I'm back from Spring Break and midterms are almost over woooooo! So expect the next couple of updates to be relatively quick! (To those of you I promised a chapter before spring break, I'm sorry, life got in the way a bit).

This chapter is going to be quite different from what most have been up until now but I think you'll be happy to finally learn what happened in the Hamptons as many of you have been asking for a while.

It features the song Lost and Found by Anoop Desai - I highly recommend listening to it when you get to that section of the chapter.

Rating: M – which I'm sure most of you will take as a good sign.

To my reviewers: shanGG, xoxogg4lifexoxo, Bibstick95, Teddy bear, GGfanficfan09, BlairGirlNo1, wrighthangal, CarolinaGirl21, Kadlin, Stella296, BellaB2010, LitPrincess2787, kosoul7, LeftWriter224, jamieerin, Iz, leah, annablake, anon, SouthernBelle88, and Lovely Lydia. You guys are awesome, thanks for waiting for this update for so long!

And to my fantastic beta ggff-fan, all my thanks!

Chapter 7: What Happened in the Hamptons, Part I

Friday - 9pm

Blair smiled as she rode through the Hamptons to Serena's house there. It was so nice just to relax and be alone. Her finals were done and she was officially a graduate of Duke University, heading to Stanford in the fall where she would potentially be getting an apartment with a boy who could potentially be her boyfriend.

Blair's smile brightened as she thought about Austin. Falling for him had been more surprising than the time she almost fell for Dan. Laughing to herself, she shook her head, sometimes she wondered what she and Dan had been thinking; though she knew even now that it had always been a little more him and a little less her. She smiled now as she thought of Austin and the adorable way that his hair slipped over his eyes when he needed a haircut and the grin that lit his face every time he saw her. Thinking of him made her feel warm inside, it made her feel loved.

Though none of that changed the fact that they were taking some time to themselves this summer. The relationship had come on so suddenly and both of them needed the time to step back and re-evaluate. Right now they were in limbo; they'd slept together once and it had been everything she could have imagined it would be. But now it was time to decide if they were going to take things slowly as though their relationship was just beginning or if they were going to jump in head first and move in together.

After deciding to take some time to figure things out they'd each made completely separate summer plans and for the first time in a very long time, Blair's plans included New York City. She loved Serena for suggesting that she started off in the Hamptons, it was going to be the perfect way to ease herself into the swing of things. The rest of her summer would consist of a few weeks in New York immediately following the Hamptons visit, followed by a week with her dad at his place, a week with her mom in Paris, another week with Serena in the Hamptons, yet another week in New York, all ending with Dan Humphrey's wedding to Stephanie Astor.

Blair almost laughed at the thought of it; Dan Humphrey of all people was marrying an Astor. But she'd heard the story from Serena enough to know that it was real and that made her smile, she was happy for Dan. Pressing her lips together, Blair suppressed the jolt of panic as she thought about Dan's wedding. If she didn't care so much about her friend she wouldn't be going because while Blair had plans to be in New York, those plans had been judiciously scheduled around someone else's, but at the wedding that someone else would inevitably be there as he was in fact the best man.

Sighing to herself, Blair thought not for the first time about backing out. She couldn't see Chuck, not after everything she had done and what she was about to do. She knew she'd hurt him and she was embarrassed by her actions but at the same time she knew that she couldn't or shouldn't go back. It didn't matter if she loved him or if he loved her, things with them were over, too much had happened and it was much too late to change things. So she'd go to the wedding with the support of her friends and when the time came, if Chuck refused to let go, she'd be forced to tell him just how over things were - how they had to be.

Shaking these thoughts from her head, Blair didn't want to think about that, not here in paradise. There would be plenty of time for that over the course of the summer, here she just wanted to be happy. Blair sighed as she breathed in the sea air; there was something so soothing about it, it cleared her head. Closing her eyes, she knew she was getting close to Serena's house, it might have been a while but her body recognized the length of time that it took as well as the way the scent of the sea air seemed to strengthen just as she neared the bend.

"We're here, Miss. Waldorf." The driver spoke before exiting to assist her then help with her bags.

"Thank you Michael." She said, taking her rolling bag as he lifted her others.

It was almost surreal to be back here. This was the closest that she'd been to New York since she'd left the city. Michael had picked her up from LaGuardia and they'd come straight here, where she had secured his services for the week.

Appearing in the doorway Michael slipped his head inside. "Is there anything else you need today Miss. Waldorf?"

Blair shook her head. "No thank you Michael, I'll probably crash early."

Michael nodded. "I'm staying in town, if there's somewhere you need to go don't hesitate to call me."

"Thank you." She said again, watching as he pulled the door to. Lying back on the bed, Blair pulled out her iPad and began reading a book she'd downloaded to give her something to read while she relaxed. But her mind wasn't really focused on the words in front of her. Instead, she found herself looking around the room.

This was the same room she always stayed in when she visited the Hamptons. Blair's mom had never seen a reason to purchase a Hamptons house because she spent most summers in Paris or Milan; but Blair's residence with the Van Der Woodsen's each summer was as aged a tradition as they'd ever had.

