A/N: I've been stuck in airports for the past day or so, so I have had quite a bit of time to write. So here's the next installment. I hope you enjoy and as always reviews are very much appreciated.

One warning though, I have seen a lot of spoilers and while I'm not working off of those some of them may appear in my story because they fit too perfectly not to. But from here on out I am pretty sure my story differs enough that I am on my own.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or its characters

Rated: T mostly for language. This one isn't really M but it is a pretty high T lol.

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What the hell? Vanessa was still standing there in the hallway outside the cafeteria. Had Serena just said what she thought she had. That was insane, no that was beyond insane. Serena Van der Woodson had just warned her that Blair was going to come after her because Serena had told Gossip Girl that Nate's family was poor and Blair thought it was Vanessa. WTF that was crazy even for the UES.

Nate had secured the scholarship to Constance for her back when they were still together. He had wanted her to come here so he could see more of her but then they had broken up. She had gotten the scholarship though and the art program here was so good that she couldn't possibly resist. So she decided to come anyway, plus Nate was here and if coming here let her see more of him so be it. Vanessa definitely still wanted him back. Now it seemed as though she was going to be dealing with a slightly psycho Serena and a pissed off Blair. Oh yes, it was a wonderful decision to come to Constance.

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Blair walked into her 5th Period English class to find no other than Vanessa sitting right next to her usual desk. Blair walked right by her and casually knocked Vanessa's books off. "Whoops." Blair said sliding into her usual seat.

"No problem Blair." Vanessa said, trying her best to keep the animosity out of her voice. She was about to have to have a serious conversation with Blair Waldorf and she didn't particularly want to start it off fighting. "I know what you think I did Blair and I just wanted you to know that I didn't." Vanessa said, she really didn't want to start blaming Serena either though because then Blair would really just think that she was making up stuff.

Blair narrowed her eyes. "You were the only one who knew other than Chuck." Blair added in a more subdued voice. "I didn't even know until this morning."

"Blair I'm still in love with Nate. I wouldn't do that to him." Vanessa wasn't about to bow down and kiss Blair Waldorf's feet but she really didn't want to challenge her either.

Blair scoffed and turned up her nose. "I don't know what Nate was thinking getting involved with someone like you." At this point Blair had turned away from Vanessa to face the front of the room. She didn't care what the girl was saying, Blair didn't believe a word coming from her mouth.

"What's that suppose to mean, Blair?" Vanessa said. She was trying desperately not to get angry. She knew from experience that that was not the best way to deal with Blair Waldorf.

Blair turned her head just slightly towards Vanessa. "You know very well what I mean. You are nothing more than Brooklyn trash, you don't belong in our world Vanessa and the sooner you figure that out, the better."

Vanessa gritted her teeth. "I may not be like you Blair. I may not have the money, the clothes, or the Upper East Side address but I'm not someone that you can just push out of your way or ignore and I'm telling you that I didn't send the Gossip Girl blast."

Blair tried not to be intrigued by what Vanessa was saying but she couldn't help but be a little curious. That girl stood up to her in a way very few did. So she found herself angling herself in Vanessa's direction once more.

Vanessa was a little motivated by Blair's apparent interest and kept going. "I would suggest re-evaluating your options for who might have known and going from there. It's amazing what a little jealousy can do to motivate someone to act in ways that they would have never thought possible before."

Class was starting and Blair turned back to the front of the room but she couldn't help but think about what Vanessa had said. What if it hadn't been Vanessa? Who else might have known?

Vanessa could tell that Blair was thinking it over and as much as she disliked the girl she knew that Blair was smart. If anyone could figure it out, it was Blair.

Spotted: C defending N to JW, surprise surprise not, B knocking H and P down another couple of pegs, another non surprise, then we have Not-So-Lonely Boy Dan Humphrey dissing SD in a very Queen B like manor, way to go D, we didn't know you had it in you. S and V seen conversing in the hallway, then B and V in 5th period. V sure is getting a lot of attention from the it group her first day at Constance.

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The rest of the day had gone off without many more problems. Everyone defended Nate when necessary but other than that, everything was going pretty much like a normal day on the UES; other than the strange appearance of love notes in Nate's locker. There had been several. Some with offers of money for a date and others just saying that they would love to get to know him better. Apparently, there were some girls at Constance who were more than willing to deal with Nate drama if they thought they had a chance with him.

