Hi and good evening! I know that I've disappeared for another couple of months and I'm sorry, but I want you to know that I'm set on finishing this story so it will be updated sooner or later. Well, enjoy the chapter and strike me a comment if you'd like. :)
Thank you for your support 3
-T

Chuck and Blair ate dinner in complete silence that evening, exchanging shy glances at each other while shutting the rest of the world out. It was still unbelievable for him to have made this decision. He knew he wasn't a one-woman's type, but things had changed after Blair and he knew that he had a new resolution and he won't fail her. Above all, he won't fail Audrey. Their child had been asleep after she ate her dinner, so that left them time to spend more time alone before Nate and Serena would come.

Nate came first and he brought a bottle of something with him. "Uhm, eh, oh" he cleared his voice after coming out of the elevator and finding them cuddling on the sofa in Blair's foyer slash living room.

Blair turned her head abruptly and sighed. "Oh, finally" she said with an annoyed voice. "I thought you'd come tomorrow morning."

Nate walked towards the sofa in front of the one where they were sitting and sat down after putting the bottle of alchol on the small glass table. "Sorry, but I was with a friend" he explained, looking vague. "A friend I couldn't leave."

Chuck laughed and shook his head. "Yeah, right" Blair echoed, manifesting her thoughts with words.

"What is happening, by the way? I saw Gossip Girl's blast and I'm sorry."

Blair's sigh could be heard in Asia. Her shoulders sagged and she looked down, a bit defeated. She still hadn't accepted that the identity of her daughter was known to the world. "Thank you, Nate" she grinned, holding Chuck's forearm tighter.

Chuck glanced at her briefly. He knew what it took to her to think about this situation, but they would get over it. He nodded his thanks to his best friend. "We're grateful you're here, Nathaniel. We need your help."

"Anything for you, guys" he shrugged. "What do I have to do?"

"Something that may be harder to figure out than finding out who Jon Snow's mother on Game of Thrones is" Blair said, grabbing a glass from the table and filling it with the liquid from the bottle Nate brought.

"And that would be...?" Nate wondered, grabbing a glass himself and filling it.

Chuck did the same and downed the entire content of his glass before answering. "We're going to find out who Gossip Girl is" he explained, sitting back on the couch.

Nate's face went from neutral to astonished. "You want to do what? Guys, you realize that this is just a dream, right?"

Blair raised an eyebrow. "Nate, you disappoint me. Why do you think it's a dream? We know that Gossip Girl is around us, someone we know. Otherwise, how would she know everything? It must be somebody that we meet everyday."

"Yeah, I understand your opinion, Blair" he replied. "But isn't it hard to figure it out? I mean, this person has been writing about us for years and was never caught, how can we catch her?"

Blair was about to answer him when the sound of the elevator made them turn. "I know how we can catch her" Serena said as she walked in Blair's house. She was wearing a smile on her face, that kind of grin somebody has when they are confident with themselves.

"Finally" Blair sighed, drinking another glass of the drink Nate brought. "Enlighten us."

Serena removed her handbag and sat down next to Nate, then grabbed her smartphone and scrolled through something. "Here, look" she showed it to her friends. "This is an hacker I, uhm, know personally" she murmured, looking quite vague.

"Is this person for real?" Blair asked, not seeming quite convinced.

"Yeah, yeah. He is. He's a friend of Eric that he introduced to me a couple of weeks ago when he went to our house."

"Ah, that Doug guy? I remember him" Chuck commented, glancing at Blair as if he was reassuring her.

Serena nodded. "Exactly! I asked him to trace the computer already and he did it, but..."

"But?" Blair wondered, her eyebrow raised.

Serena's excitement faded. "But he couldn't find anything. He said something like – the IP address is changing, bla, bla, bla. I don't get it."

"That's bad" Chuck sighed. "Isn't there any other way? Even if the address is always changing, perhaps there could be a loophole in the system."

"I don't know. I am no expert in this field" Nate replied, "but I guess it's a bit hard. Whoever is behind Gossip Girl, knows how to handle their business" he shook his head. "We can't make it."

"Why so defeated, Nate? We cannot let our spirits down" Blair commented with a smile. "We can still find that hole in the system. And hopefully we'll also find the ass attached to it."

After a couple of hours debating what to do, Nate and Serena left Blair's house. Chuck still lingered in her penthouse and she loved it more than life. She now admitted that it was one of the things she had dreamt about after she realized that she was in love with him but thought that Chuck being how he was, could not make this fantasy turn to reality. Against all odds, though, that day they were sitting on Blair's bed in her room and they were cuddling. Yes, cuddling. Blair could not believe herself in her mind when she realized that, and tried to act normal and not too excited because she feared how he would react.

