"No, no. Stop here! Right here is fine." Blair demanded, shifting uncomfortably in the leather seat.

She peered out of the tinted window at the school ahead. If Eleanor hadn't of started paying more attention to her than usual, she wouldn't even be there. It didn't take a psychiatrist to know that she wasn't ready, not even close. But there she was, waiting in the town car, refusing to be driven to the front as usual.

Spotted: B finally resurfacing into society after a two week rest. Why wasn't she seen leaving her apartment until just this morning, you ask? Only time will tell. You know you love me.

She clicked the phone shut, putting a hand on her forehead. People would already be talking before she stepped foot in the building. Great, just great. "I'll walk from here." Blair told the driver, stepping out of the car.

A few deep breaths and panic attacks later, the familiar steps came into view, and to her surprise, Chuck had kept his promise. He was sitting at the top, dressed in one of his ridiculous ensembles, waiting for her. Hopefully he wouldn't be this reliable every weekday morning. That would just mess up the natural order of things.

"How are you feeling?" Chuck asked her, slipping an arm around her waist.

"I'm okay. A little nervous." She started, half smiling at him. "You didn't have to wait for me, Bass. I was only kidding." That was a lie. She was terrified of being alone and ambushed by questions and concerned glances.

Chuck shrugged and looked down at the pavement. "I said I would." He responded, simply.

They walked up the stairs as Blair interlocked her arm with his. Students passed them by and whispered and stared curiously, while they texted like crazy. Probably providing tips to Gossip Girl. Chuck whispered something reassuring in her ear, and tightened his protective grip on her. She loved knowing that he was there for her.

The first ambush of the day was standing two yards away, blonde hair bobbing from side to side. Serena. They had exchanged texts that morning and Blair apologized for not returning her calls and explained about her mystery illness. Not the truth, of course, but a credible explanation. So, that was out of the way. At least the conversation would be civil.

"I'm so glad you're okay." Serena smiled, hugging her tightly. Her hand still hadn't left Chuck's grasp, and all she could do was smile and nod her way through the conversation. She listened to Serena catch her up on current events, things she had missed from classes, and upcoming parties that everyone was talking about. After a couple of minutes, Serena stared at Chuck, giving him a "don't you have somewhere to be?" look.

Chuck quickly took the hint. Serena might get suspicious if he stood there the whole time with her. "I'll let you guys catch up. Meet you after first period?" He asked, locking eyes with Blair momentarily.

Blair nodded, releasing his hand, as he walked away.

Serena turned back to her, grinning. "Okay, this is too weird. I mean, it's great that you guys worked things out, but it's definitely something I'll have to get used to. How are things going with you two?"

She began to answer and suddenly had the feeling that every guy that passed her was staring at her. The faces all looked the same. Broad nose, dark eyes, bangs that hung slightly over their foreheads. No, they weren't him. He didn't know where to find her. It was only paranoia. There was no way that any of them knew what happened to her. She felt like vomiting. The sense of reality that was there that morning was long gone and replaced by panic.

"Blair, what's wrong?" Serena asked, concerned. She felt her forehead. "You're pale as a sheet. Maybe you came back too soon?"

--

Blair found Chuck after first period, staring down at his cell phone with an angry expression. She let out a frustrated sigh. "Is it something on Gossip Girl? Let me see it."

Chuck pulled the phone away from her grasp defensively. "No."

She managed to pry it out of his hands, but instantly wished that she had listened to him. There he was in the flesh, grabbing a drink over the bar. Her memory of that night was still so fuzzy. She must have taken the photo of Cory and sent it to Chuck's phone in an attempt to make him jealous. She dropped it on the table and looked away.

Chuck's eyes widened. "Is that him?"

Blair only nodded in response, still unable to look at him. Despite efforts to stop it, her body began shaking uncontrollably. The sight of him made her skin crawl. Chuck clenched his fists furiously at the revelation, trying to keep his cool, but that was almost impossible. Now he had a face to go with the bits and pieces Blair remembered from that night. That face would remain burned in his memory.

--

Chuck impatiently drummed his fingers on the table, watching as Vanessa emerged from behind the counter. "What did you find out?"

"Does Blair know you're here?" Vanessa asked, curiously. She hesitated telling him the little information she had found out about Cory. He looked so angry. "Look, you're upset. I don't think this is the way to..."

"I know you have it. If you didn't, you wouldn't have asked me to meet you." Chuck demanded, glaring at her.

Vanessa sighed. Obviously he was never going to let this go. She had no choice. "I talked to a friend of mine, Trish. Her boyfriend lives in the dorms so she's always there. When I showed her the picture of the guy, she recognized him. His name is Cory, but according to her and everyone else, he doesn't live there. He just goes to the parties."

"Wait, I thought the attack happened in his room?" Chuck interjected.

"Could have been someone else's room, I guess." Vanessa looked down, uncomfortably. "He probably thought she would be more likely to go with him if he told her that. Anyway, no one seems to know where he lives, but I have names of some of his friends who live in the dorms."

Chuck reached over to take the piece of paper in her hand, and she took it back suddenly. "What exactly are you going to do?" She asked.

"It's none of your concern." Chuck answered coldly.

"No, actually, it is, because I'm the one giving you the information. So, whatever happens... I'd be the one responsible." Vanessa reminded him. She had no clue what to do. A part of her didn't want to give him any of it. He wasn't in the mindset to deal with it rationally. On the other hand, maybe she was wrong. Maybe all he was going to do was find him, keep him there, and then call the police. The guy deserved to be in prison. That was for sure.

"This conversation never happened, alright?" Chuck said, taking the paper from her. "This is the only way Blair will ever get past this."

--
A/N:Only Four more chapters left!