A/N: I apologize for the delay. I had a test I needed to study for. Summer school is time consuming.

Arttm: I do. However, we will assume that their high school diplomas and their family connections were sufficient for the purposes of the story.

Cheating The Public


"That end of the weekend dinner was awkward to say the least," Blair commented as she took a seat beside Serena on the bench.

"Yale is our haven," Serena agreed.

Serena continued to stare into the distance and the brunette could tell that something was wrong.

"You want to talk about it?" Blair asked, concerned for her best friend.

Serena turned towards her and smiled, wisps of blond hair falling from her shoulders.

"I see you still haven't lost your touch when it comes to reading my mind," Serena teased.

"Never," Blair responded, returning her smile.

The blond let out a deep sigh before voicing her concerns.

"I could be reading into this, but do you think Jenny has her heart set on Nate?" she questioned, uncertainty marking her eyes.

Blair touched her lightly on the shoulder. "Well, Jenny did confess her love for Nate to me back in high school. She was inebriated at the time though, so who knows if she was telling the truth?"

"Not that it wasn't obvious," Serena interjected.

Blair offered her a tiny smile. "Yeah, it was pretty obvious, but it was also obvious that Nate only had eyes for you. Speaking of which, since when were you and Nate dating?"

A healthy pink rose to her cheeks before she answered.

"It actually just sort of happened," she stuttered. "Do you know what I mean? It's kind of hard to explain."

Blair thought back immediately to her encounter in the bathroom with Chuck last night. The feel of his lips against her skin was still freshly imprinted in her mind. She had no idea how she had let it happened. It just sort of did.

"More than you'll ever know," Blair replied.

Serena gave her a quizzical look. Just as the blond was going to ask her to expand on that statement, Blair continued to speak.

"Anyway, I wouldn't worry about Jenny. Just ignore her advances on Nate. As long as you know he likes you, it shouldn't matter. Just go easy on her S. Jenny is going through a rough time."

"What do you mean?" Serena inquired.

"You can't tell anyone about this," Blair warned before continuing. "Jenny was the love of Pete's life. She didn't love him back, but they were very close on an emotional level. His death has really shaken her."

Serena nodded her head in understanding, although she was shocked at the news. It made sense now though why Pete had been so worked up at the mention of Jenny that night.

"There is no way I'm having sex with you," Serena stated. "How did you even manage to obtain the footage?"

Pete rolled his eyes in response. "You'll never know and you were practically having an orgy in this video. One night with me won't kill you darling."

"I'm not that person anymore Pete. Please just give me the tape," she pleaded with him.

She was desperate. She needed to get that tape back. It wasn't even about the documented sex. It was what had happened after.

"One night Serena," he urged. "I could hand the tape over to the authorities instead of course. You and Robert can write to me from jail."

"Damn it Pete! How will I know you'll even give me the tape after I screw you?"

Pete smirked. "You don't."

"You sick bastard!" Serena shouted. "Do you get some disgusting pleasure out of blackmailing people? Who's next on your list? Jenny?"

"Shut up you slut! I would never blackmail Jenny!" he yelled.

They were both silent for a moment before Serena spoke up.

"Why not Jenny?" she pried.

"None of your business," he spat. "I'll give you your precious tape once were done. Now, are we doing this or not?"

Serena sighed in defeat. "You better be taking a shower first."

Pete grinned, an evil glint in his eye. Victory was sweet.

"Serena! Are you even listening to me?" Blair asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"What?" the blond responded, whirling around to face her. "Yeah, I'll just ignore her advances on Nate."

Blair rolled her eyes. "I was talking about my mother. I have no idea what to do with her! She was obviously trying to set me up with Chuck last night and the worst part is that she was doing it in front of Dan!"

Serena giggled. "Oh B! Your mother has always been trying to set you up with someone. Just shrug it off. Who cares what your mother thinks of Dan or who she tries to set you up with as long as you and Dan love one another?"

"True," Blair agreed. "It's just so annoying, you know?"

