Chapter One :Peonies and Problematic Promises

It had been sometime since she had seen Humphrey alone, with Serena back and her new concentration on finding a new path for herself and trying not to worry about that kiss. No matter how much it changed everything. How much she didn't want it to change anything; so what she did was ignore it and make sure Lady Godiva was not too far from her side. So here she was preparing for a nice chance to paint the town…her lips and keep herself from wandering toward the beaten path to good old Brooklyn.

A sigh presses against her lips as she looks over the old film tickets that are now piling up in her trash can and Dorota hadn't bared to even toss them out maybe it was a way for her to be reminded of past decisions. She'd run a hand through her dark hair trying her best to consider what would be the best move for her to take and this Sunday was going to be a fifth movie but she couldn't deny what she needed to consider was her next step . Even if Humphrey had proven himself worthy of her graces by now she still couldn't believe that she'd given him the time of day. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all but she really wanted to make him sweat it out.

"Dorota!"*she'd scream as she'd moved to take a couple steps in the direction of her desk to find for herself a outfit to wear she was going out and needed a chance to clear her head.

"Ms. Blair! What's a matter?"* moving to bring herself from Serena's room to finish making up her bedroom and moving through the joined bathroom with Anastasia held in strapped to her chest.

" Dorota can we just bury recent events and head toward the cinema?* a soft pout crossing her lips just glad that the weekend was going to be the quiet that she needed and without Evereley constantly calling her she was bound to just relax.

"Yes but someone is downstairs for you Blair with flowers. "The wide eyed maid would smile gently toward Blair noticing that there is a bit of frustration plastered on the fiery brunettes features that she'd can't help but wish she could remove easily with a smile or dangling a carrot in front of her face.

"Flowers for me? Maybe my prince has finally decided to fly across the pond and whisk me away."Blair's features would turn into a bright smile before the sound of her blackberry goes off with another message from Humphrey," Eh… Dorota I entrust you with my phone for the day…he's moving from stalker to completely deranged."

Handing off her phone to Dorota she'd make her way down stairs smoothing out the folds of her hot pink skirt eyeing over the scenery of her mother's household but she couldn't sort out what she was feeling lately. It was true that Dan had did his best to make things for the better but she had to sort out if it was truly worth presuming about that would be considered friendship like so many he had disappointed her but the real downfall is that Humphrey always saying that he had a profound moral compass was just as tainted by the Upper East Side as she was now. All his Ideals were thrown out the window in one fail swoop but maybe that was because no matter how they would hate to admit it their friendship was as jaded as the flecks of green in Serena Van Der Woodsen's eyes. What could prepare them to start over? They had to be civil especially for the sake of sharing their long legged friend Blair could not simply ignore him forever because he wasn't just going to drop off the face of the planet let alone New York to please Blair Waldorf.

Upon walking down stairs there was none other than pink peonies waiting in the f oyer glistening with a glistening hot pink envelope dazzling in the center of the bouquet waiting for a good read. As she made her way down the stairs there would be the sound of the elevator dinging and heels clicking from the entrance to her mother's home which were attached to none other then everyone's favorite long legged beauty Serena. Blairs heart sank when she saw Serena as she looked from the flowers and then back toward the Blair as she descended down the staircase.

" Well it's good to see you with your felony convicted lap dog scurrying after your Marc Jacobs heels." A sour comment but she didn't obviously approve of Ben and she was afraid that he was just another escape from the safety of Dan's arms and the need to always pick men that Lily would snub her nose at.

" Nice to see you too Blair." Serena would say annoyed as she'd run a hand through her long blonde hair before catching her eyes toward the bouquest.* Really Blair he's changed and you can't exactly snub him the same way you did Dan when we were at Constance."

A sour pout crossed against Blairs painted rose lips as she looked over toward Serena before leaning in and pressing a kiss toward her friends cheek as if to make up for her words. Really she didn't want to argue it was too early and she didn't wish to fall back under worse terms with her friend and roommate.

" Oh stop it you act as if I scarred D-Humphrey for life with my words. He's done well enough in the last couple years to grow some back bone with me even if he has yet to find it to stand up to you. Admit it you've still got him wrapped around your fingers. All you have to do is twirl your hair in between your fingers and he comes a calling." Said pursing her lips in annoyance because it was true no matter what Serena did or what mess she made for herself everyone was ready to clean up after her.

" Blair just please don't not today. I'm just trying to cope with the two of them living together I don't need you on his back too Ben has enough trouble with people judging him already he doesn't need you added to the list and neither do I." giving that frustrated doe eyed look like she hadn't been even phased by any of the words that came out of Blairs mouth.

" Look Serena I'm sorry, I just don't want you getting over your head again and causing more trouble for yourself. Your family just needs and new start just like Ben does. For your sake and for his…let it go." Blair would shake her head moving to take a couple steps toward the center table that held the large vase of Peonies removing the card and opening it slowly while Serena watched her in a huff.

" Blair please, I'm just following what I feel is right and I like him." Serena would explain as she'd cross her long slender arms one over the other watching as Blair turned to remove the card from the bouquet.* Blair?"

