A/N: I figured it was a bit short for a chapter and I decided to edit the whole of it. To those who added this one to their alerts, I'm truly sorry and I hope you'd still be reading this one^^ The title's been changed too. this was formerly Awesome U.

Puzzling Connections

Chapter One


It's been a while. But it feels like it's been forever for Blair Waldorf. She woke up with a smile, probably from a sweet dream. Yes, dreams are sweet, but waking up beside the man she loves the most made her feel diabetic. A good thing actually, since the feeling doesn't kill. She faced his sleeping face, taking in all of his cherry-smelling exhales.

"I love you, Chuck Bass." She said softly, caressing his cheeks.

His reply, a full body turn away from his woman, made Blair giggle.

"I'll go make you a happy breakfast."

Still trapped in his unconscious, Chuck on the other hand, painted a picture of Germany in his slumber.

It was the summer before junior high when Bart Bass forcefully took his son to Germany for a mix of business and pleasure. It was a break from school after all. Chuck needed to see some people. But to him, what's the use of all of this if all his Almighty father still disapproves of the being he has created?

And although this was a dream, not a single event was out of place-as it was when it happened years ago.

"Thanks for the invitation, Mr. Schnell." Bart extended his hand. "And for considering this proposal of mine."

"The pleasure is all mine." Schnell accepted the handshake, glaring at the uncomfortable-looking boy beside the big man. "Your son?"

"Apparently." his answer made chuck clear his throat.

"Chuck Bass."the son nodded, thinking he wasn't really supposed to be there.

The men settled at the garden for tea, talking about the world's economy and the upcoming threat of global recession. All was about business and our little boy felt completely out of place. And so he started thinking about something else. He's thoughts were of Manhattan. Of parties. Of undressed women. Of herbal pot sessions with Nathaniel. Of his limo. Of his self. Life is short. Why waste time sipping Earl Gray? And the lemon on it is highly ridiculous, though it tastes good. Well, for one thing, if the sleeping Chuck were to wake up soon enough, responsibility would be in first.

But this is the old Chuck we were talking about, that lust-driven dark prince of kingdom come. He, in the least, would be drinking scotch straight from a bottle instead of brewed leaves from this Ginori ceramic tea cup.

"Father." A soft British accent cut through his thoughts.

Regaining all of his senses, he was able to see a surprisingly beautiful figure kissing Shcnell's cheekbone. Her hair was dark. Her eyes, glittering blue. She looked like a medieval princess in a modern period. But that was what made her cute. It's not to say that she seemed ancient, it's that she was a perfect lady. Well groomed. Well disciplined, as if she was an heir to a monarchy.

And she was actually. Although not to push it. Her mother was British. Schnell was American. If she were a pureblood, she would have a title.

"Gentlemen, my daughter of nineteen years."

"Urie Isabelle." The girl nodded, smiling. "Well, this is business. I shall take my leave."

She glared at Chuck and started walking away.

To the old Chuck, every glare might be an invitation to something fun. And he was bored. He needed his share of enjoyment. And so, minutes later, Chuck excused himself and went off to follow the invisible trial.

He found her lost in her thoughts, sitting on the edge of a rectangular fountain, hands running through cold waters.

"So, you're not as innocent as you look..." Chuck exhaled. "Urie, was it?"

She faced him and remained silent. He whistled.

"It's the shy types that go really crazy." he leaned closer. "And it appears that you're one of them."

"And who on earth are you?" She raised a brow. Her accent just made him more excited.

"I'm Chuck Bass." And there goes that phenomenal smirk.

"Oh, well, you better back off mister Chuckie. Before I call security."

"You know," he snaked his arm around her waist. "Older women turn me on... They're just so... experienced..."

He twirled her hair , moving his hand along her cheekbone. Urie did nothing. Well, not yet, anyway.

"Do you wanna do it right here?" he whispered in her ear, letting his hands slither on the side of her legs.

Just where i want it. she replied with a smile.

Then, something clicked.

"What the-" Chuck was startled. He exclaimed in a mixture of pain and pleasure as she pulled his free arm behind him. And finally, locking his arms together.

"Hand cuffs?" Chuck gasped, smiling. "This is more like my type of girl."

"Not quite." Urie pushed him to the bushes and there was a loud oof! "I'm sorry, but you messed with the wrong Criminology student in training."

"What? You're a cop?"

"Student in training." She squatted to meet his face. "I'm not some drama queen who talks about shopping and boys. It's much of a hassle. Living a life like that."

Chuck scoffed as he tried to stand up. "I never would have guessed it. You're just so..."

Before he could say anything, duck tape met his lips and intercepted his words.

"Not this time Chuckie. You're just a boy. And you have lots of woppin' issues."

Chuck mumbled, probably not aware that his words were not understandable. But he was thinking how this British bitchy cop know about his issues. That is, if he really had issues. he fell down again, leaves on his face.

"I make it my business to know my father's partners." She said as if she read his mind. "Everything about them. I plan to be with the CIA, after all. I call this one training."

He wagged his body. And he was trying his best to scream. As if he could. Well, hard work always paid off. But when was it that he worked really hard? It's hard to imagine, after sitting on the back of a limo for most of the day.

"Why don't you stay here for a moment." Urie started trailing off. "Later."

A kiss. Chuck's awakening was welcomed by his girlfriend's raspberry lips. She smiled as he rubbed his eyes, letting out a big yawn after he sat up.

"Good Morning." Blair kissed his forehead. "Did you have sweet dreams?"

"Yeah, I think it was a sign." his voice was still sleepy. "The summer before Junior high, I went to Germany with my father."

"I remember." she walked towards the other room.

"The business proposal." he followed her. "My father didn't get it."

