she'd stopped halfway across the room and Dorota was still clucking around her like some Mother Hen. Blair shooed her off as she greedily took in the bounty that her best friend was laying out before her.
"Oh, Serena. I think I'm in love with you. Seriously." Blair buried her nose in the silky fabric and breathed deeply. Yves St. Laurant. McCartney. Chloe. Posen. Prada. They were all there. Her drugs of choice.
Over the next hour the girls and Dorota looked through piles of clothes. There was something of everthing…blouses, skirts, a sexy slip dress that made Dorota flush beet red. It felt like their first time again. That wonderful first shopping trip where it had been just the three of them….with carte blanche in Bergdorfs and Bendels…free to decide on what they wanted. What clothes fit their views of themselves, rather than their parents' skewed or out and out blind illusions of them.
They laughed and Blair tried on a pair of jeans and designer tee. She and Serena giggled over the delicate, bits of lace and silk underwear, while Dorota pretended to be scandalized.
Blair knew that it would be a while before she'd be able to wear most of it. But thankfully Serena had included more than a few casual items. She usually wasn't a denim type of girl. Hell she hadn't even been a denim type of girl but the pair of skinny jeans looked damn good on her figure…they were comfortable…and showed off her—er uh assets. They were also a welcome change from her 101 pairs of pajamas. She felt like her old self again. All that was missing were her headbands and her favorite pair of Louboutins.
She couldn't wait to see Chuck's face when he saw her in her new jeans. She glanced down at the blouse she'd grabbed out of the pile and its little bowtie. The silky fabric clung in all the right places. God, had her boobs gotten bigger. Oh she really, really couldn't wait for Bass to get there from his billionth meeting.
Her eyes wandered back to the black slip dress. There were quite a few things she couldn't wait to get his reaction on. "S?"
"What's up?" Serena said, distracted as she and Dorota tried putting it all in order. Getting things back into their respective bags.
"I just had the best idea for a surprise and I need your help."
Serena got the weirdest look on her face at that…surprise? Irony? What the hell was that all about? Before she could dissect it, her friend was smiling and nodding, the reaction that Blair had being going for to start with. "What did you have in mind?"
"The nurses seem to love you, so I need you to work your magic with them." Blair told her.
"They'd love you, too, if you didn't give them such a hard time." Serena sighed, "B, you're not still pushing your girls' night sleepover, are you?"
"No. One thing at a time, S. Tonight I just want to do something special with Chuck. He's been so great…staying here with me. Night after night, when he could be at home…comfortable in his own bed." Blair said, wishing once again that she could be anywhere except the hospital.
Even with the visitors that always seemed to be dropping by and her more and more strenuous efforts into getting back full control of her body, she was bored half the time. And beyond sick of the four walls that was her prison. The only good thing about her enforced confinement was the fact that whether having a cell phone glued to his ear or shuffling through papers or talking to her and the kids, Chuck was there.
She hadn't spent one night in this place without her body curling up beside his. It was nice having that time with him but it wasn't exactly an ideal situation. They were in a hospital for godsakes, not some cozy and romantic bed-and-breakfast. "Privacy" might as well have been a four-letter word since day-in and day-out, there was always someone barging in.
Serena said, "Oh, it's no hardship. Trust me, Blair. The doctors couldn't kick him out with the rest of us if they tried. Actually, come to think of it…your good friend, Dr. Will did."
Blair tried not to smile, her fingers caressing the silky fabric of her new wardrobe and her mind hurtling back to other night when Will had politely booted the others from her room. He'd cited his patient's need for a night of uninterrupted rest. Chuck hadn't even looked up as he coolly assured the other man that he'd make sure that Blair followed doctor's orders to the letter, blatantly ignoring the other man's not so subtle hints that he leave along with the rest of her family.
"Nevertheless, I've got an idea and I'll need your help in executing it. Yours, as well, Dorota's."
"Of course, Miss Blair." The maid nodded eagerly.
The girls would have their dinner and time with Daddy and then he was all hers.
~ஐ~
Olivia George. He couldn't get the name out of his head.
Chuck was still waiting for Mike to return the half-dozen messages that he'd left for the PI since hearing that name. He'd asked the very helpful nurse to describe Ms. George two more times before leaving for his meeting, telling the woman that he thought that maybe he had crossed paths with her co-worker and just wanted to match the face with the name. The nurse hadn't given him much to go on and so his imagination was going into overdrive.
