Chapter 16

Chuck yawned as he rolled over in his bed, as his mind drifted to last night, Chuck began to smile. Last night was better than even he could imagine and it was real; it actually happened. After the first couple of times in the limo, He and Blair came here and went for round three before drifting off to sleep. Chuck, with his eyes still closed, blindly reached for the other side of the bed for his bed partner in question, only to find that side cold.

He frowned and looked at the empty spot beside him and sat up in bed as he took in the room around him, looking for her. The suite was dead quiet and even though he figured that last night was just a fling, he couldn't help but feel a crushing blow of disappointment that she didn't stick around. That it was just one great night of passion, despite what she said about feeling the butterflies too.

In answer to his thoughts, his suite door opened without notice and there she was, followed by a wait staff pushing a cart in and leaving it for Blair to set up later. After the door shut behind them, Blair gave a hesitant smile as she came over to him as Chuck gave an answering smile, feeling his once plummeting heart soar at the sight of her. What a sap I've become. He thought silently, but accepted it much easier than he expected.

"Hey," Blair said softly, standing in the doorway of the bedroom part of the suite, "How'd you sleep?"

"It started better than usual, but it was unfortunate that I woke up alone. I've found that I dislike that immensely," Chuck answered with a smirk.

Blair felt her smile grow and slowly walked towards him, sitting down on the edge of the bed, setting her purse down beside her, "Forgive me," she leaned towards him and kissed his lips, "I had to head home and get actual clothing and send Dorota off on some errands for my party tonight. Plus I had to do a few traditional things like making sure the jewelry store put the right things on hold that I set up last month."

Chuck nodded as he remembered the party, "That's right, your birthday party is tonight."

Blair nodded, "So…last night…"

"Was amazing," Chuck finished for her with a smirk causing Blair to smile again, "I especially loved the part where, while I was removing your virtue in the back of my limo you purred in my ear."

Blair scoffed and shook her head light. He was still the same Chuck Bass, and she was Blair Waldorf, she reminded herself as she responded, "It was most definitely amazing, especially the part where you were moaning my name."

Chuck smiled as he nodded, thinking That's my girl.

She looked down at her lap as she took a breath before asking the dreaded question, "So are we going to do this? You and me?"

As she looked back up to him, almost afraid of what he was going to say, she realized that Chuck Bass had the power to hurt her more than anyone else before him. She was taking a huge leap of faith by allowing herself to be vulnerable, but she had never felt more safe in being that way with anyone other than him.

Chuck sat up straighter on the bed and wrapped his arms around Blair's waist as he pulled her towards him with a soft nod and a kiss, "Mhmm."

Blair could not stop herself from smiling, "Yeah?"

"Yeah," Chuck whispered back.

"So you're coming to my birthday party, right?" Blair checked.

"As if I'd miss such an important Waldorf event," Chuck smirked as she kissed him again, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Figuring that now was as good a time as any, Blair pulled back from him to speak, "There's something else…" She turned and dug into her purse and handed Chuck the newspaper with the picture of Nate and his parents with the words "Archibald Indicted" underneath, "Can you believe it? He's being charged with embezzlement and fraud and Nate looks so helpless. I tried texting him since mother showed me this, but he hasn't responded."

Chuck glanced at her with a frown at her words and tossed the paper aside on the bed, "Why? So you can be there for him as the loving girlfriend?"

Blair sighed as if the thought was completely ridiculous, "No, to be there for him as a friend. Just because we broke up, doesn't mean that we can't continue to be amicable. Mother of course only saw how this would affect her and her company and went off to call her lawyer to cancel the partnership she was about join with the Captain."

Chuck still didn't look convinced with Blair's reasoning for trying to get in contact with Nate as he leaned back against the backboard of his bed with his arms crossed. Blair tilted her head to the side with a frown, "What's up with you?"

"I just think it's funny that you're being so understanding; Makes me wonder if you plan on telling him about us," Chuck shrugged, his own insecurities showing a bit.

Blair sighed and took of her shoes as she climbed onto the bed and straddled his waist, pulling him towards her as she began to explain, "Hey. He's not just my ex-boyfriend, he's your best friend too. No one knows about Nate and mine's break up and with the scandal of the Captain being charged, I don't think he's going to be able to handle hearing about us just now. There's going to be enough talk later. I figure if he and I share a united front when we announce our break up we can then proceed to find the best time to tell him about us."

Chuck sighed and looked away from her, obviously not happy at being Blair's dirty little secret and he wasn't one to silently stew for long, "So you want me to be your dirty little secret?"

Blair shook her head firmly, "No. It's just- This is still so new and in the beginning stages, you've never been in a relationship before and the one that I've been in, as we both know, wasn't perfect. I just want to enjoy this stage with you without having to be under the scrutiny and judgment of the masses just yet. Plus, I know how much you care about Nate, and I don't want to be the cause of a rift between you two."

Chuck looked her in the eye and saw that she was being sincere, "And that's the only reason you want to keep us quiet?"

Blair nodded, "Those are the only reasons. I want to do this right and I think this is it." She ran her hands up his naked chest and up into his hair, lightly scratching his scalp as she whispered, "I want to be with you."