"Hrm?"Blair would ask as she'd turn too look over the pink envelope glancing over it for a second and not being about to see what was inside it but it seemed rather awkward it was holding something else other than the usual messenger card in it." Serena I know how much you care about him or so you say but set him free before you cause him more trouble. What makes you think after the whole incident with Juliet that he's had a total eclipse of the heart? He could really be playing us all for fools the way that his sister did and I just don't want you to get hurt. Better safe with someone like boring old Humphrey. What happened to you and him anyways I thought you picked him over Nate and now you're going for Ben?"

"Total Eclipse of the Heart?" Serena would blink at the words from her brunette friends word feeling that maybe that Blair was keeping something from her but she shakes it off do to their debate over Ben," Please Blair, I have supported in every decision that came with you chasing after Chuck and every scheme to return to him please just be there for me on this one. Trust me I know what I am getting into." But Serena never does she always flies by the seat of her pants on every decision that she makes and be damned to the consequences." Besides what got you so interested in Dan and I? You always disagreed on everything possible that went with Dan. And I did but we came to an agreement that if we would try one more time that we would make sure that we were both ready and would not hold back Dan doesn't need me right now..Ben does."

"Well I see that you can't be thoroughly convinced just be careful." Blair would give her a stern look trying her best to be optimistic for Serena but she always had these troublesome love affairs no matter what they were always ending blowing up in her face or another heartbroken bachelor walking away into the sunset." Not true-entirely…just he's always been there for you Serena and maybe if you truly want him you shouldn't be giving him hope only to toss him aside when someone new comes that catches your fancy. I know you Serena you have shiny boy syndrome and it's not fair to him. Don't do that to Dan the way Chuck-is- with me." Letting out a sigh showing her guard broken down and for a second she had a little humanity where Humphrey was concerned. Maybe the Holiday had rubbed off way too much on her." Now if you'll excuse me I'm running late Everley has me running to W to make a new column to blog why graffiti pants are the worst invention known to fashion history and I can't be late."

Blair would finally be able to glance at the card removing the small card with a note on it and in familiar hand writing it'd say," I'm sorry", with a ticket to the cinema hiding underneath the notes but she doesn't take that out with Serena standing in front of her. Behind Blair would be the sound of Dorota's footsteps and the Cooing voice of her daughter Anastasia. Serena would look over toward Blair looking once again to her annoyance but Blair did have a good point did she always toss boys aside quickly with the hopes to test Dan to make sure that he'd be right their ready to take their place without question or protest.

"Alright Blair…I'll do my best but Dan and I are nothing like you and Chuck. Who sent you flowers?" noticing Blair's obvious uncomforted movements with Serena watching her she'd admit defeat." Alright so then I will see you later for dinner right? Or are you off planning with your minions again for another night out?"

"Dorota my coat please," Blair would look back toward Serena picking up her black clutch that matched the black and white hounds tooth sweater with the high necked frilly collar dropping it into her clutch before pulling her arms into the sleeves of her canary yellow pea coat and hugging it to her form as she buttoned up." Don't wait up, I have a lot of planning to do if I am to take down the other interns and besides I am sure you'll be too occupied with Mr. Donovan to miss me. Your right you aren't-so don't make the same mistakes we did. Dorota my phone." giving her friend a knowing smile not wanting to fight and knowing that she had to hold her tongue at times when it came to Serena's relationship choices in the end she always did what she wanted leaving everyone else to pick up the pieces.

"Alright Blair see you later then." a sigh of defeat crossing the blondes lips before she'd watch as Dorota handed off Blairs phone ," Anastasia promise not to go searching for prince charming and use your heart rather then always your head. In other words boys are icky…"Serena would giggle as Blair would move to walk out.

Blair would let out a sigh heading off in the direction of the elevator letting out a uncomfortable sigh as she'd finally be able to examine the note with a careful glance noticing the writing on it and recognizing it at once. She'd walk into the elevator pushing the down button and finally removing the written note that matched the card and a fresh cinema ticket. The note reading as follows.

"I'm sorry, come to the cinema with me like we planned. –D"

Eyeing over the card with a careful glance she could do nothing but shake her head," You win this round Humphrey…I hate to admit it."sighing as she waited for the elevator make it's way down toward the main floor as she tried to consider what her next move was. She couldn't waste a perfectly good movie even if she had to admit that he was perfectly adequate company Dan had to prove himself worthy of her talking to him. He'd broken her trust even if it was a phony friendship he'd really disappointed her and she just couldn't understand why she wasn't able to brush it away so easily.

~Let's see what this chess game holds for our players with Waldorf the Queen and Humphrey the Knight can these two come to terms with their game of chess or will one fall before they can even win the game. We just can't get enough of how much these two seem to be crossing each other's paths and without the distraction of those famous blonde tresses is there a invisible line that binds them and they have been to blind to see it. It's no longer a game about Black and White Readers. Who shall win out as bitter enemies or will the forfeit so that they can really experience what it means to be friends. Till next time Readers~XOXO