A/N: Thanks for the reviews guys, def encouraging to continue this story Anyway I'm sorry for taking a little longer with this chapter, I was at two minds about how to write it. Hope you enjoy.

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"Madam," Herald called to draw Ms. Hesse-Cassel's attention to him.

"Yes?"

"There is a Miss. Blair Waldorf seeking your audience."

Ms. Hesse-Cassel was silent for a second, savoring the offered information. She then turned to Herald with a small smile.

"Charming. Have her wait in the south parlor."

Herald turned to leave but soon as he had reached the doorway, his mistress called on him to stop.

"After you escort Miss. Waldorf to the South Parlor I would like you to fetch my son. Do take your time dear, in seeking my son that is."

He bowed his head slightly and disappeared. Ms. Hesse-Cassel then let escape a soft moan. She walked over and entered her closet walking around for a bit before settling on an off-shoulder champagne colored dress. She then slipped out of her thin silk robe and displayed her remarkable ability to dress at a great speed. With a few careless strokes of brush through her silken honey hair and the addition of a pair of simple diamond earrings, she descended her magnificent room and made her way to where the girl she was convinced to call a daughter one day, awaited.

"Miss. Waldorf, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

Ms. Hesse-Cassel entered the South Parlor where a visibly distressed figure of Blair Waldorf paced. Blair had discarded her plane ticket when her mother promised her the private jet, and so, she had travelled to Monaco the very next day. She had had perhaps three or four hours of sleep on the plane, no more, and upon arrival, in her rush to make the Hesse-Cassel manor in time for brunch, she had only enough time to check into a hotel room and shower. Now, at the sight of Chuck's mother, she became very aware of the serious sleep dept she had culminated.

"Ms. Hesse-Cassel, I-uh, I called this morning. "

"Yes of course. I guess it must have slipped my mind. Oh dear never mind that now, it is wonderful to see you; so grown up, so very beautiful. How is your mother darling?"

"She is fine thank you—"

"Are you here for Christmas? Taking an early break? Will your mother be joining you? It's been too long since I've last seen Eleanor; never met a creature more enchanting. Where are you staying at Blair darling?"

"At the Palace hotel. I'm just here for a short while, a quick vacation if you will."

"Ah, I see. Well then the hotel won't do. Darling you must, and I refuse to take no for an answer, must stay with us. Nathaniel Archibald is staying here, it would only be right if you joined us."

"Oh no, I can't. My room at the palace will be fine, but I appreciate your asking."

"Like I said Miss. Waldorf, I refuse to take no for an answer. I will send Herald for your things this afternoon. And no, don't worry your pretty head about this. I'm sure the boys will be as delighted as I to have you here."

"I. wow. Thank you Miss. Hesse-Cassel."

Chuck's mother just smiled sweetly, gesturing for her to sit down, and went on to pour her a cup of tea from a tray freshly brought in by a maid. She handed Blair the hot tea, cooled by milk, and offered a tray of exotic pastries. Blair, feeling queasy at the moment, refused all politely and restrained herself from draining her teacup.

"I was wondering if the boys are in at the moment. I would really love to see them."

"Ah. Of course. The boys; a young lady's greatest pleasure in life," Blair blushed at this and Ms. Hesse-Cassel pretended not to notice, "I'm afraid the boys you seek Miss. Waldorf are not to be had…for the day, anyway. Princess Charlotte had a car sent this morning and I very much doubt that either boy would leave her company until required to do so."

Blair parted her lips to say something, but somehow the words got lost as the grand white doors parted to reveal a pale brunette with striking features. Coughing to cover the 'urgh' that had escaped her throat in her shock, she dropped her eyes to the floor. She had forgotten how beautiful he was, especially when dressed in whites.

"Charles darling, I thought you were with the princess…"

Chuck seemed not to have heard her. His eyes were fixed on the flushed face brunette and his breath was painfully caught in his chest. He remained this way till he had her, until her eyes travelled to his. They shared a mutually guarded gaze, before Chuck broke away, and turned back to his mother.

