Meet Me Half Way

Chapter 1

In all her glory

Ok. This is my first Chapt. of my first story. here goes nothing.

Blair's airport outfit: http : / / www . polyvore . com/blair_waldorf_Leighton_meester/set?id= 19807900

Serena's outfit: http : / / www . polyvore . com /blake_lively/set?id=22886533

Blair's outfit (second day): http : / / www . polyvore . com /blair_waldorf/set?id=22700693

Chuck's outfit: http : / / www . hisshanghai .

(Erase spaces)

A twenty five year old Blair Waldorf was expecting to be slightly nervous when she arrived at the New York airport. She never expected to be this nervous. It just wasn't like her. Then again, a lot could change in five years. A low sigh escaped from her ruby red lips. Damn her job, damn this city.

She went to the bathroom and checked to see if she looked alright. Yes, Blair Waldorf had somewhat changed, her flawless sense of style though, had not. Miss B wore a grayish cotton jersey tank top along with a black lace pencil skirt, topping it off with a belt, black gloves, Chanel bag and black leather pumps. Because of the night cold, of course, a lovely jacket was in order.

Her curls were tied in an impeccable ponytail, to hide the fact that they were now shorter than they'd ever been. She looked impeccable, despite her lack of time, due to her job. She was, after all doing a freelance piece for some random French business magazine on some equally random businessman the next day.

Yes, Blair Cornelia Waldorf was a journalist… it was ironic that the woman who'd been part of the world of the famous and fabulous was writing about that world from the outside. But she was actually working for Elle, which kind of changed the perspective. The thing was, the New York Fashion Week was coming up and the French Elle magazine wanted the scoop on it. Since Blair was a New Yorker and had proved very reliable on the Parisian version of the Fashion Week, she was only fit.

B was not a starving artist, but took that other freelance job on the side (the amount of couture outfits she loved to wear did cost a pretty penny…), which explained why she was two weeks early to New York Fashion Week. She still had no idea who she was interviewing for the Businessman of the Year title, since it'd all been so quick; but Blair knew how to improvise and always had a quick remark on the tip of her tongue.

Blair wasn't supposed to have to come back. She was so happy in Paris, why would she come back to New York? Especially to the Upper East Side… back to the people she'd abandoned. After the summer in Paris with Serena, she hadn't come back, she had stayed in Paris and covered her tracks the best she could.

Only Serena knew where Blair was, but even they only talked once a month. Blair knew that her mother had been unkind to Serena, knowing that S knew where B was, but Serena never went back on the promise she made Blair: hide her from the rest of the Upper East Side.

"B!" Serena's high-pitched voice was made heard from the airport lobby as soon as Blair entered it. Blair was immediately jumped after she saw a flash of blond hair.

"S" Blair replied, pushing back from her hug and taking in Serena's appearance. She was a vision… in purple. Wearing a white tank with a big bow on top and printed purplish skirt (that made her legs the first thing to look at) accessorized with a purple handbag, bangles and white ankle booties. "You look gorgeous… to say the least."

"Really?" Serena threw her a surprised look, tugging a smile. "I thought working for Elle would make you more critical of my fashion choices…"

"Well, that color clashes with your skin tone." Blair started to ramble without even thinking twice. "Like; a lot. In fact –"

"Ok, ok, I know you've missed me. But I've had enough of mean B to last me a lifetime." Serena cut before Blair brought the real ammunition. The two laughed it off and walked outside into the Van der Woodsen limo, followed by their driver, who carried Blair's bags on a trolley.

"So, who have you told?" Blair crossed her legs when inside the limo.

"My mom, obviously, Eric and Rufus… I haven't told your mom or Nate yet," Serena then looked down as if thinking of what to say next. Blair was about to snap at her when Serena looked back at her with fierceness "I haven't told Chuck, and if you want to tell him, you're going to do it yourself."

"S?" Blair's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name, but pushed the thought away almost immediately. She was very good at ignoring what her heart was telling her, she almost fooled herself. "What do you mean?"

"I mean he's the old Chuck again, Blair."

"What? But I thought that… he had a girlfriend in Paris. He was different. At least that's what you told me in the first months I was away."

"Yeah, well. They broke up that year, but since you insisted you didn't want to hear about anyone on this side of the Atlantic, except for me."

"Ok, then." Blair replied, all too calmly for Serena's taste.

Blair looked away to the window, lost in her thoughts. This works for me. I don't want him to know about my being here as well, and this way, I don't have to worry about Serena blabbing to him. It's too risky, he might find out about Evan. He might find out about… well: everything.

"Well, I've got the guest bedroom at my house ready for you. I think Nate is going to be really surprised you're gonna spend a whole month with us!" Serena tried to take the conversation in a healthier direction.

When Blair didn't give her a reaction, Serena quit trying to make her talk nicely. She'd have to shake answers out of Blair. Literally. No more Miss Nice Serena.

"B? B, look at me!" Blair wobbled out of her trance as Serena grabber her arms. "What are you going to do about your mom? She's gonna blow a gasket when she finds out about you being here and not even telling her about it."

"I have no idea, S. But I'll think of something, don't worry." Blair was slightly surprised at her blowup, but kept herself composed. "Well, it's not like your gonna see her before Fashion Week."

Serena let her arms down from Blair's. Her eyes fell to her lap and sighed. "I suppose it might work out… if you tell her, and let out slowly that you're not staying with her."

"Huh-uh. I'm definitely not going to like it, though."

"Let's hope Gossip Girl doesn't spot you."

