A/N: I know this took absolutely ages, and I'm really sorry! Life is so, so busy and I can barely find time to write anything. It's frustrating when I have so many other ships that I want to write for too, haha! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's a little on the short side, but things get lit! x


The Return

On the morning of her twenty-fourth birthday, Jenny woke up with a feeling of approaching dread. She was half attributing it to the night before, wherein she'd consumed numerous cocktails with Eric. She didn't drink very much in London – she and Carter spent most weeknights ordering take out and watching movies. The older she got, the less she seemed to enjoy clubbing. Although people would never tell now, given the way she and Eric had got on the night before.

Eric had promised just one or two, which quickly became three or four, and somehow Jenny was to make it seven or eight. It had been a fun night, and Eric had met a nice guy in the middle of the dance floor. They'd crawled home somewhere between one and two, and despite not having been back in New York very long, Jenny had found that she had become well-known as the brains behind some of the best lines Waldorf Designs had produced in a few years. With that territory came photographers, camped outside Dan and Serena's building, waiting for Jenny as she and Eric arrived around the corner.

'Miss Humphrey!'

'Jenny!'

Jenny rolled her eyes at Eric as they pressed on through the mob. The doorman wasn't too far out of reach, and once inside they'd be able to laugh about it. Someone pulled on Jenny's arm. She held tighter to Eric.

'Jenny, how long have you and…'

'How does it feel to have won the heart of…'

'Can we expect an engagement?'

Many voices all pooled into one, but Jenny heard them all. Even in her less than stellar state, she knew something was off about the questions. As far as anyone knew, Jenny didn't have a boyfriend. Jenny didn't even have an inkling. She had…she had Carter, back in London and just a friend with some seriously good benefits. But that was it. So who on earth would she be getting engaged to?

'So, how long have you and Nate Archibald been an item?'

Jenny stopped in her tracks, just as Eric did the same, and they turned to look at one another.

'What?' Eric mouthed, but Jenny only shrugged.

Jenny's eyes snapped into focus, and she sat up. On the bed around her were numerous gifts, all gift-wrapped to perfection with cards attached. There was breakfast on the bedside table, and sitting in the armchair across the room was Eric. He smiled sleepily at her, throwing up a two finger salute as Jenny's phone rang loudly from over by the window. Clumsily, Jenny pushed the duvet back, knocking some gifts onto the floor, and moved to answer her cell.

'Joyeux anniversaire, mon ami.'

The sing-song tones of Blair Waldorf-Bass could mean only one thing, Jenny decided.

'You told the press Nate and I are dating, didn't you?' Jenny said, pinching the bridge of her nose. Jenny heard Eric sigh loudly on the other side of the room. Jenny wasn't even annoyed. Just dismayed.

'I did no such thing. Chuck and I were out for dinner last night and if someone happened to overhear us discussing how well suited we think you and Nate are, then that isn't our fault. If that same someone decided to leak that to the press, and it snowballed from there, then that isn't our fault either.' Jenny padded over to pick up the fallen gifts from the floor.

'You could do a lot worse than Nate Archibald, little J.'

'Nate's dating his assistant, Blair.' Jenny heard the intake of breath on the other end of the line. 'I saw them getting into a car.'

'That doesn't mean a thing,' Blair said off-handedly.

'He lied about where he was spending the afternoon, and then I saw them together. They looked pretty cosy.'

Jenny wasn't sure why the notion of him looking cosy upset her so much, or why she was feeling more like she was complaining to a friend about a guy she liked, rather than complaining about her friend who was spreading false stories about her love life.

'Either way, Nate and I aren't dating. I'd appreciate it if you kept lies like that to yourself. That goes for that husband of yours, too.'

'That husband of mine is an innocent party in all of this, as am I. Perhaps it's the universe's way of telling you to get a move in with our lovely Archibald.'

'You're deluded,' Jenny said simply.

'You're being ridiculous.'

'I'll see you at breakfast,' Jenny huffed. 'Love you, B.'

'Love you too, J.'

The tone clicked off and Jenny dropped her cell onto the bed.

'You know,' Eric began, pushing off from the chair and grabbing at the presents on the bed. 'For someone who doesn't care to be associated with Nate Archibald, you sure do seem bothered that he's screwing his assistant.'

'I don't care,' Jenny mumbled. She picked up her phone again and frowned at the screen.

'What's up?'

Jenny shook her head. 'I've got three missed calls from Carter.'

'I thought he hadn't been in touch.'

'Me too.'

The door swung open then, and Serena burst into the room with a beaming smile on her face.

