Chapter I – Victor, Victrola

From: Nicole.
Honey, I leave tomorrow in the morning. Be there by midday. I'll get you after school. Love u. – Nic.

Nate read the message again as he stepped inside the halls of St. Jude's. So it would take another day for Nicole to be in town. He took a deep breath, trying to find the best of it: at least she was coming. He closed his cell phone as he remembered something else: he had to find Jenny and he had to do it fast.

As he walked from the halls of St. Jude to Constance he reviewed the facts of that morning in his mind: his mother had chosen a few rehab centers for him to go to and he finally had the chance to tell his father in private that he knew the drugs were his.

'The old man doesn't wear the hours as well as he used to', his father told him that morning. Alleging that this guy at the office offered him the coke, he didn't even like and he would flush it as soon as he got the chance. However, typical of Howie Archibald, he cut the conversation short and said he would talk to his mom before he had to end up in one of those facilities without having to. He promised to meet Nate after school for drinks.

Nate wasn't very sure if his father was actually telling the truth, but he wondered for a second if he had done right calling Nicole for help. What if their father actually never uses those things again? Would Nicole be mad at him for coming to New York for nothing?

But this wasn't all of Nate's problems: he also had Blair to deal with. He still held strong feelings for her, but his mind was confused with Serena's come back. And he still had to apologize for being so distant at the masquerade ball… But more than that, he had to find Jenny first.

"Oh," Nate said as he found Jenny just crossing the hall in front of him. "Serena, right?" he asked sarcastic.

"Uh," Jenny said a little shy and surprised. "That-That's funny."

"Not really, no." he said with a laugh, though a bit serious. He knew already it was Jenny he told his feelings for Serena last night, not really Serena. And he had to fix that; fast.

"No, uh…" Jenny agreed with a shy smile. "So, what are you doing in the girls' hall?"

"I was looking for you, actually." He said and she raised her eyebrows as he gestured for her to follow him outside.

"You know, I really didn't mean anything I said," he started, sitting on a bench outside. "About having feelings for Serena."

"Maybe you didn't," Jenny replied quickly, sitting by his side. "I just— I mean, I don't even care. But other people might."

"Yeah, I know," Nate nodded.

"Yeah, including my brother." She said observing as took a brown rectangular box with a yellow bow around it. "You brought me chocolates?"

"Look," Nate said. "I know you care about being friends with Blair. And your brother, he's with Serena. And I just really need you to help me out here. You promise?"

"Promise what?" Blair's voice came from his other side and he turned around immediately, hugging his girlfriend and turning the box of chocolates to her.

"Promise to help come up with a more creative apology than these," he thought of quickly, handing the box to Blair. "I'm sorry for taking you for granted lately, okay?"

"Aw," Blair said with a bright smile, taking the box with her hands. "That is so sweet. But I prefer the gold collection," she said with smile, kissing him briefly on the lips. "But thank you!"

As they talked, Blair observed slyly Jenny rolling her eyes to her and leaving. But right after kissing Nate, she stood up and followed her. Nate observed for a second as they talked, but quickly Blair returned to him and sat by his side.

"So, will you tell me what happened yesterday?" she asked with a smile.

"I'm sorry, there is just a lot in my mind lately," he said thoughtfully, but careful for her not to note he really had a lot on his mind. "Let's just forget that, huh?"

"Okay," Blair smiled and laid on to kiss him as she heard the bell. After a brief kiss she picked up her bag and books. "See you after school?"

"No, sorry," Nate said, standing up. "I've got this thing with my dad."

"It's okay, don't worry." She smiled nodding and waved goodbye as she stepped inside the halls of Constance, with that, Nate turned the other way and entered St. Jude's.

x

"Hey dad," Nate said after he heard his father answering the phone. "I'm like, ten blocks away."

Nate barely could pay attention at school that day, thinking of the conversation he had with his father and rest of it that he was about to have. As soon as he left school he went straight toward his father's office, which wasn't so far away from St. Jude's.

"What?" Howard Archibald said on the other side of the line. "Oh sorry, Nate. I have to take a rain check on our drink."

"Why?" Nate stopped his pace, not believing what he just heard.

"Client in crisis," Howard said. "Can't get out of the office. But I will come home as soon as I can."

"Well, dad," Nate said, clearly disappointed. "Our talk was kind of important."

