Blair bashing. Bart is alive and Rufus is so not in the picture. Nate and Serena have been dating since the summer at the end of the first season when they went to "reflect together". Blair and Chuck had split up and gotten together a couple of times but are now split. Blair is still in love with Chuck and can't take him not being with her.
I do not own Gossip Girl nor any of the known names, characters or even shoes. I am not making any money from this, the only reason I am writing this is for the enjoyment of some plot bunnies that have taken over my brain.
Enjoy and remember to review!
Chapter 1
It was the beginning of their senior year. Nate and Serena were sitting in the school's courtyard, holding hands and sharing a pack of crisps. Blair was still out on the steps with her followers. Chuck, surprisingly, didn't arrive late for school, his limo dropped him off a good five minutes before school was due to start.
Chuck and Blair barely nodded at each other as Chuck passed Blair and her group.
It was a normal school day. Well as normal as it could get being the Upper East Side. Chuck being Chuck, had ditched school the first opportunity he got. He was staring out the limo's window when they stopped at a red light. That's when he saw her about to cross the road.
Her light brown curls were pulled into a loose bun, dark green eyes that he swore to himself he could see clearly. But before he could look at her more, she was gone and the light was green.
That night during dinner, Chuck found himself thinking back to the girl he saw. He knew it was highly unlikely that he would ever see her again so why…
"Chuck?" Serena asked who was next to him, she put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. Their parents and even Eric were looking at them. Bart looked at his son with an odd look on his face.
"Mind joining our family dinner?" Bart asked. Chuck glared at his father, choosing to not answer him. He made a point to follow the rest of the evening's conversation. As they finished dinner, Bart got their attention.
"Do keep your schedules open for next Friday through to Sunday, " Bart said before leaving the room with Lily.
"Did I miss something?" Chuck asked as the three of them went to the living area. Chuck heading to the bar.
Serena cocked her head to the side and looked over at Chuck who was helping himself to some Scotch. "The five of us, and Nate, are going out of the city to meet up with an old friend of your dad's at his lake house."
Chuck laughed, "What? You're serious?" Serena rolled her eyes, "Yes Chuck I am." Eric who was sitting on the couch near his sister, spoke up, "It's either we go for the weekend or we get our freedom reigned in with matching schedules."
Chuck looked at Eric like he had grown another head. "You're fucking with me right?" When Eric shook his head, Chuck swore and refilled his glass.
The days leading up to the weekend passed quickly. Chuck had tried numerous times to get out of it, but his father was blocking him around every corner. Come Friday afternoon, Chuck was sitting in the back of the limo, waiting for Serena and her mother. Nate and Lily sat across from him and his father was busy on his phone.
When they were finally on their way out of the city, Chuck checked over some of Gossip Girl's latest blasts.
Wonder why C looks so glum? Not looking forward to spending some time with the family away from a certain Queen B?
Chuck rolled his eyes and out his phone away. After talking to Nate for a while, he realised he didn't know where they were heading.
"Where exactly are we going?" Chuck asked. His father was the one to answer (he was finally of the phone, more than halfway there), "Carleton Island, Thousand Islands." Chuck looked at his father with horror on his face, "We're going to an island?"
Bart's facial expression clearly said he will not tolerate Chuck's attitude. But before he could scold Chuck, His phone rang again.
Serena smiled at Chuck, "Don't worry, you're not alone." Chuck looked away and shook his head sighing. When they finally reached the ferry that would take them to the island, Chuck wanted to stay in the limo and go back to New York. After a glare from his father and a hug from Lily, he dragged his suitcase onto the ferry and glared at the other passengers.
"You know it could be a nice weekend," Nate said from where he came to stand next to Chuck. Chuck only briefly glanced at Nate, "Maybe if it was a tropical island with practically naked women running around, but this is quite the opposite."
