A/N: Thanks for the reviews guys! Hugs for all

Hope you like this Chapter, it's a bit longer, but there is much to cover ;) so um enjoy.

XXX

Chuck woke up that morning to hear his phone ringing. He would not have picked it up if it weren't for the figure of his mother, slowly stirring and hissing for him to pick up. Grudgingly he reached over to the bedside table and did as told, though the caller ID made him less willingly to do so.

"What in the world are you doing in Monaco and why haven't you answered any of my calls?"

"Good morning to you too father."

At this his mother was jolted awake and watched him with wide eyes.

"Going away without even calling Charles? I'd assume you'd gone over to elope but I could never be so hopeful. What is it this time? Are you gambling, owe someone a little too much money? Is it drug related? I'm assuming it doesn't involve cops, not yet anyway. What the hell is going on?"

Chuck half listened and half watched his mother smoothing down her hair and that ugly large Yale sweater as she climbed off of his bed.

"I wanted to see mother," Chuck said flashing a grin at her, one she returned with a kiss on his forehead before descending his room.

"Why not take the jet? I didn't realize how much you cared for public transportation."

"I don't. I was in a hurry."

"Care to elaborate?"

"Like I said, I wanted to see mother. Is anything that is remotely explainable with affection so alien to you?"

"Excuse me?"

There was an uncomfortable pause.

"I'm late for brunch father, shall we talk another time?"

"Very well, I will give you a call later tonight. If you are in trouble you're going to tell me exactly what it is and we will deal with it then. Tell your mother I send my best."

There was nothing like Bart Bass' accusatory tone to wake one up in the morning. Chuck would have been only half annoyed, but with a morning like this it went full load. They were to expect Nate before brunch and Chuck had never looked forward to anything less. He could almost imagine how the day would go; sickened at the thought of Nate being in an awesome 'tapped some ass' mood. Chuck decided that he would have to be extra-cautious of his thoughts and actions else he might find his fist in collision with the pretty boy's jaw. He just hoped Nate wouldn't be up for sharing detail because then—

There was a knock on Chuck's door, interrupting his thoughts. Annoyed he told however it was to come in. It was a pretty bronze young woman. She held in her hands a silver basket full of bath fineries including a large white towel. Chuck almost smiled; he really had missed his mother's place.

After he was bathed, he stood in middle of the marble floored bathroom with only the white towel wrapped around his waist while the girl anointed him with some exotic fragrant oil his mother had put aside for him. She had her hands massaging his neck and bare torso and on occasion would press her small figure against his. Eventually her hands began to linger longer than necessarily and her hips thrust a little too far out. A wide grin formed on Chuck's face while his hands clasped onto hers, freezing them on his lower abdomen, where they skimmed the edge of his towel. He had a second to consider what he would do next, but didn't need nearly that long.

Chuck brought the pretty girls delicate fingered hands to his lips and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"Maybe another time."

The girl looked at him with wide eyes for about a second before her expression completely changed. Her lips formed a knowing smile and with that she turned around and did a booty shaking cat walked to the door. Before she disappeared however, she turned to him one last time and sent him a cute cover girl wink. She was obviously well aware of his reputation and seemed to think that he was merely playing coy. Chuck didn't mind; he was sure the girl would eventually come to use, well when he stopped thinking about her, anyway. Nevertheless he left the bathroom chuckling, but his amusement was short lived. Soon as he was in his room again, he became aware of Herald's presence. He was there to inform him that his mother wished to have him in the South Parlor in ten minutes. It appeared that they had company and that included more than Mr. Archibald.

At this point Chuck got anxious. He decided that if this addition to their company was her than he would be taking his mother's jet to the Bermuda triangle and crashing it LOST style. He decided that he would not do pleasantries and make small talk. Oh no, he would merely walk in and then walk right out. He wouldn't even care how Nate reacted. There was no way he was going to face the two of them.

While cursing his mother under his breath, Chuck dressed in his Sunday best, went on to the South Parlor. Once there however, he stopped in his tracks to stare at the person standing outside the great white doors. It was his mother dressed in a white Jackie Kennedy style suit matched with a wicked smile on her otherwise delicate face. She was talking on her cell phone in a hushed voice, and winked when her eyes fell on Chuck.

"I knew I could count on you. Make it tonight; she would be out of her mind to refuse your company….ah, yes yes. Goodbye."

Chuck raised his eyebrow at her and she drew him closer with her arm.

"Go ahead, look what I have cooked up for your dear old friend Nathaniel."

Chuck gave her a suspicious look before peering through the crack of the two doors. He had to look twice before he was sure of what he had seen.

"What is she doing here?"