Would he stand up and leave and rethink about it all? She hoped not. It took them months to get there after their night in the limo and her pregnancy. As much as Chuck was known to be floating around from girl to girl and loved his freedom, she somehow was sure that this time he was not going to run away and leave her. Not because they had a daughter, but because deep down, she was aware of his feelings for her. He loved her.

This was itself another sort of problem. Blair had always been unsure and when she was with Nate, he always acted like a prince and told her things she wanted to hear despite in the last period of their story he probably didn't mean them – I love you's included. He was a good guy, but he wore a mask and hid his feelings, like many people of the Upper East Side did. Chuck included.

Yet, Chuck didn't try to hide what he felt. If he was angry, amused, annoyed, he always tried to relay the message to the person concerned. Maybe because he valued honesty or because he didn't like to create profound bonds with more than enough people, this Blair didn't know it. But she was truly sure that Chuck Bass would never fake his feelings, especially love. If he loved, she believed that the sentiment was sincere. It was just a bit hard for him to express it. She reassured herself because she trusted that sooner or later he would open up. He asked her to go slow, and slow they'll go. They will get to the point. Somehow. She also had to declare her feelings, so when the time would be right... everything will happen.

"What do you think of this situation?" Chuck asked her, breaking the silence. He was sitting behind her on the soft pink pillows and she was nestled in between his open legs, her head on his chest. "Do you believe we'll ever catch her?"

Blair sighed and looked down at her entwined hands on her belly that were lying on the top of his. "At this point, I don't know" she replied vaguely, a little sleepy. "This person was able to post for a lot of years about us and nobody could find her. How could we? I know I said that we shouldn't be pessimists but I don't know what we can do." She sounded defeated. Perhaps it was really tiredness catching up with her.

"Mmmh" Chuck murmured. "You're right. Who knows, perhaps she will stop posting once school is over, since it will be harder to see us."

"You think?" she asked, trying to process if that could really happen. "Who knows, maybe that's how we'll get rid of her" she laughed softly, not trying to be too loud since Audrey was sleeping in the room next to them. Blair yawned and used her hand to cover her mouth.

"It's very late" Chuck noticed and glanced at his wristwatch. He broke the contact with her hands and she felt a bit cold despite it was almost Summer. "I should go."

Blair knew that as much as those words made her sad, she couldn't cling too much on him. But she needed to know that tomorrow when the sun will rise, he would still be there. After all they went through, she believed that he had to reassure her of that. She wouldn't be able to take another heartbreak.

"Yeah, perhaps I talked too much and –" she said, but was cut mid sentence by Chuck crushing his lips on hers. It wasn't a violent kiss, but it was hot and it made her feel dizzy. When she opened her eyes, he was still cupping her cheeks in his hands and his eyes told her everything she needed to know. "I'll see you tomorrow?" she asked candidly, grinning.

He nodded. "I'll pick you up" he simply answered, kissing her temple before hopping off the bed and collecting his things.

***

The following day Chuck really came to her house to pick her up. She imagined that he would be waiting for her inside of his limo, but instead he decided to visit her again. While she was getting ready for the last two days of school he went to Audrey's room and stayed a bit with her. Much to her surprise, he also gave his daughter her bottle of milk. Blair knew that he was used to this since Audrey often stayed at the Basses when they weren't on good terms, but seeing it happen in front of her eyes was another story.

That day they arrived at school together and walked in side by side, not caring the glances that the other students gave them. Blair heard them whisper and say hurtful things. It was hard for her to walk in the school she used to rule as a queen and be the center of gossip. Chuck was always there to squeeze her arm to remind her he would not go anywhere and this was a great relief for her. Somehow, this small boyfriend gesture he did made her like him even more. This was a side of him she didn't know and it made her happy.

Around the end of the month school was finally over. Blair was the valedictorian student and received compliments from the professors and the principal, along with renewed congratulations that she would attend Yale in Autumn. Speaking of college, this was still a question mark for her. She was sure she would attend, but she was still thinking about what to do with Audrey and with Chuck. Their relationship was still new and fresh and she didn't want to compromise it by being far from him. New Haven wasn't miles from New York but still, it would make harder for them to meet since she would need to attend classes and all. This pained her too much because she would have to make a decision soon. Chuck didn't talk about it for the moment but she was sure he would ask her in the future.

She decided not to dwell too much on that thought and to enjoy the night. It was the first time Chuck had asked her out on a real date, because all they did after their big secret was exposed was hang out at Blair's house. Chuck had explained that he wanted her to rest for the big graduation day and had waited a few days to arrange everything for their night out.

Will be there in a few. – C

Xo

When Blair read his text, she felt her chest and stomach empty and a smile crossed her features. She was almost done with her routine, she only needed to decide on a bag.

