Alright, as I have my parents over for the weekend, I won't have time to write on the next chapter yet. But therfore comes here the current one, which is so far the longest chapter I've ever written. Mix between show and my imagination ;) Hope you'll like it - get ready to read!
Nate was spinning and turning in his bed. He tried to fall asleep since two hours, but his mind had a different agenda. He was still thinking about the dinner and how it ended. Jenny was definitely angry, and he needed to sort it out.
First Chuck humiliates me in front of her, and then I act like a maniac by punching her brother. Even if I had a good reason, I should have said something instead of punching him.
He got up from his bed and walked into the living room. Maybe some liquid would help to find some sleep if the sandman wouldn't bring him sweet dreams of his girl. When he entered the room, he was surprised to see Chuck sitting there.
"What are you doing here?", Nate asked curious.
Chuck looked up at him. "I live here", he replied dryly.
Nate rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean, why are you sitting here at 2am?"
"Couldn't sleep, and as you're here too, I guess you have the same problem", Chuck retorted. "Please tell me that it's not Humphrey who's keeping you up."
Nate sighed and plopped down on the couch. "She was mad as hell. I have to set things right. It just went so well between us."
"I didn't mean Jenny, to be concrete. But if she is all you want to talk about … go ahead", Chuck said sarcastic.
"Whatever … why are you up?"
"Trying to find a plan. Lily called earlier, she believes us now. She left town for awhile but is willing to help me fight my father", he informed Nate over the latest news.
"That's great, Chuck. Do you have something in mind to bring him down? You know that you can count on me. But you should also know that he called me – he wants to meet this morning", Nate confessed his upcoming meeting with Bart.
"Looks like you'll be a double spy then. Blair and I already thought that he wouldn't let you of the hook that easy. You'll give him only the info we allow you to hand them over. We do have a plan. We'll let all of you know later this day", Chuck explained.
"All of us? Who else?", Nate asked confused.
"Serena, Ivy and your girlfriend, of course", Chuck replied.
Nate gazed at him annoyed. "You know that she's not my girlfriend."
"Just a question of consideration and interpretation. And that problem can easily be solved."
"She is still engaged. And after today, I doubt that she even wants to speak with me", Nate let out frustrated.
"Then swoop her of her feet and make love to her. After a night with you, she clearly will forget that British lad", Chuck said smugly.
"Is that your answer to everything? Sex? It's not like that between us. I really love her, and I'm not going to take her like that. I mean, yes, I want her – badly to be exact. But if ever it will happen between us, than..."
"We all will be old and gray. Stop waiting around and go for it! That guy is out of town. She is still into you, and you love her. What the hell are you waiting for? I would be with Blair every day if I could. And you're not even trying to be with her", Chuck stated annoyed.
"Sometimes it's not that easy, Chuck. She doesn't trust me anymore. And yes, probably she still feels something for me, but she is too scared to allow her to live these feelings. Before I can be with her, I need to convince her that she can rely on me. That she can trust me", Nate told him. "Do you really think I enjoy being apart from her? Damn, every single inch of my body is longing for her. The second I saw her today – all I could think off was to get that damn hot dress of her body and take her right there and then. But that's not how it works. At least not now."
"Do whatever you think you have to do. But do yourself a favor, when you see her later today, grab her and talk to her. Your issues are getting massively on my nerves. The tension is radiating around both of you, so trust me, the faster you two screw each other – the better!"
Chuck got up and walked over to his bedroom. "Sweet dreams, Nathaniel."
Nate remained on the couch, thinking about his friends words. His body and mind totally agreed with Chuck's thesis, but a silent little voice in his innermost heart told him it would be smarter to win her back in a softer and more romantic way.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
A couple of hours later Nate was walking down New York's streets with Bart Bass on his side. He'd rather take a walk through Central Park with Jenny, but at this moment he had no other choice than to obey to everything that this man wanted from him. He truly hated him.
"I followed your instructions and grabbed Chuck's phone", Nate said while pulling out the smart phone and looking at it.
"Nice work, grasshopper", he retorted dryly.
"He had breakfast with Blair, later is a hotel management meeting. Doesn't this get a little bit dull for you?", Nate asked the older man.
"My ways of defeating my son are no concerns to you. Just keep doing as I say. I don't want to be caught off guard by Chuck's antics at tonight's event. It's my special night, and I'd like to make sure of that", Bart replied.
"Yeah, whatever. The only thing I noticed is he tried to reach Ivy Dickens a couple of times. Seemed to be important to him", Nate handed the info over that Chuck told him too.
Bart shortly stopped walking and only looked at Nate, before he kept on walking. "Hold yourself to my disposal", he said before entering his car.
Nate remained at his spot. Good, he took it. Surely he'll call Ivy up next, just as planned.
He turned around and informed Chuck via text before making his way to their meeting place at the Oak Room.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Nate entered the Oak Room only twenty minutes later. Chuck, Blair and Serena were already there and waiting for him. To his pleasure Jenny was there as well, just as Chuck had said. But compared to his friends, she didn't pay any attention to him. As I knew, she's pissed.
"So, Chuck already informed us that everything went as planned. Good work, Archibald", Blair said when he got himself seated next to Chuck.
"Yeah, thanks. I just hope it all really works out as we want", he replied distracted as his eyes were fixed on the young blonde next to Serena.
"Don't worry, dear, it will. After all, Chuck and I are masters when it comes to scheming. You forgot about that?"
Serena rolled her eyes, while Nate only shook his head. "How could I?", he asked teasingly.
Before Blair could reply to his tease Ivy walked in and over to the counter, where they all were seated.
"So, anyone mind to tell me why we are friends again?", she asked while sitting down.
"We ain't", Blair immediately replied.
"I called you here under false presences, as we need your help for a mission we have against Bart Bass", Serena informed her right away.
Ivy looked at her surprised and swallowed. "Are you kidding?", she asked incredulous. "I was looked in a room with Bart Bass. He is dangerous, if not the devil himself."
"Yes, he is", Chuck confirmed her statement. "And you aggravated him with your attempt to play him with the microfilms. So if you ever want to be save here in New York, you'd better take care off it."
"Well, if I knew how, I would have done it already", Ivy stated.
"We need you to be the goat", Blair explained to her, causing Ivy to be even more irritated. "Ah, please you surely heard of that before. When people tried to catch a dragon, they took a goat to attract him."
"Wait a second, you want to tie me up and leave me somewhere?", she questioned unbelievable.
Jenny spoke up for the first time since Nate and Ivy had arrived. "Not like that. We just need your help to get Bart's attention. You'll be the decoy. Ivy, it all could be over already, if you wouldn't have taken the microfilms in the first place. Bart could sit behind bars by now. You owe it to Chuck."
Never in his dreams did Chuck believe in he would be thankful for Jenny Humphrey's return, but now he was.
"Right", he said, "we gonna use you and the copies of the microfilms, you've made."
"But I didn't make any copies of them", Ivy corrected him.
