This was another prompt from dear Sabi on Twitter. She wanted a one shot about Blair and Monkey coming to terms with each other. I had fun writing this one. I also just want to say how much I appreciate all the new readers along with the faves and follows. And to my old and constant readers thanks as always. I know I have PMs and reviews to respond to and I plan on catching up on all that this weekend. Also in case you are wondering I am working on my next update to "Global Ecstasty". I promise it's coming. Enjoy! I own nothing.


"Charles Bartholomew Bass!" Chuck heard his wife shout as she entered the living room where he was sitting on the couch reading the morning paper. He lowered the Times taking in his very beautiful but very irate wife storming across the room and stopping in front of him. She was grasping a shoe tightly in her right hand.

"That mongrel has to go!" she pointed with the shoe at Monkey who was curled up next to Chuck with his head on his master's thigh looking extremely guilty.

Chuck laid the paper aside and rested a protective hand on top of Monkey's head giving him an affectionate stroke. "Blair, keep your voice down. He'll think you don't like him."

Blair's eyebrows shot up in exasperation. "I don't!" She held up her shoe again for his inspection. "He has completely destroyed my custom made Louboutins. This is the last straw. I've tried. If it's not the hair all over every surface of our home or the aroma of wet dog it's him using my things as personal chew toys or leaving messes in my closet. I can't take it anymore. It's him or me but one of us has to go."

Chuck gave his faithful companion another stroke before standing up and reaching out to Blair. He rested his hands on her upper arms giving them a gentle squeeze. "Blair, you don't mean that. There's going to be an adjustment period. He's feeling displaced. We were away for two months and then upon arriving back he was taken from his home at the Empire and brought here. He's not sure what is happening. Add to that the fact that I'm completely distracted by my gorgeous wife every day, all day and you can't really blame him." He slid his hands down her arms and wrapped them around her waist linking them behind her back.

"Well, it's good to know that the three hundred dollar an hour dog therapist hasn't been a complete waste of time and money. He's obviously given you plenty of excuses for that mutt's bad behavior."

He pulled her flush against himself and leaned in kissing her lips softly.

He was trying desperately to placate her. The past couple of months post honeymoon had been one of many compromises and concessions. First it was the move to the Waldorf penthouse while searching for a suitable home. Then it was juggling his in-laws, making time for each other between their crazy work schedules and finally Monkey having a none too simple transition to his new situation.

The first night the dog had jumped into bed with them Blair had literally screamed. She wouldn't even allow a dog bed in the room. He was regulated to downstairs only at night. Chuck had tried to get her to relent and at least allow him in Serena's old room which was now his closet. But Blair wasn't having it so she had made it very clear that there would be no sex within ear shot of Monkey so Chuck let the matter go. Needless to say they were at an impasse and neither side was giving in.

Chuck deepened the kiss hoping to distract her. Suddenly Monkey jumped off the couch and started barking. Chuck pulled back eyeing the dog. Monkey tilted his head and whimpered.

"I think he needs to be walked. Why don't we go together? We could stop by the duck pond." He looked at Blair hopefully.

Blair glared at Monkey who in returned seemed to glare back. She had a sneaking suspicion that the cur knew exactly what he was doing. She turned her gaze back to Chuck. "No, you go ahead. I need to place a call to Christian and see if there's any possibility of getting a new pair of heels made."

Chuck placed a kiss to her cheek before releasing his hold on her waist. "Why don't you order two pairs?"

"Oh I planned on it." She gave him an irritated look before leaving the room and heading upstairs.

Chuck looked down at Monkey. "You better start behaving or we may both be out on the street."

Monkey licked Chuck's hand and Chuck gave him a pet. "Come on, let's go." Chuck grabbed his leash from the hall table before taking the elevator downstairs.


A few weeks later Chuck hired the best dog trainer in Manhattan to come and help with some of Monkey's behavioral issues. He had high hopes since the trainer had excellent references. She had even trained Queen Elizabeth's beloved Corgis.

Of course day after day Monkey was on his best behavior. He came when he was called, he sat when he was told, and he stopped barking when reprimanded. The trainer after two weeks declared he was one of the best dogs she'd ever had the pleasure of working with.

