Disclaimer - Don't own *sigh*
Word Count - 4600; you know this was originally supposed to be a tiny little story with less then 1000 words each chapter lol.
A/N - So it's official, I am the most inconsistent writer there ever was. Sometimes I don't update for weeks and others I update within days, what can I say the mood just strikes me sometimes. Anyways here's part 2 and I hope you enjoy it! PS - B/C to happen very soon!
*****
"Celia." Lia greeted frostily.
"Cornelia," Cece countered. "Still sunning yourself on the Gulf Coast? I really don't know how you can survive in such a warm climate day after day... Though the current state of your skin is evidence enough that you do."
"Celia, Celia, Celia... Still bitter I see." Lia observed. "Tell me, how do you keep yourself looking so young? Your very prominent receding hairline is equal only to that of a baby's!"
"See what I mean," Eleanor hissed to her fiancé as she grabbed a glass of champagne (or three) off of a server and dragged him away.
"Grandma, Lia" Serena approached the two tentatively with Aaron on her arm. "This is my boyfriend Aaron Rose, Cyrus' son and Blair's future stepbrother."
Cece eyed both her and Blair, "You two really do have a thing about swapping siblings don't you? Though I'm sure that Serena's choice of beau far surpasses Blair's choice." She smiled benignly at Chuck.
"And yet you wouldn't find Blair dating a social nobody from Brooklyn. The son of Lily's old lover I believe? Still, I suppose there is something to be said for keeping it in the family I suppose."
"At least Lily and Serena's beaus stuck to one gender, which is more then can be said for Eleanor's husband. Which, funnily enough," Cece let out a fake cackle, "Brings us back to your point about keeping it in the family, I always did have my doubts about your late Richard."
Lia eyed her furiously but somehow managed to keep her tone of voice level. "Why would that be dear? You can't still be under the impression that every man who isn't interested in touching you with a ten foot barge pole is gay, can you?"
Chuck attempted to stifle a snicker and Serena quickly led a protesting Aaron away, giving Blair a look that clearly said 'do something'.
"Cornelia once again you are far off the mark," Cece said innocently, "I was merely questioning Richard's penchants for brightly colored suits and ridiculous outfits." She once again pointedly looked at Chuck who was dressed in a snow-white colored suit with a bright orange silk shirt.
Lia hesitated briefly before conceding the point. "Well then you can rest assured that Richard was indeed straight. I should know," She gave a conspiratorial wink, "Oh and if you are ever in the Tribeca Star for lunch I would strongly advise that you use the restrooms on the second floor."
Blair almost gagged on her martini and Chuck went slightly pale.
"I have to go to... over there now. Bass why you come too." Blair ground out.
"I think I'm fine here actually," Chuck looked at her nervously, but Blair dragged him away by his floral bow tie.
"Notice how my voice didn't rise at the end? Wasn't a question." She let go of him and waved politely at some of her mothers society friends who were looking at them curiously.
"Now Waldorf-" He tried.
"Remind me again what in the world possessed me to listen to you that day in the first place," Blair groaned and banged her forehead against the wall.
"Blair you're overreacting," He smirked at her. "If what your Grandmother said was true, I know for a fact that the bathrooms in that hotel have been remodeled on three different occasions since Lia was a deb."
"And how exactly would you know that?" Blair asked sharply.
He gave her a look, "You were the virgin when we hooked up, not me."
"And after?" Blair challenged.
"No comment," He rolled his eyes at her. "Though if it makes you feel better, you were always the most flexible of all of my conquests." The second the words were out of his mouth he regretted them. "Waldorf I didn't mean tha-"
"Conquests, right," She gave a hoarse chuckle, and blinked back tears. "And here was me thinking that it was lov- something more. More fool me, right Bass?" She spun on here heel and walked furiously away.
"Blair wait," He called after her. "B- Damn." He swore, before hurrying after her. Her running away from him in tears had not gone so well for him before. He silently made a vow to kill Nate if so much as caught a glimpse of him within ten feet of Blair.
He needn't of worried...
*****
Serena let out a watery chuckle. "You really think that less of me? That I would cheat on you with my ex the second your back is turned?"
Aaron wouldn't meet her eye. "I don't know, and that's the problem."