Nate chuckled slightly. "As far as it concerns Bart, you did. By the way, here is your phone back." He grabbed in his jacket pocket and handed Chuck his phone over.
"Bart should call you...", Blair tried to inform Ivy, but got interrupted when Ivy's phone started to ring, "...soon. There he is."
Ivy got it out of her bag and gazed at the screen. "Start talking", Serena said while pushing the loudspeaker button.
"I heard you're back in town", they heard Bart's voice coming through the phone. "Where are you?"
"Uhm, the Oak Room", Ivy replied insecure and afraid.
"Aah, nice coincidence. I'm right around the corner. And I think we should chat", he stated short before hanging up.
Ivy's eyes widened. She sighed. "Perfect, he is on his way."
"The microfilms contained the records of Bart's illegal oil trades. That's why he as well as me wanted them so badly", Chuck informed her.
"As long as you get him talking about something that links him to his crimes, it's all good", Blair said.
"And make sure to record everything he says with your phone", Serena added.
Ivy shook her head. "You guys really think it will be this easy? After all, we're talking about Bart Bass. He is not dumb."
"Of course he's not, neither are you", Jenny replied. "You figured out that there must have been something with the painting when you say how determined Chuck was to get it. And you were right. Ivy, you can do this", she assured the girl in front of her. Even though she still was mad at her for playing her father that way.
"Jenny is right, again", Blair retorted. "Just pretend you have copies of the films and that you know about his deals. Get him to talk about them, and it's done. We'll stay close, promise."
A young man, followed by two police officers, came in and stopped in front of the group.
"Wow, they are fast. We didn't even call for them", Serena said irritated.
"Mr. Nathaniel Archibald", the man said directed at Nate. "You're under arrest for fraud."
"Wait, what?", Nate replied confused.
The two officers stepped forward and grabbed Nate's hands to place the handcuffs. Serena, Blair and Jenny looked at the scene in pure shock. They couldn't believe that their friend just got arrested, neither could Chuck. But he had a clue who would be behind this.
The officers led Nate out of the Oak Room to the waiting police car. Paparazzo filled the walkway to get the best picture. The gang had followed the police men out. Jenny still tried to comprehend the recent actions. Nate under arrest? For fraud? That's beyond crazy. He would never do that.
The car took off with Nate to the police station. Jenny and Blair had sat down on a near by bench.
"This is just insane", Jenny said indignant. "Nate would never do something like that."
Blair gazed at her former enemy and couldn't help but smile a bit. Apparently it didn't go unnoticed by Jenny who got a totally wrong impression of her reaction.
"Do you think this is funny, Blair? He just got arrested and you sit here and smile. He's your friend!", she nearly yelled out.
"Of course not, Little J", she immediately said to lower the tension that had built. "It's actually your reaction that amused me a little."
Jenny looked at her baffled. "My reaction?", she asked bewildered. "Why would my reaction amuse you?"
"Are you sure that you want to marry Jasper?", Blair asked right out.
"WHAT? What in hell has Jasper to do with this?", Jenny questioned even more confused. She didn't understand in the slightest where the brunette was coming from or going to.
"Look", Blair started to explain, "you react quite... to say the least... quite heavy to this situation. Yes, Nate got arrested. But Chuck and Serena are already on their phones with the family lawyers. So nothing to worry about. He'll soon be out again. But still here you are, going all... crazy. Are you really sure that you didn't return for him? I would understand – he is a great guy. I used to date him, remember?
I fought for Chuck for so long, and I still do. So trust me, I do understand what it means to be somehow obsessed. This whole engagement thing – if this is your way to make him jealous, it's not necessary. He loves you. Probably way more than you can imagine. But dare you to tell him that I told you."
Jenny was totally caught off guard by Blair's words. They barely talked like this, but here they were. And to make it even worse – this was the second close friend of Nate to tell her that he loves her.
"Blair, I didn't get engaged to make Nate jealous. Why is everyone thinking this? Do you all believe in that it's just a joke? Jasper is a really great guy, which non of you even know yet. I do love him, and I do want to spent my life with him. I would appreciate if you all could respect that and stop making jokes about it. And the only reason why I react this heavy is, that a friend just got arrested. Probably only because Bart is playing games again. Obviously he thinks it's funny."
"My lawyers are doing everything in their power to get him released as soon as possible", Chuck said when walking up to the two girls.
"Nevertheless, Bart must have found out that Nate was playing him", Serena replied joining the group.
"So he ended up using Nate as his goat", Blair finished her thought.
Chuck sighed. "Which means that I have to go and find my father to make a deal."
"Oh no, you won't give in", Blair immediately claimed out.
"I won't let Nate rod in jail. I'm gonna go to the apartment and see what he suggests", Chuck answered.
Blair didn't feel comfortable by that thought. "Would you go with him?", she asked her best friend. "Bart won't try anything if someone is close to witness it."
"Of course. Chuck, shall we go?", Serena addressed to her stepbrother.
"Yeah, let's go and get it done."
"Well, I think that's my cue to leave too", Ivy let out, ready to turn and go.
"Aah, no, not so fast", Blair grabbed her arm. "We still could need you as leverage. You're coming with me. Jenny, you need a ride?"
"No, thanks. I have business to attend at the atelier. Give me a call if you need me", she replied to her. There is someone I need to find.
Jenny nearly burst into the atelier, causing Joanna to slightly jump from her stool.
"Damn, Jenny! You scared me. What's going on?", she asked still shocked and with a racing heart.
"I need your help, Jo. Could you find someone for me? Like now and immediately", she only replied to the older woman, who became also her assistant within the past days.
"Uhm, sure, I can try. Who do you want me to find for you?", she questioned curiously, wondering why this was so important to her new boss.
"Here is the name on", Jenny handed her a piece of paper, where she had scribbled the name on. "I have to go again, just message me the number or address if you found him. Thanks Jo. It's really important that we find him fast."
"I'm on it, you can count on me J. Are you sure that you don't want to tell me what this is all about? Maybe I can help even more than only trying to find him?", Joanna offered her.
Jenny smiled at her assistant and shook shortly her head. "I appreciate your offer, but finding him will be already a huge help for me. You can reach me via phone. Oh, and tell Marc we have to postpone our meeting to tomorrow, this is an urgent matter I immediately have to take care off. I hope he understands."
Fifteen minutes later, Jenny dialed the number that Joanna recently had sent her to her phone. She wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing, but somehow she thought it would be for the best.
"Archibald", she heard a man's voice answer the call.
"Mr. Archibald? Hello, here is Jennifer Humphrey, a friend of your son Nathaniel. Do you have a few minutes for me?", she answered him.
"Uhm, sure. Is Nathaniel alright?", he asked worried, wondering why one of his son's friends would call him up.
"Actually that's the reason why I'm calling. Don't worry he wasn't in an accident or so, he is doing physically just fine. But he … he is in trouble. Serious trouble", Jenny dropped the bomb on Nate's father.