"Well she is family now…"

"Mother, if you think—"

"Oh relax darling. I would not dare try to help you get over Miss. Waldorf; she far too fine. She has no equal."

"Then what is—"

"Charlotte is a beautiful princess who happens to be so very unlucky in love. She has awful taste in men, always seeking the pretty ones…she has no prospects at the moment. Miss. Waldorf is fine, no doubt about it, but Nathaniel lacks in taste."

"Mother, it's rather foolish of you—"

"Charles darling I have known your friend for a very long time. I know just what he wants. Charlotte is a bit of Blair and a whole lot of Serena."

Chuck looked at her for a moment and she smiled. He knew that smile.

"Who were you on the phone with just now?"

"An old friend."

"An odd time for such conversations, no?"

Ms. Hesse-Cassel maintained her smile and walked on through the great doors, urging Chuck to follow her.

Upon his entering, Chuck's eyes fell to Nate who sent him a look he did not wish to return. Instead he gave him a quick nod before turning to the two others, who sat on their chairs as though they beneath them lay a jeweled throne. The first was the beautiful princess, her sun-kissed brown hair pulled back into an elegant though loose bun. Beside her sat her brother, a tall blond with striking features. The boy gave Chuck a crooked smile, one he returned, his spirits lifting a bit…a tiny bit.

"Hello Charles. Mother told us of your visiting; we could not wait any longer to wait on you. "

"You flatter me princess. Though I shall assume the honor as credit to my good looks."

Charlotte gave him a biting smile, while Pierre catching his eye, laughed.

"Charles, don't talk so. We are all family now; you must not tease our cousins in such manner. It is most incestuous and unbecoming. I apologize my darling Charlotte."

"No need cousin. I am only grateful that Mr. Archibald is much more a gentleman than the manner by which our dear cousin Charles presents himself with."

Chuck clenched his jaw at this. No, he did not care much for Charlotte's good opinion, but her words were too great a reminder of another's...

Chuck said no more and made his way to Nate, taking the seat beside him. He pretended not to see Nate looking at him as he sat, and refused to face him once, during the conversation that resumed.

"Oh yes, Mr. Archibald is quite the gentlemen. His elegance is one that every New York socialite would attest to and many would vouch that his gallant handsome figure leaves much to be desired. I fact…"

By this point Chuck was good and ready to smash his scotch glass over Nate's head and storm off out the room when—

"Oh yes it's quite a shame, but as it stands going to town this morning is very much out of the question. It's too bad really; I had hoped to take Mr. Archibald to the hospital opening. His mother will not forgive me for not introducing him formally; it really is a shame."

"Oh cousins, don't worry yourself so. We are family now, as you said. Why don't Pierre and I take Mr. Archibald instead?"

"How charming. Really it's so very sweet of you, but I wouldn't dream of imposing."

"Nonsense cousin. Your guest is ours, our hospitality is only an extension to yours. It is no trouble at all. Pierre and I would love nothing better than to have Mr. Archibald accompany us."

Pierre hastily echoed his sister in their wish to have Nate join them for the day's social event and Chuck staring suspiciously at his mother tried to see the connections. The hospital opening was far from the most romantic place two young socialites could attend, he was shocked that she could not cook up a more interesting date…

"You gonna tell me what all this is about?" Nate asked quietly while Ms. Hesse-Cassel and Charlotte moved on and were now as excited as can be, chattered about the wedding.

"I'm shock Nathaniel, I never thought you were so thick. The princess is so obviously wet in her panties for you."

Chuck could almost hear Nate's sleazy grin.

"You know what I mean man. What the hell are you doing here in middle of—"

"I could just as easily ask why the hell you're here man."

"Your dad sent me—"

"What?! And why the hell would my father want youhere?"

"He said he wanted me to keep an eye on you," at this, in spite of himself, Chuck couldn't help but share a grin with Nate, "besides, my mom is being as insufferable as ever. Bart Bass' offered break sounded like a hell of a plan when he made it."

"What about…Blair?"

"What about her?"

"You guys seemed…I though you would want to be with your girlfriend after…"

"Well we've been together a long time, I'm guessing it's no big deal…besides she understands that I NEED a break from home."

Chuck grimaced into his scotch; obviously Nate was a clueless moron.

"Anyway, you still haven't answered the question man…and you haven't congratulated me"

"Why would I congratulate you Nathaniel?"

Nate stared at him in shock, then he grinned and smacked him on the shoulder. Chuck wanted to smack him back, but resisted the urge.

"Where is my boy? I thought you'd be all over it; me finally tapping that sweet ass. Come on man, what the hell is going on with you lately."

