"You know, each of Italy's major cities has its own enticing character. Rome is about grandeur, history and haste. Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is a masterpiece of studied elegance. Venice is ethereal and mysterious. Milan has powerhouse pace. The countryside is from paintings or dreams." Dan said, taking a sip of his coffee that Nate made from their espresso machine. Dan, Nate and Blair were all lounging around in the living room conversing while the kids were at the entertainment room, watching the television and being looked after by Serena.

"I've only been there for work a couple of times and I never really had the chance to explore around, do some extra site-seeing. But having been there… Even if it's only for a short span of time… I'd say that Italy has truly captured my heart and wonder. The architecture is simply magnificent, the history and culture, astounding." Blair was flipping through the pages of the photo album, thoughtfully looking at the pictures of Serena and Dan smiling with different backgrounds behind them changing in each photograph.

"Traveling is something I haven't done in a long time. With school and everything… I just don't have the luxury of time to do it. In two years, hopefully, I could, with Blair of course." Nate said, placing his hand over her knee. "We can go sailing around the Pacific to the South of France, enjoy the beaches…"

"We could go there in the summer! I've thought about venturing into something else, try something new… I can't be a model forever, you know. Maybe some time off traveling will give me inspiration and a creative vibe… Discover what I could do." She beamed and seemed excited about the entire idea. "You won't be too busy with school by then since you're about to finish your thesis, right?"

"Yeah, that sounds like a great plan. Looking forward to it." Nate and Blair have always had their summer vacations in France to visit Harold Waldorf and his partner, Roman. They'd stay at the vineyard for a week or two, drinking white wine in the afternoons, exploring the city at dark. After that, they'd visit Nate's parents in Connecticut since they have moved there from the Upper East Side after Nate had gone to college.

Blair smiled and squeezed Nate's hand on her knee. "So, Dan, I heard you just finished writing your second novel. I suppose Vanessa's going to be the one to photograph you for the book cover?"

"Yeah, it's coming out next year. Vanessa and I will be working on it next week. Are you planning on teaching me a few posing tricks?"

Blair smirked and said, "I'm sure Vanessa will do a great job on making you look good especially seeing how the last one was… well, not so much…"

"What she's trying to say is, the picture you had on your last book was a complete disaster. You had this odd expression on your face…" He said imitating Dan's look on the said cover; with his eyebrows meeting close enough at the center of his face and his lips pouting with the effect that he almost looks like a senile old woman. Even Serena makes fun of him because of that.

Blair and Nate couldn't contain their laughter any longer and burst out with tears forming in their eyes.

"Don't exaggerate. It wasn't at all that bad," she said, trying to show sympathy for Dan.

"You are one to talk, man! You pull your hair back like Dracula does even if it's not yet Halloween, maybe you go to the same hair stylist or something!"

The couple just looked at each other and kept on laughing until their cheeks are sore, and their stomachs hurt. Wiping the tears that formed in her eyes, she said, "I haven't laughed like that in like, forever."

Hearing the commotion going on from the entertainment room, Serena went to them with a curious look on her face. "Blair, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" She glared at the two men, her eyes saying 'How could you be insensitive of her feelings? What did you do now?'

They all looked at her in amazement and just laughed louder than before, leaving Serena all the more confused.

"Stop it, you guys! One of you might explode a foul-smelling odor from exhaling too much carbon dioxide out of your system rapidly." Blair said, trying to suppress her giggles, trying to keep a serious face.

"If one of us is going to fart, it would have to be Blair!" Dan said. "You were laughing harder than the both of us combined."

"You did not just say that!" Blair threw him a pillow which Dan caught and threw back at her. Serena and Nate soon joined them and a pillow fight broke out. All of them were giggling and having fun, hitting each other with pillows like a bunch of crazy ten-year-olds in a slumber party. Nate gave Blair a piggyback ride while the latter was messing his hair and raising her other hand in the air. Serena was running away from Dan when he caught up to her and carried her on his back like a sack.

"Put me down, Dan! Or I swear I'm going to tickle you. I know your tickle spots too well…" Serena shrieked.

Paulo and Andy stood a few feet away from them and witnessed the entire scene. "Mom? Dad?" They chorused, looking all surprised at the behavior of their parents.

"What are they doing?" Paulo asked as the four adults tried to compose themselves.

"What does it look like they're doing?" Andy said in a know-it-all tone. "They're playing altogether."