Olivia George. Georgina Sparks. Coincidence? When had anything in his life boiled down to anything as pure and simple as that? Never. So he'd found himself preoccupied. Numbers and words swam, incomprehensible during the limo ride over when he'd tried reading through the folder that his secretary had pieced together for his lunch meeting. More than once, Chuck had found himself staring into space, uncertain of just how long he'd sat that way. Thankfully he'd already looked through the sheaf of papers the night before.
Things were better once he actually arrived at the restaurant. It was almost automatic the way his mind clicked into business mode, pushing all else to the back. Olivia was still there…in the far corners. Right there with Blair and the girls, but Bart had taught him nothing if not how to compartmentalize when it came to getting a deal to go your way.
His blonde associate excused herself halfway though lunch, needing to make a call to her business partner.
Chuck was grateful, hoping to take the chance to check in again with his PI.
However, before he could even dial the number he heard his name being called.
"Chuck. Well, hello again."
He looked up, recognizing her immediately this time, placing the exotic beauty as the same he'd met while overseas. Chuck rose politely as she started around the table, holding out his hands to take hers. He smiled, "Gia."
"You remembered." She beamed, surprising him as she took his hands and leaned close to brush her mouth across his cheek. Gia pulled back, looking slightly embarrassed over her lapse but he could see her watching, full of curiosity for his reaction. She said, "Sorry…just flew in from Gay Paree and entirely different set of sensibilities."
"It's fine." Chuck said, his expression still polite and friendly as he gently extracted his hands. He pulled back, putting more distance between them.
"I just wanted to stop over and say hello. One of these days we're going to have to sit down and actually have a drink." She said, her mouth full and curving, the invitation for more than a drink very clear. "Or even dinner."
"Actually, I'm fairly busy foreseeable future."
"I can imagine. Million-dollar deals don't just make themselves." She said, "I saw you with your associate earlier. You were clearly in your element. Things going well I take it?"
Chuck shrugged, noncommittally not comfortably discussing business before the deal was done. Sure last night he'd discussed this meeting with Blair but that had been entirely different. He'd always valued Blair's opinion. The takedowns that woman had orchestrated in high school had been things of beauty and he'd love to see what she could do if given the chance in the business arena.
He knew that she'd been considering following in her father's footsteps by going pre-Law. He wasn't sure if that was something that she was still considering. She could always pursue corporate law…he could see her in a courtroom or boardroom, eviscerating some poor unsuspecting bastard. Hell, maybe he'd talk her into joining him at Bass Industries. They'd rule the business world by day and their nights…well they'd take turns in the privacy of their bedroom.
Eyes gleaming and a speculative smirk curving his mouth, Chuck pulled his attention back to the woman standing before him.
She cleared her throat, "I had the pleasure of meeting your mother…er stepmother…uh Lily…"
"You had it right the first time. You met Lily." And? He waited politely, glancing surreptitiously at his watch.
"Yes. She was acting chairperson for the Hearts and Minds benefit last September. She's amazing really. I don't think that I could've gotten half of what she accomplished in the few weeks she had after taking over the project from Isobel Duarte." Gia said, her tone teasing and full of conspiracy. "That woman…Isobel…almost wrecked the entire evening. It was a lucky break that your mother took over when he did."
He listened politely as goes on to talk about the caterer trying to pull a fast one on Lily but his stepmother wasn't fooled and knew exactly what she wanted. Chuck found his eyes drifting beyond her, now and again, but still saw sign of his partner for lunch.
Nodding absently at the woman across from him, he wondered at the possible phone conversation going on. Of course they would bend to his terms. Like Blair had insisted the night before…it was a sound investment that would benefit all parties involved. Chuck sighed.
His phone vibrated in his jacket pocket, bringing him instantly to attention. He reached for it, holding up a hand for Gia to cease her inane chatter. It wasn't charming really. Not on her at least.
"Finally," he bit off as his PI's name flashed up at him. "Hold that thought Mike." He said into the phone before turning back to the woman staring at him with unchecked interest. "I really need to take this."
"Another time then?"
"Yes. Definitely." Anything you want. Just move along so I can take this effing call. He offered a charming smile that stayed in place until she was finally on her way. Chuck settled back into his chair, phone at his ear. His nostrils flaring out. Gone was the charmer and instead, Chuck became what his father had groomed him for…in life and in business. He was nothing less than a shark in the water having scented the blood of his prey.