The room had seen many changes over the years, as photographs had begun to decorate the mantle and the color scheme had changed with Blair's moods - she'd never been allowed to redecorate her room at home so this had become her work of art. Currently, the walls were a light lavender, the bedspread white with the tiniest purple flowers lining the edges. Purple accents around the room brought it all together.

Looking at the mantle Blair saw the most recent pictures that adorned it and felt a slight jolt - most of them included Chuck. Shaking her head she pushed him from her mind. That wasn't something she needed to worry about, not for a few more weeks at least. Focusing back on the book she forced herself to pay attention to the words before her.

After only a few moments her eyes began to grow heavy; it really had been a long day. It was after they were closed and she had begun to slip under that she felt a tingle run up her spine. Assuming it was sleep pulling her under Blair went with it, not considering what that tingle might mean.

Friday 11:30pm

Chuck smiled as he stepped out of the black town car, glad he'd opted for it instead of the limo. The limo was much too conspicuous and he wasn't looking to get noticed. It had been an interesting few weeks with Bass Industries, things at work had been busy to say the least and the young CEO had been in the spotlight more than he would have liked throughout that time. This was on top of the fact that summer had become one of the most difficult times of the year for him to handle, though he still couldn't believe it had been two years.

Lily had noticed that he was becoming overwhelmed and had insisted that he take a few weeks off and let her handle things, suggesting that he spent some time in the Van der Woodsen mansion in the Hamptons. It was early, too early for the New York residents to have taken up residence for the summer and he'd have the 30,000sq ft home to himself - nothing sounded better right now.

"What time is it Albert?" He asked as he grabbed his hanging bag from the trunk.

"Close to midnight, sir." Albert responded as they began to move things inside. "What room are you staying in Mr. Bass?"

Chuck thought for a moment as they stood in the grand entry way. There were of course many options with the house containing something like 20 bedrooms but he had a few that he preferred to others. "How about the sailboat room, the one with the balcony facing the pool."

"Of course sir." Albert nodded and began to carry the things upstairs, with Chuck close behind.

Chuck started down the hallway of closed doors pausing only for a moment at the corner room of the house. This was the room Blair always stayed in. In truth he'd thought about telling Albert that it was where he wanted to stay this trip but not even Chuck Bass could have explained that sentiment. Albert would have known and Chuck himself probably would have gone crazy.

Swallowing tightly he forced himself to keep walking even though a tugging at the base of his spine kept trying to pull him back towards the doorway to Blair's room. Perhaps he could just peek inside and that would be enough; he thought as he paused once more. He missed her so much every day and to be in a space that was hers alone would be the strangest mixture of torture and happiness - he knew that and yet he still hesitated.

Shaking his head, Chuck took a step forward, fighting the tugging at his spine once more. Maybe tomorrow he would slip inside, if only to feel her presence for a moment or two; but for now he had luggage to unpack.

It was later that night after he'd finished unpacking that Chuck realized he must have left his cell phone downstairs. Normally he wouldn't care, this was supposed to be a business free weekend but it was his personal cell, the people who had the number mattered.

Feeling his way down the long hallway, he worked his way down the stairs. The house was almost pitch black and he hadn't been here enough by himself to know where to find the light switches. Luckily the bottom floor had windows facing the moon that gave the room enough of a glow that he could see his cell sitting on the kitchen table.

Snatching his phone, Chuck turned and began the trek back to his room. He was surprised by how much darker the hallway seemed after the moonlit downstairs. Catching the top stair, Chuck stumbled forward, his shoulder knocking into something on the wall. Cursing, he righted himself, trying to fix whatever he'd knocked over but finding that he couldn't see well enough to tell.

Deciding that it would have to wait until the morning, Chuck slowly began to move his way down the hall once more, this time being more careful not to bump into anything. Reaching his room he sighed in relief, thinking that tomorrow he would definitely be figuring out where the light switches were because that was too much of an adventure for what was supposed to be a week of relaxation.

Saturday - 8am

Flinging open the curtains of her room, sunlight poured in making unnatural lighting completely unnecessary. Blair couldn't help but be excited as she dressed to go to the beach. Tying on the new bikini she'd purchased especially for this trip she grinned in satisfaction. She'd been concerned when she'd ordered it that it might be too small and sometimes during exams she gained weight but looking at herself in the mirror, even she couldn't find something to criticize.

Tossing on a cover up she grabbed her bag and whisked herself into the hallway. She stopped suddenly as she exited her doorway. Directly across the hallway from her the painting hanging on the wall was askew. Narrowing her gaze, Blair observed the painting, moving forward to set it back upright. She was certain that it wasn't like this the night before and she was much too detail oriented not to notice.

Looking down the hallway as well as down the staircase, she thought for just a moment that there must be someone else in the house. It caused her heartbeat to race if only for a moment. Serena had said there wouldn't be anyone else there and so she should be by herself. Grasping her phone tightly she was about to call Michael back and tell him to hurry when suddenly she relaxed. Of course, Michael probably just bumped the painting on his way out.

