A/N: ATTENTION READERS: This fic will be going on a brief hiatus. From the reviews I've gotten, I can see nearly every one of you is beyond excited that I am writing this fic. However, initially this story was only supposed to be a few chapters long & about Blair having insecurities that she didn't need to have, because Chuck had taken her back, and he was just being careful, not keeping her away for the sake of not trusting her, since it's assumed the long time Blair fought for him happens prior to when I start this story. It's clear though that with the entrance of Carter and the start of another arc that this is becoming a fic much like my others where there is going to be a bigger issue at stake than simply the state of Chuck & Blair's relationship. I can easily shift back into gears where it's just CB not communicating well and they can just have a nice, long talk and things will more or less be smooth sailing from there on out, with the hint that they're going to be working on being a stronger couple this time around OR I can make this into a longer multi-chap fic – like my others – and develop a more complex plot. This will take planning, and thus will create a bit of a hiatus so I can take time to figure it out, since I won't be able to just pump out a couple scenes and post it every night. Keep that in mind. The main reason for the hiatus now though is that I'd like to know which scenario you guys would prefer. I am very willing to do either. I just would like to know what the majority would like, now that you know the pros & cons. I'm going to post a poll on my profile ASAP on these two options. Please vote, and according to what the tallies are a week from now, that is the route I will go. So please, all of you, VOTE! And worry not about updates from me in the next 7 days. Chances are I'll be busy, but maybe I can get around to updating LA or MMB (yes, I said it), since I've started the next chap for each. =P

And – scene.

*I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.

…

Ch.5—Rising Tide

He was still brooding over his argument with Blair when he heard the voice he never ceased to despise hearing at the reception desk just a little ways down the hall.

Sure enough, Carter Baizen was here in town and chatting it up with Bart Bass's secretary – his old secretary up until recently, regardless if she'd been Bart's for years before that. This was the woman who could give a glare much like Blair's when she was in a mood, or even when she wasn't, and here Baizen was, saying a few flattering words and making her blush.

Chuck would've rolled his eyes if he wasn't pissed.

This was the last thing he needed.

He didn't even want to think about what Carter's purpose might be at Bass Industries. Despite how easily it was for Baizen to mess with him, and as much as Chuck hated to admit it, the guy never initially set out to make his life miserable. He just saw opportunities and took advantage of them when he was already in the vicinity.

"What are you doing here?" he spat, his nerves still wrought from the last half hour – especially the last ten minutes.

Carter easily turned to face Chuck, allowing the older woman to regain her normal complexion as she returned to her work a bit flustered.

"Chuck, long time no see," he said charmingly.

Chuck only glared.

Carter raised his eyebrows briefly, well aware that there would be no niceties on this end today.

"I saw Blair outside," he said, unable to resist.

Chuck's glare grew colder.

"She looks…" Carter's eyes heated up on purpose and he smirked, enjoying how he set his nemesis off.

"-What are you doing here?" Chuck repeated, his voice tight and his jaw clenched.

Carter's gaze flickered up to his and he smiled.

"I have a meeting."

Chuck scoffed. "I find that hard to believe."

Carter shrugged. "Suit yourself. It's the truth."

He looked at him disbelievingly, searching his eyes for the truth behind the lie.

"Serena's not in town," Chuck said, reminding himself that Carter had always sort of had a fondness for his stepsister, and that something between them – good or bad – usually occurred when he bombarded their lives.

Carter's gaze grew dark briefly, but then the calm suave expression returned to his face.

"I'm not here for her," he said, and winked at the secretary.

"Then what are you here for?" Chuck demanded.

He was about to answer when the intercom interjected with Bart's voice.

"Send him in, Marlene."

She cleared her throat to regain the professionalism she was known so well for.

"Right away, Mr. Bass." She lifted her finger off the button and looked up at Carter.

"He's ready for you," she said, trying her best to hold back another blush.

Carter smiled warmly at her and thanked her before moving around the reception desk in the direction of Bart's office. He stopped halfway and turned back to Chuck who had followed him.

"I'm sorry, Chuck. We'll have to catch up some other time. My meeting's about to start." He flashed him a wild grin and turned away from the speechless junior Bass, shutting the office door behind him once he entered.

…

She was still frustrated with Chuck later that night after dinner. Dorota had left earlier and now Blair was all alone in her big house, unable to forget her explosion earlier at Bass Industries.

She'd had every right, she told herself. He had gone too far by keeping Bart's meeting from her, even if she had said she was super busy all week being involved with the company he had saved.

She sighed. He supported her so much in what she was embarking on with Waldorf Designs. He had to know she supported him fully in getting back Bass Industries too. If for nothing else for how much she begged to be involved.

They had to stop doing this, she thought mournfully as she sat on her bed. She touched the silk duvet lightly, remembering how it had felt against her skin three days earlier when she and Chuck lay beneath it.

No matter how much she wanted to be perfect to keep him from disposing her, bad communication would only stunt their growth. She couldn't play the part like she'd done to perfection with Nate in high school. Chuck saw right through her. He understood her, probably had this whole time.

Maybe he'd deliberately set up the scene this afternoon as a test for her.

No. He wasn't the manipulative boy she fell in love with anymore. He was the mature, loving man she could not live without. He wouldn't trick her in that way. He trusted her now. They wouldn't be together otherwise.

Right?

She shook her head, thoroughly irritated with herself. Then she stood to her feet and padded her way across the room, opening drawers to seek out the perfect silk ensemble for bed. It wasn't like she was going anywhere tonight. Chuck hadn't called at all the rest of the day, hadn't even texted, and that made her irritated too, like maybe he thought she was the one who should be apologizing from what had happened them earlier.

She was angry about that, but she also had a gut feeling that he wasn't the only one to blame for her outburst that had seemingly come out of nowhere.

Somewhat pleased with herself for finding the light pink satin nightie with the black lace that she so loved, she began to change clothes into the comfier wear.

She'd hardly undone the zipper of her skirt when her bedroom door flung open and Chuck strode into her room, not stopping.

"Chuck-" she began, and that was all she said.

He cut her off, grabbed her until there was no space between them and kissed her wildly. They were quickly moving across the room to the bed, tumbling onto it and not stopping to think.

"Chuck," she finally said again, needing an explanation. She attempted to push him away slightly to look at him, see what might be lying in his eyes, where his aggressive moves had come from, but she was only partially successful.

"I love you," he said, cutting her off again. His mouth went to her collar bone, kissing, suckling and biting, sending chills up her spine. "I love you so fucking much," he growled against her skin.

She heard the tears in his voice and ceased her relenting.

He needed this, and god, so did she.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he mumbled, his face pressing against her neck.

She was startled to feel wetness gathering there. Tears.

"Chuck," she whispered, shaken. Her arms wound around his neck and her fingers weaved through his hair. She held him to her, listening to his uneven breathing and giving him what he needed: her love and her body.

After awhile he relaxed against her too, and then things heated up. He kissed her again; it intensified. Then their bodies were moving and they were wrinkling duvet, their passion and love staining the sheets on her bed.

"I love you so fucking much," he repeated over and over until he couldn't speak and he told her instead with more hot, caressing kisses.

Something had happened. Something after she'd left. And she wouldn't let him get away with not telling her the next day. But now it was just them, and she was satisfied with that. She was saving him again, and that drowned out all her worries, because he had remembered that he still needed her, on some level at least, and that they were the same.

Maybe he was just as scared as she was.

….

A/N: Please review. Please vote. =)