Olivia George. Georgina Sparks. Something was there. He could feel it.
"Mr. Bass?"
"I'm still here. Listen, the guy you sent to Prague…the one who confirmed Georgina Sparks' location. You said that he talked to one of the nurses at the sanatorium."
"Yeah. Lady identified Sparks' photo right off."
"I want your guy to approach her again. I want him to make sure. If not this nurse, then find someone else in the ward. Hell, tell him to have himself committed to the fucking place if necessary but I want this checked out. Again." Chuck said, "Is that going to present a problem?"
"Of course not, Mr. Bass." The man said almost immediately, seeming very aware that any other answer would've been unacceptable.
"Good. Get back to me as soon as possible." He said and snapped the phone shut.
His associate finally chose that moment to return, her eyes roaming his features and curving slightly at what she saw. "Thought I'd taken too long. Gary had quite a few addendums that he wanted me to introduce…but I guess you were able to keep yourself occupied."
Chuck frowned, glancing down at the phone still in his hand.
The woman shook her head, smiling. "No. You have a little something here." She brushed a hand high on her cheek.
Fuck. Understanding coming in loud and clear. He used the neat square of his lilac hankie to remove the evidence of Gia's impetuous greeting.
"Let me guess. The pretty brunette who hadn't stopped looking over here since you arrived. I spotted her right off. She was rather obvious. Looks to be her shade you were just wearing a second ago. Acquaintance? You could've asked her to stay. We're about done here."
"Hardly necessary."
"I see." She nodded, "Well, piece of unsolicited advice from the fairer sex…watch out for that one. She seems that kind of hold on for dear life once her claws get in deep enough. Dated a few like her in my younger, foolish years."
Chuck nodded slowly, though the woman's advice was a moot point. There was simply no room in his life for someone like Gia or anyone else for that matter. The lady could sharpen her claws all she liked, he wasn't interested.
"And I've overstepped. Sorry. You just remind me of someone I used to know a long time ago. Forget I said anything." She told him..
"It's fine really, but I'm already taken so Gia's not an issue." Chuck told her. He said the words and they'd never felt more right.
"Lucky lady. You'd better start broadcasting that just a bit little better, young man. Or else you might find yourself in hot water with your girl." She warned. "Now let's get back to business, shall we?"
"Of course. Did you discuss my terms with your partner?"
"I did, indeed. A few rough areas…but nothing we couldn't iron out. Listen I'm in town for the rest of the week. Why don't we take some time…wait for the lawyers to get the paperwork together. That'll give Sid time to look everything over as well. We can all go out and celebrate." She said, "I'll bring my girl and you bring yours."
"A celebratory dinner sounds like an excellent idea, but it'll have to wait until the next time you're in town. Blair's in the hospital right now."
"Nothing serious, I hope."
"Nope. Not anymore." He told her.
"Good to hear. I'll take that rain check, though." She said. "Now about those terms Gary wanted me to bring to your attention."
Chuck motioned for her to continue. He'd done all he could at the moment. Now it was up to Mike's man to get back to Chuck with that second confirmation. He forced his attention away from Olivia George. He'd find out the truth soon enough.
~ஐ~
"What's the hurry, Archibald? You're burning through that paperwork pretty damn fast. Trying to score more brownie points with the Lieu." Henderson, one of the biggest jackasses in the precinct, bumped the back of Nate's chair and plopped his ass on the edge of the desk. The tall, lanky bastard knocked a framed photograph of Nate's wedding day and made no move to put it back in place.
Nate schooled his features, telling himself that the burning in his gut was irritation with his pain-in-ass co-worker. He told himself that it was the smaller wallet-sized pictures of the twins and Alex stuck in the corner of the silver frame that his eyes unconsciously sought out now and again during the day. He made excuses for not ridding himself of that smile face. Both of their faces, light and filled with false promises.
He reasoned with himself that his wedding picture couldn't just suddenly disappear. Not unless he wanted people asking questions that was none of their damn business. "What do you want, Henderson?" Nate started to reach out to right the fallen picture, but steeled himself against the impulse.
"What bug crawled up your ass?"
"Leave him alone, asshole. Boy's got a hot date tonight." Nate's partner said, not even bothering to look up from his own pile half-finished reports.