Laughing at her foolishness, Blair shook her head at the painting before quickly descending the staircase. She didn't want to miss any of the early summer sun. Grabbing a couple pieces of fruit from the bowl on the counter she smiled, that was one of her favorite things about being in Serena's house as a kid, no one to tell her what to eat and a constant supply of fresh fruit. To think Lily and the staff thought that fruit was good for you rather than a terrible source of sugar as Eleanor had believed. Now that the painting matter was resolved she was once more in a good mood and decided that a few extra pieces might be nice to have for later in the day.

Placing the extra fruit in her bag, she waited patiently for Michael to arrive. Opening her beach bag she pulled out a paper back copy of Water for Elephants. Normally she would just use her e-reader on her iPad but she didn't think the iPad mixed well with the sand and salty air of the beach and Serena had expressly recommended it. Generally Serena didn't read that much so Blair knew it had to be good.

Only a few pages into the book, Blair heard Michael pull up outside. Dog-earing the page, Blair stuck the book into her bag and pushed herself off the barstool. Today was going to be perfect, she could feel it.

Saturday - 10:30am

Chuck yawned as he felt his eyes begin to open. Smiling contentedly he realized that this was probably the first time that he'd slept a full night's sleep in months. Stretching he felt refreshed and energized, unsurprised to note as he glanced at the clock that it was almost eleven. This was exactly why he was here, to rest and relax.

Glancing down at his phone Chuck was happy to see that he had no missed messages or calls, that meant everything was going well back home. Rising he glanced around his darkened room before teasing open the curtains, he'd picked this room because it faced the direction of the sunset so light hadn't managed to shine through until only a few minutes before.

What to do first? It had been a long time since he'd had the chance to just relax and do nothing. So long that he'd forgotten what it was like. In general he liked to keep busy, otherwise his mind would wander to thoughts of her. So a busy relaxed break it would be, he thought as he pushed thoughts of Blair from his mind and began to plan his day. Perhaps beginning with some lounging by the pool then a trip to the club before heading back to go out to their old hangout, Lily Pond.

Walking down the hallway, Chuck remembered he had to figure out whatever he'd knocked into last night and fix it; but as he neared the end of the hall he could see that there was nothing out of place. Looking around in confusion, his eyes landed on a painting - one that happened to be directly across from Blair's room. This must have been what he hit but it looked like it was straight.

Reaching out Chuck tested the painting to see if perhaps it was fastened down so tightly it couldn't be moved, but one nudge of his hand told him that it could. Perhaps one of the housekeepers had done it - he knew they had to be around here somewhere. Continuing down the stairs, he didn't let himself consider peeking inside Blair's room. He'd already thought of her too many times this morning, doing that could cause a breakdown.

Collecting the paper from the doorstep, he sat down at the counter reaching for a piece of fruit from the bowl he'd seen the night before. Surprise hit him as his hand grasped at nothing. Moving the paper aside he looked at the fruit bowl. There was only one piece of fruit left. That was odd, he'd been sure he'd seen the bowl practically overflowing the night before. Perhaps the housekeeping staff had gotten hungry as well.

Shrugging it off, Chuck thought nothing more of it as he finished off the paper before journeying towards the pool and leaving the New York Times behind.

Saturday 12pm

Walking inside the house Blair grinned. It had been a perfect morning on the beach but now it was almost noon and it was time to get some shopping done. If she was going to go out and have a good time tonight, she needed a new dress to do it.

She was surprised when she saw the New York Times sitting on the counter. The paper hadn't been here when she'd left this morning so one of the housekeepers must have picked it up but that was certainly an odd place to leave it, why next to the fruit bowl? Gaze traveling to the fruit bowl itself she realized that something else was different. She was sure she'd left a piece of fruit behind but now the bowl was empty. It was strange because she hadn't even known the housekeepers would be here yet but she supposed someone had to live in the house and keep it up even when the Van der Woodsen's weren't around.

Shrugging it off, Blair practically skipped up the stairs, changing quickly and throwing on a cute sun dress that used to be one of her favorites. Turning in front of the mirror, she was once more pleased with her appearance. This house made her realize how self-conscious she'd once been and yet now she couldn't help but feel confident here. It must have been the contrast doing it; but damn she felt good.

Blair carefully placed her bags back into the closet and straightened her bed, she'd always hated clutter especially in a room so pristine as this. Traveling back down the stairs she didn't even realize that she left her door slightly ajar.

Saturday 1pm

Chuck didn't notice as he walked in from the pool, in fact for the first time he didn't even hesitate at the top of the stairs. But when he returned from his room, gym bag slung over his shoulder he paused. Blair's door was open.

Well, it wasn't really open, more it wasn't closed. This he knew hadn't been the case this morning. He'd stood here then observing the painting he'd thought he'd knocked this morning long enough to know that the door had been completely closed.

Freezing for a moment he thought of the possible reasons. Perhaps Serena was here and was staying in Blair's room for sentimental reasons much as he'd contemplated. Possibly, Blair herself might be coming to the Hamptons in the next few weeks and the staff was preparing the room for her. Or perhaps Blair was here.

