Games

by pLei4fun

Games are the norm for our favorite NJBC: Love games, war games, etc. But it's senior year and that just means that the stakes are even higher. Sequel to the Queen and her Dark Knight can Blair, Serena, Chuck, and Nate make it to the end of their high school careers unscathed and together? We'll find out. Chair always, but the rest is up in the air.

8. Behind the facade, lives reality

Chapter 8: Behind the façade, lives reality

There's nothing quite like autumn in New York, but it's not only the leaves that change. Something in the air brings out the true colors in everyone.

Serena walked into the dining room dressed for school, immediately aware of the silence that greeted her. This was not how it usually was in the morning. Usually it was filled with conversation and laughter, like a real family. But for some reason, today was different. She paused in the doorway and took in everyone at the table and couldn't see what caused the silence and slowly made her way toward her seat as she asked, "Why are you all so quiet?"

Almost as if in response to her question, in walked Bart Bass from the opposite side of the room greeting the table with, "Good morning."

Serena silently paused and forced a smile. She and Bart hadn't spent much time together. It wasn't out of personal choice, it was more out of habit that Serena didn't spend much time with any of her step-fathers since they never lasted long. In the end she always smiled and waited for the time to come where the inevitable divorce would come and it would just be her, Eric and her mom together once again.

"Bart, you're back early," Serena responded, still standing by her chair.

"My last round of meetings wrapped up sooner than expected," Bart explained.

"Rushing home to the family," Chuck replied sarcastically as laces his fingers together and watched his father sit down beside Lily. Serena reluctantly took her seat as well as Chuck asked, "How long's this layover?"

Bart smirked a smile that was eerily similar to something Chuck himself would produce answered as he placed his napkin on his lap,"Didn't Lily tell you? I'm here for the long haul."

"And just in time for our housewarming party tomorrow night," Lily gushed excitedly.

"Um, I've been meaning to ask you," Eric spoke up casually as he sat his cup down, "Uh, can we bring friends?"

"Of course, dear," Lily replied with a nod before turning her attention to Serena. Serena was just glad to hear that Eric wasn't spending his time alone in his room. She made a mental note to ask about the friend when the pair walked together to school. She was interrupted from her plans when Lily began speaking to her. "Oh, um, did you get the little suit that I laid out for you, Serena?"

"That was for me? I thought the housekeepers got new uniforms," Serena deadpanned. She saw the outfit and it wasn't her taste at all.

Lily laughed as she spoke, "Yeah, it's conservative, yes, but classic. Bart brought it from Paris. It had its own seat on his plane."

Serena raised her eyebrows and asked, "Bart bought me a suit?"

"New watch," Eric spoke showing off his new gift that was on his wrist.

"Cash- direct deposit into one of my offshore accounts," Chuck replied with a shrug.

Of course, Serena mused silently, because what can you get your son that already has everything? It didn't even surprise her that Chuck had multiple offshore accounts if the family somehow lost everything, Chuck Bass would still be the richest guy on the Upper East Side.

"Now that we are all here," Bart began, gaining Serena's attention, "Lily and I have something we want to discuss. As tomorrow's party marks our debut as a family, we've been talking about what that actually means."

Chuck took a bite of his toast before replying, "Less money for me when you die?"

Serena pressed her lips together as she silently laughed at the joke but Bart continued on with his speech, "We were thinking more along the lines of some guidelines."

"Guidelines? For what?" Serena was shocked as she looked at her new step-father.

"For life together," Lily explained, "I mean, now that we're all here, having some rules would be nice."

"Like what?" Serena asked with dread.

"Like every Friday, we dine as a family," Lily started.

"Uh, don't you think Monday would be-," Eric started to speak but was interrupted by Bart which really irritated Serena.

"A weekend curfew of 1:00 a.m," Bart dictated.

"Is that Eastern or Pacific?" Chuck asked with a frown, making it obvious that he was feeling these new "rules" about as positively as Serena was.

"And no going out on school nights," Bart spoke firmly, purposely ignoring Chuck.

"What?" Eric asked in shock.

"Are you serious?!" Serena asked in outrage.

Bart quickly lifted up his hands, seeing that he was going too far, "All right, all right."

Serena didn't even bother to quell her irritation as she turned to her mother, "Mom, where is this coming from?"

"Bart and me," Lily replied as she looked over at her husband, "We made the decision together. We are in complete agreement on this matter."

Serena didn't believe it for a second and said as much, "Yeah, I'm sure."

This was typically Lily Van Der Woodsen behavior and Serena was madder at herself for thinking that things were changing for the better. She sighed and got up from the table to gather her things and head to school, not wanting to remain there for much longer. The more she thought about those ridiculous rules the anger inside her grew. She didn't understand how her mom could just let Bart make the rules for them when he wasn't even their father.

Not too long later, Eric arrived ready for their walk. They made it a point to go to school together so they could catch up on the things going on with their lives since Serena was so busy with school and preparing to go to school next year she felt guilty for not being able to spend as much time with Eric as she would like. The last thing she wanted was for him to have a relapse. But today was more of a listen to Serena vent than actually catching up.

"What's next, no TV until after you finish your homework?" Serena asked rhetorically as the pair walked down the street together.

"They're just a few rules, Serena," Eric detracted, "Who watches TV on a TV anymore anyway?"

"It's not about the rules, Eric," Serena explained, "It's about mom. When it's just the three of us, it's fine, but anytime she gets a new guy, she Stepfords out and lets him make all the decisions."

"I don't think that's what's happening," Eric spoke softly.

"Remember when we had to move to Chamonix because German Klaus wanted to ski all year round?" Serena reminded, already having her mind made up and on a roll of all the other decisions her mother went along with in the past.

"That wasn't so bad-"

"But what about Paolo? The raw food diet? Family colonics?" Serena asked as she looked at her brother who was getting more and more amused. "Or Sameer? I know I enjoyed our brief conversion to Islam."

"I see what you mean," Eric nodded.

Serena slowed down and turned towards her brother, "Look, mom can let these guys choose her life for her, but they shouldn't be able to choose ours."

"It seems different this time," Eric tried to get through to her, "She seems pretty serious about making the whole family thing work with Bart. We could at least try, right?"

Serena couldn't help but sigh, knowing that her brother had a slight point. It wasn't as if it was that big of a change. It was just going to take some time to go from having a negligent parent to having a hands on one, she guessed. "Fine," she spoke with reluctance, "But the second he starts to call the shots, these gloves come off and the nails come out." Realizing what she just said, Serena couldn't help but laugh at herself, "I just mixed metaphors, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but it kind of worked," Eric replied as he laughed with her.

Serena smiled for probably the first time that morning and wrapped her arm around Eric's neck as the pair headed on to school. She could handle playing nice and she had to admit that maybe Eric was right about this time seeming different. All the other husbands that had come through the Van Der Woodsen's lives were usually temporary, they never had children. Sure, in this case the child in question was Chuck Bass, but it was the same thing. Maybe she was reading into this whole change too much and in reality they were trying to get everyone on the same page and on the same playing field.

xoxo

While Serena was making promises to make an effort, Chuck was hanging out in the courtyard at school with Nate. Unlike Serena, Chuck never had a string of step mothers to walk into his life so the fact that Bart was attempting some form of stability was a new concept and Chuck couldn't help but consider that Lily was being a good influence on his father. He could already recall how much had changed between himself and his father since he got involved with Lily Van Der Woodsen.

Sure his father may still be a bit distance, but Chuck had already figured that it was just his nature. Chuck himself could be a bit distant, but he liked to think that since he and Blair started dating that he was becoming more open to those he cared about. Bart Bass had definitely been more encouraging of Chuck to do things on his own businesswise and seemed more open to Chuck being in attendance to meetings when Chuck was out of school.

But the thing was, Chuck Bass was very much like his father. When it came to new changes it usually was a result of something else occurring and since Chuck was suspicious in nature, he took it upon himself to put out feelers on what's been going in Bart's life while he was away on business and make a decision from there. Until then, Chuck would continue to do as he always did.

He was pulled from his thoughts when the vermin formally known as Humphrey, walked by and attempted to wave at Nate as he passed. Chuck frowned and looked at his best friend from the corner of his eye as Nate purposefully looked away, not acknowledging the greeting at all.

"What was that about?" Chuck asked with a frown as he leaned back into the wall behind him.

Nate sighed and reluctantly explained, "You know we lost half the team earlier this week because they all got mono from Lauren Goldenberg." At Chuck's nod and look of disgust, Nate continued on, "Well it turns out that they need to be replaced and Dan was one of the few who tried out. He's an alternate."

Chuck scoffed, "Your team must be desperate."

"I don't know man, the coach seemed impressed with his tryouts," Nate shrugged, "I just know that he's been a bit slow on the uptake that we're not actually friends."

Chuck continued to glare at the offending brooklynite from his spot as he listened. That was how Blair found the two when she arrived on campus. She looked at both of them and looked at the object of their attention. Seeing Dan Humphrey, she slowly put some of the pieces together and sat down beside her boyfriend, crossing her legs towards him as she asked casually, "Why are we sending death glares at Humphrey?"

"I'm trying to prove that you could die with just a look," Chuck replied without missing a beat.

Blair rolled her eyes and smirk as she replied, "If that were true, do you know how many girls at Constance would be in their graves by now?" Chuck smirked as Nate couldn't help but laugh at how true the statement was as Blair asked her next question, taking Chuck's hand in hers, "What has the Brooklynite done now?"

Nate looked at her in surprise, "Wait, she doesn't know?"

"Know what?" Blair asked, growing more concerned, "What is it that I don't know, but he does, Bass?"

Chuck sighed softly and answered Nate, "I hadn't gotten around to it." Before turning his head towards the woman he loved so much and began to explain, "Remember a couple of weeks ago when I went out with Humphrey?"

Blair nodded carefully as she looked at him with suspicion, "What about it?"

"Well at your mother's show I was going through his things that I took and I found a story he was writing…about me," Chuck rolled his eyes to himself and shook his head softly.

Blair frowned before replying, "Just when I thought I couldn't hold Humphrey in lower contempt, but why am I just hearing about this now?"

"Because I knew you wouldn't be surprised by it and you were busy prepping for your interview with Yale so I didn't feel the need to bring it up right then," Chuck explained truthfully. He didn't want her focus to veer off of her goal of Yale over Humphrey of all people.

"Chuck Bass," Blair spoke firmly, obviously a bit hurt as his reasons for not telling her the more she spoke, "as much I want to go to Yale next year, it's not nearly as important to me as you. As us."

"Whoa, are you feeling okay, Blair?" Nate asked in shock. What Blair said was a huge deal. Ever since they were all small all she wanted was to go to Yale and for her to say that Chuck was more important to her than her trying to get in was big. Nate wasn't even sure if she ever felt that way about him when they were dating.

"Shut up," Blair replied, very much aware of the fact that what she said was out of character, but she meant every word. It scared her sometimes how much she loved Chuck. "I mean it Bass, you hurt, I hurt," she spoke to her boyfriend softly.

"I wasn't really hurt," Chuck tried to play it off, seeing that she was serious about the words she said, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze of thanks for her concern. But the look on her face was proof of how well she knew him because it screamed her skepticism. Only Blair Waldorf could see through his bull shit and Chuck decided to just reply softly, "I'm sorry."

Blair looks at him for a moment before she leans towards him and gives his lips a light kiss, silently forgiving him, and smiles softly, "Well you can make it up to me by coming by tonight. In the midst of all this drama I've found that we've been neglecting a few things…"

Chuck smirked as he reached up with his other hand and holds her chin, "I'll do you one better. Why don't we just go find a secluded corner now?"

Blair's smile widens and slowly shakes her head as she pulls away, "Uhn- uhn- uhn, been there, done that, twice. First time was fun, but the second time we almost had a sex tape scandal so, no."

"We both know you'll do it again. It's just a question of when," Chuck spoke softly.

"The answer is never," Blair retorted back.

Nate shook his head as he spoke up, reminding the couple that they weren't, in fact, alone, "Only you two would take a potential sex scandal and make it into a form of foreplay."

"What's wrong, Archibald?" Blair asked lightly as she tilted her head to the right, "Jealous that you don't have anyone to make a sex tape with?"

"I'm fine with being single, thank you very much," Nate replied not convincingly.

It was obvious that the couple beside him didn't buy it either but allowed him to live with his delusions as Blair changed the subject, "I'm sure you are. But back to the original subject of why Nate was told before me about the user that was Dan Humphrey?"

"He was almost eaten by the spider," Chuck explained as he wrapped his arm around Blair's waist as he continued to look at his best friend.

