A/N: The intrigue continues in this chapter. Who did kill Pete Fairmont? I promise Chuck and Blair will dominate the next chapter. Reviews are always an inspiration. Thank you.

Basic Instinct


Blair walked into the room to find Jenny diligently sketching designs on her stool. She seemed so absorbed into her work that Blair decided it would be best not to disturb her until Jenny noticed her presence on her own. The blond would sketch a few lines, pause as if to examine her work, and then she would either resume her sketching or erase a mistake she had found. After a few minutes, Jenny voluntarily turned around to address her.

"Hey Blair," she greeted her softly. "What are you doing here?"

Blair smiled at the blond before answering her reasonable question.

"I have a friend who bought this gorgeous dress the other day and the thread used to accent the piece was absolutely exquisite. I heard I could find it here," Blair explained smoothly.

"Let me have a look at it," Jenny offered.

Blair carefully reached into her purse for the thread in question. She was careful to note the expression on her face as Jenny received it. Surely there would be some sort of unease or panic written upon her face if the thread had indeed been torn off of her own dress around the time she had been committing a murder. Blair witnessed no such emotions and breathed a sigh of relief. She merely saw recognition and acknowledgment of the familiarity of the thread etching her features.

"You have amazing taste Blair," Jenny responded. "Eleanor and I are the only designers in the world who incorporate this thread into our designs. It is very rare and most designers prefer to find more affordable alternatives. Just give me a moment and I can show you all the designs we have with this thread or did you specifically want the dress your friend bought?"

Blair paused for a moment to ponder over how she should go about this. She had promised Chuck she would be discreet with her investigative methods.

"I came to purchase the dress my friend was wearing, but I suppose I could have a look at all of the designs," Blair answered. "Thanks for the suggestion."

Jenny nodded briefly and proceeded to leave the room. She glanced back for a moment at the sketches that she had been working on earlier, but this motion went unnoticed by Blair. Instead, the brunette took a seat at the computer at her desk almost immediately after her departure. She had asked her mother beforehand for the code associated with that particular thread. She put the code in the search engine to find fourteen results. She heard Jenny rustling through some hangers in the other room. She knew she needed to buy herself some more time in order to thoroughly rummage through the data before her.

"Jenny?" she called out into the open.

"Yeah?" she heard her shout back.

"Would you mind bringing me the entire collection Eleanor plans to have me model soon?" she asked as politely as possible.

"Sure Blair," Jenny replied. "Just let me grab them from Eleanor's office."

Blair smiled at her quick response. She knew her mother's office was all the way at the other end of the hall. This would certainly buy her a little more time for her investigation. She began searching for the clients that had ordered each of the fourteen designs. Fortunately for her, the designs were fairly exclusive and only an elite few were given the privilege of wearing such exquisite designs. She scrolled through the list on the lookout for a name of interest. Blair lost hope as she neared the end of the list only to spy a name that was as familiar as it was unwelcome – Georgina Sparks.

"Blair?" Jenny called from Eleanor's office, her voice merely a faint echo to Blair's ears. "I can't seem to find the designs for that particular collection. I think Eleanor may have taken them with her to..."

"That's fine!" Blair cried back, tuning out the rest of her ramblings.

She heard Jenny's footsteps grow louder and louder as she made her way back to the room and Blair scrambled to bring up the homepage. She returned to her seat just as Jenny returned with a slew of dresses.

"Do you mind if I try them on now?" the brunette questioned. "I mean, I know they're just the samples and I don't know if they're in my size or whatnot, but..."

She was here to put on a complete show and Blair Waldorf was nothing if not a wonderful actress. After all, had Audrey not been a phenomenal actress as well?

"Not a problem," Jenny assured her. "They should fit you perfectly. You can just go ahead and try them on in this room if you'd like. No one else is here but us, so you don't have to worry about someone walking in on you while you change."

"Where are all the staff by the way?" Blair wondered out loud as she reached for the first dress atop of the pile.

Jenny shrugged. "Eleanor decided to give everyone a few days off. She had to jet off to Paris herself to meet up with another designer. I think I mentioned this earlier. You probably didn't hear me."

The brunette smiled politely. Well, she hadn't missed much by tuning out on Jenny earlier.

"Sorry about that. Thanks for telling me anyway. I had no idea my mother had jetted off to Paris," Blair commented. "I have yet to talk to Dorota today though. She probably told Dorota to tell me."