Chuck closed his eyes at the sensation and nodded, "Okay. We'll keep it quiet for now, and we'll see where this thing of ours goes. I'm still invited to your party right?"

"Of course, you are my boyfriend, even though nobody else knows it," Blair smiled at his agreement and leaned towards him, taking his lips with hers. In the back of her mind she hoped that she was doing the right thing and that this won't eventually blow up in her face later.

Completely forgetting about the cart in the next room that held their breakfast the couple began to get wrapped up in each other. Chuck was quickly making work of Blair's top as he placed open-mouthed kisses along her neck that he found was particularly sensitive from last night as they both heard the sound of Blair's phone going off in her phone.

"Ignore it," Chuck growled as he moved his head back to her lips eagerly causing Blair to giggle.

"But what if it's Dorota, needing more things to do? Or Serena?" she whispered against his lips as he pulled her closer by her waist.

With one last kiss, Chuck reluctantly released her to reach for her phone and answer. It wasn't Dorota, or Serena. "Hello?"

"Hey," the voice said on the other line, effectively grabbing Blair's attention almost immediately.

"Hi. Are you okay? I've been texting you all morning," Blair looked to Chuck and mouthed that it was Nate, which resulted with him holding her even tighter, refusing to let her move off his lap.

"Yeah, I'm-I'm fine. Thanks. I, um, just been a little busy," Nate explained through the phone.

"I just wanted to check on you, see if you need anything," Blair assured him as she rested her head on Chuck's shoulder, not even bothering to attempt to get up again.

"Yeah I kind of do," Nate said with a sigh.

Blair lifted her head in surprise and responded, "Oh?"

"Um…Blair, do you think we've been a little- a little hasty with the whole breakup?" Nate asked her softly. The result of that question led to Chuck and Blair sharing a look almost waiting to see what the other would do next. Blair understood Chuck's insecurities from earlier and was kind of glad that he was here with her when she took this phone call so she could prove to him that she wanted to be with him and not Nate Archibald.

"I don't think so, Nate. I mean there were some pretty big reasons why we broke up in the first place," Blair explained before getting an idea, and realizing what it was she wanted for her birthday, "Tell you what, why don't we discuss this more tonight at my party?"

"Yeah, okay. We'll talk then and make the final decision. I've, uh, I've got a birthday present for you too. It's, uh, something special."

Blair nodded into the phone, "I can't wait to see it at my party. See you there." She smiled as she hung up the phone and tossed it to the side before turning towards a very unhappy Chuck Bass.

"So he's still coming?" he asked as he moved her off of him and grabbed for his robe as he got out of bed.

Blair sighed and stood up on her knees, not leaving the bed, "Yes, he's coming and he and I are going to have a conversation and he'll give me my birthday present, and everything is going to be fine."

"For you I'm sure it will," Chuck griped at her as he began to walk away, stopping when she reached for his arm and pulled him back to her.

"Hey. Don't be upset," Blair tried to reason.

"Don't be upset?" My girlfriend just invited her very recent ex to her birthday party to discuss them maybe getting back together and so she can get her gift from the guy. Why on earth would I be upset about that?" Chuck said lowly.

Blair felt an unwilling smile come on her face, "Your girlfriend? Did you just refer to me as your girlfriend?" she asked softly.

Chuck looked away, pursing his lips as he replied softly, "That's what I thought you were…, obviously I was wrong."

"No. You weren't," Blair lifted his face towards her as she held onto his chin firmly, "I have a plan. Nate and I are going to talk at my party, yes. But after cementing that he and I are over, I will get my gift. The one gift that I want for my birthday, and that is him and I presenting a united front as we tell all our friends that we are over. So I can completely close that chapter of my life and focus on this brand new one with you."

Blair smiled softly as the look on Chuck's face softens at her words. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him back down on to the bed and once again straddled him as he asked, "That's what you want for your birthday?"

Blair nodded softly as her hands found their way back into his hair, "More than anything. Sure I don't want to tell everyone about us yet, but I don't want to sneak around with you in that way while everyone else thinks I'm still with him."

She slowly leaned towards him and kissed his lips once, twice, and for a third time as he held her close. Blair whispered softly, "We still have some time before I have to go get ready…"

Chuck grinned as he flipped Blair over onto the bed beneath him as she let a squeal of laughter, holding onto him tight as they continue to kiss. They were really doing this. But he couldn't help but feel that he was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

xoxo

After a quick round and some breakfast off of the cart that Blair had brought up with her courtesy of the wait staff, Blair reluctantly said her goodbyes to Chuck to head home and meet Serena so she could help Blair pick out her dress for the night. After their talk earlier, Blair understood where Chuck was coming from with the thought that Blair may change her mind about going back to Nate.

It wouldn't have been the first time. After months of him trying to get her to see the light, she could see that it was going to take him some time for him to recognize that she was serious about keeping this break up with Nate permanent. Not just because of all the secrets and his feelings for Serena, but because she found what she had always wanted in a boyfriend in her dark knight in shining armor.

She, more than anybody, understood Chuck and she wanted them to work. She hoped that everything would go as planned tonight so she and Chuck can start on a clean slate and have a decent shot at this boyfriend/girlfriend thing. Blair smiled to herself at the titles as she got into the elevator in her building. Chuck Bass was her boyfriend and he seemed more than happy with wearing that title for her, and she had to admit that her title of being his girlfriend felt right.