Blair paused and couldn't help but laugh once as she shook her head, "Every day you keep revealing just how similar you and Serena truly are."

"I know, we're both trusting. I've already had this conversation with Chuck before. Trust me, any positive feelings I had for Dan Humphrey have been buried.The last thing I need with my current situation is someone else who's my friend just for what I bring to the table," Nate explained firmly.

Seeing that Nate was completely serious, Blair decided to take him for his word as she checked her watch and noted the time,"I'm glad to hear that. Now if you'll both excuse me, I gotta go. I've got a disciplinary hearing."

Chuck smirked as he watched his girlfriend stand up from her perch beside him he couldn't help but goad her, "Well, I knew you were trouble, but a hearing? Impressive."

Blair gave him one last seductive look before replying, "Oh, it's not for me."

With that she turned around and walked to the other side of the courtyard where her minions stood towering over a blonde sophomore, knowing that Chuck was watching her walk away she gave an added swing in her step as she made her way to stand beside Iz and Penelope before giving the go ahead for them to start the proceedings.

"Kelsey, Kelsey, Kelsey, how many times must we tell you?" Penelope spoke first, "As one of the girls of the steps, you represent Constance royalty."

"So it should come as no surprise that many girls before you have gotten the ax when their choices reflected poorly on us," Iz continued on with their reprimand.

"I didn't realize-," Kelsey began to speak with tears in her eyes.

"That tights are not pants?!" Blair yelled in frustration as she looked at this girl. "Honestly." It was like this girl wasn't aware that her actions no longer just spoke about her as a person, it reflected on Blair herself and her ability to rule this school as Queen. Blair had high expectations of her minions because she had high expectations on how she presented herself.

Fortunately for the girl in question, the hearing was interrupted by some outsider. "Blair, you got a minute?"

Blair frowned as she looked at Vanessa, not knowing why the girl was here and her presence alone peeked Blair's interest to the point that she granted the request with an order to Penelope and Iz, "60 seconds. Clock it."

She walked over to Vanessa with a sigh. In the end it was probably best that she walked away now before she caused a scene in her anger with Kelsey. "What are you doing here with those?" Blair asked uninterested in the answer as she noted the yellow flyers in the Brooklynite's hand. "Shouldn't you be at Whole foods?"

"As much as I hate these words coming out of my mouth, I could really use your help with this," Vanessa spoke as she handed one of the flyers over to Blair.

Blair glanced at it briefly before she replied, "Oh, saving a teardown." She quickly crumpled it up in her hand to show what she thought of the idea and threw it on the ground, "Charity is for diseases and endangered species. Real estate is not on the list, at least not in New York."

As Vanessa continued to stand there, Blair raised her hand in the air silently asking why the girl was still standing in front of her and getting annoyed by it.

"I can make you help me, you know?" Vanessa spoke softly as she began to fiddle into her bag and pulled out her phone.

"Oh, it makes jokes, too," Blair replied condescendingly as she propped her right elbow with her left hand as she toyed with her hair revealing her lack of interest in this conversation as she glanced over her shoulder to note how much time she had left to deal with this girl.

"Everyone knows that you and Marcus are no longer friends, but no one knows why," Vanessa spoke lightly.

Blair looked at the phone in the Brooklynite's hand and paused at what the girl was insinuating. On the phone was the photo taken of Marcus and Catherine in a lover's embrace from months ago, Blair replied to the threat with a shake of her head, "Even you wouldn't stoop that low."

Vanessa closed her phone and put it away with a smile, "Blackmail seems to work so well for you, so maybe I'm missing out."

Blair scoffed and snapped back, "And maybe you're showing yourself to be the complete amateur that you are. Do you honestly think it's me that's going to be hurt by that coming out?" Blair relished in the smile slowly disappearing from her opponent's face, "The thing about blackmail is that you have to know how to hit your target where it hurts. The only person that that photo hurts is Nate. And do you really think he needs the past dredged up like this after all that he's going through right now thanks to you? I mean you two used to consider yourselves friends, right, before you opened your big mouth to the Duke and kept this very thing from him in the first place?"

Vanessa's silence and look of shame spoke volumes as Blair spoke softly, "I thought as much."

"Blair, time's up," Penelope spoke from behind the brunette to which Blair raised her hand in the air, indicating to give her another moment as she wrapped up this game.

"Tell you what, as a favor to you, I'll keep quiet about this pathetic little attempt at blackmail and I'll even take a few of these and pass them around. Now, most likely people are going to just toss them and I'm not going to dissuade them from that. Consider this my contribution to the cause," Blair explained with a sugary sweet smile as she took a few flyers and put them in her purse. "Great talk Vanessa, I'm glad that we're on the same page."

With that Blair turned back to her group and left the vermin to stand there alone with no leverage. It's people like Vanessa who made it so easy to be a bitch. If someone asked Blair, Nate was better off without her in his life. With that little stunt she proved that she was just as bad as Humphrey. No one made Blair do anything that she didn't want to, by blackmail or otherwise. As the disciplinary hearing continued, Blair's mind was on the photo that Vanessa still had. She made a mental not to get rid of it at the next opportunity.

xoxo

Later that evening, Serena would be found in her pajamas in bed reading. She was genuinely giving this whole structure and rules things a shot. Besides it was one of those times that it wasn't that bad of a thing to stay in for the night. She tried to see if maybe Eric wanted to hang out but he had already made plans with his new "friend" and was gone by the time Serena settled in.

It wasn't long before her quiet time was interrupted with, "Well, well. Look who's playing by the rules, and it's not even a school night."

Serena looked up from her book at her step-brother, noting that he was fully dressed and was about to go out for the evening. "Eric convinced me," she explained as she sat up in her bed, "What about you?"

Chuck smirked as he looked away and answered, "I'm on my way out to a house call."

"Gross," Serena replied showing her disgust before going back to her book, "Well, as long as you're home by 1:00."

"Naïve Serena," Chuck replied back, making it obvious that he wasn't leaving just yet. Serena sighed as she looked up at him, wondering what it was that she was apparently naïve about. Chuck wasted no time informing her as he came further into the room, "Don't you know Bart and Lil's list of rules doesn't apply to me?"

"What are you talking about?" Serena asked.

"According to my sources, the real reason my father flew back early is to court some executives in town from the Midwest," Chuck continued to enlighten her as he took out his phone and started fiddling with it, "The only problem is, they won't do business with anyone who doesn't share their family values, so Bart is making sure we do….or appear to."

Serena looked at him in shock over the information, "Wait. All this just so he can close a deal?"

Chuck sighed with a shrug, "I do my best work off the radar, but while you're on 'page six' with the Poppy Liftons of the world, you're the bigger threat to Bart's business. Night sis. I hope your book is captivating."

Before Serena could say anymore, Chuck turned and left her there to stew in the new information. She couldn't believe that this was all just some sick game in order to help Bart's business. That all this talk of being a family was exactly as she thought it was this morning. Making a snap decision, Serena closed her book and got up from bed as she picked up her phone to make a call. She smiled as she looked through her closet when Poppy answered quickly, "Serena?"

"Hey Poppy. Where are you? I want to go out tonight," Serena replied as she picked out the most revealing outfit she owned.

After cementing her plans, Serena quickly got dressed and headed out. She knew she didn't have to worry about her mother since she had already went off to bed not too long after their "family dinner" and with Eric out with his friends, she should be able to make a clean exit. Just as she was walking down the door she heard the sound of the elevator bell ringing, signaling that someone was coming into the apartment. Seeing Bart, Serena decided to just rub it in his face that she was disregarding his rules and waited from him to come around the corner.

She let him take in the outfit she was wearing before she began walking past him as she greeted, "Hi, Bart. We missed you at family dinner. Maybe next time"

"Where do you think you're going, and in that dress?" Bart asked as he turned after her.

Serena turned around with a flourish and a smile, "Oh, the girls and I thought we'd hit up 1Oak, then maybe Bijoux, and I don't know, anywhere we can find some paparazzi." Serena shrugged as she whispered, "I'm in the mood for a little show tonight."

She continued onto the waiting elevator glad that they lived on the penthouse floor so she didn't have to wait and have to worry about Bart trying to force her to stay. She decided to put one more dig in before the doors closed on Bart as she gasped and lifted her hand to her mouth as she exclaimed, "Oh, I forgot to put on underwear."

The look on Bart's face was priceless after that statement and Serena made a decision to enjoy the night out. Sure it was childish, but she was being treated like one so she might as well.

xoxo

Blair smiled to herself as she took in everything Dorota had set up for her date night with Chuck. She made sure everything was in place as she headed downstairs to prepare for his arrival. They truly had gone far too long and Blair had every intension of rectifying that mistake tonight. She sighed softly as she began mixing their drinks in her foyer, feeling grateful that her mother was still away in Paris and wouldn't be home for another week. She couldn't deny that there were times were it was good to be a child of neglectful parents and this was definitely one of them.

Right on schedule, Blair smirked as her elevator doors opened to reveal the object of her affections. She made a show of looking at her Cartier watch, "Right on time, Bass."

He smirked back at her as she slowly made her way over to him to hand him his glass. It didn't escape Blair's notice that he was checking her out as he replied, "You are definitely making punctuality rewarding, Waldorf."

Blair silently watched as he took a sip from his glass as she took a sip of her own before taking his hand in hers and began to lead him upstairs. "Shall we eat?"

"We're having dinner?" Chuck asked as he followed her, knowing that it didn't matter where they were going. He'd follower her to the ends of the earth and enjoy every second of it.

"More like dessert," Blair replied as the couple made their way up to her room revealing the tray on Blair's bed with different types of fruits and creams.

Chuck released a light chuckle at the sight before him before lifting up his girlfriend's hand that was still in his own and gave it a light kiss. "All this for me? For some reason I feel like you're aiming for something more than just a night with your boyfriend uninterrupted."

"Not this time, Bass," Blair replied, not even pretending that she had no idea what he was talking about. In another life, she would have used such tactics to persuade him to do her bidding. Oh who was she kidding? She'd pull the same trick in this reality as well. "Tonight is about scratching a certain itch that only you can scratch."

Chuck smirked as he watched Blair make her way over to the bed seductively. "Then it appears that I am overdressed for the occasion."

Not wasting any more time, he removed his jacket and set it on Blair's vanity chair. It was then that he saw the yellow flyer. He frowned and picked it up, momentarily distracted from the night's activities. "What's this?" he asked as he read over the flyer, intrigued as he turned to Blair.

Blair frowned and looked at the paper in Chuck's hand briefly and sighed before shrugging lightly, "Just some flyer Vanessa was passing around to save some speakeasy. Ironically she tried to blackmail me into helping her, but I put her in her place. Why?"

Chuck smirked briefly at the thought of the little Brooklyn princess attempting to make a queen bend to her will before his smirk turned into something much more genuine.

Blair paused and looked at her boyfriend carefully, "I know that look, Bass. You have some sort of plan."

Chuck looked at her as he carefully folded the paper. "It's not a complete one, but…let's just say that I may owe Vanessa a small debt for bringing this to yours and, by a degree of separation, my attention."

He set the flyer by his jacket and went to sit by Blair. He carefully lifted up the spoon from the tray sitting not too close by and dipped it into the cool cream as Blair asked, "And why would you ever be in the debt of someone like her?"

"She may have inadvertently given me my next business venture idea…," he explained as he ran the covered spoon along Blair's neck creating a nice even trail of cream. He found himself relishing in the challenge as he took note of Blair's unsteady breathing during his ministrations.

"She seems…quite attached…," Blair panted out as Chuck leaned towards her and slowly licked the cream off of her, "It's going to require... a bit of effort on you- your part to get her…to fall in line."

Chuck smirked as he repeated his ministrations only this time running the cream along her collar bone as he spoke softly against her neck, letting his breath caress the wetness left behind by his tongue. "You know how much I love a challenge. Besides the only person Vanessa loathes more than you is me. Could you imagine the extreme horror she'd feel at the thought of her little pet project was taken by myself?"

Blair sighed as she smiled softly at the image he painted in her head, gasping softly as his tongue ran along her collarbone, "It would be….one for the ages."

"I'm glad you see it that way," Chuck responded as he slowly moved his hand up her thigh and under her dress.

At the feel of his fingers and tongue touching her, Blair could hold back no more as she gripped her hand into his hair and pulled his head away from her neck, "Enough about the Brooklyn rat for now. You have too many clothes on."

