Disclaimer: I do not own the show or the characters. Takes place after Gossip Girl episode 2.03, "The Dark Night," but after that point events in the story differ from the show.

Anne Archibald was tending to her orchids when she heard the phone ring. A moment later, one of the staff came to find her. "It's Chuck Bass, Mrs. Archibald."

"Thank you, I'll take it." Anne smoothed her skirt and picked up the receiver. "Hello Chuck. How are you?"

Chuck had spent the rest of yesterday and most of today putting together the various Nate-centric rumors he'd been hearing lately. He'd had his doubts about Vanessa's sincerity, yet a part of him feared her words were accurate. He'd spoken with Serena, who had actually been very helpful – she'd confirmed to him that Nate had, in fact, been seeing the Duchess over the summer. "Cougar-taming," she'd called it. It didn't seem that she knew anything more, though, and Chuck intended to keep it that way. Time to call Anne. "I'm very well, Mrs. Archibald," Chuck assured her. "And you?"

"I'll confess, times could be better," she sighed. "But I must say, Nate and I would be doing much worse if not for your kindness."

Chuck's heart dropped. Trying to mask his uncertainty, he replied, "It really isn't a problem, Mrs. Archibald."

"Even so, I just wanted to tell you I appreciate it. And I personally promise you that once this little misunderstanding is all straightened out and our accounts are unfrozen, I intend to pay all the money back, with interest," she added breezily.

"Of course, Mrs. Archibald, of course." Chuck tried to force his voice to remain calm, but he was reeling inside. Nate's mom thought he was lending them the money?

"Were you calling for Nate, Chuck?"

"Yes, I was." No, he wasn't, he thought. He'd called to feel Anne out and see how much she knew about the situation. He knew for a fact that Nate had to stay after school today and wouldn't be in. "I just wanted to remind Nate about meeting me at the Palace tonight."

"Alright – he did say he was going to be out tonight. You boys have a good time." She paused. "And Chuck? As a mother, I just want to say thank you for being there for Nate through all of this. I know his father's situation has been tough on him."

"That's what I'm here for."

"Well, take care Chuck."

"You too, Mrs. Archibald." Chuck hung up and flopped into a nearby armchair. So, he'd established that Nate was both seeing Catherine and lying about where he was getting the money. It was looking like Vanessa was right, and God, he needed a drink.

How had he missed this? He'd been embarrassed when Anne thanked him for being a good friend. A good friend would have noticed something like this going on. Even Serena had known who Nate was seeing, but he hadn't. Chuck had tried to help with the money, but Nate had refused his offer. He shouldn't have given up so easily, and he definitely shouldn't have given Nate attitude when he'd visited that morning with the stewardess. Chuck looked at the clock. 5pm already. He wished he hadn't organized the bar night at the Palace, but it was too late to cancel. At least he had a few hours left to make some calls.

Nate tugged uncomfortably at his suit collar. Quietly, he descended the staircase, hoping his mother wouldn't hear him leave.

"There you are Nate!" Anne exclaimed. She was in the sitting room near the bottom of the staircase, reading a novel. "I didn't hear you come in earlier."

"Yeah, I think you were on the phone or something. I'm actually headed out the door though."

"Wait a minute," Anne said, putting down her reading glasses and smiling broadly. "Look at you! You look so nice tonight! Come here so I can see."

Nate moved closer, his face flushing.

"Is this a new suit?" his mother asked.

"Yeah, I picked it up especially for tonight."

"Well," Anne said proudly, "it looks great on my handsome son." She beamed at him. "Have a great time with Chuck tonight!"

"Chuck?" Nate asked, confused.

"Yes, he called and said you were meeting him at the Palace."

"Oh, uh, yeah. The Palace."

"I will see you later Nate." Anne leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

Nate quickly exited the building and took a moment to lean against the wall and collect his thoughts. He really wished he hadn't crossed paths with his mother tonight. He felt like a piece of shit. If she knew why he was dressed up, and what he was about to do… He rubbed a hand over his face. She could never, ever find out about this. He hailed the first cab he saw and tried his best to shut the door on his conscience.

Catherine was breathing heavily underneath him. He could tell she was close. And then it happened. She was done. Relieved, he rolled off of her and laid in the bed as she caught her breath. "Mmmmm… that was wonderful," she whispered in Nate's ear.

"I'm glad," he said, and he meant it. It had been a long night. He stretched out on the bed and reached toward his boxers.

"What are you doing?" Catherine asked. Her voice had an edge to it.

"Umm… getting dressed?"

"Did I say we were done?" Nate stared at Catherine. She leaned over him. "We're not done."

Nate was puzzled. "What do you mean? I, I don't think I can give you anything more, not tonight."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, Catherine, really." Frustrated, Nate pulled on his boxers and got up from the bed. "You know, there are some things you can't control." Catherine let out a small chuckle, which just served to anger Nate even further. "I'm being serious, Catherine. I'm not a machine. I can't just give you everything you want on the spot like that. It doesn't work that way."

Catherine glared at him. "Believe me, you are not in the position to be telling me how things work. I paid you to do a job and you only delivered half. So you only get paid half."

"No, Catherine." Nate was taken aback. "We had a deal – you can't do that."

"I most certainly can."

"Please…" Nate pleaded. He hated how desperate he sounded. "I need that money. My family needs that money."

Catherine breathed deeply. "Nate, Nate. You were going to figure this out at some point, but I may as well just put it on the table right now: I don't care." Nate could do nothing but gape at her. "You heard me. I don't care. You'll find a way to make this up to me. In fact," she threw his crumpled dress shirt at him, "I will be telling you exactly how I want you to make this up to me. Now get dressed and get out of here."

Thanks for reading the story! There is more coming. -- AE