Games

by pLei4fun

Games are the norm for our favorite NJBC: Love games, war games, etc. But it's senior year and that just means that the stakes are even higher. Sequel to the Queen and her Dark Knight can Blair, Serena, Chuck, and Nate make it to the end of their high school careers unscathed and together? We'll find out. Chair always, but the rest is up in the air.

5. The Ex-Files

Chapter 5: The Ex Files

Wakey, wakey, Upper East Siders. Welcome to the first day of senior year and the onset of a new social dynasty. The big question is, with Serena single and on top of the world, will Constance become the house of Van Der Woodsen or will our Queen B show that she's still worthy to wear the crown?

Serena rolled her eyes at the Gossip Girl Blast before she set her phone back in her purse and went back into the dining room where her brother Eric and her mother awaited her return. She was in no way interested in being Queen. Not only was being Queen Blair's thing, but frankly Serena worried that all that power would bring her back to her proverbial dark side and after having already gone back briefly when Georgina was back in town, she already realized that it wasn't where she ever wanted to return to.

Besides, her life was good now. She and her mother were on good terms, Eric was doing great, and with the exception of her recent break up with Dan, she was genuinely happy. She just wasn't sure if she was ready to face school and seeing him again in front of everyone. Serena forced herself to no longer think about it and focused on the conversation at hand with her mother. She was dishing on all the details of her romantic getaway with Bart and, from the sounds of it, she seemed to have had a great time. Serena remembered how concerned she was that her mother wasn't as into this wedding, let alone this marriage, as much as she was with her others, but was thankful to see that she was wrong.

Serena laughed in delight as her mother told of the time that she got Bart to actually wear flip-flops. Serena just shook her head as a member of the kitchen staff put yet another plate of food on the small table in front of the Van Der Woodsens and spoke, "I can't believe that you got him to do that. I can't even picture that."

Lily smiled, looking as put together as was expected of a member of the Upper East Side with her silk pajamas and her designer reading glasses, as she put her fork down, "It was so cute. Every time we'd go for a walk on the beach I'd catch him staring down at his feet."

The girls laughed together while Eric sat quietly watching the world around him. "Mom, it all sounds so romantic," Serena gushed.

Eric couldn't keep quiet any longer when the staff placed a bowl full of fruit on the table, "Are we expecting more people?"

Lily paused as she looked at the amount of food before explaining, "Well, um, it is your first day of school, and I was trying to be motherly."

Eric smiled and picked up his fork, letting his mother play her role as caregiver as Serena brought the conversation back to the subject at hand with a pout, "Mom, I can't believe you didn't wake me up when you got home last night. I feel cheated."

It was then that Chuck came in, cutting through the bullshit the way only he could, "Last time, you said you felt violated. Welcome home-"

Serena quickly interrupted his greeting to her mother as she threatened, "Say 'mom,' and I will kill you in your sleep."

"Decaf, Serena," Chuck responded without missing a beat, resulting in Eric smiling as he watched the show, "I was going to say "Mrs. Bass."

"Thank you, Charles," Lily responded with a smile as Chuck slipped a maroon folder into his bag, "Um, Bart had to fly to Beijing on business, but he sends his best."

Chuck shrugged already aware of his father's absence, "Yes, surprisingly enough, he actually called this morning to reiterate that fact."

To say that Chuck was shocked to receive such a call was putting it lightly. Ever since kindergarten Bart Bass was never there to see him off to school and would always relay to his nannies that he sends his best. After so many years, Chuck seriously doubted that his father ever actually said those words and that people were simply saying it in hopes to spare him. They didn't succeed.

Chuck worried that with selling his share of Victrola he would also be selling the approval that he gained from his father last year, but Bart showed otherwise this morning during their call. Stating that Chuck selling was smart and with that money he earned he could maybe invest fully in his next grand idea and have something that was completely his and do something on his own. The fact that Bart sounded so encouraging left Chuck speechless for a moment. His father actually believed that he was capable of doing something on his own and Chuck was more willing than ever to prove his father right and be on the lookout for his next potential business investment.

"Okay. Hello," Serena waved her hand in the air as she took her mother's hand in her own. Once again pulling the attention back on her, "We were talking romantic getaway, walking on the beach. Details."

As Lily opened her mouth to talk, Serena offered innocently, "I could stay home, and then we could go to lunch together."

Lily looked at her daughter in shock, but Chuck and Eric weren't surprised to find that this was Serena's angle from the start. Eric was taking lessons from Chuck on the power of knowing everything and being able to see through people. "Stay home?" Lily asked her, raising her eyebrows in surprise, "It's your first day of-"

"Serena and Dan broke up. Tragic, if not entirely unprecedented and not without an upside," Chuck interrupted with a smirk before turning his attention to his step-sister, "Humphrey was holding you back."

Serena sighed as she fell back into her chair, "Are you talking about that stupid Gossip Girl Blast from this morning? I'm not interested in being Queen, okay? Being Queen is Blair's whole thing."

Chuck smirked as he responded, "I'm aware and I'm glad to hear you say that. The last thing our kingdom needs is a civil war. What I was referring to was the fact that your social stock profile has suffered a slight decline while you dated Humphrey. But thanks to me and Blair, the masses haven't taken advantage of the situation. It's time that you got back into the game, S. You and I both know you miss it, so why fight it?"

Serena looked down at her plate in silence. She had to admit, only to herself, that Chuck may be right. While she was dating Dan she spent most of her nights at home with him and it got to the point that she wasn't even thought of as a potential invite. She was even more aware that if Blair hadn't continued to put her at the top of her guest lists for her gatherings, Serena would have been completely alone after her break up with Dan. It was unfortunate that this was the way of her world, but it was and she knew that now that she wasn't with Dan she had to show them what her worth was.