The other side of the line remained silent for awhile. "When you say serious trouble, what kind of serious trouble are we talking about?", he finally replied.
"Damn serious trouble. He got arrested earlier this day. They arrested him for fraud", she explained to the Captain.
"For fraud?", he replied silent and disbelieving. "That's pathetic. My son would never do that. He is the most honest person I know. He was the one who forced me to stand to my faults when I did it. He wouldn't walk that road down, never in his life. That must be a huge mistake."
"That's what I believe too. I think he was set up by Bart Bass. Chuck is currently on a … I think you can call it vendetta against his father. Nate helped him, and I believe he got caught in the crossfire. Chuck already called his lawyers, but I think Nate could also need his family at his side", Jenny described the current situation.
"Look, Mr. Archibald, I know that your relationship to your son wasn't always the best. But he always loved you, no matter what. And now he needs his father more than any other time before. Nate learned early how to care for himself, but in certain situations kids need their parents. This is one of those situations. How fast can you come to town?"
"I'm already on my way. Give me two hours. And Jennifer, thank you for being there for my son. It's good to know that he has such a caring girlfriend at his side."
Before Jenny could reply, the Captain already hung up. Why is everyone believing in that we're dating? Can't a friend be worried about a friend?
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Dan was sitting at the same time in the van der Woodsen/Bass penthouse. It was weird to be here after Serena had broken up with him. But to his own displeasure he needed the help of Bart Bass.
"So, what can I do for you, Daniel?", Bart asked when sitting down next to Dan.
"Well, uhm, I found a great apartment that I'm interested in buying", he informed Bart about his latest plan.
Before he was able to continue Bart cut him off. "Recently I had some trouble lending money to my son's friends."
Dan started laughing lightly. "Oh no, no, I'm not here to ask for a loan", he explained. "In fact, for the first time ever, I have plenty of money. I need a sponsor to voucher me for the condominium board and I know that your name carries a lot of weight in the real estate."
"Well, I like it when someone recognizes my status in this town", Bart replied slightly flattered. "You definitely can't find a better sponsor than New York's real estate's Man of the Year."
"That's right, and congratulations on your honor", Dan complimented him a little more. This was going quite easy.
"Thank you, Daniel. You know, I've been assigned to a reporter doing a profile on me for an introduction on the event. Maybe you would like to get the opportunity instead?", Bart retorted.
Dan was quite baffled by that offer and thought shortly about it. "Well, you know, profiles are my specialty", he answered.
"Good, then it's settled. You write some nice things about me, and I write you a good recommendation", Bart said and held his hand out to Dan for shaking it.
Dan took it and agreed to the deal. Things were going just as planned. Just then the elevator announced new visitors. When Dan gazed over, he saw Chuck and Serena entering the penthouse. Perfect, she will definitely love to see me doing business with Bart.
"Now, would you excuse me", Bart addressed towards Dan, "I have some family business to attend to. But I'm looking forward to work with you."
Chuck and Serena both looked confused and quite suspicious at the scene in front of them. Bart stood up to walk up to his office room followed by Chuck, while Serena walked towards her room. Dan stepped in her way.
"I'm glad to see you. I've been trying to reach you since thanksgiving", he said.
"Oh yeah, and I've been ignoring your calls, texts and emails since then", she replied annoyed, trying to walk past him only to be stopped by Dan holding on to her arm.
"Serena, please. Just let me explain", he pleaded.
"Explain what? That your new best friend is called Bart Bass", she answered pissed. "Congratulations, you officially joined the dark side."
With no further words, she walked past him and left Dan behind – again.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Chuck stood in the office, looking at his father's back. He couldn't even describe how much he hated the man in front of him. The worst was the fact that he was his father. How was it even possible that father and son would end up in a place and situation like this? He thought about Humphrey. As much as he couldn't stand him either (most of the times), he couldn't deny that he also admired his relationship to his father.
"Ok, I'm here", he started to speak up, wanting to get this behind him. "I know that's why you got Nate arrested. So tell me what's it gonna take to drop the charges."
Bart smiled shortly, before turning around to face his son. "It's quite simple. Stop your fight against me, and leave New York for Moscow tonight – alone."
Chuck couldn't believe his ears. "Moscow? As in Russia?", he asked incredulous.
"It's a lovely place", Bart stated dryly. "Real estate market is booming over there. Lot's of opportunities for a young business man like yourself. You can built up an empire there."
"And for how long do you expect me to live in exile?", Chuck questioned in return.
"Forever", Bart answered dry and without any emotion showing. "You can never come back to New York."
"That's insane. That's not a deal! I will find another way to get Nate out of jail", Chuck exclaimed.
"There is no other way", Bart clarified right away. "Don't you get it? I'm very close with the police commissioner. I can make sure that Nate remains where he is for the next ten years, to say the least. I doubt that he will find his happy ending with his true love then. The only person, who can get him out of jail, is me!"
Chuck's insides started to burn. He truly hated this man in front of him. "We'll see how powerful you are, when you're locked inside with him."
He looked him a few more moments straight into the eyes, before leaving the room. He quickly had to find another way to get Nate out of jail.
Jenny entered the visiting room where Nate was already seated. He looked way more miserable than ever. But giving the current circumstances, it was quite understandable. She walked over to the table and sat down opposites him. Laying her hand on his.
Nate looked up at her. She looked as beautiful as always. He was only for three hours in here, but it already seemed like three years to him. This was a pure nightmare. He never wanted her to see him like this.
"What are you doing here?", he asked her.
Jenny looked at him surprised. "What do you mean? Why shouldn't I be here?"
"I mean, after the entire Dan thing, I thought you wouldn't talk to me anymore. At least it looked like it at the Oak Room", he brought out, whisking his hands out of hers. Only to end up rubbing his fingers nervously.
"I know, I'm sorry", she sighed. "Look, I'm still not happy about it, but I get where you were coming from. But that's not important now... I can't believe they arrested you. This is so crazy. How are you doing?"
"Well, way better, now that you're here", he admitted and grabbed for her hand to intertwine their fingers.
Jenny blushed, but didn't pull away from his movement. "Yeah, well, you've been there for me in so many bad situations, I can't let you hang on your own now. We'll get you out of here."
"Chuck's lawyers didn't make any progress to get me out, so I doubt it will happen any time soon", Nate replied frustrated.
"Nate, they can't hold you in here forever. You're not guilty. They have nothing against you", Jenny tried to convince him to think positive.
Nate sighed heavily. She always believes the best about me. Even now. I hate to ruin this view, but she needs to know the truth. Especially if I want to start over with her again. She needs to know everything about me. That includes my mistakes.
"Apparently, they might have something in hands against me", he confessed to her, while looking at their intertwined fingers. He couldn't bare to look her straight in the eyes.
"What do you mean? I can't follow", Jenny replied.
"The Spectator was in trouble, and I needed a loan to keep it running. And to get that loan, I … I faked the accounting numbers. Bart knows about. I guess he told them", Nate still didn't look up at her while explaining his biggest mistake ever. Next to the one of letting her go.
