The Deal

She was curled up under a blanket on the sofa when there was a loud knock at the door. Not wanting to get up she ignored it, that was until she heard Rachel yelling.

"Blair, open up, I know you're in there. I'm not going away until you let me in."

Wiping her eyes and sighing she pushes the blanket off and makes her way to the door and opens it. "Rachel, I'm not in the mood for company."

"Well, I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what happened between you and Austin. I brought wine," she said, holding up the bottle for her to see. She followed Blair over to the sofa and set the bottle down. "I'll go grab us a couple of glasses, shall I?" Going into the kitchen she grabs two glasses and going back into the other room she pours Blair and herself some of the wine.

Blair told Rachel everything, how Austin was out for revenge, buying up all the shares and what he planned on doing. How he deliberately set out to hurt her every chance he had, like the time he stood her up on her big night.

"I know he was a bastard with all he did to you. But he must love you if he was trying to sell back the shares."

Her breath stuttered when she spoke, her nose was red and her face blotchy from crying. "He set out to hurt me by buying those shares, he could have had me removed from the company. He did all of that because he felt I didn't treat him right when we were kids. Austin betrayed me, he hurt me so bad and he broke my heart. I can never forgive him."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I left him for good and I told him I want a divorce."

"Blair, you love him, don't be so hasty. Give it some time before you make a decision that will affect the rest of your life."

"Everything he did was way over the line, no, it's over between us."

Rachel ordered Chinese takeout for the two of them, she wanted to make sure Blair ate something before she left her alone. After eating and making sure she would be alright on her own Rachel left to go home, saying she would check on her tomorrow.

Finally, she was alone so she takes a long relaxing bath, getting out wraps the towel around her. She looks in the mirror at the necklace around her neck, the dolphin one Austin had given her. A tear ran down her face as she unfastens it, taking it off she holds it in her hand, looking at it. All her dreams of a life with him were dashed. Entering the bedroom she places the necklace in her jewelry box and closes the lid. Maybe if she didn't see it she might be able to get him off her mind.

Blair threw herself into her work, putting in more hours at the office even after everyone had gone home for the night. It was the only way to stop thinking about Austin. He wasn't making it easy on her with his constant calling, texting and sending flowers with a card attached saying how sorry he was. She refused to take his calls and deleted his text, he was also banned from coming to her office.

For two weeks she was able to avoid him but one day Harry came to see her.

"It's nice to see you, how is Fran?"

"She's doing great and has asked about you. She told me to say hi to you and would like you to give her a call when you have time. She said something about having lunch."

"I'll call her, but why are you here? If Austin sent you to try and talk me into talking to him you've both wasted your time and mine."

"He did send me, but only to give you this," he said, handing her a folder.

She looked at what was inside, her face paled and she looked over at Harry. "These are all the shares he bought, even the ones I gave him."

"Yes, there were some that we managed to sell back that's not there. He wanted you to have them, they're all in your name. Blair, the guy really loves you and he's really in a bad way. He regrets what he tried to do."

"Why would he give me these after being served with divorce papers?"

"Because he doesn't want them and he loves you."

She sits down, feeling dizzy. "If Austin had told me the truth at the beginning instead of me finding out from someone else we might have been able to sort things out. If only he hadn't tried to hide it. That shows me what his character is all about, how would I ever be able to trust him to not keep things from me?"

"He knows his mistake and I know him, he'll never betray you again. Won't you give him another chance?"

She shakes her head. "I'm sorry, no. Tell him for me that I'm grateful for the shares and to please sign the divorce papers soon."

Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll tell him, he's still looking over the papers, says he might make some changes." He knew Austin was stalling for time, hoping to change her mind about divorcing him.

She sighed loudly. "Whatever, just have him contact my lawyer with the changes."

When he left the office Rachel came in. "So now Austin's sending Harry to do his dirty work. So what is he pulling now?"

"Austin has signed over his shares to me."

Rachel's eyes widened when she read over the papers. "Holy shit, well that's something. To give them all to you he must really love you. I would have thought after being served divorce papers he would have kept them, you know, to hold it over your head."

"Yeah, well I don't have to worry about that, put these in the safe will you and get me the reports on the latest sales."

"Alright, but it's almost six, why don't you go home and rest?"

"Is it that late? I'll just stay for a while."

"I'll put these away and get you the report, then I'm heading home, I have a date tonight. Unless you want me to hang around. I don't like that you stay here alone late at night."

"I'm not alone, the cleaning staff will be in soon. I'll be fine, you go on home and get ready for Steven."

Later when she was leaving the office and walking to the elevator she saw a shadow on the steps above her. "Who's there," she shouted out, thinking it might be one of the cleaners, but she got no answer. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she started running. Reaching the elevator she opened the door and stepped in just as the figure came towards her. It was dark in the hallway so she couldn't see who it was.

