Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Gossip Girl Universe outside of any original characters, concepts, or locations not seen in the actual books or TV show.

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C and N are plotting something… And for some reason I don't think its for B's upcoming big party… Things sure are getting interesting now that Headmistress Queller is cracking down on everything. Be careful ladies and gents, she is quite the beast. Don't put yourself on the end of her bark or you may face her bite as well. Now while I normally prefer you Upper East Siders to cause drama and scandals, you may want to tone it down for a bit or I wont have a site to run. What kind of trouble did K and N get up to for his dad to come home early? A flustered K was spotted exiting the home moments later. I need details.

XOXO, Gossip Girl

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A few days had past, and like the Windsor's had insisted, things were getting much better almost entirely across the board. Sure his AP Chemistry instructor had it out for Nate and now himself too, and maybe his AP Latin teacher was a little creepy, but for the first time in a long time he felt as if he fit in. After all who has more problems than a rich kid?

Kennedy took Connor's suggestion and told Nate that he wanted to put Wrestling on the list of sports for the remainder of the semester. It was either that or hockey, but he didn't want to be stuck in the net for another sport, though he'd probably ace that too. And besides it would be good to see if he held any promise in it before tryouts later that fall. He wasn't an overachiever for nothing! Why go for the safe bet when you could go out on a limb without being obvious?

Archibald's reaction was quite entertaining. The black haired teen had never seen his friend become so red. In the end the sports ended up being soccer, basketball, wrestling, and football in that order. All in all not too bad considering he sucked at most of them. Thankfully the boys didn't share gym with the girls or things would have been much more embarrassing… particularly for the month of November.

"Do you have time to study tonight dude? I know the test isn't for a few more weeks, but I don't really want to mess this up," Nate said kicking off his sneakers as he got his lock undone.

"I guess, we might as well work on our lab reports while we're at it too. But you're hosting."

"I always host," Nate replied stripping out of his gym clothes. Kennedy rolled his eyes. He knew full well there was little truth to that particular statement—especially since Nate crashed at his apartment more times than he count. "Just admit it, you like my food."

"Don't you mean your chef's food… and besides its more comfortable crashing at your place."

"Same difference… wait what?"

"I live in a cubbyhole compared to your parent's townhouse. If I fall asleep out of boredom it would be much better than you crashing on my couch," Kennedy added revealing his abdomen from the confines of his sweaty St. Jude's shirt. "Or your bed."

"I think your apartment is nice, though you're right about that couch. Could you have got something even harder than a rock itself?"

"YOU would think that. because there are no priceless heirlooms to be destroyed. Not everyone has money growing on trees."

"You just had to bring that up didn't you?" Nate said throwing a sweaty sock at Kennedy.

"Thanks for the appetizer Archibald, but I prefer edible food. Eau de Nate does not count as seasoning."

"Very funny," Nate replied while trying to maintain a straight faced as the duo headed for the showers, two different showers. While more comfortable around each other, neither particularly enjoyed being naked around others, let alone each other. "Most people would be fighting to get a piece of me."

Kennedy was down to business like usual. "Let's make this a quickie, we have a lot of work to do tonight."

A shadow descended upon the locker room as the boys turned on their respective showers.

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The duo arrived at the Archibald townhouse after a quick detour at Starbucks. Nate quickly learned that Kennedy was a caffeine fiend, particularly of the iced variety or rather any variety. From shots of espresso to their mixed drinks, Kennedy would drink them all.

"That was disgusting," Nate said as the arrived outside his door.

"It's not my fault I foresaw the need to amp my self on lattes and frappuccinos to get through this."

"Do you even know how many calories you just ingested?"

"Enough to be canceled out by gym and any special 'activities' you have planned for me tonight. Besides we both got some work done while there… or rather I did as you gawked at me."

"Very funny," the golden haired youth replied opening his door as he became more than a little flustered at the image that appeared in his head. "The maid and chef have the evening off so it's just us."

"You tricked me."

"Well how else would I get you to cook for me?" Nate asked with a big grin as the two settled at the Archibald dining table, one not very different from the Windsor's. "You cook way better than the help!"

"You realize that will cut into your study time right?"

"We were going to have to take a study break anyway. And besides we have plenty of time. Did you really think I was going to full on study tonight?"

"You're incorrigible."

"What does that mean?"

Kennedy sighed. He was a lot like Nate, but he could use and understand big words. "Do you want to handle Chem or Bio?"

