A/N: Thank you for the reviews :) Keep them coming, it helps motivate me and also any constructive criticism can help me improve, so I love both!
Hope you enjoy this next part, they seem to get longer each time! I tried to include a bit of Blair's sassiness, as I know it's enjoyed, but could only fit in a bit! I feel I've made Nate into a bit of an anti-hero, so in this chapter I've tried to explain him a bit more, and make him more understandable and likeable.
Also, just have to say: OMG I watched the new episode online, and AHH I just want Chair already! BUT good news: no more stupid Elle and no more Miss Carr! Whoop! Wow I hated both of those! Ok, now here's more:
Chuck glared at his phone, sending mental death threats to whoever had caught that picture of him looking…yes ok, he admitted it, jealous. Serena had flicked open hers as well, and was now grinning at him, her whole face alight with curiosity.
"So, what happened to Fred Young?"
"Let's just say he won't need scarves where he is." Chuck's eyes glinted darkly, and Serena had to suppress a shudder. Then she reminded herself that Chuck was all talk, and that his cryptic statement probably meant Fred was now living somewhere hot, rather than him being dead or in prison – the things she'd immediately thought of. Satisfied with that, she started on the subject she really was interested in.
"You like Blair? You're jealous?" she screeched, jumping up and down.
"Yeah right, she wishes," he replied, attempting a smirk but instead achieving a pained expression.
"Maybe she does…I could always find out," Serena said temptingly, pretending to search through her bag so she'd appear uninterested.
"You could?" Damn, no need to sound so overly eager!
"As a close girl friend, I have rights to that kind of information," she shrugged. "But..."
"What do you want?"
"I, um, want… youtodothesameformeaboutNate," Serena gushed, her cheeks turning pink.
"Wait, what? You want me to ask Nate if he's into you? No offence, but I'd assumed that even you would understand that sleeping with someone more than once implies liking the other person," said Chuck, rolling his eyes at the blonde.
"I wouldn't be too sure."
"You think he- OH, it's you who's not into him! But of course, being Serena van der Woodsen, you wouldn't want to hurt him so you're wondering if it's mutual! That way, you can end it together and you can move on without feeling guilty."
"Wow, you're good at that."
"Maybe you're just crap at hiding it," said Chuck, smirking and leaning back casually against the wall. "I'll do it for you – if you ask Blair."
"Deal. Though I'm warning you, I'm not having you take advantage of her."
"I make no promises – I'm Chuck Bass."
Serena narrowed her eyes and scanned his expression. In the end, it was the fact that he'd never asked for her help with a girl before, that made her believe that he wouldn't do it to Blair. She didn't want to speak too soon, but maybe Chuck might actually be falling for someone! The two shook hands and then slid into the waiting Bass limousine – sure they weren't related yet, but now they were sharing living quarters, it only made sense to share limos…when Chuck wasn't using it for anything else. Both of them settled down into the soft leather seats, smirking as they looked out of the winder. Things were definitely heading in the right direction.
"Hey, B!"
Blair smiled at the enthusiasm in her friend's voice and rolled over so that she was in a more comfortable position on her bed. She placed her pen back down on the open journal, and decided that she could take a quick break from plotting – this could be crucial to achieving part of Step One anyway.
"Hi, S, how are you?"
They continued to talk about pointless, girly topics, until Serena decided to broach the topic of Chuck Bass – she was only partly doing it because of their deal, in fact Serena was very interested in the answer just so she could look out for her friend. Blair was new, and couldn't be expected to know just how bad Chuck was when it came to girls and relationships – his reputation didn't quite cover all the small details that a girl like Blair needed to know before crushing on the resident bad boy of the UES.
"I noticed a little bit of sexual tension today B, with you and a certain someone…" she hinted.
"Who, me and Nate? Don't be silly, he just offered me a ride home. Although he did mention something about Sunday lunch with his parents, but I'm sure that's just him being friendly," Blair answered dismissively.
There was silence on the other end.
Serena sat frozen on her bed, taking in that last bit of information. Sunday lunch? I've known Nate for nearly thirteen years, and he's never invited just me over for Sunday lunch with his parents! Trust him to approach Blair while we're still a…well, still…involved!
"Serena?"
"Oh, sorry B, um, yeah Nate does that with everyone… But no, I actually meant another someone, wears a scarf and a smirk?" Deciding not to waste time on pointless details, Serena continued to press the issue.
"Chuck Bass?"
"Come on, there was definite sexual tension there!"