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts she didn't even realize that Serena was already in her bedroom waiting for her until Serena jumped up from the bed and ran over to her, giving her a hug, "Oh my god! I was worried; it's not like you to be late."

Blair smiled and returned the hug, "Sorry. I was busy running a few errands for tonight, but I'm here now. Tell me all the juicy details."

They pair sat down on Blair's bed as Serena went on about how much effort her Brooklyn boyfriend made to make the night special for them, and how Serena really felt that she was falling in love. If it were anyone but a Brooklynite Blair was absolutely ecstatic for her best friend. Maybe it was because even though her and Nate broke up, she found what she really wanted not too long after.

It was then the conversation turned to a not pleasant place as Serena started talking about the awkward breakfast they shared the next morning that was interrupted by Dan's friend Vanessa. After Serena finished with what went down and the conversation that was had, Blair stood up and went over to her closet in disbelief after noting the time.

"I can't believe he told her you guys were going to do it," she said in outrage on her friend's behalf as she took out a couple of dress to try on.

Serena tried to defend him with, "Well, I told you."

Blair scoffed as she put one of the dresses back in the closet, already deeming it inappropriate for tonight, "That's different. I'm a girl."

"Yeah, well, so is she," Serena said obliviously.

Blair rolled her eyes as she turned to the blonde currently lying on top of her bed after shutting her wardrobe, "Exactly my point," she continued on speaking as she went to stand in front of her mirror, "But even if she wasn't, when you get a boyfriend, you become the best friend, and the best friend becomes the second best friend."

She turned towards Serena after tossing a dress to the side in the no pile, "That's just how it has to be if it's ever going to work."

Blair turned back towards the mirror as she lifted another one of the dresses in her hands up against her, wondering if Chuck would like it on her as Serena hesitantly started to speak, "Hey, you still haven't told me how Nate's doing. It's all over the news."

Blair looked at Serena as she gave her answer, "When I talked to him this morning, he was fine. I figured it'd be best if he spent the day with his family."

Serena nodded and reached towards the foot of the bed as she continued her questions, "But he's still coming to your party, right? Here." She handed Blair a pair of shoes to go with the dress that Blair was currently holding, unaware of how quickly Blair's mind was racing.

"Um, yes, he is actually. He said he wanted to talk a little bit and confirmed that he was in fact coming with my birthday present. So I said okay as long as he's up to it," Blair smiled as she looked at Serena in the eyes.

Serena smiled back, "You're such a good girlfriend, B, really." Blair felt the guilt build a bit as Serena stood up and gave her a big hug. She knew out of everyone she should tell Serena what was really going on, but she also knew that out of everyone, Serena could the most judgmental, especially when it came to Chuck.

As Serena released her she began to shoot out an idea, "Hey, um, I'll just pick you up, and we can go together, but I really hope Nate can make it."

Blair forced a smile on her lips and nodded, hoping the same thing so she can at least stop pretending this part of her life, and focus on what's important. Being a friend to Nate and being a good girlfriend to Chuck. She just got him; the last thing she wanted was to lose him because he felt as if she wasn't devoted to him.

xoxo

After showering and dressing for the day, Chuck was standing in front of his mirror, preparing to get dressed for Blair's party after having just returned from picking up her gift, when he heard a knock on his door. He frowned, not having a clue who it could be since Blair was most likely getting ready for tonight at her place and Nate was probably spending time with his family and psyching himself up for his conversation with Blair.

Chuck rolled his eyes at that visual. The last thing he wanted was to be like this, but it seemed Blair brought it out in him and he had to admit that it was probably the only thing he didn't like when it came to this new relationship they had started. He smirked at the unmade bed as he passed by, remembering the fun they had only a few hours ago before they shared breakfast.

Chuck walked to the door and looked through the peephole and froze at the sight of Nate on the other side, waiting to be let in. For a moment, Chuck thought about pretending he wasn't home and stood their quietly. It was when Nate knocked and spoke through the door that he knew he was caught, "I can hear you breathing on the other side of the door. Is she anybody you can get rid of? I just really need to talk to you, man. Please."

Chuck sighed silently to himself, he was so not ready for this. But Blair was right, Nate was his best friend and it's not as if he knew that Blair was serious about their breakup and had already moved on. If Chuck were in the same position, he knew he'd do anything he could to keep her for himself. Granted he wouldn't have treated her the same way Nate did, but how could he blame Nate for not quite giving up?

Psyching himself up, Chuck quickly opened the door with a smile and a point, "Nathaniel!" Not waiting for any further greeting, Chuck turned away and walked further into his suite as he tried to get his head on straight.

"Where's the girl?" Nate asked as he looked around the room curiously.

"In my dreams," Chuck quipped as he quickly picked up the sack that held Blair's present from off the bar top and set it on the chair beside him, "I was trying to get some shut-eye. What's on your mind?"

Nate walked farther in, taking a seat on the couch as he rubbed his face, "It's my mom."

"Sounds Freudian," Chuck smirked to himself.

Nate sighed before he blurted out, "She wants me to give Blair her ring."

Chuck frowned, "What? You guys broke up."