"It's business, Nate. You understand, right?" Howard said. "We'll talk later."

And before Nate could answer, he hung up. Nate sighed and hung up himself, putting the cell back on his pocket. He stood there for a moment before deciding to go to his father's office anyway and continued his pace.

It didn't take long for him to reach the building and he quickly made his way through the exquisite reception. The receptionist smiled, recognizing him, but didn't announce his entrance, since he was family. So Nate went up the marbled stairs and stood at the top of it as he had a sight of his father's office.

He could see some men drinking and talking lowly and he observed as his father stood up from an armchair and walked out of the office. Quickly before being seen, Nate walked to the corridor, so he could observe as his father went downstairs.

And then he saw what he's been expecting to: Howard Archibald trading money for another sack of cocaine. He just couldn't believe his eyes, even though he already knew it.

x

Next morning, Nate woke up with the sound of his cell. He took it immediately, but saw it was a call from Chuck and didn't bother to answer. He stood up from his bed and carried on with his morning duties: showering and getting ready to school.

He still couldn't believe his dad lied again to him, but he thought it was best to wait for Nicole to come home, so he could tell her and they would deal with it together.

As he finished getting dressed he picked his phone again and listened to Chuck's message: 'Nathaniel, your position in my esteem has been replaced by your voice mail. So Bart didn't go for Victrola, but truth is I bought the house out already for tonight and it's not a par-tay without my people or any people. I'll see you there.'

And there again, Nate completely forgot Chuck had been trying to get his father to invest in this burlesque club. Apparently it didn't work for his friend and also apparently by Chuck's voice, he again discounted it on drinking. But Nate wasn't sure he was the right person to be on Chuck's side on that moment and with that thought, he headed alone to school, avoiding seeing his mother on the hallways of their house.

Meeting Chuck only on his last period was actually the best thing that could have happened to him that morning. He observed Chuck's lost hung-over eyes in class and half laughed as his friend joined him when the bell rang.

"Man, I can't believe he didn't go for it," Chuck said as they crossed the hallways. "I mean, the proposal was fantastic."

"I know, huh." Nate said distractively as he heard both his and Chuck's cell ringing at the same time. And when this happened, it meant only one thing: Gossip Girl.

From: Gossip Girl.
Spotted: Nicole Archibald at the JFK. A lot of come backs lately. Who's next? – Gossip Girl.

"Oh, I get you now," Chuck said after reading the message and scrolling down the picture of a brunette blue eyed woman on his cell phone, just outside the JFK, taking a cab. "You didn't tell me your sis would be back."

"I didn't have to, after all," Nate said a bit irritated by the fact not even his sister escaped Gossip Girl.

"She looks hotter than ever," Chuck said, still analyzing the picture, as they stepped outside.

"Oh shut up." Nate said and before Chuck could even reply, they were both taken by surprise as a girl quickly wrapped her arms around Nate.

"Nate!" Nicole said, still with her arms wrapped around Nate's neck in a strong embrace. She felt him taken by surprise, but soon his arms were around her waist, returning the hug.

"Oh, it's so good to see you!" she said with a smile, distancing herself from him so she could look at his eyes.

Nicole Archibald was a brunette of 23 years old. Her skin was fairly white, and very slightly tanned. Her eyes were bright blue, just like her brother and her black hair was slightly waved and a little longer than her bust line. Her lips were full and her face features delicate; her slim body wore a pair of dark jeans with high heel boots up to her knees, over her jeans combined with a simple black shirt buttoned up, leaving a small cleavage. In her right hand she carried a black Chanel bag and a pack of cigarettes.

"It's good to see you too," Nate said, observing his sister. "You look great. I missed you."

"Oh honey, I missed you, too," Nicole said with a smile, caressing her brother's cheek. "But I'm here now."

"Sorry to burst into this beautiful family moment." Chuck's voice came from their right and both Nicole and Nate looked at him, who had been staring at Nicole for long seconds.

"Oh, hey Chuck," Nicole said with a smile. "Sorry I didn't see you there."

"I can be a very good voyeur," Chuck said slyly. Nicole laughed.

"I see you've become nasty just like your brother," she said with a smile and Chuck smiled back, faking a reverence.

"He still more of a gentleman than I will ever be," he replied and Nicole shook her head laughing. "But of course you know all about that."

"Please don't, Chuck," she warned, a bit more serious.