'I heard you guys talking and I wanted to wish you a happy birthday!' She engulfed Jenny in a tight hug. She spied the breakfast on the bedside table. 'I hope you're not too full up – we're meeting Blair in an hour.'

'I haven't had a bite,' Jenny confirmed, wandering over the closet and picking out a pale blue dress for breakfast. Normally Jenny preferred the company of greys and blacks, and generally darker hues. Blair had managed to convince Jenny to branch out in her colours, however, and Jenny had to admit the dress really was pretty.

'That's gorgeous, Jenny,' Serena said in between stuffing a waffle into her mouth. Eric looked at his sister through furrowed brows as she made a second go round for the food he'd made for Jenny.

Jenny chuckled at the display, then pulled out a pair of royal blue Jimmy Choos to go with the dress.

'Speaking of breakfast,' Eric chimed in. 'I take it you've heard from Blair?'

Serena nodded, looking to Jenny. 'I have. Sorry about all that.'

Jenny shrugged. 'She'll get over the idea of Nate and I eventually.' She turned back to them as she headed for the bathroom to change. 'I did.'

She said it with a smile, of course, and it was true. She was over Nate, and had been for a long time now. Besides, he was dating Sage, and Jenny had whatever she had with Carter. He'd tried to get in touch after all. Maybe that meant something… Perish the thought, Jenny thought to herself. He was probably just missing a warm body beside him through the night. Jenny knew how much he hated to sleep alone.


The whole place looked incredible.

Jenny could scarcely believe that she hadn't walked into some grand ballroom in a far away land; all that was missing was a dashing prince, a king and queen, and ball gowns that went on for days and days.

'Jenny!'

Speaking of kings and queens, Jenny thought, as she found Blair and Chuck making their way over to her with wide smiles. Jenny returned them and took Blair into her arms in a tight embrace. She could feel the thrumming of Blair's excitement already, and even when Blair pulled back to admire her own handiwork, Jenny could feel the pride coming off her friend. Chuck leant in to dot a kiss to Jenny's cheek.

'Happy birthday,' he told her, and Jenny squeezed his forearm in thanks.

'What do you think?' Blair asked, grabbing Jenny's hand and twirling her around to take it all in.

Jenny wasn't sure what to talk about first. The streams of colour; golds, whites and lilacs. High-flying chandeliers brought a tone of such grandeur that Jenny didn't feel quite worthy to be standing in their presence. Entrees of finger food were going around, champagne and cocktails were flowing, and a live band solidified the mood, coupled with the low lighting, as being a romantic, classic evening. Honestly, Jenny was crazy about it all.

'I love it,' Jenny said quietly, and Blair clapped her hands.

'Wonderful, I'm so glad. Now go and mix with your guests – there's a table of gifts in the back right corner, too, so don't be afraid to open them either. I'll see you later on. Enjoy yourself.'

Blair squeezed both Jenny's hands in her own before taking her leave with her husband. Jenny stood for a moment, taking it all in again, before deciding to take a turn about the room. She noticed through the glass doors, from where she could see the entrance to the building, that there were some photographers hankering to get some shots. She wondered if they were waiting for Nate to show up; in fact, they were probably wondering why she and Nate hadn't shown up together. After all, they were 'dating' as far as the rest of Manhattan knew.

Jenny swallowed. He was probably still wrapped up in Sage Spence.

Jenny forced the idea from her mind. She only cared that Nate had lied to her. Not why he'd lied. Not at all.

'Jenny!'

Dan and Serena found her next. Hand in hand, with Dan's tie matching Serena's dress, they were the image of perfection. Jenny eyed Serena's left hand quietly; still no ring. She raised her eyebrows at Dan, who averted his eyes and suddenly found the ceiling to be very interesting.

'You look beautiful,' Serena told her, kissing her cheek.

Jenny wore a floor length lilac dress. It had gems and beads woven into the fabric and dropped shoulders with a high neck. When Jenny had seen it, and taken in the vintage look and feel, she knew she had to have it. Normally she'd wear something of her own design, but tonight was special, and she felt special, and she wanted to look beautiful. Happily, she'd managed to achieve it.

'Another year older,' Dan reminded her. 'How do you feel?'

Jenny took a moment to decide. She felt good. Sure, there were things she needed to figure out, but there always would be. For now, though, things were good. She was good.

'Accomplished,' she answered at length.

Serena looked around.

'Is Nate coming?'

Jenny hooked an eyebrow at her future sister-in-law, pursing her lips. Serena shrugged lightly, a knowing look dawning on her face.

'We'll see,' Jenny replied, trying not to sound too concerned about it all. 'Is Eric here?'

'Not yet; he said he'd be arriving late and that he's sorry – said he has to pick something up last minute.'