Nate rolled his eyes and went to sit next to Serena. Chuck looked out the window, staring at an island they were approaching. This was going to be a long weekend…
When they reached shore, there were two cars waiting to pick them up. They broke into two groups – Lily and Bart going in one car alone with the driver – and drove along a quiet road. They passed a few houses and one small shop. Driving along the almost eerily quiet road, Chuck glanced at the lake side homes covered in a reddish tint from the setting sun.
The house literally looked like it was a miniaturized castle but with country charm. It had a long drive, miniaturized towers on each of the four corners, at least three floors, a deck going out onto the lake. Of to the side, but not far from the main house, there was a large barn. Surrounding the house, a vast garden with a fruit orchard.
Serena gasped from where she sat between Nate and Chuck when they past the security gates, "Oh! It's so beautiful!" Chuck rolled his eyes but he had to admit to himself it did have something special to it. The two cars stopped outside the house. Lanterns were lighting the pathway and the garden. As they got out of the cars, a man who's black hair was slowly greying, walked down the stairs. He had a genuine smile on his face. But it was also clear that even with his smile, he was a force to be reckoned with.
By the time Chuck was being greeted, He had to mentally berate himself for not paying attention. "Ah! So you must be Bart's son Charles?" The man asked, holding his hand out for Chuck to shake. Chuck shook his hand, "Chuck Bass. It's a pleasure to finally meet you Mr Robertson."
Jack Robertson laughed, "No son of Bart will call me that! It's just Jack!" With that he lead them inside. Chuck had to admit once again that it was quite impressive. Dark wooden floors, stone walls, the steps going to the upper floors were stone with wooden rails and each step had a wooden panel on.
"Whilst your things are taken to your rooms, let us get something to drink before dinner," Jack said, showing them to the parlour.
Bart, Jack and Lily were discussing some things and the others were looking at some of the paintings that adorned the walls. Chuck took another sip of wine when he caught something interesting.
"My daughter, Catherine, will only be joining us from tomorrow unfortunately," Jack told Bart and Lily. Chuck moved closer to listen in on their conversation. "So she's already in the family business then?" Bart asked.
Jack caught Chuck's eye and winked at him without Bart and Lily noticing. "Of course she is. She's on her way back from Dubai as we speak." Lily frowned, "But isn't she a bit young? She isn't even eighteen yet? Isn't it a bit risky to send her off on her own for business?"
Jack laughed, "You will be quite surprised when you meet her Lily. She's a force to be reckoned with when she wants to be – she's my daughter after all!" The two men laughed. "Lily, if she's anything like her father, I wouldn't be worried!" Bart said.
After dinner, they were shown to their rooms. Chuck fell down on his bed and looked up at the roof. He ran his hand over his face and went to take a shower. He stood in front of the mirror and smirked to himself, running an hand through his hair. Tomorrow was going to be a very interesting day.
The next morning after breakfast, they were to go by boat, to one of the nearby islands that had an art gallery. They would also be enjoying lunch before heading back. Chuck was just about to leave his room when he got another call from Blair. Just like he did with the other calls, he ignored it and left the phone in his room.
Walking to the deck, he met up with Serena and Nate. "Chuck…?" Serena asked. She and Nate were walking arm in arm down to where the boat was moored. Chuck glanced at her, "Sis…?"
Serena sighed, "Blair called me," Chuck rolled his eyes, "she demanded to know why you've been ignoring her calls." Nate was biting his lip, trying to keep himself from laughing. Chuck shrugged, "I misplaced my phone."
Nate couldn't keep his laugh in anymore. Serena slapped his arm and rolled her eyes whilst Chuck glared at Nate. Nate kissed Serena on her head before walking ahead still laughing.
"Why exactly is he laughing?" Chuck asked Serena. Serena looked at Chuck with a serious expression on her face, "Chuck what's going on with you and Blair?"
Chuck looked out over the water, thinking. After a few moments, "A year ago I would have said I loved her. But now?" Serena gave Chuck a small hug, "Even though Blair is my best friend, you're my brother. If you need to talk…" Chuck smiled at the blonde. He gave her a hug before they made their way to the boat where the others were waiting for them.
