Thought we'd have a little break from the boys so here is a B and S chapter...with an appearance from J and V

There are some grand traditions that can be appreciated by every woman on the planet. One such tradition is shopping with your best friend.

Blair and Serena of course have learnt that even the most traditional traditions need a little edge. From the very first shopping trip they took together with nannies in tow, these girls have perfected the art of the big summer holiday blow out.

Every year when they're released from the binding prison of school they hit the shops in a determined frenzy. Bikinis are tried on, assistant's arms are piled with all the most expensive beach cover ups and the sandals overflow from the top of their shopping bags.

This year the first big shopping trip of the summer was a little different though. It was on a Friday morning, about 2 am, that Blair realised that she'd actually have to get Chuck Bass an anniversary gift. She planned to fit this little shopping trip into the all day adventure her and Serena were to embark on that Tuesday.

So here they were, plus Jenny and Vanessa who Serena had insisted to Blair had to come. They had attacked Barneys earlier that morning and were already laden with shopping bags, which they were all too happy to leave in the safe confines of the limo Serena had borrowed from Bass industries. The girls were now in the men's department at Bergdorf's. Serena and Vanessa were entertaining themselves by finding the most hideous tie they could find and convincing unsuspecting men that they had to add it to their shopping baskets.

Blair sighed as she watched her best friend and glanced at Jenny, who was currently looking at sweaters with her mentor.

"What about this one, Chuck always suited red." Jenny held up a red cashmere sweater by Ralph Lauren.

Blair shook her chestnut curls. "Uh-uh. Red is too generic. It's the colour you buy if you don't really know the guy that well or if he is completely two dimensional."

Jenny made an 'oh' and placed the sweater back on the shelf.

"It has to be perfect, you have to look at it and think 'Chuck Bass'. Otherwise this whole exercise is completely pointless."

Jenny moved to look at a pile of blue sweaters. "No offense but isn't it a bit impersonal buying him a sweater anyway?"

"Whilst others would move more towards expensive aftershave or even an ipod for their one year anniversary I know better. The point of a sweater is so that I can make the ultimate in romantic gestures." Blair smiled at Jenny, as Serena and Vanessa returned to where they were stood.

"Blair needs to make a big gesture or she'll feel she's failed as a girlfriend." Serena made a mock-sad face before exploding with laughter at Blair's determined look. "As it happens I completely agree with Blair's plan."

"Which is?" Vanessa asked.

"The pin."

Jenny gasped as Serena grinned in recognition. Vanessa raised an eyebrow in question.

"The pin is a little heart that Blair has owned like forever. However between about 1999 and 2008 that pin was sewn into a green sweater that Nate Archibald wore." Serena smiled as she drew out a little gold heart from her purse. "Then I believe this little thing resided on the arm of Lord Marcus."

"Eugh yes but not for long." Blair grimaced. "The point is that Chuck knows about the heart and what it stands for. Two summers ago he believed all hope was lost when he saw it pinned to Marcus' sleeve."

She looked around her rapt audience, including a shop assistant who had only drifted over to offer help. "So today ladies I am shopping for the perfect sweater in which to pin this heart. It's been a year and I think that Chuck Bass finally deserves it."

Blair picked up another sweater off the pile before shaking her head and placing it back where it belonged.

Jenny and Vanessa moved over to another stand to search for the perfect sweater. Serena followed Blair as she moved over to a display of pastel items.

"So you excited to see his face when he opens his gift?"

"A bit. I'm kind of hoping he doesn't find the heart until we're apart. I always think certain surprises have more impact when the giver isn't actually there." Blair picked up a lavender sweater from the top of the pile. "Oh my god it's perfect!" She turned to Serena with a grin on her face.

"Serious B?" Serena picked up the sweater from her friends hands. She held it up and stared at it. "Actually you're right. It is completely Chuck's style."

Blair clapped her hands in delight and turned to the lurking sales assistant. "Hi I'll take this."

"What size miss?"

"Chuck Basses."

Serena paused to tell Blair that there was a chance that the sales assistant had no idea who Chuck was, when the assistant nodded and took a sweater off to the till.

"Care to explain why the assistant knows what size Chuck Bass is."

Blair shrugged as she moved to a display of bow ties. "Chuck Bass has shopped here all his life, normally with me; they keep a list of his sizes on file."

Serena nodded, watching Blair attempt to decide between a lemon yellow tie with blue stripes and a peach tie with pink and white polka dots. She turned to Serena holding each one out. "Erm both?" Serena suggested.

"Good plan. Therefore I can wrap one and wear the other one. Only the other one mind you." Blair grinned at the disgusted look on her best friends face as she handed both bow ties to the assistant.

"Let's pay for these and find lingerie. I need to accessorise my bow."

They called Vanessa and Jenny over, charged the purchases to the Waldorf account and headed to the lingerie section.

Blair watched the faces of the two additions to the group as they passed through the store. Vanessa seemed to be fighting an urge to gush over every last item on the shelves, whilst Jenny stared around in an effort to take in everything she saw. Even after a year as queen of Constance it seemed Jenny still hadn't adjusted to her new world. Vanessa however would always struggle to come to terms with this fancy existence the other girls lived.

After living next door to Vanessa in the dorms all year, Blair had discovered a new found respect for her. She had to admit that had Vanessa not been only a door away, living with Whore-gina would have been too much to handle. As such Vanessa's roommate Daniella enjoyed the company of the evil brunette, leaving Blair free to hide out with Vanessa.

"I don't know why you're still trying to maintain your hate of everything enjoyed by the privileged few. You dated Nate easily enough and you managed to do that film about Jenny's rise to the top for your finals last month without breaking down." Blair smiled at Vanessa as she looked through the La Perla collection.

"Not to mention putting up with you for most of the year." Vanessa grinned back. "I'm practically a saint."

Serena and Jenny sniggered as they watched the other pair. Blair rolled her eyes, hiding her smile behind a chemise she was pretending to examine.

"Well ladies it would appear I need your assistance again. I require something classy, maybe in a lace that will get Chuck Bass's pulse racing."

"I think any slight hint of underwear gets Chuck going. He's easily entertained."

"And easily satisfied, don't you worry."

"Eugh Blair, I wasn't worried. However now I feel a bit sick." Serena grimaced at Blair, before holding up a light blue bustier and matching French knickers.

"Perfect S, you have quite the eye for underwear."

Blair motioned to an assistant who hurried over. "This please, in a four,"

"Four B?" Serena paused to look at Blair. "Last time I checked you were just a two."

"I may have put on some weight. I'm fine, don't worry, I'm happy with my size."

Blair smiled at Serena. "Or more importantly Chuck is happy. Which means I haven't worried about my weight in a long time."

Serena looked like she was going to cry with happiness. She pulled Blair into a hug. "I'm so happy B."

"I'm happy too S."

Blair took a deep breath before looking around the store for Vanessa and Jenny.

"Well if we are all done here, I need to start wrapping my gifts."