Jenny spent much of the evening moving between her guests and thanking them for coming. She'd found her father and Lisa halfway through the party, standing vigil near the gifts table in the hopes of catching Jenny for five minutes. Her birthday gift from them both had been a cheque, which she was incredibly grateful for; the older she became, the less she seemed to know what she wanted as a gift.

'I'm so proud of the woman you've become, Jenny,' Rufus told her.

Jenny opened her mouth to respond just as glasses chinked together from somewhere behind her. She turned to follow the sound and found her guests had gathered into a small crowd in the centre of the room. Jenny couldn't quite hear what was being said from where she stood, so she, Lisa and Rufus made their way over and edged through the crowd to get a better look.

What they found was Dan, down on one knee, and Serena, her hands over her mouth and tears in her eyes.

'I love you, Serena. I always have and I always will.' Dan's voice caught as he spoke, and he looked to be holding back tears of his own. 'I want you forever. Will you marry me?'

Serena squealed under her hands, before launching herself into Dan's arms and chanting 'yes' over and over again. They broke their hug just long enough to kiss as the crowd around them applauded. Jenny felt tears welling in her eyes as she watched them; so in love, so happy. Suddenly she felt a longing somewhere inside, to have what they had. She found her gaze travelling inexplicably around the room.

Just as Dan slipped the ring on Serena's finger, Jenny's gaze settled on Nate, freshly arrived and with a smile on his face only for her.

He started towards her then, a small gift box in his hand. Jenny felt equal parts happy and frustrated. How could he smile so sweetly to her face, having lied to it just days earlier? And why did he always have to look so ridiculously handsome when he did?

'Happy birthday,' he said when he reached her.

Jenny wanted to ask him why he'd lied. She wanted to know why he felt the need to hide Sage Spence from her. They were friends, after all, and didn't friends tell each other things? Since when had she and Nate become people who hid things from one another? That might have been true five and forever years ago, when they were caught up in the web of high school and college and scheming to make themselves happy. But they were both happy now, surely, and they could be happy for one another.

'Look, Jenny, there's something I've been meaning to ask you something… about you and me – '

'Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any.'

The interrupting voice belonged to one Blair Waldorf Bass, who took Jenny's hand and guided her into the centre of the room. When they stopped, Blair raised her glass of champagne, and the rest of the guests followed. Jenny looked over her shoulder to Nate, who rolled his eyes subtly and smiled.

'We are here to celebrate the birthday of not only one of Waldorf Designs' most talented employees, but one of my very dearest friends. I'd like you all to raise a glass to Jenny Humphrey, who inspires us all with her creativity and passion.'

People cheered to Jenny's name, and Jenny, blushing, thought that to be the end of it. But Blair held tight to her hand. The guests fell silent once more.

'Tonight is a special night for more than one reason,' Blair made a not to Dan and Serena, still elated. Serena gave a watery smile back.

'I'd like to add one more,' Blair went on. She turned to Jenny then.

'I'm so grateful for everything you've done for my family, my friends and my company these past few years. Bringing you on board at Waldorf was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and it's for that reason that I'd like to offer you a new position…'

Jenny felt her heart skip. She squeezed Blair's hand.

'As President of Creative.'

The guests around them erupted into applause once more. Jenny felt that she was struggling to breathe just then. What an honour, she knew, to be offered this job. Jenny knew she could do it; she knew she would thrive, and that Waldorf would only go up. But something, niggling in the back of her mind, made her reluctant to jump on the opportunity.

The job was in Manhattan. The job meant staying. It meant leaving London. It meant leaving -

Just then, whispers broke out amongst the partygoers all around them. Both Blair and Jenny looked round to the entrance.

Jenny's heart felt like it was about to beat out of her chest.

He stood in a grey suit with a lilac pocket handkerchief, because of course he would wind up matching her. With one hand in his trouser pocket and the other holding tight to a small box, he grinned as soon as he set eyes on Jenny.

'Carter,' she breathed.

'What the hell is he doing here?' Nate asked of no one in particular, his tone dark. But Jenny barely heard him as her feet carried her forward.

Carter started towards her too, and Jenny forgot the rest of the world as he came closer. Groups of people parted to make way for him; he was in no mood to stop as he came towards her. Passing the fuming stares of Chuck and Blair, and the confused stares of Dan and Serena, Carter proceeded to where Jenny and Nate stood. He went unfazed by the numerous glares being sent his way, and his smile was reserved only for Jenny.

'Hey beautiful,' he said, when he was close enough that she'd hear.

With that, Carter handed the gift box to Blair without looking twice, then took Jenny in both arms and kissed her with everything he had.


Boom, out.