They were all seated at the table when Chuck arrived.

Eleanor seemed to tower over the other two in her elegant black dress, eyes narrowed on him as he approached. Harold, meanwhile, avoided looking at him at all. His creased eyes were focused on the pure white table cloth.

And she – she sat in the middle of them. Chuck didn't know what he'd been expecting. Maybe part of him was a little jolted she'd even turned up. Her appearance was flawless as ever – had he really thought it wouldn't be? Perhaps he'd been expecting her to ignore him. That perfect pale face to be even blanker than usual. Or her scowls and that look of disgust, intensified by a hundred.

What he hadn't expected was for her to smile at him. And not just a smile for the sake of her parents, either; she looked him straight in the eye, mouth curling.

Slowly, he took the seat opposite her. What was she up to?

"Charles. I'm so pleased you could join us." Eleanor sounded anything but.

Chuck didn't bother responding. Blair's head was lowered demurely, eyes scanning the menu in front of her. His gaze tracked the white curve of her throat; as though sensing his attention, she suddenly glanced up and smiled again. Her eyes glittered in the candle light.

"I must admit," Eleanor was saying, "Your proposal came as something of a shock to us."

"That's me," Chuck drawled. "Full of surprises." He was still watching Blair.

"So." Eleanor cleared her throat, spreading her hands on the table. It seemed she wasn't even going to wait for the entrees. "Tell us about yourself, Charles."

Blair enjoyed how grating each Charles was, and the look of distaste now on his face. She noted that even though he'd slicked his hair back, his eyes were faintly bruised like he hadn't been sleeping. She bet if she was close enough, she'd catch the scent of scotch.

"What do you want to know?"

Eleanor didn't like how bored he sounded. Her lips pinched a little. "I haven't seen you since you were a boy. How's your father?"

Of course. Blair sighed inwardly. It all fell into place now – Eleanor was after Bass Industries. Bart Bass, at least, was respectable. And well-known for being one of Manhattan's wealthiest. Eleanor was in for a let-down if she thought marriage to Chuck would get her any closer to that legacy.

Sure enough, Chuck didn't even glance up. "I wouldn't know."

"You wouldn't...know?" The woman's tone was sharp now. "And why is that?"

Chuck just arched an eyebrow. "Bart likes to pretend he doesn't have a son." His mouth quirked nastily. "And I'm more than happy to oblige."

Eleanor had frozen; Blair managed to repress a snort. Her poor mother.

"I see."

The meal really couldn't have gone any worse. Chuck made no attempt to be nice, while Eleanor got more and more wound up and Harold seemed to have convinced himself he wasn't there at all.

Blair, meanwhile, watched the whole exchange in silence. Her expression was impossible to read, Chuck realised. A deceptive calm. Her eyes rarely left him at all, hands folded neatly in her lap like a good little girl.

Eleanor got to her feet before the dessert menu had even been brought out.

"Excuse me." She shook off her husband's touch with a filthy look in his direction. No, this couldn't be salvaged. Chuck Bass was irredeemable. Her daughter's reputation would now be ruined, and they had no chance of securing more funds. The young man in front of her was a criminal - pure and simple. She hoped Harold was happy. "I'm not feeling too well. I think I'll catch a taxi home." Her husband hastily went to get to his feet too; "Sit down, Harold. You should all have some dessert." She was going back to France first thing tomorrow - she certainly didn't want to be in Manhattan for this appalling sham of a wedding.

She didn't even bother saying goodbye to Chuck as she swept out.

If Chuck had been thinking rationally, he would actually have cared that he'd messed things up with the matriarch. Really, he should have capitalised on the Bart connection to set up a meeting between him and Eleanor. What better to convince his father he was serious? That Eleanor Waldorf herself was taking him seriously?

But then she met his gaze again, and all Chuck could do was wonder what the hell she was playing at.

Harold cleared his throat. Uncomfortable as it had been with Eleanor there, he didn't really want to be left alone with Chuck and his daughter. Especially since Eleanor had been the one doing most of the talking. "You know, we don't really need to get-"

"I think I'll have the eclairs." Blair smiled sanguinely over at Chuck. "What do you think?"

