"Have you heard the news, Anne?" Eleanor Waldorf asked, spearing her fish elegantly. "Serena van der Woodsen is relaunching herself in society."

Chuck saw Blair freeze, though it was barely perceptible, and the two exchanged a look over the polished dinner table. Chuck had already found out and informed Blair that the rumours were true; Serena had returned from Paris.

"She was in France, was she not?" Anne murmured.

Fortunately, the conversation had passed over Nate's head; he was absorbed in a discussion about hunting with his father.

"Yes," Eleanor sighed. "Lucky girl. I imagine she must have quite some stories to tell." She spared her daughter a pointed glance. "We shall have to invite her over."

Blair smiled. "Of course, mother."

"You must have missed her," Anne said warmly. "I know the two of you were very close."

"Practically sisters," Eleanor nodded. "Serena taught Blair a great deal."

Blair's smile widened. "Oh, especially the importance of sharing," she said sweetly.

Chuck managed to repress a laugh; managed not to glance at Nate, to whom the comment had been aimed. And who both Chuck and Blair knew would be completely oblivious.

"...I disagree, father, the Volkski woods really are the best for deer..."

"Personally," Chuck drawled, "I think Paris is rather overrated." He accompanied it with a disarming smile that failed to meet his eyes. "I've been there many a time, and the reality doesn't live up to the fantasy. Especially where the women are concerned."

Anne choked, slightly, on her fish, but covered it up.

"I'm sure Serena had a marvelous time," Chuck added.

Eleanor narrowed her eyes at him, unsettled. "I'm sure she did," the woman answered frostily.

Blair hid her smirk.

Chuck had walked in on them, Nate and Serena. Locked in a passionate embrace. He had guessed as much; guessed from the looks Nate had given her, the shifty silences, the lowered (and, despite their best efforts, not remotely subtle) conversations in corners of rooms. He had been right, and it should have given him some satisfaction.

Instead, his heart had filled with venomous spite at the sight of them. Because they were so unsubtle? So cliched? Because they had let passion overrun their reason, like they always did? Because they had conducted their love affair in the stupidest way, and people that stupid, while deserving each other, did not deserve to delude themselves into thinking sheer lust was love. Nate and his endless pining, his weakness, his romance - it had set Chuck's teeth on edge.

There was a plan, and all Nate had to do was follow it. An imbecile could do that. Nate could have the easy life, and be happy, and he'd complicated it all and thrown it all away, risked all that he'd never even had to work to get. And a slow, deep resentment had started to burn in Chuck. It wasn't fair.

It was more than that, though. Serena had got it all. Stolen it all. Everything that Blair had worked for. Everything Serena didn't deserve.

It seemed that was the way of the world, and Chuck shouldn't have been surprised, really. So he had conducted his revenge, and he hadn't felt an ounce of remorse in doing it.

He had found evidence - stupid, rambling love letters written to each other (filled with over-sentimental, over-used sayings that he doubted either of them fully comprehended) - he had found them hidden under Nate's pillow. Of all places. He had found them, sent them anonymously to Serena as blackmail. Let her know the secret was out. And she had fled the country the next day.

He had been annoyed, initially, because he'd so wanted to watch her squirm. But he supposed it was an easier outcome.

He had told Blair, because knowledge was power, and she was the only person he might consider lending it to. He hadn't expected it to be so hard, though. He should have liked watching that kind of reaction. But not with Blair, not when it hit so close to home. Her hurt, her humiliation, was like his own.

He could still remember it, the way she had frozen. Seen it, briefly, the flicker of crippling pain in her eyes. She had told him, icily, to go away, and he had. For anyone else, he might have wanted to stay, enjoy watching them break down. But he hadn't wanted to see Blair cry. Any more than he'd want her to see him cry.

He'd called on her the next day, though, and told her of his revenge. She'd needed it. Outwardly, she'd brushed it off - It's hardly a surprise - and gone back to Nate like nothing had happened, because what choice did she have?

But the plan had failed. Serena was back.