With her social status almost the same as Blair's, Serena knew that it afforded her a lot of freedom to do as she pleased, but in order to have those freedoms she had to play their game every once in a while. Serena was a social person and she already went through isolation twice, this past summer and a year ago when she returned from boarding school. Let's just say it wasn't the most glamorous time in her social life.

Serena shook her head to herself in denial as she finally spoke, "I don't miss it actually. And I refuse to get caught up in the game of social politics thank you very much."

Chuck rolled his eyes at the blonde's naiveté, "You may feel differently when the trumpets call." He smirked over at his step-brother and motioned to the juice in front of him, "Grab the O.J. there's champagne in the limo."

Chuck turned and headed toward the elevator without another word satisfied. When he received the blast upstairs he wasn't much concerned with Serena attempting to take the throne. Even if she wanted it, Chuck wouldn't let it happen. He was just as invested in Blair remaining Queen as Blair herself was. It was nice to know that the couple didn't have to worry about that potential problem, but Chuck took advantage to finish setting the pawns on his chessboard into position.

He wasn't lying when he said that Serena's social status had declined during her time with the Brooklynite, he just slightly exaggerated how dire her place was. As much as Serena liked to deny it she loved the game as much as he and Blair did. Sure she couldn't play it as well as them, but it didn't mean that she didn't have her fill of fun. Besides, with her embracing her nature it ensured that the lines would continue to be drawn between her and Humphrey for good. That was Chuck's ultimate goal.

As he rode down the elevator and climbed into his limo with Eric, he reflected on his conversation with Blair at the white party. He'd been working nonstop to put a seamless plan together and to prepare for the day to set it all in motion and today was that day with the approval of his Queen. The first week of school set the precedence of the social order, it was the time of transition and it was exactly what Chuck needed to succeed with his plans.

After watching Eric and Chuck leave the dining room, Serena sighed, knowing what was coming as her mother turned her full attention on her. "Well, so you broke up. I didn't even know you two were back together."

"Yeah," Serena responded softly.

"Are you okay?" Lily asked in concern as she set her reading glasses aside on the table.

"No, but I will be…," Serena responded with confidence, "I hope. I don't know. Having to see him every day, it's- it's going to be really hard."

"Well, you know what? Every day gets a little bit easier," Lily responded softly.

"Yeah," Serena responded in return, not feeling as sure of her mother's words as Lily did. She really would have preferred to just skip the entire thing, but she knew she couldn't. It was best just to face it head on. She was just grateful that she didn't have to go through it alone. At the end of the day she'd at least have Blair.

xoxo

Blair loved this time of the year. It was the first day and everything was going smoothly. Her minions awaited her arrival with folders and a latte in hand. She smiled as she took her appropriate seat, taking a sip from her cup as she got situated on the top step leading towards the tall building behind her. Today was draft day. The one and only day that returning/new students had to even hope to gain entrance into Blair's inner circle, and the decision on Blair's part could make or break a girl's social status. Plus it allowed Blair to know everyone who stepped foot into her kingdom along with their basic information for future references.

The system was set up by style, financials, extra-curriculars, social status in their own right, family, and connections just to name a few. Everyone knew that Blair was very hard to impress and if you managed to do that you'd be offered an invitation to join her and her group for lunch for a second interview in the hopes of becoming a project. If she found you lacking beyond repair, she'd deem you a victim and make your years at Constance a living nightmare. The last thing Blair enjoyed was having her time wasted and the fact a person would do that because they had lofty ideas of being more than they actually were was simply unacceptable.

It was a tough job, but that's what Queens are for; to keep the social hierarchy intact.

She nodded to her minions to begin and Nelly Yuki quickly motioned over to the first girl of the year, reading from the girl's folder out loud, "Melissa Murphy, Junior."

Blair forced a smile as she took the folder from Nelly Yuki and read through it carefully, on first impressions, Blair was not impressed. "Let's see here," she started as she read up on the girl before her speaking out loud, "A.P. scores good…decent charity work…Young women of the American Ballet Theater…" Blair saw something particularly interesting and commented as she looked at this Melissa as she asked, "Season passes to the Knicks?"

"My dad's the team doctor," she responded.

Blair instantly knew that something wasn't right about this girl. She sounded great on paper, but the question was if she was worthy to be associated with her, The Queen B. She asked carefully, "Where did you say you summered again?"

The girl froze as she reluctantly answered, "The Adirondacks."

Blair grimaced as she shut the folder, finished with the girl as she responded, "We'll be in touch."

She dropped the folder into her victims pile, effectively dismissing her. Obviously the girl couldn't even afford to get out of the state on her father's salary. She attempted the whole overlooking of financial status last year with that Jenny Humphrey; never again.

Unfortunately it did not go well from there. There was even one girl who had the nerve to show up for this important interview in last season's Tory Burch flats! And when Blair inquired about them the girl replied that she got them on sale! Blair did nothing but look at the girl, not saying a word but she knew her entire posture screamed that the girl better get out of her sight immediately. Fortunately for her, she took the hint and ran away.

Blair sighed before she was greeted by her last appointment of the day. From looks alone the girl, Kelsey according to her file, had definite potential. When Blair asked her questions Kelsey answered adequately as Blair continued to read through the girl's file. Kelsey was currently going on about her family, "…and my brother goes to Dalton. Lacrosse captain. Cute friends."

Blair gave the girl another look over, already sensing that the minions were impressed enough with the girl as she slowly shut the folder on her lap and rested her arms across her legs as she spoke, "Lunch. 1:00 sharp."

