A/N: So here it is, chapter 55. You can all thank my betas for this one because they got this back to me during finals! Sorry if the Darena is a little on the cheesy side - I think I just feel like they are kind of a cheesy couple.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN GOSSIP GIRL

Rated: T mostly for language.

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Serena looked to Dan with possibly one of the most serious looks he had ever seen her give. They were sitting on the bed in her bedroom doing nothing more than waiting; which he truly thought was all that he could do. "I just don't know what to do Serena."

Serena ran a hand through her already tangled locks. "But we have to do something. We can't just let things go on like this."

Dan shook his head slightly. He knew how Serena felt. After all, he was in the exact same position. Each and every one of their friend's lives were so f'd up right now but they were virtually helpless; forced to stand on the sidelines and watch."I don't think there's anything we can do." Dan spoke emphatically.

Serena shook her head. "There has to be. I mean Blair is pregnant and more depressed by the day. Chuck is nowhere to be found, God only knows if he is even still alive. Nate, is hooking up with Vanessa to piss Jenny off because he is still too in love with her to forgive or forget what happened. And Jenny, well she pretends to be okay but it's obvious that not being with Nate is killing her. I can't just let all of my friends deal with this on their own."

Dan was still shaking his head. "I can't bring Chuck back, no one can but him. If Chuck doesn't want to be found he won't be. Blair just has to have faith that he'll come home on his own because what she's doing right now, throwing herself on every lead that the private investigators come up with and putting all of her hope into that, is not helping. Plus now she is on this kick that there is something more than just a runaway Chuck going on and she's roped Nate and Jenny into believing her."

"If it were you I would be doing the same things." Spoke Serena softly. She couldn't blame Blair, she loved Chuck and of course she was willing to do whatever it took, that's what love meant.

Dan ran a hand over his head. He didn't quite understand the women in his life. "You would never have to do that for me Serena because I'm not Chuck Bass. I don't run off like that. That's what everyone has started to forget. This isn't just anyone, it's Chuck Bass. I mean don't you think Lily and Bart would be more worried if this wasn't typical?"

Serena took Dan's hand. "That's what I thought at first too. In fact I was sure of it; I was as sure as everyone else that Chuck was just off gallivanting around the world like he usually does. But this is different. Blair knows Chuck, she's seen him run off before and she's always been the first to dissuade anyone from looking. She always used to say. 'Leave him be, he'll drink it off and put a few whores through college, then he'll come home, bow tie perfectly knotted and head clear. And if you ask him what he was doing he'll say, 'I'm Chuck Bass' suggestively and go on with his life.' But she isn't saying that. She's scared."

Dan absorbed Serena's words and even though he still didn't put much stake in them, he could see that she believed in them and that's what mattered to him. "I still don't see that there is anything that we can do for her or Chuck for that matter."

Serena bit her lip tentatively. "I think she needs to know that we believe her and that we don't think she's crazy. I think that would help."

Dan nodded. Regardless of whether or not he thought Blair and now everyone else was over reacting, he could support her in this.

Serena didn't really give Dan time to recuperate from their last topic of conversation before moving on. "And as for Jenny and Nate, I think we need to just get them in the same room and make them talk it out."

Dan physically rolled his eyes this time. "Serena we can't fix everyone and we shouldn't have to."

"They're our friends Dan! You should want to help them." Serena exclaimed passionately. She was a meddler, she knew that; but she also knew that it was all well intentioned. And if she didn't meddle she would just worry herself to death over all of it. Whereas if Dan had his way he would just sit back and stay out of all of it. She knew that this part of her frustrated him, but she also knew that he loved her enough that if she asked he would meddle for her.

Dan sighed knowing he would give in eventually but feeling the need to hold out at least a little longer. "I know they are our friends but at some point they have to have agency over their own lives. You can't do things for them Serena. And honestly I don't understand why you feel the need to."

"I feel guilty okay!" Serena practically shouted before quickly retreating. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell at you."

Dan looked at her curiously. Perhaps this did involve them after all. It appeared that this desire to help fix all of her friends stemmed from something deeper for Serena. "Why do you feel guilty?" Dan asked softly as he brushed a wayward strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

Serena averted her eyes before meeting Dan's. "I don't know why we get to be happy and problem free when all of our friends are plagued with such serious issues. It makes me feel guilty."

"Their problems aren't your fault Serena." Dan said softly, moving his hand to cup her cheek. "We've had our problems too if you'll remember." He spoke thinking back to last summer and fall. When Serena didn't say anything he spoke quietly again. "And I know that neither Blair nor Jenny would fault your happiness either. They would want you to be happy just as much as you want them to be happy."

At this Serena gave a slight smile. "I know." She practically whispered leaning her forehead against Dan's.

Dan leaned in and placed a kiss on her lips, one that was soft and sweet, showing her just how much he loved her. When their lips broke away, he left his forehead close. "Now what is it that you want to do for Jenny and Nate?"

At that Serena really smiled. "Thank you Dan for being the best boyfriend a girl could ever ask for."

"I would say you make it easy but . . ." Dan said jokingly with a shrug.

Serena laughed as she playfully hit Dan on the shoulder. "DAN!"