Jenny thought about his confession. She never thought that he would do something like this, but he did it to save his magazine and all the people working for it. Could she really blame him for trying to save everything he had worked for? He looks so desperate and broken. He tried to do the right thing. Isn't that what should count?
She placed her finger under his chin, and forced him to look up and into her eyes. "Whatever you did, you did it to save your magazine and everything you worked for. People may would have lost their jobs. Don't feel sorry or ashamed about it. You fought for your dream. Not a lot of people out there have that passion", Jenny remarked while smiling gently at him.
Nate gazed in amazement at her. She wasn't judging him, in fact she even supported his decision. Why the hell did I ever let her slip away? Why did it take me so long to see that she always has been the one for me? God, how I wished I could kiss her now.
"Jenny...", he started, but didn't know what to say to her.
"It's ok, I know. I called someone earlier, as I thought that you could need some more support", she explained, causing Nate to look at her confused. "Actually I didn't expected that he would suit this situation so well. But now... he might be able to help you cope with it all, as he has some experience with all of this", Jenny finished.
"I don't understand", Nate brought out, when the door was opened again and Howard Archibald stepped inside the room.
"Dad", Nate only was able to say in his surprise to see his father. Jenny smiled at both men, who only starred at each other for awhile.
"Well, I think I'll leave the two of you alone, so you can talk", she said and got up, when Nate immediately got up too.
"Jenny, wait", he stopped her before walking out. He pulled her in a tight embrace. "Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me. To know that you're at my side", he whispered in her ear.
He placed a sweet, innocent kiss on her cheek and released her from his embrace. Jenny gazed up at him, with red flushed cheeks.
"You're welcome. As I said, you helped me so many times. Now it was my time", she replied with a bright smile.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"How are you doing, son?", Howard Archibald asked, while sitting down.
"Been better", Nate replied dryly.
"Well, I spoke with your lawyers. The judge refuses a bail to release you", he informed his son about the latest situation.
"This can't be happening", Nate let out frustrated.
"They clearly judge you for the mistakes I did in the past. I'm so sorry that you have to suffer because of me. But don't worry it will all get sorted out", Howard said convincing.
Nate gazed to the floor, preparing to admit to his father that he actually was guilty. "No, it won't dad", he sighed. "I did it. I'm guilty."
Howard Archibald looked in disbelieve and shock at his son. He had always been the honorable member of the family. "Nate, what are you talking of? You have always done the right thing. I can't believe you do something like this. But on the other hand – with a father like me, and the things I've done. I guess I only have myself to blame."
Nate sighed once more. Feeling quite miserable that his father felt guilty for something that he had done. "Dad, it was all me. I changed the numbers to save the Spectator. I knew what I did there, and that it could bring me in massive trouble."
"So you slipped", Howard replied simply, "but you'll get back up again. You always stood by me, now it's my time to stand by you. We go to the lender, explain everything and pay whatever amount you owe them. They'll drop the charges."
"No", Nate shook slightly his head, "the only person who can drop the charges is Bart Bass, and he won't do so. There is nothing we can do."
"Don't give up that easy, my son. There is always a way out. And we'll find it. That beautiful girlfriend of yours is definitely not willing to give up the fight", Howard remarked.
"She is not my girlfriend, at least not yet. I hope soon... it's complicated", Nate replied crestfallen.
Howard gazed at his son bemused. "Show me one relationship that isn't complicated. You both will figure it out."
"Yeah, I don't know. She is engaged to this British guy, and I hurt her to many times in the past. She doesn't trust me anymore, and now this. I don't think there is a chance for me left."
"My dear son, she is here to support you. She searched for me, called me, so I could come to help you. Do you really think a girl that gave up on you would do such things? Trust me son, she still cares a lot about you. Maybe her trust in you has shattered, but that doesn't mean you can't built it up again. Don't give up on her. From what I can see, she would be good for you. Some fights may last long and are heavy, but they are worth it in the end."
He stood up from the chair and took two steps over to Nate. Giving him a short hug. "Keep your head up, son. We have you out here in no time, so you can be with that magnificent girl."
Nate looked after his father as he was leaving. Thinking about his last words, and hoping for that he was right and they would come true.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Jenny was pacing around in the foyer of the police station. Not sure if she shall leave or wait for the Captain to come out again. She was thinking about Nate's confession and his last words to her. As much as she had tried to deny it at first, but it did move her massively. In fact a zillion butterflies had started to fly around her stomach the second he had whispered them into her ear.
Jenny felt so bad to see him in such misery. Even though she was glad that now his father was on his side. Still it was a huge mess that he got himself into. And Bart Bass wouldn't let him get off that easy, that was for sure. She tried to think about if there was anything she could do for him, but no idea would pop up into her mind.
"Jenny, you're still here? There was no need to wait or would you like to see Nate once more?", she was pulled out of her thoughts by the Captain's question.
She turned around and faced him, smiling slightly. "Uhm, no…I mean, I don't know. This all seems so unreal. I just wish I could do more for him, and all I can do is to pace around here. That's so pathetic", she answered him.
Howard Archibald's eyes widened on her comment. "You can't be serious about that?", he let out astonished.
"Uhm, yes I am. There is nothing I can do for him, except telling him that everything is going to be alright. Which is something I don't even know", Jenny replied frustrated.
"You're doing so much for him, way more than you're even aware of", Howard said sincere.
He walked over to Jenny, placed a hand in her back and led her over to a nearby bench. They sat down.
"I know, I haven't been the best father to Nate. And during the last years, I haven't been there for him at all. But I'll try to be there for him from now on. And the only reason why I'm here now – is you. Honestly, I don't think that Nate would have called me. If you wouldn't have searched for me, and called me up – I wouldn't be here now. That's the first thing you did for my son. And the second – and most important – thing you're doing for him, is very simple – you're there for him! It means a lot to Nate that you stand by him, and it also means a lot to me.
To see that my son is not alone is very helpful. I couldn't wish for a more magnificent woman to stand at his side. And yes, I know… you're not dating. But I do see when two people are destined to be together, and my son and you are. You mean the world to him. It can be scary to be loved that much, or love someone that much. But trust me Jenny, it's worth it to open up for love. Even if it might hurt us at certain times."
Jenny had listened to his words in silence and amazement. She never would have thought that she would end up having such a conversation with Nate's dad.
"He was there for me so many times when I had messed up, or was at my lowest point. It's only normal that I'm there for him now. He needs all of his friends now, it's no question for me to stand at his side. I know that he is not a criminal, he never was. From all the people I got to know from the UES, Nate is the only one where I can say that he is honest and not manipulative. He never wanted to play any games. All he ever wanted was to be accepted for who he is", Jenny remarked, while remembering some of the reasons she liked Nate in the first place.