"He has sexual tension with everything – woman, dog, tree…"
Blair relaxed as Serena's wind-chime laugh rang out over the phone. She'd noticed that pause, and although Serena wouldn't have guessed, she'd immediately picked up that Nate was a sore subject with Serena. She'd have to get details on that later…but for now, Serena wanted to discuss Chuck Bass, and who was she to turn down the offer?
"Blair, stop dodging the issue! Are you…interested in going down that route?"
"Well…he's Chuck Bass, don't be silly. The longest relationship he's ever had was probably between him and a bottle of aged scotch," retorted Blair, unable to keep a disappointed note from creeping into her voice.
"How did you know scotch was his favourite?"
"Lucky guess, anyway-"
"What if I told you that you could be an exception?"
Blair's heart stopped beating, and then picked up in double time. She was about to scream in excitement when that annoying little voice began whispering unavoidable truths in her ear. Bass likes a challenge, he's all about the game…if you come willingly to him now, he'd drop you after a few days MAX. No, you need to flirt and play a little first. Only then will he fall for you enough.
"I'd say I'd want to try some more of my options first," replied Blair.
"But you're interested?"
"He's Chuck Bass, of course I'm interested," said Blair, rolling her eyes, before realising that Chuck could be listening in right that second – she assumed that in this world they were still living together. "But I don't do one-night-stands, and who says I don't have any better offers?"
Serena squeezed her eyes shut and quickly prayed she wouldn't regret asking the next question.
"An offer like Nate?"
"No way, don't be ridiculous, Nate is friend material for me, nothing more!"
Serena didn't even know why she was feeling so relieved, she didn't even want to be with Nate. But the image of them two together made her feel slightly nauseous and so she just knew that this was something that pleased her, whatever the reasons.
"I have to go make another call, B! Sorry!"
"It's fine, don't worry, I have work to do," smirked Blair, her finger tracing over the words 'Operation Queen B' that headed the top of the page. "Bye, S!"
"Bye, B!"
Chuck walked over to the bar and began to pour himself a glass of scotch. God was doing something right when he put scotch on this earth, he thought to himself, taking a sip and allowing it to burn the back of his throat in that familiar way. His musings were interrupted by the buzzing of his phone, and when he saw the Caller ID read 'Serena', he felt slightly ill as he reached for it and flicked it open. His eyes scanned the message:
U need to wrk 4 her.
She's got options – ur only 1.
But she's interested bro ;)
S xo
Chuck stared at the last four words and felt his signature smirk returning at full force. No girl can resist a Bass. Just as he said that, the phone began to ring and vibrate in his hand. This time, the contact was not welcome.
"Georgina," he said dryly, answering the call.
"Miss me today?" she crooned, her words taking on an edge as she added, "'Cos I didn't get any messages from you when I didn't show."
"Well, seeing as you do it nearly every Monday, you can't expect me to be surprised."
"Come on, Charlie, admit you missed me."
"It's Chuck."
"And it's G, Chuck. We're friends, remember?" she murmured into the phone, "You have my permission to call me that anytime."
Chuck bit his tongue as he refrained from making a smart-ass comeback. He had to blame it on himself for accepting her company on drunken nights. Seeing as they then spent time together with Nate and Serena, who were themselves 'involved', he wasn't surprised Georgina had assumed they two were 'involved'. Still, didn't mean he couldn't stop that right now.
"G, that's over."
"Charlie you say that after every time, and then look what happens?"
"I'm serious."
"Chuck, this is boring me. I want to go out tonight, you coming or not?"
"Georgina-"
"G, not Georgina." This time the words were cooler, almost icy. "Look, I'm about to invite Nate and Serena, we can all go…as friends, Charlie."
Sighing, Chuck ran a hand through his hair and poured another glass of scotch as he replied, "Fine."
"I knew you'd say yes! Meet at the Palace Bar at 9, k? See you then, Charlie! Mwah!"
He hung up and chucked the phone onto the couch, closing his eyes and wondering why he'd agreed. He could still hear the echo of her air-kiss, the sugar-sweet voice so different to the girl it belonged to. Gulping the contents of his glass down, he made his way to his closet to get ready.
Nate greeted his mother and quickly escaped to his room, turning on his iPod and speakers and taking off his blazer. Collapsing onto the bed, he allowed two images to appear in his mind, each so contrasting from the other that he was surprised he found both so attractive.