"Oh, yeah? The wife dragging you to another one of them frou frou movies where you can't understand a goddamn thing anybody's saying? Goddamn subtitles. I'm no idiot. I like serious movies, but I don't go to the movies to fucking read." Henderson said.
The older man finally glanced up at them, winking at Nate as he said, "Twins. Our boy's stepping out with a couple of heartbreakers."
Henderson laughed, slapping his knee. "Oh, yeah? Squeaky clean Archie?"
"My goddaughters, you idiot." Nate rolled his eyes and went back to the papers that were barely holding his interest with the torrent of thoughts and wonderings that vied for his attention.
"Oh, right. Right." The man nodded, his face coloring mildly. Only then did he look over to the fallen picture frame and set it upright once again. Glancing briefly at the pictures inside. "Cute kids. Got a hoard of nieces myself. Guess I'll leave you to it."
So the asshole had a soft spot for kids…didn't change the asshole part though. Nate cursed silently as Henderson wandered away, leaving those beaming faces staring back at him. Again he started to reach out and stopped himself before the photograph ended up facedown again.
Still fighting himself, he was relieved when his cell phone vibrated. That relief last only as long as it took him to identify his caller. Well, damn.
He could just not answer, only he couldn't. Cursing himself, he answered. "Archibald."
"Nate. Hey, it's me."
"What do you want, Vanessa?" He asked, ducking his head and holding the phone closer to his ear as his partner glanced up sharply. He tried again, lowering his voice to a harsh whisper. "What is it?"
"Um…well. I was going to cook tonight and I just was wondering…" She said.
He could almost see her chewing nervously on her thumbnail.
"Last night…or this morning when you were leaving, you said something about working a double shift. I was thinking that we could have a late dinner…" Vanessa plunged ahead.
Dinner, she was asking him to have dinner with her. Breaking their unspoken rule. All they had left were those hours in the night. When he could pretend for a moment that nothing in his life had really changed and for her own reasons she played along. There was no niceties or conversation. He came home. They fucked. He left. That was it. At first he'd been so angry, but then he started to pretend that it was last year or even a few weeks ago. They didn't fuck after that…no he made love to his wife long enough to forget what she'd done. Once it was over though, reason and sanity warred with the heart and he left before either had a chance to win out.
Last night she'd kept trying to talk to him when all he wanted to do was kiss her. Even when he'd been leaving this morning she'd asked him about work and he'd lied about having a double. Had some part of him figured that the dinner invite was coming?
Did he really know her that well? Shouldn't he? They'd been together for so long. He couldn't help wondering then, why he hadn't been able to see the rest coming.
"Nate, did you hear what I said?"
He cleared his throat, "Yeah. Yeah. I heard. I had my nights mixed up. Tomorrow's my double. Tonight I've got the twins."
"Evie and Kat." She perked up at that. "Why not bring them over? I loved seeing them the other day."
"We've got plans." Nate told her.
"Oh…"
Fuck. "Maybe after though…"
A beep interrupted her response. He heard the tail end of her soft, nervous laughter. He silently thanked the makers of "call waiting."
"Listen, I have another call coming in. It's Serena. Alex might be coming tonight so I need to take this…"
"Serena?" She asked, "Nate…wait. I need to…"
"I have to take this."
"But…"
Nate clicked over, unable to cover his sigh of relief.
"Nate? Is that you?" Serena asked.
He really could've kissed her. "I'm here."
"Are you okay? You sound funny." She said.
Nate admitted, "I'm fine…"
The blonde fell silent for a moment, "Have you heard anything from Vanessa?"
He shrugged as she could detect the gesture over the phone, "She might've called a few times…doesn't mean I have to answer." Which was technically the truth. Sure he'd answered the last time, but Serena didn't need to know that. Why the hell was she asking about Vanessa anyway? "Why?"
"I don't know, Nate." Serena said, "I guess…maybe I think you should call her…you guys have a lot to talk about." A thread of disbelief in her voice, it was almost accusing. "So she really hasn't tried to come see you…talk to you."
"Well…"
"Nate! You two need to talk. Maybe there are things that you need to hear." Serena said, her words sounding eerily familiar, echoing Dan's push for him to "talk" to Vanessa.
"Have you been talking to Humphrey? Did your boyfriend put you up to this…you're supposed to be my friend here…not lobbying for me to forgive Vanessa." He said, loosening his tie which suddenly felt too tight.
"That's not what I was doing..." Serena said.
