"So Hazel mentioned something about a custom made corset and I hear there are wigs involved?" Serena and Blair were lounging on Blair's bed discussing tonight's masquerade. It had taken a custom Oscar de la Renta dress and a new Chanel bag each to get Hazel and Isabel to re-create their roles as ladies in waiting to their former queen. True, it had been Kati last time, but Kati wasn't here anymore, so Hazel was to take her place.
"It's a masquerade. You have to conceal your identity". Blair paused and looked at Serena. "But, I do have something special planned for Nate tonight. It's a game. It's a scavenger hunt. Nate starts the night with a clue, which leads him to a lady in waiting, who gives him to clue to the next lady..."
"Wait hold on, you have ladies now?" Serena said cutting her off.
"If he finds me before midnight when the masks come off" Blair continued ignoring her. "He can claim his prize"
"And what's that?" Serena asked, playing dumb.
Blair raised her eyebrows at her.
"Oh, yea right, sorry" Serena awkwardly said.
"I just figured, after everything that's happened, or...hasn't happened, I should find some way to make it special." Blair smiled.
"Well that's pretty romantic Blair. Really. Look um, if you don't want me to come tonight I totally understand"
"What! No I want you to come!" Blair said sitting up. "In fact I was hoping you could be one of my ladies. Would you give Nate the last clue?"
"Are you sure you want me too?" Serena asked.
"Blair nodded. "Tonight is all about starting over. I trust you. And him."
Serena smiled. "Then I will be honored to serve you my queen" she said bowing down to Blair as they both giggled.
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"You ready for tonight?" Chuck asked Nate as he pulled on his devil's mask.
Nate sighed. "As ready as I'll ever be I guess. I'll be glad when this is all over."
Chuck patted him on the back. "Sorry buddy. It ain't gonna be over for a long while now. 3 years to be exact.
Nate groaned and Chuck smirked as the two headed out the door.
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Nate saw Blair starring at him from across the dance floor and heaved a heavy sigh. "I think I need a drink" he said to Chuck.
"Come on dude it can't be that bad. It's Blair" Chuck said annoyed.
"I know. You know I love Blair..." he stopped when he noticed Chuck's glare "like a sister" he confirmed. Chuck still didn't look convinced. "But this old Blair we have here, I seriously couldn't stand her in our relationship, and it's happening all over again. I mean, I know she's your girlfriend and everything but..."
"MY girlfriend?" Chuck forced himself to keep his voice down. "This Blair is not my girlfriend. She is yours, so you'd better stop talking about her like that or I swear to God..."
"Ok man take, it easy. I'm sorry. I know how hard this must be for you".
Chuck glared at him. "You don't know a thing Nathaniel"
They were silent for a moment. "You should go talk to her" Nate said.
Chuck looked at him for a beat. "You think that would be ok?"
"Well, it's not gonna hurt anything. You spoke to her last time anyway didn't you?"
Chuck nodded and made his way to where Blair was standing.
She hardly even graced him with a glance of acknowledgement. "What is Nate doing?" she asked, frustration in her voice. "He's supposed to go find Hazel and Is. It's getting late and I'm losing heat."
"Well you looked beautiful" Chuck got out smoothly enough. It somehow always surprised him how difficult it was to talk to her sometimes in these circumstances. "If I were your man I wouldn't need clues to find you".
Blair scoffed at him. "Go get Nate, and point him in the right direction".
Chuck just walked away. He almost smiled at the memory of what had drawn him away from Blair the last masquerade. Pesky little Jenny Humphrey from (gag) Brooklyn. Oh how stupid he was back then. If he had only known that there would be times in the next couple years he would have done anything to be with Blair. He shook his head slowly. How times had changed.
The party had been going on for a couple hours now. Chuck had left already and Serena was no where to be found. Not that he could talk to her anyway. Maybe he should tell Chuck this isn't going to work. It wasn't fair to the rest of them. He had told Chuck numerous times to just TELL Blair, but he was convinced this was the right thing to do. And Nate had to admit, it was going surprisingly well. Then, he noticed Hazel and Isabel talking to him. "What sorry?" Nate said, snapping out of his daze.
The two girls exchanged looks reading "WTF???"
"Just find Serena, she'll lead you to Blair" Hazel said annoyed.
"Serena, right" he murmured.
Serena was standing by the bathroom door waiting for Nate. This was one of the few parts of their scheme that couldn't be done properly. With the absence of Jenny Humphrey, they weren't sure it would go exactly right or not. They just hoped Serena telling Blair would be enough. A few minutes later, Nate jogged up to her. "Ok do we actually have to do this, because Blair's not even watching" Serena complained.
"Well, Chuck would say we had too, but he's not even here, so I say we just don't".
"Sounds good to me. See ya soon" Serena jogged off.
"Bye" Nate starred after her longingly, then looked at his watch. "Shit" he said under his breath. Midnight was in like, 30 seconds. He made his way over to where Blair was. When they announced midnight, she looked up at him, disappointment written all over her face.
"Come on" Nate said, offering his arm to her. "Let's get out of here". Blair took it with a small smile, and they walked out of the ball together. Outside, Blair released his arm and walked over to her limo. "This is me" she said, getting inside. Nate attempted to follow her, but she stopped him. "Nuh uh. You didn't find me by midnight. No happily ever after for you".
Nate looked down, shaking his head. "Blair, I'm sorry".
Blair took a sharp breath. "All I wanted was for us to start over" she paused. "And you didn't even try" she starred at him for a moment longer, then shut the door in his face, and drove away.
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The next morning, Serena was riding up the elevator to the Waldorf residence, praying that this would work and Blair wouldn't choke her to death with one of her many headbands. Blair was waiting for her when the doors opened. "Hey" Blair said. "What did you need to talk to me about?"
Serena took a deep breath, but Blair stopped her. "Wait let me go first. Nate is planning on giving me his family diamond. It's the most incredible ring you've ever seen". Serena watched in horror as Blair sat down. "Ring as in, engagement ring?" No one had told her about this! "How do you know?"
"Chuck tipped me off. He came earlier this morning. He only stayed like, 2 minutes though. He said he had a business meeting. Anyway, isn't that amazing?"
"Yea Blair, but..."
"I remember the first time I ever saw him" Blair said ignoring her. "Maybe were just little kids but, I knew, he's the one I want to marry. Now it seems like he feels the same way too."
It broke Serena's heart. Blair just looked so happy, but she took a deep breath and started again. "Blair, I have to tell you something. I am so incredibly sorry, but you have to understand, it wasn't my fault".
Blair's face turned to worry. "Serena, what happened?"
"Last night, at the masquerade, something happened when I went to give Nate his clue. He kind of, confessed his love for me, and kissed me. But I pushed him away!" she added hurriedly.
Blair stiffened. "Serena" she said slowly. "I will give you exactly 5 seconds to tell me this is a joke".
"Blair, I am so sorry, but this is no joke".
There was a moment of silence. Serena silently looked around for signs of any of Blair's headbands.
"You should go now Serena" Blair finally said.
"Blair, please..."
"No it's ok. Really. If you excuse me, I have to get ready for dinner tonight".
With that, Blair ran up the stairs. Serena sighed. Well, at least tonight would be the night everything changed. She hoped at least.
Ok, I know I used A LOT of script from the show. I'm sorry. Thanks again for the reviews. Please keep reviewing!