His smile faded and he gave an almost unnoticeable shake of his head. "So what's the plan?"

"I was thinking we just need to get them both together, you know. I think they just need to talk things out. So maybe you get Nate to meet you somewhere and I'll bring Jenny." Serena said with a bright smile.

Dan only nodded. "Let's give them a few more days, wait until after Nate's calculus test next week and then I'm in."

Serena wrapped her arms around him. "I love you."

"I love you too." Dan said, unable to stop thinking about what Serena had said earlier about being guilty. With all of the problems that his friends were having with their relationships he knew he was lucky. He didn't feel guilty like Serena did but he certainly felt grateful.

April 23, 2009 — Van der Woodsen Penthouse, NYC

It had been over three weeks since she had called Marcus. Three weeks and not so much as a word. Things had been better lately. Now it wasn't just Nate and Jenny who didn't think she was crazy, Eric had believed her within a moment and Serena and Dan had even come to accept that she might be right that Chuck wasn't just being Chuck. On the other hand none of the supposed "adults" put any stock into what she said; they all kept referring to her as a hysterical teenager.

Determined that she needed support from someone older than the age of eighteen to convince the police that there was something to be worried about she had pleaded her case to Lily thinking that Lily could convince Bart.

Knocking on the door to Lily's room, Blair had been certain that this was going to work. Lily cared about Chuck and she trusted Blair probably more than she trusted her own daughter.

Lily had been surprised to see Blair standing before her. It was a Saturday and they had just finished eating lunch all together. "Blair darling is there something wrong?"

Blair had almost laughed; of course there was something wrong. "Lily, I wanted to talk to you about Chuck."

Lily motioned the young girl inside her room, taking a seat next to her on the window seat in the room. "Of course. I know you must miss him terribly."

Blair wanted to roll her eyes at the way that Lily was placating her, but she had withheld her baser instincts and simply continued. "Yes of course I do. But it's more than that Lily. I'm really worried that he isn't okay."

Patting Blair's hand gently, Lily tried to reassure the girl. "Sweetheart, you know Chuck. He'll clear his head, engage in some of his worst habits and . . ."

"And be back, tie perfectly knotted. Yes I know that was the old Chuck Bass, but he's different now, this is different." Blair interrupted. "I promise Lily, there's something more going on and I'm scared that he's done something dangerous."

Lily shook her head almost imperceptibly, looking at the girl pensively. Serena had been right, Blair wasn't looking healthy. A pregnant woman should have a certain natural glow but Blair looked dimmer. Blair might be worried about Chuck, but Lily was worried about Blair. "I know you do sweetie, but I assure you that if something had happened to Chuck we would know."

Blair couldn't stop the tears that sprung to her eyes as she began to realize that Lily still wasn't concerned. "You don't understand. He didn't take his medication with him or enough clothes to last Chuck Bass two days. And it's been two months."

Upon seeing Blair's tears, Lily felt a tug on her heart strings for the poor girl. Being pregnant was difficult enough without having to be pregnant alone. "Blair darling I know all of these emotions you are feeling are hard. I've been pregnant before too and sometimes we think irrationally when our hormones are acting up."

"These tears might be because of my hormones but my fear that Chuck has hurt himself is not." Blair spat angrily. How dare Lily suggest that she was letting something as silly as her pregnancy hormones drive her to this point?

Lily placed a hand on Blair's back, who immediately flinched away. "Darling you need to calm down. So much stress isn't good for the baby."

Blair realized her folly in believing that Lily would be of any assistance and stood up. "This baby needs his father and since I'm the only one who seems to be concerned about looking for him I am going to remain stressed. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see if Bart will show any more concern for his son than you apparently do."

As Blair walked out she slightly regretted her harsh words. It wasn't Lily's fault that she was so upset and she felt a little ashamed for her actions but she was also angry at the accusation that she was being driven by hormones to worry about Chuck. Sure she might be more emotional because of the pregnancy but one way or the other; she would have been worried.

The cab ride to Bass Industries was long enough that Blair formed an adequate game plan and she exited ready with quite the speech to convince Bart of her concerns. Blair had been unable to resist an eye roll as the secretary told her to go right in; Bart was expecting her. Of course Lily had called him telling him she was on her way. She walked into Bart's office to see him sitting back in his chair, presumably waiting on her arrival.

"Good afternoon Blair. I presume you've been taking good care of that grandchild of mine." Bart spoke in his normal authoritative voice. Glad that Lily had called ahead and he had been prepared for her visit.

Blair nodded slightly. "Of course but that's not what I'm here to talk to you about, although I assume Lily's already told you that." As Bart tilted his head in acknowledgment she continued. "We need to discuss the fact that your son is still missing. It's been months Mr. Bass."

Bart's face didn't change but he sat up a little straighter. He had always been impressed by the fact that Blair was in control of the situation around her; she had reminded him a lot of Evelyn in that way among others. "This is Chuck we are talking about Blair. We know all of his tendencies."

