So, I'm horrible for not updating sooner. Sorry! This semester I've got some really difficult classes, and the work load has been killing me lately.

Again, after the last chapter I got a bunch of story subscription alerts, but I really want your reviews! I love feedback, good or bad!

This chapter's title is taken from the Citizen Cope song, "Sideways."

Chapter 4 – "Sideways"

"Hold the elevator!" I heard her call as the elevator began to close. I quickly hit the button to stop the shining silver doors, and she ran in with her curls flowing and cheeks flushed from the cold.

"Thank you," she smiled, but when she turned to face me she grimaced, "Oh god… it's you."

"Now, Blair… is that any way to greet one of your oldest friends?" I grinned and hit the button for the top floor.

"You are not my friend," she snapped, her chocolate eyes shooting daggers.

"Now I'm sure my darling sister, who is busy preparing a lovely dinner for all of her closest friends, and your dear husband would be so upset to hear you be so hostile towards me," I smirked.

She rolled her eyes, "Oh please. Serena and Nate could care less about your non-existent feelings."

"And where is Nathaniel this evening?" I asked, figuring that society's most popular couple would arrive together for a friendly dinner party.

"For your information, his meeting with the mayor ran late. He's on his way now," Blair huffed, as she smoothed the invisible wrinkles of her black coat.

She was so obviously annoyed by just my mere presence. I relished the fact that I could still make her lose the cool exterior that she presented to the rest of the world. She could act like the perfect politician's wife to all of Manhattan, but she couldn't fake it with me.

I was prepared to continue pestering her, when a sudden jolt sent her stumbling in my direction. I reached out and caught her in my arms, pulling her close out of instinct. She surrounded me, and my nostrils flared as I took in her familiar mix of Chanel perfume and vanilla-scented shampoo.

"What the hell!" She gasped, as she struggled to regain her balance.

"Are you alright?" I asked, reluctantly releasing my hold on her arms, I was enjoying having her close too much.

"I think so… what just happened?" She asked, wide-eyed.

"I think the elevator's stuck," I walked over and pressed the button for the top floor again, but the elevator didn't budge.

"Oh fantastic… I'm stuck in an elevator with Chuck Bass." She scowled as she leaned against the dark wooden mahogany of the elevator paneling.

I stepped closer to her. "Now Blair… there was a time that you and I could've really enjoyed being confined together in such close quarters." I reached out and lightly brushed one of her curls out of her face.

She smacked my hand away angrily. "That was a long time ago… and if you touch me again, you'll get to experience a Manolo Blahnik in your crotch."

"You always did like it rough, B," I grinned before she pushed past me and picked up the emergency phone. She barked orders to the building's maintenance employee, the poor guy. I could imagine him cowering somewhere in fear after Blair's verbal abuse. She slammed the phone down and sighed.

"He says it could be an hour before the maintenance team is able to get us out," she whipped out her phone from her purse and attempted to send Serena a quick text, but grumbled angrily when the message wouldn't go through.

"Well then, we might as well get comfortable," I declared, taking a seat on the floor.

"Care to join me, Blair?" I patted the ground next to me and smiled wickedly.

"I'll pass." She scowled.

"Oh please, it's not like I'm going to pounce on you or something." I rolled my eyes, and she hesitated for a moment, but slowly relented and sat down beside me.

"See… I'm a perfect gentleman," I told her.

"Just… stop talking. You're wasting the oxygen." She breathed deeply and hugged her knees close to her chest.

That's when I noticed the slight trembling of her hands. There were very few things in this world that Blair was afraid of, but small, confined places were right at the top of the list; she was claustrophobic. I'd learned that when we were six, and Georgina Sparks had locked us inside a closet during a game of hide-and-seek at Serena's house. Blair had been so terrified that she'd actually started shaking. I'd made fun of her at first for being chicken, but then the tears started to fall. That was the only time I'd ever seen her let her guard down, and even at six, it killed me to see those chocolate eyes filled with tears. I had awkwardly sat with her and held her hand, trying to calm her down until Serena had finally come to our rescue. Later that day, I'd ripped the head off of Georgina's favorite doll in retaliation.

I moved closer to her, "Hey… it's going to be fine."

"I know…" She closed her eyes and twisted her hands anxiously.

Without really thinking, I placed my hand over hers. I was shocked when she didn't pull away, and we sat there in silence, our hands joined together, waiting for our rescue.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Serena asked as she stood in the doorway of her bathroom.