Chuck smirked before Blair pulled him towards her and took his lips with her own. It was definitely going to be a night to remember.

xoxo

Hands. Lips. Tongue. The feel of one was almost too much to bear, but when Chuck used all three on Blair at once, it didn't take long for her to become completely lost in the sensations he was creating. After Blair pulled him on top of her as the couple kissed with abandoned, he quickly began to work his magic, slowly sliding his hands up her thigh. He played coy at first, acting as if he wasn't going to go further up, but it wasn't until Blair began to beg that he finally reached her center and began playing with her sensitive nub.

Blair quickly began to tremble as she clawed at his still covered back in desperation. He was still wearing too many clothes for her liking. Almost as if hearing her thoughts he pulled up and leaned over her with a smirk and began to unbutton his shirt, not stopping his ministrations he was doing with his other hand. Blair eagerly ripped the shirt off, but before she could reach up and kiss his devilish lips again he began to make his way down her body resulting in her moans to grow louder. The moans turned into cries of pleasure as his tongue and lips joined his fingers and began to take Blair to heights that had gone for too long to be seen.

"Blair…Blair…"

"Blair! Hello?" Serena's voice interrupted, abruptly bringing Blair back to the present.

"What?" the brunette asked trying to hide her confusion and play off her heavy breathing as her thoughts came back for the start of her and Chuck's sexcapades the previous night. It was one of the best nights of Blair's life and the torture continued on into the early morning before Chuck left early to do more research and make his way to Brooklyn. It wasn't until an hour later that Serena called Blair to meet up for Brunch so the blonde could avoid her mother after the stunt she pulled the previous night.

"Are you even listening to me? Where did you go just now?" Serena asked in amusement rather than anger.

Blair shrugged it off as she reached for her cup of coffee and took a needed sip, "Nowhere. I'm here. You were just going over the double standard that is Bart Bass and your evening out with Poppy and her posse. But what you haven't gotten around to telling me yet was what did Lily have to say about last night's curfew flaunting?"

"Mm, I kind of snuck out before she could corner me," Serena admitted, willing to let Blair's obvious distraction slide. "Let them discipline the sibling that actually deserves it."

"You mean Chuck?" Blair asked as her mouth unknowingly began to smirk at the mention of her boyfriend as she began to flip through the menu for what to order.

Serena paused at the sight of the smile on her best friend's face. "Oh my god. Did you honestly just begin to smile at the mention of Chuck?"

Blair looked up from her menu and frowned at her best friend, "What are you talking about?"

"Just now. Chuck was mentioned and then you began to smile. Like just now!" Serena jumped excitedly as she watched her best friend beginning to smile again.

"Serena!" Blair hissed at the excitable blonde as she glanced around the dining room, "So what if I happen to smile, what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing," Serena waved her hand with a smile, "It's just surprising to me how happy he makes you to the point that just the mention of him brings a smile to your face. I have to say, knowing that, having to live with him, makes it a bit easier. Shows that he has some redeeming qualities."

Blair smirked and shook her head at her friend's antics, "Well obviously he had to have some redeeming qualities. I do have some standards after all."

Serena simply smiled and nodded, knowing the truth in those words. Blair looked off into the distance seeing someone she recognized and asked, "Hey. Isn't that Eric?"

Serena frowned and looked in the direction that Blair was indicating, recognizing her brother instantly and he was not alone.

"Hey, uh, Larissa said you'd be here," Eric explained as he reached the duo's table with a very attractive guy beside him.

"Hey. And we are," Serena replied as she eyed the guy standing beside her brother a bit suspiciously, "Who is this?"

"Jonathan, this is my sister, Serena," Eric introduced as the blonde waved in greeting, "And her friend, Blair Waldorf." Blair waved her fingers hesitantly in response. "This is Jonathan, my boyfriend," Eric finished casually.

"It's nice to meet you both," Jonathan replied with a polite smile.

The difference in reception was glaringly obvious as the two girls began to talk at once in excitement. "Nice work, E." Blair replied with a smile as Serena jumped up from her seat giving the newcomer a hug."

"Oh my gosh! Sit down, both of you," Serena insisted.

"I invited him to the party tonight, but I thought you should meet him first," Eric explained with a smile as the newcomers took their seats to join for brunch.

"Yeah, I met Chuck the other day," Jonathan spoke up, obviously feeling more comfortable after the very warm reception he received.

Serena looked on in surprise, "Chuck. Wow. B, did you know about this?"

Blair shook her head with a smile, "No. The only secrets that Chuck's allowed to keep from me are those regarding his time with Eric. So I am just as out of the loop as you are."

"So obviously we missed something," Serena turned her attention to her brother, "The story of how you two met. We want to know everything."

Blair nodded in agreement as she settled in to the story with a smile on her face. If Chuck had already met Jonathan than that meant that he already gotten a background check on the guy and since he was still here he obviously came up clean. Chuck was definitely one to protective of those he claimed as family. It was one of the things that he took from his father and what allowed the older and younger Bass to form a bond. It was definitely going to be an interesting development seeing Eric in a relationship and being happy.

xoxo

After brunch, Serena reluctantly made her way home to face her mother over her actions the previous night. Despite how Serena acted she didn't relish being in a confrontation with the elder Van Der Woodsen. She didn't enjoy being at odds with her and the only thing that stopped Serena from just letting her mother get away with all that she tried to pull was the fact that if she did she'd be just like everything she despised. She'd be putting on a show in her own home. A place where she should be free to be herself and it wasn't good for her or for Eric to be in that type of environment. At the end of the day, they were family and Serena loved Lily and Eric dearly.

Blair, of course, understood and offered to come with Serena into the penthouse as a form of moral support. But Serena decided that it would be better for her and her mother to handle this one on one without an audience. Blair accepted Serena's decision, but decided to hang out in Chuck's suite just in case Serena needed to flee the scene of a crime quickly. Serena had to admit as she rode the elevator the last of the way to her apartment; it was nice to have that safety net.

She took a deep breath and walked into her home, not actively avoiding her mother, but not actively seeking her out either. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to escape as easily as she had this morning because her mother was right by the front door with the party planner for the night's events beside her. Before Serena could make her way pass them, Lily lifted her hand to stop her, "Oh, Serena, wait a minute."

Serena sighed, expecting the worse as she waited for her mother to dismiss the planner to give them a moment alone. "So what's my punishment?"

"Don't be childish," Lily replied as she removed her reading glasses with a sigh.

"Why not?" Serena retorted with a fake sweet smile, "You're treating me like one. Isn't that who curfews are for?"

"Well, you're certainly living up to our expectations," Lily retorted. "According to Bart, you went out looking like a stripper last night. If you have a problem with our rules, then just say so, but to simply defy us…"

"Not you, him," Serena spoke, beginning to feel a bit of guilt in her actions.

"Bart and I are husband and wife," Lily spoke firmly.

"But he's not our father," Serena returned just as firmly. This was her main point in this entire situation. She watched as her mother pressed her lips together and moved over to the breakfast bar to put her paperwork and glass down. Seeing this as an opportunity to plead her case, Serena took it. "Come on, mom. Things were so good last year. We were almost like a real family. Why change that?"

Lily picked up a nearby cup of tea and took a sip before she replied, "Serena, you're making this much more complicated than it really is, and going by your actions last night, I clearly think that you could benefit from a little structure."

Serena rolled her eyes and sighed speaking aloud her thoughts, "If I thought this was actually you talking, I might listen."

"If this is how you're acting now, I should have insisted on more structure years ago."

"You mean, like, three husbands ago?" Serena deadpanned with a shrug.

Lily just looked at her for a moment, letting the insult settle for a moment. Serena felt bad for her words, despite the truth in them, but refused to say anything or show any indication that she was remorseful.

"That was unkind," Lily spoke softly.

"I'm not really in a family mood," Serena responded, purposely not apologizing, "I think I'm gonna pass on tonight's little soiree."

Her decision having been made, Serena walked past her mother and continued on down the hallway towards her bedroom. She had no idea what she was going to do instead of going to this farce of a housewarming party since Nate, Blair and Chuck were already going, but she figure something out. Maybe she'd go hang out with Poppy again to take her mind off of her home life.

xoxo

Chuck was simply outraged. There was a reason he didn't go to Brooklyn of his own free will. The place was filled with uncivilized heathens. Who in their right mind would do something like that? Chuck had to give the stranger some credit, but he guess he just had standards of humiliating someone and throwing a beverage at someone you didn't like was nothing but childish.

He admitted that he didn't expect his appearance to be welcomed with open arms, but Chuck at least expected them to be civil. He sighed as his mind went back to what happened:

After Arthur pulled up in front of Chuck's next potential investment, Chuck climbed out of his limo with his usual flourish only to be accosted by a very angry Brooklynite princess in the form of Vanessa. "What the hell are you doing?" she hissed.

"You mean you have to ask?" Chuck replied, nonplussed by the reception he was given. This was what he expected after all. He lifted up the flyer he had in his hand and replied as he took a look around, taking in the location and the full on potential of the place that he wouldn't have gotten outside of seeing it in person, "I'm here because of you. Thank you for introducing me to this unique business opportunity."

"No. Unh-unh. You are not buying this place to turn it into another yuppie fusion bar," Vanessa retorted.

Chuck raised his eyebrows at the girl in front of him and replied in a condescending tone, "For your information, since I bought Victrola, I found my niche in vintage entertainment. I'm willing to work with you."

"Thanks, but we're already petitioning for landmark status," Vanessa replied naively.

"Why don't you have a bake sale while you're at it?" Chuck replied with a roll of his eyes, "In the real world, I am your only hope. Endorse my bid, and we promise to return this place to all its sweet sordidness."

"It sounds perfect," Vanessa replied sarcastically, "Just one problem: I know you."

"Or do you only think you do?" Chuck replied with a smirk already knowing the answer to that question. Despite what she and Humphrey thought, they didn't know Chuck. They just assumed that he was just as one dimensional as Humphrey's stupid characters in his, what Chuck could assume would be considered, work of fiction.

It was then that it happened. Chuck never saw it coming. All he got by way of warning was a guy yelling, "Hey, get outta here, rich boy!" before Chuck was pelted by a red slushy substance.

Everyone proceeded to laugh and Vanessa rubbed it in with, "Wow. I didn't know that suit could get any worse. I was wrong."

Chuck simply glared and decided at a retreat was best in this scenario and climbed back into his limo and demanded Arthur drive him back to civilization.

Fortunately, Chuck had several items at Nate's place and had planned to go over there and sulk a bit with his best friend in order to avoid the guests at the Palace see him in such away. But Chuck found something even more concerning at the Archibald townhouse than the hit to his pride. Making a deduction, Chuck then proceeded to head back to the Palace and face the continued humiliation.

As he walked into his suite, he was surprised to find his girlfriend as well as his best friend there. He paused at the sight. His girlfriend was obviously killing time as she flipped through her copy of Vogue while Nate was flipping through the channels on the television obviously trying to find something to watch.

"Talk about a flash to the past," Chuck couldn't help remarking, making his presence known.

Blair looked over at her boyfriend and immediately gasped in shock, taking in his appearance, as she tossed her magazine to the side and went to him, "Oh my God! What happened?"

"Let's just say that my meeting did not go well and leave it at that?" Chuck replied as Blair began to fuss over him.

"Dude, is that…slush?" Nate asked as he stood beside his ex-girlfriend as he looked Chuck over.

"How very observing, Nathaniel," Chuck retorted. The entire situation making his anger flare up as it did when the event in question happened.

"This happened when you went to talk to Vanessa?" Blair asked in disbelief. "I knew that people in Brooklyn lack common courtesy but to this extent?"

Chuck shrugged his girlfriend off of him and walked over to the bar, in dire need of a drink. "It doesn't matter anyway; I'm done with that place."

"What?" Blair asked in surprise, "What are you talking about?"

"I'm out," Chuck explained as he turned to face his girlfriend and his best friend, "I don't know what I was thinking about, pursuing some bar in Brooklyn of all places."

"Wait a minute. What bar in Brooklyn?" Nate asked obviously confused, "And what does this have to do with Vanessa?"

"But it's not some bar in Brooklyn," Blair responded, purposely ignoring Nate's questions, "I haven't seen you that excited about a potential business plan since Victrola. Are you honestly going to let some Brooklyn princess stop you?" It was becoming obvious to Blair that the girl needed to be destroyed and soon.

"She's not stopping me," Chuck defended himself, "I just realized that I was wrong and I'm not going to waste my time and resources on this."

"This, from the same guy who left me, willing and wanting I might add, early this morning so he could do more research to form a proposal?" Blair asked in suspicion before scoffing, "I can't believe that I've seen the day that the great Chuck Bass is just gonna give up."

Chuck smirked and shook his head, despite knowing that Blair was right, as he continued with his argument, "No, no, no. there's no shame if the prize isn't worth it."