That afternoon after lunch, They returned with two paintings Lily had bought. Jack had laughed heartily when Bart didn't even think twice about buying the paintings. When they arrived, Jack's assistant – a man of about forty with greying black hair, wearing a suit, named Chris – waited for them in the parlour.
"Good afternoon Mr Robertson. Your papers are in your office and Miss Robertson had asked me to inform you that she shall be back in a few hours, she had taken Salenero out." Jack thanked Chris and gave him the rest of the weekend off.
"I should have known she would go to him," Jack laughed shaking his head. "I do apologize for my daughter not being here just yet. But since Salenero has come into our lives, they have been inseparable!" Jack laughed and looked out the window with a smile on his face.
Chuck was a tad upset. From the sound of it, Jack's daughter was seeing some foreigner. He mentally berated himself before thinking, he's Chuck Bass, no woman would be able to resist him.
They were sitting outside on the veranda in the shade, drinking some tea when Jack's face lit up. "Here they come now! If you would please excuse me, I am just going to welcome my daughter back." Jack walked down the veranda's steps when a large black horse came around the house. On the horse was a young woman in some comfortable riding clothes. Her light brown hair was tied back and she wore a riding hat. Her green eyes, the same dark green as her father's, was what caught Chuck's attention. It was the girl he had seen in the city almost two weeks ago.
"Father!" Catherine called out. She had dismounted her horse and rushed to her father, giving him a tight hug, one he returned with a smile on his face. "Catherine! I've missed you so much sweetheart! I hope Salenero didn't give you any trouble on your ride?"
That's when Chuck realized it was the horse Jack was talking about, he almost laughed but settled for smirking.
"He was a gem as always! After all, he had you babysitting him!" The two shared a laugh. "Catherine let me introduce you to our guests." Jack smiled and lead his daughter and the horse, closer to the veranda. Bart and Lily were the first to go down, followed by Serena, Nate, Eric and lastly Chuck.
"This is Bart Bass, I've told you about him," Jack said as Catherine held her hand out to Bart. Bart shook her hand, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Catherine!" Bart gave her one of his rare smiles. "This is Lily, Bart's wife," Jack went on. Lily and Catherine greeted each other. "This lovely lady is Lily's daughter Serena," Jack introduced the two. Serena stepped forward and hugged Catherine, "I've heard so much about you since yesterday! It's a pleasure to finally meet you!" They shared a smile between them.
Jack introduced her to Nate and Eric, then he finally reached Chuck, "And this is Bart's son Chuck."
When Catherine held her hand out to greet Chuck, Chuck took her hand and gave it a soft kiss. Their eyes met, "It's a pleasure meeting you Catherine…" Chuck smiled his signature smile. Catherine raised an eyebrow but smiled at him, "Likewise…"
Catherine turned away to look at her father, "I'm just going to take Salenero to his stable and clean up a bit before I join you. Is that alright?"
Jack nodded and hugged Catherine, "That's perfectly fine with me." Catherine turned to leave when Serena went forward, "Would you mind if I tagged along?" Catherine smiled at her, "You are more than welcome to!" So the two girls and the horse went to the barn.
"You have a lovely daughter Jack" Lily complimented. "Thank you, she's my everything," Jack said as he watched his daughter walk away. "Where does she go to school?" Lily asked as she went to take her seat again.
"She was privately tutored and graduated last year," Jack answered. As Bart joined in on the conversation, Chuck still looked back at the girls. Particularly one Miss Catherine Robertson. Nate stood next to him, "She seems like a nice girl Chuck, don't ruin that."
Chuck glanced at his friend before going back to the veranda, "How do you know me Nathaniel?" Nate raised an eyebrow, "Do you really want me to answer that?" Eric for his part just rolled his eyes, Chuck's antics with women have already reached legendary status – for Catherine's part, he hoped she was able to handle his stepbrother.