Nate scoffed as he leaned back into the couch, "Yeah, I know. I mean, uh, wait. How do you know?"

Chuck began to feel a sense of panic as he realized his slip and quickly covered, "Predictably, your ex ran the old, uh, grill-the-best-friend play. Tried to find out where your head was at." As Nate nodded, seeming to accept the lie, Chuck decided to do a little recon and asked casually as he glanced away briefly, "So, uh, where uh, where is your head?"

Nate threw his hand in the air as he answered simply, "Spinning. I mean, my mom wants me to get back with Blair so Eleanor doesn't pull out of their business deal. It's all because of my dad's whole trial thing, you know?"

Chuck nodded softly as he listened, realizing that this posed a problem for him. Nate usually always bowed at the whims of his parents when it came to what he wanted vs what they wanted. So if he was feeling pressure from Anne, he'd work even harder to getting back Blair. Although a part of him told him that he should trust that Blair was sincere with her words this morning, the other part was still scared that she was just going through a rebound and would dump him at any opportunity to go back to her perfect life.

"Yeah. I'm sorry about all that," Chuck said with complete sincerity before he continued on working towards his own agenda, "but look, if you're done with Blair, be done. Don't cave to your parents' wishes if they're not your desires."

Nate frowned in confusion, "Excuse me? Where's my boy? "seal the deal. Tap that ass. Money marries bigger money"?"

Chuck chuckled a bit as Nate repeated several of his brilliant one liners of advice he's given to him over the past couple of months before saying bluntly, "Look, I care about three things, Nathaniel- Money, the pleasures money brings me and you." He mentally added Blair to his list and it wasn't as if the list was in any particular order as he continued on, "I'm just trying to have your back here."

Nate nodded softly, obviously taking Chuck for his word as he had so many times before, "Your parents have been controlling you your whole life. If it doesn't end now, when will it ever?"

As Chuck watched the seed be planted in Nate's head, he began to feel better about what the night would bring. Maybe now Nate will accept that him and Blair were over and the two can announce their breakup amicably, just like Blair said she wanted. He was simply trying to ensure that everything went according to plan.

xoxo

Blair and Serena waited as the elevator arrived at the floor of where the party was being held in honor of Blair's 17th birthday. Last year was of course the biggest night of the season, but this year, Blair decided on something a bit more intimate with only the elites invited that she actually talked to on a regular basis. Basically anyone who mattered was going to be there and Blair couldn't be happier.

Serena mentioned on their way over that she invited Dan to the party and that he was coming to meet her later and Blair couldn't even bring herself to be the tiniest bit annoyed about it. Everything was going right in her life. After having the talk with Nate, she felt that she could genuinely start enjoying this party in between sneaking off with Chuck in some unseen corner until midnight came. She wondered, briefly, if he got her a gift for her birthday this year.

Deciding to just focus on one thing at a time tonight as the elevator opened to reveal the party in full swing, Blair smiled as she held Serena's hand in hers as they made their grand entrance. They were both in awe of the Japanese themed party and everything looked perfect from the chefs preparing fresh sushi to the game area where guitar hero was being played and everyone appeared to be having fun.

Blair smiled to Serena as she exclaimed laughing, "Oh, my god." They were quickly approached by both Kati and Iz, both wishing Blair a happy birthday. Blair smiled brightly as she exclaimed, "Oh, my god, Kati. Your brother's place looks fabulous."

Kati waved her hand away at the compliment with, "Yeah, I know, right?"

"I know. It's incredible. Come on, guys. Let's check it out," Serena added excitedly as she led Blair and the others around the place eagerly.

After circulating for about half an hour and dancing for another hour, Blair felt hungry, having not have eaten since this morning when she was eating breakfast with Chuck, so she led Serena over to the sushi bar so they could eat something. Blair couldn't help but glance around every once and a while trying to locate either Nate or Chuck, feeling her disappointment that neither of them are here yet to celebrate her birthday.

Blair's attention was drawn back to Serena at the feel of the blonde hitting her leg lightly, "Hey. So where's Nate?"

It was almost like she read her mind. Blair shrugged lightly as she took the opportunity to look around the room once again as she answered, "Um, I'm sure he'll be here soon. What about Dan?"

Serena quickly took a bite of her sushi before she answered, "Oh, uh, he said he's coming, but I haven't talked to him since this morning."

Blair frowned, not liking the sound of that, "Well, you better check in on him. Make sure the best friend hasn't whisked him away to do some friendly activity." Blair teased.

Serena laughed as she gave Blair a light shove, "Oh, shut up." Serena looked pass Blair for a moment before she spoke again, "Oh, there's Chuck. I bet he knows where Nate is."

Blair tried her best to play it cool as she glanced over her shoulder at him casually before giving her excuses, quickly standing up, "I think Nate probably just snuck in while we were dancing." She shrugged and left the room to go out to the balcony as she heard Serena call for Chuck. Not stopping until she got outside, knowing that he wouldn't take long before seeking her out.

xoxo

After giving it about five minutes, Chuck casually made his way in the direction that he saw Blair disappear to after Serena called to him upon his arrival. Hoping that he read the situation correctly that she wanted him to come find her without being noticed, he figured five minutes would give enough time for her to cool off with him purposely choosing to be late to her party.