The girl smiled gratefully before taking her leave, giving off the vibe of eager to please. Blair sighed as she handed the file over to Nelly Yuki, this was only the second file that managed to make it into the project pile. Blair couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment that so few girls were worthy in this school this year, "Every year the projects pile shrinks, while the victims pile…"

"I blame the voucher system," Penelope spoke in disgust as she twirled her hair in her fingers.

"It's like the government doesn't even care," Iz complained to her Queen.

"Ladies," Chuck called as he approached the foursome on the steps, "Mind if I borrow your Queen to talk in private?" As Blair stood up from her post as he handed her a folder similar to the ones she'd been reading through this morning, "And while we talk, they can look through this: A last minute transfer. Figured you'd want to be up-to-date."

Blair took the file and immediately handed it over to Nelly Yuki without even looking at it, "I'm sure you wouldn't be wasting my time." Blair smiled as she left her minions and walked with her boyfriend at a safe distance so they wouldn't be overheard before asking, "What can I do for you?"

"It's not what you can do for me, my Queen, but what I can do for you," Chuck responded with a smirk before continuing on, "Remember our conversation a few weeks back at the White party involving our Golden princess and that Brooklynite?"

Blair smelled a scheme on the horizon as she responded with a smirk, "I do."

"Well ever since you've put me to task, I've been working on a flawless plan to orchestrate both parties involved to their rightful place in the social hierarchy," Chuck explained, "Her at your side as your second rank, and him out."

Blair loved the picture he painted for her, but the blast from this morning repeated in her mind and she couldn't help but ask, "Do you think she'd be satisfied with being second?"

"I've already talked to her this morning and she has no designs on your throne," Chuck smirked at how well he knew her, "But I could tell that she does miss the freedoms her status used to bring her, not to mention the games of social politics."

Blair nodded to herself softly, "Very well. I assume the pieces are already in place?"

"They are. Just waiting for your go ahead to set the plot in motion," Chuck responded, ready for her go ahead.

"Then accept this as my go. But I want you to take point on this," Blair countered, "Serena knows me almost as well as you do, therefore the less I know the better in order to be authentic. My hands must stay clean."

"Of course," Chuck responded easily, already figuring as much. If they wanted Serena back and on good terms with them, she couldn't know that they were involved.

Blair smirked as she watched the wheels turning through his head before taking a step towards him, "You know, Bass, if you succeed with this completely…you might reveal yourself as worthy to stand by my side as well."

"Is that a promise?" Chuck asked with a smirk, the offer was one of the main considerations when he decided to set this whole plan in motion. What better way to gain favor with Blair Waldorf than a covert scheme.

"Think of it as an incentive," Blair whispered back to him with a seductive smile. After kissing his cheek lightly she pulled back, speaking in her regular volume as she motioned her minions over to follow her, "Now if you'll excuse me…I have to find Serena."

Chuck watched her go, feeling the motivation at the idea of the end of his trials in sight. He planned for every angle in this scheme and he would not accept failure as an option. There was too much to lose. He'd been gaining ground ever since he stepped up last week at Blair's party and if he messed this up; he knew he'd be back at zero.

xoxo

Nate was at his wit's end. Ever since Blair's party last week he'd been trying to get in contact with Vanessa to find out what was going on. He did his best to continue on with the sham of a relationship with Catherine when he had to and was even more grateful than usual for the start of the school year. Not for the academics, but for the peace it provided away from his troubles.

But today he wasn't at school on the first day as he should. He was dressed in his school uniform in Brooklyn attempting to catch Vanessa off guard so she could finally talk to him away from prying eyes. He found himself sighing in relief when he saw her in the distance walking down the sidewalk with her hands filled with coffee.

"Vanessa, hey. Wait up," he called out to her as he reached her side. She glanced at him, but didn't break her stride as he walked with her.

"Nate, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Uh, you haven't returned my phone calls," Nate explained as she brushed a strand of her hair off her face.

"I've been busy," she explained as she continued to walk.

Nate wouldn't accept that and stepped in front of her, blocking her path, "No, wait. Just hold on for a second." When she finally stopped, Nate began to speak, "You crash the party and tell me to break it off with Catherine and then you pull a 180 and you tell me stay with her and then you just bolt. I-I mean, did I do something, or what happened?"

Vanessa stood there, not meeting Nate's eyes as her hands fiddled with her cup before responding with, "I'm late."

"Whoa, whoa," Nate stepped to the side to prevent her from passing, still determined to get some answers. "So that's it? I mean, we're not even fiends now?"

Vanessa looked at him finally in the eye after thinking for a moment before she spoke bluntly, "We were never really friends, Nate."

Her response felt like a punch to the gut and all Nate could do was just stand there as she walked away from him. He didn't know what to think and it was obvious that Vanessa wasn't going to tell him what was going on and he couldn't help but feel that maybe he was wasting his time. If she wasn't as invested in this as he was, than maybe it was best for Nate to go on alone. If she truly felt that they were never friends, which hurt since Nate felt the opposite, then Nate would drop it and find his own way out of this mess he created. Maybe he'd even turn to his other friends, the ones that actually wanted to be his friend and didn't turn their backs on him. In the scheme of things, Nate had to admit to himself, as he walked back to the subway to head towards school, that he had been pushing his friends away during the past month. He couldn't really blame Blair for her actions last week because she didn't know what was going on with him and if she did, he knew that she wouldn't have done what she did. She could be mean, but she wasn't cruel to those she cared about on purpose. And the same could be said of Chuck. Maybe it was time for Nate to accept responsibility of his mistakes and ask his friends for help out. He didn't know what they'd do, but he knew more than most that they would do everything in their power to help be it right or wrong.

