Spotted YOU

IV: Big mistake

                                                                                              New York, 1136 Fifth Avenue/Paris, Peninsula Hotel

-‘Hello, Blair. Two words. Only two damn words and I already feel my certainties fall to pieces. How can he still have all this power over me?- Blair wonders, bewildered.

“Can you hear me? Are you still there?” Chuck calls her, noticing the silence.

“Uh, yeah, I’m right here, listening to what you have to say. Hello, Chuck.” She answers, as detached as she can.

“Wait. Did I call New York or Alaska? Could you sound any colder?” He grumbles as he slowly swirls the glass in his hand, drawing oxygen into his Cognac.

“I’m just caught off guard, I didn’t expect a call from you, Chuck. Not so soon, at least. You know better than me that things have changed a lot.” Blair mutters, her index finger nail torturing her thumb.

“Save your breath, I’m perfectly aware of the situation. Believe me or not, but this is not an attempt to win you back, Blair.” He states as he sips his drink.

“Is it not?” Blair asks in disbelief.

Part of her feels relieved to hear that, but a part of her ego feels insulted.

"The reason why I called you has indirectly something to do with Serena." Chuck informs her.

"Wait. Is Serena in Paris?" Blair startles.

Although she can't see him, Chuck rolls his eyes.

"What part of 'indirectly' was not clear?"

"Well, are you in Paris, then?"

"Wait. How do you know I'm in Paris? And why did you immediately mention Paris before? I haven't even told you yet!" Chuck frowns.

Blair chuckles.

"Don't you think I haven't seen the +33 code when you called me. And if you're in France there are high chances it must be Paris." She figures out.

"The detective in you never ceases to amaze me." He murmurs. "Here's the clever girl I fell in love with."

- Fell in love. Not ‘had fallen’. Chuck still has strong feelings for me. - Blair ponders.

Now there's the opposite situation. She doesn’t feel so relieved anymore, while a part of her ego is throwing a party.

But this time she doesn’t make the mistake of keeping silent for too long.

"Okay. If you are in Paris, in which way could this be connected to Serena, if she's not there?"

Chuck pours some more Cognac in his glass before answering.

"To begin with, I have no idea where Serena is. She could even be here, but I haven't seen her anywhere so far. I'm not Gossip Girl!" He steals a smile from Blair.  "The point is that I have got contact with someone who had to deal with someone else we all should hope Serena never meets!" 

"Paris makes you way more enigmatic, Chuck." Blair grumbles, as she massages her temples.

"I guess that once you reach me here in Paris everything will become clearer." Chuck smirks as he sits on the comfortable armchair.

Blair chews on her lower lip, as she rolls one of her dark locks between her fingers.

“Chuck, I don’t think this is a good idea…”

“I don’t mean alone. Bring your lapdog with you.”

Blair holds her mobile tighter with both of her hands, imagining it’s Chuck’s neck.

“Dan is not a lapdog, he’s my boyfriend, I've been very clear about that with you!”

“You’ve been very heartless, too, to be more precise!" He retorts, and he gets up so abruptly that he spills some drops from the glass to the floor.

It’s still such an open wound, after all.
Then he tries to calm down.

“Just say that you and Humphrey will reach me.” He adds, his tone much quieter.

“I don’t know… It still seems so pointless to me… Plus both Dan and I have a full agenda and…” Blair groans.

“Just a few days. I’m sure you both can break free. I’ll give you the address where we can meet and also book a hotel for you two.  Not the same hotel I’m in, I guess it would be too awkward, even for my standards…” He mutters.

“Finally something we both agree on. Or the three of us, if I add Dan.” Blair approves.

- You always want to add the stupid Humphrey!- Chuck holds his glass so tight he could almost break it and make his hand bleed. -Too bad this time I need him, as well.-

“Actually it’s very important that Humphrey gets here.” He underlines the point.

“More than I get there?” She asks, puzzled. “Chuck, if you feel like kissing guys again, it's better not to be my boyfriend!” She jokes about it.

“Your acid humor never changes.” He chuckles. “Anyway, you’ll both understand anything once you’re here.”

