A/N: Happy St. Patrick's Day readers! I'm back with another update! Since we left off on a cliffhanger, I'll keep it short. Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and to the new readers who have followed and favourited this story. Welcome! Alright, let's get right to it. Read on!

Chapter 42: Their Eyes Were Watching Screens

Ozzy's gaze shifted between Dash and Jenny. "Well?"

"Nothing's going on here. Right, Jenny?" Dash looked at Jenny expectantly.

"I'm sorry," Jenny said. She wiped away her tear stained cheeks, which only spread her eyeliner more. "There's nothing go on here. I just had a couple things going on at home that Dash was helping me through this past week. I'm sorry you had to walk in on that."

While Jenny's words could be plausible enough, Ozzy was skeptical. Why would she come to Dash of all people? And Dash's tone before he walked in was anything but consoling.

"I should go," Jenny said. "Again, I'm sorry you had to hear that. Goodnight."

Jenny brushed past him and let herself out. Ozzy crossed his arms as Dash cleared the centre island of the bowls he used for his snack. Yogurt.

"So what's really going on?" Ozzy asked.

"What do you mean?"

"With Jenny. Why would she need your help? I didn't know you two were close."

Dash turned his back to him to put his last bowl away in the dishwasher. "We are close enough through Evelyn. I just saw her when she was having a vulnerable moment, and I was there for her. There's nothing wrong with that is there?"

"No." There wasn't anything wrong with it. Yet, the way Dash spoke to him, defensively, made Ozzy think his question came off more of an accusation.

"Does Evelyn know about this?"

"No," Dash said harshly. "Are you done asking questions Nancy Drew?"

"I guess so."

"Not that it's any of your business, but Jenny doesn't want to tell Evelyn just yet. She needs to work on this by herself, and we both know once Evelyn is involved, there's nothing stopping her from trying to fix the situation. You should know of all people."

Dash brushed past him and stomped up the stairs.

His mom appeared in the kitchen with her phone in her hand. He knew what that meant at this time of the evening. Takeout.

"Is something wrong with Dash? He seemed upset."

Dash was upset, but he made it clear to Ozzy that he wasn't going to tell him why. From Ozzy's experience, it was probably best to let him be, let off some steam, call Evelyn, do whatever it was that would take the edge off the mood. It wouldn't be his business until Dash, or probably Evelyn, told him something.

Ozzy took the phone from her hand and dialled the number of his new favourite pizza place and said, "I have no idea."

Uh Oh, O. It looks like being at the right place at the wrong time has put you in the middle of a brewing civil war. Better make sure you're wearing your armour. Shots could be flying soon.

At St. Anthony Hall, Blair discovered that their meeting room was not only a dark dungeon, complete with candles, black robes, and curtained walls, but it also functioned as a well-lit meeting room, with tables and chairs grouped in small circles around the room. A long buffet table of snacks lined the back wall as soon as Blair came down the staircase, and a projector screen Blair never noticed, projected the beginning of a slideshow. Blair saw Julian standing at the podium, nodding along as another member spoke with her hands waving around. He grew his hair out since the last time she saw him. His hair was in long waves. It was now long enough that it needed to be tucked behind his ears, but not quite long enough that it required a pony tail.

"So this is what it looks like when it's not a death trap," Simon said.

The black curtains were drawn into each corner of the rectangular room revealing crisp white walls and a couple tiny windows.

"I thought we were having our meeting?" Blair said.

"We are. This is just an informal meeting where we don't go through ritual," A senior member named Nathan explained. "We usually stick to formal meeting when we're introducing new members."

"So it doesn't matter where we sit?" Simon asked.

"Nope. First come, first served."

Blair wrinkled her nose. Where were they, at an all you can eat buffet?

Blair scoped out a table that was front and centre. "Come on, Simon."

"Thanks everyone for coming," Julian said at the front. "If everyone could please grab some snack and take their seats, we'd like to begin momentarily."

Some members of their pledge class trickled down the stairs and found their way to Blair's table. They arrived with summer tans and stories of their summer internship experiences.

"I was at Google this summer," Danielle said. "Software engineering is where it's at."

Another member spoke about her time with Habitat with Humanity in New Orleans where they were still rebuilding houses after Hurricane Katrina. "You just don't know what how precious life is until you lose your home.? It really gave me perspective."

"What an invaluable experience Valentina. How about you Zara? What was it like working at the White House this summer?" Danielle asked.

"Incredible. I got to work with the communications department, and you will not believe how much information filters through them."

"Did you get to meet President Obama?" Simon asked.

Zara nodded and showed off the lock screen of her phone. "He even wrote me a personal letter at the end of my internship."

Blair resisted the urge to roll her eyes. So what? They all had amazing internships and connections made, and all she had was a closet full of Malolos, Chanel, and Louboutin's. It was clear to see who was the real winner here.

"How about you, Blair? What did you do this summer?" Valentina asked.

"I spent my summer in Paris."

She enjoyed the awe on their faces for that one moment. That is, until the next question came.

"Where were you working?"

"I didn't work actually. I was visiting my father on his vineyard, and I was living abroad with my best friend."

Their awe turned to envy as they nodded their heads.

"So you vacationed all summer?" Zara said.

"It is another way to learn isn't it?"

Julian's voice interrupted their conversation. He used his gavel and slammed it against the podium three times. "Let the meeting come to order at seven ten P.M. Get ready for roll call."

Blair turned her chair so she could face the screen. On it there was the following phrase: "Recruitment 2011".

"It's good to see everyone, and I look forward to hearing about all of your amazing summer breaks," Julian began. "For our newest pledge class, this might seem like a complete contrast to what you learned last year, but this is what informal meeting looks like. We're here to talk about recruitment which will be happening over the next few weeks."

Julian began to explain the procedure of recruiting. All summer, the Locke and Key Society had been running checks on all the new, and returning, students that could be potential members. It was a rigorous vetting process, and all Blair could think of was how she herself was vetted. There were excel sheets, social media background checks, lists of achievement, family connections, and even recommendations from alumni members. It was an elite network that Blair was realizing was the most powerful place to be on campus. As Julian explained the specifics of the process, Blair was reminded that he chose her. He was the president. Who better to approach and ask a billion and one questions on how she herself could be president?

The movie began to roll in her mind. She could see herself up at that podium, ordering everyone around. It was almost like Constance…

Julian hit his gavel to get everyone's attention.

"Like I was saying. Each member will be assigned a prospective student. Not all of you will be responsible for said student like how you were brought in last year, but it's a team effort to scout, invite, and follow up with each member. Once we close meeting, I'll meet up each of you individually to tell you who you're assigned to. You'll be working in pairs."

New members. Blair couldn't wait to deliver the invitation, the very same invitation she had received and rejoiced over a year ago. She couldn't wait to see who she would be paired with. Maybe it would be royalty? An heiress? A well-connected publisher's son or daughter? The opportunities seemed endless.

The meeting continued with Julian explaining the schedule and expectations for conduct. Blair was already making a mental list in her head and began to strategize how she would track down her prospective student. This kind of planning required her black beret.

"Let's open the floor to any questions."

Valentina, Miss Habitat for Humanity, raised her hand. "Does this mean we will be mentors to these prospectives?"