"Ravishing as always," Chuck smirked, kissing Blair's hand.

She smirked back. Her dress was imported from Germany, fashioned from the finest blue silk. One of her mother's 'gifts', the corset drawn as tight as was humanly possible, in keeping with the fashion.

"And where is dear Nathaniel?"

He hardly needed to ask; Nate was standing over with his father and a handful of other gentlemen, talking and laughing loudly.

"Discussing the merits of English setters over French bassets," she answered drily. "Apparently there is a world of difference between the two hounds."

"Obviously."

They paused to see Carter Baizen stride in, lip curling as he noted Chuck, before he headed for the other side of the room.

That was when another man caught their attention, his ill-fitting waistcoat immediately apparent. As he saw Chuck, a scowl crossed his face. They could both see his fists gathering at his sides, but he managed to restrain himself.

"Good boy, Humphrey," Chuck murmured.

Humphrey deliberately turned away, busying himself away from the pair.

"You should be careful, Bass," Blair murmured back. "Your enemies are gathering."

Chuck just laughed, softly. "I hardly think Humphrey poses a threat."

She had to agree, but she tilted her head. "And Carter?"

He snorted. "He only dislikes me because I've seen through him. And I do so love to rile him up."

Sure enough, he sent Carter a smirk, which made the other man's shoulders clench, though he was forced to smile, tightly, back.

But something else had caught Chuck's attention.

"Speaking of enemies..."

It was Blair's turn to stiffen. Serena had just walked in.

They had both watched Nate's face light up as he realised who had just walked into the room, both watched him make a beeline for the girl, and both seen the look of sheer panic on Serena's face as she noticed.

She looked like a caged animal. A tall, beautiful, golden caged animal, Blair reflected. Especially if Nate's drooling was anything to go by.

So, smiling, Blair made her way over, flanked by Chuck, and the two of them managed to trap her further.

"Serena!" Blair cried gaily. "How wonderful to see you."

She moved over and embraced her, and Serena had no choice but to respond.

"Blair," she said weakly. "I...wonderful to see you too. How are you?"

Blair's eyes gleamed. "Never better. You must join me for an aperitif so I can hear all about your fascinating time in France."

"I..."

But Serena had no defense, and she was forced to follow. Chuck laughed, softly. The sound reached Nate, lost in gazing after Serena though he was.

"What's so funny?" he asked dazedly.

Chuck rolled his eyes. "Nothing, Nathaniel. Just delighted Serena has finally returned. Things were getting a little dull around here."

Serena had managed to escape Blair, Nate, and Chuck - which left her at the outskirts of the ball. Blair was seemingly wrapped in discussion with her betrothed and his best friend, but two pairs of dark eyes scrutinized the blonde girl's every move.

Which was how they saw her forced to engage in conversation with Daniel Humphrey, who was also standing awkwardly at the edge (though not through his own choice).

Two pairs of dark eyes met each other, briefly, eyebrows raised.

"Nathaniel. How about a game of whist?" Carter Bazien appeared, his invitation quite deliberately excluding Chuck, which made the other young man snort, faintly.

"Of course," Nate said eagerly, getting ready to follow Carter to the gaming table.

Chuck let him go.

He had more pressing matters to deal with at the moment, more important than petty jealousy and exasperation at Nate's willingness to please.

He could manipulate Carter back any day, after all.

"I can't believe she came to this event," Blair muttered. "She surely must have known we would be here."

"Maybe not," Chuck mused. "It is Serena, after all."

Blair pursed her lips, mouth thinning. "She needs to be removed. I was considering-"

"Complete social destruction?" Chuck finished with a smirk, which she returned.

"How well you know me."

The continued to watch Serena talking to the Ukrainian outcast, watched him fumble over his words while kindly Serena gave the semblance of listening.

And they exchanged another look, knowing that the same idea had crossed both their minds in that moment.

"Allow me," Chuck grinned, and, with a wink at her, headed straight over to Serena and Humphrey.