Blair bit her tongue, she was getting tired of hearing about Chuck's 'tendencies' like he was still the same boy he was a year ago. "Yes but none of this has made sense. The PI's I have tracking his cards said that he's been ordering food with extra onions and going white wine tasting. Chuck doesn't drink white wine and he's allergic to onions. I'm worried that he's not okay and it's not him using his card."

"So my son's developed a taste for white wine? So what? It's about time he learned to appreciate something other than scotch." Bart spoke before continuing. "And I think I would know if my son were allergic to something as basic as onions."

Blair shook her head. "With all due respect sir, I would have to disagree. Chuck always had to pick the onions out of his food growing up, the nanny had already told you of his allergy and he didn't want to have to remind you. Luckily he only had a reaction in high quantities. And Chuck would rather drink an entire bottle of mouth wash than a sip of white wine."

Bart simply stared at the teenager in front of him, realizing that placating her wasn't working and he found her insolence unnerving. "I'm sorry Blair but I believe I know my son better than the newest girl the boy knocked up, even if you are a Waldorf." Blair's eyes had shot open at the open insult and Bart had continued. "I mean you don't honestly believe that you are the first do you? You are simply the first who has insisted on keeping the child."

She had come within a baby's breath of smacking Bart across so hard that she would have been permanently banned from his office. Instead she had calmly composed herself and spoke again. "You and I both know that Chuck's different with me than he is with other girls. And quite honestly I don't think you know him at all." Bart had continued staring at her with the same facial expression. "For instance, did you know that Chuck proposed to me over Christmas? Or that he was willing to move to London to be with me? Did you know that every year on his birthday he goes to St. Patrick's Cathedral for an hour and lights a candle for his mom? Did you even know that she passed down a heart condition to him that he has to take daily medication for? A medication that he left sitting in the cabinet in his suite at the Palace."

Bart suddenly slammed his hand down on his desk, startling Blair and even himself, he never lost control. "That's enough. I've heard enough of your reasons and I am telling you for the last time that Chuck will be fine. Now if you want to continuestaying in our house, you need to accept this and go on with your life."

Blair's jaw was locked. "Actually I don't. You forget I don't need your money or your shelter Mr. Bass. I was staying there to be close to Serena, I won't inconvenience you with my presence any longer but know that I will find Chuck, without your help." With that she turned and walked out of his presence.

Blair returned to the van der Woodsen/Bass penthouse only long enough to pack up her things and have them brought down to the car; much to Lily's chagrin. Serena tried to stop her as well but one look from Blair had silenced her; she knew when to just let her friend be. From there Blair had moved all of her things to the suite at the Palace, she could of course get her own suite but what was the point?

Almost as soon as her bags had arrived upstairs she heard her cell phone go off. Blair rolled her eyes even as she searched for it in her purse; it was likely someone trying to convince her that she was being irrational. Surprise filled her as she saw the caller id and suddenly she couldn't open the phone fast enough. "Marcus? What is it? What did you find?" She asked suddenly breathless. Blair heard the sharp intake of air on the other end and felt her stomach drop even as her heart soared. Marcus had found something and even as she was filled with hope there was a sense of dread creeping up on her as well.

When Marcus spoke it was slow and labored. "I found Chuck. But Blair, it's not good."

April 23, 2009 — Duke Hospital, Durham NC

Holly, the head nurse on the curious case, looked on anxiously as the young man everyone had been so curious about recently turned up his nose at the hospital food. He had only emerged from the coma a few weeks ago but his body had mostly healed during the time he was asleep. He was perhaps one of the luckiest boys alive; the kid had been driving unheard of speeds on the highway and had slammed his fancy sports car into a tree, perhaps intentionally, and had not broken a single bone. However, he had suffered serious head trauma including swelling in the brain that had led to his comatose state. Now that he was awake they had expected all of their questions to be answered, the main one being who the hell he was but there had been nothing, the boy had no memory of who he was.

While the young man could describe parts of his life in great detail, in referencing people it was always just descriptions never names. The most prominent characters in his plots were three other teenagers for whom common nicknames had been established: the Golden Boy, the Party Girl, and the Queen B -- the last being the girl they all suspected he was enamored with. The tales were so lavish and intricate that the majority of the nursing staff thought that he had suffered more brain damage than originally thought though the doctors insisted that was not the case. He had seemed to believe that he was a junior in high school, which was believable enough, only there was the slight problem that he also believed that it was November of 2007. His pattern of storytelling had continued these past weeks but they had yet to receive any clue as to the boy's identity, not even an actual location of where home was for him -- though most assumed New York City from a slight northern accent and a few of his most detailed tales. They also knew that he was quite the charmer as he had every female in the hospital eating out of the palm of his hand.

All of that was true until today when they had received a phone call from a man with a British accent inquiring about the young gentleman. Whoever the man who had called was he had power because within an hour he had been faxed photographs, x-rays, and charts. In response he had only informed them that they should expect a visitor for the boy in the very near future. Now the entire hospital was in a tizzy over just who this boy was as they anxiously awaited the arrival of the person who was supposed to be able to fill in the gaps and tell everyone just who the boy was.

A/N: Yay Chuck's alive but with some serious problems . . . Three more to go! Next one will finally have some N/J interaction as well as Blair's visit to Chuck.

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xoxo
Kate