"I'm hanging up now."
She stopped him, "Wait. That's not why I called."
Great she wasn't intent on playing marriage counselor. She was calling again to badger him for details on Bart's fire and the Franklin family. At least it was a step up. "Well?"
"I'm not appreciating the tone, Nate. I'm not even calling for myself. I'm calling for Blair." She said, "And Chuck."
"Everything okay?" He sat up a little straighter.
"Blair needs a favor…"
~ஐ~
Serena. Goddamn Serena Van der Woodsen.
She knew that the entire situation was her own fault, but she couldn't help the burning resentment toward the blonde. She almost hated the other woman. No, wait. She literally hated Serena for one stretching moment.
Days had passed since the other woman had issued her ultimatum. Vanessa had tried. She'd been ready…or as ready as she could be to tell him about Carter. Then he'd kissed her and kept kissing her. And he didn't stop there. No he made love to her and she couldn't say the words.
Over the past few days, Serena's name had popped up on her phone more than once. Each and every time Vanessa had ignored the call. Ignored this reminder of what needed to be done.
She'd had her husband back. Maybe for just a few hours every night but she couldn't stand the thought of losing him completely. Now Serena would tell him the words that Vanessa couldn't begin to articulate.
God, maybe that was for the best.
~ஐ~
For the first time that day since he'd left Blair in Dorota's capable hands, Chuck found himself truly relaxing as the girls piled into the back of the limo. Sweet smiles in place for their beloved Arthur and calling out goodbyes to Harold and Roman even as the limo pulled away from the park.
Their cheeks were flushed and noses cold as he stole a kiss, dark curls tickling his nose. "Did you ladies enjoy your afternoon?"
"You should've come with us, Daddy." Evie said, "There was this girl and she was showing Grandpa Roman how to do jumps and stuff. Grandpa Harold said we couldn't try, though. You should've come."
"Yeah, we wouldn't have let you fall again, Daddy." Kat told him as she settled into the seat at her sister's side, buckling herself in. "Can we go again once Mommy's feeling better? Grandpa Harold says that she skates like an angel."
"Your Mommy would like nothing more."
"She said it was no fun being stuck inside." Kat confided, her lips pursed thoughtfully before she murmured. "Couldn't we sneak her outside?"
Chuck couldn't do anything except smile at that, shaking his head. He'd considered that one a few times, now and five years before when Eleanor had him barred from Blair's hospital room. "Interesting idea, baby, and I think your mother would actually love it. But even if we managed to sneak her past all the nurses, I don't think that Mommy would be up for ice skating just yet."
"But we don't have to go skating. Can't she come with us tonight?" Evie asked.
"Actually, that's something I wanted to talk to you guys about. Uncle Nate is going to be taking you guys to the game." He grimaced, thinking back to conversation with Serena. He wasn't bailing on them exactly. He was spending time with them now and it was going to be just the three of them for pizza before Nate came to get them for the game. He still saw them every single day and talked to them before bed. Except it was over the phone and they weren't sleeping in their own beds.
Fuck, was he doing this all wrong? Sure he wanted to be with Blair. He didn't want to leave her alone in the hospital. But how was this huge change in their lives and their routine affecting the twins. Chuck had dealt with almost eighteen years of Bart either cancelling out on plans they'd made or not even bothering to make them at all.
"Uncle Nate's going with us? Cool." Kat said.
"Actually…" Chuck cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably beneath the weight of those excited faces. "Uncle Nate is taking you. After our pizza and ice cream, we're going to visit with your mom for a bit but then you and your Uncle are going to head for the Garden."
"Oh." They echoed one another.
Son-of-bitch. He wondered if his father had even felt a fraction of the guilt now eating at him. Maybe he should go after all. Blair would be okay.
He could go to the game with the girls and Nate. Maybe tuck them into their own beds for the night. They'd have Dorota with them throughout the night. Same as if he was away on a business trip. Then he could still spend the night with Blair at the hospital. She wouldn't hold it against him for not wanting to let down their girls.
Evie shrugged, her expression clear of any recriminations, "Is Aunt Vanessa coming, too?"
"What?" Chuck frowned. They never failed to throw him. He wasn't sure if he wanted to be relieved or faintly insulted. No, he was relieved. With their entire lives flipped upside down in a matter of days, they seemed mostly unaffected. Okay with his absences and breaking with their "date" night at the Garden. "Um, I don't think Vanessa will be going tonight."