Chuck had never wanted to smack Nate harder than when he called Blair sweet ass, but he resisted again, though this time it took chugging his glass empty to do so.

"Your boy is fucking tired; tired of American whores. I'm coming to this er hospital event and I'm going to find a hot ass Monacan bitch to fuck."

"Alright. You were freaking me out man…good to have you back."

Nate slapped him on the back again.

"You have no idea how good."

XXX

"Pierre, how bout we uh leave early?"

Chuck was watching Nate and Charlotte, engrossed in champagne and conversation. Nate had been bitching about his parents earlier. It was the classic Nate move; bitch n brood n the chicks will love it. The poor boy didn't know how effective it was, but judging by the lingering touches the princess gave him, it aced.

"Leave? So soon? What do you have on your mind Bass?"

Chuck caught his eye and grinned.

"Just drinks. No pressure."

"Ah, just what you said last time…"

"Last time…things have changed since…" Chuck drained his champagne with a sour look on his face.

Pierre merely laughed and followed him away from the crowd and to where their private car awaited.

"Come back for—"

"NO! Nathaniel has his own transportation planned for the princess. You are solely for our purposes."

Pierre stared at him with wide grey-blue eyes, but didn't say anything until the car pulled out and they were destined for a shady bar they had often visited in the past.

"Care to tell me what is going on?"

"You sister looked very cozy with uh my friend. They looked like they needed some time that's all."

Pierre shrugged then laughed.

"Always with the games Bass."

"Yeah well, lately I just get caught in."

XXX

"Blair dear, come join us. This is Mrs. Bertram. She is an old friend."

Blair came down and greeted the woman. She had met her before, but not often. She was one of those who liked her European friends best.

"Oh darling Blair, I'm so sorry. I do hope you are feeling well. I must say: you look marvelous, as gay as ever, despite the circumstances..."

Blair gave her an odd look and turned to stare at her mother, who appeared just about as bewildered as she herself.

"I don't mean to be rude, but I don't understand. Why shouldn't I be gay?"

"Oh, uh, of course not. No reason. It was foolish of me to assume…I just thought since you had been together for such a very long time…"

"Pardon me? Are you suggesting that—"

"Oh child I know. And last night I just heard about him and the princess. Everyone is talking about it—ah, love is fickle, no?"

"Excuse me—" Blair was losing patience with the woman and was about to give her a piece of her mind when her mother interrupted her.

"The princess? What princess?"

Mrs. Bertram stared at them in shock for a second before regaining herself and smiling elegantly, bowed her head.

"You must forgive me. It was not my place to—"

"Oh no, Mrs. Bertram please go on. Tell us about this princess."

Mrs. Bertram watched the two Waldorf women's faces for a full twenty second or so. When sure that it was safe, she began talking again.

"Very well, but you did not hear it from me."

Mrs. Bertram now took a sip of her drink before she continued on.

"This morning in Monaco Princess Charlotte was seen attending a hospital opening with Mr. Archibald as her escort and later at the party that followed, they parted from their party and were the last of the guests, heading off alone to the princess' residence in the city. It appears that Mr. Archibald never returned to the Hesse-Cassel manor where he is said to have been staying, but spend the rest of the night with the princess."

Blair felt her knees weaken at this—this ridiculous allegation. She would not believe the woman, she could not. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Blair asked to be excused, and as steadily as she could manage, made her way upstairs and into her bedroom. Once the door was shut she sprang to her laptop and googled "Princess of Monaco" + "hospital opening" and looked at the news results…and boy there were many.

Shocked and horrified Blair clicked open the first one, and there it was: a picture of Nate and a beautiful brunette, their heads leaned in close as they undoubtedly were engaged in a whispered conversation. To Blair the close proximity was not the matter, it was the look in Nate's face that did. He had a certain smile, a distinct twinkle in his eyes as he as he stared at the princess. It broke her heart to pieces to see it…to see her smile, the one she had foolishly believed reserved for herself only. She had time and time again thought back to that look; whenever things were bad…when she found out about him and Serena….when she saw him and the birthday slut…she had always, always taken comfort in that look. Always believing that it was a sign to his true feelings…that despite where his teenage body led him, his heart belonged to her and only her.

She now gave the laptop screen an ugly sneer, sadistically imagining that look on his face as Serena straddled him, smiling at her like that as she moaned and thrashed her head. Her thoughts then went to herself; remembering the look as he—

No, Blair decided, it couldn't be. Nate loved her, perhaps he was thinking of her...telling the princess about her... Blair knew there was only one way to find out. Glad that she hadn't smashed her laptop to pieces in a moment of fury, she now logged on to find her choice travel agency site and bought a one way ticket to Monaco. School was going to have to wait.