Nate sighed as he looked up finding himself back in Manhattan. It amazed him that through it all he found himself exactly where he needed to be, with people who've proven that they were with him till the end. He remembered their pact and the thoughts that swirled in his head at the White party last month in the Hamptons. He remembered that he could depend on Chuck, Blair, and Serena to help him through anything. He was just disappointed in himself that he didn't remember this the next day when his mother dropped her bomb on him and when Chuck attempted to help in true Chuck Bass fashion, or even when he was being blindsided by Blair last week.

Throughout his drama, Nate forgot who his real friends were and in turn who he was. He wasn't just Nathaniel Archibald, son of an embezzler and grandson to the Vanderbilt patriarch. He was more than that, and thanks to his friends he hoped that he'd find a way to get back to that guy in some way. He just hoped that they'd be willing to overlook his mistake of thinking that he could do this on his own.

xoxo

"I just hid there!" Serena exclaimed to her best friend as they walked the halls together alone. She was grateful to avoid this moment of embarrassment from Blair's minions. It was times like this that she needed her best friend's undivided attention. "How pathetic is that?" Before Blair could even respond, Serena quickly raised her hands up to stop her, "No, don't answer that."

She knew how pathetic it was. Serena was still trying to wrap her head around what happened earlier. She was walking down the hall and she was about to go into the courtyard when she saw Dan for the first time since their break up last week and all she could do was hide around the corner like a coward. She couldn't even believe that was what she did and she actually lived it! She knew it was going to be hard she just didn't know that she'd be resorting to hiding from him.

"Breakups are easy," Blair said with a soft smile at her best friend's antics, "It's having to see them date someone else that's hard." Serena sighed, not having even thought of that particularly wonderful experience that had yet to come. "Why do you think I kept Chuck and mine's relationship a secret in the beginning?"

"A twisted version of foreplay," Serena responded with a light smile, unable to help herself.

Blair smiled back as she reluctantly nodded, "Other than the fact that sneaking around was exciting and erotic, I did want to spare Nate's feelings, especially in regards to the fact that I was dating his best friend." Serena nodded in understanding as Blair continued on with her words of wisdom as the pair continued walking together, "The point is: whoever dates first wins. And with your ex being Dan Humphrey, you win by default."

Blair smiled at her best friend, seeing that Serena was slowly coming out of her self-doubt phase of the breakup period, feeling a bit of accomplishment until the pair stopped in the doorway of the courtyard. To say that Blair was shocked at what she saw was putting it lightly. Dan Humphrey was having a conversation and appeared to be interested in some Hannah Montana across the way. It was like he had no idea how the world worked! Blair glanced over at Serena seeing that it was too late for her to even attempt to shield her.

Serena felt as if she was kicked hard at the sight before her. It was unreal that not even a week after their official break up that Dan was already appearing to have moved on, as if what they were meant nothing. She understood that it would happen eventually, but it was as if he didn't even care about her or her feelings at all. She glanced over at Blair briefly seeing that her best friend attempted to shrug it off for her benefit as if to say that she knew nothing about what was going on. Serena knew that she didn't; it just seemed like it was the way the world worked.

Looks like Humphrey defied our great expectations and Waldorf's rules of order. Daring to date before Serena? It's only a matter of time before it's off with his head…or hers.

After watching Humphrey and, who Blair would later come to know as Amanda, went their separate ways, Blair quickly texted the minions to bring the folders from this morning after class. Blair was now in protection mode of her best friend and she wanted that girl's file. If she thought she could just waltz into this school and embarrass a friend of Blair Waldorf without suffering the consequences, the girl was sadly misinformed.

It would be an hour later that Blair would be found sitting in the courtyard where the incident occurred, going through the file in question as her minions stood at their posts just behind her. Serena sat across from her appearing to have no interest in the matter at all, but Blair knew differently.

"The file is sketchy," Nelly explained from her post as Blair flipped through it, obviously having done a bit of grunt work before arriving, "She just transferred in."

Blair nodded as she took in the information before her, seeing that her work was cut out for her as she sighed, "Her father's with the U.N., she's traveled the world, she won the short fiction award at her last school."

"Blair, do you mind?" Serena interrupted from her spot across from her. While Blair and her minions were speculating and exchanging intel, the blonde was trying her best to ignore them and focus on her school work. Even on the first day the teachers at this school assigned it and Serena was just grateful to keep her mind as occupied as possible instead of focusing on what she just witnessed: Her ex already moving on to someone new.

She scratched her ear as she looked at her best friend, silently begging her to cease with her probing, only to find that her friend was already in protection mode that few could hope to stop.

"S.," Blair spoke gently as the two shared a look, "This girl is Dan with boobs." Blair faintly heard Penelope and Iz chuckling behind her at her assessment as she continued on, "Do you really want to see them read together all year?" She turned her attention to Nelly Yuki, handing out her marching orders, "Move her to the front of the line."

"Look, I appreciate it, but you're making way too big a deal out of this," Serena spoke up before Blair could go back to her plotting. Seeing that Blair wasn't moved by her pleas, Serena tried to play off the entire situation, "So he was talking to someone. So what? It- it- it doesn't mean anything."

Serena was saved at her poor attempt at playing cool by the ringing of the bell as Blair just stared at her best friend, not saying a word as she began nodding along as if she agreed with Serena's assessment of the situation.

"I'm fine," Serena added as she gathered her belongings and left quickly.

"She's not fine," Penelope and Iz spoke to each other behind Blair and the Queen couldn't help but agree with them. Serena was obviously freaking out.

Blair sighed to herself as she handed over the file to Nelly, "Call her a person of interest." She pressed her lips together and began to gather her things for her next class with a slight shake of her head at her best friend's naiveté of what was going on. But she wasn't worried. She knew that she could easily squash the girl like a bug and the only thing stopping her from doing so, for now, was at Serena's insistence. Now the question of her continuing to leave the girl be was a whole other request entirely.

xoxo

Serena sighed as she left class, doing her best to not even think about how bad her morning had gone so far. She wasn't kidding herself into believing that Blair would leave Amanda alone for long, and Serena could admit, only to herself, that she felt warmed by the fact that her best friend was willing to go through such lengths to spare her feelings. Even if it was wrong, it was just Blair's way of showing that she cared.