"Too bad. It so funny when she goes. Even though she always roots for the other team." Evie said.
"That 'cause everyone else is there to root for the Knicks." Kat reasoned, "Maybe she doesn't want the other team to feel real bad when they lose."
"Are we going to stay at Uncle Nate and Aunt Vanessa's? Or is Uncle Nate still spending the night at our house." Evie wondered.
"No." He said, "You're going to Grandma Lily's."
"And you're staying with Mommy." Kat nodded.
Chuck cleared his throat, "Right. That's okay with you guys, isn't it? You don't mind all the back and forth between Grandma Lily's, Uncle Eric, and Aunt S."
The girls shared a look before turning back to him, twin faces of confusion "No, it's fun." Kat answered.
Evie said, "Yeah we get to stay up extra late at Uncle Er—ow."
Her sister elbowed her. "Evie."
"Oh, right. Um…Aunt S lets us play with her clothes and make-up…and we makes sundaes and watch movies with Grandma. Plus she bowls with us on the Wii." Evie said.
"I see." Chuck nodded, his worries alleviated just the slightest that he'd been doing them a disservice.
"Don't be sad, Daddy." Kat told him. "Mommy's coming home soon, right?"
"Right."
"Good. Then we'll all get to go home. Hospitals are scary at night. That what Grandma Eleanor says and you have to keep Mommy company." His oldest daughter continued.
Eleanor. Two steps back. One step forward.
~ஐ~
Blair looked over her list. It was all coming together. She glanced around the empty hospital room. An old black and white movie was playing on the television but she'd long since muted it. Serena was calling Nate. Dorota was handling the heavy work. The nursing staff had been neutralized. For the night at least.
What else? What else? Visitors. Penelope and a few others had stopped by over the past few days, trickling in but never staying long. Still annoying as ever. Later she'd call down to make sure they didn't allow anymore visitors up.
Blair smiled, excited about her plans for the evening. A soft knock on the door broke into her musings. That smile fell away as Vanessa stepped into view. Well, great. Maybe she shouldn't have waited on having them cut off her visitors. This one was unexpected.
She hadn't seen the dark-haired woman since Christmas day. When she and Nate were being all weird with one another. Before Serena told Blair the exact reason behind the weirdness.
According to Serena, the other woman had been out and out avoiding her telephone calls and Nate didn't seem as if he'd been dealt yet another devastating blow from his other half.
"Hey, Blair."
"Vanessa." She said, not bothering to return the other woman's friendly smile.
"Serena will be sorry that she missed you. But please sit. She won't be gone very long."
That erased that damn smile and fast. Vanessa sighed, "She told you, didn't she?"
"And you haven't told Nate." Blair said, rolling her eyes. "What the hell are you doing here, Vanessa?"
"Honestly, I was trying to do something nice." She reached inside her purse. "I've been re-arranging things in the house…pre-pre spring cleaning I guess you could say. All that nervous energy has to go somewhere, right?"
"What is this?" Blair asked as Nate's wife shoved something into Blair's hands. She looked down. An unmarked DVD case.
"I found it earlier and thought of you. I mean Chuck has a copy but with everything—I wasn't sure if he thought about showing you."
Blair scoffed, not sure what to think. She looked at the case skeptically, "What is it…one of your lame, intrusive, documentaries?"
"I guess you could say that." Vanessa shrugged, "Only this one I think you'll want to see."
ஐTBCஐ
A/N: What's in the box? What's in the box? Sorry couldn't resist. Another superlong chapter that Wifey was a champ to read through for me in one sitting. Again…I just went and couldn't be stopped. Had to cut it off here…believe me or it would've kept going and going. Daddy!Chuck is feeling insecure and well a lot of things are going on. Olivia George? Could Chuckles be on to something and Gia's back. Poor guy's got a lot on his plate. Not the least of which is Dr. Will and plans to move his girl home sooner rather than later. S&B's designer label overdose. Sometimes, a girls gotta do what she's gotta do n'cest pas ;). Yes N/V slept with his wife and D/S almost kissed. This one isn't as Chair loaded down but promise that what's coming will more than make up for it. :kiss: Both Chuck and Blair have surprises in store for one another...hmm. LOL. Okay I should get to bed. Work tomorrow, ya know? As always let me know what you're thinking. And will update asap. :kiss:
Courtneyஐ