"S, I told you I'm fine," I reapplied my lip-gloss and smoothed down a few rebellious curls.

"You're terrified of tiny, closed spaces and you expect me to believe that you're totally fine after being stuck in one for an hour? Not to mention that you were stuck in there with Chuck," she laughed lightly.

"Chuck… Chuck was fine… he didn't bother me." I smiled, remembering the way he sat silently beside me holding my hand. It was the same way he'd comforted me back when we were younger, stuck in that closet, locked up during a nightmarish game of hide-and-go-seek.

"You're kidding me? We're both talking about my stepbrother, right? You know… he's got dark hair, dark eyes, drinks a lot of scotch," Serena joked.

"S, really I'm fine and Chuck didn't bother me," I laughed.

"B, what's going on?" She asked.

"What? What do you mean?" I turned away from the mirror to face her. Even with her growing belly, she was still a knockout in her black satin wrap dress with her long blonde locks in waves reaching just past her shoulders.

"You've been cold and indifferent when it comes to Chuck for the last ten years, and now you're smiling like a school girl every time I say his name." She eyed me suspiciously.

"I am not!" I insisted. The last thing I wanted to do was get into some deep, heart-wrenching discussion about whatever it was that just happened with Chuck. I'd just have to fill her in later, sometime after the party.

"You so are!" She giggled.

"Oh, stop it! Don't be ridiculous! Now let's get back to that dinner party of yours. It's been delayed enough because of me." I hurried her out of her room and back to the dining room to join the rest of the guests.

Vanessa, who had found great success as a director, and her blockbuster-producing husband, Ryan, were chatting happily with Dan as they sipped wine together. Eric, who worked for Bass Industries in Paris, and his handsome photographer boyfriend, Jacques, laughed with Carter Baizen and his latest fling. Kati and Isabel were practically ignoring their husbands; they were too busy planning their next spa day. It was the same as usual, except for one guest; Chuck was lurking around, scotch in hand, pretending to be interested in everyone's conversations.

"Alright everyone, dinner is served!" Serena declared, and everyone made their way into the dining room where the staff was laying out the last plates of food.

After we had taken our seats, Kati turned to me and asked, "B, where's Nate?"

Nate… I had completely forgotten about Nate after all the excitement of the elevator incident.

"He had a meeting run late, but he should be here by now." My forehead creased in concern. I pulled out my phone to find a single text from him, explaining that he had too much work to do, and to give his apologies to Serena for not being able to make it. Yet again, he would miss another event because of work. He'd even missed Bella's birthday party last year because of an emergency budget meeting in Washington. To be honest, I didn't even care anymore. I'd gotten so used to attending everything from society galas to preschool functions solo, that I didn't even get angry with him anymore.

I frowned "He's just not going to be able to make it, he's hard at work on the proposal for his new education bill."

Of course, that led to a conversation where everyone praised my husband for his success and the fine job he had done since elected to office. I had to force myself from spitting out my wine when Carter suggested Nate was headed for the governor's mansion. Nate could throw himself into his work as much as he wanted, but there was no way in hell that I would allow him to drag Bella and me from the city to Albany, even if it was to the governor's mansion.

The conversation quickly turned to Dan, as Ryan practically begged him to think about meeting with his company to discuss turning his book series into a movie. Dan had become quite the successful author with a series of books about his experiences in high school. I would never admit it to anyone, but I'd actually read the entire series. Most of it revolved around his tumultuous relationship with Serena; or should I say Matt Sawyer, from Brooklyn, and Olivia Ashford, the reformed Upper East Side wild child, and their tumultuous teenage relationship.

Even I had to admit that Dan was actually a pretty decent writer, but if he was trying to make the true identities of his characters a secret, he failed miserably. He'd actually named his womanizing, boozehound, bad boy Charlie Trout. I could barely contain my laughter when I'd read that name in the first book. Did he really think no one would figure out Charlie Trout was Chuck Bass?

Then of course, there was Peyton Holloway. Peyton was the jock from the well-respected family. He had everything in common with Nate, including the devoted long-time girlfriend, Brynn Maxwell. I'd nearly strangled Dan when his fictional persona introduced Brynn as Olivia Ashford's best friend and everything he hated about the Upper East Side, "distilled in one 95 pound, bon mots tossing, doe-eyed, label-whoring, package of girly evil." Though, I'll admit I did come to rather enjoy his depiction of me.

