The weeks turned into months and the months turned into years. Blair Cornelia Waldorf graduated from Columbia University top her class, as expected, and celebrated in classic Waldorf fashion by booking a room at the Ritz Carlton. She invited everyone from high school that she managed to get a hold of, and a few of the good friends she had made in her years at Columbia. Serena had arrived back in New York a few days before Blair's graduation, and so she'd made an appearance at the graduation ceremony itself and was joining Blair tonight in the festivities.

It was amazing having Serena back. Blair, for the first time in a long time, felt like her old self again. A lot of the friends that she knew now all knew her post the whole Chuck incident, and so they only knew the person she had become because of it all. Only few people knew the old Blair Waldorf, and only a select few like Serena knew Blair deep down.

"Wow, B, it's as if I never left," Serena was saying as she sat in the center of Blair's bed flipping through a magazine and watching Blair pick out her outfit for the evening. "Everything's exactly the same way as it was in high school. Besides the fact that we're four years older and none the wiser," Serena laughed.

Blair turned around and laughed with her old friend. God she'd missed this. She could always count on Serena to make her smile.

"I'm so glad you could be here for this Serena. I missed having you and your crazy antics around, keeping me on my toes."

"Right...Well I'm sure you won't be saying that for too long. I'm going to drive you crazy now that I'm back in New York and Nate and I are together. Have I told you how glad I am that you don't object to the relationship. I didn't know if I would be able to handle it if you disapproved. I think that's why Dan and I never really worked out. I didn't have your blessing." Serena smiled as she stood and put her hands on Blair's shoulders and squeezed.

"Of course I'd approve, Serena. I mean it's not like I'm still harboring feelings for Nate. Please. I'm a divorced woman for God's sake!" Blair joked. She'd learned long ago that joking and making light hearted comments on her situation was much easier and it had helped her heal a lot faster.

"Oh gosh," Serena sighed. "Let's not go down that road again. But listen, B, I'm gonna head home and get dressed for tonight. I can't wait! I'll meet you here and then we can drive downtown together to the hotel," Serena said as Blair walked her to the door. The two women shared a quick hug, Serena pausing to look around at Blair's new apartment.

"You know it looks exactly just like the place you had with your mother. I guess that's because it's right on the next floor. But still its weird that it's so identical. Of course its missing that old constant Dorota."

The women smiled as the elevator arrived, taking Serena along with it. Blair headed back upstairs trying to decide what to wear to the graduation party.

Serena walked into the Van der Bass suited and was greeted by the loud chatter coming from the living room. She walked towards the voices and found Nate standing to greet her.

"Hey, sweetie, I'm so glad you're finally here," Nate said as he quickly placed a fevered kissed across Serena's lips.

"Mmm, hey Hun. I'm surprised you're here. I wasn't expecting you for another few hours. Actually I wasn't expecting to see you until the party tonight. What are you doing here?" Serena asked as Nate began to guide her to the couches. Serena eyed all the people immersed in conversation, her gaze landing and catching on someone she hadn't seen in years.

"Chuck...?" Serena managed to say through clenched teeth. Nate smiled stupidly as he came across to his friend.

"Isn't this great Serena? Chuck is back in town. I couldn't believe it when he called me. But here he is," Nate said excitedly, rushing over to Chuck and slapping his shoulder.

"Indeed." Serena eyed Chuck coldly as she took a seat next to her mother.

"And how are you little sister?" Chuck asked in his usually husky tone. "It's been so long," Chuck said.

"Not long enough."

"Ouch. Not the warm welcome I was expecting," Chuck drawled as he caught Bart's gaze that warned him to shut his mouth. Of course Chuck never listened to his father.

"So how are you? We've been waiting a long time and you hadn't shown. What mischief have you been getting yourself into?"

"None of your concern, Chuck."

"Serena..." Lily warned.

"No, it's ok, Lily. I wasn't expecting a warm reception on her part. After all, she is Blair's best friend... And well with the history of that story..."

"You are such a-"

"Serena aren't you going to be late to the party? You should go get ready for the party," Eric interjected before Serena got swept up in her emotions and got into an argument with Chuck. Serena turned at looked at Eric who widened his eyes at her and nodded his head indicating that she should head upstairs. Serena let go of the breath she held and stood up.

"You're right, Eric. I will go get ready." Serena exited the living room and went to her room.

She spent the next hour showering and getting dressed. After applying her makeup and fixing her hair just right, Serena reappeared in the living room in a navy blue strapless, silk dress and black heels. Her hair was in its usual wavy splendor and her makeup was simple, yet sexy. Nate held her in his arms as he complimented how great she looked and Serena blushed. Despite the few years they had been together, Serena still reacted that way to him. Nate seemed like the perfect gentleman to the naked eye, but when they were alone he would ravage Serena like no man had or ever could. They had grown in love over the past two years, and their passion was still as alive and vibrant as the first day they'd gotten together.

"Well we're leaving, mom." Serena said as she tried to exit the living room quickly, not wanting to spend another minute in close proximity to Chuck Bass. She also needed to rush to Blair and tell her that a certain cretin was back in town. She had tried calling Blair while she was in her room but Blair's phone kept sending her to voice mail. She figured Blair was too wrapped up getting ready for the party that she wasn't picking up her phone.

"Okay honey. Have a good time tonight. Congratulate Blair for me. Tell her that I'll see her tomorrow for brunch," Lily smiled up at her daughter and at Nate. "Take care of her, Nate."

"Oh, don't worry Lily. I'll take great care of her."

As they made their way out of the Van der Bass apartment, Chuck turned to Eric and spoke,

"So where are they headed tonight? What bash does Blair have planned?" Chuck spoke casually trying not to show much interest in the matter.

"Oh, Blair is throwing a party down at the Ritz in honor of her graduation," Eric said simply. Ever trusting.

"Hmm. I didn't even know she graduated," Chuck stated. Typical of Blair to keep him in the blue in regards to her life. She had changed her phone number and cut all communication with him once he received the signed divorce papers from her. It was silly really, for her to think she could get away from him so easily. He had managed to find out her new number in a matter of days, but he never really dared use it. He knew what suffering the wrath of Blair was like, and he didn't want to further test his luck by trying to make contact with her when it was obvious she wanted to get away from him. He kept up with her though, finding out information here and there from his father, Lily and of course Eric. Serena wasn't good for information. She took on the role of scorned ex-wife in Blair's absence. And so his insight on her whereabouts and what she was up to was small, but nonetheless he made it his business to find out as much as possible about her.

"Well my dear family, I think I will retire for the night. I've had a long flight,and the evening has been long itself. I will see you all for breakfast in the morning," Chuck said as he went and kissed Lily goodnight.

"Brunch," Lily stated. "We're having brunch tomorrow at 12, and of course you're invited."

"Thank you. Of course I'll see everyone there."

And with that Chuck Bass left into his room. Sleep the farthest thing from his mind.