Summary: "Three words...eight letters." Realization washed across his expression as he figured it out. "Say it...and I'm yours."
Set at the end of 2x01 (Summer, Kind of Wonderful)
Would Chuck say the very words Blair wanted so much to hear...the very ones that he feared?

A/N: This is my first fanfic (yay!) so if it does suck, take it easy on me. Oh and if you write a review (which I would love!), try not to use extremely big words...I am a blondie, after all xP
Enjoy! (:

Disclaimer: Ok, I do not own Gossip Girl in any way. If I did, I would be rubbing it in your face :P But I don't...so, yeah. Curse this world!

Chapter 1: Say It

As I heard his footsteps behind me, I turned around only to see him approach me, determined to make things right. However, I haven't forgotten what he did.

"Chuck...aren't you done trying to destroy my night?" I asked.

"Look, I should never have abandoned you. I knew I made the wrong decision as soon as your plane took off. I distracted myself all summer, hoping I wouldn't feel it, but I still do."

The words shocked me as I felt that familiar flutter in my stomach (darn alcohol). He looked up at me and our gazes locked. I softened, but only a bit.

"And?"

"I was scared...I was scared that if we spent the whole summer together, just us, then you'd see..."

I was confused. "See what?"

"Me."

Suddenly I understood. But not all was yet forgotten.

"Please don't leave with him," he whispered, reaching out for my arm and begging me with his sullen eyes to stay.

"Why? Give me one good reason...and 'I'm Chuck Bass' doesn't count."

"Because you don't want to,"

I sighed. "Not good enough..."

"Because I don't want you to," he answered, forcing all of his emotion into his voice.

"It's not enough," I said my voice breaking at the end.

I looked up at him and a thought came to me; a thought I would have never even considered unless I was drunk or insane, a thought that wouldn't have even crossed my mind until that night in the limo after Victrola.

"You sure?" he had asked.

"What else is there?" he pleaded.

"The true reason I should stay right where I am and not get in the car," I took a deep breath, silently praying I wouldn't regret this, and continued.

"Three words...eight letters."

Realization washed across his expression as he figured it out.

"Say it...and I'm yours."

He gulped and started, "I..."

My eyes glanced around his beautiful, pained face as he tried so hard to say the words that even the great Chuck Bass feared. I almost mouthed them to him, but then stopped as I decided that he should say it himself, without any help.

"I...l-"

I felt the hot tears stinging against my eyes; wanting desperately to fall free and make me vulnerable to him. I wasn't going to wait around forever for him to suck it up, be a man, and confess. I had better things to do.

Reluctantly, I pulled my arm out of his grasp and chocked on my words.

"Thank you...that's all I needed to hear."

Hearing Marcus on the way, I turned back around, gulping back the overwhelming pain that was trying so hard to swallow me.

As the seconds ticked by, the whole time I felt his eyes on me. I wanted to look back...to see him quickly one more time, but I restrained myself and plastered on a fake smile as Marcus pulled up in a red convertible and drove me away from a heartbroken Charles Bartholomew Bass.

All I could do was stand there and watch her leave me.

I had my chance and I screwed it up, and now Blair is in the arms of some knock-off duke with a weak British accent who still manages to be the luckiest guy in the world.

Men would kill to be in his place right now...to be able to hold and kiss the beautiful girl that was Blair Waldorf, the very one that puts Audrey Hepburn to shame.

I looked down, cursing myself for managing to lose her yet again. Behind me, I heard the hushed whispers of Gossip Girl's secret army, taking pictures of me, Chuck Bass, upset over a girl.

I wouldn't let this get to me. My subconscious mind was the one to drag me to my only escape right now.

"Chuck!"

I walked past her, not wanting to deal with anyone right now.

"Chuck, wait up!" called Serena.

"Chuck, slow down!"

I faced her now. Her blonde hair was skillfully perched on her head in a mess of curls and her white dress billowed around her. But I couldn't see why Blair always compared herself to her. Sure, Serena was pretty, in her own Serena way, but Blair had a different beauty, a certain charm...sophisticated and elegant, and yet sexy at the same time.

Besides, I prefer brunettes. Actually, one in particular, but she isn't exactly falling for me.

"What do you want?" I hissed at her.

"Chuck, what happened with Blair?"

The pain ruffled through me; the memory of what had just happened burning fresh in my mind.

"Nothing. Now if you'll excuse me, sis," I said, almost spitting the word, "there's a bottle of Scotch with my name on it."

"Getting drunk isn't going to change anything."

"It's worked wonders before (sarcasm coated my tone), why wouldn't it work now?"

"Because you fell in love!" she said in a harsh whisper.

I growled. "Chuck Bass doesn't fall in love."

And with that, I walked over to the bar, grabbed a bottle and poured some of the alcoholic amber fluid into a glass.

I gulped the first half down slowly, waiting for it to wash the pain away as it swam down my throat.

My mind was spinning with thoughts. I pressed the cool glass to my head and it helped control the dizziness.

Three words...eight letters. I could've said them and I would've been hers.

A/N: So kinda depressing and short, sorry. But, good news, there should be some "fluff" (why do they call it that anyways?) in the next chapter. Serena, as well as some of the main characters, will be making some appearances, but this story is centered on CB.

Spare a review, govna? (:
(I'll give you a cookie if you do...)

xoxo,

Jane ")