Chuck studied her in silence. "I thought you didn't like them any more."

Her eyes shone. "On the contrary. I want something...sweet."

Harold shifted in his seat. "Good idea. Let's all have the eclairs." He may as well not even have been there; he signalled quickly to a waiter anyway. He wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.

Chuck's eyes narrowed on Blair as she picked up her cutlery. Gone were the stiff, tiny bites. She lifted the fork to her mouth, tongue darting out to catch the cream first as she slid it between her lips. There was no mistaking it - it was seductive. And then her eyes met his. Her lips were pursed so deliberately as she tilted her head.

"Lost you appetite?" she enquired softly.

Was she seriously doing this in front of her father? And Harold was completely oblivious as he tucked into his own dessert. Hell, he still couldn't even look at either of them.

Chuck ignored the plate in front of him and continued to regard Blair. He really needed a drink right now. She was playing with him – that much was obvious. Had Harold told her about the game? But the man couldn't quite meet his daughter's gaze; he couldn't have done.

There was no doubt that she had some inkling of what Chuck had been up to. Why he'd pursued her. But, more importantly – what was she up to? She was either scheming or she'd snapped. Chuck was far more inclined to go with the former.

"So." Blair set her fork down, leaning closer over the table as she smiled again. "I think that we should talk business. Don't you?"

Harold twitched a little. "Ah - business? Blair bear, maybe we should-"

"When do you want to set a date?" She addressed the question at Chuck and Chuck alone. So she was being serious then?

"As soon as possible," he murmured slowly, waiting to see how she reacted.

She smirked. "I couldn't agree more." Harold opened his mouth to protest, but Blair didn't seem to notice. "How about next month?"

Her father nearly choked on a mouthful of chocolate. "Blair - I - a month's engagement? That's hardly...er, proper." Why on earth had Eleanor left?

Blair's eyes were on Chuck, challenging him to respond.

He kept his face quite calm. "Are you sure a month is long enough to plan?"

She gave a little laugh. "All right, then. When do you propose?"

"Well," Harold attempted. "Isn't the usual length of an engagement one year? When your mother and I-"

Blair's eyes suddenly lit up. "How about Valentine's Day? That's nearly three months from now. Plenty of time to prepare."

Valentine's Day.

The most romantic day of the year.

There was a savage light in her eyes as she regarded him.

Fabiano would be back in town come February, some part of Chuck's brain reminded him. He'd need the money by then. If he was married to Blair by then, Bart would have to see that he was serious.

"Perfect."

His voice sounded oddly distant.

"Good." She took a sip of her water, and he watched her lowered lashes as she drank. "Now," she smiled as her eyes sought his once more. "We need to discuss announcements and an engagment party."

It turned out Chuck needn't have worried about Eleanor Waldorf's involvement. Not when the girl in front of him was planning everything he wanted herself. She'd even set up a meeting with Bart - she wanted to be introduced properly as his fiancee. It couldn't have worked out more perfectly, really.

She stood up now, smiling as Harold helped her into her coat.

It wasn't till they were waiting in the foyer - just her and Chuck - and Harold was paying the bill. Then her expression met his, and he saw it. The cold light in her eyes.

"I hope you know what you're getting yourself in for, Bass." Her tone was light, her smile pure ice.

His gaze roved her face. "I think I can handle it." He kept his own voice expressionless as they stared at each other. He refused to even flinch.

Her mouth curled. "For your sake," she leaned closer, almost intimate - except her eyes were suddenly hard, her smile immobile - "I hope you can."

Her dark hair was midnight in the dim light of the foyer, and her skin pure white as those eyes gleamed up at him, liquid brown.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Tomorrow they made their public debut at the ballet.

"I look forward to it."

Her smile was still cold as she turned away and let Harold help her into a waiting taxi; and Chuck watched till she'd disappeared.

"B!"

The blonde rushed through the clusters of well-dressed people, ignoring the faintly disaproving looks as she jumped on her best friend, hugging her tight.

"You came."

Serena laughed, spinning her round. "And you look gorgeous!"

Blair wore a floor length dress in deep red, diamonds at her ears and neck with her curled hair pinned up. She was a stark contrast to glowing Serena's floaty blue dress; the blonde grinned as she linked their arms together.