Last time she heard of Gregory Bass, he got married to some British girl. She couldn't bring herself in reading about the whole wedding in the social column at the New York Times online, so she barely remembered the girl's name. This was more than four years ago and since then she didn't bother about him anymore. What was in the past, was in the past.

"I'm sorry," he said. It's not like he knew what had ever been between Nicole and his brother, all he knew they were good friends all through high school, but Greg Bass never told him in details of their relationship. "It's good to see you back. You look… Really good."

"And you've grown up," she said with a sarcastic smile and Nate laughed.

"Ouch, thank you," Chuck replied with a smile. "So what brings you back to hell?"

Nicole, who had been holding Nate's hand all the time, gestured with her head to Chuck.

"Does he know?" she asked and Nate nodded. "Well, that. This probably had been taking my brother's sleep lately."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about it," Chuck said sincerely and Nicole gestured apathetically, clearly hiding her concern, so he chose to change the subject. "Well, I'm sure now I've seen you again; my sleep will also be taken care of."

"Hey," Nate said in a warning tone. "She's my sister, man."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Nate," Chuck said sarcastically. "But you can't compete with her. I'm sure I'm not the first Bass to lose sleep over her. Actually, Greg will be happy to know you're back."

"Don't you even think—" Nicole started. She knew Chuck was playing, but she also knew he was smart. He didn't know anything about her and his brother, but she could feel he was slowly trying to find out.

"What? I won't tell him, it's not like I need to," Chuck replied with a smile. "Gossip Girl already delivered the happy share of information."

"Gossip what?"

"It's this anonymous girl that gossips around on her blog and through text messages." Nate explained shortly and Nicole rolled her eyes.

"Oh great," she said. "Don't you kids have anything else to worry about?"

"Oh come on, Nicole, you've had your time," Chuck said. "And you're sounding like my grandmother. Besides, don't you worry, Gregory is in London."

"I'm not worried." Nicole said defensively and Chuck nodded sarcastically.

"Yeah, right."

"So, have you seen mom and dad yet?" Nate cut the tension as he saw Nicole's furious eyes staring at Chuck's suggestive ones.

"No, I'm going there now with you." Nicole replied, looking from Chuck to Nate. "I'm staying at the Palace."

"What?" Nate asked in shock, distancing himself from her again. "I thought you were coming home, literally."

"Look Nate, it's complicated," Nicole said lowly, biting her lower lip, then she looked at Chuck standing there watching the two of them. "Some privacy, please?"

"Oh, sorry," Chuck said and walked toward his limo waiting for him. "See you both later." And after a wave from Nicole and a nod from Nate, he entered the limo and left.

"Listen," Nicole said after she put the pack of cigarettes back in her purse and approached Nate again, taking his hand. "Mom and dad never really got over the fact I didn't go to college. Which is why they're so hard on you. I'm the good child gone bad for them, so I don't think it's the time for me to just come home with my bags and all."

"But I need you there." Nate said with a sigh and looked at the ground, the back to her eyes, even though she was older, she was slightly shorter than him, even wearing heels. "You have no idea how hard it is to be there."

"You don't have to be there, you can stay at the Palace, with me." She said with a caring smile, carefully squeezing his fingers with hers. "You told me yourself you're always crashing over at Chuck's suite there. You can be with me now."

"Anyway, we better get going," she said with a smile after he nodded and walked towards the street, waving her hand to a taxi that stopped for them. Nate held the door for her and entered right after.

"So, fill me up," she said after telling the driver their home address.

Nate glanced at the driver by the rear mirror and made sure he wasn't paying attention to their conversation. Even though the driver did seem way too distracted, he sat closer to his sister, who took his hand again.

"I saw dad buying more yesterday," he said lowly, but she could hear him well. She didn't seem very surprised, but nodded for him to continue. "Yesterday we were supposed to have drinks after school to discuss this, but he canceled. I went to his office anyway and saw him buying more from this guy."

"Do you know him?" Nicole asked as lowly.

"No, never saw him there before."

"Well, we gotta tell mom," she said and he nodded.

"She probably won't believe us," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "I know she never believes me."

"Well, we will make her then," Nicole said with a reassuring smile and laid over, kissing him on the cheek. "Don't worry, everything will be alright."

x

"Nathaniel! Good, you're back." Anne Archibald said after she glanced to the stairs and caught a glimpse of Nate. "I'm late for my blowout at Arden's, but good you—"

"Hey mom," Nicole said after she stopped talking suddenly as she looked back at the stairs and found Nicole beside Nate.

