Chapter Six: Help and scheming

"I don't think seeing Blair right now is a good idea, Louis." Serena said, as they walked towards the outstretched limo that was waiting for them. "It's late and if you guys fight, she might take off before the morning and then you will have no idea where she is again. It might be best to leave it until tomorrow to see her."

"I cannot waste another minute, Serena." Louis said opening the door to his limo, to allow her to step inside. "I have to see her tonight. I must speak with her as soon as possible! Every minute I do nothing, I'm allowing her to question our relationship. I don't want to lose her to Chuck Bass."

"Or Dan Humphrey." Serena mumbled quietly, rolling her eyes when Louis was not looking.

She had no idea what had changed in Dan to make him suddenly interested in Blair. In the past, the two of them fought like crazy and barely even tolerated each other. Despite Serena's best attempts to get them to coexist peacefully when she was dating Dan, they would not even try to make an effort on her behalf. They bickered, they taunted each other by name calling and sabotaging, they each tried to tell Serena the fault in the other, they bitched and moaned…so how was it that Dan was suddenly so smitten by his former nemesis, Blair Waldorf? This was one of life's mysteries that Serena knew she would never fully understand. Dan, who couldn't stand to be in the same room with Blair, was now head over heels in love with the very same person he used to call the Upper East Side's Wicked Witch of the East. How he could go from severe hatred, to talk of Blair being his soul mate… had Serena completely dumbstruck.

"Serena?" Louis asked pulling her thoughts back to reality. "Whereabouts does this Daniel Humphrey live? Can you please give Philippe the address?"

"Sorry. I was just daydreaming." She said quickly, feeling her cheeks burn red with embarrassment.

"I hope you are scheming ways to get Blair back to me." Louis said, flashing her a small, understanding smile.

"I have a few ways." Serena said smiling a little. "But I will need to do a couple of things before they can come into effect. Can you please take me home? Do you mind? If you want my help getting Blair back you are going to have to trust me. Don't go and see her tonight…I have a better plan. We will go first thing in the morning."

"But you told me that Dan is a threat too. You said that he is in love with her. What if he tries to make a move on her before I speak with her?" Louis asked frowning.

"Dan is in love with Blair, but she does not reciprocate his feelings." Serena said smirking a little. "Blair would never date Dan. I was extremely jealous when I saw that she went to stay with him…that's why I told you where she was, but I know Blair is no threat to standing in the way of Dan and I."

"If she is no threat, why are you trying so hard to separate them?"

"Because I am in love with Dan…because I want him back." Serena said sighing heavily. "I never fought hard enough for my relationship with Dan…I let family and other distractions separate us time and time again. Dan is my prince. Yeah, he lives in Brooklyn and he hated dating me because, 'Serena Van der Woodsen gets special treatment wherever she goes and others are not as fortunate' but he is the most special, loving and generous guy I know. I don't think I have ever stopped loving him and we broke up over three years ago! So that's why I need your help, Louis. I need you to become the man Blair wants, so Dan can get over his infatuation for her! Then he can come back to reality and consider me…because if I ever got another shot with him; I'd make it work this time."

"If you honestly believe that Dan is no threat to Blair tonight," Louis said looking at her. "I will get Philippe to take you home now and we will go together and see her in the morning."

"Thank you." Serena said smiling. "I will find a way to get Blair back to you."

"Philippe, change of plans….take us to Miss Blair Waldorf's place." Louis said.

xx

"Hey, did you like – clean …when I was out looking for Serena?" Dan asked coming out of the bathroom and sitting on the couch.

"Puh- lease...me? Clean? Yeah, right!" Blair said rolling her eyes. "Blair Waldorf does not clean. Dorota came over and tidied up a bit….a lot."

"You called Dorota?" Dan asked surprised.

"She had news about Louis, so I put her to a good cause." Blair said defensively.

"Does she charge a daily rate or can I hire her by the hour?" Dan laughed nervously as he ran his fingers through his messy hair. "I have never seen my bathroom sparkle like that before!"

"You can't hire her, she works for me! Get yourself another maid." Blair said rolling her eyes. "Besides, she seems to think that you keep the place clean enough. Mind you, I had her scrub the bathroom, spring clean the kitchen, clear out the fridge, vacuum the place over… change my bed sheets and yours…-football sheets, Humphrey? Seriously? All before you came back."

