A/N: We reached triple numbered reviews-and I am really thankful to you all. I have tried to tone down the properness of their speech as per the wishes of some reviewers. This chapter follows the episode "Goodbye Columbia" closely and all the events regarding S actually happened in the show so the credit of the entire scheming goes to GG writers. I have no idea what are the names of Blair's minions in Columbia. If anyone is kind enough to tell me-that would be great.
Finally R and R :-)
…
Serena van der Woodson stalked off with her head held high. Her strides were unhurried and even but inside she was boiling with worry. She tried hard but could not ignore the persistent stares and whispers that followed her as she walked through the lecture halls of Columbia. What did Gossip Girl have against her anyway? Her vendetta against Serena had begun in eight grade and continued even now-
But even Gossip Girl had her limits-Never before had such obscene rumors about her been spread- She had STD, seriously? The whole thing seemed beyond ridiculous to her but apparently not to others. Both Dan and Nate had gone for testing- if there was anything that could add fuel to the fire it was this-
She clenched her teeth as she hailed a cab. The name Nathaniel Archibald was a bone of contention nowadays-Post their break-up and his hooking up with Juliet- things had gone downhill for them not only as a couple but also as friends. Blair's accident brought them together for a bit but now – she was already angry at him for blabbing to Blair about their break-up.
Blair had isolated herself after hearing about Yale and Nate- She had refused Serena to come see her and according to her parents kept to herself. Even the homecoming party was for immediate family only- which merely included Dorota, Roman and her parents. Cyrus had been in the middle of one of his cases. Blair refused her phone calls and neither Chuck nor Nate called her. Serena could not understand how she could help Blair this time- the last time at least Blair had acted out-but this time she had cooped up in her room- How does one stop that?
She wondered if she should have talked about this with Nate but obviously he would not have any good ideas- She was strongly tempted to call Chuck- after all the previous Waldorf downward spiral resulting from the loss of Yale had been stopped by the notorious Bass- But Serena did not want the Bass-hole anywhere near her best friend anymore.
She sighed loudly as she entered the Waldorf penthouse. She was sure that she would be told to leave came scurrying towards her.
"Oh Miss Serena I am so glad you came."
Serena turned sharply.
"Is anything the matter, Dorota?"
Dorota shook her head.
"Everything is fine – better than before I mean- Miss Blair has no be good the last few days but she went to Dr. Croft –"
"She met up with her psychiatrist?" Serena asked astounded.
"She no wants to go at first. But few days ago she woke up screaming- I think a nightmare-and later that afternoon she asked me to make an appointment with Dr, Croft. Now she is loads better- she watching the Breakfast to Tiffany's again and asked me to call you"
Serena smiled slowly.
"That is good news"
She hurried up the stairs.
….
Sitting with a large bowl of yogurt by her side and her eyes glued to the television screen, Serena could not imagine that this girl had been having meltdowns the entire of last week. She looked up as Serena entered.
"Hey S" Blair said quite chirpily "Did you learn to apparate?" Then she blushed crimson as Serena laughed.
"Since when do you see Harry Potter movies?"
"Oh it's the new phenomenon to reckon with and I do adore that cute British accent." She said and eyed Serena "What I meant was that you got here in record time."
"Figures as I got here before Dorota could make that call."
Blair smiled and nodded.
"Sorry for kicking you out all of those last times."
Serena raised her eyebrows.
"Are you really?"
Blair rolled her eyes.
"No- I thought you would learn by the fifth time but alas no- you are one persistent blonde"
Serena laughed and felt happier when Blair joined in.
"Its so good to see you like this. I mean about Yale..." she started and then trailed off.
Blair sighed.
"Yale was one of the biggest dreams of my life, S and letting it go was not easy. Knowing that Nate was not with me either did not help. But I…" She trailed off, "I learned a lot of things last week Serena and I know that –I can deal with this and pick up my pieces."
Serena eyed Blair with concern.
"Blair..."
Blair closed her eyes and clutched Serena's hand.
"I realized what happened to me that night- the night of the accident- and what it could have done to me- and to others- I know how it feels to believe that- you-m-might not wake up and be there anymore."
Serena was shocked.
"Blair…what..."