"Hey Blair, wait up!" Nate yelled as he came down the stairs of St. Jude's, "You have to look at this one." Nate said, handing Blair a note. She had read several throughout the day. Most were just humorous but she could tell that this one was serious.

Nate,

I wanted you to know how much I still care about you. We've been through a lot and I think

that we still have a real shot at having a future. I forgive you for everything that's happened between us, I know that we were just caught up in our feelings. I promise I don't hate you, all I want is for us to have a real chance to be together. All my love.

"It's not signed." Blair stated matter-of-factly. "Do you know who sent it?"

"It has to be Jenny don't you think? I mean who else would have to forgive me for something?" Nate said, fairly confident in his answer.

Nate seemed sure but Blair wasn't, "I don't know Nate, I mean it doesn't read like something Jenny would write. Plus, it isn't always what you think needs forgiving, sometimes you have to forgive people for things that they don't even know they have done. I mean what if it's Penelope saying she forgives you for what happened behind the school, or Vanessa forgiving you for breaking up with her, and didn't you fight with Serena last night?"

"Honestly Blair, Serena?" Nate said disbelievingly. Blair was the smartest girl he knew, maybe the smartest person he knew period but sometimes she let her mind run away with her.

Blair rolled her eyes. "I didn't really mean Serena and probably not Vanessa either, I was just using some examples of things that an injured party might find needed forgiveness."

Nate just kept shaking his head. "I just have a feeling that its Jen, Blair."

Blair pursed her lips, she wanted to say something but she didn't want to crush Nate's hopes. He obviously wanted Jenny to be the one who sent the note, but she highly doubted that Jenny would start pursuing Nate already when Blair had suggested that it was too soon. She decided that she better just go ahead and say it. "Or maybe you just want it to be Jenny."

Nate narrowed his eyes at Blair, "Why can't you just let me be happy for ten minutes Blair?"

Blair reached out and placed her hand on his arm. "Nate, you know I want you to be happy. Think back over the past few days, what have I done to make you think that I don't simply want your utmost happiness?"

Nate's eyes softened. "I'm sorry B, I was just so excited about the note, I really think that Jen and I have a shot together."

Blair smiled a big smile. "For the record, I think you do too. I just didn't want you thinking that there was already more than there is. You guys need to take things slow."

At that point, they both saw Jenny exit Constance. Blair waved and Nate smiled. "Go" Blair said pushing Nate towards Jenny.

Nate turned back and smiled. "I love you B."

Blair rolled her eyes. "You too, Archibald."

As Blair watched Nate walk over to Jenny she was now ready to focus on herself for today, she was anxious beyond belief for the day to end because she and Chuck had a date for tonight, their very first. He was picking her up in the limo and everything. So as Blair exited the school, she waved to Jenny and nodded at Nate who was nearby. For once she wasn't worried about Nate because she knew that Jenny would take care of him, she was just excited to get home and start getting ready.

Blair smirked at Chuck as she saw him standing by his limo and he smirked back. They passed each other as he was starting to get in and she let her fingers brush through his. It was their special way of saying 'See you later.' Chuck usually took her home but today she felt like walking, plus Chuck had mentioned that he had some stuff he needed to take care of this afternoon if they were going out tonight. So Blair was leaving him to that and choosing to walk the few blocks to her home instead.

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Serena didn't wait for Dan at their usual spot that day after school. She needed time to think, there was too much going on inside her head and she wanted to be alone with her thoughts. But that didn't stop her from looking around as she was heading out from the school. She scanned the masses of students, girls giggling and guys getting ready to head out for sports practice of some sort. She saw Blair and Nate talking then Jenny came out and Blair waved to her. Serena couldn't help but narrow her eyes. Blair didn't even seem to notice her as she walked down the stairs yet she was waving to Jenny across the courtyard. Then Blair nodded at Nate and Nate and Jenny left together. Since when were Jenny and Nate so close, weren't they suppose to hate each other after what happened last weekend. And Blair, Blair was so absorbed in Chuck that she didn't even realize how Serena felt. When had this happened, when had she lost her best friends to Jenny Humphrey and Chuck Bass. Serena just wanted things back to normal, back to how they were suppose to be, when Blair was her best friend, when Nate adored her, when she was happy. Suddenly one day she woke up to find that it was gone, all of it. That's why she took out her phone and snapped the picture of Blair and Chuck's obvious flirting in the courtyard and that's why she sent it to Gossip Girl. Serena had already sent the tip about Nate, now Blair and Chuck, she was willing to do whatever it took to get her friends back.