Scoffing to himself Chuck immediately dismissed this last thought. Blair would never allow herself to be in the same place he was - though of course no one actually knew he was here either except of course Lily.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Chuck reached forward, noting that his hand was almost shaking, and gave the door the tiniest of pushes. His heart was beating loudly with the possibility as he took a step forward into the room.

Being there, in a place that was so quintessentially Blair was almost overwhelming. Everything about it was so very her from the décor to the personal touches - this room was more Blair than hers in her own house ever was. His heart was swelling with a marvelous intensity as he drank in the sight of everything, he could practically feel her amongst the lilac décor.

Making his way over to the mantle, he picked up a photograph of the two of them; it was from the night of the Saints and Sinners Ball he'd thrown. Before she'd left him that night it had been one of the happiest of his life – he'd thought that he was about to get everything he'd ever wanted. He could hardly believe that photograph had found its way here.

Setting the photograph down he walked to the bed, running his fingers along the linens, pausing for a moment. It had been a very long time since he'd felt this physically close to her and his body had an indescribable ache at the thought of her. But even though the room itself and her lingering presence caused rushes of heat to warm Chuck's spine he could see that the room had been undisturbed.

Shaking it off, Chuck left the room, being certain to shut the door this time. He didn't want to be tempted to go back to her room again, if he did he might not be able to force himself to leave. Walking down the stairs he noticed that the paper wasn't where he'd left it, no it was gone altogether and yet in its place set a book.

Picking up the book he flipped it over. He recognized this book, it was the one Serena had been raving about since she'd started reading it a few days ago - Water for Elephants. But how did it get here? Serena must be here after all, Chuck thought to himself as he shrugged. It didn't matter to him, as evidenced by the fact that he hadn't seen her yet clearly she wouldn't be disturbing his relaxation.

Saturday - 3pm

"What the hell?" Blair muttered quietly to herself. She'd been denying it all day but something weird was going on in this house. She'd come in from shopping and her perfect lunch to find that the newspaper had suddenly disappeared. Going upstairs to slip back into a bathing suit she had the distinct feeling that something was off, it wasn't anything definitive but it felt like someone had been in her room.

She'd gone back downstairs ready to lay out by the pool when she realized that she couldn't find her book. She'd been certain that she'd left it on the dining room table when she'd come in from the beach but she hadn't seen it. When it was missing she was certain that she'd left it in her beach bag but she'd searched through the whole thing and it wasn't there.

Practically growling, Blair tossed her bag into a nearby chair. She knew she was going to miss the best rays of sunlight if she didn't get outside soon but this was driving her crazy. There was clearly someone in this house other than her and she'd yet to see a single housekeeper so she was beginning to get the feeling that she really didn't have the place to herself.

Resigning herself to the fact that she'd rather catch the last bit of sunlight of the afternoon than stand here stressing over which member of the extended Van der Woodsen - Humphrey family was invading her personal space, Blair went outside to lay by the pool.

The moment the sunlight hit her face she smiled, who cared who was here, they clearly weren't bothering her other than a few misplaced items. If she hadn't seen them yet, she probably wouldn't and she wasn't going to worry about it.

Saturday - 4pm

The first thing Chuck noticed as he returned from the club was the beach bag in the chair by the counter. Shaking his head he found he was completely unsurprised. All day long the signs had been pointing towards someone being here and that someone was clearly Serena. The most surprising thing was simply the fact that Lily hadn't mentioned it. Maybe Serena had just wanted to get away for the weekend and hadn't told her?

Grabbing his phone, Chuck was about to dial Serena's number just to see what she was up to and how she felt about joining him at Lily Pond tonight when he realized that first her phone was probably in her bag and second he smelled terrible. He needed a shower before encountering anyone, even his pseudo-step-sibling.

Relaxing as the water beat into his back, Chuck could practically feel the coils in his muscles unwinding that he hadn't even realized were there. Letting go on the squash court had felt good but his muscles had tightened up in response; but the heat and pressure of the water were doing wonders to remedy the situation.

Sighing, he admitted to himself what he hadn't wanted to admit - a part of him had been hoping that Blair was here, that she was the one he kept missing around the house. Logically he knew it didn't make sense; Blair had done a damn good job of avoiding him for the past two years, she wasn't going to stop now.

He knew of course that she'd been attending college at Duke. The first thing he'd done when she'd left was call up Andrew Tyler and have him search the database of every school she might deem appropriate until he found her. It hadn't taken long. Chuck had waited though, he'd wanted to give her time to see if she'd come back to him on her own. At very least he'd talk to her at Christmas and figure things out; but she hadn't come home, not for Christmas or any other holiday.

It was almost a year ago when he'd gone down to North Carolina, unable to resist it any longer. He'd had to see her, had to tell her that he was still waiting, that he'd always be waiting. They were inevitable no matter how far either of them ran or where they might try to hide and he knew she knew that; but if he had to remind her so be it. What he saw in North Carolina shocked him.