"Aaron, I have a past." Serena said furiously, "I told you straight out when we began this relationship."
"I know, but at that point I didn't really think it would be an issue. I didn't think that I would be constantly compared to and reminded of the great Dan&Serena chronicles."
"I don't compare you to Dan!" Serena cried, "You are the only one who does!"
"I know that too," He sighed, "Look Serena, you love Dan. I know it, you know it, hell the lady who served us our cocktails tonight probably knows it! I can't keep trying to win a losing fight."
"So you're just going to give up?" She took both of his hands in her own and threaded her fingers through his.
"Better a clean break now then a messy one later. I'm sorry Serena, truly I am." He kissed her softly before silently leaving the room.
"Serena are you in here?" Nate asked from the doorway a few seconds later. "I thought I heard your voice. Hey, are you okay? You look upset. What happened?"
"No, no, nothing happened I'm fine." She wiped the last of her tears from her eyes before turning around and giving him a reassuring smile. "What about you? Why are you up here instead of downstairs having fun?"
"My mom called, she said that the lawyers somehow managed to get my Dad a last minute bail hearing and that he's allowed to come home on the condition that he be under house arrest."
"That's great Nate!" Serena congratulated him, "I know, why don't be go downtown and celebrate! I know this great jazz place in Brooklyn."
"I don't know Serena..." Nate said hesitantly. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yeah! Come on, let's party." She said enthusiastically. "Unless of course you're too chicken..."
"Chicken? Me?" Nate laughed, "Bring on the shots, I'll drink you under the table."
"Oh really?" Serena giggled. She grabbed his hand on pulled him into the elevator. "You're going down Archibald!"
"We'll just see about that Van der Woodson."
*****
"Apparently the water hit some of the electrical wires and the roof needs some serious renovations. The contractor said that it would take at least a month to fix, two even." Eleanor gushed to one of her friends. "And of Blair's room will have to be completely renovated, it bore the brunt of the damage you know. Of course I am just grateful that Blair escaped unscathed."
"Mrs Waldorf, Ladies" Chuck interrupted, "You haven't happened to see Blair around anywhere have you?"
"No I can't say that I have," Eleanor shook her head, waving to her friends as they left. "Perhaps she's comforting Serena, I heard a rumor that she and Aaron broke up. Why do you ask? You and Blair are usually inseparable, if anyone knows where she is it should be you."
Chuck flinched, "I doubt we're that close."
Eleanor eyed him shrewdly, "Then why have you been frantically looking for her for the best part of an hour?"
"She has something of mine and I need it back," Chuck lied.
Eleanor laughed. "I believe that my daughter has something of yours, and that you most definitely have something of hers; but trust me when I say that the both of you are wise enough to know that you should never give them back." She patted him on the shoulder and left to rejoin her group.
*****
"Found you," Chuck said softly a few minutes later as he came up behind Blair on the roof and draped his jacket over her shivering shoulders.
"Took you long enough," She retorted and quickly wiped the remainder of her tears from her eyes. "What do you want Bass?"
"To apologize," He said quietly.
"Save it," She turned her back on him. "Everyone knows that you always say what you really feel first time round."
"Then everyone is an idiot," He pulled her to face him, and she broke free and backed away from him as far as she could until she felt the cool railing at her back. "Waldorf, if after everything we've been through you still believe that I think of you as one of my conquests then you are really not as smart as I thought."
"Well what am I supposed to think?" Blair asked angrily, "You tell me Chuck, what am I to you?"
"Blai-" The ringing of her cell phone cut him off.
"Ignore it," she whispered into the darkness.
"You-"
This time it was his cellphone that cut him off. He frustratedly took it out of his pocket to switch it off when he noticed the caller ID. "It's Nate."
"Mine's Serena." Blair told him.
Sighing they looked at each other one last time before calling back their respective BFF's.
"What do you want S?" Blair snapped.
"This had better be life or death Nathaniel," Chuck threatened.
*****
"I have to say that it is so nice to just sit back and have a relaxing meal with my family." Rufus said, as they walked through the streets of Brooklyn on their way home, "Even if it was Chinese food."
"And hey, at least we know now never to let Dan within ten feet of the stove at all times." Jenny rolled her eyes.
"Hey! The pot fell out of my hand what was I supposed to do?"