Blair was at a loss. Clearly the dog had it out for her.

About a week later Blair came home early after a particularly horrendous day at the atelier. She stepped off the elevator looking forward to nothing more than a warm bath and peace and quiet. She tossed her bag onto the floor and kicked off her heels.

Suddenly she heard a high pitch scream followed by a fit of giggles. She crossed the marble hall and found Ana and Leo on the floor of the living room. Leo trying to climb onto Monkey's back as Ana, still laughing, was trying to reprimand her little brother. Monkey was playfully licking her face.

Blair was assaulted by an unexplainable amount of jealousy. Why was it that these two little children could gain the acceptance of the dog but she couldn't?

Dorota rushed in. "Oh, Miss Blair, I didn't know you come home early." She reached down picked up Leo and settled him onto her hip. "Do you want tea?"

Blair shook her head. Ana, who was usually very enamored with Blair, now only had eyes for Monkey. "No. I think I'm going to head upstairs and have a bath. I'm exhausted." She reached out brushing Leo's hair back. "He needs a haircut."

She turned and headed upstairs without another word.

Chuck found his wife a couple of hours later dressed in Agent Provocateur and lying across the foot of the bed looking delectable.

He tossed his suit jacket onto the chaise as he approached her loosening his tie as he walked.

"Is that what you're wearing to dinner?" He tossed the tie onto the bed next to her. He stared down at her as he unbuttoned the top buttons of his dress shirt. "If it is, you'll get no complaints from me."

Blair slowly raised herself up onto her knees. He took in the full sight of her and swallowed hard.

The baby doll nightdress she was wearing was black lace and completely sheer. There were thin silk straps holding it up and tiny silk bows tied down each side holding it together. His eyes looked her over taking in the fact that she was wearing absolutely nothing underneath.

Blair reached out wrapping her arms around his neck. Her fingers entangled in the hair at the back of his head. "I was thinking we should skip dinner. I'd rather stay in and have dessert." She kissed him.

He lowered her back onto the bed as he knelt next to her removing his dress shirt and tossing it onto the floor. "I like the way you think." He reached out and slowly ran his hand along the inside of her right leg, caressing her soft skin as he made his way up. "I should cancel our reservation." His hand was beneath the lace now and he gently ran a finger over her already damp core.

She responded breathily, "I already did."

"That's my girl." He picked up his discarded tie and took both her wrists pulling them up and over her head. He tied them together tightly before covering her body with his and kissing her passionately. He had every intention of enjoying this dessert thoroughly.

Two hours later they were curled up together in bed. Empty crystal bowls once containing chocolate mousse along with an equally empty bottle of champagne sat on the tray atop the bedside table.

Blair sighed contentedly as she laid her head against his now pajama clad chest. She toyed with the buttons as she bit down on her bottom lip. It tasted of chocolate, champagne and Chuck.

"Chuck," she continued to absentmindedly play with the buttons.

"Hmm," he was already starting to drift off to sleep.

"I've been thinking about the summer." They had rented a gorgeous house in East Hampton right on the beach and were planning on being out there as much as possible.

The arm he had wrapped around her tightened before his hand stroked up her back finding a curl that he began to twirl around his fingers. "What about it?"

She glanced up at him. His eyes were still closed. "I think with the commuting and all the visitors it might be a good idea to let Monkey move in with Nate for the time being."

His eyes immediately snapped open and he stared down at her. "What?"

She raised herself up a bit. "He'd be back at the Empire, which was his home, and Nate would be around way more than we will. You'll be commuting back and forth and I'll be all over the place. Wouldn't it be better for him to be in familiar surroundings with someone who's around a lot of the time?"

Chuck's fingers released her curl and his arm slid from her body. "I'm not deserting him, Blair."

"Nor am I saying you should. He'd be well cared for and Nate said he would be happy to take him. He actually misses his runs with Monkey in the morning. It would be good for everyone." She pushed herself up into a sitting position.

Chuck followed suit leaning against the headboard. "You mean it would be good for you."

Blair's mouth opened in mocked outrage. "I'm looking out for the dog. It's not good for him to be schlepped all over the place. He needs consistency. Even Dr. Dog Whisperer says that." This was her nickname for Monkey's therapist.

