Thank you soooo much to everyone who left a comment it means the world too me and without them i would not have ever had the inspiration to write this!

Once again the flashbacks are in bold but just check the times because i've included a flashback that's from a few years ago not the night of the party. xxx


"Love is not a necessity, but it is life's greatest gift and luxury. It is to care, to be kind and patient. It is considered as perfect love when a person doesn't expect anything else but love."

-Love defined.

The End of Summer:

The Chuck Bass Event aka the Party

"So, Hex? Was it?"

"Actually it's Be-"

"Whatever." Jenny dismissed with a wave of her hand.

Rufus caught the hint of malice that was in his daughter's eye as she questioned Bex, "Jenny, stop being rude to our guest."

Jenny shrugged innocently and sent one last murderous look Bex way before turning and ignoring her completely.

"Thanks again for having me over guys" The brunette smiled warmly at the family of three who were sitting at their dinning table, Dan returned the smile while continued to Jenny play with her sidekick mumbling something that sounded like, 'You so not welcome'.

Bex tried not too let Jenny's attitude affect her, she knew what it was like too be a child of divorce but she had hoped that after two months of dating Rufus Jenny might have finally warmed up to her, she looked over at the fifteen year old and received a snotty eye-roll in return, if anything she had gotten frostier.

Dan took the last bite of his father's home-cooked dinner; Serena would kill him if he was late to the party, no scratch that Blair would kill him, Serena would probably just call him an idiot and laugh it off… none-the-less if he wasn't at that party in twenty minutes he was dead meat

"So your dad told me you're off to a friend's birthday party tonight?"

Dan looked towards Bex to answer but frowned in confusion when he realized she had been talking to Jenny.

"Yeah I am… it's an eightieth. I'm surprised you're not already going aren't you like twenty…" Jenny mumbled the last bit into her drink and Bex had to suppress the urge to stand up and throw Rufus's delicious pasta in her face.

Dan glared at Jenny, "Who's party are you going too!"

"A friend's…" The blonde replied evasively, pushing the spaghetti around her plate.

"If you and your little minions are thinking about crashing Chuck's party Jen I swear…"

"Whoa whoa!" Rufus exclaimed, "Nobody's crashing anybody's party… Jen if you and your friends weren't invited then you should stay home."

"But dad! I already promised Hazel I'd stay at her house afterwards!" Jenny pouted the hardest she could and was surprised when she heard Bex speak up, "I know that it's none of my business Rufus…but Dan's going too the party and he's invited right?"

Dan grimaced hoping Bex wasn't seriously trying to get his dad let Jenny go, he couldn't blame her for wanting to have Jenny think she was cool but he had the feeling she was seriously underestimating the uber bitch that had become his sister.

Rufus nodded.

"Well I'm sure he can keep an eye on her, she's fifteen! When I was fifteen I was out at worse places than an Upper East Side party and I didn't even have an older brother to chaperon me." Bex winked at Jenny as Rufus gave Dan an apologetic shrug.

Dan gritted through his teeth "Fine." and stood up from the table.

In response Jenny's face lit up in a triumphant smirk.

- - - -

Blair stood up from the bowl and wiped at her mouth she opened Chuck's bathroom door and jumped when she realized she wasn't alone.

"You forgot too turn on the water." Chuck spoke lazily from his horizontal position on his bed.

"Is anyone here yet?"

Blair hoped he would just let it slide.

"Nice try Waldorf. But if you think I'm going to pretend this never happened then you clearly overestimated my narcissism."

Blair nibbled at the inside of her cheek, "It was just once. I felt sick."

"If Nathaniel knew…"

"Nate doesn't need to know anything!" Blair bit back now on the verge of tears, "He made it pretty damn clear that he wants nothing to do with me anymore."

"So this is how you cope with it?" Chuck asked, "What are you doing? You are so much stronger than this Blair."

Blair rolled her eyes, she was sick of being judged for who she was or wasn't.

Chuck's bedroom door burst open cutting their conversation short, "Hey slut!" Vanessa smiled widely at Blair, "What up Loser." Blair moved towards Vanessa to give her a hug.

Chuck stared at the two of them, weirdest friendship ever

An hour later more than half of the Upper East Side was roaming around the Bass-Van Der Woodsen manner with an alcoholic beverage in hand.

"Looks like Chuck Bass still has some social popularity left after all," Chuck quipped at Dan when a sophomore passed them and sent Chuck an appreciative giggle.

Dan looked around the living room nervously, he hadn't spotted Jenny and her little posse yet and he was still holding on some naïve hope that Jenny might find the remnants of her conscious and not come.

"What is she doing here?"

Chuck spat as a new group of people entered the party.

Jenny was standing in the entrance way, Dan could see she had brought her minions along… no doubt to help her torture Blair in some way but there was someone else standing behind her, that was blocked by the marble columns near the doorway. Dan peered around and felt his heart sink in his chest…

Nathaniel Archibald.

Oh shit.