“Okay. I’ll talk with Dan and let you know when we can be there.” She is about to hang up, but she needs to add something, dictated by her sweet concern. “Take care, Chuck. See ya soon.”

Chuck stares amused for a while at the display of the ended conversation, right before making another phone call.

“Marienne? It’s me. So, did you give the big news to Juliette?” He casually asks.

“Of course I did, and she’s so excited, she’s still going on with the list of all the things she wants to see in New York.” She makes him chuckle.

“So cute. But you’ll also have to tell her that we need to postpone our departure of a few days.”

“Huh? Why? Did something bad happen?” She grows worried.

“Everything is more than fine. It’s just that we’re going to have some visitors…”

*********************************** (In the meantime)

                                                                                                                                        London, The Ritz Hotel

Joe is about to reach Serena.

She’s suggested they have lunch together and she’s waiting for him at the dining room for 12:30.

It’s 12:20.

Joe walks a bit faster, because he wants to be on time.
He also can’t wait to tell her about his morning.

Finally he reaches The Ritz and this time he’s not a charade, he can go inside it for real, there’s someone actually waiting for him.

As he crosses the long corridors, covered by precious carpets, he takes a look all around, in awe.
If he had to find a word to summarize The Ritz, that would be’Gold’.
There’s gold everywhere, from the big, pompous chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling to the finishes on the walls, on the round coffee tables and on the pillows that adorn the sofas; from the big windows to the doors, from the vases to every kind of ancient ornament.

He arrives at the dining room, where the smooth columns in Corinthian style give even more prestige to the interior.

“Jonathan!” Serena cheers, walking towards him, as she waves her hands.

- There you go, my beautiful creature of light, with your smile so bright that it can light up the whole dining room… Not such a hard task, given the dim lights all around. However, compared to you all the beauty that surrounds us fades into the background. -

She’s wearing a long halter neck dress, with shades of peach and white, sleeveless, offering a generous view of her tanned shoulders and arms.
Her golden long hair is free and wild, just like her.

“Come to our table, I’m starving; then you have to tell me everything!” She goes on, grabbing his hand and dragging him with her.

- Geez, your back is so bare, save from the two long laces that wave from your nape… This is dry-mouth, cold-sweats bad. - He stares enraptured at her, now that she can’t see him. - And I love the way you act, as if every place is your home, how you manage to feel at ease everywhere. Would you feel at ease in my arms, in a bed with me, in my heart?- 

“I’m hungry, too and I have so much to tell you!” It’s what he really says. “But first I have something for you.” He adds when they reach their table.

“A gift for me? Aww, how sweet.” Serena beams.

From his bag he draws out a wrapped package and hands it to her.

She laughs once she unwraps it.

“ ‘The Truth About Doppelgängers and Other Conspiracy Theories’ “ She reads the title out loud, still giggling. “Thank you so much, can’t wait to start reading it.”

“I thought about what you told me the moment I saw it in a bookstore!” He smiles. “See, Serena? books always have the answer for everything.”

-Even to the question: ‘why am I feeling so good when you’re with me, Jonathan? - She silently wonders.

She takes the menu, also to have something to distract her from staring at him all the time.
The way the long curly hair and beard frame his face gives her the feels.

Not to mention how stunning he is, wearing a dark brown suit with a white shirt and a black tie.

“You should try the Var Salmon. I swear I still have to find a restaurant in New York that can make it as good as it is here.”

“Well, the Beef Tartare was tempting me, but I accept your suggestion.” He replies, noticing that even the frame of the menu cart is golden.

“Well, we can have both. You can taste my Salmon and I can taste your Tartare.” She suggests.

“Sounds good. Just like we are tasting a bit of each other’s life.” He adds, fleetingly caressing the back of her hand.

“Yeah, sort of.” She giggles and she wouldn’t mind if his hand rested on hers.

- Well, my past life is such a gloomy and barren place I want to keep you as far as possible from; but my present life with you could turn into the brightest place ever. - He muses, as they make their ordination.

“So?” Serena hints, once the waiter has gone.

“So… you’re looking at the Creative Writing Literature Professor’s brand new assistant! I got the job at Ashbourne!” He grins.