"Well, I shall call my wife and tell her Nate is doing good so far. You might want to go in again. I'm sure he would like to see you again before visiting hours are over", the Captain said kindly while getting up to leave the precinct. "I'll see what my lawyers achieved so far. There must be a way to bail him out. It was a pleasure to meet you Jenny. I hope it wasn't the last time."
"It was nice meeting you too, Mr. Archibald", Jenny replied, still a little baffled by the comments of Nate's father.
Blair was on her way to the atelier, when her town car stopped all the sudden. What the hell? I didn't give him order to stop.
"Why are we stopping?", she asked angry and annoyed.
Before the driver was able to reply the passenger's door in the front was opened. To Blair's dislike no other than Bart Bass entered the car.
"What the hell are you doing?", she exclaimed confused.
"I'm taking you for a little ride", was his only response before the driver looked the doors and directed the car back into New York's traffic.
"Are you totally out of your mind?", she screamed out furious. "You can't just kidnap me. They are awaiting me at the atelier. If I don't get there in time, they'll know that something is not right."
"Don't worry, Miss Waldorf. We only chat shortly and you're free to go your ways again", Bart replied calm.
Not even ten minutes later Chuck was running up the street to the Waldorf atelier, passing his father's town car. When realizing he stopped his run and turned to his father, who stepped out of the car.
"Where is Blair? She messaged me that she would be here, if you done anything to her...", he started to threaten his father.
"Don't worry, Blair is fine. She is inside the building, upstairs I assume", Bart replied. "She is unharmed, because I decided she could be so. Maybe next time, I change my mind and try something different. So with this in mind, you might like to reconsider my offer from earlier today."
"You're threatening Blair with physical harm?", Chuck answered in disbelieve.
"Me? No, I would never do anything to her. I wouldn't hurt a fly. But as you know, I'm not god. Accidents can happen, and some end in tragedy", Bart remarked coldly.
"This fight is between us, leave everyone else out of this", Chuck countered enraged.
"If you want this to be over, it's simple. Just accept my offer and leave for Moscow tonight. It's your only option, that nobody gets hurt. Your best friend gets out of jail, and can continue his magazine and be with the girl he loves. Your stepmother will continue her happy marriage, and your girl will be able to make her pretty dresses. It's your choice how their life's will look like in future."
Bart stepped closer to the car and opened the door. He held it open for Chuck to get in. "The Bass jet is waiting for you at the airport. Go to Moscow, and everyone you love and care about will be safe. You have my word."
Chuck gazed at his father with hatred eyes. Thinking about options that he might have, but to his own disappointment – he had none.
The event was in full swing. A lot of New York's high society had come by to celebrate the man of the year, and pay him some respect. On the other hand, it was a perfect way to be seen again and get free drinks and food. Who would say no to that? The bigger part of the crowd were people from thirty-five upwards. Barely some people within their twenties, not to think of teens, have made their way to this glamorous party. But five stunning ladies decided to join the party, or better – ruin it for the man to honor. Blair, Serena, Jenny, Georgina and Ivy were making their way up the stairs and into the festivity room. They shortly stopped at the entrance area.
"Well, here we are. Time for the show to begin. And ladies remember to stick to my plan. If we play our cards right, we'll see Bart at the end of this night behind bars. So give your best", Blair ordered from her companions.
"Keep it cool, B. It's not our first time that we scheme against someone", Georgina replied petulant.
"Sure not, G. But this one is damn important. We can't fail here. First because Chuck won't be able to return, and second we need to get Nate out of jail. So messing up is no option", she informed stern.
Georgina just rolled her eyes and walked off. Being followed by Serena and Ivy, who went in different directions. Jenny was about to leave either, when Blair held her back.
"No matter what this night will bring, I know for sure that we'll soon be with the men we love. No need to worry", she stated simply.
"You know it's not like that, B. I'm here to help a good friend. That's it", Jenny retorted to her assumption.
"Stop fooling yourself girl. I know you better than you know yourself. Since you stepped into our world, Nate has been the one you wanted to be with. Trust me, it hasn't changed. So stop being so afraid and go for it. I was scared too over my feelings for Chuck. Didn't want to admit them first, which made me nearly loose him. To admit it was my best choice ever. And it will be yours too."
"B, can we not talk about this, like now? I think there are more urgent matters we shall direct our brains on", Jenny only gave back. "I see you later. Keeping my fingers crossed that everything will work out."
"Fine, but you won't be able to deny it forever, Little J. Good luck on the mission. Keep me posted", Blair replied and gazed over the room to start her part of the plan. Jenny had walked away, getting ready to put her assigned task to motion.
XoXoXo
Serena had found the person she was looking for. "Bart, hey. My mom wanted me to tell you, she is so sorry that she can't be here tonight to celebrate this honor with you", she said politely.
"Well, it does seem very impressive, doesn't it?", Bart replied, while gazing around on the event.
Serena smiled friendly, looking at one of the screens where a slide show with Bart's projects and victories were shown. "You know, maybe you could show her the slide show when she gets back to town. Cause I'm sure she would like to see your travels", Serena pointed towards the screen.
Just in time, when Bart addressed his attention to the screen, one picture that Blair had managed to integrate to the slide show popped up. Bart was quite irritated and slightly taken aback to see that picture on the screen.
"Is everything ok?" Serena played the concerned stepdaughter, when she saw how much this picture affected him. Perfect, the plan works.
"Uhm, I don't remember approving this photo", he said still bewildered.
Serena still kept smiling. "Well, obviously someone likes it", she remarked, looking friendly at him.
"Obviously this is just a mistake in the system. Would you excuse me?", Bart excused himself before leaving Serena on her own.
She remained in her spot, gazing at the screen where the slide show continued showing Bart's success over the years. She still smiled and grabbed for her phone. Typing a message to four recipients.
Phase one has started perfectly. Plan is in motion. Start phase two!
She slipped her phone back into her purse and took a drink from one of the waiters, who walked by. Now it was on Georgina to play Bart right.
XoXoXo
Bart had made his way over to the screen. Watching the slide show and thinking about who could have planted the picture in between. The only person he had in mind was on his way to Moscow, so that couldn't be.
Georgina walked up to him. Trying to be as confident as always. "Have you already gotten this evening's program? You look even more dashing and handsome on this than you already do in person", she complimented him.
Bart took the program from her, looking at his own picture. "Well, at least they followed my instructions for this part of the presentation."
"Tell me the truth", Georgina kept going on charming him, "do you trade on your good looks for all your adoring donors?"
She smiled brightly when she continued the scheme by opening the program to reveal it's inside. "How did you get Lady Alexander to donate so much? And twice on Sunday's, I bet she really put you through your paces."
Bart looked at the program in alarm. "Did you give this to anyone else?", he questioned her.
"No", Georgina answered right away, "oh, unless you count everybody here."
"Whatever it is you're trying to pull, I'm putting a stop to it", Bart informed her harsh. He turned and stormed off, while taking programs out of the hands of party guests.
Georgina smiled devilishly. It went just as planned.
Phase two was a full success. Someone is really mad. Let's get him raged. Phase three can start!