"He's coming with us. He travels well in the helicopter and he'll feel comfortable wherever we are." Chuck ran a hand through his hair. He whispered, "I'd miss him."

Blair rolled her eyes. "Seriously?"

Chuck looked at her searching her face and then it dawned on him. "Are you jealous of Monkey?"

Blair uncrossed her legs and shoved the covers back as she started to get out of bed. "Me? Jealous of a dog? Really, Chuck? Don't be ridiculous."

He reached out grabbing her arm to stop her from leaving the bed. He knew when she was lying. "Blair, yes I do love Monkey but it's you that I am in love with. You are my whole life and no one or nothing is more important than you. Do you understand that?" He raised his eyebrows as he stared into her beautiful, brown eyes.

She released the breath she was holding. "Then it's settled the dog stays with Nate."

"No it's not settled. I don't think you understand how much he's done for me." She started to protest when he held up his hand to stop her. "Let me finish. That whole miserable year when you were lost to me, he was right by my side. He was faithful and constant."

"And I wasn't." Tears were filling her eyes.

Chuck pulled her to sit back next to him. He wrapped an arm around her. "That's not what I'm saying. Look we had a lot of obstacles in our way and a lot of things we had to get through but never once during that entire time did I ever stop loving you. And yes, some days were completely unbearable like the day you told me you were pregnant. I thought I was going to die and Monkey curled up next to me, laid his head on my chest and suddenly I wasn't completely alone. He deserves a happy life in return. It's the least I can do."

Blair nodded silently and in that moment she knew that somehow, some way she was going to have to come to terms with Monkey. She loved Chuck too much not to. Plus knowing that the animal was a source of comfort to the man she gave her life to meant that the dog had to have a place in their lives.


The next morning she finished breakfast and headed upstairs to get ready. She found Monkey outside the bathroom door patiently waiting for Chuck to finish his shower. She glanced towards her closet looking for any obvious signs of damage before turning back to the dog.

Monkey sat up staring at her as she approached. Blair crouched down in front of him and looked him directly in the eyes. She reached out placing a hand on his head and gave him a tentative pat.

"Look, apparently we're stuck with each other so we need to find a way to coexist." The dog tilted his head and Blair felt as if he truly understood her. He was definitely way smarter than he looked. "We both love him and we both want him to be happy so from now on I promise to be a bit more kind and hopefully you'll stop using my shoes for chew toys. Deal?"

Monkey whimpered before gently licking her exposed wrist.

Blair forced herself not to grimace as she stroked his head. "Good." She stood up and called down to Dorota.

Chuck opened the bathroom door, towel wrapped around his waist. He looked at Blair. "What's going on?"

She shrugged. "Nothing. I thought I would get ready quickly and come with you and Monkey on your walk. It's a gorgeous day; some fresh air may be good."

Chuck gave her a puzzled look as Dorota rushed in. "Yes, Miss Blair."

Blair kissed her confused husband on the cheek before turning to her trusted housekeeper. "We're going to talk a walk to the duck pond this morning so we need some bread. Also wash Monkey's bed and have it moved up here."

Dorota was now just as confused as Chuck. "Here, Miss Blair, in the bedroom?"

Blair rolled her eyes. "Yes here, as in where we are at this moment. I'm going to take a quick shower." She squeezed Chuck's arm as she passed him heading into the bathroom.

The door shut and Monkey let out a bark. Chuck looked down at him and then at Dorota. "Has she been drinking?"

Dorota sighed holding up her hands. "Who knows." She left the room to do her employer's bidding.


From that day on Blair accepted Monkey and Monkey accepted Blair. There were still some moments here and there but those were far outweighed by the good things. Chuck was happy and Blair found her times of comfort in the animal's presence herself; like seven months later when she was having horrible bouts of morning sickness. Kneeling on the marble floor completely nauseous and unable to get up it was Monkey that lay at her side. But it was the arrival of their children that really cemented Monkey's place in her heart. He was their constant companion and their ever vigilant guardian. And most importantly the dog made them happy.

And in the end Blair Waldorf Bass couldn't ask for more than that.