"When did you arrive?" Anne asked in surprise, but didn't move to greet her daughter. "Where are your things?"

"I arrived today, I won't be coming home," Nicole said quietly and felt Nate's fingers grasping hers to give support. "I'm staying at the Palace."

"Nate, will you excuse us for a second?" Anne asked, looking away from Nicole's eyes.

"No, he's staying." Nicole said before Nate could move. He stayed in silence, looking from his sister to his mother as they spoke.

"Well, as you please," Anne gestured apathetically and walked to a couch, taking her purse. "As I said, I'm late. Maybe you could come with us to the Waldorf's tonight."

"Mom, the drugs you found were dad's." Nicole said at once and Nate glanced at her, who squeezed gently his fingers and smiled reassuring, looking at him.

"What?" Anne stopped her pace, staring at her children.

"The drugs were dad's," Nate repeated what he sister said and continued. "I mean, I guess he thought it'd be easier on everyone if I took the hit. But they were his."

Anne stood in silence for a second, before sitting on the couch. Nate glanced at Nicole who nodded for him to continue and he let go of her hand, approaching their mother.

"I don't understand," Anne said, looking at the wooden floor.

"Tell her, Nate," Nicole said reassuringly again as she stepped closer to them and sat on the couch's arm, beside Nate.

"He promised me he'd flush the coke," Nate continued as he felt Nicole's hand on his shoulder. "Then I caught him buying more."

"The lengths that you will go to stay out of trouble, Nate," Anne said, narrowing her look and looking at her son. Nate stared at her in awe, glancing at Nicole for a second, who watched everything as if she wasn't surprised by anything.

"He's telling the truth, mom," Nicole said quietly from over Nate's shoulder. Anne shot a look at her.

"Well, you aren't exactly Miss Right, are you?" she snarled. Nate, still in awe looked back at his sister, who sighed trying to keep calm.

"This isn't about me," Nicole replied as calmly as she could. "Or Nate."

"Mom, dad has a problem," Nate said right after, looking back at their mother. "We need your help."

"You look down at the floor, every time someone tries to tell you the truth," Nate said lowly as he observed his mother again staring at the ground. "Will you just look at me?"

"He's been under a lot of pressure," Anne started, her voice failing slightly as she tried to control her nervousness. "And if you hadn't been so difficult lately…"

"What?" Nicole shouted higher than she expected, both Nate and Anne looked at her. "What does Nate have to do with it?"

"You be quiet, Nicole," Anne said, standing up. "You've just came home, you know nothing that is going on."

"Yeah, you're right!" Nicole said, also standing up, which made Nate also stand up and stay between the two of them. "I don't. And that's because you and dad keep lying to me as if I'm not part of the family. You try to keep the appearances even to me. Can't you see this is what got him into this in the first place?"

"May-Maybe if you hadn't left," Anne continued again trying helplessly to find a reasonable explanation. "And if you had gone to college."

"No, Mrs. Archibald, we're not going there," Nicole continued, stepping forward and gesturing for Nate to move, who did, but kept himself by her side. "What I've done or Nate has done had nothing to do with this!"

"How can you be so sure? Why do you think your father is stressed?" Anne continued, walking around the living room and gesturing around. "First you don't go to college, then you move to Los Angeles and we know so little of your life, now Nate doesn't want to go to Dartmouth and he has issues with Blair, too. Of course your father is stressed!"

"Don't blame us for his wrong decisions," Nicole said and Anne stopped in the middle of the room, looking at her. Nate stayed in silence. "You expect us to be a certain way, but we're humans, we want to do things our way too. You can't expect us to be the way you want us to... And this is no reason for dad to drug himself and let Nate take the hit, and lie to us. TO US! We're his family, Mom."

"Mom, she's right," Nate said lowly, not very sure if he should speak. "Dad needs our help."

"Not another word of this," Anne said after staring at her children for long seconds. Nicole sighed impatiently, but didn't say anything. "We have a celebration dinner to go to. Please wear a tie," she continued as she walked past Nate and then Nicole. "And you, your father would be happy to see you there."

