AN: I'm going to try and update weekly, however with the end of term drawing closer, so are a few deadlines.

The Upper East Side has its grandeur, but when it's fun in the sun you're looking for; then by all means, find your way to the Hamptons. Spending these days and nights on the beach is all but a beauty requirement, not that we need it of course; and let's not miss out on the private rendezvous... Where there's a pool, there's a party.

XoXo

GG

"Good morning beautiful" Nate knocked on the open door before entering the guest room where his girlfriend currently resides. "My mom asked me to come get you" He was more than happy to have her in his arms. Too bad that's all they have been doing since they arrived back. Surely having practically drunk their weight in alcohol, the sex would have become pleasurable, but it was too forced, too unemotional, too boring.

"I must say..." She smiled at their reflection. How faultless they looked in the mirror. He stared at her, waiting for the next words, and she could feel her heart skip beats at how loving he's been. "We do make a perfect picture" She finally turned to face him.

"That's because we're amazing" he took her hands and began to lead her out of the room. He was taking cautious steps backwards, before reaching the stairs, where they descended hand in hand. They were exactly who they were expected to be. Especially when she was staying at the Archibald's Hampton's house until her mother would arrive.

"Good morning Anne" Blair smiled innocently at Mrs. Archibald, having been calling her by her first name for as long as she can remember. It was just another form of denial in the Upper East Side.

"Blair, we were just discussing your stay with us" Anne replied, sitting to the left of her husband, who sat at the head of the table. Nate was to take the seat to his father's right, but not before he helped Blair into the seat next to him.

"It's been a great pleasure" Blair smiled at Anne, and took in the scent of the continental breakfast prepared for her last morning with the Archibalds.

"It's such a pity we couldn't keep you here any longer" Anne pressed on.

"If I didn't know any better Anne, I'd start to think you wished you had a girl instead" Howard joked, and Nate laughed, but Mrs. Archibald didn't find it funny.

"Well, it's nice to have a girl around" She defended, having been rather persistent about Blair being around, seeing the effect it has on her son is extraordinary to say the least. He wakes up at an appropriate hour, barely stays out late, and mostly, has not even mentioned, let alone gone out to see the awful Bass boy.

"Blair's family mom" Nate added his two cents, reaching for her hand for a reassuring squeeze.

"And as family, you're more than welcome to stay here for as long as you like" Mr. Archibald added before putting aside the paper to begin eating.

"I appreciate that Captain, thank you" she was prim and proper all the way, and desperately needed a break. "But mother would have nothing of it when she returns today" all smiles, it was a classic picture, too bad Blair's limit has almost been reached, and it just so happens her bad girl side is dying to get out.

Back in New York

"Good morning Chuck" An attractive blonde greeted as he exited the elevator in the Bass office building.

"Hello Chuck" Another woman, brunette, with equal appeal walked past.

"I placed your coffee on your Desk Chuck" Red head

A few more good wishes from attractive women greeted him this morning, as they did every morning; that is until he reached his office. He was allocated there to help manage the entertainment sector of the enterprise, post a mere week's worth of training. What can he say, he was a quick learner.

"Mr. Bass" a male employee, sometimes to be believed as the only male employee, other than himself; found him. "I got the numbers you asked for"

"Everything should be in order to buy Victrola then" Chuck smiled at his accomplishment. He found the burlesque club to have an appeal he couldn't resist. Which he'd become quite good at, considering the number of rejections he had to give the occasionally over excited employee. But this was his chance to prove himself, and he wouldn't risk it by sleeping with anyone, not that he could perform while thinking of another brunette. "The papers are all signed?"

"Everything's accounted for Charles, your father's secretary faxed them over this morning." That actually brought an even bigger smile to his face. His father approved.

"Then I'm leaving my time at the industry with a bang"

"I must say, it's been a pleasure working with you, and I'll make sure the club gets the attention deserved" The two shook hands before the employee disappeared. Last day at work was perfect. Let his summer begin in a few hours, and after a few women he should be all set to face the wrath of Waldorf awaiting him at the Hamptons.

