I apologize for the long delay on this update. I was on vacation and then I had a hard time writing this chapter. This is actually my third draft. I'm not sure why but I think it has a little bit to do with Dan. I have a hard time writing him because I don't understand his character all that much. Somehow I finished it regardless. It's a transition chapter and bridges the first and second half of this story. I hope you all continue to enjoy it. Thanks for all the continued support via reviews, favorites and follows. As always I own nothing except for the original characters I've created. Enjoy.

The day after Christmas dawned bright and sunny. Cordelia and Henry had made arrangements to head to Brooklyn mid-morning. When Cordelia learned that her father had headed into the office and her mother was meeting Aunt Serena for shopping and lunch she felt like luck was on their side. What she hadn't counted on was her Grandmere wanting to spend the morning and all of lunch planning Cordelia's summer trip to Paris. No one said no to Eleanor Waldorf so she anxiously watched the clock and half listened to her Grandmere's plans.

Finally at two Henry stepped in and saved the day. He explained to Eleanor that he needed Cordelia's help with final arrangements for his New Year's Eve party. Eleanor always indulgent with Henry hugged them both and sent them on their way.

They retrieved their coats and headed out the front door. Obviously they couldn't take the car. Daniel and the other drivers were completely loyal to their parents and would tell them exactly where they had gone. So they headed over to Fifth Avenue and Henry hailed them a cab.

Once they were inside he gave the driver Dan's address and the driver balked at having to go all the way to Brooklyn. Henry offered triple the cab fare to end any disagreement.

The driver accepted the offer and pulled away from the curb heading down Fifth.

Neither Cordelia nor Henry noticed the black town car now following them.

Chuck had just finished a huge board meeting and was just getting ready to get on a conference call when his assistant buzzed and informed him that Victor, the head of security for Bass Industries, was on the line for him.

Chuck picked up the call immediately. He had asked Victor to make sure someone was keeping an eye on the children during break. Security was always a top priority for Chuck. He had made enemies in his business and his family's safety was always first in his mind.

If he was being honest with himself today was strictly personal for him. His children had been acting very strange yesterday and he had a feeling they were up to something. He did feel slightly guilty at having them followed but he justified it by telling himself it was for their own good.

Victor explained that Henry and Cordelia had left the house at five past two and were followed downtown and over the Williamsburg Bridge. The security detail was still following them and he'd call Chuck back as soon as he knew their destination.

Chuck immediately felt his blood run cold. He didn't need anyone to tell him where his children were going. He knew exactly who they were headed to see. He just didn't know why. He thanked Victor and told him to have two security personnel and the car ready to go to Brooklyn in three minutes. He hung up and grabbed his coat stopping at his assistant's desk. He told Emma to cancel the rest of his day and he left without any other explanation.

Chuck wasn't completely sure what the hell was going on but he knew if it involved Humdrum Humphrey it couldn't be good.

Henry and Cordelia went up the stairs leading to the post war brownstone and Henry knocked hard against the front door.

After a minute they heard footsteps and then saw Dan peek out the door and open it wide.

"Henry, Cordelia? What are you guys doing here? Jake is with his mother today."

Henry nodded. "We're not here to see Jake. We're actually here to speak to you."

Dan hesitated as he glanced between the two Bass offspring. "Why would you need to speak to me?"

Henry took a deep breath. He was looking at Dan in a whole new light. This was a man who literally lied and secretively went around destroying people's lives not to mention the fact that he had dated his mother. It made his skin crawl.

"We have a few questions that only Gossip Girl can answer."

A look of shock immediately crossed Dan's face. "I…don't…I'm not sure what you've heard…I don't think we should be speaking. Your father wouldn't like it," he stammered.

It was Cordelia's turn to speak. "No one knows we're here. Please can we just come in for a few minutes to talk?"

Dan looked at Cordelia and was confronted with Blair's eyes. He opened the door wide and stepped aside to allow them in.

They followed Dan down the hall and into his library/office. It was cluttered with books, papers and magazines everywhere. He cleared the couch quickly picking up the discarded books and papers and placing them on the already covered desk. He then sat down across from them in a worn leather chair.

"Sorry for the mess. I'm doing research."

Henry rolled his eyes. "Another book?"

Dan decided to ignore the question. "Can I get you guys something to drink?"

