TV show based. Set after everyone has just left college/university. Dan and Serena are getting married and Chuck returns for the wedding, will the sparks fly between him and Blair again?

Told in Blair and Chuck's POV. Blair/Chuck pairing with a tiny bit of Dan/Serena :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Gossip Girl or the characters :)

Chapter One: Butterflies Not Quite Dead

The sheets were cool against her skin, silk and cotton gracefully arching across her shoulders and back as she lay immobile, strewn across the bed. Golden beams of light slithered through the curtains, warm and comforting against her ivory skin. Her eyes fluttered ever so slightly as she awoke from her slumber. She groaned as she squinted against the harsh rays of sun and fell backwards onto her bed, feeling around for her eye mask so she could shut out the world again. The night before had seemed like the best idea but now she was certain she regretted every single second. The distinct memory of table dancing and shot glasses entered her thoughts and she squirmed in disgust.

Blair Waldorf had always lived on the edge of the wildlife. She had no objection to partying and drinking but she was a Waldorf after all and there was an image to retain. "Oh god," she moaned, sinking into her pillows, wondering if her actions would be the new blog on gossip girl. Even after leaving Yale Gossip Girl had taken any opportunity she could to expose Blair Waldorf's scandals: dating Chuck, dumping Chuck, re-dating Nate; her life was still number one priority to Gossip Girl and however much Blair craved attention; especially when she was pushed to the sidelines because of her best friend Serena; she had started to become irritated when she blogged for things such as buying toilet paper or eating fries.

"It's all his fault!" she exclaimed, grimacing as she pulled a crushed box of chocolates from underneath her and rubbing chocolate stains from her legs. "Eww gross."

His fault.

Entirely.

His fault, referring to a certain ex-lover who had decided to grace his presence at Serena's wedding rehersal dinner. Blair was certain he wouldn't have shown. "He is Chuck Bass after all," she repeated to herself, trying to convince herself that he would not return. Although the nervous hand-wringing and her darting eyes gave her feelings away.

Chuck had left town a year ago after their messy break up, he had been distant and cold for months on end and kept pushing her away whenever she had tried to get closer. He had blamed her for his misery and still refused to talk about what was really bothering him.

"Why won't you talk to me?"

"Because I don't love you anymore."

His words were icy and spoken with so much bitterness that she fleed his cold stare and violent grip and ran into the arms of Nate, falling apart at his touch, unable to breathe through her tears.

Blair sighed as she replayed the memory once more. A day hadn't gone by when she didn't think about it: it had been the worst day of her life. Now she bent over the sink, breathing deeply, trying so hard not to let herself become vulnerable once more now that he had returned. Her fingers trembled towards to her mouth; trying so hard to resist that sinking feeling which told her over and over that she wasn't beautiful, that voice which echoed through her mind which wanted her to ruin herself.

"No!" she shouted, splashing water over her face instead, feeling fresh tears mingle with the cold liquid. "Please don't ruin this," she said softly, her voice broken and timid as she stared at her pallid reflection. The dark circles under her eyes and her unbrushed hair made her feel sick. She grabbed a butterfly clip from the shelf and clipped her hair back, pulling it out of her eyes as she applied concealor over the dark spots.

"B! Pick up!"

Blair distingly heard a voice in the background as she started to brush her teeth. Unlocking the bathroom she realised it was coming from her answer machine.

"Hey S," she answered through mouth fulls of toothpaste.

"B!" her best friend Serena squealed down the phone in joy. "I'm getting married today!"

Blair smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. "Do you need help getting ready?"

"Yes!" she replied rapidly. "I'm freaking out here!"

"I'll be right over," Blair said, hanging up the phone and walking over to her bedroom door. A dress hung from the hook; ice blue and trailing to the floor, elegant and sophisticated. She removed it from the hanger and held it in her hands, touching the material, her hands lingering over the silver beads.

"You look amazing," he had whispered silkily, his face inches away from hers.

She smiled as she dressed hurriedly, ignoring the dizzyness that had now claimed her head as her hang over started to kick in. "Damn you Bass," she muttered angrily, wondering how he always managed to get her in such predicaments. He certaintly had some effect over her that's for sure and right now Blair didn't know whether that was a good or bad thing.

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Flashback

Night before - Dan and Serena's rehersal dinner

She couldn't breathe, let alone move. She stood immobile, rooted to the spot, her feet unable to lift from the ground. If she wanted to run she wouldn't be able to. He had paralyzed her.

"Well, I guess it's long time no see?"

She hated him.

Really hated him.

He was smirking.

How dare he.

Blair opened her mouth to reply but no words were able to form. She opted by staring at him instead, her eyes trailing over his features, surprised nothing had changed. His hair was still the same brown, still styled the same way. His eyes were still huge oceans covered in chocolate, swirling and still leaving her weak as they glanced in her direction. He stood there in all his glory, with his suit and his bow tie -

"No one ever enjoys their first time," she said as she fixed his crooked bow tie, feeling his eyes graze over her face as she trailed a hand down his jacket.

"Except you."

"Still leaving you speechles?" he asked, his classic smirk spreading across his face. Oh, how she hated the smirk. It was evil. Evil smirk, hauting me with your hotness and evilness. Go away!

Blair wrung her hands nervously.

"I'm good," he said.

"Still cocky as ever, I see?" Blair blurted out, unable to restrain from taunting him. Chuck smirked again and took a swig of his scotch, then swirled the substance in his glass as he glanced around the room, observing the other guests as they danced and talked.