"Chem, you're better at it but I think it would be better if we both played against our strengths."

"If you say so Nate," Kennedy said whipping out a textbook and laptop.

"What are you doing?" Nate asked.

"While normally I would suggest handwriting to get it in your memory, typing is more practical to share and edit. This way we can each get a copy of my hard work. I already started on a rough outline as we did the assigned reading, but I'll make them better now that we'll need them for the exam."

"Never thought of that, no wonder you're the genius here. I'll be right back," Nate said running up to his room.

"This is going to be a long night, maybe I should have grabbed a coffee for the road," Kennedy said out loud as he began reading the first chapter.

The sound of clicking was all that filled the room until the front door unexpectedly opened with a male coming through it.

"Nathaniel!" the voice called out, causing Nate to nearly trip down the stairs as he carried his laptop in hand.

"What are you doing here? You were supposed to meet your mother and I over half an hour ago. Your mother is very cross with you at the moment to put it lightly."

"I know I was forgetting something… Dad… I was doing homework with a friend from school."

"A very likely situation Son. Like I haven't heard that sorry excuse come out of your mouth before."

"I'm telling the truth, Kennedy here can prove it," Nate said running into the dining room and gesturing to the teen at work at the table. "See he's still here!"

Kennedy looked up from his outlining to notice a man with a striking resemblance to his friend.

"Looks like you're going to have to take a rain check Kennedy, I completely forgot I was supposed to be somewhere with my parents," Nate said completely embarrassed.

"No worries dude, Kyle and Cassidy will probably be checking in on me soon enough."

"I hate to interrupt any more, but you wouldn't happen to be talking about Kyle and Cassidy Windsor would you young man?"

"Yes, Mr. Archibald."

Mr. Archibald laughed when he heard how Kennedy addressed himself.

"Captain is fine… Sorry, I never got your name." Nate backed away a bit as he knew this was going to get awkward. His father never showed this level of interest in any of his friends right off the bat before. This was raising red flags. "I don't recall the Windsor's having any nephews."

"That's because I'm not related to them, well not that I'm aware of. I'm Kennedy Blake," the teen said getting up and extending his arm out. "I'm one of Nate's classmates turned tutor."

The Captain took the arm and shook the offered appendage. "That's a mighty strong handshake you have their young man."

"Thank you, but I should get going," Kennedy said putting away his things in his backpack. "Remember to start your outlines tonight Nate, I have two other tests next week so I wont be much help if you don't do your part too.

"Don't worry, just remember I'll meet you at the park tomorrow morning before practice."

"Nice meeting you Captain," Kennedy said as he took his cue to exit, quietly closing the door behind him.

"Nathaniel…"

"I was studying, or well trying to."

"I see that, and your performance at school has proven that so far this semester from what your teachers have told me," the Captain said as he glanced at the mess on the table.

Nate was quite surprised his father was in contact with his teachers, but then again there were no progress reports or personal notes going home this semester on account of Kennedy's influence, so his father had a right to check in. It was still early enough, but he had hidden or rather forged signatures on more than a few progress reports over the years.

Notebooks and textbooks littered the table. There were diagrams of cells and a periodic table by index cards and a study guide. The Captain quickly fingered through one of them.

"Yeah, about that…"

"I'm proud that you are finally taking things seriously Son. It's damn time you made a friend that actually cares about his studies. Maybe you'll get into Dartmouth without my help after all," the elder Archibald said with a hint of pride.

Nate didn't know how to react. He wasn't used to his father being like this. There was a genuine hint of pride in that statement.

"Maybe…"

"So how did you meet this Kennedy, I don't recall seeing him around before. And if he's connected to the Windsor's that's even more surprising. Their only child is older than you by a few years… In fact he should be in college right now."

"He's new to the city. They're playing host family to him while he attends St. Jude's. He's not from around here actually." Nate continued to babble random and useless facts that his father took in without a word.

"Very interesting," the Captain replied.

"I don't know much beyond that, but he is very serious about his studies."

"He may not have the same blood as us running through his veins Nate, but academics, determination, and the right connections can rectify that." The Captain paused as something connected in his mind. "We should get going before your mother gets even more furious."

The two Archibald men left the townhouse and made their way to Mrs. Archibald. Nate was curious as to why his father had reacted the way he had. Something was not connecting right. It was almost as if he knew something that he wasn't letting on. While he was glad to see that his father was worried about his academics, it was kind of weird how interested he was in Kennedy. After all the Captain was never that interested in any of his friends, not even the trouble causing Chuck Bass.