He had believed with every ounce of his being that even though she'd left him, even though she'd run away in the middle of the night without even a note, that she'd still been holding on. They were incapable of moving on, hadn't they proven that time and again? When he saw her engaged in a heated argument with an attractive gentleman he'd had to steady himself not because she was arguing with someone or even that she was with someone but because he could see the gleam in her eyes.

In that moment he'd been terrified, not to mention jealous out of his mind. He'd barely watched a moment more of their sickening banter before turning and walking away. How was it possible for her to move on so easily? How could she be so happy when he was so abjectly miserable? When she wasn't with him a part of him was missing and he couldn't see how she could be so full of life.

That was the first time he'd ever considered Nate's drunken suggestion as a realistic possibility. He'd never forget, though Nate certainly had, the night in which Nate had told him that the only way to explain Blair's behavior was to assume she'd done it for revenge. After everything Chuck had done over the four years of their relationship, the lies, the hurt, the things with Jack, the chasing, the running away, sleeping with Jenny, and the awful reaction he'd had to her engagement to Louis, Nate's drunken theory claimed that Blair had gone back to Chuck, had told him she forgave him only to hurt him as badly as he'd hurt her by taking it all away.

That day when he'd left Duke the idea that Blair might have been acting out of revenge couldn't quite leave his brain and no matter how many times since then he'd told himself it wasn't possible, told himself that it was something else because she loved him as much as he loved her, it would always find its way back.

Getting out of the shower, Chuck wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped out onto the balcony, letting the balmy air of late May dry his skin. His mind was still lingering on thoughts of Blair as he gazed towards the ocean. He'd gone down to North Carolina three more times, each with the intention of visiting her; but each time he'd decided not to. A large part of him still wanted her to make the realization on her own that they were meant to be; he didn't want to have to talk her into coming back, he wanted her to want to do it all on her own.

His thoughts were so lost in Blair that when he heard a splash down below he almost jumped out of his skin. Realizing that it was probably just Serena going for a swim he glanced down towards the pool. Sure enough there was a distinctly female form moving under the water. About to turn to go inside, Chuck froze as the girl he'd thought was his step sibling began to emerge from the water.

The air fled his lungs and he was forced to clutch the banister in support, he felt as though his heart had stopped and time had frozen. His brain was telling him that he must be hallucinating but his heart was telling him that she was real, that Blair Waldorf was in the Hamptons. As soon as Chuck forced himself to breathe and his body regained his senses he ducked below the line of the balcony - Blair was walking towards the house and she would have spotted him only a moment or two later.

Staying hidden Chuck thought about what he was going to do next. Seeing her when he did was like a splash of cold water on his face that had suddenly brought him back down to reality. Blair was here, this was his chance to prove once and for all that they were right together. But in order to do that he wasn't ready to see her, when they ran into each other it had to seem coincidental. Quickly a plan was forming in his head. Tonight he'd go to Lily Pond just as he'd planned; he knew she'd be there and by then he'd be ready to show her how little he'd forgotten and how much he still wanted this, wanted them.

Saturday 11:00pm

Twirling the olive in her martini Blair realized how boring the Hamptons could be before the season really kicked off. She was sitting at her favorite bar in town, drinking her favorite drink yet she was not having a good time. Sure the music was good, the drinks were excellent, and the guys were hot; but what was a great bar without friends to share it with.

This place was flooded with memories for her of summers spent dancing on tables with Serena, holding hands with Nate, and plotting with Chuck. This bar had been a part of her Hamptons experience as much as her bedroom at Serena's and without the non-judging breakfast club to be here with it wasn't nearly as special. The entire bar seemed dimmer without Serena to brighten it up and her heart wasn't racing because Nate or Chuck were near; at this point she would have settled for the company of Dan or Eric, even Jenny would do but she found herself surrounded by complete strangers.

Chuck walked into Lily Pond and began working his way towards the back. If she were here with friends she'd be in the back booths where all the A-list crowd hung out but by herself, he knew she'd be at the bar. Shoving through the crowds he wondered for a moment where all these people had come from. It was too early in the season for the regulars so they must all be clueless tourists or townies; neither of which was an appealing prospect.

Blair shifted her shoulders in discomfort feeling her back arch outside of her control. She'd just had the strangest feeling begin to come over her. Turning she glanced over her right shoulder, it felt like someone was watching her. Shaking her head slightly she nearly jumped out of her skin as a man appeared to her left. "You startled me." Blair spoke, not an ounce of forgiveness in her voice regardless of the fact that the man in front of her was concentrated gorgeous.

"Sorry babe, I was wondering if I could buy you a drink?" He asked, flashing some cash and a too perfect grin.

Blair gave a disgusted smirk in his direction that he clearly seem to think was a smile as he ordered her another of what she was having. As soon as her drink got there she began to stand, feeling a disconcerting prickling working its way up her spine. Either this guy was really freaking her out or there was something seriously giving her vertigo. She could feel her heartbeat beginning to race, what the hell? She thought as she glanced quickly around the room.