"And now you two came here to join us!" Dan moved to their side and Serena did as well. With a playful look in their eyes, the both of them started tickling their children. The Humphreys were then sprawled over the floor while the other couple looked at them in astonishment.

"That could've been us in three years (with the baby), if only..." Blair thought to herself and her eyes fell on the floor.

Noticing Blair's sudden silence, Nate asked, "You okay?"

She turned to look at him, managed to plaster a small smile on her face and nodded, giving him a soft kiss on his lips. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

Alex was walking fast down the street since she was already fifteen minutes late for her date with Chuck. She spent an hour and a half, trying to decide what to wear, how to wear her hair, if she should tie it in a high pony tail or leave it down and what shade of lipstick to use on her lips. It was 8 o'clock in the evening when she finally nodded in approval at her appearance. She wore the rosy pink body hugging mini dress he had wanted her to wear two weeks ago when he went to visit her at the boutique. She struggled to walk properly, trying not to stumble on anything with her sexy strappy silver Christian Louboutin sandals that added three inches to her five feet eight inches frame.

She stopped in her steps and took a deep breath, regretting her choice of wardrobe because she felt uncomfortable wearing it underneath her white fur coat. Taking her coat off and placing it over on her left arm, she went inside the restaurant, bumping into someone along the way and dropping her things. All eyes were on her as she muttered in her breath some incoherent words and tried to pick up her scattered things— a mirror and a comb, her wallet, a pen, cell phone, lip gloss…

"Do you really have to prance around town, carrying a pocket knife in your clutch bag?" Chuck Bass hands it over to her as he helps her up. "Or do you plan on killing me in my sleep?"

"Why do you always have to catch me in my least wanted moments?" She tried to cover her reddened face in embarrassment. She feels like she's Carrie Bradshaw and he's Mr. Big in an episode of Sex in the City. The only difference is, they're both in London instead of New York and everything's happening in reality.

"You will always look stunning to me." He walked a step closer to her and gave her a kiss at the side of her lips which caught her off guard. "Even more stunning in that naked dress of yours," he added winking.

"And you look dashing as always," she complimented him her eyes gazing at him from head to toe. He was looking elegant in Armani adding the oozing sex appeal and undeniable charm. The people who were dining in looked at them in envy.

"Shall we go in now?" He leaned in to her side and whispered to hear ears, "Or shall we just skip dinner and just play games with each other all night?"

She bit her lower lip in that sexy way, running her hands through her wavy tresses with her fingers. She reached up to him on her toes and murmured to the side of his face, "Tempting… But don't want to break any rules tonight."

He raised his left brow in question and inquired, "What rules?"

"No sex on first dates, not even a kiss." She said batting her eyelashes, trying to act all innocent.

"Gotta have you naked by the end of this thing," He smirked, quoting one of the lines from a Justin Timberlake song.

"We'll see." She smiled back. "This thing… It's called dinner and good conversation by the way."

"Sounds like foreplay to me."

A waiter escorts them to best table in the restaurant and he pulls a chair for her to sit, trying to act like a gentleman.

"I'll have steak, mashed potatoes, cream of mushroom soup with asparagus and some clams," she ordered.

"Sir?" The waiter asked.

"I'll have the same." He said, not taking his eyes off her.

"Would you like some champagne?"

"Bring in the most expensive wine."

"Will that be all?"

"You may leave us alone for now." He hands over the menu to the waiter, reaching out to her to tuck a stray hair on her face behind her ear. "So… I really can't believe someone like you could stay single. I mean, there must be a bunch of guys running after you."

"I'd say the same thing about you." she replied.

"But seriously, I wanna know why you're still single."

"I've unbelievably high standards. It's almost impossible for a guy to meet all of them."

"You sound like someone I know."

"The girl?" She inquired.

He only shrugs at this and asked, "Game. What are your standards?"

"Well… he should be super smart and funny, great personality basically… someone who's well-rounded and knows what he wants and goes after it... And of course, he should be tall and good looking." She paused and thought for a moment or two, "Then again, the most important thing is that we have a great connection."

"You think I'd pass?"

She shakes hear head in disagreement.

"Why?" His face showed disbelief.

"You're just on the rebound and you're not the type."

"Not the type? What does that supposed to mean?"

"Not the type you make committed relationships with."

"So you think that I'm not capable of sustaining a relationship?"

She nodded hesitantly, "I know a lot of guys like you. You seek connection and intimacy yet when you found someone; you make nothing out of it. You easily lose interest. You charm yourself in and out."

