A/N: I hope this moves at the pace you wanted. Let me know what you like, don't like etc. as I'm always open to constructive criticism!! Thanks to those who have reviewed and subscribed – it really does mean the world.
Blair and Serena settled in their regular corner booth and Serena began to quiz Queen B about the latest goings on in her love life. Or lack of love life. B recounted the latest heart to heart, watching as Serena's mouth dropped further and further open at each of Chuck's responses. Blair felt almost comforted that another person found his actions so stand-offish; she had begun to think she was just overreacting but perhaps Chuck really was the basshole she thought. Despite his despicable behaviour towards her, there was something about his signature grin that set her heart a flutter. Of course, that part of her emotions wasn't shared with Serena, as even Blair knew how pathetic it sounded.
The conversation turned to Dan and his relationship with Serena but Serena suddenly went completely silent. Her eyes grew wide as marbles and she visibly shifted in her seat. Blair couldn't work out what had caused her friend's sudden change of attitude but noticed Serena's eyes focused on the door behind her head.
Blair spun around to see exactly what had occupied the attention of her childhood friend. As soon as her eyes reached the door, she wished she had remained curious and unaware of the two bodies behind her. One stood slightly slumped wearing jeans and a brown jumper whilst the other stood erect in a purple suit; still not grasping the concepts of informality or casual clothing. Blair's eyes skimmed across the slumped figure on the left but took a leisurely stroll along the man on the right, her eyes walking from the tips of his well polished shoes to the mop of side combed hair on his head.
Blair was shocked to realise that the pair of chestnut eyes stared right back at her and quickly turned back to face Serena's equally gob smacked expression. This was not good. After Blair's latest confession and Chuck's latest rejection, B had decided that that was positively the last time she would make a fool out of herself. She refused to be made to feel inferior to Chuck yet in that split second when she had turned around, that decision had been snatched from her control. No guessing who the thief was.
"What is he doing here?" Blair practically growled at Serena, her anger evident in her voice, yet masking another deeper emotion. To most it would have gone unnoticed, but Serena had known Blair long enough to hear what she didn't say as well as what she did. If Serena wasn't mistaken, the hidden emotion hinted at fear. Fear of what, she wondered. From the glint in Blair's eyes, that S knew only appeared around Chuck, it was perhaps fear of desire, and of lust, and of letting her barriers down enough to be hurt. There were only so many knocks a girl could take and Blair was definitely nearing her limit.
"How am I supposed to know? I'm his step sister not his keeper", Serena replied pathetically. Blair sat uncomfortably in the smooth leather seats, her body sliding further to the ground in the hope that she wouldn't be spotted. But it was too late. A million thoughts chased each other around Blair's head, each more inappropriate that its predecessor. At the time, any normal girl would have pondered how to create small talk and ignore the snappy exchange hours before, but Blair was remembering how good that purple suit had looked on the floor. Even with the memory, her mouth was instantly dry, her heart pounding and her legs twitching. It was completely impossible that after everything Chuck repeatedly put her through, Blair would do it all ten times over to spend just one more night alone with him.
Serena snapped her fingers sharply in front of Blair's face, forcing her to exit from her trance like state.
"He's heading towards us Blair", Serena whispered causing Blair to shift awkwardly in her seat again. Blair couldn't work out why she felt so apprehensive; it wasn't as though he hadn't rejected her before, and each time she had faced him again. But this time felt different. This had been her last attempt and she really had worn her heart on her sleeve. What could possibly be the right thing to say after he had laughed in her face and completely denied her true feelings, and his as well.
He must still have been a few metres away from her, but she could already smell his rich cologne invading her space. Almost sense him bursting her bubble, about to break her heart all over again. Blair tucked a perfect curl behind her ear as Chuck reached the table.
"Serena", Chuck nodded in her direction before acknowledging the other lady at the table. The simple act of her repositioning her hair made his lips twist into a grin and similarly to Blair, send indecent thoughts running through his head. He couldn't work out what it was about this girl. She sent him wild and made him crazier than any other girl ever had.
"Blair", he almost whispered, staring straight into her eyes.
"Chuck", Blair replied quietly, staring right back at him but unable to decipher any emotion. No change there then.
GG: An awkward meeting between Queen B and Chuck Bass clouds the sky on the Upper East Side. But the question on everyone's lips is when will they pull themselves together?! XOXO Gossip Girl.