Desire Defying Destiny (6/?)

[bex81385]

Title: Desire Defying Destiny (6/?)
Author: Bex81385
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 3445
Spoilers: Everything up until 1x13 "A Thin Line Between Chuck and Nate" happened, after that anything else is purely coincidental. I'm spoiler-free and happy that way.
Summary: Blair and Chuck must deal with the ramifications of their actions in "A Thin Line Between Chuck and Nate".

Chapter Six: "I Didn't Have A Choice"

Chuck didn't know why he nodded at Blair after punching Nate. Perhaps it was his way of making sure she was still ok, or perhaps it was his way of making sure she knew he'd done it for her. Either way, once he threw the punch, he knew he needed to see Blair's reaction. If she appeared angry that he'd done it, he knew she would seek him out and make sure he knew it. However, if it had made her uncomfortable and appreciative, she would avoid him. He didn't know which he wanted more.

He took his time walking to class. He was nowhere near anxious to get there and be gawked at like a caged animal at the zoo. Especially once Gossip Girl sent out a mass text message, to it seemed like everyone in the Upper East Side, concerning the punch that could hardly be considered a "fight". He'd already noticed people watching him as he walked down the hall, their whispered voices following behind him. He entered his classroom leisurely in the most discreet manner he could pull off considering everyone was watching him. He immediately sought out Nate's desk, and was infinitely pleased that Nate was not occupying it.

Neither Chuck nor Nate had spoken about the first fight over Blair and now that there had been another fight over her, the classroom was buzzing. It was the only thing anyone could talk about. To most people, the idea that Blair would ever need protection from Nate was almost ridiculous; and up until this morning, he would have agreed. Despite Gossip Girl’s claim, most assumed it was retribution for the previous fight. Everyone knew Chuck had been so busy trying to defend his actions with Blair after Nate had unceremoniously thrown him against that car that Chuck had never really had a chance to fight back. Others assumed that Nate had been trying to convince Blair to take him back and that Chuck wanted to make sure it didn't happen. The few who had been present were defending Chuck, claiming Nate had been so far out of line and that he had deserved it, most likely more.

A few of those people congratulated him, but Chuck didn't hear it. He was too lost in his own thoughts. He couldn't believe he hit Nate, his best friend, for as long as he could remember. It wasn't the first time he'd wanted to punch Nate in the face, but it was the first time he'd ever acted on it. Still, he knew exactly why he'd done it, and he still believed, without a shadow of doubt, that he'd had a valid reason.

Nate had no right to put his hands on Blair. She was scared and he was hurting her, and Chuck would have had to really be a jerk not to step in and protect her. He may still be angry with her, but he'd never forgive himself for just standing there and watching Nate physically hurt her. Especially since he'd spent years standing around and watching Nate emotionally hurt her. The fact that he'd always been there to put the pieces back together, wouldn't excuse it any longer. Nate had done far too much damage, and there was no way he was going to let him continue hurting her.

Still, he'd punched his best friend, for a girl he kept claiming to be done with. His mind was having a hard time reconciling with that fact.

He sighed and flexed his hand several times as it throbbed mercilessly. He didn't often hit people and never with the force he'd put behind this punch. He looked up as he heard the classroom door open and inwardly groaned when he saw Nate enter. He'd been hoping Nate had simply gone home, and he wouldn't have to see him again for the rest of the day, but it seemed that karma really was a bitch. He locked eyes with Nate briefly before looking back at his hand. However, he should have known that looking at his hand wasn’t going to help him not hear the conversation taking place a few desks away.

"How's the jaw, Nate?" Chuck heard someone ask curiously.

Nate shrugged and looked at Chuck angrily. "It's not broken."

Chuck sighed in relief that Nate’s jaw wasn't broken. He was worried that it would be considering how badly his own hand hurt. His head snapped back in their direction when he heard the guy, Matt, speak again.

"It was about time someone put that bitch in her place. She's been walking around here all year acting like she was so damn special. It was getting ridiculous." Matt said patting Nate on the back in a congratulatory manner.

Nate nodded. "Yeah, she's been jerking me around far too long."

Chuck glared at him and let out a huff of indignation. He couldn't believe that Nate had just said that. Nate had been the one jerking Blair around for years and for him to accuse her of doing it was ludicrous.

"Something to say?" Nate snapped snidely.

