The sun is shining, the air is warm and the Hamptons are alive with the hustle of bustle of Upper East Siders escaping the city heat. Spotted: Chuck Bass sporting swim trunks and flip flops. Wonder who else will be popping up at the annual Van der Woodsen pool party? Xoxo, Gossip Girl.

The limo door opened as Chuck took another swig of his scotch. Nothing wrong with pre-gaming a party, right?

"Nathaniel. I assume you're ready to get the party started a little early?"

Nate Archibald flashed his pearly smile, and pulled out a perfectly rolled joint and a lighter. Chuck poured him a glass of scotch. This was the one week during the summer that Chuck could relax and go back to his youth, and he wanted to do it right, and he could think of no one better to do it with than Nate.

There was only one thing that could make this week perfect, but Chuck new he'd never get it. They had been broken up for almost 2 years, but a day didn't go by that Chuck didn't think of her. He had loved her, and he knew that he always would love her whether he was with her or not.

They had tried staying friends after the breakup, but it only caused more trouble. They had an undeniable attraction to each other, and regardless of what they knew in their minds, their bodies had other plans. Dinners as friends had usually ended in a sweaty, sticky entanglement. Blair had finally pulled the plug on that one and they usually only ran into each other at events, and only for a few moments. And for the past few months, Chuck hadn't seen her at all; it was almost as if she had fallen off the Upper East Side grid completely.

"So tell me, Chuck. Scotch and some weed before a party? Something's up."

"Nathaniel, is it too absurd to think that maybe I just really want to enjoy my week off to its fullest potential?"

"I suppose not. I just thought maybe you had heard Blair was going to be there."

Chuck nearly froze, but put up his cool façade almost instantly. He hadn't heard that she would be there. He wished he had more scotch. The only woman in the world who could ever make him nervous, or any other emotion other than horny, was Blair. And why would she be at Serena's party when nobody had seen her in months? He of course wanted to see her, and see that she was okay and alive and well… but how was she going to react seeing him?

"I hadn't heard. That's surprising; she hasn't talked to any of us in months now. Maybe she got over whatever it was that made her alienate us in the first place."

Chuck wished he knew why Blair had disappeared from all of their lives. He could understand why she wouldn't talk to him; they went through periods like this. But to not talk to Nate or Serena? That was different and completely out of character. The last time he had saw her, she seemed fine. She looked fine. And just like that, she was gone.

"Yeah, Blair's always been a little dramatic. Maybe you looked at her funny. Whatever, man, we're pulling up, so maybe we can find out the big mystery firsthand."

Chuck slammed back the rest of his scotch and took a deep breath as Nate stepped out the limo to a waiting Serena.

"Nate! Aww, thank you, I'm so glad you came! I've missed you!" She gave him a kiss on the cheek and laughed her airy, happy laugh. Nate and Serena had always had history with each other, but settled for friends. They always worked better that way in the end. Chuck made his exit out of the limo and was nearly knocked over by the overly enthusiastic hug from his step sister.

"Chuck! I missed you too!" She gave him a kiss on the cheek. "You're always so busy. I hope you're calling my mother to check in; she worries about you."

"Serena, it's nice to see you too. Yes, I've called Lily. She knows I'm alive and kicking."

"Good. Well, now that the gang's all here, let's party!"

Chuck followed Serena and Nate to the pool out back. He recognized a few faces from high school, but most were unfamiliar. He grabbed a glass of champagne and made his way to a poolside lounge chair. There were plenty of beautiful women in bikinis, but since Nate dropping the bomb about Blair being there, she was the only one he wanted to see.

Just as he settled into his chair, he felt soft hands cover his eyes and a sweet voice whisper in his ear, "Hey, Chuck…" He smiled. He knew exactly who it was.

"Blair, so nice of you to emerge from wherever you've been lost for the past 3 months."

He couldn't even be mad at her. She was breathtaking. She had on a bright sundress that made her skin glow. There was just something about her that seemed different. She looked good. It made him fall in love with her all over again.

She just smiled at him. "I'm sorry, Chuck… I wanted to call. I've just been… busy."

"Blair, I'm not mad. But so busy that you disappear for months? I was worried. You have no idea how much I wanted to get my PI to find you… but I made you a promise, and regardless, I kept it."

"I know I have some explaining to do. Can we just enjoy the party? We'll talk later, I'm here all weekend."

Blair stood up and started walking to the bar. Chuck grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her down onto his chair. He needed her to be close. She was okay, and he just needed her in his arms at this very moment. He snaked his arms around her waist and Blair went rigid just as quick as he did.

"Blair…"

"Chuck… uh, this is… oh, God."

Blair got up suddenly and before Chuck could even grab her arm to try and get her to stay. Nate saw her get up and saw the look on Chuck's face.

"Dude, what was that all about? She looked really upset, man."

"I have no idea, Nate. Has Serena mentioned anything about Blair to you recently?"

"No, man. Should I go find her, she made quite the fast exit."

"No, it's fine. I'm going to go find her, but if you see her, keep her put."

Nate looked confused, and Chuck knew he'd forget about it in 12 seconds anyway. There was cute girls and booze. Meanwhile, Chuck's mind was racing. Blair was always a slim girl. And he was sure he felt a baby bump when he put his arms around her. He needed to find her, and find her quick.