Chuck watched as Blair stood, clearly about to walk away from the gentleman who'd bought her a drink. He'd been contemplating intervening in the situation but she seemed as though she had it handled, so instead he waited, paying no heed to the multitude of women that were unsuccessfully trying to gain his attention.

"Where are you heading so fast?" The man asked wrapping an arm around her petite waist as the brunette before him stood.

Sidestepping him immediately, Blair practically snarled. "You asked if you could buy me a drink, not if I would suffer a conversation with you." Facing the other direction, she knew the man must be stunned but as she couldn't care less. She needed to get out of here. She must have had too much sun today because her body felt like it was on fire. Flipping around quickly she started to move towards the exit, barely noticing her martini sloshing out of her glass because her body had stopped moving just as suddenly as it had started.

It hadn't taken 5 seconds after she had turned for her eyes to meet his regardless of the fact that the night club was ostentatiously overcrowded. Chuck didn't look away, he remained focused, his jaw straight, his countenance serious.

All the air in Blair's lungs fled the moment her eyes locked with his as an outstanding level of clarity washed through her veins. The portrait, the newspaper, the missing book, the constant feeling that someone had been in the house with her and here the tingles that had been shooting up her spine - it had all been Chuck.

He wasn't consciously walking but Chuck recognized that he was moving closer to Blair. Coming to a stop only a foot away from her his entire body seemed to vibrate with electricity as though it yearned to reach out and connect with her.

The questions swarmed Blair's mind. Had Serena known he'd be here? Did Serena set all this up? Those questions were both answered with a resounding no; which meant most likely no one knew they were both out here. Had he even known she'd be here? She wondered. From his eyes she gathered that he wasn't surprised to see her but there was still a dose of shock and awe. From this she deduced that he hadn't known she was coming to the Hamptons but he had realized that she was here before she realized he was here.

Chuck felt as though he couldn't move; probably couldn't even speak and yet he felt his mouth begin to move on its own. "Breathe." He spoke his voice gentle.

Surprised, Blair realized that it had only been a minute since she'd locked eyes with Chuck and she'd been subconsciously holding her breath ever since. Inhaling, she sucked in oxygen so quickly it made her dizzy. Losing her balance for a moment she stumbled.

Immediately Chuck reached out to steady her, placing his hands on her bare shoulders. The second his skin made contact with her own a violent fiery heat rushed from the contact point through the rest of his body. He knew she felt it too as her head snapped up and her eyes found his. The feeling was excruciating and yet he couldn't stop touching her.

Blair's hand was in his hair before she could even comprehend what she was doing and she'd smashed his lips onto hers in seconds. When he'd placed a hand on her it had sent a shockwave through her body like a pressure was building up inside of her. Two years worth of pressure that was building rapidly with each passing moment. It was painful, it felt as though she was going to explode and she had to do something, anything, to change that.

As she pressed her lips against his it was like the night of her 20th Birthday when they'd had sex on the piano, every emotion, every thought, every yearning she'd been repressing for the past two years burst forth.

Chuck's hands grasped tightly to her hips, drawing her body flush against his. His mouth hungrily attaching itself to hers as the fire spread throughout his body electrifying every nerve he possessed. He couldn't touch enough of her, he wanted to mark her as his and never go back.

Blair pressed herself into Chuck, her hands grasping everywhere as her mouth opened to him. Pulling back just far enough to gasp for air, Blair's eyes met Chuck's. In them she could see the animal intensity there and knew it was probably reflected in her own. Moving her mouth to his ear, he could feel her breath hot against him. "Take me home Chuck." She spoke barely a whisper.

He wanted to pick her up and carry her; anything to keep her close. Instead he nodded, put his hand in hers, and began to lead her out of the bar. As they walked every once in a while he'd turn and his lips would find hers and they'd pause for a moment because their lips touching seemed to be the only way to stop the flames from eating him alive. His heart was pounding so loudly he knew she had to be able to hear it.

Blair was in a daze, this wasn't real, this couldn't be real. She knew she was following Chuck, everything around her blurring together as she did. And even though she knew she shouldn't be doing this, nothing had ever felt so right. She couldn't let go, not when she felt awake and alert for the first time since leaving New York. Reaching the car she knew must be Chuck's she saw the surprise on Arthur's face, giving her a nod of acknowledgement she slid into the back seat followed closely by Chuck.

As soon as the door was shut, Chuck's lips were on hers once again. He didn't tell Arthur where to take him, the man had known them both long enough to know. Though as his hands began to travel up Blair's legs under her dress he wished for the first time that he'd brought the limo instead. There was a certain amount of discretion required in the back of a town car.

Gasping for air, Blair paused only to pull herself more closely against Chuck's frame. She was impatient, she wanted to be home now, she wanted him inside her because she knew if she felt awake and alive now that being together again would be so much more. Sliding against his body, she rotated her hips just enough to tease him, eliciting a hiss from his lips. She smiled as she wrapped her fingers more tightly in his hair.