"I keep on having these nightmares Serena- I could not understand them at first but then I realized they are flashes of that night- I feel the pain and despair .Dr. Croft said that most patients do end up having memories of near-death experiences even if the rest of the memories hover uncertainly- he is hopeful though." She finished with a laugh.
"You should have told me..."
Blair shook her head.
"I am glad it happened. It made me realize what a miracle I am- I am alive and I was worrying about Yale and Nate. I just researched on Columbia- turns out majority of its alumni are in powerful positions. I wanted power and success and it is still within my grasp- all I need is a different means of getting there."
Serena smiled proudly at Blair.
"That's my favorite version of Blair Waldorf"
The girls laughed and Serena continued.
"And you made me feel better...I mean if you can confront this why should I run away from a rumor or let it bother me?"
Blair shrugged curiously.
"What rumor?"
Serena sighed. She fished her phone and showed Blair the message. Blair's eyes widened.
"Shoosh I missed Gossip girl..."
"Blair..." Serena began outraged.
"Relax S- Obviously this is a stupid rumor so just ignore it- The greater importance you give to it the bigger the deal people would make out of it."Blair said popping a mouthful of yogurt
"You are right. I am so going to the faculty party tonight."
"What faculty party?"Blair asked tilting her head
"The faculty is honoring their new staff- Martha Chamberlain"
"Martha Chamberlain-the famous business psychology professor. She is coming?"Blair eyes were sparkling with anticipation
Serena laughed
"Yes- The best part is that every year she chooses an assistant from the student body and I can totally guess who it will be this year..."
Blair winked at her. Serena smiled and picked up her purse.
"I better get going. I have a paper due and then I need to get ready for the party."
Blair nodded.
"Sure- See you at the party."
Serena turned to leave when Blair called to her.
"Is Nate coming?"
Serena turned back with a surprised look.
"Why would you..."
Blair gave a nervous laugh.
"Because you two are the only people there that I remember silly..."
Serena nodded, still suspicious.
"He will be there but I should warn you that he is bringing a plus one- a Juliet at that."
"Hmmn…Very wasn't it Shakespeare who said the course of true love never runs smooth..."
Serena shook her head.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Blair laughed.
"Don't bother your pretty little head over it."
…..
Blair sat on the sofa sipping martini and smiling inwardly. She would almost sigh in satisfaction if she was not sitting next to the CEO of the largest pharmaceutical company in New York. The guest list of the Columbia faculty party included some of the biggest names in the business world and distinguished people from all walks of life.
After spending a mere hour in the party Blair had realized what a dolt she was being for the last two weeks thinking that she had lost all- She had not lost her dream of success- she had just a different location for it- And she had a different territory to mark and to rule. It was time for Queen B to prove her reign once again. From what she had seen she was already doing a good job-Her minions looked worthy of being her minions and looked up completely to her. When she walked in Dean Betrube herself had inquired about "'s health" and then taken upon her to introduce her to various members of the faculty. Best of all Blair was quite sure that the TA to Miss Chamberlain would be yours truly- Martha had liked her confidence and after assuring that she would love to meet her father's partner on a date, she had hinted upon appointing Blair.
All in all Blair was extremely satisfied and had almost forgotten that she wore trendy sandals with no heels – and a huge knee cap to ensure her knee did not give away- and that she could keep standing for only a few minutes. It made her feel old but she reasoned that she needed time to recover. She excused herself and headed to the bar for another martini when she saw him.
Nathaniel Archibald entered in his full glory. He was still as striking as he was before but he had grown a confidence which was missing before- the years did not make him any less attractive. If anything it made him more so. From the looks that the girls were giving him Blair knew what would consolidate her position as queen.
Nate turned to smile at someone and Blair followed his gaze. She froze when she saw an elegantly dressed blonde smiling back at him- She was pretty, Blair admitted but that is not getting her anywhere. Behind her walked two people she did not know- two blackheads. The female seemed very Boho and the man very unlike- wondered what Nate was doing with them.
"Cant believe Juliet thought she could show up here." Someone whispered and she saw Penelope looking at her. "I mean after what happened at the fashion-"
Blair nodded vaguely tuning her out as Nate looked towards her. She smiled at him brightly and he smiled back uncertainly. Shrugging he made his way towards her.
