So I promised an update by the weekend, I know. So when I say that, I mean expect it a day afterwards, lol. Enjoy!

--

She was supposed to hate him.

Lily woke up lying in familiar arms. How could a man who had the potential to ruin her marriage be so beautiful?

"Every morning I wake up," he began gruffly. He was watching her sleep. "And I wait for you to say that you're sick of this. Sick of pretending you're in love with him when you love me."

Lily felt his hot breath against her skin. She didn't deny, because she couldn't. It's easier to just get straight up in the morning after a night with Rufus and leave. It's easier to be the woman on Bart's arm than be the woman who cheated on him with some ex-grungy rock star. And sometimes it's easier to play the guilt card.

"My daughter told me that your son came to visit her last night. Whilst you and I were here." Lily stated quietly. Well what was Rufus supposed to do about that? His son had spent years pining over this girl and things didn't work out in the end. Surely, he and Lily were free now?

"And? Look, Lily I know it's beyond awkward but their over now. Dan broke up with her." He replied, stroking that too good to be true blond hair.

"Why do you think he went to see her last night? Rufus they're probably together right now." Lily, said realising herself from his grip. She got up and stared outside the hotel window. She knew Serena was seeing Nate, which frankly, didn't come as a surprise.

She didn't say any thing else. What else was there to say? They'd be doing this for months, years, running around in circles, playing this game of tag since he was on the road and she was just some groupie. Well, they were about to see what happens when the game stops.

"I'm not going to wait forever, Lily." He said as if he knew she'd come running back. And she always did. The groupie always came back to the kind-of rock star.

"Rufus, it doesn't matter. Don't you see? I'm going to knock on your door and you're going to answer. I'm going to call and you're going to pick up. I'm going to kiss you and you're always going to kiss back."

At least it was the one shred of truth behind all the lies.

And with that, she got dressed and left him lying in bed. Just as she done before.

--

Serena knew her mom was screwing Rufus Humphrey. She knew every time she "went shopping with Eleanor" or "House hunting with Bart" was code for "I'm going to have sex your ex –boyfriends dad and there's not a lot you can do about it." She had never brought it up or confronted her about it though. It had always been that way, Blair and Chuck were the schemers and confronters, Serena and Nate were just there for the ride. Georgina was the future "Hey I'm going to sell my horse for cocaine" person and well Carter...lets not even go there.

So this is where she found herself today. She was sick of keeping this to herself. Normally, when she had issues to discuss she'd go to Blair, but that girl had issues of her own to deal with. So she knocked on Chuck's suite door. If she told Blair something like this, well she'd probably solve the problem by a good old fashioned retail therapy session. Chuck? He'd make her a drink. And even though it was what, lunch time? Serena could really; I mean really use a drink. Tequila to be specific.

"It's always good to see you." Chuck greeted her. Serena stood there for a while, surprised. Because Eric was here, playing play station with Chuck. "Are you going to stand there or are you going to come in?" He asked.

"Oh no…" she trailed off, scrambling for an excuse to take off when she had just arrived. Eric was actually happy with this arrangement, the Van der Bass thing worked for him. He was hanging out with his step brother a lot, which meant he was actually getting some friends. Well he wasn't Jenny, he deserved some cool friends. "Do you know where Blair is?" She questioned quickly.

"No, why?" Chuck asked.

"I need to talk to her." She answered.

"Talk to us." Eric gestured. Serena was determined to get out of this one.

"No, I can see I've interrupted all the brotherly bonding. I'll just go find Nate. Bye you guys." She said coolly. Well, she was a Van der Woodsen. They were noted for their poised manner and utter coolness. And her mother's issues were not going to change that.

Well, actually they could. They could make her a Bass.

Or, hell the way dear old Lillian was going, she could make her a Humphrey.

--

"You want to do something, Nate?" Blair Waldorf's commanding tone entered his ears. He wasn't doing anything anyway, last night they'd all went out and he had woken up, hung-over, again.