Blair scoffed. Please, it was Gossip Girl they were talking about. Didn't Serena know anything? "Serena, the day that happens, Hell will freeze over."

Serena cracked a smile. "You're right." She paused, looked away, then back at Blair. "Then, how do you plan on keeping it from your mom?"

Blair smirked exaggeratedly to hide her annoyance. "Mother doesn't read Gossip Girl, Serena. All I need to do is keep her at bay. And tell everyone not to let her know." Blair thought of adding that S was worrying too much about this, but she was interrupted by her best friend's blaring ring-tone.

"Hello, this is Serena."

Blair heard a weird cracking voice on the other side while Serena smiled openly. It must be Nate.

"Hey Nate."

Yup, I thought so.

"Guess who's beside me right now… No; that's not it. No; that's wrong as well."

Oh my God, Blair rolled her eyes, come on Nate.

"OK then; it's Blair." Serena giggled. "She's staying with us for a whole month! Hey, where are you right now?" Then she stayed silent for a few seconds and her face went pale and her body paralyzed. "What? You're with…" she stopped herself eying Blair.

Blair had also stopped moving. She slowly turned her head to Serena.

"No! Don't tell him, Nate… No! You especially can't tell her mother!" Serena took a breath after Nate mumbled something. "I'll see you later. Bye honey." Serena snapped her phone shut and turned to Blair, smiling nervously. "This is going to be more complicated than we thought."

Blair pursed her lips, turning her head away. I have a bad feeling about this.

Chuck Bass was busy at a quarter to one. Very busy.

He was picking out a new assistant. Or supposed to be. The gorgeous redhead he was occupied with had a good resume, but he liked her junk better. So there he was, on top of his desk with her. Right there.

He was running late though. He had a lunch/interview with a French business magazine at one o'clock. He was chosen to be Businessman of the Year. It was boring, but, the day before, Nate had nagged him into not standing up the journalist. He obliged, just to get Nate to shut up.

"You can go now." Chuck muttered to the redhead as he got up and composed his sea blue suit. Oddly he had traded his trademark bowtie for a tie. He turned around to serve himself a glass of scotch.

"Do I have a chance at getting the job?"

Chuck turned back around to look at the girl. She was biting her lip and grabbing her bag.

He smirked. "I don't sleep with staff… at least not anymore." He then sat on his chair and moved his hand towards the door, giving her a sign to leave. All he heard next was the door slamming.

"Hello, I need the limo around. I'll be down in a minute." Chuck said those few words into the phone. He put it down and headed to the lift. This was going to be a waste of time. Damn Nate and his nagging. Damn Nate's need to be his conscience all the time.

His phone rang when he was in the limo. He checked caller ID. It was Nate. Speak of the devil.

"Hello conscience."

"Hey man, what are you doing right now?" Nate's voice was calm but cheerful on the other side.

Well, Serena made him happy. Still, Chuck worried it wouldn't be in more than one sense. Nate had been kind of weird lately (staring at girl's who weren't even half hot. Not even a bit). Why am I thinking about my stepsister's and best friend's sex life with each other? I'm not in my right mind.

"Chuck?"

"I've got that interview, why?"

"Oh yeah! Sorry I forgot. I was just thinking, you could come over and hang out because they're not here and…"

Chuck cut into Nate's semi monologue "they? Are you letting Eric hide out there with you again?" Chuck blurred the words out, unfazed. "Because you know that Lily wants him to work things out with his roommate at NYU. He's gotta do this on his own."

Nate was silent for a long time. Then he just laughed awkwardly. "No. No, it's not Eric. It's the– the– housekeeping. I just though… but hum, never mind. Bye."

Chuck stared at the phone for a second after Nate hung up on him. Does he really think he can fool me? Something was obviously up. Yesterday, while they were having drinks at the Empire's bar, he'd gotten a phone call from Serena, and after they hung up he gave the stupidest excuse in the world and left. Now this. Chuck was getting to the bottom of this. He planned on stopping by Nate and Serena's place after lunch.

Chuck arrived at the restaurant where he'd asked the magazine to send their journalist. It was sure to impress the guy. Whoever he was. It was in his new hotel and he'd booked a private dining room.

"Mr. Bass" a waiter immediately came to his aid as soon as he walked in. "The journalist has already arrived. She's waiting for you in the private dining room now."

Chuck didn't say a thing as they walked in the direction of the room, but he was sure his face held some shock for the fact that it was a woman that would be interviewing him. That would make it easier. Not to mention fun.

The waiter opened the door to let him in. Chuck went in without looking at the woman that was standing behind her chair, as the waiter closed the door behind him.

"Hello I'm…"

"Oh my God." The woman interrupted him. He froze after recognizing the voice.

He slowly looked up at her. From toes to head. From her dark purple booties, up to her sequin strapless dress, her amethyst pendant and earrings (that surely cost a fortune). But what stunned him the most was her face. The one he recognized immediately. The one surrounded by curls which had been strategically pulled half up, half down. The one that made his stomach twist and turn, making his mouth dry at the same time.

There she was, looking slightly nervous, but mostly shocked. Blair Waldorf. In all her glory.

Did you guys like it? Hope so. I think this is my writing at it's best. It had a bit of a cliffhanger. I'm very new at this so pardon any spelling mistakes you find. Also, what do you think Blair wants to hide from Chuck? And who is EVAN? B's new boy toy? Bet you wanna find out, lol. Well, you'll have to wait... I'll finish as soon as humanly possible.

xoxo

-C Violet