Towards his destiny-she vowed. Now she needed to get the obstacle out of the way
"Keep an eye on Juliet "Blair commanded.
"What- but why?" Penelope asked.
"Your job is not to wonder why-it is to do or die."Scoffing at her stupidity Blair walked to meet Nate halfway.
"Blair" he began with a smile "It is so good to see you."
She gave him a tight smile "You too Nate. It's been too long"
He nodded and then looked around.
"I mean it's great to see you looking so radiant and healthy-after-after all that happened. But then you are the survivor in the group –no matter what happens you come on stronger than before."
She tilted her head.
"Nothing takes down Blair Waldorf"
They laughed and on an impulse Nate hugged Blair. It was too sudden for her but she closed her eyes savoring the familiar feel on him on her- He still smelled the same.
"I am sorry B- I realized later how insensitively I handled the issue of telling you about us. I should have been there- told you in person- explained it well..."
Blair shook her head.
"Forget it- its alright.I completely understand."
"Are you sure?" Nate asked with a frown
Blair flashed him a bright smile. "I know it's been three years and things have changed."
Nate nodded and turned back to his group. He led her to the group re-introducing her Humphrey, Vanessa and Juliet. They were so trash-like that for once Blair was not surprised that she did not remember them –they were not worthy of being remembered.
….
It was almost a rule- Where Serena goes, trouble follows- Blair had seen that all her life and of course there had to be an incident tonight as well.
Trading sex for grades-
Blair shook her head as she thought about it. This was a grave offence and if Juliet had not shown that Vanessa had sent that email via Serena's phone- then S would be rusticated or worse. It would a huge black mark on her record. Serena had seemed equally frightened.
"I can't believe Vanessa would do that, B.I know I dated Dan but…"
"You dated that Humphrey guy?" Blair asked incredulously. Serena sighed dramatically.
"Ew...Eww...Eww...S!"
"He is a great guy..."Serena began her eyes actually softening.
"No...S! Not now..."Blair began and then stopped "Hold on a second-Humphrey as in Rufus Humphrey's son?"
"Well..."
Blair almost screeched: "You dated your step brother?"
Serena rolled her eyes "As I was saying I knew that Juliet had problems with me ..."
"What do you mean by problems with you?" Blair asked eager for ammunition against her prime target.
Serena sighed and poured out all that happened in the first week at Columbia and how Juliet tried to drive a wedge between them.
"Does Nate know all this? How can he date her after all this?"Blair asked, shaking her head.
"Well as it turns out she is pretty decent – if it was not for her- I would have bid Columbia goodbye today. I guess what she did at the Hamilton house have to do with her insecurity issues..."Serena stopped suddenly.
"What insecurity issues?"Blair asked
Serena smiled brightly "The usual blonde struggle"
"I have never heard of any such thing before" Blair protested
"Because you are a brunette, I see that new pub at the corner- Drop me off will you?"
Blair frowned
"Aren't coming home with me?"
"I am sorry B.I really needs to clear my head."Serena said as the limo stopped and she got off.
Blair leaned back into the leather seat and sighed happily. The party had been a success, not merely as a means to make contacts but also in assessing the Juliet factor. She pulled out her phone and stared at the picture Penelope had mms-ed hermit showed Vanessa and Juliet talking as Juliet held Serena's phone.
Blair bit her lip – From what she had gathered from Serena about the Hamilton house and Juliet's manipulation of both Blair and Serena-it seemed that Juliet saving Serena tonight more like a staged act than real help. Her gut feeling screamed that Juliet was not as innocent as she acted.
And the thought made her smile. She had gathered a large number of ammunition against Juliet but it was not enough. The girl had tried to take down her best friend and stole Nate for her. In Queen B's world these crimes entailed total social destruction. She needed the perfect plan now.
And she knew what to do. She quickly dialed his number.
"B- Blair..." the voice was groggy and soft.
Something rose within her as she heard the uncertainty in his voice.
"Bass state the level of alcohol in your body. "She stated in a firm voice
"Why the sudden curiosity Waldorf?" he countered in his normal voice
Blair felt better
"Because I need you coherent and your brain active when we talk"
There was a silence
"Come see me tomorrow and I will be all that."
Blair smirked
"You better be Bass- cuz we need to talk about something extremely interesting."