Nate could only hope that Kennedy wasn't too mad at him for wasting his time. While the trek between their places wasn't too horrible, it was time wasted that his friend could have better spent studying.

A text snapped him out of his self-wallowing.

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N, don't worry Connor just called and the Windsor's wanted me to come over for dinner so I guess it wasn't meant to be. Hope your dad doesn't hate me too much. He seemed really mad at you… Everything ok?

-K

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'Leave it to him to be concerned about me when he's the one that got the third degree,' Nate thought as he rode in the car in silence with his father.

A cough alerted Nate to the fact that his father wanted to speak with him, something that sent chills down his spine. His father was only good for two things: not being there and lecturing Nate about not being good enough to get into Dartmouth. The sheer fact that he had mentioned Nate cleaning up his act scared the teen. He didn't realize his father had even noticed, not that his mother was likely to either. Mrs. Archibald was a French socialite that spent her time better spent with other socialites than with her own child.

"While I applaud your new found dedication to your academics, you cannot continue blowing off commitments you do not wish to go to," the Captain lectured.

"Dad, I'm sorry, but I honestly completely forgot. I just asked Kennedy to come over because I'm really worried about AP Chem."

"I didn't know you were in AP Chemistry Nate," Mr. Archibald said interested.

"I didn't either, but apparently a spot opened last minute. Bio too."

"You are full of surprises today Nate, maybe I should have let you stay with this Kennedy. He is obviously having a good effect on you unlike Charles and the others."

Nate forced a response as he didn't feel like his father breaking down why each of his other friends didn't deserve to be associated with his son.

"There's something oddly familiar about him, where did you say he was from again?"

"I didn't, but he's from Boston."

The Captain tried to hide it, but the vaguest hint of realization dawned on his face, something his son caught on to.

"Very interesting… here's our stop Nate," he said as the car came to a stop.

Nate had a feeling this wasn't going to go well. His mother he could handle, but not the others. This was going to be a long dinner he had do say so himself.

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Spotted leaving a familiar restaurant, clans Archibald and Waldorf in their best designer duds. How are you going to break it to K, N? I thought you said you were going to put your studies first? Ditching your study buddy for Queen B? Be careful what you say, K isn't as forgiving as you Golden Boy. His air of mystery will bite you in the ass sooner or later. He's a friend of C is he not?

Be careful B, he could out scheme you. Oh wait, he already has. K is definitely proving to be a force to reckon with. Seems like C taught him well. Nelly Yuki is on K's arm, and rumor has it he doesn't like bullies or cheaters. What's this about forcing people to change their answers B? That desperate to get in Yale? So not going to happen now.

XOXO, Gossip Girl.

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The last blast had confused many of her subscribers. It alluded a lot of things but nothing at the same time. While no one thought there was anything going on romantically, the growing bromance was hard to ignore. Heck even Chuck was changing and that in itself was a scary thought to many of his peers. They didn't know whether it was genuine, a dare, or part of a scheme.

Unfortunately for everyone currently involved, Blair was not happy. Her world as she knew it was crumbling and there was one personal responsible for it, Kennedy Blake. She did not enjoy what the blast implied… She wasn't that desperate to get into Yale… she was destined to get in there with all of her connections after all.

'Someone's going to pay for that accusation!'

While she enjoyed her friend becoming more academic rather than complete addicts, she wanted to be the one in control. She was the Queen and she did not appreciate this upstart barging into her kingdom and usurping her power, quickly turning her loyal subjects against her and toward him.

He was nothing but an arrogant commoner like Dan Humphrey to her. Neither of them belonged in her world, and she wished she could do more, but it would get back to her… it always did. Her handiwork always showed, unlike that of Chuck.

"Dorota!" Blair yelled as she brushed her dark brown locks.

"Yes Ms. Blair," the Eastern European woman said running into the room.

"Where is my mother?"

"I do not know Ms. Blair. She has not returned my calls."

"Ugh!" Blair screamed, her brush narrowly missing Dorota's head. "Get out of my sight!" Dorota didn't need to me told twice.

Tonight was not going to be a good night for Blair.