Chuck shook his head. "Not a word." He winced as his hand throbbed and suddenly he realized all the pain in his mangled hand was worth it. In fact, watching Nate accept another congratulatory slap on the back, he knew he’d do it again.

xoxo_xoxo_xoxo

Blair was glued to her spot on the Met steps for what seemed like an eternity after Chuck walked away from her and then Nate. She knew Chuck was mad when he left her. She could tell by the tone of his voice when he said Good, but no matter how mad he sounded she never expected to him to walk over and punch Nate.

Gossip Girl’s text had said he was protecting her, and she supposed that was why he had nodded up at her before walking away from Nate. She couldn’t help wonder what Nate had said to Chuck once he was away from her that made him punch him. If he was protecting her, why hadn’t he punched him as soon as he saw Nate grab her arm? Why did he wait until she was out of his sight?

She looked around and noticed people were passing by her quickly and glanced down at her watch, unsure of just how long she had really been standing on the Met steps. Her eyes widened when she realized that despite her desire to arrive early, she had less than five minutes to get to Constance Billiard before she was indeed late. She moved to pull her bag back over her shoulder but realized she wasn’t even holding her bag. She looked down and spotted it lying next to her feet. I must have dropped it when Nate grabbed me, she thought to herself before reaching down and picking it up.

Once she picked up her bag, she walked briskly towards the school, grateful it wasn’t very far.

xoxo_xoxo_xoxo

Serena thought her eyes had been playing tricks on her when she got the text from Gossip Girl. There was no way she could ever imagine Blair needing protection from Nate, but if Chuck had stepped in, then she knew it must be true. It was highly unlikely for Chuck, who had been avoiding Blair like she was the plague, would have insinuated himself between Blair and Nate again unless he thought it was necessary.

She tried to think of another reason Chuck would get involved, but turned down the old standbys. Chuck was too smart to be trying to alienate Nate even further by getting between Blair and Nate again just because his own feelings would be hurt. Chuck wouldn’t be cruel enough to try and hurt Blair worse, not when it was so obvious to Serena that he actually did care about Blair. Also, Chuck would never intentionally hurt Nate again. So for Nate’s sake, Serena hoped Chuck had a lapse of judgment and did something stupid, because if Gossip Girl was right and Blair did need protection from Nate, she was going to kill him herself.

Standing outside the door of what she knew to be Blair’s first class, she waited impatiently for Blair to show up. She sighed and hoped that Blair hadn’t decided to go home, now that she had finally come out of her penthouse. Serena tapped her watch and clicked her heels against the marbled floor noisily. Several people turned to look at her annoyed with the noise but she didn’t care. The only thought on her mind was getting to Blair, if she ever showed up.

Serena looked down the hall and was grateful when Blair finally entered her line of sight. She pushed off the wall and headed purposefully towards her. "Blair!"

Blair acknowledged her but kept on walking. "Can’t talk now S, I’m late for class."

Serena followed after her. "Why don’t you ditch first period?"

Blair stopped moving once she was outside the door. "Why would I do that?"

Serena shot her a look of confusion. "For starters, there’s the scene out in front of the Met..."

Blair shrugged. "Why should that send me home? I didn’t punch anyone."

Serena sighed. She could tell by Blair’s body language she was uncomfortable talking about what she had witnessed between Chuck and Nate this morning. "B. What happened? Why did Chuck punch Nate? Why was he protecting you?"

Blair shook her head as if the entire morning hadn’t happened. "It’s nothing, S…really, please go to class. We can talk at lunch."

Serena sighed. "If you think we’re not going to talk at lunch, Blair..."

"I said we can talk at lunch, now the teacher has already seen me and I’m late. I need to go in, and you should get to your own class. You don’t need another tardy." Blair said politely but anyone who knew her as well as Serena did could tell she was really exasperated, and Blair knew it.

Serena nodded. "Ok, as long as you’re ok..."

"I’m fine," Blair reassured. "Like I said, I didn’t punch anyone and I didn’t get punched."

Serena nodded again and watched as B headed into class. Once the door was shut in her face, Serena turned to walk to her own class. While walking, she pulled out her phone and typed a text message to Dan. D: Find out what really happened this morning. Ask C if you have to. Love you- S Once she finished typing, she quickly hit send before closing her phone and heading into her own class.

"Miss Van der Woodsen, how nice of you to join us."

xoxo_xoxo_xoxo

Class dragged on longer than Serena would have liked. She was anxious to talk to Blair, but she was also anxious to talk to Jenny. Jenny had been shooting her worried glances all morning. Serena desperately wanted to know what happened that morning. Since Jenny and Blair were arguing that morning, it was a fair bet that Jenny knew exactly what happened between Blair, Nate, and Chuck.