He should have known better though, for as soon as he made his presence known with a soft, "Are you ready for your present?"

She looked at him and grabbed a full chunk of his hair and began pulling his head to the side, and not in a sexy way that she was prone to do in the throes of passion, no it was to inflict pain. Enough pain that he actually couldn't hold back an "Ow!" to which she simply placed her hand along his cheek in a way so gentle that it was the complete opposite of what she was doing with his hair. "If you wanted to play rough, all you had to do was ask," He growled choosing to not fight against her grip.

She looked at him briefly before her concentration was interrupted by some girl, calling out to Blair. Blair smiled over at the girl as if she wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary with a light, "Hi!" Releasing his hair finally as she waved to the girl, "Hello there. Happy birthday to me!" She even went as far as doing a little dance for herself as the girl left them alone.

The sight alone made Chuck chuckle a bit as he fixed his jacket, making sure it sat correctly on his body as the mask of the society hostess immediately disappeared and Blair glared at him as she told him bluntly as she leaned against the half wall beside them, "You're late."

Chuck sighed and leaned against it too as he gave his apologies, "Forgive me for wanting to avoid the scene of you and Nathaniel, with him trying to woo you back into his arms."

Blair glare softened as she asked him, "You think I'd go back? After everything he has done to me, and everything that I've learned this past week alone?" She sighed softly as she took his hand in hers gently and he let her, "Chuck, in order for us to give this a genuine shot, you're going to have to trust me, just like I have to trust you."

Chuck looked down at their joined hands as he listened to her, "Trust that I want to be with you, not Nate. I want to be with the person that has been there whenever I needed him most throughout this past year and not once complained or held it against me. Who has taken care of me, and has let me be there for him on several occasions. The one that I can be a hundred percent myself with. With no sign of disapproval or judgment. The one who inspired me to instead of murdering the butterflies, I let them soar, and I haven't looked back sense."

Chuck looked up at her then at her heartfelt words, but she wasn't finished with him yet, "You told me several times that I deserve to be happy."

Chuck nodded, believing it whole-heartedly as he responded softly, "You do."

"Then let me be happy, even if it is with you," Blair whispered to him with a smirk. Chuck never wanted to kiss her more than he did in that moment and settled with a soft nod and kiss on her hand that was still twined with his. If she was seriously saying that she was happy with him, than he was more than willing to accept it and make it his goal to keep her happy.

"And you didn't avoid it, by the way. Nate still hasn't arrived," she added with a soft smile before she sighed, "I just want this to be over with so I can enjoy my party and sneak off into dark corners on occasion with my boyfriend."

Chuck grinned at that and for the first time today, he actually believed the words coming out of Blair's mouth. When it came to him, she was always a terrible liar and today was no different. She was telling him the truth this morning before breakfast and she was telling him the truth now. With this revelation he allowed himself to hope that this could actually work. Before anyone could interrupt them, Chuck placed a soft kiss on Blair's lips, careful not to linger too long before breaking it.

Blair smiled and was leaning towards him for another kiss when she was called back to the party by Serena. Fortunately the blonde was fiddling with her phone when she stepped out to find Blair so she didn't see anything. The blonde wasn't known for keeping secrets well. With a smile of regret Blair left him out on the balcony as she made her way back inside with her blonde counterpart. Chuck watched her go as he took in a breath of fresh air before heading back inside too. Wondering where in the hell Nate was.

xoxo

Blair put on a happy face as she reluctantly left Chuck's side to go back in to her party. The night was going great; she danced and drank and laughed as she stole glances at Chuck from across the room. The only thing that would allow Blair to actually relax and enjoy it was if Nate would show up already so they could talk. Blair sighed softly as she took a shot of sake. "Maybe he's just spending this time with his parents. They are going through a huge scandal and a possible trial, but still he could have at least called," Blair thought silently to herself.

As Blair found herself, once again, checking the time and seeing that it was about 10 o'clock, she was beginning to lose hope that Nate would even come so they could cement this. Almost sensing that Blair was distracted and by what, Serena suggested that Blair started to open her gifts from her guests. Blair was never one to turn down a gift so she quickly agreed heading over to the gift table by the elevator.

She smiled politely as people came up to her and handed her each of their personal gifts and she said thank you as was expected before she began to open a few. Mentally wondering what these people could have possibly given her for a gift. Just when she was about to open an envelope from some elite from Chapin, she heard the elevator bell go off indicating that someone else had arrived.

She didn't even get a chance to get her hopes up when Serena started jumping and squealing like a four year old as she exclaimed, "Dan, you're here! And, um, and you brought Vanessa." Blair rolled her eyes at the stupidity that is Dan Humphrey as she started flipping through her birthday cards as Serena continued on playing nice, "Um, Kati and Iz, you- you know Dan," to which the duo just gave him a brief glance before continuing on with helping Blair sort through everything so she could finally open the real gifts.

It wasn't until she heard her name that she went over to Serena's side to show her support, "Uh, Blair, this is, um, Dan's friend Vanessa." When Blair finally got a look at the girl, she was shocked that the girl was actually attractive and didn't even both to act as if the girl was welcomed here.

While Vanessa and Dan began to talk quietly to each other, Blair leaned towards her best friend and whispered as she shook her head, "Oh, sweetie, you did not tell me she looked like that. This is such a problem."