"Okay. Fair enough." He said not wanting to push the topic. The waiters arrived with their meal, carefully placing it on their table.

"So you think I'm right?" She took the napkin on top of the plate and spread it over to her lap and he did the same.

"I didn't say that."

"So you think I'm not?"

"Didn't say that either. I just don't wanna push things further." He motioned for the waiter to pour the wine over his glass and then hers.

"So you think you'd pass?" She asked, curious to know what his response will be.

"Honestly, I think I'd pass. I'm smart and funny. I've a great personality and I think I have everything you look for in a man plus I'm single. Most of all, we have this amazing connection, you even said so yourself." He smirked in confidence.

"Confidence is a turn on. Or is it arrogance?"

"There's a thin line. I would want to believe it's just confidence but I can be arrogant at times, more of the self-absorbed kind. I've had my days."

"I can tell." She grinned. "Hmm… then I should make a mental note on not complimenting you too much."

"Sure. But try not to hold back. I kind of expected it sometimes" He smirks at her.

She lets out a laugh, "You really are something-something. So go on dazzle me with your charm and wit."

He laughs out loud, "I'd be showing off if I do that."

"Aren't you supposed to do that?"

"No. That's always a misconception."

"Why's that? You like your strong points being acknowledged but you don't like showing off? Aren't you supposed to like take advantage of the attention being given to you?"

"To show off is to the same as creating a facade that'll work for you, usually short term."

"And so?"

"But then it's impossible to sustain this all your life, hence you'll end up becoming who you really are."

"Which is?"

"Which will surely disappoint the people whom you've been showing off to, more like a negative feedback."

"And who are you really? Tell me. I would like to understand."

"You tell me." He said, challenging her.

"Are you expecting me to make a theory about you based on…?" She paused, recalling the few times they had spent with each other. "Our usual brief encounters?"

"Whatever you can come up with. Let's see how I've portrayed myself to you."

"But you wouldn't really give a damn about what I think about you, would you?" She countered.

"I would." There was a genuine look of interest on his face. "If you would be as objective as possible."

"I'd say, yeah, you are smart and funny, certainly. Definitely all that but I think that you're the kind of person in the relationship who always takes and takes but doesn't give. I may be wrong. It's just a hunch."

"That says a lot. Your turn to take then. I'll give you what you want"

"And now you're trying to prove me wrong?"

"No." He answered, taking a sip of his wine. He's been doing that a lot.

"Then what?"

"I'm just being fair. To prove someone wrong in this situation doesn't mean a thing. Opinions are supposed to be amoral."

"You may have all the qualities I look for in a man and thought it may be true that we share this amazing connection, there's nothing more in there really. There's no chance to know if the person you portray to be is who you truly are. There's nothing else to look into, now."

"Okay. That'll suffice for now."

"Maybe I might be wrong." She said, taking a bite of her steak.

"Or maybe not. Now it's your turn to take."

"What could I possibly want from you?"

"It's your call."

"What if I asked you to let me look deeper behind the facade and know who you really are?"

"Isn't this dinner what it's all about? Us getting to know each other?"

"You like me?"

"Do you like me?"

She didn't answer with a 'yes', instead, she said, "I'm hard to please."

"I'm up to the challenge."

"We'll see."

He was astonished at how they possibly have finished their plates with all that talk going on all throughout dinner. He asked for the check and paid for the dinner.

They were walking underneath the starless sky, with the whole city passing them by. He took his patterned scarf to wrap around her neck in order to keep her warmer. It's colder in London than it is in New York.

After twenty minutes of walking, they stopped in front of her apartment building. She spoke, "So… this is me. I really have a great time." Placing a small kiss on his left cheek, she turned around and walked towards the door.

"I had a great time, too. So, this is how our first date ends? No goodbye kiss? Not even a hug? Not anything?"

She turned to him and climbed down a few flights of stairs. She was now standing one foot away from him and smiled, he smiled back. They were gazing at each other for only God knows how long, aware of the sexual tension going on between them. He leans in closer, she doesn't move. He grabs her waist pulling her closer to him so that their faces were only a few inches apart. She instantly wraps her arms around his neck, slanting her head slightly so that their noses are already touching.

He couldn't hold on anymore, so it was him who puts an end to this waiting game and crashes his lips on hers.

"Rules were made to be broken, anyways," he says, kissing her like there was no tomorrow.