"Everyone's gone" Blair and Nate have found themselves alone in the Waldorfs' beach house. They were unloading her luggage earlier, and making sure that the staff finished cleaning up the place. And now they were all alone, long enough for a quick romp in the sack, and Blair felt the need to use this opportunity for the sake of whatever was left of their relationship that has been on hold for a few days now. Maybe an actual bed, that's away from his parents, would help their performance, not that she believes any of it has much to do with herself.

Nate however, didn't feel like it. For one, they've tried forcing it along as it is, and it hasn't worked. So he decided on going with the flow. "Your mom's gonna be here any minute" Too bad there's no convincing Blair, especially when she has the movie idealistic scenario pre-empted in their current predicament.

"Doesn't that excite you?" her finger drew infinite 8's on his bare chest. How she enjoyed watching him work shirtless, lifting her heavy luggage for her, and now all sweaty for her to enjoy.

"Not really" he was being very genuine. He didn't like almost getting caught by his parents the other week, what would make this any better. He couldn't even perform, let alone see if where they were going would finally lead to coming.

"We'll lock the door this time" she reasoned, biting on his ear. He gave in at that, because honestly how could he say no to possibly fucking his girlfriend and enjoying it. So he did what he knew she'd want him to. He picked her up bridal style and took her to her room.

"You must be sick of this place by now... I sure as hell am" Eric moaned as his sister returned with a new book. He honestly never believed she could read this much, but with all the time she's been spending with him, he figured she was desperate for a change of topics. Especially when she chose to discuss the stories with him; they followed a similar trend of bad girl gone good, and it was getting rather pedantic.

"Of course not, I love seeing you"

"And being away from mom" knowing full well she detest going "home" to the palace instead of their penthouse.

"Well, what can I say; The Palace walls don't exactly remind me of the best of times" She didn't care to remember what happened around a month ago. She hated it even more when she would run into Chuck and he would shoot her the most annoyed glare, filled with detest that even she couldn't understand. Wasn't she always the one who found him utterly revolting? But since that whole thing with Blair...

"No word from Blair?" Eric asked, practically reading her mind.

"Not one, and it's not like Gossip Girl's been posting any dramatics other than photos of her with Nate"

"Why don't you call her?"

"I can't... after what happened with Nate and Chuck..." Serena didn't want to get into a negative mode, so instantly switched topics. "Hey, how about a walk? We can grab a drink or-"

"Actually, I already went out today..." He stopped her hopes, and his, from growing since he'd already had a morning stroll with an escort. "But milkshakes would be nice"

"I'll go grab a couple now. Vanilla?"

"Please"

"I think it's our timing" Blair reasoned.

"Not very in sync" Nate added putting on his shoes as Blair redressed. "Listen, Blair..."

"Blair!"

"Mother's here" Blair smiled and gave Nate a chaste kiss on the cheek before rushing out of her room fully dressed. It wasn't that she was excited about seeing her mother, as much as terrified of what Nate had to say. She can't believe that the few times, and they have been very few; they were able to even do it, they failed to actually enjoy sex.

"Wait" he held her hand before she rushed out the room. "We need to talk"

"I know, it's not really working, but..."

"Blair, I love you" he cut her off. "And I want it to work, but I don't think... pushing it will help" he took both her hands and squeezed them comfortingly. "I just think we should take it, slow... maybe just let it happen... go with the flow" he hoped she would understand, despite his choice of words. To his surprise she was more than understanding, and the kiss she gave him was proof enough.

"We'll take it slow" she smiled up to him completely thankful that his loving side hasn't completely abandoned him after all that terrible sex. But they will work, somehow.

"Vanilla?" the tall boy in front of her asked.

"Sorry, we only have chocolate left" the man didn't even bother waiting for a different order and turned to face the match being played on the television.

"You'd think they'd have an endless supply of ice-cream in this weather" Serena attempted to humour the boy. He was fairly cute, and familiar.

"I guess I'll just have to go to one of the many other ice-cream vendors in the city" He laughed before turning around to realize who he was speaking to. "Serena?"

"I'm sorry have we met?" she asked innocently.