The blond nodded sympathetically. "What was up with you and Chuck anyway? Don't lie to me B. The looks you gave each other at the dinner table? That convenient trip to the bathroom?"

"What?" Blair asked in shock. "There is absolutely nothing going on between us! I would never ever cheat on Dan. You know that!"

Her tone of voice had been so convincing that Blair was even led to believe that nothing had happened between her and Chuck last night. The rapid beating of her heart in response to Serena's accusation, however, was evidence of the contrary. It had happened. Those kisses had been real.

"I'm just teasing you B," Serena explained. "I know you'd never cheat on Dan."

Blair had to look away then, her guilt slowly clouding her mind. Maybe she should confess to Dan about what had happened last night and the night before that. It would make her feel better about herself, but then again, it seemed unnecessary to break his heart. Ignorance was bliss, right? This would be her dirty little secret and it would be her only one. She would never be tempted by all that was Chuck Bass ever again. Suddenly, Blair remembered her purpose for finding Serena before class this morning.

"Serena, I know this is a random question, but was Pete blackmailing you?" she inquired.

"What are you talking about B?" she asked defensively.

"Oh! I just heard a rumor is all," Blair said, trying to sound as casual as possible.

"Well, it isn't true," Serena responded as-a-matter-of-factly, her body tense and rigid.

The scowl set upon her best friend's face made it clear that the subject needed to be dropped and fast. In fact, Blair decided it was best to leave. She could find out the details of the blackmail some other way.

"Of course!" Blair assured her.

The blond relaxed at her response, playing with a strand of her golden hair.

"We actually have to meet up with Dan before class. He always walks me to English," the brunette informed her.

"I know," Serena murmured. "I'll see you in class though. I need to make a phone call."

Blair shrugged and picked up her purse from its place beside her, although she was suspicious as to whom Serena would need to call this early in the morning.

"I'll see you later S."

"Later B," the blond responded, waving her off.

She flipped open her cell phone the moment Blair had walked off. She should still have Robert in her contacts list somewhere. She scrolled further down the screen until she spotted his name. Bingo!


"You are never going to be able to please Eleanor Waldorf Dan," Vanessa told him.

Dan rubbed his forehead in frustration. "I know, but I love her daughter. Is that not enough? Why does she always have to try to set Blair up with someone else?"

Vanessa patted his arm sympathetically. "People like us will never truly fit into their world Dan."

"This is supposed to be a pep talk," Dan whined.

Vanessa laughed. "Love is between two people Dan. Who cares what her mother thinks of you? You are going to marry Blair Waldorf not her mother assuming she accepts your proposal of course."

She had chocked slightly on the word marry and she really hoped Dan hadn't caught the hitch in her voice. She needed to be there for him as the best friend. Now that Dan had mentioned his intentions of proposing to Blair, she knew he was serious about her. When they had only been dating, she still stood a chance. She still had hope that one day Dan would wake up and realize that she was a much better fit for him. If Blair accepted his proposal, even that tiny glimmer of hope would shimmer away. Dan had always vowed that he would only propose to someone if he was absolutely sure she was his one true love. He would do it right the first time. Divorce was not an option.

"I hope she will," Dan whispered uncertainly.

"How do you plan to pop the big question to her exactly?" Vanessa mentioned out of curiosity.

A smile escaped from his lips as he informed her of the anniversary he had been planning for months.

"You know that burlesque club that Pete got your dad to invest in?"

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "You mean Victrola? You're not seriously proposing to her there, are you?"

"Not exactly," Dan said, getting excited over the details of his plan. "I booked the roof."

"The roof?" Vanessa inquired. "That sounds...romantic."

Dan laughed. "Just listen to the entire plan. First, I plan to cook dinner for her. It'll be a candlelit dinner of course because I know how much she loves those."

Vanessa nodded her head slightly, motioning for him to continue.