"She did all that? Wow, that woman is a machine."

"That woman is my angel." Blair said yawning a little. "Well it's late. I think it's time I got to bed."

"Yeah, I should probably hit the sack too."

"Good night, Humphrey." Blair said kissing him on the cheek. "Thanks for letting me stay."

"Good night, Waldorf and you are welcome to stay as long as you need." Dan said before Blair disappeared into her bedroom and shut the door.

xx

"Pick up. Pick up, Blair." Chuck muttered as he waited for Blair to answer her cell.

Chuck knew that she must have been screening his calls. She never took this long to pick up. He couldn't exactly blame her for being mad at him. The things he had said earlier, when she wanted advice, were pretty unsupportive and cruel. Even though his intentions were honourable- him willing to sacrifice his own happiness on account of hers-the fact that he had lied about his true feelings, made him realise how much he was hurting her. Lily had told him that Blair practically begged him to convince her not to marry Louis. She was throwing herself at him and he was pushing her away again.

"Blair, it's me. I'm sorry to call so late…but I really need to talk to you. The things I said earlier- I didn't mean them." he said once he had reached her voicemail. "I'm on my way over…I hope we can talk. I'm sorry Blair."

Chuck hung up the phone and took a sip of scotch. He hoped for his sake that Blair was not asleep. He needed to talk to her as soon as possible. He felt horrible for their earlier conservation and he wanted to eliminate the pain he had caused her by setting her straight.

The truth was, he could love another man's baby. The thought of loving Louis' baby had been a frequent thought in his head, ever since Blair had told him that she was pregnant. He didn't care that he baby was not his. It didn't mean that he would not grow to love the child as his own.

Family was always important to him and he knew the value of having Lily as his adoptive mother after his father's death. His mother had died when he was born and his father had always held her death over him; treating him like he was the reason his beloved wife had died. Chuck believed this to be the reason his father had an aloof and dysfunctional relationship with him; the reason they never seemed to have a strong father-son dynamic. Never knowing his mother and never being that close to his uncle Jack, Chuck had no one he considered family…except Nate, who always felt like a brother to him.

After his father's death, he was convinced that his mother was alive and with the help of Blair, he started to look into finding her. Discovering that his father had paid his mother off to keep away from him; he came close to believing the story until he learnt the truth. The woman he had found, turned out to be working alongside his evil uncle Jack, who had needed her help to trick Chuck into signing away his rights the Empire. After learning of the betrayal, Chuck had tried to make her stay for fear of losing his mother again, but the woman told him that she was not his mother and he had been coned. That was the last he had seen of her.

Other than Blair and Nate, Lily was the only family he felt like he could connect to. Serena was always too concerned with her current fling or the next dress she would wear to the latest party; Eric was away at college and never around; Dan Humphrey, though extended family through Lily's marriage to Rufus Humphrey…would always be Dan Humphrey….the outsider who had punched him several times for coming onto his sister, and although his relationship with Dan was starting to improve, he knew they would never be the best of friends. Jenny Humphrey was the reason for his breakup with Blair and therefore somebody he never wanted to see again, due to the painful stab in his heart he felt whenever they caught a glimpse of each other. Rufus Humphrey was…improving but still saw Chuck as the evil jerk that had defiled his daughter's chastity.

But Lily was something else. She had always looked after him; despite the horrible things he had called her after his father's death. She had his company's interests and his father's legacy at heart whenever it came to matters dealing with Bass Industries. She supported his work ethic, his relationship with Blair…she had been their greatest fan. She was aso the only one that could see the changes that he was making to become a better man and the only one that had the uttmost faith that he could do them. She never doubted his ability to become a great man and she frequently told him that his father would be so proud of him; even when he didn't believe it- Lily gave him hope. He knew that he was so thankful to have her in his life. He probably never voiced his admiration and love for her enough, but he knew she more than likely knew it.

Chuck reached for his ringing phone and answered it immediately before checking the caller ID.

"Blair?" he asked quickly, his heart doing a little flip.

"No, it's me." Nate's voice said coming through the phone. "I just wanted to ask you how you went. Do you speak to her?"

"I did." He said sighing heavily. "I think I made things worse. I'm on my way over to see her again. She's staying at Humphrey's. I'll explain everything when I get back."