"I don't know Ryan, I'm not sure I'm ready to think about a movie. I'm just not quite sure if my Gossip Girl series is really over," Dan explained.

"Not over? Everyone ends up living happily ever after in the last book," Isabel commented.

"I know, but it feels like there's something missing… something not quite finished for the characters," Dan continued.

Everyone continued to chat happily, even Chuck who mostly chatted business with Eric and Carter, until eventually, the party came to an end.

"B, you are not walking home at this hour," Serena insisted.

"Serena, it's only a ten minute walk," I told her as I slipped on my coat.

"I don't care, I'll call you a cab. I don't want you walking home by yourself," she continued.

"I'll take her home," Chuck said as he buttoned his coat, while Serena eyed him suspiciously.

"You will?" She asked him, her eyebrows raised.

"Her place is on my way, it's not a problem," He assured her.

"Is that okay with you, B?" Serena questioned, placing an arm around my shoulder.

"That's fine," I told her before hugging her goodbye and saying goodnight to Dan.

Chuck and I walked out into the hallway together silently and he moved towards the elevator.

I shook my head, "I've had enough of elevators today. I think we should probably take the stairs."

He laughed. "You're right."

We headed downstairs, where his driver was ready and waiting for us. Chuck opened the door for me and I slid across the cool leather. When that leather brushed against my skin so many memories rushed back to me. Of course, it wasn't the same limo that we'd drunkenly climbed into all those years ago, Chuck had a newer and fancier one now, but it was so similar in almost every way.

I glanced over at Chuck and couldn't help but smile at him leaning against the seat, because he was wearing a bowtie similar to the one he had worn the last time we'd ridden in his limo together. I studied his features carefully. Ten years later, he still had those same chiseled cheekbones, those same long lashes, and those same dark eyes. There was something so comforting in that, looking at him reminded me of better days. He reminded me of days when life wasn't so dull and monotonous, when there'd been excitement on the Upper East Side.

We rode in silence for the short trip to my house. But it wasn't the awkward silence that often occurred when Nate and I sat together. Something in the dynamic between Chuck and I had shifted, we were on better terms than we had been before the elevator ordeal.

I started to open the door, but I turned to him instead saying, "Chuck… thank you… for everything."

He slid across the seats, closer to me, and grasped my hand in his. He placed a tender kiss on the back of my hand, and I felt every inch of my body respond to his touch as his dark eyes gazed up at me.

He smiled genuinely, "For you… anytime."

I knew I was blushing as he released my hand, so I quickly made my exit and slipped inside my house.

I peeked into Dorota's room to find her fast asleep before tiptoeing down the hallway to Bella's room. I sat down on her bed and brushed her sandy locks out of her face, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"Sweet dreams, baby," I whispered as I closed the door quietly and headed up the stairs to my bedroom.

Nate still wasn't home; he probably wouldn't be for hours. I hung my dress neatly in my closet and slipped on a silk chemise. Another night alone, another sexy nightgown wasted in a practically sex-less marriage. I ran my hand right hand over the place on my left where Chuck had pressed his lips. My lips curved in to a smile, remembering the feel of his soft lips on my skin.

Maybe, I would have sweet dreams of my own tonight.

"Hey man, what have you been up to?" Nate asked on the other end of the line. I'd been ignoring his calls for a few days, but I'd finally given in and answered.

"Sorry, I've been so busy with work," I lied. In reality, I just didn't want to be around him. He knew Blair had gotten stuck in the elevator before the party the other night, and he knew that was her biggest fear, but he chose to stay at work. If she was mine… I would be there in an instant, ready to rescue her from that elevator myself.

"Of course, but let's grab drinks." I heard him hold the phone away from his mouth, "Bella! Share! Pass the ball to Drew and play together!" I heard him lecture his daughter.

"Sorry about that - I've got Bella and Drew with me at our old spot in the park, I've been tossing a ball around with them. Serena and Blair should be here to pick them up soon, they're taking them to the movies, so my afternoon's free," He explained.

I hesitated, but I couldn't really avoid him forever, "Sure… I'm actually pretty close to the park, I'll be there in a couple of minutes."

"Alright bro, I'll see you soon," he replied before hanging up.