"Then, I'll take her to Victrola. She'll be blindfolded and I'll bring her up to the roof," Dan informed her. "The roof will be decorated of course with even more candles, rose petals, and such. There will be music and we'll dance. Then we'll probably look at the stars together and that's when she'll ask me where her anniversary present is. I'll pop the question then. What do you think?"

Vanessa remained silent and dwelled in the beautiful picture that he had painted with his words. Blair Waldorf would be crazy not to accept his proposal. It was all so romantic and even she knew this was the kind of fairytale ending that Blair had always dreamed of. She was going to have it all. She would get her happily ever after and her prince charming all in one night. Vanessa couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy course through her body then.

"Vanessa?" Dan murmured nervously. "My plan can't be that bad."

"What? No! It sounds great Dan! She'll be swept off her feet with that plan of yours. Trust me," Vanessa assured him.

"If you're sweeping a girl off her feet Humphrey, it better be me," Blair interrupted as she approached the two.

Vanessa whipped her head around to see Blair Waldorf standing behind her.

"Well, that's my cue to leave," Vanessa commented as she grabbed her purse.

"You can stay Vanessa," Blair offered, smiling sweetly in her direction.

Truthfully, Blair didn't mind if Vanessa hung around her and Dan for a while. She knew she was probably going through an even tougher time than Jenny was. Besides, having Vanessa close by all the time could give her more opportunities to question her not that she could really picture her killing her own brother. Then again, she'd never thought Serena was capable of killing anyone either and yet her best friend had been acting so shady at the mention of Pete blackmailing her that Blair had to question if she really knew Serena after all.

"Thanks, but my class is about to start anyway. I'll see you later Dan."

Dan waved her off as Blair took a seat next to him at the table.

"Remember to talk to you father! You promised!" Dan shouted after her.

Vanessa waved in his direction to let him know she would.

"Talk to her father? What about?" Blair inquired.

Dan shrugged. "Vanessa and I have been snooping around Bart's office."

"Snooping around?" Blair echoed, giggling at the idea.

Dan scowled. "There's a first time for everything Blair. Anyway, we found out that Pete committed stock fraud and Bart is now trying to cover up for his crime."

"What?"

"I know. It shocked us too. Vanessa is going to confront her father about everything tonight. In fact, I think she's going to straight out ask Bart if he killed Pete out of spite or something, you know? We found out that Jenny was apparently very close with Pete as well. I'm still in shock over that."

Blair nodded, but had already zoned out. Bart had always been a suspect to her, but alleged stock fraud definitely made things slightly more interesting.

"I know that look Blair. I know you're digging into the case, but..."

"I won't bother Vanessa or Bart if that's what you're worried about," Blair promised. "I know she's your best friend and I found out about Jenny and Pete already from Eric and a friend of his. They were just super close on an emotional level. You have nothing to worry about."

"Thanks Blair."

She would keep her promise. She wouldn't question Vanessa or Bart, but that didn't mean she couldn't get someone else to do it for her. Robert was proving himself to be more than useful since their break-up.

"For the record," Dan teased, interrupting her thoughts. "You're the girl I plan to sweep off her feet."

"You already have," Blair responded. "You two were talking about our anniversary plans, weren't you?"

Dan chuckled. "Nothing gets by you Miss Waldorf. I'm not telling you anything though, so you'll just have to be patient."

Blair pouted. "You'll find I can be very convincing Mr. Humphrey."

"Not this time Blair. This anniversary is going to be extra special," Dan insisted.

Blair sighed. "You win. I'll wait."

There was a brief pause and Blair took the opportunity to change the subject.

"Did you get the part of Mr. Darcy? I got an email this morning from the drama coach. I get to portray Elizabeth Bennett!"

Dan frowned. "No, I didn't get the part. I'm playing...Mr. Collins."

"Oh," Blair started. "Well, maybe..."

"That's ok Blair. We'll still have rehearsals together at least," he explained, offering her a smile.

"Alright," Blair agreed, knowing Dan didn't want to push the subject any further.

She blamed her mother and her stupid commentary regarding Mr. Collins from last night for his insecurities.

"Walk me to class?" Blair asked, getting up from her seat at the table.