"Hmm, I don't know, catch it?" Vanessa suggested.
"Thanks V, thanks so much for your support." Dan laughed.
She shrugged.
"Okay girltalk! Jenny what's this I hear about you and a boy? Nate was it?" Alison asked.
Vanessa winced.
Jenny blushed and looked down. "He's a senior at St. Jude's and he's so cute! Last night he took me to-"
Rufus put his hands over his ears, "Not listening."
Jenny rolled her eyes while Alison chuckled, "Some things never change."
"Hey isn't that...?" Dan frowned.
"Blair!" Jenny called.
"Oh Lord." Rufus muttered.
"Isn't she that girl from Thanksgiving?" Alison asked quietly.
"Unfortunately." Rufus replied.
"Humphreys." Blair greeted, looking around edgily.
"What are you doing in Brooklyn at this time of night?" Dan asked, taking note of where she stood in front of a busy nightclub. "And what are you doing at this place?"
"Er... I'm with someone?" Blair tried, "Well, nice to see you!" She said quickly.
"Waldorf you could help!" A voice snapped, from behind her before she had a chance to get away.
"Is- Is that Chuck?" Dan frowned, craning his neck.
Blair sighed before admitting reluctantly, "Yes."
"Blai- Humphrey?" Chuck asked, coming up behind her.
"So are you guys...?" Jenny asked.
"God no!" Blair snorted
"None of your business." Chuck replied before turning to Blair, "Currently Dumb Blond #1 is dancing on tables, while Dumb Blond #2 is hitting on a vending machine." He smirked before going back inside.
Blair groaned and turned back to the very confused Humphreys. "Bye, bye now." She said firmly.
"Blair we're not leaving you here." Dan told her.
"Yeah, it's dangerous out here at this time of night. Especially for a girl." Jenny reminded her.
"I don't know," Vanessa thought out loud. "If anything ever happened I'd be more scared for her attacker."
"I'll be fine, besides I'm not alone, I'm with Chuck." She pointed out.
"You'd probably be safer alone." Dan muttered, before looking into the window of the club. "Is that Serena!?" He asked, rushing inside.
"Great, just great. Well if you must know Nate's there too." Blair sighed.
"Nate?" Jenny asked worriedly, about to go in until Rufus held her back.
"I'll go," Rufus said, "Stay here." He instructed the four girls.
"You know this really isn't necessary," Blair called after him, "Chuck and I can handle it."
"Blair, is it?" Alison frowned. "You really should let them handle it, this is no place for a girl your age."
Blair rolled her eyes, "I've been doing this since I was thirteen," She informed them. "I'm just grateful I didn't have to go to some guy's apartment this time."
Alison's eyes widened.
"Blaiiirrrrrrr!" Serena cried, dancing out of Dan's arms and grabbing Blair's hand making her do a twirl. "I had soooo much fun tonight! Didn't we Natie? Natie?" She looked around for him, "Oh... he was here a minute ago..."
"Serena," Blair told her, holding on to her best friend firmly. "Have you taken anything other then alcohol?"
"Ummm... I had some crisps earlier?" Serena tried, "And I think Natie had some too? At least I think it was him..." She frowned.
"Great," Blair muttered again, "Sweetie let's get you home and sobered up before Lily finds out."
"Too late," Chuck answered, coming up behind them supporting Nate on his shoulder. "She's rang me three times already."
"Crap," Blair handed Serena to Dan and stepped out into the road to hail a taxi.
"You're not leaving like this," Rufus informed them, waving the taxi on again. "You'll come back to the loft and I'll call Lily from there."
"Thanks for the offer but we'll be fine." Chuck snapped.
"I'm not offering, I'm ordering. Serena and Nate are as good as family and we take care of our family." Rufus shot back, "Now come on, it's this way."
Jenny held Nate's hand as Rufus and Dan led him away and Blair sighed before rolling her eyes at a very annoyed Chuck and helping Serena to walk.
*****
"Lily I told you they're fine. Drunk yes, but fine. I'm pretty sure neither of them took anything. Yes Blair and Chuck are with them, we found them outside of a club in Brooklyn and I didn't want to let them off on their own. Okay I'll see you then. Goodbye Lily." Rufus hung up the phone and turned to his ex-wife. "I'm sorry about this Alison, I know that this wasn't what you had in mind when you came to visit the kids."