Once the class was released Serena headed straight for Jenny. "Jenny!" Serena called out to stop Jenny from leaving the room.

Jenny smiled nervously. She should have known taking a junior class elective would come back to bite her in the end. "Yeah?"

"What happened this morning?"

"Don’t you read Gossip Girl anymore, Serena? Chuck punched Nate."

Serena nodded. "Yes, but why?"

Jenny shrugged. "I don’t know, maybe because he’s a psycho! Who knows why Chuck Bass does the things he does?"

Serena sighed. It was obvious Jenny wasn’t going to tell her the whole story. "Look, I know you’re friends with Nate, and you know that Blair and Chuck hurt him, but you’re new to this circle. Chuck would never just walk up and punch Nate for no reason. Chuck is crazy, yes, but he’s not stupid. If he thought there was a single chance he could get Nate’s friendship back, he would have never laid a hand on him."

Jenny shot Serena a look that clearly said she knew more than she was letting on and half-shrugged. "Maybe he finally realized that Nate wasn’t going to forgive and forget."

Then with quick glance at her watch and an apologetic smile, she added, "I really have to go, I’m going to be late for English."

Serena stared in frustration as she watched Jenny quickly walk away before she could question her further. She should have known that Jenny would protect Nate. She hoped Dan had better luck with Chuck. She pulled out her phone and typed: Any luck?

She didn’t have to wait long before a reply came. Chuck’s not talking.

Did you try and eavesdrop?

Nate grabbed Blair’s arm. Chuck saw.

Serena looked at the text in shock and replied. Nate grabbed B?!

Seems like it, or at least that’s what people are saying.

Serena’s turned her glare in the direction Jenny had gone. Makes sense now, why Jenny was protecting Nate she thought to herself. Sighing angrily she typed Thanks, having lunch with B, I’ll see you later, and then turned off her phone. She had to talk to Blair.

xoxo_xoxo_xoxo

Blair had successfully managed to avoid Serena and her prying questions all morning, although it had been harder to do once they were stuck in a classroom together. She had tuned Serena out and focused on her teachers. She’d missed a week a school, and she needed to get caught up or she’d never get into Yale; but once the lunch bell rang, she knew she was trapped.

She didn’t know how she was supposed to answer Serena’s questions about what happened earlier when she wasn’t even sure she knew it herself. She didn’t know how long Chuck had been standing there watching her and Nate. She didn’t know what Nate had said to Chuck to make Chuck hit him, so she had no clue what she could tell Serena.

"Blair!" Serena called out.

Blair reluctantly stopped, but then let out a sigh of relief as the teacher called Serena back into the room. "I’ll meet you in the usual spot," she said smiling at Serena, but not missing the obvious disappointment on her friend’s face before she disappeared through the door frame.

Moments later, Blair walked out the main door of Constance Billiard and headed towards the Met. Once she was there, she climbed the steps and sat a few steps higher than usual. If she couldn’t sit in her usual space she was going to sit above them, so she could continue to look down on them.

The glare she received from Penelope and Hazel would have bothered her if she’d been anyone other than Blair Waldorf. She smiled politely back, and put her bag down, making it clear she had no intention of going anywhere. Little Jenny and Hazel might think she didn’t belong there but she was the original Queen B and she’d be damned before she let them dictate where she could sit.

Hazel immediately turned to Penelope, and Blair could hear snippets of the conversation the two of them were having. Every once in awhile, she’d hear the word "slut" or the phrase "hypocritical bitch" but all of that was disregarded as the quick realization that her arm actually hurt became evident to her.

Perhaps it had been the constant confusion or adrenalin flowing through her since the moment Nate grabbed her which had numbed it, but now it definitely hurt. She pushed up her sleeve slightly to examine the area Nate had grabbed. They were faint but Blair could slightly make out bruised imprints of Nate’s fingers on her delicate skin.

Pushing the tears back that were threatening to spill over, she looked up from her arm and was surprised when she saw Chuck walking by. Ignoring every instinct she had that told her to stay put, she jumped up and followed after him, leaving her stuff on the steps. "Chuck." She said loudly gaining everyone’s attention, including his.

Chuck stopped walking when he heard her voice. Jury’s back and the verdict is mad then he thought to himself before nervously turning to face her. "Blair."

She stood in awkward silence while she searched desperately for the words she wanted to say.