Just as she got in and the door started to close she let out a scream when a hand got between the closing doors and he walked in. "What the hell Patrick, you scared the shit out of me. Why didn't you answer when I called out?" Her heart was racing like a jackrabbit running from its enemy.

"I didn't mean to scare you, sweetheart."

"What are you doing here so late?" she asked, trying to slow her heartbeat down.

"I went to your place to see how you were doing and since you weren't there I figured you'd be working late. I've been worried about you."

"You don't need to worry about me, I can take care of myself."

He moved in, trapping her in the corner, putting his hands on the wall. "You act like you're tough, but I know right now you're alone and scared. I've heard you and Austin broke up, let me take you out for something to eat. Maybe we can sort things out between us."

"I told you I never wanted to see you again, what makes you think I'd go out with you?"

"Because you're lonely and need someone, let me be that someone," he said, then leaning over he tried to kiss her.

She pushed him away just as the door opened and walked out. "Stay away from me." She hated the sight of him and was wondering how long he had been watching her. "If you come near me again I'll get a restraining order against you."

That night she tossed and turned, no matter which way she laid she just couldn't get comfortable or fall asleep. Her stomach felt upset so she gets up and makes herself some tea. It was just before midnight, she takes her cup out onto the balcony and sits down, staring out at all the lights and could hear the cars as they drove by. One thing Patrick was right about was she was lonely, she missed Austin and her heart ached whenever she thought about him.

The next morning she was totally drained but dragged herself out of bed to get ready for work, she felt ill. When she arrived at work after stopping at the drugstore Rachel showed up with her coffee. She took one sip and shook her head. "Could you get me some tea instead? I'm not feeling very good and the smell of coffee is upsetting my stomach."

"You do look like hell."

"I didn't get any sleep last night."

"Alright, I'll be right back with your tea," she said and left. When she returned fifteen later she apologized for taking so long, but she had to answer a couple of phone calls. She noticed how much paler Blair was, her eyes were glazed over as if she had been crying. "What's wrong?" she asked, setting the tea down.

Blair stared at her, her lips quivered, her eyes filled with tears. "I'm pregnant."

"Are you sure?" she asked, her eyes wide with shock.

"I stopped at the drugstore before coming in to work and bought a test, I just took it and it's positive." Leaning over the desk she buried her head in her arms. "Oh my God, what am I going to do now?"

Rachel went over, putting her arms around Blair. "What do you want to do, do you want to keep it?"

She looked up, shocked that Rachel would say such a thing. "Of course I want to keep it, it's my baby, and Austin's. I'm just in shock right now, I was on the friggin pill for crying out loud. What are my parents going to say when they find out I'm getting a divorce, and now pregnant?"

"You haven't told them about you and Austin?"

"No, they're on a African Safari and are hard to get a hold of. I figured I'd wait until they returned home." She took a drink of her tea, hoping it would settle her stomach.

"Are you going to tell Austin?"

Rubbing her temple she gets up and goes over to the window and looks out. "I have to, he has a right to know he's going to be a father. Divorcing him I was hoping I'd never have to see him again so that I could start getting over him. But now we're having a baby together and will be connected for the next 18 years or so. I just hope he doesn't think this means we'll be getting back together. First I need to see a doctor and confirm that I'm pregnant."

"The guy I'm dating is a doctor, I bet if I call him he could get you in right away, let me call him," she said, going over to the desk picked up the phone.

Blair waited and listened as Rachel talked to her latest boyfriend. After some lovey dove talk, she thanked him and hung up.

"Alright, you can go to the hospital and see a doctor Carol Herst at 10:45. Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, you stay here and take care of things. If I am pregnant I'll go to Austin's office and tell him, I might as well get it all over with today. There's nothing important going on here today so I'll probably go right home afterwards."

"You being pregnant, it's a good thing right?"

"Yes, I'm happy about it, it's just the timing is all wrong. But knowing I have a baby inside me does give me a warm feeling inside. I better get going and afterwards, I'll visit Mickey before seeing Austin."

After being examined it was confirmed she was indeed three weeks pregnant, she was given a prescription for some prenatal pills. She made another appointment and then went to see her little friend after stopping at the gift shop to buy him some comic books and treats.

"Blair, you're here," Mickey said excitedly. "Where's Austin?"

"He had to work but he sends his love and asked me to get you your favourite books. I hear you'll be able to go home soon."

He turned quiet, his little face looked so sad. "Does this mean I won't get to see you anymore?" His voice shook and he was close to tears.

She gives him a big hug. "Oh no honey, I'll come and visit you at your home. Hey, you're my favourite guy, I couldn't stay away from you." She was happy to see that it cheered him up. "I have to go now but I'll see you soon."

After leaving Mickey she headed to Austin's office, she was nervous about telling him, not really sure how he would take the news.