"Oh. Well, good luck man." Nate said wishing him luck. "Make sure you tell her the truth! I don't think I can take anymore of this emotional stress- and I'm not even dating her! You two belong together…it's destiny- it's fate. I know it and so does everyone else."

"Thanks Nathaniel." Chuck said, his lips forming into a small smile. "I only hope Blair knows it."

"She does. You just have to lay it all on the line…tell her how you feel…tell her how you've changed…show her that you are the man she wants and get rid of that French ass. I'm so sick of him! He has definitely overstayed his welcome. I don't care if he is the Prince of Monaco…he is a big royal pain in the ass and I'll be glad to see the end of him."

Chuck laughed, knowing that he felt exactly the same way.

"I'm going over to Serena's she asked me to come past…but promise you will wait up for me, if I'm not back before you?" Nate asked.

"Definitely." He said quickly. "Serena? What does she want with you so late?"

"God knows. Probably some lecture 'cus I kissed Charlie. I honestly don't care anymore…I mean it's not like we are dating!"

"Hmmm..good luck with that." Chuck said laughing a little and taking a sip of his scotch.

"Thanks. Well, I have to go. All the best man and say hi to Blair for me." Nate said before ending the call.

"Thank you Arthur." Chuck said when they had pulled up to Dan's street. "I shouldn't be too long, if you want you can keep the car running."

xx

Louis watched as Chuck walked out of his limo and headed in the direction of Dan's building. He was burning with jealousy that he was going to see Blair. Why couldn't he just leave her alone? Why wouldn't he back off? Blair had chosen him…so why couldn't he just leave them alone to be happy? From what Blair had said about their relationship, he had more than enough chances to make it work with her but he chose to break her heart each time. And now, he was interferring again! He knew that Chuck was responsible for Blair's doubts. He was the only thing standing in his way of them getting married and raising their child. The thought of having Chuck Bass always there, confusing her and messing up their relationship was starting to infuriate him. He needed to do something about it. It was time that he took matters into his own hands…

"Are you getting out, your highness?" Philippe asked, from the driver's seat.

"No…we are just waiting here for a bit."

xx

"Chuck?" Dan asked rubbing his eyes a little as he pulled open the door to the loft. "What are you doing here? What time is it?"

"Sorry Humphrey to call so late…is Blair around?"

"She's sleeping." Dan said trying to focus his tired eyes. "She's exhausted…it's been a long day for her."

"I'm sorry if I woke you. I'll call again in the morning." Chuck said quickly, before turning to leave.

"Wait a minute…that's it?" Dan asked shaking his head in disbelief. "You come here at midnight and you leave straight away?"

"I'm sorry that I didn't come for you, Humphrey…" Chuck said a little irratated, "…but I came to speak with Blair; she usually goes to bed a lot later than this and since she is not awake…why should I stay?"

"Do you want to come in? I'm awake now…we could have a coffee and speak. Blair told me about what you said earlier…you know about Louis' baby…" Dan said running his fingers through his messy hair.

"She hates me, right?" Chuck said walking inside the loft.

"No, she's just really confused. She loves you Chuck and I think she needs you to tell her that." Dan said closing the door and heading to the kitchen to make two coffees. "You ned to reassure her, she's at a weird place right now…I don't think she wants to go through with the wedding; but she doesn't want to end up alone and pregnant either."

"She won't be alone and pregnant…" chuck said thanking him for the cup of coffee, "…because I'm going to raise the baby with her. I love her, Humphrey and I want her back. But I need your help to do it."

"Tell me how to do it." Dan said nodding.

xx

"Your highness, what can I help you with?"

"I need some help getting rid of someone." Louis said. "I need it done quickly.. and Stefan, it needs to look like an accident."

"I can make it look like an accident." Stefan said laughing heartily, through the phone. "What have you got in mind?"

xx

Author's Note:

Firstly I just wanted to say M e r r y C h r i s t m a s & H a p p y N e w Y e a r to everyone. I hope you all have a safe holiday season and Santa is good to you :]

I will probably be taking a long break from writing this story. I haven't been getting any reviews to keep me going and well I'm extremely busy with Christmas a couple of days away. I will re-evaluate after the New year whether I will keep going with this or scrap it. I'm not feeling the love for this story and I have other fan fictions I need to finish.

To anyone that is reading, thank you for your support and dedication:] I hope you are enjoying the story so far!

Paris xo