“Yayyy! This is sooooo amazing, Johnny!” Serena cheers. “Uh, sorry, can I call you Johnny?”

- Please, call me ‘Joe’. - He daydreams.

“You can call me anything you please.” He smiles sweetly at her.

“Well, Johnny, I guess this requests a toast with the best Champagne of the month!” She decides, ordering it in the process.

Golden sparkling in their flûtes.

“Cheers!” She grins, touching his flûte with hers.

“Cheers. After all, I have something else to celebrate.” He informs her.

“What?”

“My job starts even sooner than tomorrow. Mrs Feyers , my Chief, asked me to take the class to see ‘King Lear’ tonight at the Shakespeare’s Globe. With her supervision, of course.”

“That’s so cool. I’m sure you’re gonna impress everyone!” She rejoices.

“And, you know, I was wondering if maybe… would you like to come there, too?” He awkwardly asks, sipping at his flûte.

“You, surrounded by young schoolgirls who will make moony eyes at you? Of course I’ll have to be there!”

Joe chuckles.

“Wait a minute. Are you saying that… you’re jealous?”

“Hell nope!” Serena pretends to sound insulted. “I’m just saying I’m a great Shakespeare’s admirer!”

“Yeah, sure. So you’ll have to come. Just for Shakespear’s sake.” He smirks.

“And I’ll tell you more. After lunch, we’re going shopping. I want to find something proper for tonight and your job in general… I was thinking of one of those typical tweed blazers with elbow patches!”

He grimaces.

“Oh! It does so… typical, old Professor!”

“Yeah, exactly that!” She sneers.

And that’s what they actually do, around the shops, where she decides that a powder blue blazer with brown elbow patches is the winner.

But after the purchase, Serena figures out her big mistake.

- Dammit. He doesn’t look like an old Professor. If anything… he just looks even sexier!-

-----------------------------------------------------

 

                                                                                                                                      New York, 1136 Fifth Avenue

Dan has barely the time to cross the threshold, Blair literally rushes towards him.

“Welcome back, love!” She hugs him as tight as she can.

“Woah! What’s the matter?” He chuckles. “Not that I’m complaining, of course…”

Saying so, he bends down to kiss her, sweetly and slowly, for a long time.

“Mm. Nothing. It’s just that I’m so, so happy to see you. I missed you a lot during the day.” She says, when they part.

“So, what are you going to do, once my new book is out and the signings tour starts again?”

“I don’t want to think about it!” She scoffs, making him laugh.

“Relax, love, I guess it’s gonna take months before the book is close to being done.”

“Anyway, Dan, before you start travelling on your own, why don’t we travel together somewhere?” She suggests with nonchalance.

Dan’s face brights up.

“Are we finally making the trip around Rome become real?”

“Not Rome. I was thinking more about… Paris.”

Dan frowns.

“Paris?! Paris hasn’t ever been in our plans.”

“I know, honey. But then I thought… La cité de l’amour! Can’t you picture a more romantic destination to be labelled as our first trip as a couple?” She reasons.

“Yeah, you’re right. I can already taste our very first kiss sous la Tour Eiffel.” He murmurs, caressing her hair.

“I guess we should start practicing a lot before that.” She pulls him closer for some more kissing.

“You seem so weird today.” He chuckles against her lips.

“It’s just that I need to feel you close.” She hugs him tight once more.

She raises her head to stare intently at him. “Dan, I love…”

For a few moment Dan seems to forget how to breathe.

“... every moment we spend together.” Blair ends her sentence.

“Yeah, me, too, Blair.” Dan sighs and smiles at her, but she can read in his eyes how let down he is.

- Dammit. Dan is everything I ever asked for a healthy relationship… Why can’t I bring myself to tell him those damn three words?- She curses herself. -And why can’t I even bring myself to tell him the whole truth about Paris? Maybe I’ll do once we are on the plane.-

“Well, I’m going to have a shower. Care to reach me? We should go on with the practice… “ He winks at her.

“Sure, honey, go ahead, I’ll reach you right after booking the flight… what about tomorrow, in the afternoon?”

“Huh? Already? You’re really craving Paris!” He comments, quite amazed.