Jenny gave her no reply and both girls gasped at the dress that Blair had chosen to try on as the brunette surveyed herself in a nearby mirror. It was a simple, black dress, but it had been adorned with very sophisticated layers of lace. On the left side of the dress sat a series of deep purple roses in varying sizes and on the single largest rose was a butterfly that had been lined with that exact thread that Blair has shown Jenny earlier. It was absolutely gorgeous as if it had been made especially to accentuate her body in all the right places.

"Blair," Jenny breathed. "With a set of black stilettos and a satin purple headband, you would have all of Manhattan falling head over heels for you."

"All of Manhattan has already fallen head over heels for me," Blair teased.

"I hope just my brother falling for you is enough," Jenny mentioned casually.

"What?" Blair confirmed, thinking she had heard the young blond incorrectly.

Jenny paused for a brief moment before finally deciding to confront the brunette.

"Blair, is there something going on between you and Chuck?" Jenny accused her.

Blair stopped her mouth just in time from hanging open in shock at her ridiculous accusation.

"Where is this coming from Jenny? You know I love Dan. Our two year anniversary is coming up!" she protested.

Jenny did not hesitate this time in speaking her mind. She knew now was the time to stand up for her brother.

"Blair, I just wanted to make sure that you do love him because he really spent a lot of time and effort preparing for this anniversary. If there is something going on between you and Chuck, I'd rather you tell him and hurt him sooner rather than later. You owe him that much," Jenny finished. "I saw the way you and Chuck were looking at each other at dinner the other night. I know that look because it's exactly the way I look at Nate and the way he looks at Serena."

Blair's heart dropped to the floor at her words. She had always known the error of her encounters with Chuck, but having someone else point that out to her made things even clearer in her mind. She had been cheating on Dan both physically and emotionally. Her heart was torn between two people. She loved Dan, but she found herself falling for Chuck. Jenny was right. She needed to make a decision. The problem was she didn't even know whether she was falling for Chuck because she liked the mind games they played with one another or that she was actually falling for who he was as a person. She would at least wait until the case was over to think all of this through though. After all, Chuck had agreed to keep this professional. Surely she had a right to postpone her decision if only for a little while.

"Jenny, I promise you that I am in love with Dan. As for your love for Nate, I know you'll find someone else Jenny. You're amazing in your own right," Blair told her.

"Thanks," Jenny mumbled. "I'm sorry that I brought this topic up, but I just don't want Dan to get hurt."

"Of course," Blair assured her. "Neither do I."

She had tried on only two more of the fourteen designs before deciding that the first one had really suited her the best.

"I'll take the one with the deep purple roses and the butterfly. I doubt I'll find a better dress even if I were to try them all on," Blair commented.

Jenny smiled. "I'll send a new one over to your place later today. I'll use the same measurements because this one seemed to fit you so perfectly."

"Since you happen to be the designer of this dress, would you mind picking out a pair of stilettos to go with them as well as a headband? You can just charge me for them in addition to the dress," Blair noted.

"Not a problem," Jenny assured her. "I can even sew a matching butterfly on the headband to compliment the dress."

"Thanks Jenny," Blair said as she started towards the door.

Jenny sighed a breath of relief as Blair closed the door behind her. The designs she had been working on would make her look suspicious more than anything. Her new line was to be called Danger In Design and each dress was practically glossed over murder. It was scandalous and was sure to cause a fashion revolution. This would be huge, but now was not the time to showcase such designs, especially when the authorities were still following the case so closely. Her inspiration for her new line had been from Pete's death after all and she doubted Chuck or Nate would understand the creative mind of a designer. She knew Blair was investigating the murder as well through Dan and she doubted Blair would appreciate her work either. She would be pinned immediately as a suspect and a twisted one at that.


Blair rummaged through her purse for her phone. She flipped it open and immediately dialed for Chuck. She groaned in frustration when she was met with the busy signal. She tried a few more times before finally giving up. She decided to call Nate instead.

"Hello?" Nate spoke into his phone upon answering her call.

"Nate, I was wondering if you could give me some information on the case," Blair started.

"Blair," Nate sighed. "You know I can't do that. Chuck would flip if he found out I was helping you. His ego wouldn't be able to take it if you solved this case before he did."