"I had better plans."

"Well diamond, I suggest you drop them. It would be a great offense to propriety if you leave our darling young guest without a companion of her own age. I suggest you take her…"

Chuck had by now drowned out his mother's voice and openly watched Blair where she sat, tugging ever so slightly at her white skirt. He wanted to hate her, he really did, but one look at her adorable mannerisms and he…he smiled.

"That sounds fine mother. If Miss. Waldorf does not object, then I plan to take her right away."

He refused to meet her stare just yet and instead went over to kiss his mother on the cheek.

"Marvelous. I will go and call you a car," Ms. Hesse-Cassel rose from her seat now and turned back to Blair one last time, "it was lovely seeing you Miss Waldorf. I look forward to bettering our acquaintance."

Blair smiled politely but sensed something more to the one she received from Chuck's mother. She watched her golden nymph-like form disappear in awe, betraying herself in wondering of their bettered acquaintance and an event that would lead there.

"Waldorf, you owe me another sublime sack session; I'm taking your pretty little ass to fetch Nate from skanky royal claws."

Blair watched him in shock.

"You're going to take me—since when have you become so charitable Bass?"

"If you'd rather not go—"

"Of course I want to go."

Chuck held out an arm, gesturing for Blair to lead the way. She did, and offered him only a conflicted frown.

Once in the limo, Chuck went on to tease and taunt her the whole way. She glared and used her sharp tongue in defense, though very much aware of the gallantry of his actions. She wondered if perhaps this too was due to some greater scheme of Chucks, one that would have an ultimate result in her suffering in the end, by intention or not. She wondered about this a lot, but it would not stop her from enjoying the ride. It could not stop her deep study of his dancing eyes or her enjoying their physical contact on actions arising from her occasional aggression.

Somewhere along the way, Blair had forgotten Charlotte…forgotten Nate. She had been so enthralled in whatever that was that remained between her and Chuck, she was barely aware of her prior purposes or their existence. Something inside of Blair however kept her upright, kept her clamped to the journey she had set out on. It kept her from running her fingers along Chuck's cheekbones and down his jaw-line. It kept her from pressing up against him, breathing his scent, and devouring whatever she could of him. She sat still, however often she felt his gaze, watching her from the corner of his eyes when intent on looking ahead.

"I am quite aware any such advice is useless, but I will go ahead and give it nonetheless; Waldorf try not to make a scene. The girl is a princess. We are on private property, so let's keep the conflict within the borders, shall we?"

Blair said nothing to this and merely waited for him to lead the way.

Blair and Chuck were greeted by the head servant who was quick to recognize Chuck Bass as family and to escort and announce them to where he believed the princess and her guest resided. Blair did not know what to expect, but something in her was glad that Chuck would be right there, standing behind her no matter the picturesque onto which they have walked in on. She risked a half glance at him, noticing his tightened jaw.

"Madam, Cousin Bass. How charming to see you both. To what do we owe this pleasure?"

Princess Charlotte and Nate were seated at a white table on an exquisite porch overlooking a garden that was truly royal in every sense. Though their chairs were closer that it was necessarily, and their air and disposition flirty, Blair could not immediately find anything to condemn. In shocked relief she took the princess' offer of taking a seat and Chuck followed.

"Miss. Waldorf here is a guest at the Hesse-Cassel manor. She was eager to wait on you cousin and so mother suggested that I bring her along with me, believing it a crime not to let establish an acquaintance between two women so fine."

The princess wore a tight smile, clear that the identity of their guest did not escape her notice. She glanced at Nate over her bare shoulder and turned to Blair once more, with a smile that was more cautiously crafted.

"You are every bit as beautiful as your reputation states, Miss. Waldorf."

"Thank you princess, but do call me Blair."

"Please Blair dear, call me Charlotte."