Nathaniel Archibald lay forlornly on his bed, throwing his mini-basketball up and down in a repetitive motion, it was somehow calming.

Hearing the buzzing of his phone he tried not too throw the basketball into his roof, he turned his head to stare at the caller ID on his phone.

Chuck Bass.

He fought with himself not knowing whether too answer it or not.

Pressing the answer option he held the phone to his ear Chuck's voice was devoid of its usual arrogance, "Nathaniel?"

Serena noticed him before Blair did.

Panicking, she tried to distract Blair but it was no use, every pair of eyes in the room had turned too focus on the newest addition to the party.

It wasn't long before Blair shoved Serena out of the way too see what the fuss was about. Serena would have done anything to take the painful look off Blair's face.

"I am so sorry."

Dan and Chuck suddenly materialized beside the two girls.

"Did you know she was coming?" Blair's voice was high-pitched and quiet at the same time. A sort of harsh whisper she had no doubt learnt to use in her world, where anger wasn't an appropriate emotion to show in public.

Dan did his best too appear apologetic, "I wasn't sure she'd really come…"

Serena brushed it off in the way Serena brushed off everything as if it was a kink in her gorgeously straightened hair, "There's no point getting pissed at Dan, B. She's here, Nate's here we just have to deal. It's not that bad."

Blair felt a burst of irritation, no matter how much she loved Serena she would never understand how much harder things always were for Blair. Everyday in Serena's life seemed like a picnic compared to Blair's. Everything Blair ever wanted simply fell into Serena's lap as though it was really meant for her all along. Serena was her best friend, the best friend she could ever ask for so Blair found a way too excuse or forgive all the times Serena outshone her or took something from her or made her feel insignificant, but deep deep down she always resented her for it.

"Excuse me." Blair said in a tiny voice and made a dash for the downstairs toilet.


"Nathaniel?"

After a long pause Chuck continued, "You don't have to talk. Just listen to me."

He waited another moment, "Gossip Girl's got it wrong I'm not with Blair I was waiting for you to met me and Blair was walking by… she was upset. Nathaniel you know I wouldn't do that to you."

"You already did!" Nathaniel replied the anger that had consumed him over the summer finally exploding.

"You remember that right Chuck! When you told me you were done with Blair and now I find out you were lying too me… that you've been with her this entire time … oh and remember that time you had SEX with my FUCKING GIRLFRIEND and then pretended like NOTHING HAPPENED!"

Nate's eyes followed Blair's curly brown hair as it dashed and darted through the crowd towards the back of the manner, "I'll be right back." He nodded at Jenny walking off before she could protest.

"Don't."

Chuck had followed Blair and was blocking her entrance to the bathroom.

"Go away Bass!" Blair was crying now, tears stained her pink rose cheeks.

"Fuck off Chuck!"

Seemingly out of nowhere Nate was at Blair's side, as if he had never let it, shoving his ex-best friend away from her as hard as he could.

A few of the younger boys who had been standing near leaned closer to hear the argument and one sent a quick message to Gossip Girl.

'Bass, Archibald and Waldorf involved in a domestic near rear toilets.'

Chuck looked around at the gathering crowd and stared at Blair threateningly, all he had too do was tell Nate what they were arguing about and he knew Nate would be on his side and Blair would be the one on trial...on the other hand he would be exposing Blair's weakness to the entire Upper East Side and he knew she would never forgive him for that.

"Fine! I give up Blair." He sighed, "Whatever, she's all yours. I don't want her anymore." Chuck stormed off leaving Blair and Nate staring at his retreating form.

Nate looked around at the gawkers who were lapping up the drama, "Show's over." He declared as Jenny made her way through the crowd latching herself at his side.

"You're such a slut!" Jenny spat at Blair and motioned to the bathroom door behind them, "Taking another pregnancy test!"

Blair swallowed hard forcing back another flood of tears.

Nathaniel frowned and pulled Jenny away from the scene.

Blair was crying harder now, not caring that twenty of her school friends were standing around staring at her and whispered about her.

Jenny had just called her a slut.

And Nate had let her.

Blair turned the handle to the bathroom and locked herself inside.


"Nathaniel, I know I betrayed you but I haven't touched Blair since you found out about us. We're just friends, I swear. You should know Blair loves you, she always has and she always will. Nothing I do or did is going to change that." Chuck's voice was steady and held enough conviction too cool some of the anger Nate felt.

"I can't trust you man. I wish I could." Nate replied sadly hanging up the phone and turning off his bedside lamp.

Serena and Blair made their way across the quad, Dan and Chuck trailing not far behind.

Miraculously the foursome had gained some social popularity, people seemed to respect them. The way Serena had stuck by Blair after the whole pregnancy scandal and the way Blair had forgiven Serena for sleeping with Nate was enduring and the way any of them tolerated Chuck had to earn them bonus points.

Some might say they had even become the new "in-crowd" as Jenny and her minions attitudes were quickly turning people against them, B/S/C had redeemed themselves by showing everyone they were capable of changing and maturing.