There was Serena, with her long legs and California looks, and there was Blair, with her feminine curves and seductive-yet-innocent looks. He admitted to himself that he was more attracted to the former, but couldn't help but think how good the Archibald family ring would look against Blair's pale complexion. Ah, if only things were less complicated…and I was smarter. His phone rang, and when he saw Serena's name, he felt guilt rise up in him as he realised he hadn't even said goodbye that afternoon before driving off with Blair. In fact, he didn't think he'd even acknowledged her presence when he'd offered Blair a lift in the first place!
"Hey Serena, about this afternoon-" Before he could get out the apology, Serena cut in.
"Look, I can see you like Blair, but at least wait for us to be over before jumping into something new!" Serena couldn't help the angry, accusing tone that saturated her voice. All the suppressed feelings from her conversation with Blair were released in the moment.
"Ok, I can see why you're upset, but I only offered her a ride, she's new and I thought I would just be polite and-"
"And invite her to Sunday lunch?" interrupted Serena again, her words sharp yet unable to disguise her hurt.
"Oh. She mentioned that?"
"Yes, she mentioned that! How could you invite her, Nate, and not me? Not ever?"
Nate bit his lip and closed his eyes, wishing it would all just disappear. When she repeated the last word, he took a deep breath, deciding to just get it over and done with.
"Serena, I know I hurt you and you have to understand I'm really sorry, I mean I really like you and you're one of my best friends, and I care for you, I do…but…my parents, they…they keep expecting me to bring home my future bride any day now, and I can't let them down again."
"So you're choosing Blair over me because you think your parents will like her more than me? Think she's a better Mrs Nathanial Archibald than me?"
He'd expected yelling, at least anger, but the complete vulnerability in her voice was a lot worse. She was being so open with him, he felt he owed her a full explanation – hell, she deserved one. Dropping his voice to a near whisper, he answered softly,
"They're so disappointed in me. I'm not clever enough, not good enough, to get into an Ivy League school without their assistance, not good enough at sports to get myself a scholarship, not interesting enough, not funny enough…I want to at least get one thing right and end up in the perfect marriage that they always wanted. You're amazing Serena…but being a party girl from Page 6 doesn't express – to them – good family ideals. I…I know it's weak of me…but…I want their approval Serena."
Serena, completely surprised by this confession, had to ask something.
"Nate, your parents idolise you more than any kid I know! Where's this coming from?"
"I just want to achieve something, without their help, you know? I want to know I've gone and done something they're proud of, without any assistance…I want to know I can do things by myself."
"You can. I believe in you."
There was a pause as Nate took that in, and they both just felt each other's presence. Serena realised she no longer felt any anger towards him, only understanding.
"About Blair…You know I won't do anything if you're uncomfortable with it…"
"Look, it's not for me to decide, I'm OK with it if you two both want to…yeah, you know," she ended awkwardly, relieved that Blair had already put an end to this fear.
"I truly am sorry, Serena. That this never really worked..."
"It's ok, Nate. I kind of knew it was ending anyway…I just…"
"…didn't want to be the one that made it end?"
Serena smiled, remembering now exactly why the two of them had started up their relationship in the first place – they clicked. "Exactly, you read my mind."
"Well, um…you know I'll always love you."
"Me too, Nate, me too."
With that, they hung up, and Nate closed his eyes, wishing that sleep would come and separate him from all of this. Even though things had gone better than he'd hoped, even though he knew his parents would be delighted with all that was Blair Waldorf, he couldn't deny the emptiness he felt inside. Serena had been a big part of his life, and knowing he couldn't just go over and spend the night with his arms wrapped around her was knowledge he really didn't want. It's over…it's actually over. The words repeated themselves as he drifted off into a slumber, filled with golden hair and a soft voice, whispering 'It's over'.
Blair looked over her plan and tried to evaluate her situation.
"So, Step One – get back Serena, Chuck and Nate: well, that's definitely going well," she smiled, filling in the 'current status' section.
"Step Two – get Jenny on my good side: whoops, I forgot about that, I'll have to look out for her tomorrow, Step Three – eliminate current Queen: Penelope's party invite is the perfect 'in' for that, so that's going well. Step Four – look fabulous: definitely full marks for that, if the way Nate and Chuck … and Mr Lee were looking at me is anything to go by."
Smirking, she was about to close the journal when she spotted the last one. "Step Five – Chuck Bass… Well, thanks to GG, I'd have to say that is coming along nicely too!"
Blair locked her journal, and placed it in her private drawer. Her scheming done, she decided that she should make the most of that little bit of information Serena had slipped her as they'd been leaving school. Finding her phone, she sent a quick message to her as she walked down the stairs to the elevator.