Blair smiled and gladly took the drink offered by a returning servant. As cautiously as she could, she let her eyes travel to Nate's face, who had been staring at her completely dumbstruck for some time. At the meeting of their gaze, he became fully aware of her fury and looked away before checking Chuck's for some sort of answer. When he finally had his voice, he couldn't stop himself for asking:

"I didn't know that you would be joining me here, in Monaco I mean."

Blair gave him an icy stare one that forced his gaze down.

"Chuck's mother invited me; I couldn't refuse, naturally."

Chuck smiled to himself, wondering just how his mother had gotten her to come. The idea of an open invitation was laughable, and in the look he shared with Nate, it was obvious that the later boy agreed. Nate didn't voice his thoughts and dismissed the subject in his reply.

"Well I'm glad to have you here sweetheart."

The subject was dropped and the princess was only glad for it. She quickly went on to revive the topic of conversation before their guests' arrival. It was about her short career in modeling. It was about her part in the anti-fur campaign, a topic Nate, as Blair knew him, would have no interest in. Yet she watched as his complete attention and unwavering focus on the princess a she blabbed on. He would tease her and argue with her, taking the opposite side and feigning passion on the subject. Blair watched them in awe. She watched Charlotte with that magnificent light brown main, thrashing her head about in laughter, sending her silken waves afloat. She watched her long arms waving freely about, her expression ever-changing, her fluid body; expanding and contracting, close then far, her and his. She was watching Serena.

Blair didn't care that Nate didn't touch Charlotte. She didn't care that his manner though engaged, was far from flirtatious. It was his eyes, the smile, that drilled a hole through her. He watched the princess like an artist gazing at his masterpiece. He watched her in the look she prized, and yet directed at the princess, it was more. She could suddenly see him and Serena, for the first time allowing herself to take the picture in as a whole. With a deep breath she stood up and asked to be excused, getting the attending servant to escort her to the closest bathroom.

Chuck had seen Blair's legs tremble as she stood. He had heard the shatter in her voice. He was determined to follow her, but did not want to arise suspicion, for her case and so waited a little while before he too set out in search of a bathroom. Once inside Charlotte's house, he found Blair sitting on a couch with her eyes closed. He gently called her name and she slowly blinked, letting a small smile etch onto her face.

"Bass, please take me somewhere."

Chuck went over to her, watching her with those intense eyes of his. Blair resisted the urge to shiver and instead took his offered hand and rose up.

They walked quietly to the door and waited for his limo at the front gates. Neither seemed bothered by the silence, on the contrary it was of the pleasant kind. Eventually they slid into the limo, and memories of illicit activities in such places haunted each. Once again Chuck was sitting inches away, his dark hair ruffled and his beautiful face pensive. Blair watched him with a hungry stare, aware that she wanted him more than she had ever wanted anything. She could almost taste his expensive spicy cologne, feel it's bitterness on the tip of her tongue. She could not take it anymore, and in her enchanted state, once again made the journey to him and pressed her savage lips against his.

She kissed him with her entire body, tasting and taking every bit of him that she possibly could. He responded with equal valor and let his yearning hands explore her body. She shivered violently under his touch, ready to scream with desire when he suddenly stopped. He pulled away and sat up, glaring out the window. Blair, flushed and confused, slid back to where she sat. She felt cold, as though suddenly aware of the icy air that surrounded. She shivered again. It was simultaneous to a quiet sob that escaped her throat. Chuck had been watching her out of the corner of his eyes and at this he fully turned to her. He had on only an old classic styled polo, and not much else. He half wondered about covering her in his thin shirt, before his fingers moved to his scurf. In one fast motion he folded the scarf and knotted it around Blair's throat and bare chest. Content with this, he then turned back to the window.

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A/N: I'm planning on finishing this story in two more chapters, so hope you still like it and yes I know Blair didn't get to claw the princess chick apart in this one, but this wasn't the right time. Merry X-mass to all!