A/N: Its about time, I know (:
--
"Are you impressed?" Blair asked Nate with a devilish grin as she twirled around in her flowing, long Gucci gown. It was red, and so were Nate's cheeks. Blair smiled a victorious smile. And that moment, she knew everything was going to be amazing between her and Nate. He appreciated her this time. What was this, the third chance she'd given him? Well you know what they say, third times a charm.
Nate took her hand and kissed it chivalrously and it was Blair's turn to blush. He was as dashing as ever in his Armani tux. "You're very impressive Blair Waldorf."
"Do you think he'll be there?" Blair took Nate's hand as they rode the elevator. Nate sighed.
"There's a bar here Blair," He began knowingly, smiling to himself, "and besides, tonight isn't about him. It's about you and me." The elevator stopped and they walked out to their limo.
Blair kissed his cheek. A year ago, they had a disastrous ordeal at the masquerade ball that was supposed to lead to their first time. How triumphant it made Blair feel to rewrite history.
--
"Humphrey has released you from the leash?" Chuck mocked as Serena strolled into his suite.
"He's with Vanessa." She replied with disdain. "Drinking already?" She commented as Chuck sipped his scotch.
"Just warming up. So should you." He smiled in way that made Serena squirm.
"You wish, Bass-tard." Her nose scrunched up. Silence resumed for a while and it was awkward. Serena straightened out her white gown and glanced at Chuck staring into his drink. He looked broken. A pang of guilt flowed through her body. Even if it was Chuck, his father passed away and his girlfriend cheated on him. He deserved to be forgiven this time.
"Chuck, you know it was going to happen." She said softly, trying to rub salt in his wound. "You of all people…you know Nate. He's screwed up countless times but it doesn't matter because she's always loved him."
"She has never belonged with him though…he's like the fairytale prince. Blair has to come back to reality at some point and when she does she'll love me." His tone was pleading and desperate. Serena looked at him sympathetically. The mighty Chuck Bass had fallen. She wasn't aware of how Blair broke up with him or that Nate had spoken to him.
Chuck set his drink back on the bar and his eyes were stern.
"You won't do anything stupid, Chuck?" Serena asked. It was a stupid question, she knew he'd try and get petty revenge in some shape or form.
Chuck smiled slightly. "Define stupid, S."
--
Chuck and Serena had already hit the bar when Blair and Nate entered the ball. Blair fixed Nate's hair as they walked in because they couldn't keep away from each other on the way. Festivities had already begun and Eleanor, who was chairing the event, shot Blair a look of complete disapproval. Blair held her gaze, but it softened once she saw her daughter with Nate. Eleanor promptly excused herself from whoever she was conversing with and approached her daughter.
"Darling," she kissed her daughter's cheeks, "you were going to inform me when exactly?"
"Well it was quick mom." She said bashfully. Nate stiffened. He was sure that Eleanor wouldn't approve, considering his ass of a father.
"All I can say is that it's about time, Nathaniel." She smiled at him warmly. Nate was nothing short of shocked. "You'll both have to excuse me." She said as she approached Lily van der Woodsen.
"She didn't say anything to me, about the Captain." Nate said, forever stating the obvious. They began to dance and as Nate twirled her around and pulled her back into him, she said "It's not about the Captain. It's about you and me."
Chuck looked on at Nate and Blair as Serena drank her martini.
"You don't have to be here. I know they're your best friends so go over there." He told her, grateful for her sisterly stance on the whole situation.
"Chuck, do you really think I'm going to get in between those two again?" She deadpanned. "Come on, they're together. They and I is just…awkward. There's no need for another train wreck." She slurred. Chuck gave her an appreciative look.
"Well I'm afraid I must leave you for a while to execute something." He told her, reverting back to broody mode. Serena rolled her eyes and set down her dink and as Chuck stood up from the stool, she grabbed his arm.
"Chuck. Look, I know you were in love with her. She was your first love, I get it. But you two don't belong together. Nate and Blair's relationship has been questionable because they've made mistakes, but their love for each other is unquestionable. Blair's not the girl for you." She told him with conviction.
If Blair wasn't the one for him, who was?
"Well until I find that girl." Chuck drawled and left.
Nate and Blair's ridiculously huge smiles sickened him. When his father passed away, his world was ripped to shreds. He couldn't comprehend it. Now Lily was almost certainly going to run off with Humphrey from what Serena told him and Nate and Blair were together. He was sure this was as bad is it got, so what had he to lose?
"Can I cut in?" He smirked. Nate turned around, at first angry. But then sympathy for an old friend took over.
"We're trying to dance, sexual predator." Blair snapped, unforgiving.
"Chuck you should go." Nate urged him.