"No. Only one person per pair will be that prospective's mentor. That is reserved for upper years. If anything, for lower class men, this is an opportunity to learn for what will be expected of you next year."

Simon raised his hand. "How were these prospectives selected?"

"Through a rigorous vetting process. Each of you is selected because of what you can offer the society. That can mean many different things, so there is no set requirement, or boxes to check off."

Zara, who worked as a White House Correspondent, raised her hand. "What happens if a member declines?"

"That will be taken up with the executive members. It happens, but it's pretty rare. We go on a case by case basis."

A few more hands raised, more questions were answered. Julian adjourned the meeting and everyone lingered, grabbing more drinks and snacks while Julian stepped away from the podium and to his seat at the table near a wall, where he invited pairs of members up to discuss their prospectives.

"Can you imagine which prospective they'll pair you with?" Blair said to Simon.

"Not really. Another scruffy artist maybe?"

"You're an artist?" Blair said.

"I told you that last year. Anyway, it's just a guess."

"Perhaps. Although, artists are not common, which is a good thing for you."

"How so?"

'Well, you don't want more competition, do you?" Blair said.

"I don't think it's a competition."

Blair waved her hand. "Whatever. I'll probably be matched with a model, no, fashion designer's daughter—no, an heiress. Royalty!"

"That would be fitting. Just as rare as finding a prolific artist though."

Blair folded her arms across her chest and rolled her eyes.

"Blair Waldorf!" Julian called.

"Good luck," Simon said.

Blair looked over her shoulder to see if any older member was coming behind her. She walked alone.

"Take a seat, Blair."

"Why isn't anyone paired with me?"

"Because you're paired with me."

"What? Why? You already have a mentee. That's me. Why would you possibly want another?"

"It's not that I want another. We just have a special situation this time."

"Special situation?"

"Yes," Julian sighed. "I realize this might be a bit awkward for you, but you're the only person that knows this prospective best. We've tried to recruit this member before, but he declined."

"If he declined, then why bother?"

"Well, let me rephrase. He didn't formally decline, but rather, he never responded. We aren't sure if he even got the invitation. The only way we can get our answer is with your help."

"Of course. You can count on me.."

Julian grinned. "I know. We all know that. You're one of our most promising and dedicated members."

Blair sat up a bit taller. "I know."

"Which is why we need you to make this happen."

"I'll do what I can. Tell me, who is the prospective?"

Blair clutched her phone, ready to message Dorota to begin a thorough investigation.

Julian struggled to maintain eye contact, his forehead creased with worry, as he said, "Chuck Bass."

Chuck bound down the steps of University Hall on the first day of classes. Class ended early after a walk-through of the syllabus was complete. He would have typically skipped such a waste of time, but he wanted to make a good impression on his Professor, Christopher Darby. He was a well-known self-made mogul, who Chuck saw many qualities of himself in. Professor Darby was teaching what he assumed would become one of the few courses he cared about this semester: Marketing Management.

"Hey, Chuck!" Nate called across the green, his lacrosse bag slung across his shoulder. "Didn't expect to see you here on first day of classes. Are you sick?"

'On the contrary. You know I never get sick, Nathaniel."

"Which is another mystery to us all. Are you done classes for the day?"

He had two other classes which would only lead to more boring regurgitations of course syllabuses.

"None that I care to show up for."

Nate chuckled. "You also got some mail today from Andrew Tyler. It's a big yellow envelope. Pretty heavy too. What's that about?"

"It's about Jack," Chuck said. "I've hired Andrew to look into every detail of his life."

"That's…extensive. Is that even necessary?"

"Of course, it is. Jack is now running Bass Industries. He has to have something on my father which forced him out. Now, that means that not only is my dad on the outs of the business, but so am I. With his love of brothels and drugs, he has to have some kind of skeleton hanging in his closet."

"Do you think Jack has already done this for you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, does everyone in your family run background checks on each other?"

"Probably. If I'm being honest, Nathaniel, it would probably do you some good if you did the same. Politics, power, and family are a dangerous combination."

"You're probably right. What are you going to do if you find something you don't like?"

"The only thing I won't like is finding nothing, which is where I'm at with Andrew right now."

"When did he start looking?"

"A week ago."

With school starting up, Chuck did consider how much time he could devote to this initiative. He could pay people to take his tests no problem, but this kind of project could take weeks, months of attention. He felt as though he were standing above a rabbit hole, looking in, unsure how far down the hole would take him. Who knew what other things would happen in between?

"Is he going to continue to send you things?"

"Things that may be of value, yes."

"Are you sure it's a good idea to dig into the past like this?"

"It's the only way to find the truth. I can't wait for someone to tell me anymore. My dad won't say anything. Neither will Jack. This isn't just about the past. It's about my future."

"Is that your future then? Bass Industries?"

"Yes."

"Wow. That's pretty serious."

"I haven't told anyone that, so keep it to yourself. It's not something I want today, or tomorrow, but later, when I earn it."

"And now is the time to prove your worth?"

"It's now or never."

Evelyn waited at the gates of St. Jude's for a familiar black car to pull up to the curb. Usually, she was the one always making Dash wait, but now she waited almost ten minutes and he still hadn't shown up.

"I'm going to go inside. Morning assembly is going to start soon," Eric said.

"Go ahead. I'm just going to wait a couple more minutes."

Evelyn checked her phone. No messages from Dash. Should she worry? Was he sick?

When Evelyn looked up from her phone, the car finally pulled up to the curb. Ozzy appeared first.

"Sorry we're late. It's my fault," Ozzy said. "We had to go back because I forgot my math textbook." He checked his watch. "I'll uh, talk to you later." Ozzy looked behind him, into the limo and then back at her. He looked like he wanted to say something more but decided against it. "See you in English."

Dash appeared with dark circles under his eyes.

"Good morning." Evelyn kissed him lightly. "Or at least, it is for some of us?"

"Maybe for you," Dash said rubbing his eyes.

Evelyn wrapped her arms around his waist. "Are you okay?"

"Fine."

Evelyn frowned. "You don't sound fine."

Dash sighed and tried to wiggle out of her embrace. "Let's go. We're going to be late."

Evelyn picked up the pace to match his quick step. "Dash. If something's bothering you, you can tell me." She reached for his hand.

"I said everything is fine," Dash said without looking at her.

Evelyn withdrew her hand and stopped walking. "Okay."

She wanted to push further, but Evelyn knew it wouldn't get her anywhere. Something wasn't right with Dash. Evelyn didn't know what it was, but she hoped if she let him be, he would tell her eventually.

Dash spun around. "Evelyn, I'm sorry. I know I'm not myself right now, but there's really nothing you can do. I'm just not feeling great today."

"I can see that," Evelyn said, crossing her arms.

"Are you mad at me?"

"Why would I be mad at you? I'm just worried about you."

"You don't have anything to worry about," Dash said. "Honestly."

Evelyn pressed her lips together. She wanted to believe him, but she couldn't stop worrying about him.

Evelyn took a step toward him. "Is there any way I can make you feel better?" She looked up at him and batted her eyelashes.

He grinned for the first time that morning and cupped her cheek. He kissed her, slow and gentle.

"I have an idea," Dash said, their foreheads pressed together.

"I'm open to suggestions."