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Kennedy and Connor planned on something different… it wasn't a double date, but it was a night between the "brothers" and their female companions… Well originally it was supposed to be a family dinner night, but Cassidy whisked Kyle off to some high society gala somewhere in the city. The two youths were too busy thinking of what to do instead as she listed off the details.

"I hope I look ok," Nelly Yuki said fidgeting with her dress, a gift from Kennedy, or rather the AmEx Kyle had given him.

"You look beautiful tonight. I know we've only had coffee before, but it means a lot that you'd come with me tonight," Kennedy said with a smile that made her stomach flutter. "And in that… I didn't think you'd want to wear it."

"It's not a problem."

"My life's complicated…"

"Everyone's is here on the Upper East Side. We don't do simple here."

"The Windsor's are family to me now, so I'm glad we were able to come as friends to this event."

He didn't notice the hurt look on Nelly's face, but he did realize he made a slip up. He did however make a great recovery with the grace of a cheetah ready to pounce on a zebra.

"I have a lot of fun with you, but I don't want to take things too fast. I've heard from a lot of people that many relationships often implode and are captured on Gossip Girl. I just don't want that to happen… She spends enough time on me as it is... So I'll understand if you want to end things here, but I really don't want to mess this up."

'Nice catch,' Nelly thought to herself. Her face turned pink with the delivery. He had thought out things a lot better than she had imagined. She had feared she was being strung along based on his relations with Chuck and Nate, but she was ready to get her knight in shining armor... even if he was taking the chivalry thing a tad to far.

"I'm glad too, it lets us take time to get to know each other better. If this doesn't work out I'd much better prefer the possibility of being friends than leaving not speaking to each other at the end of the day. It's a lot harder to have an intelligent conversation here than you'd imagine with all of our resources and connections at hand."

"So what do you think of contemporary art to be honest?" Kennedy asked as the duo approached a glass door, which he opened for her.

"It depends. I prefer it in sculptures more than painting. I don't really like cubism"

"I agree," he added while allowing the door to close behind him. "My 'brother' Connor's girlfriend is a bit of an artist." He made quotation marks with the word brother.

Nelly knew a bit about it from Gossip Girl and a bit from Kennedy himself, but she didn't press further. His association with the Windsor family was still up in the air, but she knew patience would pay off in the end. She would get to the bottom of the mystery when he was ready, whether they were involved with each other or not.

"I think that's a bit of an understatement," she challenged as the two teens walked into the gallery to realize the whole exhibit was for Candace.

"Kennedy!" a blonde blur cried out, nearly knocking over them both.

"Connor," he replied sternly as he regained his balance.

"And who is this lovely lady you have with you bro?" Connor asked genuinely which only caused Nelly to blush.

"This is Nelly Yuki, she's from school."

"I don't know why someone as intelligent and beautiful as yourself would waste their time with my little brother, but you must see something in him. "

Nelly was so used to being berated for being a typical Asian, so she had no clue how to respond to Kennedy and now Connor's compliments.

"Now, while Mom and Dad will be glad to see you have someone as talented as a certain Intel winner on your arm tonight, make sure you mingle. Tonight means a lot to Candace," Connor said with a certain air about him before he left to talk to someone else.

"No pressure eh?" Kennedy said seriously to Nelly.

"No pressure," she mimicked while picking up a glass from a waiter.

"I don't think I'm ever going to get used to being a socialite."

"You won't, but I don't think I will either."

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The night ended without much affair. The two teens took a taxi back to Nelly's home. He opened the door and took her hand as she exited the cab.

"I'll be right out," Kennedy told the cabbie.

"Your money," the driver replied nonchalantly as he started the timer up again.

"I don't think you'll ever know how important tonight was to me, but thanks for a great night," Kennedy said as they stood on her front step.

"I had fun tonight," she said with an awkward shift of her body."

"Me too," he added while fidgeting with his fingers.

"You can just kiss me now if you want. You don't have to ask."

"Sometimes I'm too much of a gentleman for my own good."

"Just hurry up and kiss me before my parents wake up."

In the moment that followed, both teens could feel a spark. For the first time in a long time they finally felt like they fit in with their peers.

"That was amazing," Nelly panted. "You must have made several girls very happy over the years."

"Actually, I don't kiss and tell."

"Smart ass," she said playfully smacking his arm.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Sorry that I had to take you from your studies on a school night."

"Just don't make it a habit," Nelly warned putting her key in the door.

"Is that a challenge?"

"You can be the judge of it." Nelly turned the knob and opened the door. "Good night Kennedy."