Nicole rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything, observing as their mother left the room and went downstairs. As soon as they heard the front door closing, Nate looked at her.

"Don't worry, she believes in you, which is why she ran away." Nicole said and Nate nodded.

x

"We're late, Nic," Nate rushed sitting on the couch of the sitting room in Nicole's suite at the Palace.

"I know," Nicole said walking as she put on her black stilettos. "Don't worry, I've rented a car, we will get there in a minute."

Nate observed as she loosed her hair over her shoulders and adjusted the sleeves tight black dress on her body, before taking a small purse she left over her messed bed. In reality, all room was a mess: bags everywhere, some clothes thrown over the bed, some over the couch he was sitting on. Nicole was always very messy with her things and he actually missed that.

"There, I'm ready," she said as she took a cigarette from a package and put between her lips. "Come, let's go," she rushed him, talking with the cigarette on her lips. Nate followed her out of the room and to the corridor.

"You can't smoke inside the hotel," Chuck's voice came from the elevator as the doors opened and both Nate and Nicole stepped inside.

"Good thing I'm connected," Nicole said with a smile and winked her right eye at Chuck as she opened an exquisite silver zippo in the elevator and lit her cigarette.

"You two are coming to Victrola tonight, right?" Chuck asked as the three of them stepped in the reception.

"Vic—what?" Nicole asked as they walked outside.

"You didn't tell her?" Chuck asked and Nate shook his head.

"Hey, gray Mercedes," Nicole told one of the security guards and turned to Nate. "Told what about what?

"Chuck almost got this club and… Ah, I'll tell you later." Nate said distractively as he watched Chuck entering his limo that parked beside them.

"Don't you two bail on me!" Chuck said from the window before the limo took off and Nicole glanced at Nate.

"He does live in his little world, doesn't he?" she asked with a laugh.

"Tell me about it," Nate said as a gray Mercedes parked beside them and the security guard handed the keys to Nicole.

x

"Miss and Mister Archibald," the security guard in front of the Waldorf's building greeted as Nicole and Nate left the car. Nicole handed the keys for him and greeted back with a half smile.

"Your parents arrived about half an hour ago," he informed before taking Nicole's car as both Nic and Nate stepped inside the building and to the elevator.

"Anything I should know before hand?" Nicole asked when Nate pressed the button to the penthouse.

"Despite Blair's dad going to France with a male model, which you already know," Nate said thoughtfully, taking his sister's hand. "I'm not that great with Blair either."

"Right, we can talk about that later," she said between her breath as the door opened and revealed the Waldorf's beautiful hall in front of them.

The beautiful Waldorf penthouse hasn't changed so much since Nicole's last visit years ago. Still exquisite and charming, the decoration was flawless and she could feel almost comfortable as she crossed the hall with Nate to the sitting room and the piano sound filled her ears.

"Hello, welcome!" Eleanor's warming voice said as they reached the sitting room. She was wearing a high waist black skirt and a buffed t-shirt. "Oh my God, look who is here!"

"Hello, Ms. Waldorf," Nicole said with a smile as she reached for Eleanor and shook hands with her. "I'm sorry for our lateness, it was entirely my fault."

"Oh, don't you worry," Eleanor said with a sincere smile. "You look ravishing!"

"Thank you," Nicole replied and glanced at her parents. The Captain already had a cup half full of whiskey in his hands and her mother look more apprehensive than ever.

After Nicole and Nate greeted Eleanor, they were both directed to the sitting room and sat side by side. Nicole gladly accepted a glass of wine when she realized this would be a long night. Nate however had stood up when he saw Blair coming down the stairs.

Blair was dressed beautifully in a green dress with pearls around her neck and a dark, yet beautiful, lipstick on her lips. Nate approached her before she stepped in the living room.

"Hey," he said as he approached her. "You look beautiful tonight."

Blair forced a slight smile and Nate surely noticed something was wrong.

"Anything on your mind?" he asked innocently. Blair shot an almost lazy look at him.

"No," she said and paused for a second. "Is there anything you wanna say?"

"No," he replied back, but frowned slightly at her attitude. Blair forced another smile and walked past by him, towards Nicole that was taking a long sip on her drink.

"Hey Nicole," Blair said and Nicole stood up with a smile.

"Hey, you look beautiful!" Nicole said as she hugged Blair for a second. Amazingly, Blair returned the hug with a smile on her face.

