Once again, I own nothing to do with Gossip Girl. Enjoy!

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"You look really amazing S." Blair commented admiringly as Serena twirled in front of her.

"I don't know," mused Serena, turning sideways to scrutinize herself in the mirror. "I just don't know if red is my color."

Blair sighed exaggeratedly. "Serena, everything is your color. You could make a burlap sack sexy and you know it. So shut up."

It was the truth; and on that particular night, wearing an elegant, deep-red strapless gown by Monique Lhuillier, Serena even seemed to out-glamour herself. Her blond curls were swept dramatically off her forehead into a stylish up-do, and the stilettos accentuated her long legs.

"Seriously B, it's going to be the best New Year's ever. I promise, we are going to have fun even if it kills us." Serena laughed. "Hey, do you remember when we were kids raiding our mothers' makeup kits?"

"Of course I remember," Blair recalled fondly. "We'd play dress-up for hours, always pretending we were about to go out to some ball…"

"And," Serena giggled, "Nate and Chuck would always try and break in to see what we were up to. Then they'd tease us forever when they saw all the lipstick we'd managed to smear on each other." Blair's face fell at the sound of Chuck's name, and Serena instantly changed the subject. "Just let me get another drink, and I'll help you finish curling the back of your hair."

It was 7 o'clock in the evening, and the girls were over at Blair's preparing for an evening of festivities. Ever since Serena had returned home the day before Blair had begun feeling more like her old, feisty self. She's awoken with an energy that she hadn't felt since before Bart's funeral, and even happily dined with her mother and Cyrus for breakfast; the first full meal she had managed to keep down in a week. She could remember at least two other occasions (and probably more if she really thought about it) that Chuck Bass had almost ruined her life, and she wasn't about to let it happen now. Just because he'd broken her heart didn't mean she would let him destroy the reputation she had worked so hard to create. You're a Waldorf, remember?

Earlier that morning she had even enthusiastically worked with Serena to map out their attack on New Year's Eve. First, they were meeting the girls-Penelope, Hazel, Kati, and Isabel-for dinner and drinks at Geisha at 8 pm. From there, they would likely head Marquee, and later to the swank party at Hotel Gansevoort, where they had a rooftop table reserved.

Serena poured herself a shot from the supply of vodka she'd brought over, and threw it back without blinking.

"Wow S," Blair commented, eying the diminishing level of alcohol still sloshing in the bottle. "Getting the party started a little early, aren't you? How many have you had?"

"Come on B," Serena appealed, "it's New Year's Eve, it only happens once a year!"

"Funny, then I would think you would want to remember it." Blair shot back, not quite sure why she was feeling so aggressive.

Serena threw her a warning glance, but decided not to pursue the subject. She was just relieved that Blair had finally managed to rally, and got her mind off of you-know-who.

"So I was thinking about pulling the sides up," said Serena, standing behind her friend and twisting a section of Blair's dark hair around the barrel of the curling iron. "What do you think?"

"Sure," Replied Blair nonchalantly, studying her reflection closely as Serena continued styling. She's always felt inadequate next to Serena, even when they were young. Somehow, both figuratively and literally, she had always been trailing in her shadow, completely obscured by Serena's radiant shine. In the beginning, it had been more of an annoyance. Yes, Serena was dazzlingly beautiful, but Blair convinced herself that she had other qualities far deeper than those at surface level. She was a straight-A student, accomplished in all her activities, popular in her own rite, with a spotless reputation and a perfect boyfriend.

But despite the immense amount of work she poured into all of these things, Serena seemed to be able to effortlessly match her in every aspect. It didn't matter that she behaved wildly and got mediocre grades; she just coasted by. No one held her indiscretions against her; if anything they even made her more popular and powerful. Serena had even gotten into Yale, a goal that Blair barely accomplished despite slaving away since grade school. Not to mention the fact that, while she waited chastely by his side, Nate had constantly overlooked her while he lusted after her best friend. Over time, these occurrences had not only made her extremely jealous, but also started to chip away at her self esteem. Now, staring at the two images in the mirror, she felt a familiar pang of doubt.

Forcing her gaze away she asked casually, "Did you invite Dan or Aaron to the party?"

Serena grimaced. "I told Aaron I'd text him when we got to the club, and I have no idea of Dan's plans at the moment."

"So you still haven't talked to him?"

"No, I don't even know what to say."

"Well, maybe he'll appear at Marquee and the alcohol will just talk for you." Blair teased.

"Hey," Exclaimed Serena, slapping Blair playfully on the shoulder, "Maybe you should have a few shots; you could stand to loosen up a bit!"

Blair allowed herself a small smile. "You're probably right."

Serena finished her creation by effortlessly pulling back and securing several locks of Blair's tresses with jeweled bobby pins. "There, now you will really sparkle," She said, stepping back to admire her handiwork.

Never, with you around, Blair thought resentfully, but instead she replied, "Thanks, S, it's gorgeous. I'll go get dressed."

Serena sat delicately on the edge of the bed and consumed another shot of vodka while Blair slipped into her dress; a classy, strapless black Vera Wang.