“Well, my dear, there’s no time like the present. Unless… are you too busy with your editors?” She wonders, a bit nervous.

“Well, my editors just asked me to bring them three chapters in a week, they don’t really care where I’m going to work on them.” He smirks.

“C’est magnifique! Just think about all the fun we’ll have there.”

“Right now I’m thinking about all the fun we can have here… So hurry up with the booking.” He goes to the bathroom.

Once he’s there, Blair books their flights in record time, then she also texts a certain message.

‘Dan and I are heading to Paris, we’re leaving tomorrow in the afternoon. Please, set our meeting in two days and let me know everything. And you’d better have a real reason for asking me that. B’

Once she reaches Dan in the shower, it goes without saying that they go much further than simple kissing.

And they do much more once they reach the bed.

We're sown together

She's born to Mesmer

Beside, astride her

I die inside her

It's far too sacred, don't ever fake it

And don't, and don't, and don't let me down

Like you let me down before

(Space Monkey, by Placebo)

 

As he watches Blair packing her stuff, Dan gets lost in his thoughts.

-While do I have the unpleasant feeling that there’s something missing between us? I mean, we solved the sex chemistry issue long ago and since then every single time with her is mystical! We’re so connected on so many levels… then why can't she tell me what she already shows me? Why does the weight of those three words scare her so much? Sure, I could tell her first… but the fear of not getting the answer I want freezes me too much. - 

“Well, guess I’ll go packing my stuff too.” He informs her, once he’s ready to go. “See ya tomorrow at JFK!” He kisses her.

-Please, Blair, try to open with me a bit more during our trip. If something just doesn’t feel right, I need you to tell me, don’t fake that everything is fine if it’s not; our relationship is too special, we must protect it and let it grow like a beautiful flower. Please, don’t let me down like you did everytime I saw you coming back into Chuck’s arms after all the awful things he did to you.- He ponders as he walks away. 

********************** (In the meantime)

                                                                                                                London, Westminster Bridge Rd

“You’ve been sooo amazing, Johnny!” Serena congrats him after their evening at the Shakespeare’s Globe.
It’s a quiet, cloudless night and they decided to walk towards the hotel.

“Yeah, I guess I made a kinda good impression.” He shrugs.

“Are you kidding me, Mr. Modesty? The whole class totally loved you! The way you made that introduction, before the First Act, the way you answered all of their questions, after the play. And Mrs Feyers looked so proud of you!”

“Please, go on, I like all this flattering!” He sticks his tongue at her.

“It’s just that now I need you to be free from your new job and actually take me to see a play. This time I felt more like a stalker observing you from two rows behind!” She makes him laugh.

“A stalker, uh? Well, I feel really lucky to have such a gorgeous stalker on my trail.” He smiles, as he admires her in her long black strapless dress with a slit.

“There are still a couple of miles before arriving, are you sure you don’t want me to lift you up and carry you in my arms until we reach the hotel?” He offers.

“Thank you, but you have no idea about my resistance on heels, I could even run the Marathon!" She jokes as they keep walking

They arrive at the end of that street and they pause a while to stare at the view.

Joe slides a bit closer to her.

“This starry night, the Big Ben towering above us, the Thames beneath us… To be honest I couldn’t think of a more perfect moment…” He murmurs.

Serena smiles at him, bringing a hand to his curls.

“I think I know for what. So, please, go on…”

Joe shows a crooked smile, before cupping her face and slowly bending on her.

His lips land on hers, already a bit parted.
But Joe wants to take his time for everything.
He presses his lips softly against hers, enjoying the moment, without doing anything else.
His tongue still has to come to play.
He keeps caressing her face, her neck, her lobes, nibbling her lower lips, gently, with his teeth.
Serena enjoys that sweet torture for a while, until she can’t hold anymore and pulls him closer, parting her lips more and inviting him to do the same.
The beginning's barely hinted warmth turns into a devouring fire.
Joe’s hands hold her waist, possessively; one of Serena hands massages his nape as the others eagerly grabs his hair.
They kiss hungrily, as if they had never done anything else, breathing into each other.
Then their breaths become pants that become moans.
And that’s what reminds them they’re not alone.

"Finally I know what it feels like.” Joe murmurs, parting from her.

