A/N: Ok I logged in for the first time in months today and I saw this story. I know I need to finish it because I actually have never finished a story. I am sorry that I disappeared but after that last post I left university after an illness and opened my own business, so I have been working like crazy at that. Ok the thing you need to know about me is I am a diehard Chuck/Blair so they will be getting together eventually. Please remember that. Ok before I make this admission you are not allowed to lynch me. Right here goes I hadn't time to watch Gossip Girl while I was at university so I have not seen it since November. I do plan on catching up on Gossip Girl but I do not know when. Ok so as I recover from the things that are being thrown at me.
QueenBeen10 Thank you. SisiCB Chuck and Blair aren't together yet. I don't want to rush into getting them together. Ellen I am sorry you feel like you can't continue to read this. I might try a Chuck POV post. Would that help you? Hotlittlestarlet Thank you. Letmein1812 I have missed your reviews. I thought about Blair lying to Chuck about being Tabitha's father but that would just be too easy. I think Tabitha and Chuck have a better relationship being friends than being father and daughter. I kind of like the dynamic between them being friends. I imagined Chuck hating children until he had one, even though Tabitha isn't his he kind of treats her like he is. I want people to like Mila, she is not a bad person, she did nothing wrong. I want Chuck to be nice because I am a closeted romantic. I like bad boys that turn good. Thanks so much for your review. Sandra thanks. 24hrscout they will, don't they always? Threewordseightletters I can't promise within the next two chapters. Would next twenty two work for you? Ziah thanks. Rajamoon thank you. Tiff thanks. Desperate Delia I better finish so you don't die. Your name is catchy.
Ok I will try and post once a month now. Does that sound fair?
Chapter 10: Gin and gulit
"Stupid bloody computer", Blair sighed for the fifth time in half an hour. It was a quarter past ten and she was getting tired and cranky. She had a proposal to finish before the morning and she wasn't even half way through it. She hit the keyboard and then laid her head over her arm on the desk.
"I didn't think working here was that bad?"
Blair lifted her head and smiled, "right now it is. I thought I was the only one still working at this time."
"No, I never sleep," Josh smiled, "I brought you a fresh coffee and a muffin."
Blair got up and walked over to him, "you are incredible, thank you." She took the coffee and wrapped her hands around it. She held it close to her face letting the steam waft around her face. She took a big sip of it and set it down reaching for the muffin. "This isn't really good for me but I am going to eat it anyway."
Josh laughed, "a little bit of something bad is good for the soul. What are you working on?"
"I am working on a corporate event for the hotel. I am putting together some information packs for the guests. My eyes are getting tired now though."
"Come and take a break then. The lobby is so quite at this time of night I always feel like a kid who is supposed to be in bed but is sneaking around the house."
Blair laughed as she unfolded herself from the chair and stood up. She took one bite of her muffin and then wiped her hands on her trousers. She debated putting her shoes on but the decided they would make too much noise. Josh held the door open for Blair to exit. It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the bright light. They walked through the lobby, side by side.
"Where is Tabitha?"
"Oh, Chuck has her. I wanted to get this finished tonight so he said he would keep her over night. It's quite strange being away from her. I'm not used to it."
"I am sure Mr Bass will be looking after her quite well," Josh smiled. "It is quite strange to see him with a kid. I always assumed he ate kids for breakfast."
"That is not a good thing to tell me while he is looking after my daughter," Blair laughed, "he is not as scary as he seems"
"Oh I didn't mean it like that. I am sure she will be fine with him….. I just meant….that…well."
Blair laughed, "it's ok. She brings out the soft side of him, but don't tell her I said that."
Blair and Josh wondered over to the door of the hotel. She stood looking out at the city. Josh put his hand gently on Blair's back and lead her outside, "some fresh air will wake us up and it might give you some inspiration."
Blair felt the cool air of the New York night hit her face. She closed her eyes and let the wind caress her face. She couldn't deny that she had missed this. No other city in the world has the magic of New York. Paris certainly had some of the same appeal but it wasn't New York. She opened her eyes and they watched the cars go by, and the lights dance.
"I love the city. It has something magical about it," Blair smiled, "hopefully it will help me finish this report."
"Well if the magic doesn't work I may have some tricks up my sleeve."
"Oh and what would that be?"
"Alcohol. I know where the good stuff is kept."
"Now I regretting letting you help me. I tried writing a history paper drunk once. I got a C-"
Josh feigned a shocked look on his face, "a C-, that is the most distressing news I have ever heard. I don't know if I can work with you anymore."
Blair rolled her eyes, "yes I heard you were meant to be intelligent. Some people will lie about everything."
"Your words…..they cut me."
Blair laughed. She realised Josh was the first adult she had met in a long time who had made her laugh. She also realised Josh was possible the first friend she had made in years and she liked it. It was nice to have a friend again. Yes she had Chuck but part of her will always think that Chuck was only doing all this to right the wrong he committed all those years ago. So many times she had thought that Chuck didn't have a soul, but they way he treated Tabitha showed he clearly did. Blair wondered if Josh would get on with Tabitha the way Chuck did. Blair chastised herself. She could not compare Josh and Chuck. They were two different people. Josh was a colleague, Chuck was her friend. Full stop. Nothing more.
"I would offer you an apology, but we both know I wouldn't mean it."
Josh laughed, "well at least you are honest. I think it is about time you stop corrupting me and we get back to work. You know some of us need our beauty sleep."
Blair looked at his face with a frown for a minute before saying, "I don't think even a coma would help you."
"Ouch", Josh chuckled, "that was harsh. Very harsh."
"I used to be a major bitch in high school. It must be your childish nature bringing it out in me again."
"Well I will try and act like more of a grown up, if try and lean towards being nicer."
Blair thought about it as she turned to enter the hotel, "I am not going to make any promises. Maybe I will tone the insults down to five a day."
"Wow I am privileged."
"Yes you are. I think I might even be able to say I can tolerate you by Friday."
Josh laughed as he followed her into the hotel. "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she had to walk into mine."
Blair lifted her head up from the papers, "did you just quote Casablanca to me?"
"Yes it is my favourite movie. I drunk gin for six months because of that movie. And I hate the taste of gin."
"I only saw Casablanca for the first time six months ago. Tabitha loves it. She insists on watching it at least once a week."
"How can anybody not love Casablanca? I think it should be a law that everyone has to watch it by the time they are eighteen."
Blair smiled as she walked into her office, "I totally agree. Anyway this is not getting my work finished. Maybe if I get finished at a reasonable time I will let you photocopy they report for everyone."
"Oh Miss Warldorf, you are just too kind." Josh gushed theatrically as he followed her into the office.
Chuck had arranged for one of his staff to sit with Tabitha while he went to find Blair. It was half eleven and he wanted to make sure she wasn't over working. He crossed the lobby and saw Blair's office light on. He walked towards it. He stopped when he saw her sitting on the sofa beside Josh. Blair laughed and laid a hand on Josh's arm. He smiled tightly before his phone rang. He walked away from the window before answering the phone.
"Hey…I miss you too…No I am still in work….Tuesday? Really….. I can't wait to see you either." He finished the phone call and tried to remind himself that Mila was exactly what he needed. As he entered he kissed Tabitha on the head before settling down on the sofa. He closed his eyes and let himself imagine it was his arm Blair was touching, not Josh's.
