I own nothing.

We all know that brunch is never dull, but this one is sure to be one for the ages. A new fiancee and an old flame bent on rekindling, better watch out C. You know better then anyone that B always gets what she wants.

Blair was stunning, there was no doubt about it. The Eleanor original was perfect, it was a sample sure but none the less it was as if it was made for Blair. She dabbed a little perfume on her neck and added the final touch. Red lipstick and a certain necklace she had received for a birthday present. Or course it was the thank you that she was hoping would be remembered, smiling at the memory. Her date and the car were waiting for her downstairs.

"Blair, you are perfection." Her date greeted her. He was Italian and charming. The perfect man to have on your arm when you wanted to make another an old flame jealous. Just so long as said old flame didn't know that the charming Italian was actually Eric Van der Woodsen's current boyfriend.

"Thank you, Ricardo. I'm so glad that you were in town, I didn't know where I would find an escort at the last minute. You're the perfect man for the job." Ricardo smiled at her his delight in scheming was almost as great as hers.

"My pleasure Ms. Waldorf. But I thought we wanted to make Mr. Bass sorry." He replied leading her to the waiting car. Blair smiled at the thought.

Looks like B brought backup, in the form of a delicious Italian.

Blair entered the party laughing on Ricardo's arm. She scanned the room until she found Chuck and his...thing...talking to some members of the board at Bass Industries. She smiled and moved in the opposite direction towards Serena and Lilly who were talking by the buffet. Chuck glanced up and took in her "man candy" escort. He looked slightly surprised and Blair smiled.

"S, You're huge!" Blair exclaimed embracing her very pregnant best friend. "Are you sure this is normal?"

"B, I'm having twins, two babies." Serena rolled her eyes but smiled. "I didn't think you'd come." She whispered quietly.

"S, that would be petty and if there is one thing Blair Waldorf is not that's petty." Blair replied Serena just shook her head knowing better then to argue.

"Darling, strawberries and waffles as requested. Blair, I'm so glad that you came." Nate embraced her and then turned to his wife. "Serena, you need to sit. I don't want our boys popping out at brunch." Nate took her arm and steered her to the nearest table.

"What makes you think that they're boys. I think girls would be best." Serena said winking at Blair, enjoying her husband's overprotective demands.

"Aren't they darling?" Lilly said as she watched her son-in-law kiss her daughter's hair and settle in beside her. "I swear Nate hasn't taken his eyes off her since he found out she was pregnant." Blair couldn't help but smile Nate had always been protective and Serena looked radiant basking in her motherly glow.

"Charles, this is just beautiful." Lilly said embracing her step son as he came over to join them. She smiled at the woman at his side, an attempt to ease the tension that had just came over the room. "You know Blair of course and this is Ricardo. Er..." Blair shot Lilly a glance, she wasn't supposed to say anything about Eric and Ricardo. "Eric's friend from Italy, he's in town to do some modeling." She corrected quickly.

"Charles Bass, a pleasure." Chuck said, his annoyance barely concealed. "This is my fiancee Victoria VandeWalle. Vic this is Blair Waldorf and Ricardo." He said the last name with venom dripping off every syllable.

"Victoria a pleasure." Blair said. If looks could kill. She thought. An heiress to an oil fortune. At least he has taste.

"Well, I have to go check on my pregnant daughter, please excuse me." Lilly quickly made an exit sensing that perhaps this was something she didn't want to be involved in.

Later

Blair made nice with whatever her name was for at least half an hour. Victoria lacked the wit and intelligence that Blair had but she was beautiful and had a certain charm. Blair had to admit that if they had met under different circumstances they might have been friends. She couldn't help watching Chuck during their conversation. She wanted some clue that Victoria bored him or that he was only in it for the money or to make Blair jealous. She wasn't getting anything. Finally she couldn't take it anymore.

"I'm sorry I have to get some air. Ricardo, I'll be right back." She moved quickly to the door and out into the courtyard. She leaned against the wall and fought back the tears.

"Blair." A familiar voice caused her head to turn. Maybe there was hope after all. "I'm sorry this is hard for you I know. Ricardo seems..." Chuck couldn't find the word he wanted. "seductive." His eyes met hers and Blair shrugged.

"Victoria seems pleasant." That was the nicest word she could find. "I hope your happy." The last part come off more angry then she intended.

"I am." He replied. "She likes when I leave my scarf on." His weak attempt at a barb fell flat. The pain in Blair's chest was growing and she felt like she couldn't breathe.

"Chuck..." She didn't know what to say. Everything she wanted to say she couldn't or shouldn't. "Why didn't you tell me?" The tears were threatening to fall and she had to take a ragged breath to hold them in.

"I couldn't." He looked away staring at something in the distance. "There's so much left between us." He sighed and looked at her. Something came over her then she reached for him and pressed her lips against his.

Chuck tried to resist her but she was insistent. His mouth moved against hers like it had so many times so many years ago. Then he pushed her away.

"Blair, we can't do this. It didn't work, it never worked. We can't." The tears fell this time as his words washed over her. "I'm so sorry." He looked broken, torn, like he had that day he came to her penthouse with flowers and she sent him away.

"Charles." A voice from inside called and he turned. He was going back to her.

"I'll see you tomorrow, for our appointment. I'm sorry." He turned and was gone.

Blair wiped away her tears and straightened her dress. She pulled her necklace off and threw it on the ground. He had kissed her back, that was all that mattered. Even if he had left her crying to go back to his engagement party. They were Blair and Chuck, Chuck and Blair, nothing would keep them apart not even the scarf loving heiress to an oil fortune.

Spotted: B in the courtyard at The Palace looking lost. Were those tears we saw Ms. Waldorf? Time for plan B? We all know nothing can keep a good Waldorf down, except maybe a Bass.