XoXoXo
Bart walked into the main ballroom again when his phone went off. He took his phone and gazed at the screen. A pure shock went through his body. This isn't possible, he can't call me. The ringing went on, and the screen didn't change – announcing a call from no other than Bruce Kaplan.
Not far away, out of sight from Bart, Blair and Jenny stood, watching him. Both with smiles on their faces.
"Great job on stealing the dead guy's phone. Now just keep calling Bart until he cracks. I'm gonna start phase four", Blair complimented Jenny. She only nodded, before Blair took off.
In the meantime Serena had continued to play the good stepdaughter by chatting with the guests of the event. She was standing at the bar when a familiar voice spoke up behind her.
"Serena, there you are", Dan let out when he finally approached her.
"Dan", she only replied surprised, as well as annoyed. "What are you doing here? Oh, wait I forgot. You're honoring your new mentor – Bart Bass."
She turned around to her previous conversational partner. "If you'll excuse me, I need to be anywhere but here."
Without a further word she left both men behind and stormed off. Only to be followed by Dan.
"Just tell me if you are really leaving town", Dan pleaded her.
"What do you care? You can just as easily write despicable things about me from afar", she shot back in anger.
Dan sighed. "I know you're mad, but that chapter is not the only thing I've written about you. The the most flattering things I've written about anyone have been about you, too", he explained to her, in hope she would forgive him.
"Oh, okay, that was five years ago. Since then, I've been the empty-headed blonde in "Inside," and the golden girl with daddy issues in "Inside Out". Your writing changed, and so did you", she remarked disappointed.
"That's no reason to leave your entire world behind", he tried to convince her to stay.
"My world turned you from a person with integrity into a cruel satirist. I mean, you're worse than gossip girl. At least she has a conscience", Serena described her point of view.
Dan shortly gazed down to the floor, before looking up at her again. "No matter what it looks like, I'm still on your side, Serena. I always have been."
"Yeah, well, excuse me if I don't wait around to be disappointed again. I'm moving to L.A. Just as soon as I'm done helping Blair with Bart, which you should be doing too, but you're on his side now. So I assume you don't care at all about your friends anymore."
She went past him and left him behind. Not keen to hear any further lies of his.
XoXoXo
Bart talked to one of the security chiefs, trying to get the upper hand over his event again. He wouldn't let it happen that someone would ruin his night. He was the Man of the Year, he was the one who set up the rules.
"Excuse me, sir. Would you like a cocktail? We have a lovely Sudanese vodka", Ivy quipped when she approached him.
"What the hell are you doing here?", he asked dangerously. Obviously he just found the person responsible for all this crap.
"Just a waitress trying to serve you a drink, which you look like you could use", Ivy replied while handing Bart a short drink with a napkin which had the logo of the Dubai bank on it.
He shortly gazed at the logo. "Lily destroyed what was inside of this already. So whatever is going on in your crazy mind, it won't work."
"Hmm. Maybe I did make copies? You never know which one of these has what you're looking for", Ivy remarked brave when she handed him a couple of napkins, all with the same style and printed logo on it.
Bart took them, swallowed his drink and slammed it back on the tablet Ivy was holding. He left her behind in rage. This evening was becoming more and more a nightmare, and it was supposed to be his victory celebration.
He marched through the room, when his phone went off again. Announcing once more a call from Bruce Kaplan. He was close on answering it, when Blair spoke up from behind.
"Bart? There you are. Perhaps you remember my very special guest Iman Hassan? You did some oil dealings with her father", Blair said sweetly while introducing the young woman next to her.
"It's lovely to see you, Iman. Although I never did any business with your father. We were simply good friends", Bart corrected Blair's word, knowing now exactly who was behind this entire charade all night.
"Who shared a love of horses", Iman replied simply.
"Yes, that's right", Blair interrupted her. "How is her dear Lady Alexander living out her days at your horse farm?"
Bart was taken aback, once more this night. But he still kept his face. "Grazing away happily, I should think."
"I know what you did to my horse. Did you murder my father, too?", Iman questioned him harsh.
Bart gazed at Iman, and than at Blair before turning to Iman again. "I loved your father like a brother."
Another phone call from Bruce Kaplan interrupted his explanation. "If you'll excuse us, Iman, we need a moment to talk."
"Oh. Tell security where I am. I wouldn't want to go mysteriously missing", Blair said to her, before she was led by Bart into the backing area, where guests had no access to.
"I know what you're trying to do with the envelopes and the phony phone calls. I've seen "a Christmas Carol" ", Bart tried to make her confess her stupid plan.
"The classic tale of misdeeds haunting a man who didn't remedy them", Blair summed the content up.
"You know, I've always felt that scrooge was unfairly maligned. He simply expected people to act like adults. There is no Santa Claus, Ms. Waldorf", he replied.
...owned and operated by Bass Industries. The G2 was reported missing off the coast of Maine.
"Wait. Turn that up", Blair said, when she got distracted by a news report on a screen behind Bart.
"Sure", responded the man who was responsible for the electronics. He raised the volume a little.
The coast guard is investigating the area where the plane went off the radar after sending a mayday signal.
"Oh, no. I hope that wasn't the one Chuck was on", Bart said dryly, without any emotion showing that he truly was worried about his son.
At present, there was no communication from the plane. A search and rescue operation is currently underway to identify victims.
Blair was shocked. She was barely able to breathe or think. She looked at the man in front of her, who looked straight back her. But no sadness, shock or regret was shown on his face.
She heard from the main hall a man speaking up, introducing Bart to the crowd. But for her it was all like a blur. This couldn't happen, this couldn't be true.
Chuck is not dead. He can't be dead. We wanted to spent our life's together. After so many years of fighting we finally pull on one string. We do have a future! It can't be over now. Bart can't win.
The exact number of passengers aboard the plane is still uncertain. We'll bring you more information as it becomes available.
"I guess this is my cue", Bart only said. Looking at her once more, before leaving her behind to accept his honor.
Blair remained alone. Trying to comprehend everything what was going on around her. It felt like the world had started to spin unbelievable fast, while at the same time it had stopped.
She was close on crying, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Serena had approached her from behind, followed by Jenny. Both women looked in shock on the screen where the report over the missing Bass yet continued.
At the same time went the honorary gala in the main hall on. "To truly introduce him properly, it's my honor to present the number one chronicler of Manhattan's elite, Mr.
Daniel Humphrey."
All three woman were snatched out of their state, when Dan's name was called out loud. They walked back into the room and gazed over to the tiny stage which was set up to see Dan walk over to the microphone.
"I would like to introduce an icon of New York real estate and a pillar of our community. He is the center of the Bass family and he's a personal inspiration to me", Dan said to the crowd while looking over to Bart, who was watching his every move.
He then gazed in the other direction, and pointed out his arm. "Please welcome Charles Bass", Dan announced his friend, and walked of the stage to make him room.
Bart couldn't believe his ears, and looked at the entire scene in skepticism and anger. Chuck brushed passed Georgina and Ivy, and got straight up on the stage while people were applauding him. Blair, Serena and Jenny couldn't believe their eyes, but were relieved to see him still alive.
"Thank you. Thank you. My father is being honored here as a humanitarian, but the last time I checked, humanitarians value human life and he just tried to have his own son killed", Chuck informed everyone on the event over the latest incidents.
"Isn't that why you look so surprised? You put me on that plane to die?", he asked. Looking straight at his father, who seemed to feel very uncomfortable in his skin.
Before Chuck could say anything more, three security guards escorted him from the stage and brought him backstage. Brushing past the three girls, who still were shocked by everything what just had happened. Dan looked in concern over to Blair. The entire crowd had started to whisper and chatter about Chuck's accusation.
Bart entered the stage. Trying his best to clear the recent damage. "I would like to apologize for my son's outburst. As many of you here know, he has long struggled with substance abuse. I have already contacted the Pedowitz Institute, and I can only hope that he will accept the help that he so desperately needs. Please, let's not let him ruin this otherwise festive evening. Thank you, everybody."
The crowd started to clap their hands, and continued to party. Drug abuse was such an easy explanation for everything. Bart went down, and directly over to Dan.
"I overestimated you. You're just lucky that security is getting Chuck home to his suite before he can do any more damage", he pointed at him. "Don't cross my way this way again."
Dan followed with his gaze Bart leaving, before he directed his attention to Blair. She still looked close on crying. Serena had left her side, when realizing that Dan was looking at them.
He approached her. "At least you know Chuck's okay", he said kindly.
"I still despise you, but thank you for doing the right thing for once", she replied, wanting to leave him and Jenny alone.
"Wait a second. Do you know where Serena went?", he asked curiously.
"Why would I tell you, even if I did? So you can con her into falling in love with you and humiliate her again?", she answered angry.
Dan sighed. "No, I was hoping after my speech that maybe she would change her mind about me and about leaving town", he admitted to Blair.
"I really hope that you're referring to a vacation spot too elite for the likes of you", she responded snotty.
"No, I'm talking about L.A., for good", Dan informed her about Serena's plan on moving to Los Angeles.
"I retract everything civil I just said. This is all your fault. If Serena moves away, I will never forgive you, Humphrey", Blair clarified even more angry than before. She brushed right past him and left the two siblings on their own.
"Serena wants to move?", Jenny asked him immediately. "Looks like your plan hasn't worked the way you wanted."
"She is not gone yet. I still have a chance, I just need to talk to her once more", he replied to his sister. "What are you doing here? And with Blair and Serena? I thought this wasn't the world you want to live in."
"Long story. To make it short, we wanted to get a confession from Bart. Try to help Nate and Chuck. Guess it blew", she explained shortly.
Dan only nodded in comprehension. He took two steps closer to her, and laid his arm around her shoulder. "Guess both plans didn't work as hoped for."
XoXoXo
Bart was chatting with a few guests, when he noticed two new guests have recently made their way in.
"Let me guess. Prison overcrowding, or did they let the both of you out on good behavior?", he mocked when the two Archibald men approached him.
"My son never should have been behind bars in the first place", Howard gave back angrily.
"Wow, look at how the two of you have bonded over it, so you're welcome", Bart joked again. This was too hilarious.
"Okay, you've had your fun. Now what will it take for you to get your name off my loan document so I can own my paper again?", Nate replied annoyed. He clearly wouldn't forget what this man made him walk through.
"See, that's the problem with this generation. They're so entitled. They don't even say "please" anymore. No manners left", Bart turned to Howard.
He only got aggravated. "Nate worked his ass off to build that paper. He never asked you to cosign for him and he's not asking for charity now. We'll pay whatever it's worth."
"A million dollars", Bart said dryly.
"Done." Howard and Nate felt relief washing over them, as it finally seemed that soon everything would be over.
Bart instead only chuckled. "I'm kidding. It's not for sale. The amount of enjoyment I plan on getting watching Nate squirm? Priceless."
Nate felt the urge to kill him – right now, right here. Never had he hated someone as much as he hated Bart Bass in this very moment.
"Come on, Bart. Don't do this to my kid", Howard begged him. There was a time when they used to be friends. He saw Nate grow up, partly. He couldn't be such a monster.
"Enjoy yourselves tonight, Archibalds. Drinks are on me", Bart only replied, and left the two of them behind to enjoy his evening a bit more. But mainly to attend business for the last time with his son.
Chuck gazed at his phone, missed call by Blair. His father approached him.
"Thank you for waiting", he said.
"I had no choice. Your guards locked me out", Chuck gave back. Gazing around the roof top.
"I wanted for us to have a chance to talk privately. If you don't mind", Bart informed him.
Chuck only snorted at his comment. "You know, I knew you were cold and ruthless, but I never thought you'd try to kill your own son. Guess I was wrong."
"We had a deal. Your friend is out of jail. You were supposed to be on a plane to Russia", Bart clarified his expectations of their closed deal.
"Are you serious? You never intended for me to make it to Moscow. You arranged for the pilot to parachute to safety while I was left to die on the plane", Chuck accused him on the attempted try to murder him.
"You always had a wonderful vivid imagination. But I warned you earlier, accidents can happen", Bart said while snatching Chuck's phone out of his hand, which was recording their conversation.
"Just tell me did you try to have me killed because you hate me so much or because I know too much?", he asked his father right away.
"You know, no matter how hard I have tried to turn you into a man, it still remains the one big failure of my life", Bart answered him nonchalantly.
"You're not a man. A man accepts responsibility for his actions. A man takes care of his family. A man doesn't pay a mother to abandon her child and then tell that child his mother is dead. A man doesn't try to have his own son killed!", Chuck spat out all of Bart's mistakes. "But you can tell the police what kind of a man you are."
Bart approached Chuck further, pushing him against the breast. Forcing Chuck to walk backwards towards the roof edge. "Your naivete is adorable. Even if I didn't have the police commissioner in my pocket, who do you think they're gonna believe?"
Bart forced Chuck even more to the edge of the roof. "The man of the year (push) or some sad, (push) pathetic,(push) little boy like you?!"
Before Bart could push Chuck once more, he punched his father straight in the face. He stumbled back a little, holding his nose. He looked up at Chuck in anger and rage. Within seconds he attacked Chuck, who managed to step aside before Bart could reach him.
Instead of colliding with his son, Bart fell over the balustrade of the roof top. He barely managed to hold on to it.
"Aaaah", Chuck heard Blair scream out, who recently made her way up to the roof.
Chuck gazed at him in shock, Blair held on to his arm. Both didn't know what to do. Should they help the man who tried to kill his own son and ruin their life's? Or should they just watch him die?
"Chuck, give me your hand! You know I'm all talk! I would never really hurt you!", Bart barely brought out, while trying hard to hold on to the balustrade.
"Everything you say is a lie!", he screamed out. Not moving a single inch closer to his father.