As she walked through the doorway leading out to the courtyard she paused at the sight of Dan. This time being caught unlike the last two times she saw him since her day started. The pair paused, giving each other weary looks, not sure how to act around each other as they stood on opposites sides of the courtyard. Serena smiled a bit as he raised his hand up and waved to her awkwardly and raised her hand briefly up from her leg to wave back.

Looking as if he was going to walk away before changing his mind he slowly walked towards her, clearing his throat and Serena followed his lead and walked towards him too. "Hey," he spoke lightly.

"Hey," Serena greeted back with a smile.

"I-I just, uh…I waved," Dan stumbled over his words the way that he always did when he was nervous.

Serena decided to play it off as if this was her first time seeing him, "I was wondering when I'd bump into you."

"Mm. Yeah. So how's your, uh, how's your first day going?" Dan asked before reiterating, "Or something slightly less cliché."

"Good. Uh, yeah. School's…," Serena trailed off as she looked at him, feeling the awkwardness grow between them.

"Yeah," Dan nodded in agreement. After a pause, Dan was the first to break the silence, "Wow. Wow. This is…"

"Yeah, I know," Serena agreed with a nod as she laced her hands together as she looked down at the ground.

"You know, I've been really nervous about seeing you all week," Dan confessed, "In fact, I still am."

"You were?" Serena asked, feeling a bit of relief that she wasn't the only one, "You are?"

"Yeah," Dan responded, "Uh, look, why don't we just fast-forward past all this- this weirdness and be friends?"

Serena nodded as she took in the offer and smiled, "That sounds so good."

"Yeah," Dan nodded back.

Serena decided to offer the first olive branch of their friendship, excited at the concept, "You know what? What are you doing for lunch today? Friends eat lunch together, right?"

"They- you're right," Dan replied with a nod, "They do. Uh, the thing is, I-"

The pair was interrupted as Amanda came up from behind Dan and called out to him, "Dan. Hey."

Dan quickly made introductions as Serena began to feel a knot in her stomach begin to form. "Uh, Amanda, this is Serena," Dan turned back to Serena as he explained, "Amanda's new, so I sort of already asked her if she, uh…"

"Right," Serena nodded in understanding. Seeing the situation was more than what she originally thought if the two were already having lunch together. "Great. Well…" Serena couldn't help but chuckle nervously as she attempted to make a graceful exit, "Um…welcome," she greeted Amanda with a smile, "I hope you have…I'll see you later."

She quickly covered her face and turned to leave before she made an even bigger fool of herself.

Meanwhile right next to Serena's exit, Chuck Bass sat back and watched the entire scene play out. At first, he felt his concern growing as he watched Serena and Dan interact, but then he felt his fears go away as he saw a third member join their group and the obvious discomfort the blonde showed at the new girl's entrance. As Serena walked by him, Chuck couldn't help but comment on the sight before him as she leaned against the wall beside him with a sigh, "Who would have thought Humphrey would be the one to move on first? They look very sweet together." He looked over at his step sister as she looked at him in disdain, "Did I overhear something about a lunch?"

Chuck smirked as Serena stalked away, not saying anything in response. Now, Chuck mentally decided, was the time for his Queen to do her part in this scheme. So far everything was going flawlessly, but Chuck didn't want to celebrate too soon. It was still in the early stages of the game. He lifted up his cell phone and took a photo of the new, potential couple and sent it off to Gossip Girl, being sure to mention the lunch date part of the conversation he heard before heading on to his next class.

While on the other side of the school, Blair and her minions were roaming the halls as if they owned them, only to be brought up short by the synchronization of all of their phones going off. They each took them out and read the Gossip Girl blast and to say that they were shocked by its contents was putting it lightly.

Looks like Dan Humphrey wasted no time finding a new lady friend. We all know lunch leads to dinner, which leads to dessert, which leads to, well, you get the idea…

Blair shook her head and turned it towards Nelly Yuki as she demanded, "Class schedule. New girl. Now."

As she waited for Nelly to quickly get the correct folder from her pile and hand it over impatiently she rolled her eyes at the situation. This was officially out of Serena's hands and now into hers. And Blair knew that she needed to act immediately before there was even a lunch to be had. After being handed the folder she quickly skimmed through it finding what she was looking for quickly as she continued walking down the hallway with her minions trailing behind her like good soldiers. They knew what the blast meant and that it was time to play.

xoxo

When it was about time for lunch, Blair got everyone into position and she couldn't help but smile as she spotted Amanda. As much as she was doing this for Serena, she had to admit that she loved this part of her position in this school. Keeping people in line and making sure they respect their betters, not to mention a potential takedown so soon was just thrilling.

As the girl walked down the hall she motioned for Iz, Penelope, and Kelsey to approach her with Blair from behind. Blair and everyone put on a friendly smile as they approached their target. The group had just gotten out of field hockey class and were still dressed in their uniform; which suited them fine because you never know how useful a field hockey stick could be at times like this.

After seeing the girl tense up, as if sensing that someone was following her, Blair made the first move, not wasting time, "Hi. I'm Blair. You're new."

"Hi. I'm Aman-," the girl attempted to reply, looking weary as she should be.

"Oh, that's not important," Blair interrupted, already knowing the girl's name since this morning, "We'd like to invite you to lunch."

Blair shrugged lightly like it was no big deal as she turned and stood right in front of her while the others surrounded her. Since Kelsey was still new to the group she was standing in the back and instructed to be silent while Penelope and Iz were on her left and her right to prevent her attempt at escaping.