"What did you have in mind?" Nate asked casually. When they were together, it was usually a fight to get Nate to come along with her shopping or to watch Breakfast at Tiffany's or Funny Face for the hundredth time.

"Wanna eat? I asked your girlfriend but apparently its family dinner night at the Van der Basses place." Blair suggested bluntly. After the whole throwing up phase being revealed by Serena, Blair decided to deal with things the way a Waldorf deals with things.

Looking reality straight in the eye and denying it.

"Um, okay. Where?" He questioned.

"My place, the cooks are making my favourite. Six o'clock, so be there." She clicked off. She smiled, remembering she hadn't had Nate just to herself in a while.

--

Serena had arranged to meet the boys at Chuck's suite before they went over for dinner. The meal was always a nice; 'we are a totally upper class family' affair, but Chuck and Serena never really did nice. At first she was all for it, and considered it a part of her bad-girl-gone-good makeover, but the real Serena had come out to play recently. And the real Serena? She was the type of girl who put a little (read: lot) of vodka in her drink to make things go that little bit smoother. And of course, Chuck was no different. Poor Eric just didn't notice. He was too happy.

When they had finally reached Bart's townhouse, Serena rolled her eyes.

"Try not thinking about it. Just laugh, like me." He offered. As they rode the elevator opened to reveal Bart and Lily sitting at a table looking quite pleased with themselves.

"Let's get this over with." She murmured to him and they prepared themselves for the ordeal.

Bart and Lily sat opposite each other at the table and Serena slouched herself down, took her glass and ducked it underneath the table and emptied her flask into it.

Marissa Cooper, much?

She gulped some of her drink down. "So, mom, how was your day?" She asked sweetly.

Well, honey I started the day by waking up in my beloved Rufus's arms.

"Great, I was just about to ask you the same question." Lily replied.

"Oh my day?" Serena began, already tipsy, her blond strands flying around her head, "Absolutely fabulous!" Chuck had his head in his hands, stifling his laughter. Eric of course was blissfully unaware. This was the Serena he'd always known, pre-boarding school.

After ramblings about houses, interior designs and business ventures, Chuck had reached his limit. Chuck could only take so much family wholesomeness.

"It's been a great night, Father but I should retire back to my suite for an early night." Um, yeah sure.

"Before you go son, Lily and I have an announcement to make. Lily?" He prompted.

Lily glanced over at her daughter, with guilty eyes.

"We were hoping, Eric and Serena that you would both consider taking the Bass name." She said, trying to keep her dignity. Of course, a part of her knew that Serena knew. Her daughter was a lot smarter than what people gave her credit for.

"Sure. I'd be glad too." Eric responded brightly. His sister wasn't so tempted, funnily enough.

"Thata boy, Eric." Bart said proudly.

"I can't." Serena snapped.

"Why ever not?" Lily asked.

"It's not up for negotiation mom." She replied moodily.

"Lily, you have to respect her decision." Bart interjected. Of course, Eric was the son he was willing to accept. Serena was more along the lines of Charles. They were the wild child's.

"I see no reason why she can't-

"Oh but you're the one who should, mom." Serena said in a calm tone. Chuck leaned over to her and whispered, "S, what are you talking about? Let me take you home you're drunk." Actually, drunk didn't cover it.

"I'm not that drunk, Chuck." She replied. "Eric, I know you're happy but I have to say this."

"Say what, Serena?" Eric asked, oh-so innocently.

"Serena don't." Lily gasped desperately.

"Okay, I won't. Either you tell him or I do." Serena began, standing up. Her mother remained silent for what seemed like a half hour. "Fine." Serena said finally. "I'll tell him." Bart remained silent. Serena couldn't help but feel pity for him, but this was her mother's mistake, not hers.

"My mother has been sleeping with Rufus Humphrey." She blurted out. Chuck's eye grew wide with genuine shock and Eric's smile reverted into a frown.

"Lily…is this true?" Bart asked, choking a little bit.

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Next chapter begins right where this left off. Thanks for reading, and please leave a review, they are really encouraging! (: thanks.