Feel the wood grain on the floor
Passion burns behind the door

Leaning in Chuck found her mouth again kissing her as though he were drowning and she was the only thing that could provide him with oxygen. His entire body was quivering with want by the time they finally reached the house. He didn't wait for Arthur to open the door, instead he thrust it outwards before wrapping Blair in his arms and lifting her, carrying her out of the car with him. The last thing he wanted in that moment was to stop touching her and this ensured he didn't have to.

Crying out. Pull me inside.
Silhouettes they shine, baby we're on fire

Blair moved her kisses to his jaw as she wrapped her arms around his neck, allowing Chuck to carry her into the house and up the stairs as though they were newlyweds. There was something so safe and secure about being in his arms, he held her as though she were the most precious thing in the world, yet his grasp as well as his affections implored that he knew that she wouldn't break. She could sense the moment he pushed the door to her room open and as he did she tilted her head up to look at him.

When Blair's eyes met his, Chuck almost froze. She did it as he was about to lay her down on the bed and in that moment something happened. It was as though they were themselves and yet they weren't. An understanding seem to course between them along with the almost painful energy that had been flowing since the moment they'd touched. They were themselves and yet they were so much more.

I feel the blood rushing from my heart to the tip of my veins
Baby we're drowning, let the sweat carry us away

Blair felt a tremble move throughout her body as her gaze locked with Chuck's. She could feel her body resting lightly on the bed with his arms still around her. But both of them were staring at each other with unwavering wide eyed gazes. So many thoughts were moving between them through their eyes. She could see how much he'd missed her, how much he'd longed for her every moment she'd been away from him. And in turn she felt the agony of the decision she'd made two years before and in that moment she didn't care. Her heart needed this, it needed to be with him; she couldn't stop.

There's nothing like the thought of feeling so reckless
I'm caught in the undertow, don't let go

Withdrawing one of his hands Chuck laid her gently onto the bed and began to unbutton his button-down, his eyes never leaving hers. As he finished he felt rather than saw her hands on his chest running her fingers up and pushing the shirt off his shoulders. With that he moved over her, supporting himself with his arms as they moved themselves further onto the bed.

Blair's lips were tingling as she wanted to press hers against his but she couldn't seem to bear to look away for even one moment. Slowly she drew her arms up and over her head, knowing that Chuck would understand.

Maybe I've lost, but baby I'm found
Now that we're flying high, I never want to come back down

Never breaking eye contact, Chuck moved himself lower over her, rising to his knees and finding the hem of her dress. Fingers grazing her thighs he almost teasingly moved the fabric up her body revealing her skin inch by inch. He smirked feeling her body begin to move in frustration yet still he refused to look away. Their movements were almost in direct opposition to their earlier passionate fury, they were deliberate, they were steady. It was as though they needed this slow movement to prove that they weren't simply going to combust.

Reaching her hands forward, Blair found Chuck's belt, undoing it and removing it before doing the same to his pants. Each of them accommodating the other as they removed their clothing. When Blair's hands stilled once more she was aware that he had removed her bra and she his boxers and the only thing that remained between them was her La Perla underwear.

I can hear you breathe, feel your energy
As I watch our worlds collide

Cradling her face in his hands Chuck brought his own so close to hers that their noses brushed one another yet still his eyes had not left hers. "I love you."

The passion inside of Blair awoke once more as she felt elation at the truth his words carried; but it wasn't just his words it was his gaze, his every movement. How could he still love her after she'd left him? She asked herself as she saw her eyes reflected in his own. But even as she asked she knew because she felt it too. There was a cord that seemed to stretch between them linking them to each other. "I love you." She replied her voice never wavering.

Just like a drug, I'm addicted to you now
Damn I feel so alive

"You are everything. You will always be everything." He spoke eyes shining with the love he still felt for her. "Everything." He repeated with an intensity he'd almost forgotten he knew how to feel.

In that moment she knew that she was. She could feel the truth of his words, could see that she was his life, the answer to every unspoken question, the only thing he felt he couldn't lose. "All I want, all I need, is you." She spoke knowing he and he alone knew the significance of those words. "Forever." She added more certain than she'd ever been about anything in her life.

Feel the sunlight creeping in
Trace the outline of your skin

Swallowing tightly Chuck felt a chill go down his spine. The want and need that coursed within him were so strong that it amazed him that he didn't simply combust. But ever so slowly he broke eye contact, moving downwards until his lips were right at the line of her underwear. He heard her gasp and felt her back arch as he placed a kisses along the simple line of where the fabric met her skin. Smirking only slightly he glanced up at her before ever so calmly tugging down her La Perla's.

Lipstick red is all over my sheets
Crazy your desire is calling right back to me

Gasping Blair felt herself lift for him, easing the task that Chuck seemed so intent on relishing. Her body was beginning to shake as every movement of his skin against hers sent shockwaves to her center. She felt as though she could scream at any moment as the tingles swept through her as his fingers ran tracks down her legs. Relief flooded her as she finally felt the only remaining fabric between them slip off her feet.

