I was planning on this being the last chapter, but I still have a bit to write in this story. Enjoy and keep on reviewing!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, not the show, not the books, not the songs

Rating: T, mostly for language

Bizarre Love Triangle

Chapter 14: when you're gone, will they say your name?

Chuck hadn't been in school for the entire first week. Nate wished he thought this was a good thing, but he knew it could only mean that the storm was brewing. He looked at Blair as she sat in the courtyard in front of their schools, prim and poised, not a hair out of place underneath that characteristic scarlet headband. Things had been going very smoothly for them since returning from the Hamptons. It was almost as if the events from the whole last year had never happened at all. They just stepped back into their roles at the teen king and queen of the Upper East Side seamlessly, and no one even batted a perfectly-curled, false eyelash.

"Hey," he set his books down next to her and climbed over the bench, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Hey yourself. What are we doing tonight?" she batted her eyes at him seductively.

"Uh…I dunno, dinner at Nobu and then my place after?"

"I'll have Dorota make us a reservation. Is seven okay with you?"

"Perfect." He smiled as she took his hand into hers. She could feel everyone's eyes on the two of them sitting there. Nate was right. They were perfect, and she relished the fact that she was able to hold her head up high once again. She was the almighty Queen B, and this was her year to shine.

"Blair." She looked up at him, startled out of her daydream.

"Yes, sweetie?"

"I gotta head to lacrosse practice…"

"Oh, okay. Call me after, and don't forget or you can just forget about dinner and especially dessert..." She reached up and grabbed his tie, pulling him down to meet her lips.

"Love you," Nate said, the twinkle evident in his eyes. He would never admit it to her, but he found her aggression and bossiness incredibly sexy. Well, she probably already knew. Blair had a talent for knowing just what he was thinking.

"Love you, too." She watched as he passed a group of freshmen who were obviously still in awe of the fact that they were now in the upper school. Or at least they were in awe of the fact that they were exposed to cute older guys. As the whole group giggled at how hot Nate was, and then were silenced as Blair shot them a look, she grinned widely. It was so good to be Queen.

Queen? More like dictator…

She rested her head on her chin and pictured herself in full on Victorian garb, wig and corset and all, presiding over a whole court of people. There was Nate sitting beside her, looking fabulous as her king. Serena, Kati, Isabel and even little Jenny Humphrey were her ladies in waiting. Dan plucked away on a guitar as the minstrel. Dorota of course was still doing what Dorota usually did. And of course, who could forget the court jester…Chuck.

She enjoyed the fact that she and Nate looked so perfect, but she was very curious as to the whereabouts of Chuck. She hadn't seen or heard from him at all, and although it irritated her to no end, she actually cared.

A shadow crossed over her AP Psychology book. Her eyes flashed upward, it better not be a freshman because she was in no mood…

"Oh even better," she stated, sarcasm dripping from her voice, "Daniel." She motioned for him to sit.

"Blair. How kind of you to let me sit in your presence."

"I'm glad you still possess that sharp Humphrey wit. I'm sure it's attracting all the ladies," he made a face at her which she returned.

"What are you reading?"

"Axis II: Personality disorders."

Dan chuckled as Blair shot him a warning look. "Oh, you're not being ironic. Okay, well how was the rest of the Hamptons experience?"

"Oh you know, the same as always. You should have stuck around."

"Really? Why, were you planning on poisoning me?"

"Can't you just take a compliment? I rarely give them out, especially not to Brooklyn inhabitants, so they should be very valuable to you."

"Fine, thanks. And thanks for your help with your mom by the way."

"Well, Jayne deserved to be fired, that slut. She's lucky she didn't get worse for all that stuff on Gossip Girl."

"Yeah, plus Jenny's gotten her internship extended for the whole year."

"So I guess I'll be seeing more of her around then, is what you're trying to say."

"Yep, much to your chagrin, I'm sure."

"She was a worthy appointment, maybe if she sticks around, she'll learn a thing or two from me."

"I hope not." Dan shuffled in place.

"Look as flattered as I am that you decided to grace me with your presence to thank and insult me, I have a sneaking suspicion that you're here to get the scoop on something, or rather someone."

"Well, I just heard…"

"Come on, out with it. My time is precious."

"Yeah, because you're really doing so much right now. I heard Serena is hanging out with some new guy…"

A black limousine pulled up in front of the Constance-St Jude's courtyard. The door opened to reveal a very tanned Chuck Bass, stepping out of the car, signature scarf wrapped around his neck. He spotted Blair, and headed right towards her.

"Oh my god. Quick, Dan pretend you're talking to me."

"I am talking to you."

"We'll pretend to be more interesting, and I'll pretend to care."

Chuck stopped at their table. "Waldorf, a word."

"Can't you see I'm speaking to Dan, Chuck?"

"Yes, well I can see it, and I'm not really sure why."

"Because unlike you Chuck, Dan hasn't seemingly disappeared off the face of the Earth, and I haven't forgotten about him. Now, if you would just leave us alone, we were about to talk about something very important."

"Fine, we need to talk. Tonight seven sharp. Palace Bar."

"I have a date."

"He can wait." Chuck retreated to his limousine, knowing that everyone's eyes were on him. He was after all, Chuck Bass, and he was back with a vengeance.

Do my eyes deceive me or is the scarfed one back and tanner than ever? Spotted: Queen B and lonely boy denying C's effort to make himself heard in the Constance courtyard. My, my how a year can change things. We hear C's back for good, and he's got a bone to pick with a certain UES pretty boy, and I'm not so sure N is apart of the welcome home wagon.

"So, are you going to meet him?" Serena yelled into her phone. She dodged the pedestrians as she made her way down Madison.

"Of course not, I'm done with Chuck Bass. Where are you anyway, it sounds like you're in a wind tunnel." Serena rolled her eyes.

"I'm on my way to meet Cary"

"Ooh, la la. Has the boy from Collegiate stolen your heart?"

"Eh, I thought summer flings were supposed to be just that, SUMMER flings."

"They are, but leave it to you to find a guy who not only lives a block away, but whose mom knows yours."

"I know. Hopefully they aren't going over the china settings at our wedding already."

"I can see it now. Serena Celia van der Woodsen Steele. At least he's worthy as being husband number one."

"Thanks. Why did Gossip Girl report that you were with Dan anyway?"

"Oh, he was asking me about you. We didn't get to talk about you though because of someone Chucking it up."

"You're getting very good at these puns."

"I know. Anyway, he wanted to know if the rumors about you and the new guy were true."

"Did he seem angry about it? Sad?"

"I dunno, we didn't get to that part. I'll do some research, and I'll get back to you." Blair's phone beeped, "Oh, that's Nate, gotta go."

Serena hung up and hoped to God that Blair was not going to go meet Chuck because she had a sneaking suspicion that Blair would not be able to stay away for long. And where there was Chuck and Blair, there was Serena picking up the pieces. Oh well, new school year, new drama. Chuck it and let's see what happens.