Back with another chapter. I'm thinking of ending this story soon, since I find it hard to write something set from before season 2 even aired. But I will finish sometime. Hope you'll review.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or any of the characters.

Just a Cup of Coffee – Chapter IV

Lily felt like the whole world was spinning around when Rufus' lips met hers. It was not explainable how much it warmed her to feel his lips against hers again. Hopefully, this time it would turn into more. They couldn't be interrupted here. Rufus broke the kiss, and Lily already longed for more.

"I'm so glad to see you." he said, pecking her on the nose.

She didn't reply – she simply showed him. She placed her hands in his face and pulled his lips back on hers. She knew he would like to see the young wild side of her again. She moved her hands to behind his neck and jumped up so that her legs were around his waist. Rufus stumbled to the very fancy king-size bed and layed her down. They continued their make-out session on the bed which – surprisingly quickly – turned in to more. Lily enjoyed every minute of his touch and shoved out her mind that this was actually wrong. After the love-making they both drifted into sleep.

The next morning, Lily woke up because the sun was shining in the window. She winked her eyes against the sun a couple of times, then turned around to look at Rufus. He was sound asleep even with the sun shining in his face. He looked so beautiful and peaceful. No wonder after last night, she grinned in her mind. It was like he heard it because suddenly, he open his eyes. Soon after recognizing Lily a huge smile appeared on his face.

"Good morning." Lily said, stroking her hand against his cheek. He just kept looking at her.

"Did you know that you are the most beautiful woman in the world?" he asked her.

"I think there might be other opinions on that." she grinned, still flattered.

"I bet there isn't." he smiled.

"It turned into a whole lot more than just a cup of coffee, didn't it?" Lily said.

"I seriously thought that it wouldn't be more, Lil. I swear." Rufus said. Lily laughed.

"That's the most obvious lie I've ever heard! We both knew what would happen all along." she replied.

"Well, maybe on some level..." he began, but never finished off because he started kissing her, rolling her on top of him. It lasted a while, then Lily broke the kiss, still on top of him though.

"Seriously though, Rufus. What are we doing?" she said, looking down into his beautiful eyes.

"I'm trying to make the best of the time I have with you before you possibly choose Bart."

"Rufus..." she began, climbing down from him to sit beside him in the bed. "First of all, I'm trying to talk to you. And second of all, who said I'm going to choose Bart?"

"Okay, do talk." Rufus said.

"Well, I don't know what to say. Besides...I love you."

"And I love you. More than ever. Then why did even marry Bart?" he asked.

"I don't know. I needed to settle down. I figured it would be good for the kids to have more stability in their family life." Lily explained.

"They won't get stability if you keep choosing Bart, and then keep coming back to me."

"I know, Rufus! You're not helping me figure anything out right now. You just make me feel guilty. Apparently I can't avoid you." she said.

"You make that sound bad." Rufus wondered.

"Well, it kind of is. And if I chose you, Serena would be crushed. She would hate that because of her and Dan. She would hate me." Lily said.

"No, she would never hate you. Sometimes you gotta think about what's best for you, Lil." he said, and turned her head with his hand to look her in the eyes.

"Well, I can't say I'm happy with Bart. He is never home, and I'm not even in love with him." she mumbled, looking down.

"Exactly. So do you want to stay miserably married to Bart and sneak around with me for the rest of your life, or do you want to leave Bart and be with me in public?" Rufus asked earnestly.

"That shouldn't be so hard to answer, but I can't help thinking about Serena."

"She will be okay."

XXXXX

Lily was on the way home to the Bass residence when Bart called her.

"Lily, why aren't you home? I've been trying to reach you for hours."

"Sorry Bart, I was out running some errands. What's up?" she asked.

"I just wanted to tell you that I won't be home before next week after all." Bart explained.

"Oh, okay. I'll be fine. I'll see you next week then." she said, feeling left alone by Bart Bass again. He always did that. Called her the day before he was supposed to be home and postponed it. Rufus would never do that do her. And she would have way more fun with him than with Bart. But as soon as she entered the loft, she was reminded of the reason not to be with Rufus. Dan and Serena was sitting in the couch making out. Newly back together.

"I'm home." she said. Serena looked up.

"Oh, hi mom. How was your night?"

"Great." Lily said with a smile on her face. "Hi Dan, nice to see you again."

"Hello Mrs. Bass." Dan said. Lily went to her room. She needed to think things over once and for all. Rufus or Bart? Love or money? Angry daughter or family life? What should she do?