I feel the blood rushing from my heart to the tip of my veins
Everytime I look into your eyes girl I feel so far away

Chuck paused for a moment, looking up at Blair from his place near the foot of the bed. He was amazed at how little she'd changed and how very perfect she was. Beginning to work his way back up her body Chuck teased her with the softest of kisses along her inner thighs. He could feel heat pulsating from her as he neared her center and when his lips worked their way around her most sensitive place he heard her breathing quicken. A smirk on his lips he brought his mouth to her in a way he knew would make her release the scream she'd been holding back.

There's nothing like the thought of feeling so reckless?
Caught in the undertow, Don't let go

"Chuck" She gasped, the sounds leaving her body out of her control. She grasped the headboard with one hand and the pillows behind her head with the other as she felt herself surrender control to him. As something inside of her seemed to explode she felt him continue, drawing further screams and sighs of pleasure from her core. Unable to take any more of this strange mixture of pleasure and pain Blair's hands dropped to find his head which she pulled upwards to meet her own.

Maybe I've lost, but baby I'm found
Now that we're flying high, I never want to come back down

Chuck moved willingly as she tugged tightly on his hair, he'd wanted to give her something before he let go of any semblance of control, now that he had, he was more than ready to comply with her wishes.

"Please." She practically begged into his ear as she grasped his hair with one hand and ran her other hand down his side and to his hip. Slipping her hand between them she barely brushed his hardness but she could feel it jump at the contact drawing her hand back upwards she held her hand on the side of his face and repeated her words while looking directly into his eyes. "Please."

I can hear you breathe, feel your energy
As I watch our worlds collide

Gaze locked with hers once more it was as though the world had suddenly been set right again. Everything from the past two years had been some kind of cruel alternate universe and this was the way that things were supposed to be. He didn't want to waste anymore time not touching her, not feeling her with his entire body. Chuck's movements were so quick and precise as his mouth swooped forward, lips finding hers.

Blair could taste herself on his lips and moaned as a deep current of joy flowed through her, every inch of her. Her hands locked around the back of his neck, feeling the firmness of the muscles there more substantial than she had remembered. She could feel his hands under her, moving up her back, through her long thick hair. Every touch was complete rapture, so wonderful and precious it left her dizzy.

Just like a drug, I'm addicted to you now
Damn I feel so alive

Chuck moved away for only a moment, bringing his lips to her ear. "Stay with me." He whispered, his voice a low rumble filled with need. His face had grown tense, his kisses hungrier and more desperate.

"Always." Blair replied as she brought her lips to his once more. Arching her back she tilted her head upwards, adjusting together in time as his hand on her thigh moved ever so slightly and he pressed inward.

I can barely stand

His whole body ached with the desire he felt for her in this and every moment. It had been so long since he'd felt this, so long since he'd been with any woman, not since her. Moving his hips forwards he felt her tightness, felt as she adjusted to him. He could feel her body quake against him and as he pushed in to the hilt he realized that a connection he'd forgotten he knew how to feel was there, the way they moved against one another was so in tune that it was as though they were one person.

Maybe I've lost, but baby I'm found
Now that we're flying high, I never want to come back down

Blair felt her body alive with something that seemed foreign to her yet at the same time felt so familiar. Time had washed from her memory the intensity of how it felt to be with Chuck. The love that connected them burned so brightly that she couldn't focus on any one thing. Her senses were overwhelmed, every touch, every taste, and the intensity of what she felt as they joined together shook her.

Bringing his lips back to hers he felt fire rushing through his veins. Every nerve ending in his body was electrified with the passion he was feeling for her as his tongue slipped inside her mouth and he thrust his hips forwards. His hands were everywhere all at once, in her hair, along her body.

I can hear you breathe, feel your energy
As I watch our worlds collide

Blair's nails clawed into his back as Chuck moved inside of her. She felt a passion surge through her body as their pacing quickened and this tightening of her nails into him was all she could do to hold herself together. She was aware of every nerve in her body and for the first time since leaving him she felt truly alive.

Time seemed to become obsolete as he slowed his strokes making them longer and slower as they both neared release. When they came together they were once more looking into each other's eyes and he saw reflected there everything he'd wanted over the past two years, he saw home.

Just like a drug, I'm addicted to you now
Damn I feel so alive

"Wait you slept together?" Dan asked eyes wide as he pressed pause on the recorder.

Blair rolled her eyes. "Of course we slept together Humphrey, where'd you think I was going with this?"

Dan shook his head, trying to shake the surprise. "I don't know . . . I guess I was thinking maybe you two had talked or fought or something."

Blair scoffed as she shook her head. "When have Chuck and I ever been ones for talking?"

"You have a point." Dan said as he laughed lightly. "But what about Austin? He was the guy you're talking about right?"

Pressing her lips together Blair gave him a pointed look. "Austin and I were on hold; but I'll get to that later. Now do you want to hear this or not?"

Dan almost laughed again but he saw the serious look in Blair's eyes and made his own facial expression more subdued. "Of course." With that he turned back on the recorder and she continued.

So, this is the first of three chapters centered on the Hamptons. Originally it was only a single chapter but with everything going on in the show I needed some Chuck/Blair love so it got an extension to three chapters. Hope you've enjoyed it so far. xoxo kate

Reviews are always appreciated.