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Vanessa watched as Serena exited the school, watched as she snapped the picture of Chuck and Blair, and watched her send it to Gossip Girl. She had no clue what was going on with Serena. Why was she sabotaging her friends like this. Vanessa knew it wasn't her business but she couldn't help but get involved because with Serena acting like this Nate was going to get hurt. Vanessa was in love with Nate as ever, she had even left him a note in his locker today, telling him that she wanted to be with him, she hadn't signed it though because she figured that he would know it was her. So yeah she wanted Nate back but she also wanted him to be happy and with Serena making random attacks on him she had no clue what was going to happen next. That's why she picked up her phone and called the first number on her speed dial. "Dan hey, can we meet? It's about Serena."

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At the same time, Jenny was walking with Nate towards the subway stop. He couldn't exactly afford the town car anymore and he thought that if Jenny was riding the subway to Eleanor's office he might as well ride it the stop or two to his brownstone.

Jenny couldn't help but notice that as they walked Nate was walking very close to her. His arm occasionally brushing hers. Their fingers grazing one another's casually as they walked. Jenny couldn't help but day dream just a little of the possibility that just maybe something could happen between them, maybe they could be a couple, maybe Nate had real feelings for her, as Blair thought he did.

"Thank you Jen." Nate said, suddenly breaking through her revere. He had wanted to say something earlier, no matter what Blair had said to warn him, he still thought that the note was from her.

Jenny turned her head to study him. "For walking you to the subway stop?" Jenny said almost laughing.

Nate couldn't help but laugh as well, he hadn't phrased his thank you well. He bumped her shoulder gently and she could feel his breath on her cheek as Nate said, "No, I mean, thank you for not hating me for what I did to you." He figured that would clue her in to what he was talking about, it was straight from her note after all.

Jenny's breath caught in her throat. Nate's proximity was almost too much for her to take and when she spoke it was in a breathy voice. "You already thanked me for that this morning Nate."

By this point they had stopped walking and were standing by the subway station entrance. "I know Jen, it's just that I feel like I can never thank you enough for that, especially for today."

It was obvious in that moment that they both wanted to kiss each other. The tension in the air was so thick but just as they started to move closer both bounced back as if they were shocked. They couldn't do this, Blair was right, both of them needed more time. Jenny turned and started heading down the subway stairs but turned back when she realized that Nate wasn't behind her. "Aren't you coming?" she asked trying to keep her voice normal.

"Actually, I think I'll just walk." Nate didn't trust himself at that moment not to pull her into a dark corner and kiss her and he knew that right now that was not a good idea, so he thought it best to stay away from her for now, regardless of the fact that she had basically confirmed his suspicions about the note if not directly.

Jenny was disappointed but at the same time she knew that it was better for them not to be near each other right now so she nodded and went on down the stairs.

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As Chuck rode in his limo, he made phone call after phone call, checking in with his various PI's seeing if any of them had found anything on Marcus yet. "Damn it Paul, you are the best guy I've got and all you can tell me is that he got ticketed last year for participating in a automobile race. I need something real, something concrete against this guy and if you don't find something for me I will make sure you never work again." Chuck said angrily before snapping his phone shut. He couldn't believe it, there was absolutely nothing on Marcus out there. He had in his employment the best PI's in the world yet no one could find anything at all. But he pushed these thoughts from his head, he would have them keep looking and he would do some digging on his own, but for now he had a date to get ready for.

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Blair tapped her foot impatiently waiting on the elevator doors to open; she had a lot to do to get ready for her date tonight. But when the elevator door opened she almost passed out.

"Hey baby, I missed you." Marcus said a huge smile on his face

Last night

Marcus sat on his dorm bed, typing a paper on his laptop but all he could think about was how much he didn't want to be there. How much he would rather be in New York City. Wait, New York, that didn't make sense he was suppose to want to be in England. But he didn't have much time to think about it as his roommate Mason came barging through the door.

"Marcus man, come on, lets go party, you know DKE wants us both to pledge and even if we don't we might as well hit up the parties while we can."