"So, what's this news you had to tell me?"

Blair paused. Then, silently, she presented her hand to her best friend. A single diamond sparkled on her finger - Serena's eyes widened.

"Oh my God."

She seized the brunette's fingers, examining the flawless stone from every angle.

"It's beautiful!"

Chuck had presented it to her before they'd got here. She'd smiled at him as he'd slipped it on her finger; and her smile had been as sharp and perfect as the diamond itself.

Before Serena had a chance to ask her who the lucky groom was, though, Nate appeared.

Parents in tow.

Anne looked anything but pleased to see Serena, and she was distinctly frosty to Blair. She still had no idea why Eleanor had rescinded on their agreement all of a sudden. Her brow only creased further as her son's arm slipped to the small of Serena's back, and the blonde beamed up at him.

"I take it Lily won't be joining us?" she asked thinly.

It was a well-known fact that Lily had rarely ventured out from 'recuperation' - or whatever they were calling it now - since the unfortunate incident with her son.

Serena's blue eyes clouded for a moment. "No." Blair saw Nate's grip tighten, briefly; Serena managed a small smile just for him.

Anne positively winced as she saw the same thing, and she focused on Blair instead.

"And Eleanor?"

Blair's tone was crisp. "She's going back to France."

Another wrinkle in Anne's brow. "I see," she sighed.

"There you are."

Blair felt them all freeze as they saw who had just sauntered up. Serena actually did a double take. Chuck Bass, here? In a tuxedo? And the blonde's eyes looked about ready to pop out as his arm slid around Blair's waist.

"Shall we?"

"I'm sorry." Blair cleared her throat. "Let me introduce my fiance. Chuck Bass."

They were all too astonished to even respond properly; she could sense all of them, still gaping, as she moved in Chuck's hold and left with him in the direction of his box.

He could feel the heat of her bare arm next to his as she watched the dancing figures below. Her eyes stayed fixed on them, even though he knew she was just as aware of several heads in the audience straining to peer into their box. Still she sat perfectly errect, studying the elaborate stage like those people didn't even exist. Like there weren't muted whispers under the rousing strains of classical music. Like Harold, on her other side, wasn't shifting uncomfortably in his bowtie.

Chuck shared the man's sentiment - he didn't want him there either. Frankly, he didn't want to be anywhere near Harold Waldorf ever again. But apparently it wouldn't have been proper for their first entrance into society.

The music crescendoed; Chuck wasn't even pretending to watch the emaciated figures pirrouhette beneath him. Not when the line of a white throat kept catching the corner of his eye. A flash of diamonds, the sweep of her lashes in side profile - she ignored him.

It irritated him that she was so distracting. But he supposed it was the first time she'd ever had so much skin on show. If he tilted his head back, his eyes rested on the nape of her neck. He remembered the feel of it under his hand, not that long ago; caught in his grip, the soft curl of her hair. (Should have just taken her then and put a stop to all this absurdity).

"Is there a problem?"

Her voice was low but perfectly audible. Still her gaze never left the stage.

He watched her for a moment, and then rolled his eyes. "Other than your appalling tatse?" He scoffed. "I can't stand Tchaikovsky."

"He's one the of the great romantics," she murmured back. "I thought it would be...appropriate."

She felt his pause. "Appropriate." And then he was suddenly leaning into her so that their shoulders brushed and his breath caressed her neck. "You like stories about strange men taking sweet little girls in their nightgowns to 'magical' lands with life-sized rats?" There was a gap in the music, and he swore he heard her breath hitch, just for a second. "I'd say whoever wrote this was verging on paedophilic."

He couldn't see in the darkness, but he was sure there was a flush creeping along that pale skin. "You're disgusting." He laughed, quietly, and she stiffened next to him.

"You picked the ballet, Waldorf."

"Well." Still she didn't turn her head in the slightest. "At least Clara gets to wake up in the end." She sensed him frown, but kept watching the stage. "Once we're married, Bass...that's a luxury you won't have."

Her face broke into a smile as the first act ended, jumping to her feet and away from him to applaud vigorously.