"A day off. Just you and me."

Evelyn interlaced her fingers together around his neck. "Very tempting offer, but I have presentation in the morning. After lunch," she kissed him, her lips parted, "We could do that."

Dash smiled into their kiss. "You're the best."

Evelyn sighed into his mouth. Her fingers tangled in his hair, and she felt a deep need to explore him further. She didn't think of what they did last year when they skipped class. She thought of what she wanted to do now. It had been something she longed for over summer, and it hasn't gone away since school started. In Dash's arms, his wet mouth on hers, she wanted more. She was ready to explore more.

They broke apart, and Evelyn noticed the hallway was almost empty. Where was everyone?

The bell rang. Morning assembly.

Dash looked equally as dazed and leaned toward her. She drew her finger to his lips. "Later. We're late for assembly!"

"So?"

"So what? We're wasting time before they go through roll call."

"I wouldn't call this time wasting."

"Yes, but you don't have the privilege of being at the beginning of the alphabet." She kissed his cheek and squeezed his hands. "There's more where that came from. You'll see by lunch alright? Have patience and restraint."

Dash groaned. "If I must."

"Come on, Dash. Wouldn't it be worth it?"

His hand became stiff in hers. "Of course, it would. I love you."

"I love you too."

She didn't feel the terror of showing this to him any longer. She looked forward to showing him this afternoon.

PDA Alert! E and D spotted locking lips before morning assembly. Can someone tell them to get a room? You'd think it'd be easy for someone with as many connections as E.

Bart leafed through the records of Jack's flight history over the past ten years. It was one of the many compilations of data Andrew Tyler assembled for him since he called the day before. So far, Bart only saw flights to Bali, Paris, Dubai, New York, and Los Angeles. There was nothing suspicious about the timing, but this information gave him no leads. He needed more.

Bart dialled Andrew's number. "Andrew?"

"Hey Bart. Any luck with the info I sent you."

"No actually, which is why I called. I need you to dig deeper."

"How deep are we talking?"

"I want to know every move and every place Jack visited over the past five years. For starters."

"Bart, that would take weeks, months even."

"I know it will be tedious, but I am paying for you to do this."

"I understand. I just don't want you to have unrealistic expectations as to when I can get you this information."

"You will make this a priority," Bart said. "I am very fair with my pay, wouldn't you say, Andrew?"

"Of course. I'll start with this past year and work back from there."

Bart hung up the phone and put the papers back in the black folio. He took the folio and put it in the bottom left drawer of his desk. He locked it, and put the lock in his wallet.

Bart rested his elbows on his desk, threaded his fingers together, and leaned forward. His laptop was open to the New York Times business section, where Jack was profiled as the "New Era" of Bass Industries.

It was unlikely that Bart would find anything incriminating about Jack from the past decade. He knew all of his secrets. He knew that Jack has frequented brothels, dabbled in cocaine, partied since he could remember. Yet, there wasn't enough evidence to use this against Jack. If anything, it would be enough evidence for Jack to move forward and take him to court.

Bart's gaze drifted to the picture of the Van der Woodsen and Bass family that was taken during their trip to Tanzania a couple summers ago. It was taken in front of Kalambo Falls. Evelyn and Eric were in the middle of the photo, Serena and Chuck beside them, with Bart and Lily on the ends. They all smiled, faces flushed from hiking to get to the lookout point.

It was a trying hike, one filled with Serena and Chuck bickering, but they made it together. It was one of his favourite memories from the trip.

He knew Lily wouldn't approve of his snooping into his brother's past, but with Jack's takeover, all rules didn't apply anymore. He couldn't let Jack take away everything he'd built not only for himself, but his family.

Bart saw a familiar name pop up on the business news crawl. Jack may be forcing him out of the New York market, but he couldn't keep him out of every market around the world. And this one wasn't as far away.

Bart dialed the number and held it to his ear. "Russel. It's Bart. Yeah, I know it's been awhile. Listen, I just heard you're in town this week, and I was wondering if you'd like to grab a drink and catch up."

Sometimes, we have to dig deep into our pasts to build the bridge to our future. All it takes is a moment of serendipity. Where will this bridge lead you B?

"That motherchucker!" Blair said as she slammed her bedroom door, her gaze trained on her phone.

Joy sat at their small kitchen table, eating cheerios.

"Woke up on the wrong side of the bed?" Joy asked.

"Worse. I woke up in a seemingly alternate reality."

She looked at her phone again. Julian had texted her to meet on campus for their planning session on how they were going to recruit Chuck.

'How so?"

"Society stuff."

"Top secret?"

"Supposedly."

"I'm really good at keeping secrets," Joy said.

"How much has Simon told you?"

"Nothing major. Just when he leaves for meeting, or has a social night with the group. I don't know anything about ritual or whatever it is you all do."

"Well, we are in the process of recruitment."

"Ah. I do remember we staked out last year. It was our first ever bonding experience."

Blair rolled her eyes. "Enough with reminiscing about the past. My problem is now ever present." Blair rubbed her lips together and sighed. "Look. It appears that this year the society is looking to recruit someone I know."

"So, someone you don't want in the club?" Joy said.

"Exactly. And now I'm responsible for recruiting said person. I mean, this is my territory. I worked hard to get included in this club. The last thing I want is for that Motherchucker to join just to spite me, or worse, get close to me again."

"So the member you have to recruit is Chuck?"

"I can't tell you that, but that's a fair guess."

"If you don't want him in, why don't you tell the group that? Can't you say it's a conflict of interest."

"I would, but I don't want to put up a big fuss over it. I want to eventually lead this group, and I can't' do that if I don't have the support to vote me in. Apparently, the son of a real estate tycoon is an attractive get."

"I bet, but why don't you talk it over with Chuck once his shoulder's been tapped? If you ask nicely, he'll surely back off. He cares about you."

"You're right." Blair picked up her purse, feeling the wind return in her sails. "Once we deliver the invitation, I stage a casual walk-by, and I'll deter him from joining. He didn't like the idea of the society last year anyway."

"There you go. Problem solved."

Blair texted Julian back that she was on her way and with relaxed focus, she shut the door silently behind her.

Things had not returned to normal, or what Ozzy perceived as normal, after Ozzy walked in on Dash and Jenny in the kitchen. Dash was still sullen the next morning, and he didn't utter a word on the car ride to school. Ozzy began to wonder if something truly was wrong with Dash. He would know.

His morning classes went by in a haze of these thoughts and worries until the lunch bell rang.

Evelyn packed up her bag from the seat in the next row. She didn't seem too worried about Dash, but she may be been able to talk him out of it that morning. Ozzy wasn't sure if he should tell Evelyn that Jenny was at their place last night. Should he get himself involved? He didn't want his withholding of information to become a secret either.

"Are you coming?" Evelyn asked, eager to leave the classroom.

"Yeah." He shoved his notebooks in his bag and followed her out. Her footsteps were quick. They marched at a furious tempo that indicated that Evelyn needed to be somewhere.

"Evelyn? Can I tell you something?" Ozzy said as they walked.

Evelyn's pace slowed. "Of course. Is everything okay?"

"Yes. This isn't about me. It's about Dash actually."

"He wasn't being himself today, was he?" Evelyn said. "I noticed."

