Chapter 12

Georgina switched her hips as she walked into the Palace where she had told him to meet her. She loved the feeling of having power over a man, and she was about to get exactly what she wanted.

Andrew Tyler sat unmoving at the bar, sipping his third bourbon, feeling rather annoyed at dealing with yet another case of blackmail from a too-privileged woman. In this case, though, he wasn't used to being the one on the receiving end of the blackmail.

Over his years as a private-eye-for-hire, he'd made a lot of enemies and a lot of money. He'd uncovered scandal after scandal; he'd exposed the rich for who they really are. All for a price, of course. He had no real feelings of loyalty to his clients or moral obligation to do the right thing; his every move was based on financial gain. He would pretty much sell anything to the highest bidder.

Fortunately for the Basses, no one had more money than them, so he never revealed their secrets. Bart Bass had so many enemies that Andrew couldn't even count the amount of times that he had been approached to betray his most lucrative client. Bart Bass's fee was usually three to four times that of the competition to insure confidentiality.

However, Andrew Tyler had never been in a situation like this; he was being blackmailed by a 120 pound woman who didn't take any bullshit. He knew because he had tried.

Georgina sat down beside him and pulled her black shades from her eyes. "So do you have what I asked for?"

"Look here, lady," he began, "I'm sure that we can work something else -"

"Save it. I want the file on Chuck Bass, or I will release all of these photos. Wonder who's going to hire a private eye who got caught fucking both his sister-in-law and his step-mom?"

Andrew placed his head in the palm of his hands and asked, "How the hell did you get those?"

"I never reveal my sources," She smirked, "Now handed it over."

He reluctantly passed her the file that held over 30 years of information on the Basses. He thought back to his role in faking Bart Bass's death for a hefty sum of money, and he almost refused to release the folder. "There are things in here that could get me in a lot of trouble."

"Don't worry. I'll make sure your name stays clear." She yanked the file from his hands. "Thank you. Now no one will know what a sick freak you are."

Standing up, she considered her next move. It was good being the one in the power position, but what was one to do with this much power?

XOXO

"Nephew," Jack said as Chuck strolled into the executive office of Bass Industries. "I was wondering when you were going to stop by." He reached out a hand and shook Chuck's as he motioned for the younger Bass to take a seat.

"Jack," Chuck greeted, "I am here to discuss my transition as the head of Bass Industries. I appreciate all you've done here, but I am ready to take over. It took some years for me to mature and become a responsible business man, but I am now confident in my ability to lead this company."

Jack bit the inside of his lip and narrowed his eyes at Chuck. He had known this day was coming; Chuck had told him as much ten years prior. He just didn't appreciate the presumptuousness with which Chuck approached him. He had kept this company afloat; in fact, it was thriving under his leadership. A little bit of gratitude wouldn't hurt.

"Of course. But this will all have to be approved by the board. It's a lengthy process."

"I understand. I still have to get settled back in New York, but I will be happy to shadow you and learn the day-to-day routine. As you know, I acted as the interim Chief of Operations in Australia after Catherine died. I feel like I am more than prepared to take over in New York, but I would love to get your advice."

Jack considered the man in front of him; he no longer saw the irresponsible brat that his nephew used to be. He felt torn between his selfish desires to remain in his seat and his obligation to help Chuck transition smoothly.

XOXO

Nate watched Serena pound back her fifth shot while he nursed his third beer. He was slightly buzzed, but she was closer to shit-faced. She put her hand on his thigh and slurred, "What happened to us, Nate?"

"Well, if I remember correctly, we had mind-blowing sex and then you -"

She shook her head vigorously, "No, not you and me 'us.' You, me, Blair, and Chuck 'us.' The Non-Judging Breakfast Club. I miss us," She said before adding, "It was mind-blowing, wasn't it?"

"Chuck leaving, Blair getting sick, my dad's scandal, your marriage...I think it all killed us."

"Well, Chuck's back, Blair's no longer sick, your dad's scandal has passed, and my marriage couldn't be more over. Maybe we can get us back."

Nate vaguely thought that maybe it wasn't such a great idea, but the haze of alcohol and her warm hand inching higher up his thigh made it difficult to concentrate, "What are you proposing?"

"You call Chuck. I'll call Blair." She smiled at her genius plan and whipped out her phone.

"I'll see what I can do. I'm sure he's busy with Landry."

Serena rolled her eyes dramatically, "They're not even really married. He and Blair belong together. They've just always been too stubborn to realize it."

"Are you forgetting that Blair's engaged? And, yes, Chuck is really married. For the moment, anyway."

"Let's just try," She begged. "I am a boring old mom now, and I miss my best friends."

Both of her hands were now running up and down his thighs and he was helpless to resist her. "I'll call him, but I can't make any promises."

She squealed and kissed him on the cheek, "Thank you!"

Fuck, this girl could get me to do anything, he thought as he pulled out his phone to call Chuck. He wasn't sure why she all of the sudden wanted to spend more time with him, but he wasn't going to question it. Perhaps she was nostalgic; perhaps she really did miss him. Either way, he felt like he might actually have a shot now that her divorce was finalized.

Serena walked outside where it was quieter to call Blair. She stumbled over her stilettos before making it to a bench outside the door.

"Hello?" Blair answered absentmindedly.

"Hey, B!" Serena sounded much too excited.

"Well, hello, there, Miss Tipsy," Blair smiled to hear a little bit of happiness back in her friend's voice even if it was alcohol-induced.