"Oh, oh! Looks like someone is happy!" Serena beam from the bed. Since Blair was going out, she had wondered if her best friend could look after Audrey for the night. She would have asked Dorota but her maid was also busy with something.

"Shut up, S" she rolled her eyes but still kept her happy smile. "And help me. Which one is better? Black or gold?" she said as she showed her friend two different types of bags.

"Mmmh, the gold one. It lightens up the mood. Black is too formal" she replied.

Blair nodded and bit her lip. "Gold that is" she agreed and started to put all the things she might need in there. She also grabbed a pack of condoms, just in the case.

Serena eyed her warily. "Do you think he'll go there?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, if I'm honest" she admitted with a low voice. "I mean, he said he wants to go slow with me since we've already did things people take time to do. Like sleeping together and have a kid, you know. But we've never done what's in between. So I'm betting that he won't go there."

"Uh, you sound sad" Serena wore a malicious grin.

She rolled her eyes again and turned towards the mirror to look if everything was in place. "Why should I be? That, uhm, happened a few days ago already."

"Was it before or after your relationship was made official?"

Blair thought about the word 'official'. Were they? He had never mentioned it and being a couple wasn't a legal status like marriage, it was something fleeting. The thought made her stomach empty even more but for the opposite reason she felt before. "Before" she admitted.

Serena twisted a strand of hair in her hands. "Then he may not. For one simple reason."

"Like what, respect?"

"Yes, respect. You know I wasn't Chuck biggest fan, but I've seen how he looks at you. He tries to be gentle with you, different."

"You mean he wants to treat me like he never treated a woman before?"

"Exactly! Want to know the truth?" Serena voiced, and this question made Blair turn. Her silence had her friend continue with her opinion. "I think he is in love with you."

Blair widened her eyes as if in shock, then shook her head and pretended to look for something in her bag to avoid eye contact. "It's too early."

"Too early? Blair, you've known each other since you were kids. Maybe until you had sex last year he never thought about you that way, but who knows. You were always with Nate and he is his best friend. Until you told him that you and Nate had broken up, he never tried to put his hands on you, am I right? Perhaps he might have made some horrible comments, but he never translated his sarcasm into reality, unless when you gave him permission to do so."

Blair sighed. Thinking about what Serena said, she agreed. It was true: Chuck had told her nasty things but he had never crossed the line, not when she said that he could do that. And her permission that one time created Audrey. She had always blamed him and only him that got her pregnant, but it was the both of them. She had said yes. She had given him the OK to take her virginity and all that followed.

What she considered her biggest burden was now shared with him and it didn't hurt anymore. What she labeled as mistake was anything but what she claimed it to be. Because her daughter was not an error. She was her everything. Now that Chuck had taken full responsibility, she felt safer and relieved but also hopeful things weren't that bad. That they could be together and build their future as a family.

"I don't want to think about the future too much" she lied, fixing her hair once again.

"And you shouldn't" Serena agreed. "I think you are scared. I know you love him, Blair. I can see it. The other day when Nate and I came over and you were on the couch, I saw your eyes lit up everytime he spoke. And I've seen you steal glances at him when he's with Audrey."

"Is that... evident?" she bit her lip.

Serena grinned. "If he hasn't realized it, then he's stupid."

Blair managed a smile. "Thanks, S."

***

One hour later, Blair met with Chuck outside of her building. Much to her anticipation, he was dressed to kill. He wore a light blue suit with a gold bowtie, just like her bag. She believed that perhaps he had told Serena to make Blair match with him or simpy, it was destined that they would be so in synch.

He had glanced at her too many times she had lost count, and this made her feel appreciated. It just meant that he liked her although he still hadn't told her the words. She continued to believe that the day would come, for now she had to enjoy the things they were doing together because it was much more than she ever did with Nate.

They didn't talk much in the limo, as if they were both tense. When the vehicle stopped in front of a luxurious building, the driver came to open her door. She hadn't realized that they were in the South side of town, closer to the ocean. On her left she could see the lights of the coast, but she hadn't figured out the exact location. Chuck reached her and grinned, ready to escort her inside.

"Where are we?" she wondered.

"In Staten Island. Do you like it?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I really like the ocean."

He grabbed her hand and lead her inside of the building. It was probably an hotel because of the design. She thought he would go to the receptionist and ask for a card, but he didn't. Instead, he lead her on the right where an elevator with golden doors was opening. There wasn't anybody besides them, but it was a week day and maybe a lot of people still worked. It was still seven in the evening after all.

Chuck pressed a button on the side and the elevator moved. She was glancing at him and tried to ease her anxiety by smiling a little. He looked straight in front of him and smirked, he had seen it all because the elevator doors were mirrors. He moved his hand and grabbed hers, squeezing it tight. Blair looked down at their hands and her smile widened, then she gazed up at his face. He was grinning shily and she thought he was really cute, but she wouldn't admit it to him because she feared he would run again.