"If I recollect properly then you weren't complaining a few weeks ago, Waldorf. And besides Nate, she's all yours now. I just want to talk."
Nate's temper flared up but Blair held him back. Nothing was going to ruin this night. Experience taught that Chuck doesn't go away until he gets what he wants. In that, he was like Blair. Consistency is key.
"Its okay, sweetie we'll just feed the beast." She remarked. Chuck took Blairs hand and Nate looked at them for a while. "Nate, go." She told him. He stormed off to Serena.
"Chuck, I'm sorry for your dad. I know you've had a terrible time. But this isn't exactly helping." She scolded him.
"That's actually what I'm here for, I want to help Nate." He offered smoothly. Blair raised an eyebrow in complete confusion.
"Leave then." She smiled sweetly as if to say "Fuck off and die."
"We both know he's…not in a stable financial position-
"Doesn't matter." Blair dismissed him.
"Let me speak Blair. We both know my fathers money could set him and his family up again. Make his life better. Give his bank account a boost." He elaborated.
"Only you could literally attempt to buy friends Chuck." She smirked.
"In all seriousness Blair, Nate's still my best friend. As for you, well I only ask for the demise of your relationship in return." He said it as if it was the simplest instruction.
Blair laughed in the most sarcastic manner possible before slapping him and joining Serena.
--
The rest of the ball was a blurry haze to Nate. Chuck flirted shamelessly, Serena drunk excessively and Blair looked stunning. That's all he really wanted to remember, Blair.
Nate and Blair were having a post sex snuggle when Blair looked up at him with worry in her eyes. She loved him. She wanted to make his life better, not worse. She wanted things to be easier for him, not harder.
"How are things at home?" She asked. Nate fidgeted. Why would she bring up a subject like this?
"Okay I guess. My mom and I are just taking things day by day." He replied with no sign of optimism or pessimism. Blair frowned. In the Upper East Side, day by day wasn't good enough. She was Blair and she liked security, and she wasn't going to stand by and watch Nate lose whatever he had left.
"You know if you ever need anything I'm here for you. Always, whatever the price." She whispered, taking his hand and playing with it.
"I know." He admitted. "I'm always going to be there for you too."
Nate eventually dozed off and Blair looked at him for a while. She wanted to give Nate security, but she wanted to be with him more. Why did someone always have to get in the way? Blair wanted to slap Chuck again. She wasn't going to let it happen this time.
--
"I can't believe you tried to buy their breakup." Serena mused as they stumbled into Chuck's suite. "Okay maybe I can. Although I was expecting something more…creative from you Chuck."
"I was certain she'd give it up." Chuck responded.
"Its Nate and Blair." Serena informed him once again.
"I got her from him once I'll do it again." He insisted. Chuck flung his jacket on the floor.
Serena wondered to herself, why was she here, with him? She didn't reply this time, he was too adamant to let this go. So instead, she decided to let him ramble on.
"It's late; I'll call you a car." He offered.
"Don't." Serena instructed. There was a moment's silence. "You know my mom will kill me if I show up in the state I'm in." She added hastily.
"What about Brooklyn boy?" He questioned.
"What about him?" She said simply. "He's with her."
Chuck sat beside her on the bed. "I don't understand. He has you. But he wants to spend time with her? Why don't you go over and remind him of what he's missing."
"I shouldn't have to remind him. I don't know…they're like soul mates or something. They connect on every level and I'm just the one he comes to for sex. I don't care anymore." She removed her heels.
"I'll take the couch." He sounded all of a sudden sober.
"Don't be stupid-
"I'll take the couch." He repeated.
--
"I still can't comprehend why the hell he thinks he can buy everyone." Blair snarled as she and Serena lounged in her bedroom, Breakfast at Tiffany's playing in the background. Serena watched Blair's expression harden.
"You and Nate are still okay, right?" Serena probed.
"Okay? Last night was…amazing before Chuck reared his head. S, did he say anything to you?" She asked in a calm manner.
"He wants to ruin you and Nate…again." She stated frankly.
"He's made that perfectly clear. Offering money. He's shameless." She said in disgust.
"Blair, come on its not exactly been easy for him." Serena said calmly.
"Did you just defend him?" Blair asked her eyes wide.
"No one else is jumping to his defense." She remarked. "All you have to worry about is Nate. I'll take care of Chuck."
You better believe it. But that's coming up later.
"You're scaring me, S." She responded.
"Yeah and your neck is scaring me." She pointed to a love bite on Blair's neck. Blair put a hand over it immediately.
"I'm guessing that wasn't the work of Chuck." She giggled.
"He wishes." Blair laughed.
--
A/N: So will Blair reject or accept Chuck's paycheck? Find out next chapter (which will hopefully come a LOT quicker than this one did.) (: feedback is always appreciated.