"Yeah. He wasn't yesterday either, but the strangest thing happened, and I think you should know about it."

Evelyn stopped walking, her brows furrowed. "What happened?"

"When my mom and I came back from the Ostroff Centre together, I overheard what sounded like a fight in the kitchen."

"Okay, and?"

"I heard Dash, and he wasn't alone. Jenny was there too. She was crying. Dash was angry. I think it has something to do with why Dash isn't himself. I tried to talk to him, but he brushed me off."

"Why was he with Jenny?"

"Apparently he was there for her when she needed help or something."

"There for her? In what way?"

"I don't know," Ozzy said. "All I know is that something was off. I think you should ask him yourself."

Evelyn nodded, her lips pursed. "Thank you for telling me. I'm going to see him now, so I'll ask him. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding."

Ozzy watched her pensive face start questioning the pieces he just presented her. She tried to piece them together like he did, but too many pieces were missing to show a full picture.

Ozzy watched Evelyn disappear into the courtyard. He really hoped he did the right thing. He knew something wasn't right with Dash and Jenny, but Evelyn had to know that too.

Ozzy felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He fished out his phone just as he reached his locker. When he looked at the screen, he saw it was a message from Gossip Girl. Whatever. He was about to pocket his phone when he noticed the others in the hallways opened the blast immediately. Their eyes were glued to their screens as they read and then watched. Some eyes widened from surprise. One girl's hand flew up to cover her mouth, but it was eerily silent in the hallway. Nothing but the sound of overlapping audio of hushed voices filled the hallway. What could Gossip Girl post about that was so interesting?

Ozzy opened the message and he began to read. And then he too watched.

The sounds of ring tones and vibrations in people's hands didn't seem unusual to Evelyn at first. She was working through the scenario Ozzy told her and she was consumed with questions. Jenny and Dash had a fight yesterday. Since when did they speak without her present? How often? It must be often if she went all the way to his house to speak with him. What did he help her with? Did she hear from Alejandro again? Was Thom after her now?

Evelyn put her books away in her locker consumed with these questions. She grabbed her lunch, her bag, and snapped her lock shut, all in a thoughtless swift routine. The more the questions began to multiply, the more unsettled she was. Was she acting like an out of line jealous girlfriend from feeling this way? Dash could talk to other girls, that has never bothered her in the past, but something felt different. Maybe it was because it was someone close to her. Maybe she wasn't as secure as she thought she was.

As she continued to ponder these questions, she didn't notice the eyes that followed her, that once watching the screens of their phones watched her. She couldn't hear the whispers that floated around her. Her phone vibrated in her bag from what felt like a while ago, but she didn't check it.

Evelyn took a deep breath. She just needed to stop drawing scenarios in her head. She needed to hear from Dash herself what the true story was. It was probably nothing as outlandish as her mind could imagine. She was probably overreacting.

Evelyn pulled out her phone as she neared the courtyard. At first, she thought the message she missed earlier was from Dash. But it wasn't.

It was from Gossip Girl.

Why is it that the greatest culprits come from the most unusual suspects? In all my years of reporting, I have to say that the greatest surprises come from the people you trust the most. Who are the culprits this time, you may ask? Our very own fallen Queen J and her best friend's D. While it takes two to keep a secret, all of that can unravel when a witness is at the right place at the right time. Don't believe me? See for yourselves.

Shaky camera footage revealed two people wearing school uniforms in the St. Jude's hallway. The camera steadied, and the frame was focused on two very familiar faces. As they spoke, the more Evelyn started to see strangers before her eyes.

"Jenny what are you doing here?" Dash said. "Are you stalking me or something?"

"You left me no choice. Dash, I can't pretend like this any longer," Jenny's voice cracked.

"You don't have a choice," Dash said. "You swore you wouldn't say anything."

"I can't keep that promise anymore. Dash, don't you feel guilty? Don't you…don't you feel like you're suffocating from all these lies? I feel like I can't breathe. I can't take this anymore."

"You think this is easy for me? To know that if Evelyn finds out that we slept together that I'm going to lose her forever? Of course, I feel guilty! I feel sick." His face looked ashen.

"Then let's tell her. It was one time, Dash. She'll forgive you…"

Dash shook his head violently. "No. You and I both know that she won't. She won't forgive me, and she won't forgive you."

"How long are you going to keep this lie going, Dash?"

"As long as it takes. I won't lose her."

The screen faded to black. Evelyn starred at the black screen, still. The video played over again in her head. Dash and Jenny talking. They had been intimate. Jenny and Dash. Dash and Jenny. Fucking.

Evelyn looked up from the screen. Outside, everyone waited for her to flee. They waited for her descent down the steps, for her humiliating retreat, phones in hand, mouths full with lies. All of them were liars. All of them.

Evelyn took a step back. Her knees threatened to buckle. She didn't know if she could even run down the steps and escape. She didn't want to risk further humiliation of falling in front of everyone.

"Evelyn!"

Ozzy ran down the hall towards her, winded. "There you are. Did you see the text from Gossip Girl?"

Evelyn grabbed onto his arm. "Ozzy, this isn't true. It…it can't be. Can it?"

Ozzy avoided her gaze. "I don't know."

"Where's Dash?" Evelyn hated how small her voice sounded.

Ozzy's gaze moved past her. "Behind you."

Dash stood before her, his face stony. "I can explain."

"All I need to know is one thing," Evelyn said, her voice unusually quiet. "Is it true?"

"Yes, but I can explain."

It was as if all the air was sucked out of the hallway. "There are no buts, Dash. You…You cheated on me," Evelyn's voice broke. "H-How could you do this to me?"

"You don't understand. We were really drunk, and it looked like you and Ozzy were together from the Gossip Girl blast, and I thought it was over, and then Jenny said some things—"

"Can't you hear yourself? You did this to yourself Dash. You are the one who slept with my best friend!"

"I know, but it was a mistake. A big colossal mistake." Dash took a step toward her. "If I could take it back, I would in a heartbeat. Sorry does not begin to cover it." He took another step toward her and reached for her hands. "I'm so sorry, Evelyn. I'm so sorry I hurt you."

Evelyn pulled her hands back. "I believed in you, Dash. I-I trusted you. I told you I loved you, but all of that's been a lie hasn't it? You've been lying to me this whole time!"

"I didn't know how to tell you—"

"It's only takes one sentence Dash." Evelyn covered her face with her hands and started crying.

She felt Dash's touch on her shoulder. "Evelyn, please. I'm so sorry. You know I love—"

"No!" Evelyn's wet hands flew from her cheeks and slapped his arm away. "No you don't. If you loved me, you'd never do ANYTHING to hurt me. I don't want to see you again. I can't even look at you!"

Evelyn took one step back and then another. Her knees were steady, and her pace was about to be brisk. She would take one last look at Dash's remorseful face and remember it. She'd forget how tousled his hair was from his hands pulling at it when he saw the blast. She would forget that his St. Jude's shirt had been misbuttoned, untucked from his pants. She'd forget that Ozzy was even there at all, or that he warned her before the blast dropped.

Evelyn would remember a sea of faces with phones waiting for her decent down the school steps. She would forget pushing someone who stood too close while saying, "Get a life!"