"That's really sweet, but I'm already-," Amanda tried to decline.

"We know," Iz interrupted with a nod and a smile before adopting a serious face, "Dan Humphrey. Bad idea."

"It could be hazardous to your health: social, emotional," Penelope added as she moved to stand just behind Blair with a fake look of concern, not quite pulling it off as well as Blair.

"Even physical," Blair added with a shrug as she raised her stick in the hair and purposely dropped it right on the girl's foot.

"Ouch!" the girl yelled as the stick fell right on her foot; she backed away from the object as it fell to the side.

"Besides, boyfriends are so much less reliable than girlfriends," Blair continued on as if nothing happened as she tilted her head to the side as Iz nodded in agreement, "We look out for each other. What do you say?"

Blair asked her last question but it was clear by the assault and the forcefulness of her voice that it wasn't a request and if the girl knew what was good for her she'd accept the invitation immediately. Amanda forced a smile on her face, obviously about to fall in line when someone approached while the girls were occupied.

"Blair?" Serena called out, immediately seeing the situation for what it was, but asked anyway, "What's going on?"

Blair turned towards her best friend, knowing that the minions would keep the target occupied while she and Serena talked. Knowing that Serena knew what she was up to, she didn't even bother to pretend to look ashamed at what she was doing as she shrugged lightly and responded, "This is Amanda. She'll be joining us for lunch."

"Blair," Serena simply said firmly. Her tone and look of disapproval obvious on her face as she attempted to rein Blair in.

"It's for your own good, S.," Blair said bluntly, "They were going to lunch together. Lunch: as in the meal before dating. Is that what you want?" Already knowing the answer to that question, Blair wasn't surprised at the look across Serena's face as she crossed her arms over her chest and looked away. "Exactly," Blair responded, taking Serena's silence as a go ahead before looking over her shoulder to gain the girl's attention, "Would you grab my stick? I seem to have dropped it."

Again it wasn't a request as Blair along with her minions headed back down the hallway to change back into their day clothes and head to lunch with Amanda doing as she was told and picking up Blair's stick and following after them. Serena sighed as she watched the events unfold.

She knew that this was wrong. The girl didn't do anything other than catch Dan's eye and if Serena hadn't fully humiliated herself earlier she probably would have put a stop to the entire thing with Blair, but she was feeling torn. It just felt too soon for all of this to happen and, since she'd never been in this situation before, Serena didn't know how to react so she let Blair take the lead. It may not be the nicest thing to do, but Serena had to admit that the brunette's ways were usually pretty effective.

xoxo

As Chuck walked around the doorway and found Humphrey standing there, obviously waiting for someone, he couldn't help but smirk. He wasn't surprised to find him stood up. In fact he had hoped he would. He needed this time alone with the Brooklynite to plant a few seeds. Despite how supposedly intelligent the guy was, Humphrey was easily susceptible to manipulation. Maybe it had something to do with being on the outside for the majority of his life. Chuck didn't know and he honestly didn't care.

He had a job to do and it was time to set forth onto the next phase of his plan. "She's not coming," he said with a smirk as Humphrey turned towards him. At the look of obvious confusion on Humphrey's face, Chuck answered the unasked question, "Amanda."

"What are you talking about?" Dan asked, not questioning Chuck's words as fact.

"She met some new friends," Chuck responded lightly, spilling what he knew, "They extended an invitation to her for lunch. Hockey sticks were involved. You know how persuasive our girls can be."

"Okay, but why?" Dan asked obtusely.

It amazed Chuck how out of touch Dan truly was and the fact that he had to spell it out to the guy, Chuck thought it both a good and a bad thing. Bad because it showed just how unworthy the Brooklynite was to even be a part of their world and good because it allowed Chuck the knowledge that Humphrey got the message loud and clear.

"Well, if they anoint Amanda into their fold, she'll be bound by their laws," Chuck spoke slowly before clarifying, "Namely, she won't be allowed to date ex-boyfriends. Namely you."

Dan hung his head as the picture was formed in his head of what this meant before shaking his head, "No, Serena wouldn't do that."

Chuck simply smirked before replying, "Prove me wrong." As Dan stared at him, Chuck knew that the Brooklynite wasn't as sure of himself as he liked to pretend. Chuck scoffed at his lame attempt of staying in his fantasy realm and walked away. His part done for now and deemed himself a success. Since he hadn't seen Nate for a while, Chuck figured that he would find him and see if he wanted to smoke up for lunch together like they used to and catch up. He knew Blair would need to focus on this particular lunch since it set the precedents for all lunches in the future. And he was more than fine, staying away to let her have her fun.

xoxo

Serena felt guilty and the guilt wasn't going away. She knew what she was allowing to happen right now was wrong and yet she didn't step up and do anything to prevent it. She looked over at her best friend and the rest of her followers and then finally Amanda at the bottom of the steps next to Blair's newest project, Kesley. It would be one thing if Amanda wanted into this group, but the fact that Blair basically threatened the poor girl just didn't sit well with Serena. Plus the fact that the only reason the girl was even here in the first place was to prevent her from dating Serena's ex and nothing more made the situation even worse.

"This is wrong," Serena stated out loud to her friend.

"Eating here?" Blair misinterpreted thinking the blonde was referring to the group's current location for lunch which wasn't their normal MET steps, "I know, but the MET steps are totally under construction."

As Blair turned back towards her sushi, Serena sighed as she continued on, "No, Blair, I mean…"

She motioned over towards Amanda sitting not too far away from there. Blair looked over at her best friend and decided that she may as well nip this whole Amanda thing in the bud so Serena could stop worrying over it. She turned towards her new set of projects and called out to her target.

