A/N: This is a story set up a while after where episode 18 ends. It's when CBNS are reunited at the van der Bass Summer house at the Hamptons. As to how the cliffhanger is played out…well you're just going to have to read to find out. Hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing of Gossip Girl, but I do wish I owned a certain hot Brit by the name of Ed Westwick.
XXX
It was half past eleven when they arrived. The limo came to swift stop and Chuck for the first time in hours, put aside his book and looked up at Blair. She did not look back. Not obviously at least.
"Mademoiselle"
"Merci"
Blair looked up at the gorgeous estate. It had once belonged to a British duke, and had been passed down for years to random buyer…until now. Mr. Bass had bought it in honor of his and Lily's new family. It was a beauty, a cross of the house of Tom Buchanan and that of Gatsby.
"Mademoiselle," breathed a low voice in her ear.
Blair turned to see Chuck's face inches away from hers, his hand in a tight grasp at her side. One look into his dead dark eyes and she shuddered inside.
Blair dug her nails into his flesh and ignoring his cry of pain, unhinged his fingers off of her.
"Touch me again and you die Bass."
He didn't say anything, nor did he nurse his throbbing hand. Instead, on his face a visible grimace, Chuck left the petit brunette alone to ascend the front steps. Alone to enter into the gorgeous living parlor, where all sat and were serenaded with a pianist and a flute player.
"Blair darling" Lily came over to offer a warm hug, champagne glass at hand. "Where is Charles?"
Blair contemplated covering for him, for herself…putting on a dazzling red lipped smile. But as soon as the corners of her mouth pulled back her bottom lip gave a slight twitch and she swallowed back a sob. She wasn't going to do this.
"Charles is out getting high."
The looks on the faces of Lily and Bart were hilarious. Their tight lipped smiles almost made this worth it. Hell, Blair almost smiled. Nate and Eric certainly did.
"Champagne?"
Blair nodded gratefully and took the offered glass from the hired help. One sip and she felt all the more at peace, even if it was just a tiny bit.
"Nathaniel?"
Nate's grin disappeared and nodded quickly at Bart, the two men having reached a quiet understanding.
"I'll go get Chuck." He stood up quickly and sent Blair a wide grin before disappearing out the room, "Good to see you again B."
Blair did not smile back. Instead she turned to Lily, whom still stood next to her.
"Is Serena home?"
Lily frowned at herself, but smiled it off a mere second later.
"No. She has been out all day, showing Pierre around."
"Pierre?"
"Yes, didn't Charles tell you? Pierre Casiraghi is here for a little while. Charles Called ahead to inform us of his visit…"
Blair's gave a small twitch at having received this information. But she too smiled it off.
"Charming."
Lily studied her with soft eyes, and smiled lightly.
"Blair, darling you look rather tired. Would you like to be shown to your room now?"
Blair nodded quickly, and for the first time that day she gave in and let her exhaustion overtake her. And after thanking Lily and excusing herself from the room, she followed a redhead maid out and away. She kept her champagne at hand and only once inside did she chug it empty.
Back at the living parlor Bart stared after Blair in contemplation. He then called over another maid, a young blond this time and put with strict directions that she and Anya were to do everything in their power to make sure the young Miss. Waldorf was at complete comfort during her stay at the house. The young woman nodded quickly and went off in her way to complete this task.
XXX
"So you gonna tell me what happened?"
Nate how found the young Bass heir sitting on a lounge chair, his feet up on some table, overlooking the gardens that were now dimly lit and glowing under the moonlight.
Chuck looked up into the soft blue eyed gaze of his best friend. He said nothing.
"You gonna share at least?"
Chuck twisted his joint between his long fingers in contemplation and finally passed it over. Nate took a long drag and settled down in a chair next to him.
They sat still and said nothing for some time. And then a figure, or two, appeared from afar. As they drew closer the boys could identify two tall blonds, a girl in a short flowing white dress and a boy in a white Polo and shorts.
"Chuckles!"
Serena ran up to her step brother, having now had spotted him, and threw her drunk self on him in an awkward hug. Chuck, rubbing at his nose where Serena's upper arm had just collided with, reclaimed his joint and took a drag. He blew the smoke in the face of the flushed blond now seated on the table on top of which his feat had just been resting.
Serena coughed and waved the smoke off, but she did not mind. If anything she snatched the joint from Chuck and took a drag herself. She then offered it to the tall blond boy who stood on her side, and had not yet spoken a word.
"What was the hug for S?"
"I missed you…and it was thanks. For bringing Pierre…" Serena's eyes now travelled to the tall boy again and they shared a smile. When she turned to her brother again her eyes were wide and starry. Chuck almost gagged, and Nate did…secretly.
"Where is Blair, Chuck?"
Chuck shrugged indifferently and it was Nate who answered, his own eyes meeting Serena's in mutual agreement. The young Bass had messed the fuck up. A second later their two hands had slapped Chuck, Nate on the back of the head and Serena across his face…well except Serena was too drunk to have perfect target and she ended up whacking his nose, a second time that day.
Chuck groaned and rubbed at his nose again. He glared at his two best friends and shrugged once more. Then he looked up at Pierre, whose Blue eyes had met his own in a secret agreement between them. The tall blond now smiled, and took his place on the table beside Serena.
"Give Bass a break."
Serena and Nate turned to him, each had a brow arched.
"He was bad...but with us, it's only ever a Sabestien Valmont ordeal."
Pierre than laughed, making his comforting air seem even less convincing.
XXX
"I know it's late, but you said that you will be in town and I—I really need to see you."
"Thanks Ben, I—sure, of course. If you text me the address of your summer house then I'll come by, shall we say, for late brunch?"
Blair fiddled with the hem of her slip for a second before smiling into her phone.
"Good. I'll see then."
Snapping her phone shut, Blair placed it on her vanity. She then avoided the mirror and slipped quickly into the softness that was her bedding, and paying little mind to her throbbing head she fell fast sleep. Tomorrow would be a better day, maybe.
