Story: Haunted Past, Terrifying Present, Uncertain Future

Summary: Maybe everything happens for a reason. Maybe the reason that everything isn't the way it was supposed to be is because we had it all wrong. Or did we? Can old feelings stayed buried when we all must face our own demons while burying one of our own? Will everything change, or are some things just meant to be?

Disclaimer: I own nothing GG related.

Chapter One- The Bus Ride Into Hell

"Maybe you haven't heard yet," she said into the phone, "but I'm heading back to New York, on a bus, with a Humphrey." Her red lips said the words in the same snobbish and seemingly harmless voice she had mastered when she first learned to speak. Even though social class was far from important to her, even though the thought of sitting next to Humphrey didn't completely repulse her, and even though she was rather enjoying the bus ride; Blair kept up the act. A faint sound of someone talking on the other line could be heard and then Blair huffed. "No mother, I won't be staying long. This isn't a vacation or even a pleasant visit. Someone is dead." She let the words out before she even thought about it. Until this bus ride, until they had reached New York City limits, she hadn't really let it sink in that he was dead. "Mother, we can talk when I return home. Until then, I have to go." She closed the phone before allowing her mother any more chances to tell Blair how highly inappropriate it was that she was arriving, late, and with him. 'Him' was sitting across from her, staring out the window and trying to pretend he wasn't just hanging on every word that left her cherry red mouth. "You can talk now," she said.

"Will your mother even allow me to stay with you?" The vulnerability in his voice had returned, just as easily as her haughty attitude and snobbish airs had.

"We are staying at the Palace," she said.

He turned his head and raised his eyebrows as he looked at her. Something had changed since the last time he had glanced at her, right before the phone call. She was sitting a little straighter, her legs were crossed at the ankle, her hands sat still in her lap, and her eyes were cold. She had returned to the little socialite he had met so long ago. "A Bass hotel, is that wise?"

Inside she wondered if he was squirming under the pressure of it all. It wasn't like he was new to the game. He had done this once before. It was everything they had been hiding in the five years they had been away. It was their past coming back to them. "Jealous?"

"Not at chance," he said. He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. "Frightened," he admitted.

She nodded, but her mask never faltered. She was an actress, and now she was in character until it was all over. Until the curtain fell. "They'll both be there," she whispered.

Both. Two people and they were scarier than anything they had ever faced. "We can make it," he said. And even to him it sounded unsure and frail.

She sighed and leaned back against the seat. "It's going to be a story even Gossip Girl will spring alive for."

"Dan Humphrey and Blair Waldorf… married." He said out loud. And then the bus came to its final stop.

Gossip Girl here, and yes it is the real me. Only a story like this could make me come back to informing the masses about our Upper East Siders. News on the street is the visitation and funeral is tomorrow. How has our favorite players been? And who is it exactly being buried under the earth. I'll have the full scoop soon. Its five years since graduation my dears, what has been happening while I was away?
You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl.