Daniela and Audrey rush into the Bass penthouse giggling loudly.

Blair looks up at her daughter, admiring her smile. Audrey was much more at ease and confident with herself then Blair was at that age and she was grateful for that. "Hi girls." Daniella was the spitting image of Serena in personality and looks but Audrey was the perfect combination of Blair and Chuck.

"Hi Blair," Daniella smiles.

"Mom, what are you doing home?" Audrey walks over to her mom and gives her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I thought you were shopping with grandmother today."

Blair smiles and motions for her daughter, "I thought I might be needed at home. Truth be told, I thought I was going to come home to find you in tears."

"You heard. Did Dorota tell you," Audrey rolls her eyes, "about Anderson?"

"What was he thinking cancelling your date so close to the dance? What happened Audrey? Did you get into a fight?"

Audrey glances at Dani unsure if she should tell her mom the whole story. Dani shrugs and looks down.

Blair watches the non-verbal interaction with curiosity, "Will one of you tell me what happened?"

"Logan Baizen blackmailed Audrey into breaking it off with Anderson and going with him," Daniella says quickly.

"Dani," Audrey snaps.

"What," Daniella shrugs, "Logan is my quasi-brother and all, but it was still underhanded."

"What do you mean? How would Logan be able to black mail you with anything Audrey?"

"Queen," Audrey says quietly, "he told me if I didn't go with him he would tell his sister Samantha and she wouldn't pass queen onto me when she graduates."

Blairs mouth opens slightly in surprise, this story sounding all to familiar, "So what you are telling me is your brother's unfortunate choice for a best friend wants a date with you sp resorted to blackmailing you as a means to get to get it."

Dani smiles, "Basically."

Blair smiles, knowing Chuck would kill her if she was about to get involved in this situation. "We need to go upstairs now. The dress you are wearing to kiss on the lips isn't going to work."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, we are going to need to upgrade," Blair smiles. "You'll see my dear. Let's go upstairs. I think I have the perfect outfit." Blair glances at Daniella, "While we are at it, lets find something for you as well Daniella. Your mother always dressed horribly for these events when we were young. You might need a wardrobe change as well."

~*~*~*~

Serena knocks on Nate's study lightly, "Hey," she says quietly.

Nate looks up, "Serena, now isn't the time."

"I was just hoping to catch you. I know you might be going to up to the Hampton's house and I thought we should probably talk about what happened."

"What is there to talk about it. You made that perfectly clear."

"I'm still your friend, Nate."

"I don't want a friend, Serena."

"But that is what you need."

"Chuck and Blair fill that need."

Serena's face darkens, "I'll leave then," she turns around.

"Serena," Anna says as she strolls into the room. She embraces her friend's mother tightly, "what are you doing here?"

"I was just leaving, Anna. I hope that you will be joining the girls tonight at my mother's?"

Anna smiles, "maybe," she looks at her father, "but I think dad may want us to have dinner, just the two of us."

"Well, you are more than welcome to come if you would like. Both of you," Serena smiles, "take care Nate," she hugs Anna tightly, "Let me know if you need anything, " she whispers in her ear before leaving.

"Dad, are you okay?"

"Fine, Anna. If you don't mind," he motions to the papers strewn before him, "I have some work to do. Why don't you go to dinner at Lily's?"

Anna's face drops, "But you told me to come home after school. You said you wanted to talk about everything. I had assumed…"

Nate's face softens, "I do Anna," he walks over to his daughter and takes her hand, "I spoke with you mother today. She wants you to join her in California."

"What does that mean?"

"It means," Nate pauses, "maybe it would be best. I'm apparently not doing a very good job of parenting you right now. Your mother and I need to figure out what is next and I am contemplating going to the Hampton's house for a few weeks."

Anna glares at her father, "So you just want to ship me off to her? You think that is what is best for me right now," her voice rising.

"Anna, please calm down. I only said it was an option."

"Well it isn't an option for me," Anna sits down, "I understand you need space but can't I stay with Audrey? She told me Blair offered."

"Is that what you want?"

"What I want is to live with you and stay at home but Audrey's is kind of like my second home. If I can't stay here, I suppose it's the next best place for me."

Nate nods, "It'll only be for a few weeks. Your mother and I need to get things in order and I can't do it here."

"You mean for the divorce," Anna says softly.

"It appears so," Nate rests his hand on her daughters, "Your mother and I both love you, Anna."

"You love me. I'm not quite sure about mom." Anna looks down, "Can I be excused? I have homework to do and I guess I should start packing my things."

Nate nods, "I'll call Blair," he picks up the phone, "lets go to Bellini for dinner. I think you are right, we should do something just the two of us."

Ana smiles and rushes over to her father and gives her a tight hug, "I love you dad."

~*~*~*~