"Chuck and I are working together now," Blair told him, rolling her eyes at his dramatics. "Did he not tell you?"

"Nope," Nate answered. "He didn't, but then again I haven't seen him all day not that I'm surprised of course."

"And why are you not surprised?" Blair wondered.

"Nothing," the blond assured her, shrugging off her question.

Nate knew it was not his place to tell Blair about what today was. If Chuck wanted to tell her about his parent's accident, he would.

"Alright," Blair said carefully. "Could you just tell me if you and Chuck have ever considered Georgina Sparks as a suspect?"

She really didn't want to pry. After all, what Chuck did unless it involved the case was of no importance to her. All she wanted was some information on Georgina.

"Yeah," Nate offered her. "But we see her more as an accomplice, although she could have murdered Pete herself."

"What exactly framed her as a suspect?" Blair probed.

"Well," Nate started. "The bottom line is that she was causing quite a scene in the ballroom only moments after the murder, so we figured either she was creating a distraction for the murderer or she was creating an alibi for herself."

"There would be a discretion in the times though, would there not?" Blair questioned.

"Normally speaking, yes," Nate responded. "But you already know about the damaged or rather nonexistent tapes."

"Oh right," Blair concurred, remembering that tiny detail. "Thanks Nate. That's all I needed to know."

"Not a problem," Nate assured her.

Blair ended the call and quickly climbed into a cab. She dialed for Georgina next.

"Sparks," Georgina informed her as she picked up her phone.

"Meet me in front of Central Park in half an hour," Blair demanded.

"And why would I want to do that Blair?" Georgina asked, recognizing her voice almost immediately.

"Curiosity," she replied simply before ending the call.


"Busy," Dan declared as he ended the call for the hundredth time in a row.

Vanessa laughed. "Dan, do you honestly think you need to remind Blair that tomorrow is your anniversary?"

"No," Dan answered truthfully. "But it wouldn't hurt. She's just been so busy lately trying to solve this case and whatnot. I admire her determination, but why can't she just leave this to the professionals?"

Vanessa gave him a look.

"Oh right," Dan commented sarcastically. "I'm preaching to the choir here."

"Speaking of Pete's murder again," Vanessa started as Dan shot her an apologetic glance. "Can you believe Bart is throwing a glamorous party in memory of Pete rather than a funeral?"

"I was surprised to receive the invitation to say the least," Dan commented. "Did you ask your dad for the reason behind this absurdity?"

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "He claims Pete would have wanted everyone to celebrate his life instead of attending a somber funeral."

"That's actually quite true," Dan offered.

"Yes," Vanessa agreed. "But in the form of a costume party?"

Dan laughed. "Ok. You have a good point there. What does the guest list look like?"

"Everyone who's anyone will be there basically," Vanessa informed him. "He even has entertainment planned for some of his clients. Leave it to my father to turn every event into a business opportunity."

Dan could hear the bitterness in her voice and he decided to gear her attention towards another topic.

"Hey," he started. "Would you mind running through the proposal once with me?"

Vanessa stuttered, "Are you sure? I mean, I..."

"Come on! Please?" Dan begged her. "Otherwise, I'll have to run it through with Jenny or my dad and that would be even more embarrassing."

Vanessa sighed in defeat as they stepped into the house. "Alright Humphrey, but we're only doing this once."

"Thank you," Dan responded genuinely. "Should I just start with the actual proposal part then?"

Vanessa laughed as she tossed her purse nonchalantly on the couch. "Yeah, unless you plan on cooking me dinner and taking me to Victrola."

Dan knelt down in front of her in response and a tension filled the empty space between them.

"Do you remember when we used to pretend to do this when we were kids?" Vanessa asked, trying to ease the tension that had engulfed them. "We were always fooling around with pretend proposals and marriages. Just go with the flow Dan. If your heart's in the right place, the words will just come to you."

"Blair," he began. "Our relationship started out with ulterior motives, but truthfully, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. A lot of people trudge through life searching for what they want. I know what I want. No matter what happens, I want to spend the rest of my life with you Blair because I can't imagine living even a single moment of my life without knowing that you're by my side. I love you. Will you do me the honour of being my wife?"

"Yes," Vanessa whispered hoarsely, her eyes wet from her tears.

Dan stared at her for a moment to take in her emotions. He felt an odd feeling at the pit of his stomach, but deemed it to be nerves.