But nothing would compare to remembering the humiliation, betrayal, and heartache of that day, that moment. The only way she could avoid falling into that spiral was to run. Far, far, away.

There have been many times in Ozzy's life when he'd been surprised. Waking up to find his mom preparing for a beach day while living in Los Angeles was a welcome surprise. Meeting Evelyn for the first time, was a surprise because he didn't expect someone like her to tutor him. Seeing his dad last May for the first time was a surprise. But this was a surprise on an entirely different level. It was a surprise that left a sting of betrayal. It was a surprise that tainted Ozzy's perception of his brother. He couldn't conceive how Dash could do this.

Dash's gaze was fixated on the glass paneled doors where Evelyn had left them moments ago. His tie was loose, yellow button-down shirt untucked, hair dishevelled. His shoulder's slumped. His almond shaped eyes were frantic.

"What are you looking at?" Dash spat.

"You."

Ozzy stepped toward him. Ever since he moved to New York, he always thought Dash was an open book. Wore his heart on his sleeve. What he saw from Dash over the past year was consistent if not irritating. In that moment, Ozzy saw a different side of Dash. He too had been on the receiving end of Evelyn's wrath (admittedly deserved). He wasn't sure if he wanted to punch him or hug him.

"Well, take a picture. It'll last longer." Dash said, marching to the front doors.

"Where are you going?" Ozzy grabbed the crook of his elbow and yanked him back.

"I'm going after Evelyn, what do you think?" Dash flailed his arm in an attempt to shake off Ozzy.

Ozzy hung on and leveraged his body weight to hold Dash back. "After she told you she didn't want to see you again? Good luck with that one."

"Let go of me, Ozzy, or I'll make you" Dash said. "I mean it."

Ozzy didn't peg Dash as a fighter. A physical fighter that is. Dash was bigger than him, he would have more strength and size on his side. He would have to take a first crack, and dodge a first hit.

"Boys! For God's sake, break it up!"

Ozzy let go of Dash and straightened up to see Headmistress Queller with her arms folded, frowning.

"Sorry, Headmistress," Ozzy said.

"I'll give you both a warning this time, but next time you two decide to treat our school hallways as a boxing arena, you'll have detention to pay for it. I'll see to it that the Headmaster Williams will be made aware of this."

Ozzy fixed his tie. "Yes, Headmistress Queller."

As soon as Headmistress Queller proceeded down the hall, Dash pushed the front doors open.

"You're not actually going after her are you?" Ozzy said.

It didn't seem like a good plan at all. Right now, the best thing Dash and Evelyn needed was space from each other. And Jenny…where was Jenny anyway? She probably left too. Whispers of her exile to Brooklyn seemed all too real with her absence.

"Well I'm not going to stay here and do nothing. I'm not giving up on her."

Maybe that was the difference between him and Dash. When Ozzy betrayed Evelyn's trust back in Connecticut, he didn't chase after her. The wounds were fresh, and nothing could be hashed out in such a heated moment. He left her alone, and by the time he thought they could have a reasonable conversation, she had moved to New York. Dash was different. He was hellbent on winning Evelyn to the point that it was no more than a zero-sum effort at this point. He may not know it, but Dash would be left with nothing. Ozzy would know from his own experience.

Ozzy watched Dash descend the staircase from the doorway. The crowds had dissipated, but there were stragglers who careened when they saw Dash walked past them, trying to snap a picture of him.

Ozzy opened and shut the door. He stepped in and out of the building. Should he just stay out of this mess? Or should he be there when Dash's plan inevitably implodes? Would he have to choose a side? He of course was on Evelyn's side on this, not just because she was his best friend, but because she didn't deserve any of this. She deserved nothing but the best. But Dash…Dash was his brother whether he liked it or not, and he couldn't just abandon him now.

Ozzy pushed open the front door and traced Dash's steps down the staircase and through the front gates.

Chuck leafed through Andrew's package. There was a memo detailing the information Andrew was able to pull up from Jack's college years. He too studied at Columbia, was a part of the entrepreneur's society and a fraternity. The pictures were vague, some grainy, and they cobbled together a fragmented story defined by their missing pieces.

"Any luck?" Nate said from the kitchen.

"It's all a hay stack. No needle."

"It's still early right? Maybe Andrew will find something from later on in his life."

"I don't think so. If anything, there's got to be something that happened during the years that my Dad married my mom. Or, when she was pregnant with me and then Evelyn. The picture of him with my Mom… there has to be a story behind it. I just don't know where it starts."

Chuck sifted through the confidential files until his phone buzzed on the table. Nate's phone also pinged.

"Gossip Girl strikes again," Nate groaned.

Chuck flipped over his phone and started reading the blast. He was about to set it down when he realized it didn't concern him or any of his friends, until he saw that Evelyn was involved. He started the video, and watched.

When it was over, he sat back, silent. He didn't have questions. He wasn't shocked. This wasn't the first time he'd known someone to get caught in a cheating scandal on the Upper East Side. All he had to do was look at his very own roommate. But Chuck knew, that he would soon be angry.

"Did you see the blast?" Nate said with a measured tone.

"Yes."

"It looks to be true."

"Of course, it's true."

Chuck gathered all the documents on the coffee table and put them back in the envelop. Bass Industries and Jack would have to wait. Chuck picked up his phone and started calling Evelyn. No answer.

"What are you going to do?"

He didn't know what he was going to do, or how he was going to react. It would all depend on how he saw Evelyn.

"Well, first I'll try to track down Evelyn. If that insect that was her boyfriend gets in my path, then we'll see what happens. For starters."

"Need backup? I can kick his ass."

As much as he appreciated Nate's support, he really didn't think his best friend was one to insert himself in this matter. He too, had done the same thing to Blair years ago.

"I appreciate the offer, but no, I'll go alone."

Chuck tried to call Evelyn again. No answer. If she wasn't going to answer him, he was just going to have to find her, which meant he had to think like his sister. If he were Evelyn, where would he go?

Chuck pondered this all the way down stairs, and out through the lobby. He was so lost in thought that he missed a certain black beret wearing woman hiding in plain sight.

Russel Thorpe had not aged one day since the last time Bart saw him. He thought back to that time. Maybe five years ago. Early thousands. Distressed denim was a thing. Cargo pants were a thing. So were puffy jackets.

Russell struck his hand out to greet Bart. "Bart! It's so good to see you. You're looking well rested."

"That's what early retirement does to you."

"A temporary one I hope?" Russell said.

"The market still isn't doing too well, so we'll see."

They sat down and ordered drinks. Scotch. Straight for Bart. On the rocks for Russell.

"So what have you been up to since you stepped down from Bass Industries?"

"Lots of rest. Lily, my wife, and I stayed in the Hamptons all summer."

"Very nice. I planned a couple weekend getaways myself, but work just got too crazy."

"How is Thorpe Enterprises going?"

"It's great. Despite the crash, we're now expanding and even relocating many of our offices across the country."

"Where?"

"Seattle, Boston, and maybe New York."

"New York?"

"Brooklyn actually, but it's a start. New York is the toughest market to get into. You would know that better than me."

"Of course. What kind of investments are you making?"

"Commercial properties. Integrated space for businesses to rent office space for a lower cost."

