A/N: Yay another one. I'm actually really liking these. I hope this one is good.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Except Miss Layla.

Season 3 Episode 1

Chuck and Nate walked down the street.

"I know it's a buyers' market right now about that doesn't mean there's actually anything worth buying" Chuck said tossing a paper into the garbage.

"Why don't you just stay at the Palace?

"I'm done living in my father's shadow that includes his hotel.

"And running his company?"

"Lily was doing an amazing job overseeing the board before she left. Why not let her continue. What about you. Any word from the Van der Bilt compound since you've been back?"

"Not a word. Tomorrows the family polo match. I mean when I skipped out on the internship I knew they'd be mad but now I'm getting the silent treatment."

"So if they're already mad why don't you call the girl from the plane. Take a page out of your sister book. She never cared about being a good Van der Bilt."

"No I'm not gonna use Bree to send some message."

"You're missing one key detail. Sleeping with the enemy is hot"

"Is that what you tell yourself to make the whole Layla sleeping with Carter okay?" Nate laughed

"That will never be okay" Chuck replied.

"Speaking of my twin sister. Have you talked to her this summer? I mean with Soph and all"

"Not really, I know Sophie is okay with her and I thought maybe she needed space to process Blair and I."

"She's your guy's biggest support. Hey didn't she spend the summer with Dan."

"Don't remind me of who she spent the summer with."

"He's better than Carter"

"But not better than Riley. He likes her, she likes him. Your sister is stubborn"

"That's why she's your best friend"

"Take Bree out on the town and show your family you're your own man. Being accepted for who you are is crucial. Like Blair accepts me" Chuck said getting the subject off of Layla.

Eric and Jenny entered the loft.

"It uh looks…" Jenny started

"Smaller?" Eric answered.

"Yeah" Jenny said and they walked into her bedroom where Layla was staying. She picked up some shoes off the dresser to move them "Your mom bought these for me for cotillion with Cece. How's she doing?"

"Um not great and the longer my mom's gone the more I worry that grandma's treatments aren't doing well. But your dad's been doing a great job holding it all together."

"At least he pretends to"

"Well having your summer plans change. Stuck in charge of two kids that you didn't raise in a house that you don't own. It's gotta be getting to him"

"Yeah" Jenny said looking at something in Dan's closet.

"Plus the whole thing with Serena. The last time she went off the deep end she got really messed up."

"I wonder what really happened this summer."

"Layla knows and I'm pretty sure she's going to keep that secret. But maybe now that Rufus knows we'll find out."

"Why wouldn't Layla spill the secret? I mean her and Serena aren't the best of friends."

"Layla and Serena have this understanding I guess you could say. Its more complicated when you think about it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that they get each other. They know each other's darkest moments and tend to lean on each other in those needs. When Lay told my mom and Bart she was pregnant it was Serena that was holding her hand."

Rufus left Serena and Dan in the living room while he went and called the place back for Serena to throw the first ball.

"I…I didn't want to alarm my dad any further or anything but uh there was one guy who was in a lot of those photos with you. Who was that?" Dan asked.

"Carter Baizen. We traveled together at the beginning of summer. But then things got weird and now he's um stalking me. He's been stalking me ever since and I don't know what to do.

"Wait as in Layla's first time, your escort to cotillion Carter Baizen?"
"Look if you hear from him or even see him just please keep him away from me at all costs. I'm worried what he might do."

"Yeah"

"And warn Layla, if he's stalking me he could be stalking her"

Chuck and Blair sat at a table at the Polo match. They both were looking around.

"How's your terrine?" Chuck asked

"Bland. How's your julep?"

"Weak" he replied and then spotted Layla come in. He looked near her to see if she had woken up and brought Riley. He also hoped a little she would have Sophie but no such luck. He spotted Carter walk up to her and exchange some words. He couldn't hear her laugh but he knew she had laughed at something. He knew her every expression. Carter offered his arm and Layla grabbed it. Chuck watched them walk over to the fences. "What happened that summer?"

"Isn't that Alexandra Richards" Blair asked not hearing his question. He turned and looked at the girl.

"Yes"

Blair ran into Chuck's place slamming the door in the process

"Chuck where is she?"

"What you talking about?" Chuck said looking at her.

"Do you really expect me to believe you don't have her stashed here?"

"I came back from the party because I had a headache. Didn't you get my message?"
"I must have left my phone on the table"

"I also told A to tell you. I also left because seeing my best friend with my enemy was nauseating."

"I thought Layla hated Carter?"

"She does which makes no sense" he replied.

"What if we need games" Blair said changing the subject.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed. I really wanted to focus on the Serena/Layla friendship or whatever it is and Chuck's feelings a little on seeing Carter with his Layla. Yes I say his Layla.