"Do you honestly believe that?" Blair asked. "You have been looking for your next big plan for months and now when one is within your grasp you give up just because you have to put in a little bit of effort?"

Chuck couldn't respond as he silently looked at the woman he loved. Who knew him better than anyone else as she continued on speaking, "Then maybe you're not the guy that I fell in love with last year. If you're willing to throw in the towel on this project what's stopping you from calling our relationship off? We're not going to always be schemes and seduction, Chuck."

"This is different. This is a building and I hold us at a much higher regard," Chuck explained, not liking where this conversation was going.

Blair looked at him and tilted her head to the side as an idea formed in her head and she knew that it was going to be delicious. "Do you? Then prove it."

Chuck frowned as he watched his girlfriend back away from him, immediately noticing her change in demeanor and the smirk on her face, "How would you like it done?"

"I'm going to give a bit more incentive to see this plan through, Bass," Blair smirked as she began stating her terms, "You have until midnight tonight to close the deal….or we're done."

Chuck paused, "You're not serious. You would throw us away just because I back out of a deal."

"No," Blair replied, "I would throw us away if you proved that you're not the man I thought you were. I'm an ambitious woman, Chuck, you know that. And in the future I plan to be Queen. Until this unfortunate incident you have proven that you're worthy to stand by my side as my King."

Blair smirked as she slowly made her way back towards him as she continued speaking, "But if you're going to let some sniveling Brooklyn vermin stand between you and the thing you desire, second to me of course, than you're not the Chuck Bass that I thought you were. I need a man with ambition to match mine. If it turns out that you don't have what I need, I have no use for you outside of the physical. I'm sure in time I'll find someone else to take over your…duties."

Chuck glared at the insinuation that anyone could take his place at Blair's side. He gripped her hips and jerked her towards him as responded to her game, "Fine. I'll do it."

"Do what?" Blair asked lightly, feeling her anticipation grow at the feel of his touch.

"I'll take the building and destroy the girl," Chuck replied without a bit of hesitation.

"There's my Chuck," Blair smirked with a nod as she whispered against his lips, "You can have both."

"And what of my reward when I succeed?" Chuck whispered back, feeling his determination grow at the challenge Blair had given him. She really did know him.

"We'll talk about that when it actually happens, Bass," Blair replied before taking a nip of his bottom lip.

"Um... do you guys want me to leave?" Nate, unexpectedly, spoke up, obviously feeling uncomfortable witnessing the scene in front of him. "I can go home for a few days so you can have the room."

Chuck sighed, having forgotten all about his best friend and at the mention of Nathaniel's home brought back the other problem that Chuck had discovered earlier before he arrived. "We'll finish this conversation later," he whispered to his amazing girlfriend before backing away and speaking in a normal tone to his best friend, "Thanks for reminding me, Nathaniel. Before I came here I actually made a stop along the way."

Blair frowned in confusion at the rapid change in subject as she watched her boyfriend go over to Nate and motioned for the pair to sit down. "You see, I wanted to avoid the whole spectacle of walking into the Palace in my condition and I remembered that I had some clothes over at your place. And since you live a bit closer to the bridge than I do, I went there first and didn't find you there."

It was then Blair noticed Nate freeze up a bit before he quickly covered himself as replied, "Yeah, I was already here when Blair arrived from her brunch with Serena."

"I figured you'd be here, but imagine my surprise that when I was turning to head back to the car…I found this on the ground by your front door," Chuck then pulled out some flyers that were in his pocket.

Blair immediately latched onto the new information and took the papers form Chuck and proceeded to look them over. One was orange with the blocked letters seized across it and stating that it was part of a federal investigation. The next was an eviction notice dated back at the beginning of the month. "What's going on, Nate?" Blair asked, realizing that things were far worse than she originally thought.

Nate sighed and attempted to play it off, "It's not that big of a deal."

But the couple wasn't buying it in the least. "You're right. It's not a big deal since you've been staying here. But I know for a fact that you don't always, so my question is: Where do you stay a few days a week when you're not here?"

Nate looked at his best friend in shock, "You have me followed?"

"No. I'm just very observant, but apparently not observant enough since this has gotten by me for the last month. Answer the question, Nathaniel," Chuck urged, already having an idea, but needing to actually hear it from him.

Nate tried to turn his attention to Blair for help, but it seemed that he wouldn't get it from her end either because all he saw was concern as she sat down in the nearby armchair. Nate sighed in defeat. Knowing that he was caught. "I've been staying at the townhouse alright?!" He exclaimed as he through his hands in the air and leaned back into the sofa.

Chuck doesn't say anything for a moment. It was one thing to have a theory, but to have it proven was a whole different thing. And to find out that his best friend had been squatting in his own home off and on for the past month made Chuck feel ashamed for not having said anything sooner.

"Why didn't you tell us it had gotten that bad?" Blair spoke finally for the first time after looking at the flyers in her hands.

"I didn't want to talk about it. I just wanted to pretend that everything was okay. I know how you guys are and I guess…I guess I didn't want to be treated differently," Nate explained softly.

Blair scoffed, "If it was anyone else, of course. But, Nate, this is you. You're family. You, me, Chuck, Serena, and even Eric we're it for each other. We don't judge and I thought we made that clear after the whole Serena thinking she killed someone and you getting paid to sleep with the Duchess."

Nate looked down at his lap, feeling ashamed. He knew that Blair was right. He knew that his friends were different than the typical Upper East Side "friends" that his mother had. They weren't the type to leave their own just because of financial hardship. "I'm sorry," Nate spoke softly, "I should have told you guys. I guess I just didn't want to be someone's charity case."

"Far from it," Chuck spoke up, "You're family. And we take care of our own. You know that." At Nate's nod, Chuck asked, "So I assume that you still have a few things at the townhouse?"

Nate nodded again and looked up as Blair stood up from her chair and began to gather her things as she spoke, "Great. Then I'll go with you to get the rest of it to officially move you in here while Chuck goes and takes a shower and change."

Nate frowned in confusion, "That's it?"

"For now," Blair replied, "But you're going to have to tell Serena. I'm not keeping something this big from her and I think we all need to be on the same page."

Nate nodded, resigned to the fact that Blair was taking control of the situation, although he had no idea why he was surprised. She had always been the most protective of them all. "I'll tell her soon," he promised as he stood up from the couch to go with Blair.

Chuck silently mused to himself all the information he had received and decided to do a little digging into the Archibald case. The last thing he wanted was to be blindsided again. Figuring Blair had a point about him needing a shower; Chuck stood up to go upstairs to the family penthouse to do just that. It didn't escape his notice that his best friend looked relatively less burdened after his secret had come out. And for that Chuck was grateful that he said something. Who knew how long it would have gone on if he didn't?

He walked over to his girlfriend and gave her a kiss goodbye before whispering, "So I assume you have this handle for now?"

Blair nodded with a smirk, "Don't I always? Besides you have a challenge to win. Don't think I wasn't serious, Bass."

Chuck smirked, she knew how much he loved challenge, especially given by her. This was definitely going to be one for the books. He turned his attention to his best friend, "It's going to be okay, Nathaniel."

Nate smiled lightly as he nodded, "You know…for the first time in a while, I feel like it is. Good luck by the way with whatever you're up to in Brooklyn."

Chuck nodded his head in thanks as he watched two of the most important people in his life head walk down the hall together as he shut the door behind him. He vaguely heard Blair ask about when Nate was going to tell Serena and couldn't help but chuckle to himself. If it was one thing, Blair didn't like was keeping secrets.

An hour later, Chuck was happy with all that he accomplished. After seeing Blair and Nate off to pack up what was left of Nate's stuff at the townhouse, Chuck wasted no time in meeting the challenge that Blair had set him. Overall he knew that she wouldn't leave him if he didn't succeed or not tonight. It was the fact that he was giving up without a fight that seemed to raise up her ire against him. Worse case scenario Chuck would fail and would at least know he gave it his best shot. Oh who was he kidding, failure was not an option in this scenario. When Chuck Bass put his all into a game, he always came out the other side with what he wanted.

After arriving back at the penthouse, he made a few phone calls to get the ball rolling in his favor and then proceeded to finally wash off the remnants of flavored ice off of his person and sent his beloved suit to the cleaners in the hopes that it would not be a casualty of the battle ahead. He was not surprised that, while he was wrapped in his robe and pouring himself his customary glass of scotch, he had an unexpected visitor in the form of Vanessa. He knew his offer was a good one. In fact it was better than anything else the Brooklynite had by way of options and Chuck knew at the end of the day, even though it killed her, she would at the very least consider it.

He casually leaned against the breakfast bar and asked, "To what do I owe this displeasure?"

"After you left, your lawyer came back and showed us your proposal, which did indeed include keeping everything as is and lobbying for Landmark Status," she spoke, her discomfort in admitting that she was wrong was palpable and enjoyable.

"So I was telling the truth," Chuck rubbed in as he sauntered his way over to her.

"I'm sure you've done something in your lifetime to deserve getting beaned by an iced beverage," Vanessa retorted without remorse.

"Isn't it possible there are parts of me you don't know?" Chuck asked, intrigued by her incessant need to see the world in complete black and white. Although he guessed in the end it worked in his favor because Chuck worked in the world of grey.

"Possible, just extremely unlikely," she confirmed.

"Do you have a reason for coming here?" he asked, tired of the banter, "Because if it was to insult me, there's a website you can go to."

Vanessa sighed, "The manager of the Inn wants to meet you. If he signs off, you have our support. But it still doesn't mean I trust."

"Of course not," Chuck replied with a smirk. Like he cared. What was important was the fact that he was in the door for consideration. That in and of itself was half the battle. "Now, I best go put on something special."

With that he finished off his glass of scotch and turned to head up to his room to change, already having an idea of the perfect suit to wear as he sent a quick text update to Blair.

xoxo

While Chuck was busy in his closet, Blair would be found in her own with Serena. She needed her best friend's opinion on the dress she was thinking about wearing for the Bass' housewarming party tonight. Call her self-absorbed, but Blair wanted to look good tonight. She received the text from Chuck that he was going to meet with the manager of the Inn and if he gained this guy's approval he'd be on the fast track to being able to buy the place. Blair saw this as an opportunity to give him a bit more encouragement on her end for his end goal.

Besides with all the drama regarding Nate's living situation and keeping his secret from Serena, Blair needed something to distract her and fashion was usually a safe bet.

While she was slipping on the dress, her best friend was sitting in her designated spot, flipping through a magazine as she continued on complaining about the confrontation with her mother after she came home from the pair's brunch.

"I don't know how she expects me to take this family seriously when her record stands at 16 months," Serena spoke.

"Which husband was that?" Blair asked in confusion, not able to keep track of Lily's many past husbands as she adjusted her hair over her shoulder.

"Klaus," Serena deadpanned as she looked back at her magazine.

"Is that the one who wore the wooden shoes?" Blair asked trying to put a face to the name as she turned her back to her best friend, "Zip."

"No, that was Danish Clause, with a 'C'," Serena corrected as she stood up and zipped Blair up, "This is German Klause, with a 'K'."

Blair frowned in confusion as she asked, "Wait, I forget. Did she marry both?" Making her way over to her very impressive shoe collection and slipped a specific pair on.

"No, just German Klause," Serena answered as she sat back down, "But she did date Danish Claus longer."

"Oh, you mother," Blair replied as she smiled indulgently as she reminisced, "Remember how she always used to just jet off to Mustique or Ibiza without warning while you and Eric were still in school?"

Serena nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed by her mother's actions of the past, "Eleanor always knew when we showed up with our overnight bags."

Lily had a new boyfriend," Blair finished the thought with a soft smile, nixing her shoe choice and tossing them off in favor of another.

"We tried alternating between you and the Archibald's so you guys never knew how bad it really was," Serena admitted as she propped her head up against the back of her couch.

"We knew," Blair replied softly, knowing that it was a very sensitive subject. Out of the four of them, Blair and Nate were the only ones who had the better illusion of a normal childhood. But it was in fact an illusion as it turned out. She looked over the new shoes on her feet as she continued to her friend continue on.

"But Bart is the worst. He's controlling and a hypocrite," the blonde spoke firmly, "He acts like he's family friendly when he's dated half the models in Manhattan."

Blair was not surprised as she stood up, declaring herself finished. Chuck had to have gotten his womanizer ways from someone. She smiled as she presented herself to her best friend's inspection.

"B., you look gorgeous," Serena spoke softly with a genuine smile on her face, "Where did you get that dress?"

"Oh, this?" Blair asked coquettishly as she looked herself over with a smirk, "Just…Chuck."