"Wow," Dan commented. "Do you really think she'll say yes? I hope she's as moved by my speech as you were."

Vanessa smiled through her tears and quickly wiped away the tiny droplets. "I'm sure she'll be thrilled. What did you think of my performance Humphrey? I even forced out a few tears for you."

Dan returned her smiled. "Thanks Vanessa. I'm so excited for tomorrow night, but at the same time, I'm so afraid of her answer I think I might pee myself."

"Better wear a diaper for the extra insurance then," Vanessa mocked him, now fully recovered from her moment of heartbreak.

Dan frowned at her remark, but joined her in laughter soon enough. What was that uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach? He must be more nervous about this proposal than he thought.


"Blair Waldorf," Georgina greeted her as she seated herself next to the brunette on the bench. "What can I do for you today?"

"Georgina," Blair greeted her in response, careful to maintain her cool demeanour. "You could answer a question for me."

Georgina smirked at the demanding tone in her voice.

"Careful with that tone B," she warned. "I could become a mute in mere seconds."

Blair rolled her eyes at her threat and retrieved the thread from her purse moments later.

"Is this yours?" Blair questioned.

"You think I killed Pete, don't you?" Georgina wasted no time in asking.

"What?"

Blair was shocked at how open she was about the possibility.

"Did you?" Blair challenged, wondering if Georgina was currently inebriated or high enough to admit it to her.

"That thread came from one of my dresses. I know I tore my dress in his room, but I didn't kill him," Georgina responded.

Was she telling the truth? It was hard to tell, especially when Georgina was the suspect in question.

"I know Chuck and Nate have me on their suspect list. I make it my business to know these things. I'll tell you what happened that night B, but only because you caught me in an extremely good mood today," she informed her.

Blair nodded and listened intently to what she was about to say.

"That night, I did go to the Palace to see Pete. Pete and I are mischief buddies you see," Georgina explained. "We were at a masquerade party together when we decided to move the party to a suite at the Palace. Needless to say Pete had already caused quite a ruckus with Rufus Humphrey before I arrived with the cocaine and the booze. Pete and I were drinking, getting high, and having an all around ball when he suddenly asked me to leave because apparently, Serena was coming to meet him."

"Go on," Blair urged her.

She had a bad feeling that Serena had killed Pete, but a part of her still didn't want to believe it.

"I'll continue the story if you pay me two hundred dollars," Georgina told the brunette.

"What?" Blair scoffed. "How about you tell me or I'll turn you over to the authorities?"

Georgina smirked. "Even you should know B that they can't arrest me or even take me in for questioning without proper evidence."

"I have evidence," Blair retorted, reminding her of the thread.

"You can't prove it came from my dress, especially since I plan to burn it the moment I return home today. Besides, I'm sure Eleanor Waldorf Designs has a numerous number of clients," Georgina noted.

Knowing that Georgina had the upper hand, Blair conceded to her demand. "I'll pay you after you finish telling me what you know."

"That's more like it B," Georgina said, offering her an evil smile. "Anyway, I left and my dress was caught on the knob of the drawer. I tugged my dress out of the mess it was in and that's probably why you found that piece of thread. I swear I left the moment I had freed myself, so I would pin Serena as the murderer if I were you or at least, she'd be a much more likely suspect than me."

Blair shook her head, going through the motion of denouncing such an accusation. The brunette pulled out her wallet and slipped her two hundred dollars.

"It was nice doing business with you Blair. We should do it again sometime," she drawled as she stood up to leave.

"Wait," Blair called after her. "What about all the commotion you caused in the ballroom that night?"

Georgina laughed as she slipped on her sunglasses.

"I was inebriated and completely out of it from whatever drugs I had been taking. I had no idea I was even in the ballroom," she explained.

Blair eyed her sceptically. "How do I know that that wasn't just a distraction you created to gear everyone's attention away from a murder that had occurred on the top floor of the hotel only moments ago? How do I know that that wasn't just a distraction you created to provide yourself with an alibi after conveniently tampering with the hotel's security system?"

"You don't," she answered simply. "But think about it Blair. What motive would I have had to kill him? I lost one of my best mischief buddies. I mean, we also blackmailed a few people together. I have more to lose with him dead, don't you think?"

With that, Georgina climbed into a nearby taxi and Blair could only stand motionless in thought as the vehicle pulled away from the curb.