Blair sorted the platters as Chuck hugged her from behind.

"Any thought about that?" She forked a sausage and made Chuck take a bite.

"It was a big one. Worth millions." He finished off the treat. "I'm thinking of meeting up with mister Schnell again. And Blair, it's a bit undercooked."

"Blame your crappy room service." She faced him, with a faint smile. "You should finish what your dad couldn't. You know, I'm just so happy that you decided to visit his grave after everything that had been that day."

"That was months ago." He said, and hit him. That woman standing in front of Bart's tombstone, leaving his mother's favorite yellow roses and a pendant with his father's picture on it. he'd been bothered by it. Although he was determined to look into that old lady, he has never seen her again.

"That Schnell guy. You still know where he is? It's been more than two years..."

"Oh, I know how to get to him."

Blair served breakfast and after that, Chuck's thoughts were all business. And a bit about of a blue-eyed cop and an old lady.

*

Her phone had been ringing all morning but Serena knew better than to answer it and let Trip Van Der Bilt's excuses get to her. True, she had deep feelings for him. Even though he was a married man, there was something different whenever he was around her. Like Romeo and Juliet, she thought the love they had would be enough.

Love. They never said such a thing to each other. A good thing, she believed, because the slightest feeling of affection had been constantly fadibg since he left her wounded in his car. How long has it been since she let Trip take over her system? Two months. Or so. It's already early December and she was feeling cold in her pajamas. A moment ago, the ringing had stopped, and she was surprised to see a different name on her voice mail. Seeing DAN on her screen made her wish she took the call.

Hey, Serena. You're not picking up. Are you okay? Brooklyn's kinda lonely today.

Would you mind coming over to the loft for brunch? I made my ever-famous chicken. Cedric misses you too.

What the hell am I saying? I just need someone to talk to. Vanessa's been invisible lately and I think she's mad at me.

Please?

"Oh, Dan." She sighed, pressing three on the speed dial. It was one thing for your on-off-ex-girlfriend suddenly becoming your sister. Asking love advice from her is another thing too.

"Serena, thank God." His voice seemed out of breath, as if he ran to reach for the phone. He did answer it after six rings.

"Lonely boy, again." Serena laughed. "I'll be over by eleven."

"Great. And please--"

"Can I bring someone along?" She cut him off.

"Actually, I was going to say that this is between siblings only." Dan said.

"Siblings..." She paused. "Right..."

Dan threw his phone back to his football covered bed that made Cabbage Patch Cedric move a little to the side. We don't really mean them. Vanessa said those words to him as if his declaration of love was taboo and he swore she'd been avoiding him at NYU, at Drama club, at those little group meetings the circle of geeks made at a coffee shop down the street. As if telling him he didn't really mean what he said wasn't enough. Contemplating too long about talking to his ex-girlfriend-turned-sister made him forget about his chicken special until he smelled something unpleasant. He left the main course in the waste bin and called for Italian instead.

*

Somewhere in between the floors, the elevator felt like a prison cell. Serena blamed her black and white blouse for it. Not that she actually felt she was going into the slammer, she was just nervous to see Nate. This was Chuck's hotel, and Nate had moved here. She believed she owed Nate a lot, after being her knight in shimmering sweater and all. He had been always there, subtly protecting her-from Blair before, from Chuck too, and their powers combined, from Georgina, from his own blood Trip Van der Bilt. And what had she done for him? Being his object of jealousy for the Dutchess years ago? She decided she needed to make it up to him.

Ding.

"Chuck?" Serena called out. There was no answer. "Blair, are you here?"

Ding.

"Hey, Ch- Serena..."

She saw Nate as the elevator doors closed. He smiled at her, like always and her reply was a typical head-cocked-hair-falling-to-the-side-with-a-shy-smile.

"How are you?" Nate leaned closer. "He's not bothering you, is he?

"Trip? He's been calling... I didn't really answer any of them."

She sat down on the sofa and gestured for him to sit beside her. They had been friends for years and things sure had quite changed. Both of them had tangled family affairs, and both of them still came out standing even if the things around them fell into debris. He gazed at her with looks that told her he was there, that she didn't have to be afraid, that she didn't have to be anywhere else.

"Serena.." He called, leaning his face closer as she tilted her head.

"I guess no one's here." She said, lowering her eyes. Nate fondled her ears. "Nate, I-"

"Would you just get a room?" Blair suddenly appeared, hair all wet.

They were both startled and leaped away from each other.

"I wouldn't really mind them, Blair." Chuck appeared behind her. "We already had our time, why don't we give them theirs?"

"Oh, guys, it's not it." Serena protested. "I came here to see Chuck."

"Me too." Nate stood up.

Blair looked at her half-naked boyfriend. "Is this going to be a threesome? I want in!"

Chuck scratched his wet head. "What is this all about? Do you want me to rule over your marriage ceremony? I'm not Jewish nor a judge."

Nate bit his lower lip. All he wanted was to ask his best friend what to do with his again-growing feelings for Serena, but he decided to raise the white flag and have the object of his affection take Chuck instead.

"If you've got time buddy, I'll be here again at three."

"Seriously Nate?" Serena smiled. "Thank you! this is so important for me."

"Anytime." He waved. "Bye guys."

And he was out.

"So, what are your plans, S?"

"Blair, I actually just want to borrow Chuck for brunch. Only Chuck."

"What?" Blair scoffed. "Blair Waldorf not invited for brunch? That is--"

A ring. A message had been sent to Blair's phone. It was from Dorota.

Big News. Come to house quick. Your mother said so. She has surprise.

"Oh, I gotta get home." She brushed passed them with a smile.

"So... dear sister." Chuck looked at her. "Where are you taking me?"

"Brooklyn."