Nobody said any of this too Nathaniel's face of course, but he knew that the general consensus was that nobody really resented Chuck or Blair anymore, expect for Jenny and Hazel. Most people had gotten over the whole drama after yesterday; once people found out that Chuck and Blair were a couple from Gossip Girl most of the buzz died down. That was always the way in the Upper East Side… once a secret was out the remaining tremors weren't half as interesting as the initial after shock.

Nate watched the foursome walk across the quad; the new cool clique seemed to gain admiring and envious glances from the kids around. Blair laughed at something Serena said and smiled at a younger timid girl who passed them. She looked so happy; she was smiling in her shy way that made her dimples show, a smile he had caused many times before.

He couldn't fight the feeling.

Despite everything they'd been through he wanted to be apart of Blair's life again.

Blair traced the pattern the rain had made on the hallway window in front of her.

"Do you remember the first time you made me watch Breakfast at Tiffany's?"

Blair jumped at the sound of his husky voice; she hadn't heard it in over a month and for a moment she almost thought she was dreaming.

Nate blanched and was suddenly feeling uncertain of himself, "Sorry I just saw you by yourself and I... I don't know."

"No no it's fine. I just… after the last few times we've seen each other I just figured you'd never want too talk to me again."

Had Nate forgiven her? He seemed to be talking to her of his own free will without yelling or insulting or accusing her... She wondered if it was some kind of trick… if God was mocking her.

He shrugged and sent her one of his 'turn girls to jelly' grins, "Well do you remember?"

Blair smiled at him shyly, "I remember." she said feeling herself blush, and Nate return the smile his eyes lighting up at the memory.

Three Years Earlier

Nathaniel's long gangly arm snaked its way slowly around her shoulder, he leaned forward and Blair could practically taste the minty freshness, she could almost see her own reflection in his silver braces.

"Nathaniel Archibald! I'm trying to watch!" Blair couldn't have been more embarrassed, the blush had surely spread throughout her entire body.

Nate was actually trying to kiss her, her

"Blair Waldorf you've seen this a million and one times…" He mumbled into the side of her neck.

"Well you haven't! Wasn't that the whole point of you coming over?" She questioned pushing him away and trying to hide a smile, "so you could watch Breakfast at Tiffany's?"

Nate dropped his head in defeat, "Yeah."

He'd only suggested it to get her alone; he knew Serena wouldn't willingly sit through another viewing of Breakfast at Tiffany's.

He liked Blair a lot, but she always seemed to be busy with Serena, or her family or school. And when she did notice him, she got so painfully shy she couldn't even be herself around him. She was always so quiet and polite and he liked that about her, but he liked it a lot more when he caught her laughing freely with Serena or dancing around Dad with her in her kitchen.

"I suppose." She said after a moment of silence, "If you asked me nicely… I might let you kiss." Nate found her sudden confidence even more enduring and rolled his eyes at her reply, she wasn't like any other girl he had ever met.

"Blair, can I please kiss you?"

Blair nodded and Nate leaned forward quickly the initial impact with his braces caused Blair to cry out,

"Ouch!"

He pulled back feeling like a total loser for not doing this right, but before he could get far Blair was pulling him back towards her biting his bottom lip playfully.

Blair let him go after a second and then let out a giggle, "I would have let you do that without asking you dork."

Nate smirked at her and grabbed the back for her neck her kissed her again this time without permission.

They both felt the pull of his sweater as it caught on her pin.

He picked up the golden heart off the floor and handed it too her. Nate felt horrible Blair had worn that pin everyday since her dad gave it too her for her tenth birthday, "I'm so sorry Blair; I'll buy you a new one!"

"It's okay," Blair smiled and stood up; she searched through her draw until she found some green thread.

Blair sat back down and tugged Nate's around towards her lap. Silently she hooked the heart through the thread and stared to sew it onto his sleeve.

He watched as she concentrated on the thread and sleeve, he touched her cheek with his other hand gently as if he was afraid to break her.

She looked up when she was finished and showed the sleeve to him her brilliant smile took the words out of his mouth.

"Now you'll always have my heart on your sleeve."

That was the day he fell in love with Blair Waldorf, the day when he stopped thinking that anyone else would be by his side. He couldn't explain it and it didn't make sense but maybe it wasn't suppose to.

After that he always knew she was it for him, he didn't ever have to think about it again, he'd found his soul-mate.

"Nate?"

Blair spoke up breaking their mutual reverie.

"I am so sorry…"

Nate nodded, "Me too."

"Do you think…" her voice was shaky and she couldn't get it too remain steady, "that we could ever get back to where we were?"

He shrugged, "Honestly, I don't know."

"Do you still love me?" she asked her vulnerability evident in her watery eyes.

The school bell rung interrupting them and the hall was soon filled with school kids eager to get home.

"Yes. I'll always love you." He whispered and Blair could barely hear him, he looked up at her suddenly with such intensity it caused her to shiver before grabbing his bag and walking briskly down the hall.

Blair watched him leave not knowing whether to cry or smile.


Comments thoughts? xxx