Huh. Bart had never thought of that before. It intrigued him. For the next hour he asked questions about everything from the general to the particulars. How it would work? Would it be feasible? What's the end goal?

"You ask a lot of questions, Bart."

"I'm sorry. I've never heard of this kind of idea before. I was curious."

"Nah it's okay. Questions are helpful. Especially with someone as experienced as you. I'm surprised you haven't been approached yet from your competitors."

"Me too."

"So do you want to be retired? You've got that look in your eye that says otherwise."

"I think I still have a few years left in me. I thought I was ready, but I think I just needed to start scaling back."

"Well, listen. Someone with as much experience as you shouldn't be unemployed. I'm looking for someone to oversee the new office building I just purchased in Brooklyn. I'd love to take it on, but I need to be in my home base in Chicago. Would you want to do it?"

Just like that, there was the offer he was looking for.

"I'll think about it."

He didn't want to be too hasty. Sure, taking a job with Russell wouldn't be violating any new laws on the island. He was working for someone in Chicago who happened to be expanding in New York. The only thing he wondered was after working for himself for so long now, could he be content to work under someone else?

"Fair enough. Just know off the record that if your early retirement was a result of your brother's doing, perhaps we could do something together to reset the natural order? If you catch my drift?"

"And what would be in it for you?"

"I've got my crosses to bear with your brother. We've crossed paths many times. I'll be honest; I'm not a big fan of him, and he may have conned me with some investments in the past."

Bart was hardly surprised. It was a classic Jack Bass maneuver. Sly but messy.

"Like I said, I'll have to think about it."

"Please do. I don't know what he did to make you step down, but I can imagine it was something important. You don't have to tell me anything, but if you want some justice to be paid, you can count me in."

While revenge is always a tempting offer, is it the most sustainable? We hear B's asking for a friend.

Blair and Julian walked out of Chuck's building in what felt to Blair like the most conspicuous form of espionage she had ever participated in. She wore her black beret for this?

"All of that planning…just so we could hand deliver an envelope under Chuck's front door?"

"It's a sacred tradition, Blair," Julian said. "It takes a lot of planning to figure out where prospectives live and deliver their hand-crafted invitations."

"So now, all we have to do is wait? I thought you said you needed me for this."

"We do. Give it twenty-four hours, and then you will go and talk to him about it. See if he's interested or not, so we can finally have an answer."

"Why exactly do you need me to do that?"

"Because we're a secret society. He can't know who we are. He already knows about you, so if you talk to him, we don't risk exposing our secrets."

"We wouldn't want those secrets to be exposed, now would we?" Blair said.

"Nope. I'm pretty sure if someone did that, not only would that potentially lead to exposing our society, but the ghosts from our society's past would haunt them forever."

"Chilling. Julian, as President, maybe you could enlighten me about something. Why are you trying to recruit Chuck Bass?"

Julian stopped walking. "Honestly, I didn't think we needed him for our society. Sure, he's one of the most well-connected people on this island, but I don't think he would be a person to follow our values. Anyway, we're a democratic organization, we vote for members, and there were enough people who wanted to try recruiting him again."

"I understand. He a difficult candidate to ignore."

"Yes. And, well I'm not supposed to be telling you this, but we'll keep this off the record. Many times, members look to bring in new members because of what they have to offer them professionally. Someone like Chuck has a father, and now family, who run Bass Industries which hires thousands of people all around the world. Some members would want to network with Chuck, so his network becomes their network. Does that make sense?"

It sounded like complete normalcy for Blair.

"As for me, I like to see the potential in prospectives. I don't look at them based on what they can offer me, but what our group can offer them. There are some people in the Locke and Key who don't have one tenth of the power and connections that Chuck has; but they do have talent, drive, and potential. Someone like Simon. He's not a legacy or comes from wealth, but he is the definition of prospective. He's a writer who has already been published. That's remarkable and we're very lucky to have him enriching our group."

"If you're so keen on finding potential, then why did you choose me?"

"Why didn't I choose you? You were another clear example of someone who had potential."

"And my parents? My mother is a fashion designer you know."

"Don't get me wrong, she's very good at what she does, but that didn't play a factor."

"It didn't?"

"No because we wanted you, not your mother. We wanted the ambitious leader that you were…even with your unorthodox leadership techniques."

"I like to think they're forward thinking."

Julian let out a laugh. "They're something." His face turned serious. "Look, I know this must be difficult for you since you are not together with Chuck anymore. I don't mean to pry, but how are you feeling about this?"

"Well, it's less than ideal, but Chuck and I left our relationship on civil terms. If he decides to join Locke and Key, then it will be a difficult adjustment. He hasn't made that decision yet, so I'm hopeful."

"You hope he'll decline."

Blair looked away. "It's hard to find a place on this island without his imprint on it."

"I bet. Perhaps…we could preserve another space from his imprint?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean."

Blair smirked. "I already thought of it."

Julian grinned. "I know you did. Look, if your conversation with Chuck doesn't lead to him accepting his invitation, then we'll be forced to move on."

"And?"

"I'll plead willful blindness and look the other way if you choose one of your unorthodox strategies to persuade him to say no."

"That seems very unethical, Julian."

Julian shrugged. "I'm sure he has good qualities, but I don't think we need him just because he's Chuck Bass."

"That is his tag line."

"Of course, it is." Julian placed his warm hands on her forearms. "Anyway, does that sit well with you?" He looked at with a concern and assurance for her feelings that was unfamiliar to her.

Blair felt nothing but elation with Julian's permission to handle Chuck's invitation her own way. "Yes."

With all the possibilities that now stood before her, Blair reached and removed the beret off her head. She wouldn't be needing it.

Lunch had passed, and there were no posts of Evelyn's whereabouts on Gossip Girl. After dropping a nuclear bomb, Gossip Girl had gone silent, benign. Ozzy anticipated the messages his mom would receive of his absence in his afternoon classes, but she would have to understand, right?

They had checked the high line, a couple of Evelyn's favourite ice cream shops, the Bass Penthouse, and now they walked through Central Park. The leaves were beginning to change colour, blushes of yellow and brown leaves began to fall on the sidewalks like teardrops.

Dash had started to lose momentum. At first, Ozzy had to jog to keep up with his long stride, but now Dash ambled, his forehead creased.

"Where could she be?" Dash wondered out loud. He dialled her number again, and held the phone to his ear.

"Maybe she's at her brother's?" Ozzy said.

"He was spotted on campus today. He's probably not home."

"But you don't know that," Ozzy said. "He probably saw the blast too."

Dash sighed. "I know."

No doubt Dash wanted to keep the secret so he didn't have to face the wrath of Chuck Bass. Evelyn was one thing, but from what Ozzy learned about Chuck was that he would not have as much mercy. Maybe he'd hire some henchmen to jump them?

Ozzy looked over his shoulder for any suspicious, bulky man. It was totally plausible.

"Maybe she went to a place we wouldn't expect?" Ozzy said.

Dash scanned every park bench as they continued through the park. "We both know only you could answer that one. You do know her the best, don't you?"

He wasn't going to take the bait. "I think that title belongs to her Aunt Kim."

"Great. Another person who's going to hate me forever," Dash mumbled.

They approached the East Gate of the park.