"So what can you tell me about yourself?" Serena asked as she stood watching Catherine clean Salenero. "There isn't all that much to say really," Catherine smiled over at Serena, "I was privately tutored and graduated last year, I help my dad with some business…" She trailed off as she picked up a grooming brush, "I'm doing some courses on business and Salenero and I do some eventing and show jumping…"
Serena couldn't help but smile. Catherine was a really nice person, "Wow! You must be really busy! How do you handle it all?" Catherine was still brushing Salenero who was busy eating, "My dad and I handle everything together as a team."
Serena felt as though she shouldn't press for more, so she took of her shoes and cardigan and went into the stable, "So how do you do this?" The girls laughed as Catherine showed Serena how to groom Salenero. The large black stallion only shaking his head as if he was laughing.
Half an hour later they entered the house, still laughing but both of them in need of a shower. They only ran into Eric, "I don't think I want to know." Was all he said before leaving the two laughing girls to go take their showers.
Eric joined Chuck and Nate in the living room, laughing softly. "Mind sharing what your laughing about?" Nate asked in a curious tone. Chuck tilted his head slightly and looked over at Eric.
"Serena and Catherine," he immediately had both boys' full attention, "just came back inside." Chuck frowned, What exactly is so funny about that?" Eric laughed some more, "They were both sporting hay all over, even in their hair!" That had the other two laughing.
"Seriously? Serena with hay in her hair?" Nate asked. All three of them laughed more.
An hour later, Serena joined them in the living room, clean and her hair dry. "So what's this we hear about you rolling around in hay?" Chuck asked. Serena laughed, "We just had some fun." Chuck gave her his signature smirk, "Sounds like fun, remember to invite me next time."
Serena his Chuck on his arm, "Chuck!" Serena walked over to Nate and gave him a kiss on his cheek, "I came to get you three, Jack and Catherine are going to prepare dinner!"
Nate and Chuck looked at each other. Chuck raised an eyebrow, "This ought to be interesting." The four of them made their way to the kitchen. Bart and Lily (who were both dressed casually – Bart shockingly wearing a pair of black slacks and a loose cotton shirt) were sitting on two of the seats next to the kitchen island.
The teenagers were shocked to see Bart Bass relaxed and not like he was normally. None of them could even remember him wearing anything other than a suit. They made their way to the island and took some seats.
Jack walked in from a backroom, he was wearing jeans, a long sleeve black shirt and a white chef's apron. He placed a pan with chicken breasts on the counter. "Tonight we're making some stuffed chicken breasts, baked vegetables and a baked dessert!"
Eric piped up, "I've never had dinner like this!" Jack smiled, "Well Catherine and I prefer making our food ourselves plus my wife had always believed that the best place to be with friends and family is in the kitchen."
Bart looked over at Eric, "I met Amelia a couple of times in the past and she really knew how to bring people together." Jack smiled sadly as he started cutting the chicken.
Catherine entered the kitchen, also wearing a pair of dark jeans, a white long sleeve shirt and the same type of apron. Her hair was braided and fell over her right shoulder. She placed a mixing bowl with dough in on the counter and crouched down to get a baking dish to bake it in.
Chuck couldn't keep his eyes off her. She wasn't done up, she wasn't even wearing any make-up, but she looked beautiful. She was still busy with the dessert when Jack started talking again.
"When Catherine was eight, she and I made a deal that every summer holiday we would do a different cooking course together," Jack smiled. He started stuffing the chicken with a cheese and herb mix.
"Yes and we've been doing it ever since," Catherine said. She placed the dirty bowl and utensils in the dishwasher and the dessert in the bottom oven, leaving the top oven open for the meat and the vegetables. She started chopping the vegetables and Jack added the white wine to the chicken.
Jack was busy talking to Bart with Lily listening. The teens were busy with their own conversation whilst Catherine was still busy chopping the vegetables.