"So, what do you think?" Blair asked, parading in front of her friend and giving a flamboyant twirl. "Do I look ready for the best New Year's Eve ever?"

The ghost of a frown flickered across Serena's face before she arranged her features into a stiff smile, "Wow…B, you look…amazing."

Noticing her initial action, Blair froze, fixing her friend with a piercing gaze. "What's that supposed to mean?" She demanded angrily, hands on hips.

"Just what I said, you look gorgeous," Serena insisted, looking down and fiddling with the cap to the vodka bottle.

Blair continued glaring, forcing her voice to remain steady as she spoke, "What is it Serena, is my dress somehow not suited to your royal presence, or is it me?"

"No, B, I didn't mean it, it's just that…" Serena muttered, obviously uncomfortable.

"Just WHAT?" Blair fumed, beginning to lose the fragile grasp on her temper

"Have you lost weight or something?" Serena blurted out. "You just look a little pale and…I don't know. Are you okay?"

Now it was Blair's turn to glance away. She shrugged, occupying herself by digging through her handbag. "I got a cold from the plane, and I've been really tired. I probably just haven't been getting enough protein."

"B," Serena persisted gently, "I saw, like, three empty ice cream cartons in your room yesterday. If you've been eating that much Ben and Jerry's you should probably have a little more meat on your bones."

Blair ignored her and continued rummaging through her purse. "Do you know where I put my lipstick?"

"Blair," Serena warned, her tone sounding disturbingly like Eleanor's.

"God, S, you sound just like my mother!" she snapped, whirling to face her friend. "What is your problem?"

Serena retorted, completely exasperated, "My problem is that I'm worried about you!"

"I don't need a lecture on good nutritional habits, thank you very much. Especially from someone who drinks beer for breakfast," Blair replied coldly.

"And I don't need lectures on drinking, either!" Serena shot back angrily, "but that doesn't stop you."

The two stood there, glowering at one another and seething for close to a minute before Serena broke the silence. "Look," she suggested her voice much gentler, "I don't want to fight with you tonight. I just want to go have a great time. God knows we both need it. So let's just forget about this-and all the other drama-and just go have fun. Truce?"

"Truce," Blair agreed readily, eager to forget the entire conversation. "I think I'll take you up on that drink now."

Serena beamed. "I thought you'd never ask!" She carefully poured two shots, and handed one off to Blair before announcing ceremoniously, "To the best New Year's Eve ever. All fun and NO drama."

They clinked glasses and downed the liquor, giggling like little girls. "All fun and no drama," Blair repeated giddily, feeling the alcohol wash over her. "Thanks S, I know this is going to be a really great night."

"That's my girl," said Serena encouragingly.

"I just need the restroom and then we can take off," said Blair, ducking into the bathroom and closing the door behind her.

Serena smiled contentedly and began gathering her things. Maybe it was the vodka talking, but was beginning to feel extremely optimistic about the evening. Maybe it really would be as perfect as they kept telling themselves. Unfortunately, she barely had time to savor the thought, for just as she was about to put it away her cell buzzed ominously. Serena lazily flipped open the screen and gasped, her heart plummeting. It was a text from Gossip Girl.

"Spotted: Our favorite MIA millionaire Chuck Bass staggering through JFK Airport, looking like he hasn't slept in weeks. And who is that handsome mystery man in tow? It seems our wayward badboy has finally come home, but will Ms. Waldorf be waiting in the welcome wagon? XOXO"

"Oh my God!" Serena gasped, her eyes still frozen on the screen. She couldn't believe Chuck had finally resurfaced, and Gossip Girl was right; he looked terrible.

"Serena? Have you seen my lipstick?" Blair called from the bathroom.

"Uh, no..." Serena replied, cramming the phone into the depths of her bag. She only had a second to act. "Try looking in one of the drawer on the left!"

Reaching across the bed she grabbed Blair's purse and emptied its contents onto her lap. Now was certainly not the time to break the news of Chuck's return. Blair was finally starting to relax, and if she knew Chuck was back in the city, there was no telling what might happen. Besides, Serena justified, it would be much easier to hear the news from a friend, rather than Gossip Girl. She promised she would tell Blair herself…only later in the night and after a few more drinks. She quickly deleted the message and tossed the phone aside, just as Blair emerged from the bathroom.

"What's going on?' She asked, noticing the mess.

"Nothing!" Serena responded innocently. "I found your lipstick!"

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Chuck Bass scowled at his reflection in the mirror. Though his uncle had forced him to shower, shave, and comb his unkempt hair before boarding the plane home, he still looked far from polished. He was paler than usual, and there were dark circles under his wild, bloodshot eyes. There was no way he would have returned to New York had dear Uncle Jack not convinced him that he needed to be present at the reading of his father's will in order to claim his vast inheritance.

He had brooded over his cocktails in first class all the way home, furious at his rotten luck. But now that he was back in the city his mood was beginning to improve. Bangkok had been too humid anyway, and there was plenty of debauchery to be had here in NYC. Besides, it was New Year's Eve…

"Oh Uncle Jaaaack," He called in a mocking, sing-sing voice. "I'm going out. Don't bother waiting up."