"You scheming little minx!"

With confusion lacing her features, Blair walks down the hallway towards the bedroom and the sound of his voice. A glance down at her wristwatch tells her that they really should have left five minutes ago to make it to Al's house in time. For the first time in, forever, she finished getting ready before he did and she is not about to lose the opportunity to gloat a little.

"No, don't give me that look! You're on time out." He continues, his voice very audible in the otherwise empty apartment. When she reaches the bedroom, she stops and stares at the sight that awaits her there.

He is muttering something under his breath, glaring at the ebony kitten on the floor in front of him. Princess is seemingly completely unfazed by his scolding; too busy cleaning her own paw with disinterest written all over her. The kitten is the first to notice her in the doorway however, letting out a proud purr and leaping towards her.

"Have you been mean to daddy, P?" She coos, lifting Princess off the floor and burying her nose in the silky fur. "You have to play nice when you come over for visits, daddy gets jealous you know."

He acknowledges her last statement with another glare, then seems to remember the reason he was displeased with the kitten in the first place.

"Look what your little monster did." He scoffs, holding out what looks more like one of Dorota's dusters than the pricey silk accessory she assumes it is. Or maybe she should say was - the grey silk is now completely in tatters.

This time she can't quite keep the laughter from spilling out, and he interrupts his search through a drawer in the dresser to shoot her an exasperated look.

"Aw, P. Did the stupid ascot try and put up a fight?" She smiles, the kitten busy gnawing at her hands as she walks up to him. This isn't the first time she is forced to play peace keeper between her baby and him.

"She mauled it!"

He is still glaring in the kitten's direction, but seems to have found a good enough replacement, and is tying it around his neck.

"I'm sorry sweetie," Her voice is saccharine sweet at the use of the abhorred nickname, her hand brushing his cheek. She is using the very same voice she did talking to the kitten just seconds ago, and he scowls at her when he notices and shrugs away from her touch.

"Oh, come on." She laughs, ignoring his frown and lets the kitten down before putting her arms around his neck. "She's just a baby."

He is still obviously unhappy with the two females in his life, and she resolves to using the last resort when it comes to smoothing his feathers by adding; "I must say, you don't look half bad, Bass."

"Of course I don't." He drawls, the look in his eyes letting her know that he knows exactly what she is doing, but that he is willing to let it go this time. She smiles, and this time as she leans in to kiss him he doesn't pull away, his hands moving south, and coming to an abrupt stop as he reaches her hips.

"You're wearing jeans!" He is surprised, apparently only having noticed her unusual choice of attire now, and pulls back to get a better look.

He is captivated by the dark denim that clings to her legs, giving her a thorough and appreciative once-over.

"You said casual, right?" She asks, sounding a little unnerved by his reaction, and he is quick to reassure her.

"I did. And had I known it would lead to this, I would have come up with a 'casual' event sooner. You look, ravishing." He emphasizes his words with a kiss, enjoying the pleased look that flickers in her eyes. "Al will be thrilled that you're coming." He continues, rolling up the sleeves of his striped shirt.

"Fashionably late, as always." Al grins at Chuck as they walk through the door of her apartment, and he greets her with a confident smirk. "Blair, I'm so glad you could make it!" the redhead goes on, embracing her in a friendly hug.

They've come past their initial truce over the last couple of weeks. Blair having gotten over her jealous streaks, and Al accepting her with open arms after having made sure she wasn't about to hurt her best friend again. Fact is, she likes the bubbly, easy-going redhead. And tonight she has reason to be a little curious too.

"Is he here?" She whispers, and feels Al nod in response against her cheek before they let go of each other.

They follow Al into the living room where a dozen others are mingling, sipping on drinks and helping themselves to food, in the spacious, colourful room. Serena and Nate are there, talking to a tall, broad-shouldered man with raven hair. She assumes it must be Sebastian, judging from the look he gives Al when she walks in the room. He is the guy with the 'true potential' as Al so kindly described him a couple of weeks ago when they were trying on their dresses at Serena's place. Chuck is greeting a couple he obviously knows from previous parties, as Al almost skips over to her date and put her arms around his neck. The greeting doesn't escape Chuck's attention completely though, and he is back by Blair's side in a second.

"Is that him?" He says, and she has to smile at the protective tone in his voice.

"Be nice," she admonishes softly, putting her hand on his chin to turn his head away from the couple.

He narrows his eyes at that but lets it go, kissing her before walking over to the kitchen to get them some drinks. As the evening progresses she finds herself having a good time, laughing and talking both with her old friends as well as some of the new acquaintances. Sebastian turns out to be a genuinely great guy, and most of all he seems to be head over heels for Al.