"Amanda," she called, instantly gaining the girl's attention, "We have a few ground rules here." Blair spoke bluntly, figuring it was such a waste to play coy with a girl who she considers her enemy.

"For lunch?" Amanda asked naively.

Blair scoffed, clearly unamused while Serena looked away, feeling her guilt slowly build as Blair continued on, "Now that we're all friends, you should know that dating someone's ex is frowned upon. For instance, Serena and Dan used to-"

"Oh," the girl interrupted, "I didn't know."

"Of course you didn't," Iz replied back from her perch beside Penelope sweetly, "That's what friends are for."

"But now that you know…," Penelope started.

"You understand," Blair finished the sentence bluntly, not taking her eyes of the girl.

"Pretty sure, yeah," Amanda replied looking back at her food.

Pretty sure was not good enough for Blair though. She needed 100% understanding before considering the matter closed. "Pretty sure?"

Serena saw that Blair was about to seriously reprimand the poor girl and, frankly, Serena was done feeling guilty and wanted this to end. She quickly took some money out of her pocket and began to speak quickly before Blair could say another word, "Uh, hey, Amanda, would you mind getting some Gelato? There's a-a cart right out there on the street. My treat."

Amanda smiled, obviously grateful for the escape, as she took Serena's money and left all the while Blair looked at the girl as if something was wrong with her and whatever it was she didn't like it. After watching the target leave, Blair rolled her eyes and snapped her head towards her best friend, expecting some form of explanation to which Serena didn't disappoint.

"I don't like this, B., and I'm not going to do it, okay?" Serena spoke firmly, "I'm going to go find Dan and apologize."

Without waiting for Blair to respond, Serena quickly hitched her purse of her shoulder and stood up from the steps and walked away. Unfortunately she didn't get far enough away to not hear Blair's words of warning, "It's for your own good, S."

Serena shook her head to herself and smiled at her friend's dramatics, unaware that the damage had already been done. She knew that Blair thought that this was the only way and Serena more than a little appreciated it, but she truly meant it when she said she wanted her and Dan to be friends. And friends don't do things like this to each other.

Fortunately, it didn't take Serena long to find Dan in the same courtyard from earlier and she decided to not waste any time and jump right into the apology.

"Dan. Hey. I want to apologize," she spoke genuinely as she stepped in front of him.

"And that answers my question," Dan responded with a nod to himself.

"Look, Blair invited her to lunch, not me," Serena explained, knowing that it looked bad, but hoped that the truth would save her.

"But you were there at lunch," Dan countered, his face taking on a very familiar look of judgment and accusation.

"Yeah," Serena agreed, but quickly continued to speak, "But- but then I left, and I told Blair to stop."

"So you were part of it, and then you had second thoughts?" Dan asked, frowning in confusion.

Serena sighed as she shifted her weight over to her right foot, trying to keep her patience, "Dan, I'm trying to apologize."

"Really?" Dan asked her, obviously not believing her, "Cause it sounds like you just trying to rationalize."

Serena took a very deep breath and looked at the wall behind him, knowing that she really needed to just refrain from saying something that she'd regret later. Yes, she was a part of it, at first, and then she began to feel guilty and changed her mind and it was all because it felt as if Dan moving on so quickly meant that what they had meant nothing to him and for the first time in a while, Serena felt insecure. But she couldn't tell that to Dan. She had enough self-preservation in her to not do that.

"Look…," Dan began to speak softly, "It's- It's just- we knew that this would be awkward. You know? And I- I just assumed that it would be more of a sad awkward, not this competitive awkward." Serena mentally paused at his words. Did he honestly think that? That she was acting this way because she felt like this was a competition?! God, it was like he didn't know her at all! She kept her face carefully blank as Dan continued on talking of things he obviously didn't know shit about. "I-I didn't think you'd enlist backup."

"Is that what you think I'm doing?" Serena asked carefully, keeping her voice calm as she raised her brows up at him.

"Well, you tell me," Dan responded with a shrug, "If- If I have lunch with someone else tomorrow, are Blair's minions going to break her fingers?"

Serena couldn't help but scoff at him and found herself smirking as she replied, "Just so you know, if this were a competition, I wouldn't need Blair and her posse to win."

Done with the conversation and him, Serena turned and walked into the building behind him and down the hall unable to believe the words that came out of his mouth. The fact that he thought her to be that immature just hurt. She'd expect that from people who didn't know her, not from those that did and claimed to have loved her. Maybe it was best that her and Dan went their separate ways for a while and cool down. Because so far, post breakup, Dan was looking more and more like a guy that Serena didn't even like, let alone imagine that she'd like to go out and fall in love with.

xoxo

Later that afternoon, Blair was busy getting the day's homework finished in her sitting room alone. She sighed softly as she reflected on the day's events and despite the slight hurdle of Humphrey and his inability to follow social order, it was a rather productive day. She glanced up as Dorota brought in a tray of fruit to sit on the coffee table in front of her and smiled as she watched her loyal maid pour her a glass of lemonade in a fresh glass.

She was just contemplating taking a study break, when the decision was made for her at the sound of the elevator door opening up down the hall. Blair glanced at Dorota who met her gaze, both having an idea who the unannounced guest was as they looked towards the foyer. Chuck smiled at her in greeting as he walked further in the room as Dorota made her exit as Blair smiled back.

"Bass," she greeted as she stood up from her seat and gave him a light kiss on the cheek.

"My Queen," he returned without hesitation, easily accepting her kiss, knowing that until his scheme was complete, it was the best he was going to get.