S, still crushing on D.H.?
- B xo
She'd assumed that Dan Humphrey's feelings would remain the same, due to the fact that it was only about this time in her old world that she and Dan had even interacted. Her absence shouldn't have changed him in any way – after all, he'd admitted to have first fallen for her blonde best friend years ago, when she was still a party girl and friends with Georgina. Therefore, Blair reasoned, he should be as much in love with her now as before.
Her phone buzzed, and Blair smirked as she read Serena's reply.
Wt hav u done?!
Ignoring the message, Blair turned her phone on silent and hailed a cab, forcing the word 'Brooklyn' out of her mouth with as much distaste as she could muster.
Jenny Humphrey sat perched on the edge of her stool, frantically sketching as her eyes darted from her page to the fashion magazine in front of her. Dan was typing away on his laptop as he sat across from her, and the two worked in companionable silence, the only sounds being the clatter of his keyboard and the soft scratch of her pencil. This meant that the loud, brash ringing of the bell caused both to jump up, Dan spilling his mug of tea all over himself.
Cursing, he grabbed a dishcloth and hurried to the door. The sight of Blair Waldorf in all her perfect beauty made him drop the cloth and stare in astonishment as she pursed her lips at his appearance.
"Blair? Is that you?" asked Jenny, her eyes wide.
Blair looked from one sibling to the other and smiled graciously, plans already forming in her head. Perfect, I can snap two Humphreys up in one.
"Of course it's me, just thought I'd pop in and say hello. Serena was telling me about you, Dan," she added, watching with satisfaction as he turned bright red.
"S-Serena?" he choked out.
"Serena van der Woodsen, yes. Apparently you are quite the sexy speaker in English class."
Dan looked like he was about to pass out, so she switched to Jenny, allowing him time to recover.
"That's a gorgeous picture Jenny. You like to design clothes?"
Jenny immediately went into chatter-mode, rambling on and on about her favourite designers, one of course being Eleanor Waldorf, and how she'd always wanted to work with such inspirational people. Blair had to admit that the girl was quite endearing, at least before the whole scandal. I must have really brought out her inner bitch!
"I could always put a word in for you, with my mother I mean. She loves having fresh talent around, and I'm sure she could find an opening for you as an intern…if I big you up of course," Blair smiled sweetly, making sure Jenny knew that this was a big favour.
"Oh Blair, I'd do anything for that kind of opportunity!"
"Don't worry about that … just yet. I'm sure I can think of something later. Come sit with me at lunch tomorrow and we can talk more about it."
Jenny nodded, her eyes wide, before she ran out of the room, squealing blissfully.
"So, your sister's sweet and blonde, you know who else is? Serena," smirked Blair, rewarded again by the flush that arose in Dan's face.
"I can't believe she-, I mean she's like-, you know she…wow."
She looked at him and once again, found herself feeling affectionate towards a Brooklynite. The clear adoration for her best friend was cute, even on someone with as little fashion sense as Dan Humphrey.
"You know, she likes you. You should ask her out sometime," Blair told him, assuring herself it was for Serena's benefit and not Dan's.
"Isn't she with Nate? I know it's not official, but-"
"Ask her, trust me. Here's her number."
Blair scribbled down the numbers on a piece of paper lying on the table, and gave Dan a winning smile as she murmured in his ear, "She'll like the whole 'awkward-shy' thing you have, don't worry about it," before leaving the house. Wow, I'd have to say that today was one hell of a good day, she thought to herself as she found her cab and drove home.
Unfortunately, she hadn't heard Gossip Girl's say on this little night-time visit. Sure enough, each of the UES-ers got the message that evening, causing a mixture of reactions.
Hey UES,
It seems night-time is still one of the best times for a bit of scandal! B was snapped leaving Lonely Boy's apartment only minutes ago – quite a while since she got dropped off by N. We all know what can be done in a few hours, some better than others. I for one hope B lets this continue – there's nothing I like more than a love triangle…or square…or better yet, dodecagon!
XOXO
Gossip Girl
Serena squealed, finally understanding what Blair's earlier text meant.
Nate stared confused, trying to remember who Lonely Boy was.
Chuck saw red, before kissing Georgina hard and pulling her into the limo.
Georgina smirked, realising Blair might just muck things up for herself without needing her assistance.
TBC...
Reviews are love, send me some! Any questions, feel free to PM me :)
Madeleine x