"I'm not drunk," She laughed, "Well," hiccup "maybe a little. Come out with me, B. I miss you, and we never have any fun any more."

Blair considered what Serena said, and she realized that it was true. She shopped with Serena, and they hung out regularly, but they never let loose. She wanted to be there to make sure that Serena was safe, but she also felt the desire to be young and free again. Louis had flown back to Monaco on important royal business this morning, so she didn't have any plans. "Sure, give me thirty minutes."

"Oh, yay!" Serena squealed and nearly fell off the bench as Nate approached her side.

"Whoa, there, Bambi," He teased.

"I'm fine," She said with a giggle, "Is Chuck coming?"

"I don't think so. He said he'd try to make it if he finished up some paperwork for Bass Industries, but he said he's pretty swamped."

"Oh, boo. Why does everything have to be work, work, work. We're still only in our twenties. I just want to be fun; I don't want to be a boring old has-been who used to matter."

He grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her to look up at him, "It is impossible for Serena Fucking van der Woodsen to be boring. You - with all of your sunshine and radiance - are the very definition of fun."

"I used to be," She sighed before a wide grin spread across her face, and she added, "And I sure as hell will be again tonight."

She grabbed his collar and pulled his lips to hers. He had no time to prepare as her tongue invaded his mouth, and he could taste the sweet tang of alcohol on her. He pulled her closer and allowed the kiss to continue for a few more minutes before pulling back. "Well, that was definitely fun."

With a laugh, she grabbed his arm and hailed a taxi, "Let's go meet Blair. I'll text her the address."

XOXO

Blair's version of letting loose usually involved a couple of gin martinis and a foot massage, but tonight, she was going to remember what it meant to be a 20-something millionaire living in New York City on a Saturday night. She and Serena had been approached by several frat guys offering to buy drinks or begging for a dance, but Nate had been the watchdog who chased them away.

After a few hours, they decided to take a break and find a private booth in the VIP section. Blair was glad that she was pretty tipsy when Nate and Serena started making out on the other side of the booth. She couldn't help but watch the cloud of lust that enveloped their every move. It was as if they were desperate for each other. Their movements were sensual and passionate. Neither one seemed aware of the awkward situation that they had put Blair in, but she didn't mind. Serena deserved a moment of happiness, and if that came in the form of drunkenly making out with Nate in a questionable club, then so be it.

"Didn't expect to see you here, Waldorf."

Oh, no. That voice. She couldn't deal with him when she had this much alcohol flowing through her veins.

"Hey, Chuck," She stood to embrace him, a bold move that would've never happened under any other circumstances.

He was barely able to stifle his groan when her body fit against his. He thought it should be criminal to look the way she did. She'd barely even touched him, and he was already getting turned on.

Blair was usually a rather modest dresser, but since she'd been feeling a bit more wild and free, she'd opted for a racier number. A red, tight bandage dress hugged all of her womanly curves and hit her just at mid thigh. The dress had a built in bustier that pushed her breasts up creating an ample amount of cleavage. Her hair was swept into a high ponytail of soft curls. She finished the look with four-inch heels and red lips. There was nothing conservative or innocent about Blair Waldorf tonight.

Keeping his hands on her hips, he whispered, "Did you wear this just to torture me?"

She smirked and said, "I didn't even know you were coming, but I'm glad you approve."

He knew she was only flirting because alcohol killed her inhibitions, but God, he couldn't resist her, "It would be highly inappropriate for me to show you just how much I approve."

"Then dance with me?" She asked, biting her lower lip. "You still owe me a dance since you left me in the middle of the last one."

"Blair…" He warned.

"If you don't dance with me, then I'll dance with one of them," She said pointing at a group of college-aged boys who were very obviously ogling her scantily-clad body. "Besides, it's not like we need to keep them company," She added motioning to Serena and Nate.

He scowled when he thought about the other guys' grubby hands touching Blair anywhere on her body, and he relented despite his reservations, "Let's go."

Placing his hands on her hips, he tried his best to maintain a respectable distance, but with every beat, she inched closer to him until she was practically writhing on him. Her hips rotated sinfully against him, and he gave into the feeling and allowed his hands to wander to the swell of her ass cheeks. Her hands worked their way around his neck and she lightly played with the tuft of hair just above his collar. Her fingers occasionally brushed the skin of his neck, and he closed his eyes at the memories of her fingers slipping underneath his shirt.

When she turned so that her back was to his chest, his hands smoothed over her stomach and down to the tops of her thighs where he let his fingers tease the hem of her dress. He felt her press herself further against him, and he knew that she could without a doubt feel his growing erection. He ground himself shamelessly against her butt and pulled her ear close to his mouth to whisper, "You're playing with fire, Waldorf."

She grinned and brought her hand to join his left as it skimmed up her side to rest just below her breasts, "I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about," He trailed wet, hungry kisses from her shoulder to her neck, and slowly nibbled on her ear lobe, "You have no idea how fucking sexy you are."

When she turned to face him again, he caught the faintest shimmer of her huge engagement ring in the flashing club lights, and he was immediately pulled back to reality. Fuck, he cursed to himself, and gently pushed her back and walked off the dance floor.

A/N: Please note that Chuck and Blair are both quite tipsy by this point in the chapter. They are still at the point that they would not have dared to allow this dance of seduction to happen had they been sober. This just illustrates their pull toward one another and how helpless they are to deny it.