Henry had had enough. "We're not here for afternoon tea. We're here to gain some answers about our parents' past."

Dan sighed sitting back into the chair. "You should really be talking to your parents about this."

"Well, as I'm sure you know, our parents aren't the most forthcoming people when it comes to certain events. You on the other hand seem to have no problem spewing the intimate details of their lives."

"You've obviously discovered my old blog so what do you want to know. I would think if you've read it you already have your answers."

Cordelia felt tears begin to well up in her eyes. "So it's all true. The Empire, the takedowns, the cheating, the baby, all of it."

Dan ran a hand over his unshaven face. "Cordelia I really think you should discuss this with your mother and father."

Henry got up and walked over to the window overlooking a tiny garden at the back of the house. "What kind of man does t something like that?"

Dan sighed glancing at Henry's back. "Your father has always had to be in control. He manipulates things until they're the way he wants them."

Henry turned to look at Dan. "I wasn't talking about my father. I meant you. You befriended them and claimed to love my Aunt but yet you spent years spewing gossip and hate. What kind of person does that?"

"You have no idea what your parents and your Aunt were like then. You can't judge me. The bottom line is there would have been no Gossip Girl without their bad behavior. You can't go through life destroying and treating people like garbage without any repercussions. There's a price to living that kind of life."

Cordelia was starting to think coming here was a very bad idea. She glanced at Dan. "I just find it so hard to believe my parents ever did those types of things."

Dan held up his hands. "Ninety percent of the tips I received were accurate. And I hate to tell you this Cordelia but your parents are not innocent. You only know the doting and loving parents you've had since birth. But there's more to them than just that."

Suddenly there was a pounding on the front door. Dan looked from Henry and Cordelia. "Looks like your father is here."

Cordelia glanced at Henry questioningly.

Dan got up, left the room and headed to the front door opening it. He'd barely pulled it ajar when Chuck burst through followed by two guards.

"Where the hell are my children?"

"Please come in Chuck." Dan shut the door.

"I'm not in the mood for your bullshit Humphrey."

Dan gestured down the hall. "They're in the library." He followed an irate Chuck Bass down the hall and into the library.

"Henry, Cordelia we're leaving."

Cordelia stood up and crossed to her father's side. She had never seen him so angry. Henry remained with his back to the window.

Chuck glared at his first born. "Now Henry."

"We were in the middle of something."

Chuck took two steps towards his son. "You can come on your own or I can have Adam and Tony escort you out. It's your choice but you are leaving now."

Henry glared at his father as he walked past him and down the hall. Cordelia followed her brother. Chuck turned to the guards. "I'll meet you all outside in a minute."

Adam glanced at Dan. "Would you like one of us to stay Mr. Bass?"

Chuck shook his head. "That won't be necessary. Thank you."

As soon as the front door closed Chuck turned on Dan. "I have no idea what the fuck you think you are up to Humphrey but if you ever find my children on your doorstep again you had better pretend you are not home. Do you understand me?"

"They came to me Chuck. They know."

"What the fuck are you talking about? They know what?"

Dan rolled his eyes at Chuck. "They know all about your past and Blair's as well. It seems somehow they found out about Gossip Girl and they know everything."

Chuck clenched his jaw. "This is all your fault. None of this would be an issue today if you hadn't started that stupid blog in the first place. Because of you our pasts are out there for anyone to find."

Dan pointed at Chuck. "You're the one at fault here Chuck. You should've been honest with your children from the beginning. You did these things and let's be honest it was just a matter of time before they discovered the truth. Don't blame me for the mistakes you've made."

Chuck closed the distance between them until he was mere inches from Dan. "Don't you ever tell me how to raise my children. You have been a pain in my ass for twenty five plus years. You've written articles and books about my family. You put my sister and nephew through a horrible divorce. You dragged Serena's reputation through the mud all for your own amusement. I stood by while you manipulated and exploited Blair all those years ago."

Dan threw up his hands and turned away from Chuck. "Here we go again. I didn't exploit Blair she used me." He turned around to face Chuck.

In a flash Chuck was on him grabbing the front of his sweater and shoving Dan up against the bookshelves. "You took advantage of a woman who was grieving the loss of her baby and the love of her life. You made sure you isolated her from her friends and then you waited until she felt like she had literally no one to turn to before you swooped in to play the knight in shining armor. Don't you dare act like it was anything else other than that. Blair was emotionally shattered and you knew it. So don't you fucking stand here and play the victim. You knew she loved me but you didn't care. You were scum then and you're scum now."