Serena smiled softly as she spoke, "Well it was never said that the guy doesn't have great taste. Is it a recent purchase?"

"No," Blair replied as she made her way to look at potential accessories to finish her look, "He bought it for me in preparation for our trip to Europe this past summer. I just never got the chance to wear it."

"Why not?" Serena asked naively as she watched her best friend closely.

Blair just gave her friend a pointed look and a smile to which Serena replied predictably by scrunching up her face and closing her eyes before moving on to the original conversation, "And you're wearing it tonight?"

Picking up the clutch she wanted, Blair headed out of her closet as she answered, "Well, Chuck has a big night tonight and I figured what better way to get his passion flowing than to indulge his original one?"

Serena closed her eyes and shook her head softly, "So things are going well with his business proposal?"

Blair smiled as she watched her blonde counterpart come out of the closet and sit on her bed as she watched Blair put on the final touches for the party. "So far, so good. There was a bit of a hiccup earlier, but I managed to keep him going. At the end of the day I'm proud of him," Blair shrugged lightly as she selected her jewelry.

Once again Serena found herself envious of her best friend's relationship. The way the rest of the girls in their world focus on such superficial things, and Blair wasn't necessarily exempt from that category, it was nice to know that there was one thing in Blair's life that was beyond that. That at the end of the day she'd stand by her boyfriend's side and challenge anyone to say anything about it. Once upon a time Serena thought she had that too in the form of Dan Humphrey, but in the end it was just like all the other Upper East Side relationships, with the exception of a select few, it was all an illusion.

xoxo

Chuck took a deep breath as he walked inside the establishment that he hoped to buy. It was everything that he could hope for. The upkeep was very authentic and Chuck couldn't help the excitement he began to feel that was similar to when he found Victrola. This was exactly what he was looking for and to think that it was within his grasp was almost an overwhelming thought.

"What is it?" Vanessa asked behind him, pulling him from his thoughts.

He pursed his lips before replying, choosing not to show his hand too much, "Nothing. I like it."

It was then that a guy, who Chuck assumed to be the manager, came out to greet them asking, "Is this our guy?"

"Horace Rogers, meet Chuck Bass," Vanessa made the introductions.

"Pleasure," Chuck replied as he offered to shake the man's hand. It was obvious that the manager did good work in keeping up with the place and overall, Chuck wouldn't mind keeping him on after the buyout.

Horace looked at him for a moment before saying, "Man, come here." And actually gave Chuck a big bear hug.

It was definitely different and Chuck froze for a moment, not knowing how to react before Horace pulled away and looked him over, "Look at that outfit. Didn't know it could be worse than the one this morning?"

The reminder of what happened this morning turned Chuck's stomach and he purposely looked away as he cleared his throat. It wasn't anything he hadn't heard before. Chuck had a very specific style and tastes that the bulk of the world didn't seem to appreciate.

Horace laughed a bit and raised his hands in the air, "Kidding. I know Savile Row when I see it. Joe Kennedy taught me."

The fact that this guy from Brooklyn seemed to understand his style, let alone actually knew Joe Kennedy was astonishing to Chuck and his respect for the man quickly grew in leaps and bounds. "You knew Joe Kennedy?" he asked curbing his enthusiasm to sound skeptical. He wasn't Dan Humphrey after all.

Horace nodded with a smile, "Used to come here all the time. Had a girl up the street. I was 9 years old, selling papers out front." Chuck smirked as he looked out the window and imagined the picture being painted. Now this was the type of history, he was interested in. "Rumor has it he kept this place in booze during prohibition. So you like old Joe?"

Chuck smirked and nodded softly as he replied, "Rumrunner, womanizer, millionaire. He was my kind of guy."

His response seemed to be the right one because Horace stepped closer to him after giving a steady look and began to show him around. It was then that Chuck knew that the place was as good as his if he succeeded in winning the bid. "They all used to come here back in the day: Gangsters, fighters, musicians. Dangerous folks, no doubt. But they had style. Something tells me you'd fit right in."

"That's possibly the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me," Chuck replied. And it was true. Beside Blair, no one had truly understood every facet of Chuck Bass. Not even his own father, but to hear someone who got this part of him and accepted him wholeheartedly was a completely new experience. It was then that he could understand why Serena was so determined to make things work with Humphrey. The feeling of being accepted by total strangers was definitely intoxicating.

A little bit later, Chuck checked his watch and noted the time before making his excuses. Horace understood and wished him luck on his bid. As Chuck took a step outside, he felt as if his eyes were more open to his surroundings. The history of the Chuck's idols walked the same steps he was currently walking. They claimed this spot of land as their own to live their lives; the lives that Chuck had tried to emulate from a very young age. He couldn't help but feel that the speakeasy even more perfect than he originally thought when he found that flyer in Blair's room the previous night. And to think that he wouldn't have even known about it if it wasn't for Vanessa made him hesitant to complete his second part of his challenge of destroying the girl.

Almost as if she was conjured up by his thoughts alone, Vanessa came out of the establishment behind him, "Well, you won Horace over."

"He trusts me," Chuck replied with a nod.

"You're really serious aren't you?" Vanessa asked as she gave him a little nudge as if they were friends. "You're gonna save this place."

Chuck turned to her before giving one last glance at his future behind him, "Yeah. I guess I am."

"I knew it'd take a miracle, but I never thought it would be Chuck Bass," Vanessa replied with a giddy smile. "I was wrong about you, and I'm sorry."

"Thanks. Means a lot," Chuck replied, not really meaning it. There were very few people whose opinions actually mean anything to Chuck and Vanessa Abrams wasn't one of them. It was then that his phone went off indicating he received a text message. He pulled it out and looked at it, his lips twiched when he saw that it was from Blair:

En route to J Sisters. How's it going?

-B

Without replying he put his phone away, figuring he'd tell her the good news at the party tonight. At the end of the day acquisition was most important and Chuck felt that he did have a sort of debt to pay the girl beside him. "At the conclusion of a deal," he began, his decision having been made, "I like to celebrate. My parents are having a housewarming tonight. I'd like you to come."

Vanessa thought about it before replying with a shrug, "Yeah, okay."

"Good. I'll send the car at 8," Chuck replied before heading over to his awaiting limo. If the girl had any ambition about her future or any other future projects she'd take the opportunity that Chuck just gave her with his invitation for the night, but it wouldn't surprise him at all if she didn't and would spend the evening mooning over his best friend instead. Knowing that it was a party filled with business associates of his fathers and media, it was a great opportunity for someone like Vanessa to network. As long as she didn't embarrass her hosts she may come out the other side with acquaintances other people in her situation would only dream of.

xoxo

Serena took a deep breath and made her way into main room of her penthouse home. The housewarming party was in full swing and the blond had to force herself to put on a decent smile as she made her entrance. She didn't want to be here, and if it wasn't for the events that occurred this afternoon after she returned from hanging out with Blair, she wouldn't be. She paused as her mind drifted back to when she arrived home:

As she had walked through the foyer she saw a familiar face from this morning and greeted him. "Hey, Jonathan. You visiting Eric?" she asked as she noted the preparations being made for the night.

"Uh he's not here," Jonathan replied, "I was just dropping off some books. Have fun tonight."

Serena looked at him in confusion as she asked before he could leave, "Uh, you're not coming?"

"No. Eric talked to your stepfather, and apparently it's family only," he explained with a shrug like it wasn't a big deal.

Serena on the other hand saw it as a snub on her brother that he couldn't bring whoever it was that he wanted, especially when just yesterday Lily was saying that Eric could bring a friend. "Wait, Bart said that?" she asked to confirm.

"It's no big deal. I'll see you later," Jonathan smiled and headed toward the elevator.

It was then that Serena decided that she would get to the bottom of what was going on. She wanted to confront Bart about his audacity in saying who her brother could bring to a family event after her mother had already said he could. The obvious reason was because Bart Bass was ashamed of the fact that he has a step-son who was gay and was trying to keep the lid in order to keep his "perfect family" image for his big business deal. And if that was what was going on, then Serena would confront him for it and protect her family.

As she began the expected mind numbing mingling with the guests, the confrontation she expected began much sooner than expected when Bart, himself, approached her. "Serena?"

The blonde took a deep breath and turned towards the now familiar voice with a sigh. "The suit looks lovely on you," he began sounding sincere, "And I'm glad you changed your mind and decided to join us. Can I introduce you to some people?"

"No, I'm waiting on some friends," Serena replied as she felt her anger grow as she crossed her arms in front of her, "We are allowed to bring friends, right?"

"Sure," Bart replied with a nod before beginning to turn away and head back to her mother.

"Bart, just curious," Serena called out to him before he could leave, wanting to get to the bottom of this, "Does mom know you told Eric he couldn't bring his boyfriend?"

"I told Eric no such thing," Bart replied as he put his hands in his pockets, "We discussed it. The decision was his."

"Really?" Serena replied, her tone making it very much aware that she didn't believe a word of it, "The 15 year old and the billionaire? Sounds like a discussion between equals."

"Serena, I hope that over time you'll see that I want what's best for this family," Bart spoke softly. Some would confuse it for him being sincere, but Serena saw it as him trying to not make a scene in front of his many business associates. "In the meantime, I suggest you talk with your brother."

After his declaration, he wasted no time turning away and heading back to Lily's side. Serena scoffed and rolled her eyes at his back and decided to take him up on his suggestion. She had heard the story from his side and it was time to hear it from her brothers. She just knew that his side would be a different perspective and that she was right about this entire situation with their new step-father and by the end of the night she'd prove it.

Meanwhile across the room Chuck would be found looking out the windows of the penthouse enjoying the million dollar view as he was approached from behind with a voice he knew so well that it brought a smirk to his face. "Good evening, Chuck," Blair spoke softly as she made her presence known.

Chuck turned towards his girlfriend and felt his breath stop as he took in her appearance. He recognized the dress immediately as one of the many he purchased for her during their Tuscany trip and it was also the one he looked forward to the most to see on her before he proceeded to take it off and leave it on the floor. Unfortunately for him, or rather fortunately, clothes were very rarely put on for the first half of the trip and by the time it was time for them to head to France, several articles of clothing were not sufficiently modeled for Chuck's taste.

"You look devastating," he replied as he turned towards her fully.

Blair felt her smirk turn into a smile at the compliment as she took in his suit, "As do you." She leaned towards him with a slow kiss which he eagerly returned. She raised her right hand and rested it on his cheek gently as she pulled away. "Do I get a progress report?"

Chuck smirked at her tease as he reached up and took her hand in his, giving a sensual kiss at her wrist before lacing it with his own, "I've secured the manager's trust and he's backing my bid."

Blair smiled in triumph, "I knew you could do it. How's Vanessa taking it?"

"She's grateful," Chuck replied, "Although I fear that she still sees me in black and white. I just hope that everything goes through before she's shocked back into reality of my "dark" nature."

Blair sighed softly, "Very few people are blessed with our cynical views at such a young age, Bass. That's why I feel that it's our job to take advantage and awaken the cynicism within."

Chuck smirked at her and nodded in agreement, "I admit that our methods have definitely inspired such cynical views. Makes you wonder how it is that we can still believe in forever?"

Blair thought on it for a moment before replying, "Because, at the end of the day despite the cynicism, we have trust. Don't get me wrong. We've had years to build it and experiences that had to be lived through to earn it, but we have it. We trust not to use our weakness of love against each other."

Chuck nodded softly, the feeling of fear being born at the thought that one day one of them would use it. That the perfect world they had built together to rule could be destroyed with one false step. But he knew that he would have to trust that their faith in each other was solid and that their love was strong enough to continue on together.

The pair was interrupted from their surprisingly deep conversation at such an early hour, by Vanessa who had just arrived at the party. "Some housewarming," she spoke up.

Blair turned and looked the girl over before replying, "Vanessa. What are you doing here?"

"I was invited," Vanessa replied, "By your boyfriend. I guess he didn't mention it."

Blair tilted her head to the side, still holding Chuck's hand in hers as she replied nastily, "No, he didn't. But then again he knows how I feel about discussing vermin." She turned towards Chuck with a sarcastic smile, "I'll leave you two alone to talk."

Chuck kissed the back of her hand as he let her go, loving her bitchy side as much as he loved her vulnerable one. "I'll find you later when the news comes in."

Blair nods softly before giving one last insincere retort to the outsider, "Enjoy the party Vanessa," before taking her leave to mingle.

Chuck found himself smiling as he enjoyed watching his girlfriend walk away. He was pulled from his fascination by the girl in front of him. "Some girlfriend you have there," Vanessa spoke up.