Nate had never been one for controlling his emotions, so he made no attempt to hide his frown as he and Serena approached Blair and...Chuck in the intermission. He didn't know what it was. But he was sure there was something so wrong about Chuck Bass' arm around Blair's waist. Chuck Bass here at all was wrong - at a ballet? Had he recognised the uneasy feeling, he would have realised it was the sense that the other man was somehow invading his territory.

"Hey." Serena bit her lip as she smiled, wondering how to make this less awkward. "So...congratulations!"

Blair smiled drolly back. "Thank you."

There was a pause; Serena gave Nate a pointed nudge.

"Right," he managed. "Yeah." He couldn't quite bring himself to congratulate the cold face of the man before him. He still felt like Chuck was laughing at him, and he didn't know why.

"Chuck." Serena managed to restrain the urge to start demanding answers from her best friend, and focused on him instead. "It's been a while," she smiled. "How have you been?"

"Actually," he reflected, "It hasn't been that long." His voice was dry - he'd seen her a few weeks ago in Gimlet, after all.

Serena smiled again, confused; Nate was still frowning in equal confusion. Only Blair knew exactly what he was talking about. He felt rather than saw her glare.

The blonde cleared her throat. "But this is a susprise." She glanced between the two of them with another nervous smile.

"Yeah," Nate put in, rudely. He was still staring at Chuck. "We didn't even know you and Blair were speaking."

"Oh, we've been doing a lot more than speaking."

Blair opened her mouth in outrage; but for once, Chuck didn't seem to notice. His focus was on Nate. And there was a cold glint in his eye as he regarded the other man.

Nate drew himself upright. "I don't think that's appropriate, Mr. Bass. I think you should apologise to Blair."

Blair repressed an eye roll - she understood Nate's intentions; but really. Serena, meanwhile, gave him a look to tell him to cool it.

"I'm sure Chuck was just-"

"Blair." She felt his grip suddenly tighten around her waist, though his eyes were still on Nate. She wondered what on earth was getting to him so much - she must have underestimated how much the two of them disliked each other. "Have I offended you?" His tone was quite calm, but his lip curled.

She gave a little sigh. "No more than usual. Darling."

Chuck tilted his head. "How about you stop talking on my fiancee's behalf, Archibald?"

It was the way he said fiancee that got to Nate so much. The way he was holding Blair; and the way, he was sure, he'd just insulted Serena. It was that dangerous look in his eye that Nate didn't want anywhere near the two girls he cared most about.

"How about you-"

"Ok!" Serena quickly grabbed Nate's arm. "You know, I think your parents wanted us to find them in the interval. We should go."

Howard was leaning aginst the bar with Harold, clearly avoiding his wife, and Anne was choosing to ignore her son's embarassing plus one - but Serena shepherded Nate off in their direction anyway.

"Meet me in a few minutes?" She addressed it at Blair and Blair alone before dragging her fiance off.

Blair could hear Nate's protests and Serena's pleas for him to just drop it the whole way - the two of them never had been much good at subtlety.

Her eyes slid to Chuck; his expression was still hard, his arm still holding her. She smiled up at him for the sake of the onlookers and pretended to adjust his bowtie.

"What the hell was that?" she asked evenly. Her mouth was still smiling - her eyes were not.

"I could ask you the same thing." He sounded just as cold as he had a few seconds ago. "Why exactly does Archibald feel such a need to protect you?"

"Why?" Blair bit, sacrcastic. "Are you jealous?"

"I just think it's pathetic, is all." His lip was still curled. "Clearly the man only wants something if he can't have it."

She gave him a slightly odd look. What on earth was he talking about? The only thing Nate wanted - had ever wanted, really - was Serena.

Chuck scoffed at her expression. "Please. Don't pretend it doesn't make you happy whenever precious Nathaniel dives in to save you."

Blair's lips thinned dangerously. There were still people watching, so she kept her voice low. "You seriously think I need saving?"

"Obviously Archibald does. Or at least that if he tries you might remember why you were so madly in love with him to begin with."