Chuck wanted to laugh. It was obvious she didn’t even know why she had stopped him. He’d have continued enjoying her discomfort, if he hadn’t noticed her shirt sleeve pushed up and seen the marks on her arm. He reached out for her arm gently, not caring that everyone was watching them. He was stunned when she didn’t pull away. "I should have hit him harder." He mumbled just loud enough for her to hear him.

Blair nodded. "Probably."

Chuck let out a short laugh before stopping himself. "Does it hurt?" he asked concerned.

Blair shook her head. "It’s sore, but it’s nothing I can’t handle," she said bravely, then paused and added softly, "Thank you." This last tone suddenly sounded much less confident than the former.

"For what?" Chuck asked.

"Stepping in when you did. Nate’s never once given me the impression that he was capable of this. I mean, I know he threw you up against that car, but I didn’t think he’d ever hurt me."

Chuck sighed. He couldn’t disagree with Blair on that. "I didn’t think so either."

Blair nodded and the silence overlapped them again. Finally she asked what she’d wanted to ask since she saw it happen. "What did he say to you?"

"When?"

Blair shot him a look of aggravation. "You know when, Chuck, before you hit him. Why did you hit him?"

Chuck looked down at the ground. Blair didn’t need to know the specifics. She didn’t need to know that he called her a "whore" again. "Because he deserved it."

"But why?" Blair asked again, unable to let it go.

Chuck groaned. "Because he hurt you! He grabbed your arm and he scared you. What else would I have done?" he answered honestly. He’d followed Nate with the intent to make sure he regretted touching Blair.

Blair nodded. "So you were protecting me?" she asked curiously.

Chuck sighed. "Of course I was protecting you. You think I’d just haul off and punch Nate for no reason?"

Blair stood perfectly still for a moment just looking at him, taking in everything he’d just said. He’d been protecting her. He’d cared enough to step in and protect her. He hadn’t wanted to see her hurt. She smiled slightly. She’d gotten what she wanted earlier. He’d done something to show her what she so desperately needed to know. He still cared. "Thank you." She repeated before throwing her arms around him and pulling him into a hug.

Chuck let out a startled breath as he felt Blair’s arms encircle and froze for a moment before reciprocating the hug whole heartedly. It had been too long since he’d held her in his arms; he’d almost forgotten how right it felt. Although he still felt the way he felt about being her last resort, he couldn’t ignore how good it felt to be holding her. "I didn’t have a choice," he whispered into her hair and added, "I couldn’t just stand there and watch him hurt you." He found himself closing his eyes and burying his face in her fragrant, dark silken tresses. He wished it could have always been like this, and chastised himself for ever turning her away in the first place.

Blair smiled. She didn’t know why she’d hugged him, but she didn’t regret it. She hadn’t anticipated how just allowing Chuck to hold her in his arms would allow all the tension she’d been feeling to melt away to nothing. Although, she knew she should have. She’d known she was missing him; she’d known he was on her mind, but she honestly never expected it to be like this. She felt truly alive for the first time all week, and she was reluctant to give it up. However, she knew it would have to end. They were still standing in a very public place and she knew, without a doubt, they’d be all over Gossip Girl before the end of the lunch period. Reluctantly, she pulled away and looked down at the ground sheepishly, unable to meet his eyes. A quick glance upwards in his direction proved he felt the same way. She cleared her throat softly. "Well, I should go, I’m supposed to meet Serena…"she trailed off.

Chuck nodded. "Yeah, and I should go, too…" he replied, even though they both knew he had nowhere to go.

Blair nodded and watched as he walked away, his back turned to her once again.

"Chuck!" she called out after him.

Chuck stopped but didn’t turn.

"Thank you," she said again.

Chuck smiled to himself and said "Anytime," loud enough for her to hear him and then continued walking away. Yes, punching Nate was definitely worth it.

Blair watched him go and smiled as she saw Jenny and Elise take her old place on the steps. She didn’t even flinch as they shot her looks of disdain as she passed them to retrieve her bag. She didn’t care if they’d seen her with Chuck. She didn’t care that they were in her spot. She smiled as she saw Serena approaching and grabbed her bag. She walked confidently towards Serena. "Come on, S." she said once she reached her, "I don’t want to sit here today."

Serena looked at Blair, confused by her good mood. "You ok, B?"

Blair smiled her first real smile in days. "Better than ok."

Spotted: Love in the afternoon? Is a reunion in the works? B and C looking cozy after a heart to heart in front of the Met. Looks like C really is going to get the girl this time. But then again when the girl is B, is it really a prize after all? You know you love me. xoxo. Gossip Girl