Dan swallowed hard as Chuck let go of his sweater and stepped back from him. "I want you to leave my home now."

Chuck straightened his tie. "With pleasure."

Dan called out just as Chuck was getting ready to exit the library. "You know you owe me. I tipped you off about that article last June."

Chuck stopped dead in his tracks and turned slowly to face Dan one more time. "I don't owe you a God damn thing. You only came to me hoping to get some kind of inside scoop. Don't pretend you were trying to do me any favors Humphrey."

Dan shrugged. "Does Blair know what happened in that hotel room in Tokyo?" Chuck stared at him and Dan shook his head. "Of course she doesn't or you'd be castrated or divorced by now. You talk about how poorly I treated Blair but you're no better."

Chuck clenched his fists at his sides. He was not a violent person by nature but he had never wanted to punch someone as badly as he wanted to right now. "My marriage is none of your business. You stay away from my family. You so much as even look at my children or my wife and I'll make sure you are left with absolutely nothing."

Chuck turned and left the library taking deep breaths as he walked down the hall trying to reign in his anger. He slammed the door on his way out. He stood on the top stair and ran a hand through his hair. No one got under his skin like Dan Humphrey. If he wasn't Jake's father Chuck would've removed him from New York and his family's life a long time ago.

He took one more deep breath and walked down the stairs and to the waiting limo. Daniel was holding the door ajar for him.

"Where to Mr. Bass?"

"Home." Chuck barked as he slid inside and Daniel closed the door.

Henry and Cordelia were completely silent as the limo pulled away from the curb. Chuck glanced at his children. Henry was staring out the window and Cordelia was looking at her clasped hands.

Chuck cleared his throat. "It seems like the two of you have been on a little fact finding mission."

Cordelia looked up at her father. "Daddy, I'm sorry."

Henry glared at his sister. "Why are you apologizing?"

"Because I think we made a big mistake coming here today."

"You did," Chuck cut her off. "If you two had questions you should have come to me or your mother."

Henry snorted. "Because you've been so honest about your past right? You and Mom talk about how you were so in love that you had to get married but you left out the part that it was to keep Mom from implicating you in Grandpa Bart's death. Or how Mom cheated on her fiancé with you and ended up pregnant. Or how she slept with Uncle Jack and then you willingly traded her for the Empire." Henry rolled her eyes. "Yeah you guys have been so honest up to now."

Chuck sighed he knew that honesty at this point was the only option. "Henry all those things are true. I have made some horrible mistakes in my past. Things that I am so ashamed of. But you have to understand something you've only heard one side of the story. Nothing is ever black and white. There are grey areas and there are other things to take into account."

Henry continued to stare out the window. Chuck could feel his anger. He glanced at Cordelia her eyes were brimming with tears. Chuck felt like his heart was being torn in two. "What you guys can't get from reading some Gossip Girl blasts or some trashy book is the amount of love your mother and I have for each other. I've literally been in love with her since I was sixteen and probably even before that if I'm honest with myself. We did the best we knew how to back then. We didn't always make the right choices and our past is complicated and murky but it all leads us to right here and right now."

He leaned forward taking Cordelia's hand. "Your Mother and I love each other, and you kids, more than anything else in the world. Nothing else matters."

A tear slipped down Cordelia's cheek and Henry continued to look out the window. Chuck knew his son and he could tell how angry he was. He also knew that when Henry was like this you had to give him his space to cool down.

Chuck squeezed Cordelia's hand and sat back. "I would like to be the one to break this news to your Mother so if you guys could give me time to tell her I would appreciate that."

The limo was approaching there townhouse. Henry shook his head. "More lies." He didn't wait for Daniel to open the door but got out and started to walk down the street.

Chuck called out to him. "Where are you going?"

Henry turned to face his father. "I can't go in there and pretend everything's okay. Feel free to have me followed. I'm sure you're going to regardless of what I want." He turned his back on his sister and father and hurried towards Fifth Avenue and the park.

Cordelia stared after her brother. She couldn't help but to feel this was all her fault. She should've never shown Henry the stuff she found. She should've thrown it all away and ignored it. She felt like her family was falling apart and it was all because of her.