A/N- this is a crossover story between the shows Gossip Girl and General Hospital. PC's favorite fashion rag is hiring summer interns and the top candidate has a birthday that catches Kate off guard and has the potential to change everyone's lives in a big way.

Characters- Kate Howard, Blair Waldorf, Sonny Corinthos, Olivia Falconari, Lulu Spencer, Maxie Jones, Eleanor Waldorf, and Chuck Bass

Her Mother's Skin and Father's Eyes

It was that time of the year in the Crimson office. Hoards of applications for the summer internship were pouring in from every corner of New York State and Kate had to pick one to fill the internship. High school and college girls fought for the opportunity to work for "The Kate Howard" and learn the ins and outs of the fashion world. Kate's two assistants resented the internship and usually made life a living hell for the lucky girl in order to stay in good graces with their boss.

Unfortunately for many of the applicants this year, Kate had talked to the New York designer Eleanor Waldorf that spring about choosing her daughter for the position. Kate was trying to remain unbiased, but was impressed by the work Blair had done in her marketing classes at NYU that school year. Though Kate had never personally met Blair while in New York, she knew Eleanor and had high hopes for the young Waldorf.

Unlike other editors at big magazines, Kate liked to interview each applicant herself to make sure they were right for the position. It had been three long days of Maxie and Lulu ushering in girls who fawned at Kate's feet hoping to win the internship. Many of the girls interviewed were well qualified, but lacked the creative spark and drive Kate was looking for.

Leaning back in her chair and rubbing her eyes Kate looked up when Lulu knocked on the door and lead the last candidate into the office, "Kate, this is Blair Waldorf." Lulu said handing Kate a file.

"Thank you." Kate half-heartedly smiled before turning her attention to the young brunette, "It's nice to finally meet you Ms. Waldorf. I've heard so much about you."

"Oh, I'm sure it's all lies." Blair softly chuckled, "and the pleasure is all mine. I have dreamt about meeting you since I was young. My mother always raves about your sense of style and work ethic."

Though Kate heard what Blair was saying she couldn't stop staring at the young girl's features. Her skin was like porcelain and she had large brown eyes. There was something about Blair's face that seemed familiar, but Kate couldn't figure out what it was so she flipped open the file and looked over Blair's profile.

"Your mother sent over some samples of your marketing projects and I have to say they are superb for a college junior. It's better than some I've seen from hired editors." Kate said holding up one of the photos then laying it on her desk. Skimming through the rest of Blair's information Kate's heart skipped a beat and her stomach dropped when she saw the young girl's birthday, "Oh I see you turn 24 in October."

"Yes. Supposedly my mother and boyfriend are already planning the party." Blair grinned, "I know most are out of school by 24, but I was restless so my mother let me stay with some close friends in Italy for a few years… just so I could figure out what I really wanted."

"Oh my God. October 5th, 1986… It's just a coincidence." Kate thought, "Tell me a little bit more about your family. I've met your mother, but what does your father do?"

"Well my father moved to Paris last year with his partner Roman, but I get to see him often." Blair replied, "He's a lawyer and he recently relocated his practice to France."

"Hmmm…" Kate nodded, "Isn't it hard to keep in touch with him? I could barely go a weekend without seeing my family." Kate fibbed.

"I'm actually really close to my father because, like him, I was adopted…" Blair shrugged.