“Like what?” Serena wonders, as she passes a thumb on her lips.

“To kiss a sunray. And by night, nonetheless.”

“Ooohh, Johnny!” She squeals, almost touched, hugging him tight.

And they keep walking, hand in hand, pausing some times for another proper session of kissing, until they arrive at the Ritz.

“Here we go, Milady, I made you reach your home safe and sound.” He smirks. “Now I really gotta go if I want to arrive on time tomorrow.”

“Why? Where do you live? I haven’t asked you yet.” Serena mumbles.

“Well, it’s a temporary solution, but I’ve found a B&B in Canning Town…”

“What?! Are you nuts? It’s more than two hours of walking from here!” She replies, shocked.

“Actually, more than three, but whatever, I’m getting accustomed to that!” He scoffs.

“No way, Jonathan. Tonight you stay here with me.” Serena suggests.

- Spend the night with you? Are we already at this point? Do you already want me so bad, Serena?Let’s see how bad you do.-

“Huh? Nope, Serena, don’t worry. I’m a great walker. I just need a few hours of sleep. Plus, I don’t want to bother you any further.” He declines his offer.

“Oh, shut up. I insist. You need a decent amount of hours of sleep. And I plan to be bothered much more than this.” She winks at him. “With a lot more kisses in the quiet of my suite.”

“You’re making this perspective oh so tempting.” Joe smiles, as she drags him with her.

“And I’ll tell you more. Tomorrow, when you finish your job, we’re going to Canning Town to take all your stuff. You’re moving to my place.” She decides, as they reach the elevator.

“It must be just a dream. All of this never really happened. Quite the contrary, I fell asleep during the play, reason why a furious Mrs. Feyers is going to fire me… but it was worth it to dream such a dream.” He makes her smile.

“You’re not dreaming at all. And I know a much better way than a pinch to prove to you that.” Serena pulls him closer by the collar of his blazer, for a long, demanding kiss.

- Okay, Serena, take me with you. Let’s spend this night together. I won’t mind even if we are going to kiss each other until sunrise, but that’s it. There will be nothing more than kissing and cuddles. No matter how bad I’m dying to bury myself inside you and no matter how bad you seem to want the same. I’m not going to rush things with you like I did with many girls before you. It would be such a big mistake and I want to do things differently this time. -
 

---------------------------------------- 

                                                                                                                                Paris, Champs Élysées

 
Blair is happy that she and Dan had the whole day for themselves.

She’s a little less happy that even on plane she didn’t manage to tell Dan the real reason why they are in Paris, she just resorted to a lame excuse.

After some rest after the long fly, they decided to visit the Louvre and ended the evening first under the Eiffel Tower, with a perfect kiss, then on top of it, with another remarkable session of kissing framed in every possible way.

Since Chuck arranged their meeting in the afternoon, they also had a free morning they used to visit the Musèe d’Orsay which somewhat gave them some MET vibes.

Now it’s almost 4:00 p.m.  and Blair is taking him at the Arc de Triomphe, as agreed.

Chuck has already seen them and he’s lurking behind a corner.
He can’t hear them from that distance, but what he notices he’s already enough.

 

Come back to me a while

Change your style again

Come back to me a while

Change your taste in men

I'm killing time on Valentine's

Waiting for the day to end

Change your taste in men

(‘Taste in men’ by Placebo)

She already sounded a bit different on the phone, but seeing her intensifies this sensation.

- Look at you, Blair,so simply dressed. Even the way you are walking seems different. When you were with me you were Holly Golightly, you walked as you wanted to dominate the world, you had such hunger. Now with him you look like an anonymous Anya Smith, giving up her kingdom for just an ordinary simpleton. And the worst thing is that… you never looked happier. I should have known better from that damn Valentine night, when Georgina showed me that terrible pic…-

“Dan, it’s time you know the truth. I’m not here to meet one of my mother’s collaborators to help her with the incoming fashion show..” Blair grumbles.

“Huh? Well, whatever the real reason is, I don’t mind. Thanks for bringing me here.” Dan smiles at her as he holds her hand.

“You should mind, instead. The reason is… Chuck.” She decides to confess.