"You look really good, too," Blair said after the split up. "I heard you were back. I hope you will stay for good… ?"

"I guess, we'll see," Nicole replied smiling and glanced at Nate as he walked past by her and sat on the couch.

Nicole always liked Blair. She didn't quite understand why, but Blair was like a little sister she never had. Before leaving for Los Angeles, Nicole was Blair main source when it came to make up and anything a 12 year old girl should know back then.

The next couple of hours were filled by an endless mindless chatter from Nate and Nicole's parents and Ms. Waldorf. Blair, Nate and Nicole barely spoke through the entire time and Nate who sat between his sister and Blair, landed more towards his sister. And Nicole could feel the tension between him and Blair, but chose not to speak about it at the time.

As they were still eating the appetizers in the living room, Nicole noted their father had had too much alcohol as he started to talk a bit louder and more effusive than usual. Nicole herself was starting to feel the effects of a bit too much wine, but was far from being drunk.

"We've celebrated the partnership," Howard Archibald said, gesturing his glass of whiskey. "But I don't think I've given Eleanor her just due."

Nate shot a look at Nicole, who looked back at him and placed her empty glass of wine on the coffee table, taking his hand and staying in silence.

"This lady is fantastic!" Howard continued mumbling and Anne looked intently at him, who didn't seem to notice.

"Oh, well, uh," Eleanor said awkwardly. "Thank you, Howard," she took a porcelain bowl and offered around. "More cheese? Have you tried the Humboldt fog? It's quite good."

"Eleanor is right," Anne said even more awkwardly. "Enough of the business talk."

"Right!" Howard agreed, refusing Eleanor's cheese, taking another sip of this drink. "Let's talk about our families other joint venture: the union of our children."

Nicole felt both and Blair's and Nate's eyes over her, as if both of them were screaming for a rescue. Nicole glanced from one to the other and then intently at her father as she felt Nate's fingers gently squeezing hers.

"I have to say," Howard continued, completely ignoring his daughter's stare. "Every time I look at Anne's finger and I see Blair's future engagement ring…"

Anne shyly showed her Cornelius Vanderbilt's ring, filled with beautiful diamond stones. Nicole sighed a bit impatiently and nervous at the same time.

"… I can hardly contain my joy," Howard continued rambling. "Blair, why don't you try it on?"

"No, thank you," Blair replied almost immediately. "It's alright."

"Yes, I would like to see it," Eleanor was the one to ignore Blair this time and Howard immediately gestured to his wife.

"Anne, give it to Blair."

"Dad, she doesn't want to try on the ring," Nate said almost automatically. Nicole squeezed his fingers gently as his parents stared at him.

"Howie, why don't we just leave it alone?" Anne said with a false smile, pretending to sound casual.

"Just give it to her," Howard said in a warning tone, a bit more serious. Again Nicole felt Nate's and Blair's eyes over her. Anne stood up and handed the ring to Blair as Howard kept going.

"Eleanor, do we have another bottle?" he asked. "If there was ever an occasion for the toast, this is it. They're gonna make such a beautiful couple," he gestured back to Nate and Blair who has the ring in her hand, but didn't try it. "Now come on, slide that thing on… That's what I'm talking about, huh?" he added when she tried the ring with an awkward smile and showed to everyone, but quickly taking it off her finger and handing back to one.

"Oh, it's very pretty," Nicole caught Eleanor's low comment and desirable look over the ring and didn't say anything, glancing at Nate that seemed a lot uncomfortable.

"It looks perfect on her, yeah? Yeah. And how about a toast everyone, huh? Everybody, bottoms up!" Howard continued blabbing and Nate stood up at once, leaving Nicole's hand.

"Dad, why don't we go smoke the cigars we got, huh?" Nate said under his breath and glanced at Nicole, who nodded reassuringly.

"Hmmm, good idea." Howard said searching his pockets and already leaving, after placing his glass on a table. "Excuse us."

Nicole observed as Nate and Howard left to the hall and she heard as the elevator's door closed. Blair excused herself right after and went upstairs to her room. Nicole stayed where she was, her thoughts swinging in her head… But she was brought back to the conversation as she heard Eleanor Waldorf.

"So Nicole," she said, breaking the tension. "What are your plans for New York? You know I would love for you to pose for one of my collections again."