"Do you permanently live here?" Nate asked. Catherine had just explained to Eric where he could find some glasses and cold drink for them.
"No we don't. We move between here and Belgium. It's all according to where my dad needs to be for business at the time," Catherine answered as she finished off the chopping.
Serena frowned, "But what about Salenero?" Catherine laughed as she poured a sauce over the vegetables, "Salenero has more frequent flyer miles than most people do! Plus I mostly compete on the European circuit in anyway." Serena and Catherine smiled at each other.
"And your love life?" Chuck enquired nonchalantly. The other three teens rolled their eyes. Catherine laughed again, "I have yet to meet a man that would be able to keep up with me!" She winked at Chuck before she put the vegetables in the oven and the other utensils in the dishwasher.
"We could change that…" Chuck said in a low voice near her. He was leaning against the kitchen cupboards where she was taking out dinner plates. Catherine looked over at him with an eyebrow raised, "Here take these whilst I get the rest." She gave him the stack of plates. "You can take them to the dinning room please."
She turned to go to another cupboards, leaving a bewildered Chuck in her wake. Nate came up and took the plates, "I'll take those before you drop them." Nate had a smirk on his face.
Chuck faced Nate and said in a low voice, "I want her."
They enjoyed dinner with some wine and light conversation. After dinner, Jack, Bart and Lily had moved to the parlour for a nightcap.
The teens went to the living room and made themselves comfortable. "So what are you going to be up to whilst you're here?" Serena asked Catherine.
"I'll probably be competing in some shows and there are a few business courses I want to do as I've mentioned. Also if my dad needs me to go somewhere, I'll be doing that," Catherine smiled.
"You should come visit!" Serena said with a bright smile. Chuck thought it was a brilliant idea and with it coming from Serena, it wouldn't make him look like some desperate fool.
"I would love to," Catherine smiled again. Chuck found himself staring at her. She was different than the other girls and women he usually saw. Plus she was the complete opposite of Blair. And she smiled almost constantly, almost like Serena. He mentally shook himself and listened in on the conversation that was going on.
"…I'll let you know when something good comes up then?" Serena asked, putting her phone away. Catherine nodded, "Sure! If it fits into my schedule it shouldn't be a problem!"
Catherine caught Chuck's gaze and smiled at him before going back to her conversation with Serena.
"Chuck, you haven't heard a word of what's been going on have you?" Nate joked. Chuck glared at Nate and Eric who was hiding a smile, he glanced at Catherine again before he turned back to Nate and Eric.
Later that night when they had all gone to their rooms, Chuck was still rolling around in his bed. He found himself staring up at the roof again before sitting up. Catherine was running around in his mind. That's when he heard somebody else moving down the staircase. Chuck got up and left his room, he could just as well see who was awake.
Chuck didn't bother with shoes. All he had on were his pyjamas. He walked down the stairs quietly and saw a light coming from the kitchen.
"So I'm not the only one who couldn't sleep?" Catherine asked as Chuck came into the kitchen. He walked over to sit on one of the chairs. "Do you want some coffee?" She asked politely. Chuck looked her over. Her hair was tied into a loose bun with a few strands framing her face. She was wearing a pair of light pink pyjama pants with some kind of cartoon on and a light grey hoodie. Chuck smirked, she actually looked adorable.
"You don't perhaps have something stronger?" Chuck asked. Catherine laughed softly, "Is Irish coffee alright?"
Chuck nodded. A few minutes later, with mugs in hand, they made themselves comfortable on one of the couches in the entertainment room. "Why couldn't you sleep?" Chuck asked her. He was looking at her, examining her body.
"I guess I could blame it on the flight. Usually after a long flight my sleeping pattern has gone completely haywire," she said smiling at Chuck. Chuck smiled at her. "How about you?" She asked.
Chuck shrugged, "My mind has been conjuring up images of you in my bed naked." Chuck smirked at her, whilst she looked at him with an eyebrow raised and a small smile forming on her lips. "Quite an active mind you've got there!" Catherine said winking at him.