The word love was like a slap across her face. "I know you must find this hard to understand," her teeth were gritted now under her perfect smile; "But Nate is in love with Serena - and, unlike you, that means something to him. Unlike you, Nate doesn't lose something if it's out of his sight for five minutes."

Chuck glowered at her. (Why did hearing her defend Nate get to him so much?) "You're telling me he's being this protective out of the kindness of his heart?" His brow arched in obvious disbelief.

Blair rolled her eyes in irritation. Out of a misguided sense of loyalty, yes. And not just because they'd nearly been engaged once upon a time. Blair didn't want Nate's attempts to defend her - or whatever it was that he'd been doing - but she did understand them. It was just Nate.

"You don't know him," was all she snapped. Because Chuck didn't. He might have a sharp sense of observation, but he hadn't grown up with Nate. He'd picked Carter instead.

In fact, Blair knew, it had taken breaking up with Nate before she worked him out. His efforts to protect her had never been born out desire or jealousy. They were because Nate was a good person. Something she could probably never comprehend.

"Well," Chuck sneered. "I intend to keep it that way."

He was anrgy, and what made him even angrier was the fact that he wasn't sure why. All he knew was that if Nate tried to cross his path again - if Nate tried to protect Blair from him, more specifically - then he was going to make golden boy's life hell.

(And maybe what was really pissing him off was the idea that Blair needed protecting from him - even though he himself had vowed the same thing).

Blair was more than capable of protecting herself.

Howard Archibald was watching Chuck and Blair from over his sparkling water. Most of the people in the room were doing the same - there wasn't much else to do. How funny, to think that his son had nearly married her.

He glanced over at Harold.

The other man was focused on his own drink; and he looked exhausted. Age was clearly getting to him. Something Howard took pride in about himself was that he always made sure to keep young. Perhaps he should invite Harold on his morning runs with him.

"I take it Eleanor won't be back for a while?"

"No," Mr. Waldorf sighed. If at all - what reason did she have to come back to Manhattan now? She had her company in France, and he was pretty sure she'd much rather forget the mess of her family across the ocean.

Howard shook his head. "Ah, to be young and in love." Blair was smiling up at Chuck now, tweaking his bowtie. In all honesty, he had no idea what he was actually talking about. He'd married Anne for the Van der Bilt money. He could just see Anne now, her occassional glances of despair at the dark couple and then at her son.

Howard wasn't too fussed about the whole Serena thing. Once upon a time, he might have wanted the Waldorf name for all their money - but the van der Woodsens would do just as well. And at least Nate seemed happy.

"Right," Harold agreed. He still wasn't even looking at his daughter. He had no idea what Howard was talking about either.

"Finally!"

Serena tugged Blair into the bathroom, rounding on the smaller girl now that the two of them were alone. Her blue eyes were wide.

"Tell me everything."

Blair sighed. "There's not much to tell."

Serena made a noise of exasperation. "Ok, well how about you start by telling me how you started seeing Chuck Bass? And kept it a secret from me, by the way?" Her hands were still on Blair's shoulders, refusing to let her go.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Blair admitted. "I didn't really tell anyone."

The blonde paused. "So it was a secret romance?"

Romance? Blair nearly laughed. But the expression on Serena's face was serious.

"I...guess so."

Serena had understanding written all over her. "I know Eleanor probably disaproves," she said, gently. "And i know the reputation Chuck has - who doesn't?" She squeezed Blair's hand. "But I trust you. You're good at working people out. And if you really loved him, B, you didn't have to hide it from me." She smiled sadly. "I'd be the last person to judge - you know that."

"I do," Blair agreed, voice a little stiff.

"You're my best friend. And I'm happy as long as you are." She studied her; and Blair wanted to shrink away from those blue eyes and all their love. "Are you happy?"

Blair swallowed.

How on earth could she tell the girl in front of her that this was all about revenge? That love didn't even come into it? Well, she reflected - she would be happy. Once Chuck Bass was destroyed.

She managed a smile.

"Yes. I am."

A/N - Thank all so so much for your reviews! I'm so pleased that so many people are enjoying this; I'm having great fun writing it :) Also, the ballet referenced is The Nutcracker. I go to see it every year, I'm actually a huge fan - it's just I felt it fit the story!