I'd just finished a meeting with Carter Baizen at his real estate firm. I still didn't like the guy; I hadn't forgotten what he'd done to Nate and me all those years ago. He'd swindled Nate out of thousands at that poker game, and stolen my prized Babe Ruth autographed baseball, but he was running his family's real estate firm now, and was fairly friendly with my stepsister, which made him unavoidable. I'd given Arthur, my driver, the day off because he'd been battling a terrible case of the flu. So I was left to walk the couple of blocks to the park to meet Nate.

I could grin and bear it with Nate, if it meant that I got to see Blair, even for just a couple minutes. I hadn't been able to get her off my mind since the night of the party. I couldn't sleep because I would dream of her and her thighs wrapped around me all those years ago. During the day I would see a brunette in a crowd and think it was her, only to be disappointed when I discovered it wasn't. At night, in the Palace bar, I would catch a whiff of Chanel perfume and wish it was her swirling her champagne next to me at the bar, instead of some slutty blonde. Ten years later and that women made me feel those damn butterflies that I'd tried so desperately to get rid of. Ten years later, and I was still chasing after my best friend's girl like some lovesick puppy; it was just so terribly pathetic.

I put my cell phone back in my coat pocket after finalizing my plans with Chuck.

"Nate," I heard someone call, and I turned around to come face to face with her.

"Sarah… how did you know I was here?" That's when I noticed Jared in her arms.

"Have you lost your mind? You can't be seen with me! Especially not with him!" I tried to contain my anger as I glanced around the park to make sure no one I knew was in sight.

"Daddy! Come play with us!" I heard Bella beg as she tossed the ball to Drew. They were so young, so a game of catch was still pretty challenging for them. He didn't make the catch and he scurried to retrieve the ball and toss it back.

"In a minute sweetie," I called back before turning my attention back to Sarah.

"I called your house, your maid told me you'd be here. I had to tell you in person…" Sarah stared down at the ground.

"You called me house? I told you to never call the house!" I was stunned.

She sighed. "Relax… I told the maid I was one of Senator Lawson's aides, and I needed to deliver some files to you in person. I had to tell you…" She hesitated for a moment.

"Tell me what?" I demanded anxiously.

"He knows." She took a ragged breath as she waited for my reaction.

"Who knows?" I asked.

"My husband knows." She cuddled the baby in her arms, closer to her.

"You told him?" I started to panic. No one could ever know the truth. The truth would send my world crashing down. Everything, my whole career, would slip away if the truth came out. I would end up as disgraced as my father, something I'd sworn I would never allow to happen.

"He was always suspicious, Nate. He had a paternity test done behind my back… he knows Jared's not his… and he knows you're the father," Her voice cracked as she explained.

"How the hell does he know I'm the father?" I snapped.

"Because… I told him. I'm tired of living this lie. I'm tired of being just your mistress! We can be together now… we can be happy," she smiled.

"Sarah, this will ruin everything! My career will be over… my wife will leave me," I grabbed on to her arm angrily.

She pulled away from me and I could see the tears forming in her eyes, "You told me two years ago that you'd leave her."

"I can't leave her… my constituents adore her," I spat furiously.

"That's all you care about, isn't it? The power? The politics? You never even cared about me, did you? You don't even care about hurting your wife… or your daughter," She gestured over to where Bella and Drew were giggling as they clumsily tossed the ball back and forth, oblivious to what was going on.

"How much, Sarah? How much will it take to make your husband forget everything he knows?" I questioned.

"He doesn't want money! He's a jealous man and all he wants is revenge! Nate… he's going to the papers. I came here to warn you, you need to tell your wife before she reads it in The Times," finally the tears she had been holding back started to spill over.

Everything I had worked so hard far was going to crumble.

I was at the corner, so close to my old hangout in the park. Serena, Nate, Blair, and I had spent so many afternoons there after school as kids.

I could see Nate, looking furious as he argued with some blonde. The blonde looked like she was crying and clutched a baby close to her chest.

"Daddy!" I heard Bella call him, as the ball she and my nephew were playing with rolled out into the street.

"Daddy!" She called again, but Nate didn't seem to hear her.

I could tell she was pouting from the lack of attention; she was her mother's daughter after all, and she enjoyed having Nate's full attention. Then all of the sudden she ran out towards the street. I heard my nephew call after her not to go, but she bolted, her blonde curls bouncing in the breeze.

I could see the cab coming, as she bent down and picked the colorful ball up in her hands. The driver would never see her… she was so little.

I didn't have time to contemplate… I had to run… run faster than I ever had in my life.

I had to get to Blair's little girl before that cab…

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