"I-uh… I don't know yet," Nicole said distractively and smiled falsely. "I just arrived so I'm not really sure of what will I do— Actually, if you excuse me, I could use a cigarette, too."

"Of course," Eleanor nodded and she stood up, taking her purse and walking towards the elevator.

"Come on, you bitch," she said lowly to herself, pressing the button for the elevator several times. "Come on up."

x

"I'm the adult, you're the kid!" Nicole heard her father's risen voice as she stepped out of the elevator and she ran to the door, observing Nate and him arguing in front of the building.

"I know," Nate said with a sigh. Neither he nor Howard noticed Nicole watching from the door.

"I'm going back inside," Howard attempted to walk towards the building again, but Nate held him.

"Dad, no—"

"Nate, let go of me!" and next thing Nicole saw was his father fist punching Nate on the face, who fell on the ground with the sudden attack.

"DAD!" Nicole screamed in a reflex and ran towards Nate, just in time to see a police car pulling off in the sidewalk.

"Are you okay, Nate?" Nicole asked, helping Nate to stand up. He nodded, but his eyes were clearly confused and he had a small trail of blood in the corner of his lips.

"Here, let me see it," she approached him and cleaned the blood with her fingers, kissing him on the cheek. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"What is going on here?" a police officer asked, approaching them.

"Nothing, he's my son," Howard said, a little confused himself. "They're my children."

"Is everything alright?" the officer asked, looking at Nate.

"I said everything is fine—" Howard said irritated.

"I'm not asking you," the officer said in a warning tone, turning back to Nate.

"I'm sorry, dad," Nate looked at his father. "You need help," then he turned to the officer and whispered before walking towards the security of the building. "You might check his pockets while you're at it."

Nicole stayed where she was, watching as the guards checked her father, while Nate talked to the security guard. Nicole then saw as one of the officers pulled a sack of cocaine from one of Howard's pockets. She exchanged a look with her father before the guards pulled him and looked down when he walked past by her.

She didn't look when the police car started to take off and exchanged then a look with Nate, before the security guard asked if she wanted her car and she nodded. Before she could go to talk to Nate, however, Blair showed up and she kept a distance.

"Where are you going?" Blair asked and Nate sighed.

"To Victrola, I promised Chuck," Nate lied, he wasn't really sure of where he was about to go. "It's important to him."

"I saw your father get arrested," Blair said with a serious tone, for some reason her voice was failing. "Why didn't you come to me? I would've listened."

"I've tried, Blair," Nate said sincerely. "But every time I try, something's got your attention. A dinner party, you know, a masked ball."

"Yeah, let's talk about that masked ball," Blair nodded, her voice failing even more, but she held on tight. "Let's talk about how while I was waiting for you to find me, so that we finally could be together, and you were confessing your feelings and kissing Serena."

Nate stared at her for a second and didn't say anything. Did Jenny tell her? Only Jenny knew it. While Nicole already waited for him inside her car, she observed as Blair's limo parked behind her Mercedes.

"I thought I was doing everything right—"

"It's not your fault," he cut her, looking down.

"Do you love me?" she asked suddenly looking straight at his confused blue eyes, as her dark one slowly filled up with tears. Nate looked at her, but hesitated: he didn't want to lie to her. Not again. And with his hesitation, Blair closed her eyes, holding back her tears.

"You should deal with your father," she said, her voice still failing, but the tears disappeared from her eyes as she looked back at him. "He needs you. You know what? I don't."

And before he could say anything she stepped to her limo and her driver opened the door. Nate observed as the limo took off and slowly walked to his sister's car, opening the passenger's door and sitting, taking a long sigh and closing his eyes.

"Rough night, isn't it?" Nicole asked, looking at him when he entered.

"Yeah," he replied in a sigh, looking at her. "Where are we going?"

"Well, I'm going to the police station," Nicole said, turning on the car. "I will call mom from there. And you are not. I can drop you off at the Palace, you can stay in my suite."

"Why am I not going with you?" Nate asked as she took off with the car.

"Because you've done too much already," Nicole said with a smile, glancing briefly at him then back at the street, but putting one of her hands on his knee. "You did the right thing, but now leave it with me. There's nothing else you can do for now."

Nate placed his hand over hers and nodded as she glanced briefly at him again. He then took another long sigh and rested his head on the back of the seat, observing the city outside.

A/N: So this is it for now. Let me know what you think! ;)