"Of course," he answered as he took her hand in his and guided her down the hallway.


"Hello?" Robert inquired from the other end of the line.

"Robert," Serena greeted him.

"Serena? I think you have the wrong number."

"Blair knows," she stated simply.

"She knows a lot of things," Robert retorted. "You'll have to be more specific."

"I think she knows what happened that night and the fact that Pete has been blackmailing me," the blond clarified.

"Calm down," Robert urged. "Did she tell you she knows or are you just assuming that she does?"

"Well, she just asked me if Pete had been blackmailing me. She claims she heard about it through a rumor, but I bet..."

"I think you can relax. Blair came to me recently asking for help in acquiring a suspect list for Pete's murder," he explained. "We graced upon the subject of his blackmailing activities, but I only told her about Pete blackmailing Lily and Rufus. I swear I didn't mention you or me obviously. She must have caught sight of your name on the list when I wasn't looking."

"So, you don't think she knows the details of the blackmail then?"

"Absolutely not," he assured her. "Think about it S. If she knew, she would have definitely confronted you about it immediately. The poolside orgy could have been overlooked, but we killed someone Serena. Last time I checked that was still a crime."

"I didn't kill him. You did! You're the one who drowned him!" Serena hissed.

"It was meant to be a joke. Who knew that kid's lung capacity was so shallow? Besides, it was just as much everyone else who was there including you as it was me. I remember all of you cheering me on. At one point, you lent a hand."

"I was drunk out of my mind," Serena protested.

"Tell that to the authorities," he drawled sarcastically. "Just chill out Serena. Blair doesn't know anything about what happened that night. No one ever has to know and now that Pete is out of the picture, that's easier said than done. I've kept tabs on all the other people who were at our secret gathering. They've all kept their mouths shut."

"The only problem is..." Serena trailed off at the sound of a female voice.

"You promised you'd go shopping with me today," a squeaky voice whined.

"Claire, I'm on the phone with someone," Robert responded.

"Someone more important than your fiancée?" she shot back. "I'll tell daddy you're not treating me right if you don't get off the phone this instant!"

"Look Serena," Robert finished quickly. "Don't worry too much about it. You're freaking yourself out. I'll talk to you later. Apparently Claire Waters is too precious to wait a couple of minutes."

He hung up then and Serena could only do the same. She needed to get that tape back. It was probably somewhere inside his house, but she wouldn't be able to find an excuse to look in his room or even gain access to his house for that matter. Nate had mentioned that he and Chuck would be dropping by the house soon to question Bart and Vanessa. Perhaps she could convince Nate to help her look for the tape. Serena smiled at her brilliance. Nate would come in handy after all.


"I'll see you at the play rehearsal alright?" Dan confirmed. "We can grab a bite to eat later if you'd like."

Blair smiled and was about to respond when her cell phone alerted her of an incoming call.

"Hello?" Blair spoke into her phone.

"Miss Waldorf," Chuck greeted her.

"Hello mother," Blair responded.

She really didn't want to make things between her and Dan tenser than they already were this morning. Dan would probably question why Chuck was calling her and they would surely get into an argument over it.

"Humphrey must be nearby if you're insistent upon calling me your mother," Chuck drawled. "My limo will be conveniently situated in front of your lecture hall Miss Waldorf when you walk out of English this morning. I'll see you later and I won't take no for an answer. I know where you live Miss Waldorf. Remember that."

With that, he hung up on her, leaving Blair nothing less than furious. Who did he think he was ordering her around like that? There was something in the way he had said I know where you live Miss Waldorf that left her cheeks burning though and she hated him for it.

"Bye," Blair said smoothly into her phone before hanging up.

"Uh...Blair? Is everything alright?" Dan spoke up, putting a stop to any of the fantasies that were about to invade her mind.

"Sure Dan. We can eat the play rehearsal later," she murmured before walking through the double doors.

Dan scratched his forehead in confusion. We can eat the play rehearsal later? What the hell did that mean?