The three of them are talking when a hand sneaks around her waist and Chuck is there beside her. After three weeks together she still hasn't gotten used to the wave of joy that crashes through her system at the small gesture.

"Fish!" Al smiles, barely able to tear her eyes away from her date, and standing so close that the skirt of her dress is brushing against his leg. "This is Sebastian."

There is a hint of warning in her eyes that is meant only for him as he offers his hand to the dark-haired man.

"Sebastian, it's a pleasure." he nods, not liking the look in the man's eyes when he looks at Al at all. "I'd like a word with you, in private, if you don't mind."

"Chuck-"

"Fish-"

The words of warning are immediately delivered in chorus from both Blair and Al. The latter gives him a threatening look that he chooses to ignore.

"Sure," Sebastian agrees, and he has to bite back a remark as the guy puts his mouth on Al. He doesn't like this.

He motions to Sebastian to step out on Al's small balcony, and is just about to follow him when five finger nails, sharp as claws, dig into his arm and stop him in his steps. He doesn't need to check to know who it is, and has to bite his cheek to keep from grinning as he turns around and is faced by a murderous Al.

"Allison? Something on your mind?" He drawls, and raises an eyebrow at the hiss escaping her lips when he uses her full name.

"Be. Nice!" Al growls, her finger nails digging in deeper into his arm. "Seriously, Fish. Give the Mafioso impression a rest, will you? I like this guy!"

"Blair! There you are!" Al's voice cut through her thoughts as the redhead walks through the door to the kitchen. "I have someone I'd like you to meet." Al continues, and that is when she notices the man standing behind the redhead. "This is my friend Adrian."

Adrian has the build of someone who has never stepped foot in a gym but has been blessed with great genes, with short sand coloured hair, and his handshake is firm as they exchange greetings.

"Adrian owns a gallery a few blocks from here," Al explains, exchanging a quick look with her friend.

"Al tells me you're a photographer, and a great one at that." Adrian tells her, and she notices a tiny silver dragon dangling from a ring in his ear.

"Al has a tendency to exaggerate," She objects, the ever-remaining sliver of insecurity snaking its way back into her gut. She can hear Philippe at the back of her head, telling her to give it a rest, that she has no talent.

"Exaggerating? Me?" Al objects in mock offense, "Are you calling me a drama-queen? Besides, I already showed Adrian the photo you gave Serena."

She did what?

"It is a very good photograph," Adrian states in the matter of fact tone of a professional "Walk with me Blair," He smiles, offering her his arm, "We need to discuss your brilliant future."

"You really didn't think I'd realize it was you?"

Her voice cuts through the numbing buzz of the people inside the apartment and he takes a final drag of his cigarette before sending it over the railing.

"I'm not sure I follow," he turns around to face her, taking in the visual she provides, a dark form in the backlight, and pretending he really doesn't have a clue about what she's talking about. But of course he does. Al should have gotten to her by now, with that Adrian fellow.

"You have a key to Serena and Nate's place." She continues, hands on her hips, but he is barely paying attention to anything but those gorgeous legs of hers covered in dark denim. She looks so fucking amazing in just about anything was he the least insecure of himself he'd feel threatened. Now he just feels lucky.

"I might, as the best man, have access to the Archibald residence."

"You let Al inside to show Adrian my photograph." She frowns, but she doesn't seem that upset about it all so he keeps quiet and moves towards her instead. He comes to a stop just inches away from her and his hands find their way around her waist on their own volition, stopping just above what she will allow in public.

She instinctively takes a step closer, and he hides a victorious smirk by giving attention to her delectable neck, trailing kisses down the column of her throat.

"You were behind all this," she goes on, but her voice is softer now, and her hand comes to rest on his neck, pulling him closer.

"Huh?" he mutters, moving his attention to the shell of her ear and at the same time lowers his hands, deciding that she should wear jeans more often. "No, actually. This one was all Al." He admits. He actually felt a little peeved that Al thought of it before he did, but in the end the important thing is that someone did.

"Oh," she breathes, her other hand coming to rest on his chest. "Are you trying to distract me, Bass?"

"Is it working?" He retorts, his lips brushing against hers before he opens his eyes to look at her. Yes, he decides, it is definitely working, and in that second he has to suppress the urge to lift her up and drag her back to his apartment immediately.

"Maybe."

There is an unmistakable challenge in her eyes that he is quick to accept. In one swift motion, he moves so that she is standing with her back against the railing and covers her mouth with his. He kisses her until he can feel the hand at the back of his neck fisting in his hair, and she is pressed flush against his body before he pulls back. His breath is not as unaffected as the schemer in him might have preferred. She lets out a displeased whine at the lack of contact, and he congratulates himself on a job well done, despite his own uneven breathing.

"Still upset with me?"

"About what?"

tbc