Blair could only handle the tension between the Brooklynites and Serena for so long before she needed some fresh air. She picked up her phone and went back out to the balcony, hoping that Nate would call her so she could stop waiting. She felt as if that was basically her entire relationship with Nate; her waiting for him to step up. Her waiting for him to look at her like he loved her the way that she loved him. The entire relationship was based on waiting, and here she was, once again, waiting for him so they could come out and tell everyone that they reached the end their relationship.

She felt a familiar fingertip running along her back and shivered a bit as she glanced over her shoulder with a playful smile as she responded, "Stalk me much?" To which Chuck just smirked at her.

She brushed past him, taking his hand in hers as they go back to where they were the last time they were out here together after he showed up late to her party. She found herself smiling softly as Chuck brushed his thumb along the back of her hand in comfort as if he knew that something was wrong.

"Why are you still doing up here all alone?" He asked softly. "Of course he knew something was wrong! He's my best friend, and knows me better than anyone," Blair chastised herself silently as she looked up at him through her eyelashes.

After taking a deep breath she just told him what was bothering her, "I don't know where Nate is, and he always calls me at midnight, when it turns into my birthday. So I'm hoping when he does he and I can finally talk and get this thing settled."

As Blair glanced down at her phone, almost hoping that it would light up as Chuck said off handedly, "I wouldn't count on it tonight. He came by the suite earlier today to talk."

She looked up at him at his words, confused, "He came to you? What about?"

"He told me the real reason that he called you this morning," Chuck said softly, not looking at her but at her hand in his, lacing them together.

"What do you mean?" Blair asked intrigued.

"Don't you think it's a bit strange that Nate suddenly decides he wants to get back together just moments after your mother puts the brakes on her deal with the Captain?" Chuck asked her rhetorically.

Blair shifted her wait as she took in his question and realized what he was implying, "So you're saying that Nate is only pretending to like me and that he's actually using me to get to my mother? He wouldn't do that," she said firmly, not even believing her own words as her mind went immediately to her conversation with Jenny and how quick Nate was to get back together earlier this week.

Chuck gave her a look and said what the voice in her head said, "Yes, he would. If it was to help his family, you know he would."

Blair closed her eyes and sighed softly, "Wow. I guess I shouldn't be surprised…but maybe he won't go through with it." Blair said, hoping that Nate would not be that guy. Be the type of guy to play with her heart and emotions like that when it counted. She hoped that they could have kept a basic friendship, but she didn't know if that were possible with this revelation.

"No matter where he is, or what he's doing, he'll call at midnight. And then we'll tell everyone about our break up and we can move on from all of this," Blair said firmly.

Chuck gave her a look of disbelief, releasing her hand before he spoke again, "Care to make a wager? If he calls, we'll play it your way and you can tell everyone that the break-up was amicable and that you two are still friends. If he doesn't, you expose him for the manipulator he is and announce your break-up."

Blair laughed lightly before confirming, "So, either way I'm coming out telling everyone that Nate and I are no longer together?"

Chuck nodded with a smirk, a smirk that hid, but not entirely, his relief at her response, "It is what you wanted most for your birthday; a clean slate, closing that chapter of your life to focus on this new one. That is if you still want that…"

Blair nodded as she smiled at him, "It is, more than anything. And you seem to want it just as much as I do."

Chuck sighed and slowly pulled her closer to him, "It is, because I guess the longer that the world doesn't know that you two are no longer together…the more time that you could change your mind. I know for a long time, you envisioned Nate as your Prince Charming. I don't even know how to even compete with that. Nothing could stop you from falling back into old habits."

Blair looked at him as if everything was coming together. He was her and she was Nate, while Nate was Serena. And it broke her heart to put him through anything of what she had to go through during almost the entirety of her relationship. Blair tried to find the words to get through to him that it was him, Chuck Bass, whom she wanted to be with; no one else.

"I don't know what I can say or do to prove to you that I am with you, but I hope that you realize how serious I am about us, once everyone knows that Nate and I broke up. It may have taken me some time but I know now that Nate is far from my prince charming. I choose you." She caressed his face gently, still holding onto his hand with her other. "It's a deal."

Chuck smiled softly at her words and turned his head a bit and kissed her palm, taking it in his other hand before lifting it up to his shoulders as he pulled her even closer, causing Blair to smile brighter as she wrapped his arms around his neck.

"How are the butterflies?" She teased.

"Still making me sick," his response made Blair laugh, "but I'm growing accustomed to them."

Blair bit her bottom lip before she gently kissed his lips, "I'm glad, because I've grown quite used to mine."

Chuck smirked as he kissed her back, "I was going to give you your gift earlier, but then you started manhandling me…"

Blair perked up at the mention of a gift, "You got me a gift? Can I have it now?"

"No." Chuck said bluntly.

Blair gasped in outrage, "You would keep my birthday gift from me on my birthday?"

"The thing with that, Waldorf, is that it's not actually your birthday, yet," Chuck clarified, "You'll get it after midnight."

Blair sighed loudly before smiling, knowing that whatever it was, Chuck always got her the best gifts and she knew she'd love it. She pressed her forehead against his, running her nose along his, kind of wishing for the night to be over so they could get out of here and spend the rest of the evening alone.