"Charles, this isn't who you are", Bart said barely, while looking at his son. "Please, son!"
Chuck was torn. His heart was racing as hell, and his mind couldn't think straight anymore. This was his father, fighting for his life right in front of their eyes. But this was also the man who tried to get him killed. Before he could make up his mind, Bart strength vanished. He wasn't able to hold on to the balustrade any longer. His left hand slipped, before his right followed.
Bart Bass, who had built up an empire out of nothing, was taken by the dark when he fell down the building.
"Aah!", Blair screamed out. She could barely breathe, but she knew they couldn't stay here any longer. Sooner or later security or police would come. "Come on. We have to get out of here", she said to Chuck, while dragging him towards the exit door.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
At the same time Serena had picked up her stuff to leave New York for good. She was on her way to the airport when she stumbled into Dan in the foyer. Of course he has to show up here again.
"What are you doing here? And with a suitcase?", she asked annoyed and curious at the same time.
"I got an apartment in the building", he informed her about his new living situation.
"What?", she cried out incredulous.
"I finally realized where I wanna be, and it's here, where you are", Dan said soothingly.
"Where I used to be. I have no interest in being anywhere around here anymore", Serena explained to him
"I don't believe that. You ran away to Spain, upstate, boarding school, Santorini. And you always came back", Dan summed up all the times she left and returned.
Serena rolled her eyes. "Well, that was then. That was before I knew what this place could do to people, before I saw it turn you into Bart Bass", she replied sad.
"I'm not Bart. But what's wrong with wanting power? You have it", he answered. "Maybe if you stopped hating it, you'd stop hating yourself. Then you can finally be happy where you belong."
"Okay, you know what? I have no interest in being psychoanalyzed by my evil biographer", she remarked upset.
"Serena, I know I've hurt you, but I still love you. I've lost track of it at times. I've made mistakes. I've made massive, heartbreaking mistakes but I've never stopped loving you", he admitted to her by pouring his heart out.
"Well, excuse me if I don't fall for that, or you, ever again", she replied untouched.
Dan sighed. "Please, just if you come upstairs for a second, I have something I can show you that will prove it", he tried to convince her to give him another chance.
"I've seen all I need to see. I have a plane waiting", Serena said, before passing by and leaving the building to enter her waiting car.
Dan followed her every move. Before her luggage was taken out to the car, he placed the proof of his love to her in one of her bags. Hoping she would find it and not leave New York.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
"All I've been trying to do for the past two years is just build something that I can be proud of. Instead, I lost it, and my reputation and most of my trust fund", Nate said frustrated. He was sitting on the couch of the penthouse at the Empire. His father and he had returned from the event just a few minutes ago.
"Sorry I wasn't there for you sooner, son. I never wanted you to end up like me", Howard replied sad. He felt so guilty that his son had been in such a mess without his knowledge.
"Hey. You didn't end up so bad", Nate remarked to cheer up his father, patting his hand on his knee.
Howard looked Nate straight in the eyes. "Whatever you decide to set your mind to next, I know you can achieve it."
"Thanks, dad."
Jenny walked into the penthouse where Nate and Chuck were staying.
"Miss Humphrey, what a pleasure to see you again", Howard greeted her, when she came in. "Well, I'll leave now. Son, I'm glad you're fine. We keep in touch and mom will join me next time when I come. Jenny, thank you for looking out for him. Remember my words."
He hugged his son goodbye, nodded shortly towards Jenny and left the penthouse.
"What was that?", Nate asked her confused. "Which words shall you remember?"
"Uhm, I don't know. Maybe something he said when we were at the police station or so. I really don't know", she lied to him, while remembering all to well what Howard Archibald had told her at the precinct. "You know, I only came by to see how you're doing. Ivy told me that she saw you at the party earlier. I'm glad that they released you. So Bart gave in?"
"Not really. Chuck saved my ass by boarding the plane to Moscow. Have you seen him lately? I wanted to talk to him, but they told me that he was walked out by the security. And Blair called to ask if he is here", Nate told her.
"Not since he blew the party with his speech. Guess Bart wasn't amused that he called him an attempted murderer. I still can't believe he tried to kill his own son", she replied shivering. Rufus could never be that mad or angry at her, that he would try to kill her. That was just insane.
Nate nodded. "Yeah, that is quite an insane situation. Hope he is alright now. I wouldn't be to surprised if Bart would try it again."
Jenny sat down on the couch. She didn't feel comfortable with this topic. "He would be crazy if he does. After Chuck's speech. Even if he managed to convince people that Chuck has a drug problem, still the accusation hangs above it. People would remember when something happens to Chuck. He will be fine", she assured Nate.
"But what about you? After all this... craziness", she asked concerned.
He shook slightly his head. "I don't know. I'm glad that dad came. It really gave us time to catch up. Thank you again for calling him", he answered her. Gazing into her wonderful blue eyes. He remembered the last time they both sat in this exact same spot. It didn't end so well. So he brushed that thought immediately away.
"It's alright Nate. As I said, it was my time to help you out", she spoke kindly, smiling at him.
"Yeah, it was. Any idea for the Spectator as well? I guess with Bart still on the radar, it's better to give in and let it go", he sighed out defeated and leaned back into the cushions.
It broke Jenny's heart to see him so broken. He had worked so hard for the paper, it shouldn't have been for nothing. "Is there really no story left that you could publish?", she questioned him.
"No, not a big one that could save me. I mean, there was one, but that didn't work out", he explained.
"Which one was it?"
He sat straight up again, looking directly at her. She was so damn beautiful. Just being with her erased all the pain he felt since he got arrested earlier that day. "I tried to expose Gossip Girl. I was pretty close to it, when Serena went missing. To find her, I made a deal with Gossip Girl to stop looking for her. Turned out Serena was doing just fine, and of course Gossip Girl knew it. She played me all along."
Jenny felt a little unease, but he needed to fight for his dream. Just like she did for her own fashion line. "Whatever. They say that payback is a bitch, so be one. What do you have to lose to look through your material once more? You're already at the bottom, right? The only way goes back up again, and why not by exposing Gossip Girl?"
Nate gazed again in amazement at the girl in front of him. During the last weeks she had surprised him more than once. And once more he asked himself the question why he did let her slip away.
"You're right. I have nothing to lose. Thank you for your support. It really means a lot", he replied pleasantly.
"No problem. I should go now, check on Dan. He left me a message, rambling over a new apartment or so", she got up from the couch. "I see you around, Nate."
So, I hope you can still keep your eyes open ;) and enjoyed reading this chapter. The next will be the last to stay close to the show, from then on it's all my imagination and fantasy. So much is said, I have already a bit for Chapter 11 done and that one scene is so far my favorite - you'll see then. As said, I doubt I get some writing done within the next days as my parents will come to town. So I can't promise to be able to upload the next chapter next weekend. Sorry in advance. Would love to hear your thoughts about this chapter, and if you have any wishes for future chapters - just let me know