The door shut and both teens felt more complete. They both knew it would end up on Gossip Girl, but they had not done anything scandalous.

Kennedy walked down the steps and reentered the cab.

"Thanks again for waiting," he said as he closed the door.

"It's your money. Where to next?"

"Home," Kennedy said with a smile as the cab drove off into the distance.

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Gossip Girl here. Looks like Queen B's bookworm has snagged herself a prince. Buying a designer dress that hasn't hit shelves yet, kissing your hand, opening doors, and a kiss good night? It sure seems like new blood can make a world of difference. Who knew all it would take to get Nelly Yuki away from her books was a nice guy from Boston? If you could even tell me how K got that dress off the runway, it would leave me forever in your debt Nelly.

XOXO, Gossip Girl

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Dan could only look on with jealousy as another of his friends had snagged a girlfriend. Kennedy seemed like a normal kid, but now he was going off flaunting his money like the rest of them. Not that Dan could really blame him. With a girl like Yuki, you needed to pull out the stops to keep yourself off of Blair's hit list.

To make the matter even worse, rumor had it that Nelly Yuki had a crush on him! To be honest he couldn't blame Kennedy, but deep down somewhere it did feel like betrayal on some level. It was just a rumor that Nelly had a crush on him, but still it was a rumor about him, Dan Humphrey, the kid from Brooklyn. He just stood there glued to his computer screen before his phone vibrated, signaling a text message.

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Going to play a pick up game with Nate and a few of his friends tomorrow. Want to join us after school? -K

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Sure. Prepare to get your ass kicked. -D

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Haha! That's exactly how Nate responded. See ya in class tomorrow D. -K

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Dan put his phone down and closed his laptop. While he was jealous to an extent, he was more than happy for his friend, at least one of them was getting a shot at happiness... And if he played his cards right maybe he'd get one of his own. Kennedy was far too perfect to be true, but he proved everyone wrong time and time again. He did the impossible and Dan wasn't going to be left behind. He was ready to take advantage of the waves.

'Maybe there will be someone for me,' he thought to himself as he headed to bed.

He would eventually regret that wish for a storm would soon unfold the social landscape of the city with one simple text.

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Blair Waldorf was prepared for WWIII. One of her minions had defied her again. But then again maybe this was exactly what she needed.

"I may have the perfect scenario now… Nelly you're safe for now. In fact you may be even rewarded. You will be the perfect pawn."

*Knock*

"Ms. Blair do you need anything else?"

Blair gave a sound of disgust. "You are dismissed for the night Dorota."

"Yes, Ms. Blair."

When the footsteps were far enough a sinister smile crept upon the headband queen's face.

"I'll be able to do so many things under the guise of being a friend now… They won't know what hit them."

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Chuck Bass was never one to really care about Gossip Girl, but the latest blast had left him intrigued.

"I did not think you had it in you," Chuck said to no one in particular.

"Who are you talking to?" a female voice said as she shifted up right in the bed, the sheets barely covering her nude form.

"No one," he said with a grin.

"Then care to make this a round four?"

"I thought you would never ask," he replied with a devilish smile as the pair battled beneath the sheets once more for dominance. Lips clashed and legs interlocked. Chuck Bass had better things or rather women to do than his homework.

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Meanwhile a certain dirty blonde looked at things with a not so happy outlook. Things were not going the way they wanted and they knew just how to make things exactly how they wanted. It was only a matter of time.

A few clicks of a keyboard and it was now done.

Upon closer inspection, one could see what had just transpired:

The blonde sent something to Gossip Girl. And from the looks of it, it wasn't going to be pretty. The Upper East Side wasn't going to know what hit them.

Out with the old and in with the new… The return of an old friend? Or was it the arrival of a new enemy?

It all depends on who's involved.

In a few days time the Upper East Side was going to wake up to something big… something that would make Kennedy's arrival and ascent to the top look like child's play. No this was going to be Emmy worth.

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Prepare for trouble and make it double. You're going to need protection from the upcoming devastation for it won't unite all the people within Gossip Girl Nation. Be ready to denounce the evils of truth and love, which extend their reach beyond the stars above.

JessieJames98 just sent me a doozy. Be patient.

When the time is right, a bombshell will be unleashed you will never recover from.

XOXO, Gossip Girl

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Like the Pokemon reference? And thus concludes the bonus postings for a total of three new chapters this week.

-griff