She gave him a wry look, "With the disasters that my last few visits have entailed I was kind of expecting it. What would a trip to New York be without Lily Van der Woodson putting in an appearance."
"How are the kids going?" He nodded to the bedrooms.
"Well Nate has been successfully sobered up, according to his friend Chuck he's always been a lightweight anyway. Blair and Jenny have Serena in the shower now."
"And Vanessa and Dan?" Rufus asked.
"Dan's trying to pretend that he's not way out of his league while he's taking care of Serena, and Vanessa, well she's sitting in the background glowering at everyone, especially Blair."
"Yeah somehow I can't ever see those two getting on. Personally I think that Blair is too conniving and deceitful to ever make proper friends. I've heard a lot of stories about her and Chuck, there's no doubt that Serena and Nate are the two betters in that relationship. I've lost count of the number of times Jenny's been in tears because of Blair and her friends." Rufus shook his head.
"And that's where you're wrong," Chuck informed him, walking into the room. "Blair is a much better friend to Serena then Serena is to Blair. And Nate likes to pretend that he's better then us all when really we're the only ones who keep him grounded."
"Excuse me, this was a private conversation." Rufus said crossly.
Chuck looked around the loft with disdain. "Then purchase an apartment with more walls," he sneered. "And when you talk about me and my friends you make it my business. You don't know anything about us or our lives so I would appreciate it if you kept your nose out."
"This is my house-" Rufus started.
"And I don't particularly want to be in it," Chuck retorted, "I didn't have a choice remember."
"You're free to leave at any time," Rufus said, opening the door for him.
"Except Serena and Nate are here and Blair won't leave them," Chuck settled himself on the sofa. "And I'm not leaving Blair alone in Brooklyn, you might try to convert her like you did Nate and Serena."
"I don't feel so good." Nate groaned as he clutched his head and hobbled into the room.
"Well that's what happens when you drink twice your weight in spirits and alcohol," Dan told him. "What the hell were you doing out partying anyway. You know Serena doesn't go for that any more."
Nate let out a laugh. "It was her idea. She was upset about something and I knew she was going to go with or without me so I figured I should go and make sure she got home all right."
"Yeah, hows that working out for you?" Dan said sarcastically.
"It's not his fault," Blair said sharply, "You've never met drunk Serena, she can persuade anyone to do anything. And Nate doesn't have the strongest willpower."
"Especially when it comes to a certain blonde," Chuck added, smirking at Blair.
"At least they didn't have the chance to sleep together this time." Vanessa said, not noticing that Jenny had just entered the room behind her.
"Jenny," Nate tried, "Nothing happened I promise."
"Sure," She smiled, utterly unconvinced. "I'm going to go and check on Serena."
"Jenny wait," He rushed out after her.
Blair rolled her eyes yet again and went to sit next to the only person in this room that she could stand; Chuck.
"How against are you about leaving Nate and Serena here to deal with their own mess for once?" Chuck asked her quietly.
"Right now? Not very," Blair replied, "But I wouldn't give that troll Vanessa the pleasure of seeing me back down."
"Who cares, she's a nobody anyway." Chuck reminded her.
"A nobody who you almost slept with and chose instead of me." Blair growled.
"You're the one who dared me to and I did not choose her instead of you." Chuck looked an oblivious Vanessa up and down with distaste. "Whoever chooses her over Blair Waldorf is severely lacking in the brain department. You're a hundred times better."
"If I didn't know you better I'd say that you just stuck up for me." Blair said with a silly smirk on her face.
He shrugged and sighed at her questioning glance, "I figured I owe you one for what I said earlier. I really didn't mean it you know, you mean much more to me then to be a conquest."
"Am I dreaming?" Blair asked, "Or did Chuck Bass just say sorry?"
"Maybe I just want to get you into bed," He pointed out, "Then again why bother to be nice," He mused, "Everyone knows that you'd jump at the chance to be with me again, and who am I to stand in your way," He gave her his most lecherous wink and leaned in closer.
"And the world is back to normal again," Blair said, pushing his head away and laughing.
"Do you mind?" Dan asked with a disgusted look on his face, "Watching you two flirt is not what I want to look at in my own home."