Blair watched Humphrey straighten as soon as Chuck appeared, watched the Ukrainian's scowl reappear - really, he was appalling at controlling his facial expressions.

"Serena," Chuck smiled, ignoring Humphrey. "How are you?" His eyes roamed over her deliberately, and she shifted in almost haughty confusion - he had never bothered charming her before. She was not one of his conquests.

"Chuck," she mumbled. She nodded at the other gentleman. "May I present Daniel-"

"We've met," Humphrey interjected roughly, and Chuck rolled his eyes at his lack of manners.

Still, he adopted a puzzled air.

"We have? I don't recall."

Humphrey's eyebrows bunched in rage. "At the last ball," he spluttered. His voice got even tighter. "You met my sister too."

Chuck maintained his blank expression, and Humphrey got even more wound up.

"You thought I was a serving boy!"

There was an awkward pause, and Serena shifted on her feet, trying hard not to giggle despite herself.

Chuck raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I recall now." Flashed a smile. "My apologies again, Hamphrey."

"Humphrey."

"Of course. So...how is your...sister, was it? Julie?"

"Jenny!" Dan's fists had clenched again.

"So sorry," Chuck smiled, anything but. He pretended to look around the room. "Where is she tonight? I'm surprised she would want to miss a ball like this one, especially since you went to the effort to attend..."

"She's at home," Humphrey snapped.

Chuck gave him a look of pure innocence. "I hope she is well? No illness? Or perhaps she is...lovesick?"

It was the only word he needed to say. Daniel Humphrey lost it.

Chuck let the boy punch him, let himself stagger backwards, and let the guards then escort the loutish Ukrainian out to the gutter where he belonged.

Serena was looking at him, appalled, even though she still wasn't entirely sure what had just happened.

Chuck shrugged. "Some people simply have no self-control."

Serena flinched, as Chuck had known she would.

"If you'll excuse me," she muttered.

Chuck watched her go, satisfied for now.

Blair had waited till Chuck reached Serena and Humphrey before seeking out Katia and Isabelle. They were well known to be the biggest gossips in their circle; perfect for the spreading of rumours.

She allowed herself to be kissed by the two young women, smiling all the while.

"So, how delighted are we that Serena is relaunching herself in our society?"

Katia and Isabelle exchanged glances.

"Well...thrilled, of course."

Katia nodded emphatically. "Of course."

"But one has to wonder why she picked now to return..."

Blair smirked inwardly. She knew the question would be at the forefront of all their minds.

She looked over in Serena's direction, and Katia and Isabelle followed.

Katia made a face of disgust. "Who is that she's talking to?"

"Daniel Humprehy," Blair responded serenely. "From Ukraine."

Katia and Isabelle exchanged another glance.

"Why is she talking to him?"

"I don't know," Blair mused. "It is odd that she would seek him out, when in a ballroom filled with her old friends. Don't you think?"

Katia and Isabelle were inspecting Serena closely now.

They saw her place her hand on Humphrey's arm, introducing him, saw Humphrey tense as he faced Chuck Bass.

Serena laughed, and Humphrey looked even more ill at ease.

"If I didn't know any better," Isabelle breathed, "I would say that Ukrainian looked jealous of Chuck Bass."

"He looks furious," Katia agreed hungrily.

Blair shrugged. "Perhaps he feels threatened. Serena and Chuck are old family friends, after all."

This was working out as perfectly as she'd expected, and she had to fight hard not to let her smirk escape.

"But why would someone like him consider himself a rival to Chuck Bass? Surely he must know he has no hope of-"

"Unless Serena..."

Both girls' eyes widened.

"Well," Blair said softly. "Perhaps we know the real reason she came back now."

"A love affair with a classless Ukrainian?" Isabelle gasped. "But-"

Then they all saw, as Humphrey punched Chuck hard, as Serena cried out in alarm.

They all saw Humphrey escorted out, and they all saw how Serena, instead of staying to check on the poor friend who had just been punched, ran away.

"Well," Katia breathed. "Scandalous."

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