"I'm not going anywhere" he murmured, as if answering her thoughts.

"I know" she lied. She knew she was still unsure about their status but she didn't want him to know.

"For real" he emphasized his previous words. "I know it may be hard to believe me after all we went through, but I wish you'd trust me."

"But... I trust you" she lied again, her voice trembling when she spoke.

He nodded and grinned. "Okay" was his only answer. In that same moment the doors of the elevator opened and he stopped talking. The doors opened right in front of a wide area with couches and tables where some people much older than them were sipping drinks.

She was aware that he had replied her like that just because he didn't want to talk much further about the issue. That was their critical problem and every time it was mentioned, she shook inside because it was true that she still didn't trust him. Few days had passed since his words and there was still a voice inside of her that screamed to be careful because he would break her in two again. She didn't want to have a bad night because bad thoughts were not good for her soul, so she tried to shut the voices up. Chuck hadn't done anything that could make her think he'd go back to his ways – that was a mantra she had to repeat herself.

While she was lost in her thoughts, a waitress dressed in black pants and burgundy shirt approached them. "Welcome to Sharita's, Mr. Bass. Your table is ready. Come with me" the woman told them, and lead the way in the immense restaurant.

Blair noticed the golden and burgundy interiors. She loved those colors a lot and she had dressed exactly like the wallpapers of the place for the night. Could it be Serena knew they were going here, then? She shook her head at the thought.

"Is something wrong?" Chuck wondered, eyeing her with a frown.

"Ah? No, nope" she quickly said, then he helped her sit down in her chair.

The waitress had lead them in a private room that was similar to the style of the bigger one with a large window on the ocean and the skyline. The napkins were burgundy with golden inserts. Classy. She knew Chuck had a nice taste when it came to choose a place. Food arrived soon and weirdly, she was able to eat enough. The evening finished a couple of hours later, and this made her a bit sad. When she looked outside of her window and realized they were in front of her house, she sighed.

"Blair" he said with a sweet but firm voice. She turned when he called her, trying to manage a smile that didn't come. "What's wrong?"

She raised her eyebrows and looked away. "There's nothing wrong" she replied, lying once again. Why wasn't she able to tell him the truth?

Chuck sighed and took her hand in his, a gesture he had done several times that evening, that he had also done through that long week. She once again looked at their hands and then at him, her expression neutral. She didn't want to give away her true mood.

"Come on. I know there's something wrong. I can see it in your eyes... What is it?"

"I don't want to ruin the mood" she said, trying to justify her answer.

He raised an eyebrow and heaved another sigh. "Blair" he repeated, stroking her hand with his thumb. "I don't care if the mood is ruined. I just want to help. If there is a problem, I could help you solve it. That's what I'm supposed to do."

What he's supposed to do? Blair thought. She opened her mouth slightly out of wonder, then acted as if the words didn't faze her one bit. "Are you sure?" she asked with worry, mirroring their previous situation of a year before.

She felt like he was aware she wasn't being truthful but tried not to let her notice. "Spill it, Waldorf" he said, using her surname. When they called each other not using their names it meant that they were the closest. Unlike other people who used surnames to distance from others, it was a term of endearment for them.

She gripped her hold on his hand tighter. "I don't know, all of this... all of this is unreal."

"What do you mean with that? We've dined together in the past."

"Yes, but not like this. Not like a..." she couldn't say the word but she needed to. "Like a couple."

Chuck's features froze at the word but then he smirked. "We can make up for that."

"Make, what? What-?" her question was cut off because like it happened most of the times, Chuck crushed his lips on hers and kissed her like the world was ending. Even when he didn't give her the reply she was waiting for, his actions spoke louder.

After a couple of moments, he recoiled back, his eyes still fixed on hers. Then he did something on his phone. She hadn't noticed that he had taken it from his pocket. Once he was done, he focused back on her. "You should check your phone."

Blair frowned. "My phone? Why? And why did you kiss me?"

He smirked. "You didn't like it?"

She felt her cheeks redden and she was glad the light inside the limo was dim. She hit him with her back on the shoulder, grunting, then she took her phone out and lit up the screen.

Late news, Upper East Siders. I've just received one infamous photo that you were all waiting for. After I declared B and C's heir and rattled their big secret out, you all wondered when and if our king and queen would finally decide to play mommy and daddy together or stay like the other royals families and have their precious princess grow up without a parent. We've finally got the confirmation that this time it seems they are really going there considering the way they are eating each other's faces in this perfect picture. Uhm. Well, clap clap. I'm glad for you. Hopefully your story won't blown up when Summer blowns out and College starts. Cheers!
xoxo, Gossip Girl