"I don't think she's here," Ozzy said. He fished out his phone from his pocket. He had texted Evelyn earlier asking if she was okay and where she was, but he got no response. He checked again. Nothing.

Dash threaded his hand through his hair. "You don't think she left the city, do you?"

"Well, she did move away when I betrayed her trust in tenth grade, so she has done it before," Ozzy said.

Dash shook his head. "You know, all of this wouldn't have happened if you didn't run away that night."

Okay, now he really was asking to be punched in the face. "Excuse me?"

"If you didn't go missing, Evelyn wouldn't have left me to find you. I wouldn't have had to defend Jenny at the party when the only reason I went back was to look for your sorry ass!"

Ozzy's fingers started to curl into fists. "Are you seriously trying to blame me for what you did?"

"Yes because you are to blame! You have always been a part of the problem! You being here is a problem! Why are you even here anyway?"

Ozzy's fists loosened. He felt off balance, as if Dash had just kicked him in the chest. "You're right. Why do I even bother? I'm here because I'm just as concerned about finding Evelyn as you are, but I'm trying to be here for you."

"Why would I need someone like you?" Dash spat.

A blink of an eye later, Ozzy's fist cracked Dash's nose. It was a moment that required no thought between his brain and fist. All he felt was blinding anger. Anger from Pat Buchanan, Logan, Donny, and now Dash. They were all the same, weren't they?

"Because I'm your brother," Ozzy spat, his chest heaving. "Isn't that enough?"

Dash staggered to his feet, blood seeping through his fingers. He hunched over, his blood dripping on the concrete.

"That's not going to stop the bleeding," Ozzy said.

"I don't want it to stop," Dash said. "I deserve it."

He wasn't going to disagree. Ozzy reached into his pockets, trying to find a napkin. His pockets were empty.

"So is your plan going to include bleeding out on the sidewalk?" Ozzy said.

Dash stood up right, his shirt now bloodstained. "No," He scowled.

"Come on," Ozzy said. "You can continue your search tomorrow."

"What if it's too late?" Dash said.

Ozzy knew things were bad if Dash couldn't find any hope in the situation. What was he supposed to say? Lie? Say that because she loves him that she'll take him back? He could describe Evelyn in many ways, but forgiving wasn't one of them.

"Right now, no news is good news. Try again tomorrow. That's how you guys got together to begin with right?"

"Right," Dash said, his voice strained.

"Then let's go home," Ozzy said. The words didn't feel right as they rolled off his tongue, but he knew it was the right thing to say in the moment. It was the right thing to say to get Dash in the limo and home so Philip and his mom wouldn't worry. But it did come at a cost. He lied. There was no way Dash would get back together with Evelyn. He would make sure of it.

Spotted: Two brothers coming to blows at Central Park. O may have given the first hit, but let's see if D is ready to retaliate.

Lily was chatting away on the phone when the penthouse elevator pinged, announcing Bart's return. He didn't expect his meeting with Russell to go over so well. Russell, although a competitor, had a good vision and even more, better timing. The economy had been rough over the past few years. Bass Industries, while overall unharmed, faced a few hits from the stock market. He couldn't imagine what will happen now that Jack plans on taking the company public. Bart could already predict the volatility that will cause the value of the stock to fluctuate. It was an unnecessary risk.

He had been pondering all afternoon whether or not to take Russell's offer. It was a job that streamlined his skills and experiences, just a smaller scale. It would be in New York, putting him back on Jack's radar. Russell could also prove to be the perfect ally to win back Bass Industries. So far, he'd been boxed in when trying to win back Bass Industries on his own. He was going to need help this time.

Lily hung up the phone and sighed. "That was the Julia from the Altman Foundation. There's been a terrible situation where the venue for this weekend's fundraiser had to cancel, so we have to find something on short notice."

"I would check to see if the Palace was available, but that's not under my purview anymore."

"Oh that's fine. I'll call Silvia, the facilities manager at the Palace, or any other venue that will take us this late." Lily put her phone down and greeted him with a kiss on each cheek. "Anyway, how was your day?"

"Productive."

Bart unbuttoned his suit jacket and they took a seat on the couch. "I met up with an old friend of mine from Chicago who was in town. Russel Thorpe. Have you met?"

Lily crossed one leg over the other, her eyes staring at the coffee table. "On a couple of occasions."

"Well, we met up and just caught up since it has been a few years since we last saw each other."

"How lovely."

"We spoke about business, and of course, how I stepped down at Bass Industries, and this all led to an offer."

"An offer for what exactly?"

"A job offer. Thorpe enterprises is expanding, and they have purchased a massive commercial building in Brooklyn. He asked if I would be interested."

"And are you interested?"

"I've been thinking about that all afternoon. Lily, I wonder if I was a bit hasty with my retirement. I mean, this kind of work is what I love to do, and its much smaller in scale. I have to let him know if I want to take it or not."

"What's your gut telling you?"

"It's saying I should take it. I'm a bit hesitant to work for someone else, but this role has enough distance between Russell and I where I can do my work without being micro managed."

"That's a very good point. You've been your own boss for many years now. The last thing you'd like is for someone to tell you what to do."

"Exactly. What do you think?"

"I think you should do it. I haven't said much, but I've seen you become restless since we returned from the Hamptons. If this is a way to keep yourself busy with doing what you love, then what's there to lose? Try it, see if it works out, walk away if it doesn't."

He didn't think walking away was the most immediate options. There were legalities, contracts to be signed, ownership to be taken. But Lily was right. He had nothing to lose.

After mulling it over in his head one more time, Bart picked up his phone and dialled.

"Hey Russell. I've made my decision about your offer. I'll take it."

After driving around the city all afternoon, Chuck concluded that disappearing must have been an inherited Bass trait. Over his teen years, Chuck was good at disappearing. He would disappear to Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and no one would bat an eye. He rarely called, or felt the need to update his father on his whereabouts. Life went on as usual. However, today seemed to stop for him when he saw the Gossip Girl blast. He knew his sister was in the middle of sorting through her heartbreak and aguish, and just like her sixteenth birthday, she probably ran away.

Confirmed: It was a genetic Bass trait.

Chuck assumed that he would easily be able to find his sister from all of his experience disappearing over the years. He ordered Arthur up and down every street on the Upper East Side, Midtown, and the Meatpacking District. Nothing.

He tried calling her again and again. Most times it would lead right to voice mail; a few times the line was busy. As people began to pour out of the office buildings at the end of the business day, the sun now fading behind the towers around him, he was starting to worry. She had to come back home that evening. She didn't leave with her passport, she couldn't have gotten far.

Arthur parked the car right outside his building, or rather, outside the Van der Woodsen and Bass family home. There was no commotion, no high school girls lurking to get the money shot of Evelyn fleeing, like a horse that knocked off its rider.

The Penthouse was calm. His father was upstairs in his office. Lily sorted through mail at her desk. Eric was nowhere in sight.

"Charles." Lily stood and kissed him on both cheeks. "What a lovely, yet unexpected, surprise. What brings you home?"

"I just wanted to check on my sister."

"She's not home yet. Eric said she stayed late for tutoring lessons. She should be home soon."

Ah, tutoring lessons. Eric's version of a lie; a wider expansion of a past truth.

"Is Eric around?"

