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Episode 18: Much I Do About Nothing (Extended Scene)

Chuck walked down the busy uptown street whistling to himself. This was the life. Perfectly dressed in a pink polo and plaid Armani pants, he was satisfied and in charge. It must have been momentary insanity that had him spouting words of love like some fool with his nose buried in Shakespeare's ass. He was unattached and living free, the world could move back to it's axis.

There was still the problem of Blair, and the problem of dealing with his friends once he dealt with the problem of Blair and they took her side. Plus the problem that she was probably half-way to Tuscany by now and he had no desire to go there anymore.

Chuck didn't let any of those details bother him. His friends would forgive him no matter what he did. The incident with Serena proved that. They would be furious but once they had a bit of time they would get over it. They knew how he was anyway so they shouldn't be too surprised. Before it got him down too much they would be together again. And together they were unstoppable.

So he walked. He didn't even feel like being cooped up in the limo when he felt this good. The sun shone down but he wasn't overly warm, just perfect. Until a couple of friends came out of the shop right in front of him laughing and smiling in a way that almost topped his mood. He turned around and quickly started walking the other way but Serena's cheery voice stopped him. Damn, caught. He took a big breath and widened his smile.

"Serena, Nathaniel!"

"Chuck!" She actually sounded pleased. "What are you doing here? Blair left this morning. I thought you two would be in Tuscany by now." So she didn't know yet. Good.

"We would be, but I had some business. She's well taken care of," he lied smoothly and almost felt bad about it. Which was ridiculous.

"Well good." Serena bounced in her patent leather boots, making three inch heels look comfortable. "She seems really happy Chuck. I hate to say it but I think you really have changed."

"Thanks Serena, you don't have a monopoly on reformation you know." Chuck wondered why he kept talking, digging himself a bigger hole.

"Oh, there's the car," Serena said. "See you soon!" She said to Nate and then, with a half-wave at Chuck, she floated away.

"Well she's extra chipper today," Chuck said. "What was in that coffee?" Nate just laughed. It was nice, he hadn't been this relaxed around Chuck since before Monaco.

"You don't seem to be doing to bad yourself, Chuck. A relationship seems to be doing you good."

"Says the man that ended his." Their banter felt familiar, comfortable. All they needed was some good weed and it would be like the last six months had never happened.

"Yeah well I told you, there's just too much going on in my life right now. I can't worry about being there for someone else."

"You looked pretty there for Serena just now." Chuck said. Nate flushed in that adorable way he had. It made him look like a twelve year old being kissed for the first time. Or in Chuck's case, a six year old.

"Well that's different. She needs to be alone and digest things, just like me. So we've been doing it together."

"Why Nathaniel, that's even more confusing than usual."

"When isn't it with Serena?" He didn't give Chuck any time to answer. "Look I've gotta go meet my mom at the airport. You gonna be around later?" Chuck nodded and wondered just how this would play out. "Okay, I'll stop by the hotel tonight. We can hang, talk."

"It's been a while." Chuck said, resting a hand on Nate's shoulder. Nate's eyes darted up and he looked like he was going to run for a second.

"It…it has indeed. See you later Chuck," Nate said and practically ran away. Well, well, well, Chuck thought. Looks like Nathaniel hasn't forgotten out little vacation. He continued walking but now his mind was wandering over more devious plans. He was going to go down for the whole Blair thing anyway. Why not make it worthwhile? Why not make it monumental?