Blair breathed a sigh of relief. Sparing with Chuck came easily, sometimes that was always the best form of their communication. "What are you doing here?" she asked him.

"My step-sister is getting married," Chuck replied, adverting his gaze from the chandeliar and re-focusing on Blair instead. "Thought I ought to congratulate her in person."

"So, you're staying for the wedding then?"

"Don't act so surprised."

"Well, you did skip town," Blair replied without thinking.

"And we all know the reason why, don't we?" he smiled cockily. "How is dear Nathanial by the way?"

Blair gritted her teeth, wishing she had never blurted anything out and silently cursing herself for doing so. "We broke up actually."

Chuck snorted and shook his head in disbelief. "Love them and leave them. Seems he took my advice after all."

Blair glared at him, giving him a look of utter loathing, her breaths were sharp and she had to stop herself serval times not to lash out and slap his face. His smirking face. Right now she was certain he was some reincartion of the devil. She shook her head, "you never change," she said, turning her back on him, wanting more than anything to get away but he grabbed hold of her stomach.

"How about we go somewhere quiet and talk?" he said sleazily, running a hand down her back.

"How about you get away from me Bass," she said angrily, pushing him away, catching the aroma of alcohol on his breath. "You stink of scotch."

"So would you if you drank half a bottle."

"Half a bottle? Nervous, were you?" she asked him teasingly.

"Of seeing you? Always," he smiled, this time it was softer and for a minute even looked genuine. Blair looked away from him, she knew if she looked any longer she would fall into his trap again and feel vulnerable and powerless against his charm.

"The butterflies have been dead for a long time Chuck," Blair said, once more turning her back on him and walking away. This time he stayed rooted, letting her go.

"Not for me," he said in a whisper, looking at the ground. Watching her leave had become too painful for his heart. That's why he left. He didn't want to watch her walk away from him and find love with someone else again. The past year had been painful for him, being away from her proved harder than he thought. He always wondered what would happen if they ever met again: would they give into those past feelings again or would they be typical 'Waldorf' and 'Bass' and hate each other all over again?

Chuck had moved to Los Angeles to live with his mother. He never told Blair the reason why he was so secretive and cold during the final few months of their relationship, he had blamed it on her but he knew in his heart that it was nothing to do with her. It's me. I'm the reason.

"Chuck?"

Chuck snapped out of his reveare and turned to see Serena facing him, her smile wide, happy to see him. "Still taunting Blair again, I see?" she said, hugging him.

"It's a sport," he grinned, letting go and taking in her apperance.

"I can't believe I'm going to say this but I'm so happy to see you," she said happily, touching his hand.

"Well, that was a compliment and a half. What's gotten into you? Or should I say who?"

"Eww! Gross, Chuck!" she exclaimed, swatting his arm, yet laughing.

"I love it when you say my name."

"And I love it when you're not here," said Dan who just turned up at Serena's side, kissing her on the cheek.

"Humprey," Chuck nodded. "I guess congratulations are in order," he added, extending his hand.

"Uh - thanks," Dan said in surprise, shaking his hand.

"Relax," said Chuck with a grin, as Dan snaked his arm around his fiancés waist. "Don't let the hand fool you. I still can't stand you Dumpty."

"Yeah, thanks, for that," Dan said, lifting a hand in the air as Chuck smiled and walked away, letting the couple have their moments as Serena had just started to kiss Dan's neck.

However, he didn't get very far when he bumped into another familar face. A face which turned stone cold as he recognized him.

"Nate," Chuck muttered in dislike.

"Chuck," Nate replied in mutual hatred. Chuck glared at his former friend and had the urge to rip his 'man-bangs' from his head. They stood opposite one another, standing tall yet awkwardly. Chuck's eyes trailed off to the bathroom.

"You better stay away from her," Nate warned him as Blair exited the bathroom, her face solemn. Chuck's face fell when he saw her red eyes.

"You hear me?" Nate asked.

"Or you'll do what? ... I heard you guys broke up," he added as an after thought.

"So?"

"So," his smirk grew wider. Taunting Nate was defiantly on the cards tonight. "Maybe history will repeat itself. If you know what I mean?"

Nate moved towards Chuck in a matter of seconds and pushed him roughly. Chuck stumbled slightly but tried to maintain his posture, laughter spilling from his mouth, echoing around the room.

"I better not see you around here Chuck," Nate said.

"Too bad," Chuck said smiling. "I'm not going anywhere."

He raised his arms as if to say "pwned" and walked away leaving Nate's eyes glaring at his back.

"Should of known you'd be in a fight twenty minutes into the party."

"What can I say?" he smiled, turning to his side. Blair was leant against the wall, a look of digust and amusement spread across her face. Her eyes were still red and puffy, even though she tried to hide it horribly with make-up. "Are you alright?"

She raised her eyebrow.

"I saw you coming out of the restroom crying."

"Not that it's any of your business but I'm stressed. I'm maid of honour, have a full time job and having you back just made things worse."

"Well," he said, a mischevious look spreading across his face and reaching into his jacket poket and pulling out a key. "What do you say to some consoling?"

"Eww, no, Chuck," she replied in disgust.

"This is the key to the stockroom," he said with a laugh. "Free booze ... Unless you had something else in mind?"

Blair glared at him. "You stole that?"

"What can I say?" he said, taking hold of her hand and trailing her away from the party. "I'm Chuck Bass."

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Yeah, she thought as she arrived at Serena's house the day after. He certaintly is.

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So hopefully there is more to come soon. Tell me what you think so far :)