"I'm Dan... Humphrey... I go to school; well I go to St. Judes" He could feel his grasp on English slip away.

"I knew I recognized you from somewhere" she snapped her fingers, smiling at the taller boy. "What are you doing around here?"

"I live near here"

"In Brooklyn?" she knew that shouldn't surprise her, but it did. The guys in St. Judes didn't usually come from the other side of the bridge, or anywhere further than a few blocks from where the school stood.

"Go figure huh" he joked nervously. "How about you?" he could feel the words flowing more naturally, a little too naturally. "What brings the great Serena van der Woodsen to Brooklyn?" and loud, shit; now she's gonna think he's some weirdo.

"I'm visiting a friend" She laughed, already having accommodated herself to that response from earlier guys that have approached her.

"In Brooklyn?" It sounded like some five-year-old, but it was definitely her laugh, and it was somewhat, cute. Looks like his charms worked after all, whatever he had of them.

"This might come as a shock to most" she mockingly flicked her hair, pretending to be a snotty Upper East Side girl in all her glorified, above Brooklyn, ways... Blair "But I actually like Brooklyn"

"You do?" it was surprise

"Yes, in fact, I know of a store that sells ice-cream"

"Lead the way then"

"Blair darling, did you enjoy your trip?" Her mother, along with a herd of employees entered the house.

"I did... mother? What are these people doing here?" she looked around as racks after racks filled with clothes were being brought in.

"Oh I haven't told you. We're going to hold a shoot here over the next couple of weeks. It helps me decide on my final pieces" She explained and pulled out a few sheets of work, before looking up to watch Nate descend the steps.

"Great" she rolled her eyes. "Excuse me" she felt like spewing out breakfast, but joining Nate in bed as he lit up would he to do. Just because they weren't sleeping with each other, didn't mean she couldn't just let him hold her until she got over wanting to kill her inattentive mother.

"Postcards?" Serena looked at Dan as he flicked through a rack of them outside the corner store.

"Yeah, my mom's out of town, and I thought it might be funny to send her one"

"That's pretty sweet" She found a couple herself she thought were perfect. A black and white shot of the skyline would be perfect for classic movie obsessed Blair.

"You want to get that?" Dan asked, having noticed how intently she stared at it remembering her best friend. He didn't really bother to wait for a response as he grabbed another copy and paid at the till.

"You didn't have to" not that it cost anything, but the thought really was nice.

"Here, you can keep them both" he handed her the postcards he held.

"What about your mom?"

"I'll email her, or better yet, figure out picture messaging" he joked, he was fun, Serena had to admit she enjoyed being around someone that was almost normal. Too bad she had to get back to Eric.

"I have to go, but maybe I'll see you around?"

"I hope so" he smiled, ignoring how desperate he sounded.

She waved goodbye and walked away, back to Ostroff. Postcards in one hand, and milkshakes... shit, she forgot to buy milkshakes.

"Eric" Serena looked over to her brother in shame of having forgotten her mission.

"I see postcards" he looked at her quizzically. "You couldn't have possibly run out of money buying those" he laughed, not really caring about milkshakes.

"Actually, a boy bought them for me"

"Finally, something interesting" Eric knowing the Serena is approached daily by men, but never ones she bothers to mention, let alone forget milkshakes over.

"I do interesting things all the time"

"Like getting postcards?" he let it slide, for now. "What are you gonna do with them?"

"Well, one is for you" she lied, but hoped it would make up for forgetting the milkshake. "And if I send this in time, it should arrive later today"

"Who are you sending it to?" Eric watched her suspiciously as she pulled out a pen and began writing. She exited his room without a word. She was quick to get a stamp from the receptionist's desk, and ask them to post it for her. She returned with a smile of accomplishment and took her usual seat. "You do realize you still owe me a milkshake" he mocked.

AN: Length wise the story per chapter is gonna be around the same. However, it may be inconsistent this time around depending on what has to happen in each chapter. Hope you enjoyed the first installment, and look forward to more. -i know i owe you guys a faster update since this one took too long, so i'll try, but no promises...

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