Unfortunately, it didn't seem to be in the cards for them because not too long after, Blair heard her name being called as someone was trying to find her. The couple reluctantly parted and headed back inside separately. Blair was already regretting the idea of them keeping their relationship a secret, but she didn't want everyone to think that what she and Chuck had wasn't real. That it was some sick rebound game. At the very least she wanted to tell the people who mattered to her first before anyone else found out.

xoxo

It was officially past midnight and Blair sat at the bar alone with a full tumbler of sake in front of her and a shot in her hand mentally toasting to herself happy birthday as she took her shot. She glanced briefly at her phone as it sat beside her, not showing any indication of lighting up and claiming she had a phone call. She sighed softly to herself as she set the glass down on the bar top as Chuck came up to her, "12:01. I'm sorry."

Blair looked at her boyfriend of 24 hours and smirked, "No you're not. You're smarmy. There's a difference."

"You're right I'm not. Let me rephrase: I'm not sorry that Nate didn't man up and call you when he was supposed to, but I am sorry that you're not happy and that you didn't get what you wanted," Chuck explained softly.

Blair took his hand in hers without even thinking, "I just wanted for him and I to at least be civil after it was over; for your sake as well as his. With all this scandal with his family going on, my way of helping was to ease him of the burden of the scandal of his and mine's break-up so soon after the first scandal broke."

Blair sighed softly as she looked down at the bar top, "I'm assuming you've come to collect? When shall I make the announcement?"

Chuck looked past her and said simply with a nudge, "Turn around."

Blair sighed and rolled her eyes with a faint smile, "You grow more inappropriate by the second," she misconstrued his nudge, oblivious to the people coming her way.

Chuck laughed briefly before correcting her as he pointed behind her, "You get older. Look. Happy birthday."

As Blair turned around, she was bombarded with a tastefully decorated cake held by Serena as everyone else yelled out, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" She refused to let go of Chuck's hand as she knew it was about time for her to make her own announcement and she didn't know if she could hurt Nate the way he had hurt her; to expose him as the liar and impressive manipulator. Even though she didn't love him the way she used to she still cared about him as a friend.

"Blair, blow out your candles," Kati urged eagerly

"Make a wish, Blair!" Serena exclaimed excitedly.

Blair felt as if she needed some air before she could do any of this, with a final squeeze of Chuck's hand as he stood beside her she said softly, "It already didn't come true." With these words, Blair quickly stood up, reluctantly letting go of Chuck's hand as she fled to the balcony, trying to come up with some kind of plan without everyone staring at her expectantly.

As Chuck watched her go off to the balcony, leaving him behind he sighed. He knew how big of a deal this was to ask of her and to be honest he wouldn't have been surprised if she backed out. After their many conversations of the night, discussing their relationship and trust, Chuck felt as if his insecurities slowly diminish. They weren't completely gone, but the fact that she held his hand so tightly just now and the reluctance in her eyes every time that she left his side, showed him what her words could not.

That she did want to be with him, and with that knowledge it gave him patience. If she chose to back out of her end of the deal tonight, he would understand. He'd let her do it in her own time; besides it's not as if they were going to keep the break-up a secret indefinitely, the fact that Nate didn't show up tonight or even called proved that.

As everyone looked at each other in confusion, Chuck leaned towards the candles still lit on the cake and made his own wish. He wished that by this time next year, he and Blair would no longer be a secret and would be even accepted by their friends. He wished that by this time next year, he wouldn't have screwed this up. He wished for this to work out, because he had no idea what he would do if he lost her. With these thoughts floating through his head he blew out the candles gently.

Spotted: Nate Archibald depositing a mystery girl in a taxi after midnight. All we know about her for sure? She's not Blair Waldorf.

Blair was standing outside on the balcony by herself when the phones started going off. She frowned in confusion at what could Gossip Girl possibly have to say when everyone who mattered was here. All except one…at this thought she quickly took out her phone and felt her lips part in shock. "Seriously? This is how he wants to play it?!" she mentally fumed at the indication that he was cheating on her so publicly.

She was in complete shock as she slowly headed inside. So Nate wasn't with his family he was out on the town with some blonde whore without a care in the world, when a little more than twelve hours ago he was trying to get her back. As she passed by people, she saw what she hated most in their eyes. They all pitied her. They had the nerve to pity her as they kept glancing at her and then down at their phones.

Blair felt her embarrassment and anger grow as the more people she passed to get to her group. How could he do this? Blair wanted more than ever to set the record straight, and since he didn't have the courtesy to talk about his change of plans and once again didn't come to her, she'll take him down a few pegs too.

As she reached her friends she caught the tail end of Serena trying to say that maybe Gossip Girl was wrong when she noticed that Blair was there she quickly came to her side, "Blair, hey, I'm so sorry. I never would've thought that this would happen." Blair couldn't stand the look of sympathy on Serena's face.

"I hope the slut gave him herpes," Kati quickly jumped in, adding her two cents.

Iz sighed as she nodded in agreement, "Cheater totally deserves herpes."

"He isn't cheating," Blair stated bluntly corrected, feeling her eyes fill up with tears of embarrassment that this happened on today of all days, on her birthday as she continued on, "We broke up, okay? He was gonna get back together with me, but only so my mom would help his dad."