Chuck shrugged lightly before responding, "What can I say, I love a woman with claws."

As Blair made her way around the room, she saw Nate make his entrance. She smiled in greeting as her mind was brought back to all that she had learned about his family situation. The vivid image of the Archibald townhome seized and Nate basically squatting still haunted her. She was just glad that it was Chuck who found out instead of someone else. Who knew what would have happened then?

"Glad to see you were able to make it, Nate," Blair greeted as he reached her side.

"Yeah, looks like it's a great turn out," Nate replied as he looked around, spotting a very familiar face talking to his best friend, "But what's Vanessa doing here? I wouldn't have taken her to be at the top of the list of invites."

Blair picked up a Champaign glass that was offered to her as she replied, "Chuck invited her actually."

Nate frowned in confusion, "Wow. I'm surprised you're not coming up with some scheme to get rid of her."

Blair shrugged, not at all concerned, "It's not as if I'm worried about losing Chuck to her. Besides he most likely invited her out of a sense of gratitude. After all it was her flyer that brought the speakeasy to his attention and she also made the introductions between him and the manager."

"So he invited her to pay her back?" Nate asked, still confused about why Chuck and Blair of all people would attempt to play nice with anyone not in their circle.

"Most likely," Blair replied before taking a sip of her drink, "After tonight he can declare them even."

"A potentially large business in exchange for an invitation?" Nate questioned, making it obvious that he was still as lost as he was at the beginning of the conversation.

Blair sighed and decided to just break it down to him in a way that he could understand, "Look around you, Nate. What we see are acquaintances and friends our families have known for years. We know their skeletons and scandals. But to Vanessa, they are titans of their chosen industries. Art, fashion, journalism, real estate they are all being represented. This is more than just an invitation to a random housewarming party. This is an opportunity for people like Vanessa. An opportunity that, if she plays it right, can gain her a powerful ally for her future endeavors. Now, wouldn't you say that definitely balances with the opportunity she gave to him?"

Nate raised his brows in surprise at the picture that Blair had made for him and nodded in agreement. It amazed him that sometimes he could forget that his life of privilege wasn't as available for others. His mind immediately went back to his own situation and spoke up, "But these allies aren't real."

Blair nodded her head in agreement, "Most aren't. Some will only get a person so far in the game before some sort of price is needing to be paid. It's up to her to decide on if the price is worth the potential gain."

It was a very similar conversation that the pair had in regards to another Brooklyn outsider, Jenny Humphrey. Unlike her brother, Jenny had the potential to make it on her own and succeed. Just look at her track record: She had a hand in Blair's attempted dethroning and when that didn't work she managed to stay in the inner circle for a while before it all came tumbling down. After that she focused on her future and gained a position with Eleanor Waldorf and made herself so indispensable that if she played her cards right, her career in the fashion world would be set. Unlike with high school, the sophomore seemed to understand the importance of a slow rise and paying her dues, but Blair knew that Jenny would only be content with being an underling for so long.

Comparing that with Vanessa, it was a bit trickier. What Blair knew about the outsider was that she had her very strong, naïve views on how the world worked and if the attempted blackmail that the girl did yesterday was any indication, she was willing to bend a bit on her principles if it was about something she wanted. That willingness to bend would be the girl's undoing. Not necessarily the bending part, but the part about what she was willing to bend on and how. Blair smirked to herself that the girl was willing to blackmail just to get a few signatures when she could have used it to gain so much more was very telling. It told that she was still just an amateur playing a game filled with masters.

Being reminded of the attempt brought to mind Blair's wish to squash it. After all that she learned of Nate's situation the last thing he needed was the information regarding his relationship with the Duchess leaked to the world at large. He and Anne had been hurt enough with scandal this past year, and Blair would do whatever she could to protect her friends from the likes of outsiders. Maybe the invitation that Chuck had given to Vanessa was an even greater opportunity than was originally thought to be.

She smirked to herself as an idea came to mind. It wouldn't take much effort or even a bit of risk. She just had to make sure that when she made her play it wouldn't backfire on Chuck's deal and from what she understood the bid should be finished soon.

xoxo

"It seems like a very impressive turnout," Vanessa complimented, regaining Chuck's full attention after a certain brunette left to mingle, "Good thing I didn't bring a casserole."

Her words brought to mind of just how out of her element the Brooklynite was in this setting and Chuck quickly decided on showing her around and making a few introductions. "Can I get you a drink?" he offered, figuring she'd need it for her nerves.

But before she could even reply, the pair was interrupted by the host himself. "Chuck," Bart spoke from Chuck's right, "I'd like to speak with you for a moment."

Chuck looked over at his father who was busy taking in Vanessa. It became painfully obvious that the elder Bass man wasn't impressed with what he saw and once again spoke to his son, refusing to verbally acknowledge the girl in front of him, "Now would be good." Before turning and leaving Chuck to make his excuses.

Chuck took a deep breath before he spoke to Vanessa again, "I'll be back in a moment."

He turned and followed after his father down the hall. He found the man he wasn't looking for easily just inside the kitchen and it was quite clear that Bart was not pleased. "I have to say, Chuck, you've done better," Bart spoke without preempting, "In fact, up until yesterday, I thought you were still doing better."

Chuck couldn't help but smirk as he immediately caught on to what his father was insinuating. "If you're referring to my relationship with Blair, I am still doing better. Vanessa is a mere acquaintance, if that. She helped me with my current investment."

Bart silently nodded, taking in the new information in a way that was eerily similar, from an outsider's point of view, to a look that one would see on his son's face. Chuck saw the look and couldn't help but be amused. It was only last year that he couldn't get his father to show any approval in Chuck's actions and choices, but when it was made public that he was dating Blair, his father was forced to see beyond past mistakes and actually see his son for who he had become. It was just before summer when Bart admitted that Blair was definitely good for Chuck and he acknowledged the changes he saw. Chuck had to admit it was nice to not always be on the defense every time he talked to his father.

"Anyway," Bart began to speak, changing the subject, "I didn't call you over here to discuss your relationship with Blair."

"You didn't?" Chuck asked as he took a sip from his glass of scotch, "Was it to show me Lily's poliform kitchen then? I must admit that I love what it does with the doors."

Bart gave a very pointed look as he spoke again, "Did you really think I wasn't going to find out that you were buying a bar in Brooklyn?"

Chuck paused before replying, "It wasn't really a secret. I admit the process is moving along quickly, but, you of all people know, that's how business works some times. I did my homework and made sure everything was in place before I made my offer."

"I know. I read your proposal," Bart replied as he took in the room of people just behind his son.

Chuck looked at him in surprise, "And how did you manage to get it since I know I didn't give it to you."

"I obtained it when I received word of your bid," Bart admitted, "I wanted to "check your work" I guess is the right term. It's good work. It'll be a huge tax break and with saving a landmark and showing a bit of goodwill to the community paving the way for future investments; it's a very impressive start in making a name of your own in this business. I'm proud of you Chuck."

Chuck couldn't help but look at his father in awe at his words. He actually read his proposal when in the past he would have just handed off to someone else to read. It was one thing for Bart Bass to encourage Chuck to do anything on his own, but for him to actually follow up on it. Chuck was just flabbergasted and was unable to help the smile on his face as he tried to steel himself on the possibility that his offer could be refused. "Thank you for your support, but I haven't won the bid yet," Chuck spoke.

"You have the manager on your side?" Bart asked, at Chuck's nod he continued, "Then I have no doubt that you'll win. In fact, I have it on good authority that you have."

At Chuck's questioning look, Bart shrugged, "I asked your lawyers to allow me the privilege of telling you myself. Congratulations, son."

Chuck was genuinely shocked as his father offered him a handshake. He quickly took it and gave it a firm shake as he smiled at his words, "You never forget your first," Bart commented, "It's going to be a lot of work, but after what I've learned about your work on this venture, you can handle it."

It was words that Chuck had been longing to hear from his father for years and he relished in it. The father/son had truly come a long way in such a short amount of time. "Thank you. I won't let you down," Chuck promised.

"Look, I know I haven't been the most supportive when it comes your ideas, but this and after what you did with Victrola, I know you won't," Bart gave a rare smile and patted Chuck on the arm before stepping to the side, "Now, if you'll excuse me I have to get back."

Chuck nodded as he watched his father go, pausing as he saw a certain brunette standing just behind him. "How long have you been standing there, Waldorf?"

Blair smirked, not at all embarrassed at being found slightly eavesdropping, as she slowly walked closer to her boyfriend, "I arrived about the time that the great Bart Bass expressed his pride in his son. I'm assuming he's found out about the speakeasy?"

Chuck nodded as he mirrored her with a smirk of his own, "He did and he wanted to be the first to congratulate me on winning my first bid on my own."

Blair looked at him in shock before she smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck; giving him a gentle kiss, "Well then, allow me to be the second. Congratulations, Bass, I knew you could do it."

"Yes you did," Chuck agreed, "I never should have doubted you."

"it's a lesson everyone needs to learn on their own," Blair replied smugly with a light shrug, "Now the question is: What will your prize be now that you've won this particular challenge?"

Chuck paused at her words, "I could have sworn there was a second part of the challenge that still needed to be done before I could claim victory."

Blair waved his concerns away as she answered, "I've since grown bored with it and have graciously nixed it. Vanessa's not worth playing with."

Chuck looked at the woman that he knew better than he knew himself and mentally called bullshit. His Queen was up to something of her own that would satisfy her need for the blood of this particular Brooklynite. But he decided to not press her any further on it. He had already won his bid so there was little to no risk that could backfire on him and he decided to let her have her fun tonight. Whatever plan she had set in motion, he had a feeling it was definitely going to be entertaining to watch.

xoxo

After a bit of maneuvering, Serena had managed to pull Eric aside and have a talk about the real reason behind Jonathan not being at the party. She had to admit that Bart's words didn't sit well with her and she immediately jumped to the conclusion that Eric was the victim in this entire situation. As it turned out Bart was being completely honest with her.

"Bart told me I could bring Jonathan," Eric spoke softly as to not draw attention to their conversation, "But he told me there would be press here, and do I really want to come out in a national magazine?"

"He's worried about his own image," Serena replied tartly, refusing to believe that Bart had anyone's best interest at heart other than his own.

"I don't think so," Eric returned with a shake of his head as he looked toward the man in question across the room, "I think he's trying to protect me. Why are you so against him?"

"I don't know," Serena admitted with a sigh. Even she could see that she was really beating a dead horse with a stick now that she got the full story.

Before the siblings could figure out Serena's thought process together, they were interrupted by some random blonde woman who knew their names, "Excuse me. Serena, Eric, would you guys mind if our reporter asked you a few questions?"

"Honestly?" Serena asked rhetorically as she looked at these people.

"Sure," Eric spoke for them both as he took a seat beside his sister as the reporter immediately got started.

Serena turned her full attention to this random reporter as he began, her mind spinning with the new information she learned about her new step-father. "So your mom told me how close-knit your family is. Is there a particular memory that stands out?" the reporter asked. "A birthday or Christmas?"

Serena frowned at the lies the reporter claimed came straight from her mother and couldn't help but blurt, "She said what?"

The reporter was interrupted by the woman herself as she moved to stand beside him, "Um, excuse me. I just need to- to borrow Serena."

"You said we were a close-knit family?" Serena asked her mother.

The older woman just put on a smile as she spoke to the group with a laugh, "I'll bring her right back, and I'll tell you all about the wonderful time that we had in Mustique. It was such fun."

It was then that the pieces began to fall into place for Serena. The problem wasn't necessarily Bart. It was Lily. The older Van Der Woodsen was very much into how the public saw her and with her marriage to Bart, her main concern was coming off as the perfect wife and mother. Which was farthest from the truth one could get. Having no problem setting the record straight, Serena chose to not move and simply asked, "Don't you mean you and Constantine? Or did you forget, the same way you forget to say good-bye to me and Eric every time you left?"

There was an awkward pause before Lily spoke up, "Serena, don't do this. If you have issues with Bart, fine, but don't sabotage this."

"What?" Serena asked innocently, "I- I'm not doing anything. I thought we were just sharing memories of what a close family we are." She turned her attention to the reporter and smiled as she started to give him details, "I remember this one time, um, when I was 11. Eric and I wanted a white Christmas," she reached over and rubbed her brother's back affectionately, "Luckily, mom's husband was a raging cokehead, so he left blow everywhere."

"Oh, my god," Lily looked away trying to laugh off her embarrassment.

"It wasn't everywhere," Eric spoke up softly as he nodded, "Just on the smooth, shiny surfaces."