"Jealous you're not getting any action?" Blair asked in mock sympathy. "Is Cedric not interested anymore?"
"Yeah Blair, that's right. He's jealous of your backwards, non-existent relationship," Vanessa told her, "Tell me how does it feel to be constantly hurt by people who are supposed to love you?"
"You tell me," Blair retorted, "Or wait, none of your relationships have ever lasted long enough to be called a relationship have they?"
"At least I know my friends are with me because they like me and not because they're scared of me." Vanessa quipped.
"And tell me again how many friends you have again Vanessa?" Blair asked, "Just two; Dan who chooses golden girl Serena over you every time, and Jenny, the girl who stole your boyfriend. Whereas I have three best friends who would do anything for me."
"Oh really? And what best friends would they be Blair? Serena who slept with your boyfriend? Nate who only dated you so that you would help his Dad? Or could it possibly be Chuck Bass who blackmailed you and used you, not to mention him sending you off to a foreign country all on your own. Oh yeah, sounds like they're real keepers." Vanessa said sarcastically.
"Leave her alone Vanessa," Nate told her tiredly, "You don't know her okay? There's more to everything then what meets the eye. That goes for you too Blair."
"Can everybody please just stop fighting?" Serena pleaded, coming out of Dan's room with Jenny. "My head hurts, and I really can't deal with everything right now."
"Well that's too bad because I'm just beginning," Lily glared at her from the doorway. "Do you have anything to say for yourself? And don't start on about it not being your fault because after your escapades at the church last week I know that Georgina is safe in rehab."
"Mom," Serena sighed, "I'm sorry, Aaron broke up with me and Nate got some good news about his Dad so I suggested that we go and celebrate... Everything just got out of hand."
"And had Rufus not called me I presume that we would be forever left in the dark about this?" Lily asked, looking meaningfully at Blair and Chuck. "Serena you can't live your life like this, it's not fair to you or to everyone else. Blair and Chuck shouldn't have to always be bailing you out like this! Didn't you learn anything from what happened with Pete?"
"Mom that's not fair-"
"Serena life isn't fair! And you can not go out and get drunk every time something bad happens! Is this how things are going to be from now on? Clean and sober for nine months and then wrecking it all by one night of debauchery! If so then tell me now so I can prepare for next time." Bart laid a hand on his wife's shoulders,
"Perhaps we should wait until we get home to discuss this further," He suggested, "We've imposed on the Humphrey's for long enough." He gave Rufus a nod.
"No, no," Alison said dryly, "Stay - we insist."
"Trust me it was no imposition," Rufus said quickly, giving Alison a warning look. "You're always welcome here."
Bart smiled tightly, "Blair your Grandmother is waiting in the limo for you to make sure that you get home safely,"
"Is Cece with her?" Blair asked.
Bart nodded,
"I'm fine here." Blair said quickly causing Big-Bad-Bart to let out a chuckle.
"Charles perhaps you will go with her and take your step-sister with you? I presume that Nate can walk on his own by this stage." Bart said, stepping out from the doorway.
Nate gave a nod and kissed Jenny on the cheek, promising to call her later, before following Blair and Serena out of the apartment.
"So this is what it feels like," Chuck mused with a smirk on his face, as he passed Bart.
"To do what?" Bart asked.
"Why to be the good child of course," Chuck informed him innocently.
Bart sighed as Lily glared at him. "Go and get in the limo before Lily has an aneurysm?" Chuck ventured.
Bart gave him a nod and practically shoved him out of the door in front of them.
"Rufus?" Alison asked as the door shut firmly behind them.
"Yes?"
"What the hell kind of school are we sending our children to?"
*****
"So where's Eric tonight?" Cece asked as they drove slowly through the streets and the traffic of Brooklyn.
"He's staying at a friend's house, he at least has some sense and maturity." Lily said tightly, as the limo halted at a red light.
"Eric is blond with dark roots isn't he? Thin frame, slightly short?" Lia asked as she looked out of the window and into a crowded public area where teenagers were gathered; drinking and partying.
"Yes," Lily confirmed, frowning slightly, "Why?"
"Oh, no reason." Lia assured her, deciding not to mention the boy of his exact description that was currently crowd-surfing while clutching a bottle of Jack Daniels. "No reason at all..."