As she about to turn away, she locked eyes with Chuck and said, "You satisfied?" knowing that he would understand that this was her holding up to her end of their bargain. She quickly fled from the room before her tears could fall and she'd end up embarrassing herself even more. Unfortunately she wasn't going to get to have that time to herself alone as Serena was racing after her.

"Blair, stop, okay? You can talk to me." Serena cried as she took ahold of Blair's arm.

Blair just really wanted this night to be over already as she turned towards her blonde best friend and just let the tears fall, leaving it up to Serena to figure out what they were for as she stated, "We ended it. I wanted to tell you, but- but then the scandal broke and then he called me this morning. I just wanted for us to talk about where we went from here and he couldn't even bring himself to do that!"

Serena shushed her as she reached towards Blair, wiping her face before pulling the brunette into a hug as Blair continued to cry. "It was my birthday wish for us to tell everyone that we ended amicably. That he and I were still friends…but I don't if that's what we even are anymore," Blair explained brokenly.

It just became too much for Blair and she began to feel very overwhelmed so she pulled away from Serena with, "Is it okay if I just want to be alone for a second?"

Not even waiting for an answer, she headed for the small bedroom behind her where she was originally headed to and shut the door behind her firmly, throwing herself onto the bed. "I couldn't even have a drama free break up in regards to Nate could I?" she asked herself silently. Now she was here alone and embarrassed in front everyone. No matter how much she could say that they were already broken up, she could tell that some didn't believe her, that they thought she was trying to save face.

Not too long later she heard the door open. She opened her eyes and smiled sadly as Chuck came into the room, closing the door behind him. She sat up on the bed as she spoke, "I wouldn't say that this was the worst birthday ever, but I'd definitely put it in the top ten. Public embarrassment can ruin anyone's night."

"Maybe it can be salvaged," he offered as he revealed a black velvet box that he was hiding behind his back with a flourish.

Blair looked at it suspiciously, "Is that our sex tape? When did you have time to set up a camera in between all those rounds, Bass?"

Chuck smirked at her wit that he always enjoyed, "No, it's your birthday present. I did promise you that you would receive it after midnight…"

When he opened the box, all Blair could do was stare at what was inside. "It's the Erickson Beamon necklace," she said softly. It was one of the pieces she thought about putting on hold, but knew it was much to extravagant to even be considered by her mother or, at the time when they were dating, Nate so she didn't even bother to set it aside.

As Chuck took it out of the box and lifted it as if to put it on her, Blair, for the first time in her life, attempted to turn down the gift, "No, I couldn't."

"Yes you can," Chuck encouraged as he set the box aside and kneeled on the bed behind her as he placed it on her neck gently. Blair turned towards the mirror across the room and looked at herself with Chuck beside her. She admitted that together they looked great. She smiled softly as she reached up and touched the diamond necklace as Chuck turned towards the mirror too, adding, "Something this beautiful, deserves to be seen on someone worthy of its beauty. I really am sorry."

Blair smiled at his sincerity, suddenly feeling as if, despite the embarrassment, that it was all worth it to be here in this moment with her best friend, her boyfriend. It was then that she felt something stir inside of her, a foreign feeling that she didn't want to focus on right then. She just wanted to be in this moment with him. Chuck reached up and brushed his fingers with hers that resulted in them holding hands as he kissed her shoulder gently.

Blair closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against his as she held his hand against her chest. Chuck lifted his head and looked at her for a moment before leaning towards her and kissed her to which she eagerly returned. The ends justified the means. Everyone knew that she was single and that chapter of her life was finished. Blair Waldorf was on a clean slate with her boyfriend and she wasn't going to waste it.

As the couple continued kissing, Chuck's arms wrapped around Blair's waist and Blair's hands buried into his hair as she pulled him towards her, swinging him around so that he was underneath her. Neither one of them aware of the door closing in the distance gently by Serena, nor were they aware that their relationship was about to go through its first test.

Spotted: B. Turning a year older, but not necessarily wiser. Guess Chuck's the gift that keeps on giving. Blow out your candles, B. This will be better in the dark.

x.o.x.o

Gossip girl

A/N: I was blown away by the awesomeness of my readers for the last chapter! I love that you loved the change I made and I only hope that you love this chapter too. It was a little angsty but I hope that it was realistic for the characters at play under the circumstances. I felt that they needed to have the conversation and be honest with each other because we all know the downfall of our beloved chair happens when they're not honest with each other, and I feel that in this universe they both strive for that because they already mean so much to each other and neither feel they could handle losing the other completely.

How long do you think our beloved Chair is going to last before someonefinds out about them? Are they going to be able to keep up the charade and be able to come out in their own time or will they be pushed into the limelight before they're ready for it? For now, these are my personal secrets that I'll keep. ;) You just have to continue reading to see how it plays out.

Send me your love and reviews because I eat it up like bacon! Next chapter will be Thanksgiving and you know the crazy things that happen on Turkey day on the Upper East Side so I'll see you guys next Saturday! Hope you all had a good first day of spring because we just got a bunch of snow and no snow day in sight! :(

*blows you all a bunch of kisses*

-Plei4fun