Marcus had considered returning to his alias as James but then he decided there wasn't much point anymore, he was only going to be there for a couple months, then he was going to be headed back to England a married man. He however was more than happy to go party, he couldn't stand being cooped up in this dorm room writing a bloody party any longer. "Let me grab my jacket."

"That's what I'm talking about." Mason added as they hurried out the door.

Once at the party Marcus just couldn't seem to have any fun. But Mason was determined to change that, "C'mon man, look at all these hot chicks. I bet you could hook up with anyone of them." However, Marcus just shrugged. Mason was undeterred. "Hey man, look at that girl in the corner, the one in the black top."

Marcus looked but his distaste was obvious. "Too trashy, I like my girls with some class."

Mason was determined to help his roomie get some action tonight so he kept looking. "Okay then, how about the girl on the couch. She looks classy."

Again Marcus looked but the girl hardly piqued his interest. "Too blonde. I like my girls with chocolate curls, dark warm brown eyes that sparkle when she smiles and turn fiery when she's angry, full red lips that look constantly kissable, looks fragile at first but at the same time you know that she can hold her own and an air about her that screams 'Yeah I'm a bitch, do you have something to say about it' and that girl meets none of those specifications."

Mason looked around and didn't see a single girl that fell into Marcus's categories. "Dude, don't you think that's a little specific, it sounds to me like you have a particular girl in mind."

Marcus hadn't even noticed until Mason said something but he had definitely just describe a particular girl, he had described Blair Waldorf. "Damn it all to bloody hell." Marcus cursed under his breath. Fuck it, how had this happened, when did Blair Waldorf become all he could think about. Shit, damn, fuck, he didn't want to be at this party, he didn't even want to be at fucking Yale, he didn't want to be anywhere that Blair Waldorf wasn't, damn it he had fallen for the bloody girl.

Mason was more than confused. "Umm, dude, why don't you just forget about whoever she is and hook up with one of these girls, one night stands don't need to be ideal, you know."

Marcus snapped. "Dude, why don't you stop calling me dude and mind your own fucking business." Mason looked startled. "You know what, I'm outta here. Don't expect to see me again." Marcus left the house and immediately dialed his assistant. He was done with this little trip to Yale, he was going back to the city, immediately.

"What are you doing here Marcus? Aren't you suppose to be at Yale or did you flunk out already? Money and nobility can by you a lot of things but intelligence isn't one of them." Blair said stepping into the foyer. She certainly wasn't happy to see him, there would be no date for her and Chuck tonight.

Marcus sauntered up to Blair. "So I guess it's safe to say you didn't miss me. But just so you know, I didn't flunk out of Yale, I simply decided there was no point in going to school there for a month or so only to leave and transfer back to Oxford. So I just came back to New York."

Blair's jaw clenched, damn it, this was going to complicate things. Marcus was going to be in New York, she and Chuck weren't even going to have a chance to be together. "Whatever." Blair said brushing past him and moving towards the staircase.

Marcus couldn't deny that her dismissal made his stomach drop but he had time, he was going to be seeing her everyday until their wedding. He could make her see that he was right for her. "Okay Blair, you can be that way if you want but our wedding date is quickly approaching. Today's September 19th, our wedding is going to be November 16th, the day before your birthday, that's less than two months Blair so you better start getting used to me."

Blair didn't stop on her route to her bedroom. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Leave it to Marcus to screw everything up, then taunt her about it. She went strait to the bathroom where she jammed her fingers down her throat and threw up everything she was feeling.

She could barely see through the tears streaming down her face to dial Chuck's number. The second she heard his voice she whispered into the phone, "Chuck I need you. But be careful, Marcus is here."

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Serena was walking in Central Park, thinking about everything that was happening. She couldn't help but wonder why Gossip Girl hadn't posted anything about the picture she had sent of Chuck and Blair yet. She was still thinking when she heard 'All the eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a Circus. When I crack that whip everybody gonna trip just like a Circus.' It was her cell phone blaring Britney Spears's new hit Circus. She thought about not answering but when she saw that it was Dan she decided she might as well. He was the one constant in her life recently. "Dan, hey."

"Serena we need to talk."

Attention UES, N and J were seen getting up close and personal next to the subway stop on 5th and S wandering around Central Park by herself. On another note, our dashing Lord Marcus is back and B doesn't look too happy about it. Having second thoughts B?

you know you love me

xoxo

gossip girl

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