When the sun's first rays were slowly becoming visible, Jack found the two teens fully dressed and fast asleep on the couch. Catherine was laying on Chuck's lap with her head on a scatter pillow. Chuck's head was on a pillow leaning on the back of the couch, his one hand still in Catherine's hair.
Jack smiled and took a photo with his phone before placing it back in his jacket's pocket. He kneeled in front of the two teens and quietly woke them up.
"Good morning you two," he smiled at their sleepy faces. "You best head on up before the others come down." He watched the tow go back up to their rooms to change. He smiled again and went to get himself some coffee before starting with the pancakes. He looked out the window to the rain falling softly.
He just finished the first batch of pancakes when Bart came into the kitchen, dressed similarly to the previous night. "Sleep well old friend?" Jack asked. Bart nodded, "Yes. I have to admit I've had more rest this weekend than I've had in months."
Jack pushed a plate with pancakes on to Bart, "You needed it." Bart nodded and started eating. "Remind me again why you live like this?" Bart asked. Jack smiled where he was busy with some more pancakes, "Amelia. And after her death I guess I just decided to keep on doing it. And it keeps Catherine and myself close. Plus I don't want to risk the stress getting to me before it's my time to go."
Bart nodded. He aand Jack were so different but somehow they had become and remained friends for more than two decades.
"Oh and I think you should see this," Jack said with a smile still on his face. He handed his phone to Bart. "You took this this morning?" Bart asked with a surprised look on his face before handing the phone back to Jack.
"I did before I sent them to their rooms so that the others won't find them like that," Jack said. "Chuck is a womanizer Jack. I just wish he would stop before he takes things to far," Bart said before drinking some coffee.
"The time will come Bart, don't worry." Their conversation was cut short when Catherine and Serena entered the kitchen followed by Lily and Eric. Catherine went to take over from her father just as Chuck and Nate entered the kitchen. Catherine and Chuck shared a smile before Catherine went back to the pancakes.
After everybody finished their breakfast, the cars were waiting to take them to the ferry. When Chuck and Catherine hugged, Catherine placed a slip of paper with her number on in Chuck's hand. They shared a smile before Chuck went to get in the car.
Jack and Catherine stood watching the cars leave. Jack gave Catherine a hug, "Come on, let's go check on Salenero."
Chuck had a smile on his face all the way back to their penthouse. Up till Blair came knocking.
When Blair only saw Chuck (who was the unfortunate soul to open the door), she assumed he was the only one there.
"Why the hell haven't you answered my calls!" Blair demanded. Chuck closed the door, "By all means, do come in."
Blair narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't you dare be sarcastic to me when you're the one who's been ignoring me!" Blair bit out. Chuck folded his arms and glared at the brunette, "I was with family and quite frankly I did not nor did I have to talk to you."
Blair was fuming but she composed herself, "Don't come running to me when you need somebody in the future!" She left the suite, after slamming the door shut behind her. By the time the door slammed shut, the rest were all piling into the room. Chuck sighed and went to the bar, "I need something to drink."
Ten minutes later, those who subscribed to Gossip Girl's phones alerted them that they have a new message.
Looks like a lovers quarrel between our resident Queen B and the Basstard. B was seen leaving the Van der Bass residence looking furious. Wonder what C did this time? You know you love me, xoxo
Chuck threw his phone on the couch and went to get another scotch. He was glad the others wouldn't mention Catherine just yet or else Blair would have been even more furious and then he would have had to warn Catherine that there might be an attempt on her life. He needed to get Blair to understand that they were over.
Nate and Serena had left earlier to go to Nate's whilst Eric had left with Lily shortly after that. The only other person in the suite was Bart who was busy in his office catching up on work.
Chuck got up, put his coat on and left the suite. He needed to do something because he had a feeling it was going to be a very long week…
Please review! Yes you! Before you click on the back button or whichever other option, REVIEW PLEASE!
