"All We Are"

by Invincible-Soul


CHAPTER ONE: Walking On A Dream
(song by: Empire of the Sun)

It was almost 10AM sharp when Blair, standing in front of a tall oval mirror, succeeded in pinning back one last brunette curl. With a nod of satisfaction at her own image, she turned to see Serena sitting at the vanity at the other side of the room frantically applying mascara, and at one point, almost stabbing herself in the eye.

Laughing out loud, Blair teased, "Nice S, you really know how to get ready for a party. What's an eye-patch look without the long, defined lashes to go with it, right?"

"Oh come on B, we can't all wake up on time as easily as you," whined Serena playfully, "because some of us need the extra R&R."

Shaking her head, Blair replied with a smirk on her face, "Yes, I understand. Your escapades last night must've been quite the tiring affair." Serena skillfully managed to stick her tongue out at Blair, make a noise reminiscent of a five-year old being denied candy, while simultaneously applying blush over her cheeks. It is with a roll of her eyes that Blair peruses the many selections in Serena's closet - finally settling on a lovely Jenny Packham chiffon dress, she offers it to her crazed best friend (currently curling her hair and applying lip gloss, and somehow not burning herself, thank goodness).

"Thanks B, you're the best!" Serena exclaims, pulling on the dress with on hand and setting the curling iron down on the table with the other.

"I know, I kno-" Blair cut herself off before adding, "...but neither of us will be anything if you don't turn that thing off before burning down the whole house."

Zipping herself up quickly, Serena reaches over to stop her unintended pyromania, and then grabs Blair's hand and cheerfully tugs her out the door. "We did it! We're going to kind of, sort of, be on time!"

"Technically, I was on time until you happened." Blair deadpanned while Serena giggled at her. Together the two best friends rushed, as elegantly as they could, down the staircase and out the back door. The annual van der Woodsen Upper East Side grand gala was just beginning. Lily had been planning, as she did every year, this affair for months. And while usually Upper East Side soirees were arbitrary, though lovely, gatherings of unnecessary showings of wealth, this particular "grand gala" was just a fancy way of saying 'family get-together.' For the van der Woodsens, Waldorfs, and Archibalds, and the respective friends of the family (the humble but welcome Humphreys, for example), this was the most looked forward to, yet most casual, event of every year since it began three years ago - when Blair first began life anew.

As soon as Blair and Serena stepped into the party, they were swept up in the much-treasured whirlwind that was their loved ones.

"Blair and Serena, it's about time you two made it down." Lily teased her two daughters, one biological and one honorary, as she passed by on her way to adjust the floral centerpieces.

"Serena! I have to tell you the funniest joke I heard from McAvoy at school yesterday." Eric called over from his place by the buffet table.

"Blair, have you read this morning's cover story from the New York Times yet? I was wondering if you thought the writer did a good job analyzing the situation?" Dan inquired as he walked up to her.

And so this went on for an hour, until 11:30AM when a relaxed, seasonal lunch was being served at the tables. Family and friends catching up, sharing laughs over Nate almost knocking over the ice sculptures while wrestling with Eric and Dan trying to dodge Jenny's paparazzi photos ("...in the Holy name of Instagram!" she repeatedly exclaimed as she playfully chased after her camera-shy brother) without having a Nate-inspired accident - it all made for a great morning. As everyone calmed and sat down for lunch in incredibly good moods, the air changed as two shocking figures walked through the door: one tall, dark, and handsome, and one small, shy, and slightly terrified.

Most everyone in the vicinity collectively gasped, and even though Blair was unable to place how she was feeling at that particular moment, she did as well.

"Crap." Nate muttered under his breath. "Chuck Bass is here." Serena screeched.

With that, the great Chuck Bass' dark head turned towards Serena, and then drifted to the brunette by her side, finally locking eyes with Blair.

"GO AWAY." Blair shrieked, before she had even thought it over, frightening herself with her own angry and indignant tone. Why did I just do that? The thought had popped into her head instantly afterwards.

Chuck displayed no emotions, and nodded his head at Nate before turning back to the doors leading into the house.

The resounding silence was finally broken a short while later, when everyone at the party could still hear the almost-forgotten second arrival inquire in a tiny and scared voice, "Daddy? What's going on?"


A/N: Looks like those three years of smooth sailing B mentioned is about to turn into a bumpy ride.