"Yes, he's in his room."

Eric was pacing in his room when Chuck knocked on his door.

"Chuck! W-What are you doing here?"

"I saw the blast."

Eric sighed. "I can't believe it."

"It's believable all right," Chuck said. "I went to high school once. So, tutoring lessons?"

Eric sat on the edge of his bed, combing his hands through his hair. "Argh, I didn't know what else to say! I didn't want her to panic, but I have no idea where Evelyn is. I've called, texted her, tried to use her phone's location to find out where she is. Nothing."

"I tried the same. Arthur drove me around the city trying to find her. No luck."

"What do we do now? If she doesn't come home by dinner, our parents are going to freak out."

"Evidently, but we could buy some more time. Say she went over to Jenny's for dinner?"

"Jenny is the last person Evelyn would be with right now."

"That's right, but it would buy us more time. I think that's all we can do."

"What do you mean that's all we can do, Mr. I have a P.I. on speed dial?"

"Evelyn doesn't want to be found right now, Eric. Having the best P.I. on speed dial doesn't change that fact. All we can do is wait."

"Until what? She ends up on the missing person's report?"

"Don't be so dramatic, Eric."

"Don't be dramatic? Chuck, you didn't see the scene today. There were swarms of people trying to get pictures of Evelyn, trying to get more details as to how it happened. It was a gossip bomb."

Chuck suddenly felt the urge for a scotch.

"I've sent a few back in my day. It'll pass. It always does."

"And let me guess, we have to wait for that day?"

"Yes, but it will happen eventually. Besides, that's not our priority right now."

"And what would our priority be exactly?"

"We wait for Evelyn to come home."

For such a small island, Evelyn found it easy to disappear in the city. There were enough boroughs, streets, nooks and crannies to hide and not be discovered. All she had to do was hide in plain sight. She had been wandering the streets all afternoon, and so long as she kept moving further outside the Upper East Side, the less likely she would be found.

At first, Evelyn wanted nothing more than to go back to the penthouse and lock herself in her room. She wanted to crawl under the covers and burrow not just for the night, but for the whole season. How could she show her face again? How could she ever face Dash or Jenny again? They were her two of her closest friends outside her family. How could they do this to her?

A new round of sobs strangled her. Evelyn ducked into the first shop on her left. She stumbled into the Strand bookstore. She avoided the cheery faces at the line of tills waiting to welcome her. She walked up to the second floor, and found the furthest corner in the religion section before slumping to the floor. She clasped her arms and braced them against her knees. She leaned forward, head bent down and away from prying eyes and cried. But no tears came.

Evelyn took a deep breath and leaned her head against the bookcase. How is it possible that she cried out all of the tears already? She needed to rehydrate asap.

Evelyn pulled out her phone to see an inbox full of messages ranging from Dash calling her over twenty times to Chuck, Eric and her father demanding to know where she was, to Ozzy constantly asking if she was okay. It should feel relieving to know that there were people who cared about her, but she didn't want to be coddled. She wanted to be alone in this haze between disbelief, panic, and heartbreak. How could any of them understand how she was feeling? She was so overwhelmed with emotion that she didn't even understand what she was feeling.

"Excuse me, Miss, but is there anything I can help you with?" An employee asked, his gaze unsure if he should approach.

"No." Evelyn got to her feet. "Just browsing." She made of show of picking up the Bible and leafing through its passages.

"No problem. Just let us know if you need assistance."

"Thank you."

Evelyn slammed the book shut. As if she could seek solace in the Bible right now. She hadn't even read all of it. Evelyn put it back on the shelf, rubbed her dry eyes and left the shop.

The sun was starting to set, but she wasn't hungry. She had no doubt that her father was worried where she was. She let her phone buzz in her pocket, unanswered. She continued her walk, her feet aching. She couldn't stop now because if she did, she wouldn't be able to get back up again. Not this time.

Why does this keep happening to her? What is it about her that people seem to take advantage of? What did she do to make this happen?

Maybe she was too stubborn. She shouldn't have left that night. Or maybe she should have taken Dash with her. Not going was out of the question with what was at stake with Ozzy. She trusted Dash. He gave her no reason not to. But now, that trust was shattered.

Too many questions were paralyzing her. What would she do? How would she cope? Who could she trust? She knew there was an army waiting to protect her at the Bass Penthouse, but she didn't want them to fight this battle for her. Sure, Chuck was a scheming expert, and if her dad knew, assuming he did, she wouldn't know what would be left of Dash. But she needed to handle this on her own.

No matter how much he hurt her, she still loved him. She couldn't turn that off immediately although she wished she could. But whatever came next, she wanted to do on her terms. Her rules. Her control.

What did she want to do?

A part of her wanted to stay the course, mourn, withdraw from everything. That's what she'd usually do. She'd store her feelings away in a tight box, and stash it under her bed to be dealt with at a later date where she emotionally was available to do so. That worked with her other pains and betrayals.

But this time, that didn't seem to be enough.

Evelyn grabbed her phone, ignored all of the messages and rewatched the video. Seeing Dash and Jenny together made her wonder how long they were suppressing their feelings for one another. Did they exchange longing glances? Flirt behind her back like they were sharing a joke? What led up to them having sex? Grotesque images of Dash and Jenny having sex rolled in short bursts. She could hear his moaning, reaching a climax they never reached. What did Jenny have that she didn't?

She wanted to scream. She was trapped in a nightmare that she didn't have the creativity to imagine.

Evelyn wanted Dash to hurt as much as she was hurting now. She wanted Jenny to pay for her betrayal, really pay the price for once. Why not do something to right their wrongs? She'd done it with Miss. Carr, and it was the right thing to do. Shouldn't Dash and Jenny face the same consequences?

Evelyn had let things go too many times. No matter how hurt she was, she didn't want to retaliate and hurt those that she loved back. She didn't feel the same this time.

Evelyn pulled out her phone. More missed calls from her father, Chuck and Dash. She texted her dad saying that she was fine and was coming back to the Penthouse. She was ready to face their attempts to coddle her, make her feel better in her time of disaster. She would thank them, smile, pretend that although hurt, she would get through it. They'd believe it.

But that's not what she would be thinking. The more Evelyn thought about what she could do to Dash and Jenny, the more focused and purposeful she felt in a very long time. Why stay on the sidelines like a martyr? What good has that ever done for her? On the Upper East Side, doing nothing doesn't get you anywhere.

For the first time in her life, Evelyn wanted to get even. And she would do it by any means necessary.

Hell hath no fury than a Bass scorned. If I were D or J, I'd sleep with one eye open tonight. Looks like this Bass is about to show her true colours. Watch out kiddies. This battle is about to get messy.

You Know You Love Me,

XOXO Gossip Girl

A/N: And there you have it! The truth has finally come out, Bart has found a new job and ally with Russell Thorpe, and Blair/Chuck will be back in each other's orbits next chapter! To top it off, Evelyn is ready to fully embrace her Bass side with her quest of revenge. Who's ready to see that?

So what's up next? The next chapter will be titled: "Evelyn on the Edge". How do you think Evelyn will carry on from here? Did Bart make the right call? Is there any hope for Blair/Chuck? Let me know what you think in a review!

Till next time,

XOXO EZ11