"Was that, um, German Klause with a "k," or Danish Claus with a "C"?" Serena asked as she looked up at her mother, "I can't ever remember which ones she actually married or which she just decided were more important than her children."

At Lily's silence, Serena shook her head as she closed her eyes. She had had enough with this game and she figured her mother had suffered enough as she stood up from her seat, "You know what? I was wrong. It's not Bart at all. It's you."

The blonde felt the rising need to just escape and she embraced it as she turned and left the apartment just wanting to get out of there and away from these people.

Looks like the Bass housewarming party just got a little colder. Serena's walk down memory lane has her heading out the door.

xoxo

Blair sighed softly to herself as she stood to the side of the room. Chuck had left to go obtain her a drink when Serena started calling Lily out in front of everyone. It was definitely not pretty and anyone who was anyone was there with a front row seat of the show. Normally Blair would be the first one after her best friend when she fled, but, after Serena's version of a takedown, the brunette noticed Nate taking off after her not too much longer. Before the show began, Blair briefly recalled spotting Nate and Vanessa talking to each other. They were the picture of awkwardness and it was clear that Nate wasn't at the point to make any sort of rekindling of friendship with the Brooklynite at this point and Blair couldn't blame him.

Besides the fact that she considered the vermin beneath her, after discovering Humphrey's motives in attempting to be Nate's friend last week, it became obvious that Blair's ex-boyfriend began questioning some of his supposed "friends" motives and seemed to be sticking to those who have proven that they are with him because they cared, not because they wanted something from him. To be honest it was an outlook that Blair felt he should have had a while ago. But Nate was always so trusting of others and it wasn't until recently that he had to actually question people's motivations when the Captain was arrested.

Sensing now was the opportunity she had been waiting for sense hearing about Chuck winning the bid for the Brooklyn Inn, Blair made her way over to the coat room and got what she needed. It was almost laughable how easy it was to be rid of the incriminating evidence. Now all was left to do was wait to make the big reveal. She knew that Vanessa would most likely bail after her run in with Nate and figured she didn't have to wait too long before the Brooklynite. And she was right.

Blair silently watched as Vanessa received her coat, but began to ask about her bag. The attendant couldn't seem to find it. "I know I left my bag with my coat. Could you just check again?" Vanessa asked.

"No need," Blair spoke up, making her presence known with a smirk as she held the item in question in her hands.

Vanessa saw her and the bag and chuckled as she held her hand out for it, "Don't tell me you took my purse by mistake."

Blair scoffed as she glanced at the bag in her hands and retorted, "Hardly. But then it wasn't your bag I was after." She smiled as she waved the Brooklynite's phone in the air in triumph. "Don't you know never to leave anything that valuable unattended? Oh, and I took the liberty of increasing your storage space."

She reveled in the look of fear on her enemy's face as Vanessa snatched both her purse and phone from her as she demanded, "What did you do?"

"Don't look so scared, Vanessa," Blair replied with a smile, "I simply relieved you of a certain photo or two. You see, after your failed little attempt at blackmail the other day at Constance, I realized that you couldn't be trusted to keep a secret. If you had the audacity to attempt it with me, what was stopping you from doing it to someone else I care about? Like Nate."

"I wouldn't do that to him," Vanessa denied.

"So you say, but now, thanks to me, I know you won't even be the least bit tempted to," Blair spoke happily. "You're welcome."

"And you were just going to let Marcus and Catherine get away with what they did?" Vanessa challenged.

Blair tilted her head as if in thought, "No, I think I'll just leave that up to you. Since you are the one that interfered in the first place; forcing them to go back to England and leave us all with nothing but our memories. They are free to live their sick little lives in peace, for now, as am I. So, I believe you're done here."

Blair turned to go find her boyfriend, before a thought occurred to her as a way of twisting the proverbial knife and turned back to the girl, "Except one more thing. You may think you've discovered the hidden Chuck, but you should know he has no real feelings for you whatsoever. You were just a means to obtain his endgame and for me to witness just how gullible you could be."

She could tell that she had hit a nerve by the look on Vanessa's face as the girl shrugged, "I don't believe you."

Blair felt her irritation grow at the fact that this was taking longer than she anticipated as she rolled her eyes and spelled it out to the Brooklynite, "It was simple, really. Chuck wanted to get Dan," she purposefully didn't mention the speakeasy, "and I wanted you gone."

"So are you telling me that Chuck went through all of that: the offer for the Brooklyn Inn, the lawyers, placing a bid, was all to get back at Dan?" Vanessa questioned sarcastically, "Isn't that a little convoluted, even for the two of you?"

"Real estate was a bonus," Blair shrugged lightly, "Pleasing me is usually the ultimate goal."

"By Chuck inviting me to this party it gets rid of me?" Vanessa asked with a scoff, "Maybe what's really going on here is that you can't stand that he might actually be a good person when he's not around you."

Blair simply shrugged her shoulders again, "If that's what you want to tell yourself to make yourself feel better."

"What are you doing, Blair?" Chuck asked as he arrived at her side.

Blair smiled at her boyfriend sweetly, "Tying up some loose ends, telling Vanessa that she's not wanted and that she doesn't mean anything to you. We were playing chess and she was another piece that you needed to knock over to win and gain the Queen. Do you disagree?"

The couple looked at each other silently as Blair took, what she presumed to be, her drink from him and sipped it. Chuck purposely said nothing, figuring that this was Blair's show and he was just going to stand by and watch it. As well as he knew her, she knew him. She wasn't outright lying she just omitted a few things to make it seem more devious than it actually was.

The pair turned their attention to the outsider as she sighed and spoke before walking away, "I guess I should've known. You two deserve each other."

Blair simply smiled after her before turning her attention back to Chuck, stroking his arm, "Good boyfriend."

"What the hell was the point of that?" Chuck replied.

"Well you didn't destroy her, but she seems pretty crushed to me," Blair replied with a light shrug and a smile before taking another sip from her glass.

"What are you saying?" Chuck asked, having an idea of where this was going and what she did. At the end of it all Blair got what she wanted: Vanessa's finished and Chuck's success. Now the challenge is considered complete in full and from the sounds of it, his Queen was prepared to grant him his reward.

"I'm saying…I lost. You won," Blair spoke softly as she stepped towards him, "I'll be waiting in my room in one hour. Come claim your prize…My king."

Chuck smirked as he watched the woman he loved saunter away, making her rounds to say good-bye. He wasn't too concerned with Vanessa and the potential backlash from Blair's game. The Brooklyn Inn was his fair and square and now it was time to revel in his own success. He had an amazing girlfriend, his best friend was covered, and his future outside of his father's shadow was just beginning. It was definitely good to be Chuck Bass.

xoxo

After watching the scene Serena caused in front of everyone regarding her mother's past, Nate didn't even bother to wait more than 2 minutes before he went after his friend. He didn't even recall making his excuses to Vanessa when he ran after the familiar blonde. It was probably for the best anyway. When he ran into her at the party it was painfully awkward, but it was also obvious that she wanted to reconnect and maybe rebuild their friendship now that enough time had passed. But Nate didn't agree. Sure he was over the whole keeping secrets thing in regards to Catherine, but after finding out the truth about Dan, Nate couldn't help but question himself in regards to Vanessa. After all she was Dan's best friend and there was a part of Nate that made him question on if the two had something in common outside of the years of friendship.

Nate felt a bit guilty lumping Vanessa in with Dan's behavior, but it was how he felt. Maybe in the end he needed time to separate them in his head, but for now he wanted to spend his time focusing on the relationships that he knew were real; Chuck, Blair and Serena. He was surprised and touched when Serena finally stopped outside of his house, obviously looking for him. He assumed that she didn't see him at the housewarming party otherwise she would have known he wouldn't be there. He also felt relief that Blair kept her word and didn't tell the blonde about Nate's housing situation.

He took a deep breath before walking over to her and taking a seat beside her on his family stoop. "You know if you were looking for me, you didn't have to come here."

Serena looked over at him in surprise. She had assumed he was out somewhere and didn't expect him to show up out of nowhere. When she made her escape, this was the first place that came to mind. Being here and being with Nate, made the blonde feel like how home was supposed to feel like. He had a way of understanding her and not making her feel stupid for feeling a certain way and letting her be who she was without judgment and loving her anyway.

"Where would I have gone then?" she asked in confusion.

Nate shrugged, "I don't know. Across the room maybe?"

Serena closed her eyes in embarrassment, "You were there."

Nate nodded as he rested his forearms on his knees, pressing his hands together, "Want to talk about it?"

"Well, um…that whole party was supposed to be about our "New family"," Serena quoted the new family with her fingers sarcastically before continuing on, "But it turns out, of course, it was for publicity. But it wasn't for the parent I assumed it was." Nate nodded in understanding, letting her just talk it out the way he always did when she needed an ear. "So, as you saw, I blew up at her in front of everyone. This whole time I was thinking that Bart was the problem, but I realized it's all her."

Sensing that she was finished with her thought, Nate spoke up, "Well, have you thought that maybe she acted that way because she wanted to have that "new, happy family" so bad that she wanted to just pretend the past never happened?"

Serena glanced over at him, never really thinking about it that way. "Speaking as someone with a parent who likes to live in the land of pretend and having dated Blair Waldorf," Nate continued thinking out loud, "It seems like Lily is too ashamed to face reality so she doesn't unless she's forced to."

Serena couldn't help but laugh a bit at the mention of her best friend pulling a 'Blair' when things aren't going the way she envisioned. "You may have a point," she said softly before realizing that she's never asked how his mother was after all that's happened. "So how is Anne?"

Nate sighed softly, "Well according to her everything's fine. But after everything that's happened since summer…you can imagine my not believing her."

Serena nodded softly. They had talked about the nature of his and the Duchess' relationship not too long after her and Marcus had left the country. To say she was shocked to find out that things were that bad was an understatement. But she understood that, in the end, he did it to help his family.

"So you're staying here by yourself?" she asked in concern.

Seeing this as the opportunity it was to finally tell Serena about his living situation, Nate took a deep breath before he spoke, "Well, as you know, the government froze our accounts until the Captain turns himself in." Serena nodded silently as he continued on, "In doing that…they also seized the house. Up until recently I've been squatting in there."

Serena looked at him in confusion and shock before looking back at the house behind her, "And how long has it been like this?"

"About a month," Nate admitted to the ground, "I didn't want to say anything because I thought I could handle it. And I guess I was afraid. I've seen what my mom's supposed "friends" did to her since the scandal and even though I know you, Blair, and Chuck are different…"

"There's still a part of you who worries that we'd be the same," Serena finished his thought.

Nate nodded as he looked back over at the blonde beside him before continuing on with his reasons, "Besides, I grew up here, you know, it's where all the memories are."

"Nate," Serena spoke but he interrupted.

"I know. I know. Non-judging breakfast club. Blair has already given the speech and I promise I've learned my lesson," Nate couldn't help but chuckle at himself.

The sound of his laughter brought a smile to Serena's face, "You said 'up until recently'. Do I take it to mean that you're no longer living here?"

Nate nodded, "Chuck found out earlier today and insisted that I stay in 1812. Even sent Blair along to help me get my stuff."

"So I'm the last to know then?" Serena asked softly. She knew it was petty but it kind of hurt all the same.

"Only because you didn't happen to be there when it all came out," Nate assured her, "After everything was out in the open I knew I needed to tell you. I realized that instead of isolating myself, I need my actual friends to make it seem like everything's going to be okay."

Serena smiled softly as she reached over and took his hand in hers as she quickly assured him, "It is. If anything, Blair and Chuck will make sure of it."

The pair laughed at the truth of the statement. Nate felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders at the secret finally being out to all his friends and them accepting him in spite of it. To the extent that they were even helping him be normal for the first time in what felt like a long time. This was what true friendship was; that despite all the fighting and feelings of betrayal, they could still come together and be there for each other.

It was then that Nate noticed a lone figure walking up the street with a bag in his hand. The figure looked familiar and Nate nudged Serena and nodded over to the person approaching to see if she could figure who they were.

Serena frowned in confusion as she recognized the person within moments. The question was though: What was he doing here and why?

"Dan?" Serena called out to the familiar figure to confirm what she already knew.

"Are you talking to me?" the figure asked as he turned around in confusion as he paused in front of the pair.

Serena frowned in confusion and spoke slowly, "You're the only person here."

"Yeah, what are you doing here anyway?" Nate asked just as confused and a bit weary, wondering how much the outsider had heard. He learned his lesson after everything that happened at Yale.

"That's never stopped either of you before," Dan retorted before raising his plastic bag in the air, "I was just getting some dessert for the family."