Dan instantly drops her hand.

“Chuck?” He repeats, but it seems more like a growl. “Do you mean Chuck is in Paris?”

His expression is more somber, too.

“He asked me to reach him. He said it was important!” Blair justifies.

“And, of course, everything Chuck Bass says becomes law!” Dan snaps. “And you’re just telling me now!”

“Of course I’m telling you now, otherwise you would have never accepted!” Blair retorts.

“Of course I would have never accepted! Just like I don’t accept how you rush to him whenever he needs you!” Dan blames her.

“Well, it’s not just about me! He also asked to meet you. Especially you, for some reasons.” She points out.

“Huh? Why me?” Dan frowns.

“Oh my God!” A female voice screams behind them.

They both turn, seeing an AfroAmerican girl, as beautiful as pissed off.

And she’s glaring just at Dan.

“How do you dare to come back? Well, I don't fear you anymore, I have powerful friends now.” The girl growls, stepping closer.

“Do you know this woman, Dan?” Blair asks him, puzzled.

“I swear I’ve never seen her in my whole life!” He replies, backing off, sort of scared. “See? Weird stuff like that wouldn’t ever happen in Rome!”

The other girl frowns.

“Dan?! Alright, so you assumed another new identity! And… what the fuck, Joe? Why the hell do you look so much younger? Which witchcraft is this?”

“Oh, god, it was such a funny show. Further beyond my expectations!” Chuck finally shows up, clapping his hands in the process.

“Which show, Chuck? Do you care to explain?” Marienne turns to him.

“Wait a minute. Do you know Chuck? How?” Blair glares at her.

“What the hell is going on, Chuck? And why are you behind all this?” Dan glares at him.

“I guess it’s time for the introduction. Humphrey, Blair, meet Marienne Bellamy, a very talented artist  I met here.” Chuck ignores their questions, without losing his aplomb. “Marienne, meet my friends I was waiting for, Blair Waldorf and Dan Humphrey. Oh wait, they’re the love of my life and the one who took her away from me, I don’t think they can exactly fit into the ‘friends’ category, but whatever!”

Marienne, Blair and Dan just keep silent, staring at him, waiting for further explanations.

“Oh, right. Marienne, you might have noticed that Dan looks a little like your former boyfriend, Joe…”

“A little? He’s his fucking perfect carbon copy of him, just ten years younger!” Marienne snaps, still very shocked.

“A carbon copy of who?” Dan asks , still very bewildered.

“A wicked stalker, probably a killer, too.” Chuck explains.

“Take ‘probably’ off.” Marienne corrects him.

“How does it feel, Humphrey, to be the look-a-like of such an awful criminal?” Chuck teases him.

“If you ever  have a look-a-like around in this world, it must be a good guy for sure, because you already are the worst possible version!” Dan strikes back.

Chuck glares at him, before turning to Marienne.

“When you showed me those pics it was a big shock for me, too, Marienne. But I preferred not to tell you anything, not to spoil the surprise. Can you forgive me?” He murmurs as he gently caresses her shoulder.

Their intimacy and the smooth tone he’s using with her don’t escape Blair’s watchful eyes and ears.

“You two slept together, didn’t you?” She asks them, straightforward.

“How do you know?” Marienne startles, practically answering her question.

“Why do you care, in the first place?” Dan glares at Blair, extremely jealous.

“However, Blair, about me and Chuck, you have nothing to worry about. It was just the mistake of a weak moment.” Marienne explains.

“A big mistake!” Chuck boasts, as he neatly tucks in his purple shirt.

“A medium mistake!” Marienne shrugs.

“I’ve never complained about the size of our mistakes!” Blair winks at Chuck, making his smirk, but also pissing Dan off even more.

“So, what kind of mistake am I, Blair?” He challenges her.

“I have no intention to enter this kindergarten competition!” Blair rolls her eyes.

“Coming back to more serious issues, on the phone you said this whole matter could be indirectly connected to Serena. Just how? Who is this Joe? How can you know where he is? And mostly how can we know where Serena is?” Blair fills Chuck with questions.

Chuck turns to Marienne.

“I guess you should tell us your whole story from the start…”

--

TBC