Serena sighed softly at his retort and felt a bit guilty for letting Blair ostracize him, but then her mind went back to what events occurred that led to it and her guilt eased a bit. In the end it was probably for the best. She didn't need his judgment on who she was in her life, she got that enough from everyone else around her minus Nate, Chuck, and Blair.

Meanwhile, Nate just scoffed and shook his head at the guy's nerve. He continued playing the victim despite everything. Nate made a point to keep a distance from Dan after he and Chuck came back from New Haven. He figured the outsider would take it as just a short weekend and move on after a while, but his comment made it clear that he felt that Nate did him wrong by not continuing the potential friendship.

Before anything else could be said amongst the trio, a limo pulled up in front of Nate's former house. Serena sighed, not even surprised that she had been found by others. "They must have had me chipped while I was sleeping," she muttered to Nate. It was then that she noticed that she was still holding his hand, but making the decision to not let go just yet.

Nate chuckled as he wouldn't have put it past Bart to do such a thing. Finding that he liked the feel of Serena's hand in his.

The trio watched Bart Bass step out of the car silently and stood by the car with the door open. "Hello boys. Eric said you might be here," Bart explained, "I'd like to take you home, Serena."

Serena nodded softly before looking over at Nate, "Want a ride?"

"Well it is on my way," Nate replied.

Serena smiled as she laughed once before nodding to herself and standing from the stoop, pulling him up with her. It didn't escape her attention that Dan was looking very pointedly at them as they made their way towards the limo. She just waved goodbye at him and got in. Nate followed her, giving a brief glance at Dan before Bart climbed in after them. It was an awkward situation, but Nate didn't get the feeling that Dan had heard much of anything about the pair's conversation and Nate had no idea how to even bring up the subject to even ask. So he decided to just let it go and deal with it later with his friends if word got out.

As he sat beside Serena in the car, she rested her head on his shoulder as she continued to hold his hand. It was a position that Nate had experience with a lot in the past and it amazed him that after everything that had happened in his life that at least he had this constant. It was in that instance that he knew that everything would be alright.

xoxo

After dropping Nate off on the floor of Chuck's suite, Serena silently rode the rest of the way with her stepfather. She had no idea what would be waiting for her. Figuring with Bart's appearance in personally picking her up, the blonde could only assume that the party was over. But it was only an assumption. Serena made her decision that she'd play nice if the party was still in full swing and hopefully she could pull her mother aside so they could have a real conversation and so Serena could apologize. There was a way to confront her mother and she purposely chose the most embarrassing way possible. The thought briefly crossed her mind that she could have asked the man standing beside her on what to expect once the elevator doors opened, but she already felt guilty by the accusations she had made to him earlier.

As the doors opened up and the pair stepped out, Serena took a deep breath as they turned the corner and was stopped short at the sight that greeted her. Everyone was gone and all that was left was her brother and mother eating cake at the coffee table while sitting on the floor in their finery

"Hey. Where is everyone?" she asked as she forced herself to walk further into the room with Bart following after her as he removed his jacket.

"Well," Lily began to speak, her mouth slightly filled with cake, "The party wasn't the same after you left. Actually, I think it might've even stopped while you were still here." Serena laughed as she kicked off her shoes and took a seat on the floor beside her mother very much aware of Bart and Eric leaving the two alone so they could talk. "I owe you an apology," Lily spoke genuinely.

"No, I'm the one who said things they shouldn't have," Serena replied, reflecting over her words from earlier before the party even started.

Lily shook her head, "No, not about that, about the 17 years that I wasn't here. And I did put the men in my life before you guys."

Serena looked at her mother in shock. This was the last thing she expected from her mother, but it was definitely welcomed. It felt like with admitting it and apologizing for it, the two could finally move forward and have a semi-normal relationship. Serena smiled softly before she spoke, "Well, it wasn't all bad. There was a brief period between Klauses."

"Don't forget that, uh, weekend with Sarkozy when he made us go to Euro Disney," Eric laughed as he joined in on the conversation, handing a fork over to Serena as Bart joined them with his own fork.

Lily and Serena laughed at the memory before Serena worked up the courage to say what she had intended to say upon her return, "I'm sorry I embarrassed you in front of a national magazine." She then turned her attention to Bart and gave him the apology he deserved, "And I'm sorry I acted the way I did."

Bart nodded and graciously replied, "Apology accepted."

"Well, our family is our family," Lily spoke as she lifted her Champaign flute, "That's just who we are. And I shouldn't care who knows about it, and I don't." Serena smiled as she took a bite of cake as she looked at her mother as she was obviously deep in thought and had to refrain from laughing for a moment when her mother asked her husband, "You killed the story, didn't you?"

"I already put out the hit," Bart replied with a smirk that was so similar to his son.

Fortunately Serena wasn't the only one who laughed as everyone smiled and just enjoyed the intimate moment of family time. The only thing missing was Chuck, but Serena figured that he was busy with Blair. Despite her protests, the younger Bass was definitely growing on her and she was definitely beginning to think of him as her brother. And it seemed that the Bass' and the Van Der Woodsen's were truly becoming a family.

xoxo

Meanwhile Chuck was busy making his way to the woman that was his everything. He was a bit late to come claim his reward but he wanted to swing by the Brooklyn Inn and relish his success by himself for a moment. He wasn't surprised when he stepped in to find Horace angry at him. He expected Vanessa to waste no time in spinning her version of the night's events to cause trouble and it was part of the reason that Chuck made a plan to call Horace the following morning. Finding him there tonight just saved him a phone call and time. Chuck smirked as he remembered the conversation:

"Coming to rub my nose in it? Falling for your line of bull..," Horace sneered at him in contempt.

"Talk to Vanessa already?" Chuck replied, not perturbed by the greeting, "She does work fast to claim she's right. Look, I know you have no reason to trust me."

"And you ain't gonna be able to give me one, either, so you might as well go," Horace snapped back.

"Look, I don't care what you think about me. At the end of the day, I still want you to work here and to continue running this place as you had before. I'm going to save this place and restore it to its former glory. Personal feelings aside, this is where we are right now. It's not about you or me, it's about this place's history and it deserves to be honored," Chuck spoke firmly.

He could tell that he took the manager by surprise as he replied, "So you still want to keep the place as is then?" At Chuck's firm nod, Horace chuckled in disbelief before he spoke again, "I like to think I know people; maybe I wasn't wrong about you after all."

"Only time will tell," Chuck responded with a smirk, "I'll see you tomorrow so we can get started. There are a lot of chapters left in this place, and I plan for them to be good ones."

With that and a nod from Horace, Chuck turned and left the building feeling even better this next business venture. Of course with the slight detour he was a bit late for his rendezvous with Blair, but he had no doubt that he could more than make it up to her.

He smirked as he walked into her room, taking in the candles lighting it up surrounding Blair as she sat on top of her bed with some very provocative lingerie. It amazed him how things changed since the beginning of their relationship. When she first attempted to give her virginity to Nate this wasn't even in her repertoire and now, a year later, she had learned the game of seduction and had definitely surpassed the master in her own delicious ways.

He was so enthralled with her that he couldn't help but stand there and stare for a moment before she spoke up with a hint of vulnerability stemming from her past insecurities, "What took you so long?"

Chuck smirked at the opening as he stood before her, "If you thought that was long, you have no idea what you're in for."

Blair smiled softly as she watched the boy before her who was becoming a man right before her eyes, take off his jacket and drop it on her nearby chase lounger and approach her. He was everything that she could even hope to want and God help anyone who thought that they could come and take him from her. She reached for him as he placed his knee onto the bed and kissed his lips passionately. He pulled away briefly just to look at her the way only he could before delving back in for another kiss, taking control of the situation and Blair let him. This was his reward after all.

Chuck pushed her back onto the bed and Blair released a sigh of pleasure as he rested himself on top of her as they shared a passionate embrace of kissing and touching. No one had ever made Blair feel this way. This feeling of pure want and beauty. A feeling of love that very few in their world could ever fully comprehended. She was lost in him and she truly never wished to be found.

"Say it," Chuck whispered as he pulled back from her.

"Say what?" Blair asked desperately as she pulled him back towards her, "I'll say anything."

Chuck let himself be pulled back in her embrace briefly before purposefully pulling away again as gave his demand, "Say those three words you wanted me to say back at the White Party."

Blair laid there as she looked up at him. She could say the words. She had said it dozens and dozens of times over the past year. And there truly wasn't anything stopping her from saying it now, but where would be the fun in that? "Are you kidding?" Blair replied with a lift of her brow.

Chuck saw the challenge in her eyes and replied, "Not quite." At the end of the day those three words meant everything to them both and he knew she loved him just like she knew he loved her. He didn't know why he needed to hear them tonight of all nights and if it wasn't for that challenge in her eyes as she looked up at him, he would have just let it go. His Queen wanted to play and frankly there was no one else that he loved playing with. "Eight letters. Three syllables. Say them, and I'm yours," he whispered as he slowly lingered over her, offering the thing she wanted in that moment the most.

"But I'm already yours," Blair replied with frustration as she tried to pull him towards her, "And you're ruining the mood with all this talk."

"Say it or you get nothing," Chuck replied firmly issuing his verbal challenge.

Blair gasped in shock, "Bass!"

"I mean it, Waldorf," Chuck retorted.

Blair forced herself to take a deep breath, she knew he was being serious with his challenge and the twinkle in his eyes showed that he did know her feelings for him; that this was just another game of theirs. She ran her hand up his chest slowly as she adopted a look of resignation, "Chuck Bass, I…will not say those words to you."

Chuck glared at her teasing and sat up, "Then you will not have me until you do."

Unwillingly, Blair felt a smile creep across her face. She was thrilled at the prospect of this new game and she sat up from her bed as she watched him put his shoes back on. "Do you honestly think that you can last that long?" she asked with a smirk as she rested her chin on his shoulder.

"I can last longer than you," Chuck retorted as he glanced over at her beside him, unable to help himself as he looked her over. He was a bit disappointed that the outfit had to go to waste but he'd make her pay for it later when he won.

Catching his look of disappointment as he looked her over, Blair knew the thought that crossed his mind and she couldn't help but agree with his sentiments. But they do say that things come to those who wait and are usually much more satisfying then instant gratification; Blair planned to see just how true those words were. "Let the games begin, Bass," Blair replied.

Chuck couldn't help himself as he pulled her towards him and kissed her lips hungrily, knowing that it would affect her just as much as it did him. Not wanting it to get too far, he broke the kiss and grabbed his jacket and left her there frustrated just like he was.

Blair worked to regulate her breathing as her boyfriend left her room without looking back at her, to which Blair was grateful. That kiss had just declared war and Blair knew that it was going to be a long one. They were the most stubborn people she knew and they would play this game until they both burned. Blair couldn't wait for tomorrow.

Just like the seasons, people have the ability to change. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it's almost always right.

Sometimes it takes what's broken becoming whole again.

But most times, it takes just one person who is truly afraid to show what they feel getting an opportunity they never thought possible.

And some things never change.

Let a new game begin.

X.O.X.O,

Gossip Girl

A/N: *comes out from my hiding place* So…it's been about two months since my last update. My bad! A lot has happened in my life though! I got a second job! A job that I love and it's a step in the direction of my career choice and it only took me like 9 months to do it! Then I got stressed with bills because I went to the hospital for a day and they want both my arms and legs to pay for it! Then I hit a wall with my writing. Several times. I'd get inspired and get to writing and then I'd lose my inspiration and avoid it at all cost. Then repeat. I have to say that Rayj829 had been a great help to me in the inspiration department with their own story called Once Upon A Chairytale (If you haven't read it yet, you are seriously missing out!). And because of them I dedicate this chapter to them.

I'm also moving soon. Originally I was moving to Colorado this year, but with the new job I've decided to push it back by a year so I could have that much experience with it so I could get a similar position over there, but I AM moving from my current house so things are happening. Just know that I am truly sorry and that I missed you all and I am truly grateful to those who are new readers and have put this story and it's prequel as a favorite and are following it. I hope that I can now get back into gear now that my schedule has become more certain.

I honestly loved my Chuck and Blair in this chapter and I liked the changes I have made in comparison to canon. I'm still trying to find my voice with Nate and Serena and I'm open to any suggestions you have to make them better. I'm personally excited for the new game between Chuck and Blair over the next chapter or two.

I loved the fact that Nate ISN'T staying with the Humphreys and that he's opening about his situation more with the people who have been with him from the beginning. I honestly didn't understand why he didn't in canon and instead turned to a practical stranger.

Anyway! I've started on the next chapter and I hope to post it in less than a month. Hope you're having a great summer!

Love to you all!

-Plei4fun