The pair sat together in front of the spread set up by Dorota just as the maid in question returned with glass of scotch of Chuck before continuing on with her duties for the afternoon. It amazed Chuck how much progress he had made with the Polish maid over the course of his relationship with Blair. At first the woman would simply glare at him and hiss Polish curses at him when he would come to spend time with his girlfriend, but as the overprotective maid saw how happy her mistress was and how well Chuck himself treated her, far better than Nathaniel ever did Chuck might add, she was much more accepting of him. Chuck knew though that the moment that he stepped out of line, Dorota would be the first to come after him and, as strange as it was, Chuck found the thought comforting.

"So, how was the rest of your day?" Blair asked, interrupting Chuck's inner musings.

Chuck smirked over at her as he got settled back onto the couch beside her, "Productive, yours?"

Blair found herself smirking back at his choice of words before replying, "Same. I've encountered my first challenge of the year. I'm sure you've heard about Humphrey's rebound attempts on Gossip Girl?"

Chuck nodded with a smirk, not bothering to mention that he was the one who sent in the tip that set the events of the day even further in motion. He felt with this particular conversation he could learn the details of what had happened so he could be aware of any potential veering off the path he had set for this scheme.

He took a sip from his glass as Blair continued on, "Of course with Serena still in the early stages of the breakup, she wasn't prepared for it. To be honest, I was surprised myself that he was able to move on that quickly. I mean its Dan Humphrey, for god's sake."

"Something tells me you didn't allow our golden princess to remain in suffering for long," Chuck spoke lightly. He knew that if the situation wasn't what it was, Blair would be correct that the natural order of their world would have gone on; Serena would have eventually moved on and Humphrey would have faded out of everyone's mind, but Chuck didn't have that kind of patience. Besides, this guaranteed it, while the natural order simply predicted it.

"I did what any decent fiend would do," Blair responded to his inquiry, "I invited the girl to lunch."

Chuck couldn't help but chuckle lightly as he leaned towards the table in front of them and popped a raspberry into his mouth as he asked for more details, "How'd that go?"

Blair sighed softly before sipping on her lemonade, "It started promising, but S. started to feel guilty and called it to halt before it was done." Blair shrugged lightly as she saw her boyfriend roll his eyes, before choosing a berry of her own to eat from the spread. She, herself, felt like rolling her eyes at Serena's naiveté sometimes. It wasn't as if she didn't grow up in this world; she had no excuse to see what was coming. Blair found herself flashing back to a conversation that she had with another Brooklynite at her Christmas party. Her own words echoing inside her head, "Serena likes to see the good in people. I like to see the truth." The sentiment was even more true now than it was then.

"The situation, from what I saw, is only going to get worse for her, but until then I'll leave it," Blair finished. If it was a normal situation with one of her minions she would have handled it and be done before the day was even over, but with Serena, Blair didn't want to push her best friend into doing something that she wasn't ready for. It was why she never pushed too much on Serena getting back into the fold of social politics at school. If pushed, Serena could and would be a formidable enemy. Very few people ever actually saw that side of her and are led to a false sense of security with the blonde's sunny disposition and positive attitude, but Blair herself had witnessed her best friend in action and the last thing she needed was for the two to be at odds during this crucial transition into the new school year.

"Well if you have need of me…," Chuck offered, knowing that Blair had the situation completely under control.

"I'll keep that in mind; Thank you," Blair nodded, finding herself smiling before changing the subject, "Speaking of Serena, she told me that Lily came home last night?"

Chuck grinned as he watched Blair pick up a rather plump strawberry and ate it the only way that Blair could, seductively, before he snapped himself out of it to continue on their conversation, "Yes, she did. Apparently she wanted to be there for our first day back. Unfortunately my father didn't agree with the sentiment and continued on with his travels to Beijing for business."

Blair frowned as she took in Chuck's posture. It sounded like the same situation that always happened between Chuck and Bart; Bart being an absentee father and a workaholic. But something was definitely different in the fact that Chuck wasn't quickly finishing off his scotch which still had about a finger left. As she looked at him for a moment, she decided to ask about the change, "But something different happened then usual…you're not nearly as down in your scotch when your father usually pulls this stunt."

Chuck nodded at how well Blair knew him and couldn't help but smirk, "Well, Bart called this morning before I went to school." He nodded at the look of surprise on Blair's face in response to his declaration before continuing, "Yes, to say it was a surprise was putting it lightly. He called to wish me a good day as well as to talk about my recent selling of my half of Victrola."

Blair carefully put her glass down onto the coffee table in front of her, preparing for the worse and hoping for the best at the same time. "And what did he say?"

"He said that he was surprised to learn of it," Chuck began slowly, "But that it was a good deal and a great opportunity."

"Great opportunity?" Blair asked, feeling herself begin to relax a bit as she noticed Chuck's posture stay the same.

"Yes. An opportunity to be able to fully invest in my next venture on my own," Chuck spoke with a slight smile, "He said after the relative success with Victrola, he looked forward to what I'll do next, business wise."

Blair smiled, "That's great. I'm glad that he's finally seeing that you have a lot to offer."

Chuck nodded, unable to keep the smile off of his face. He knew that Blair would understand how big of a deal Bart Bass' encouragement of Chuck going on his next venture alone. The man himself started Bass Industries completely on his own from nothing and the fact that he thought Chuck was capable of building his own empire in a similar way was huge.

The pair were interrupted by the sound of the elevator bell ringing for the second time that afternoon. Blair frowned, not expecting any other visitors; the minions were going out, Serena was spending the night in, catching up with Lily, and Chuck was sitting right beside her. This left only a couple of people in Blair's life that she'd actually allow to walk into her home without calling beforehand, and the person that walked through the foyer was none of those people.

"Well this is a surprise," Blair greeted with a light scoff to the newcomer as she crossed her legs, "To what do I owe this displeasure? Shouldn't you be running around in some gallery in Brooklyn?"

Vanessa sighed in response, making it very obvious that she was attempting to bite her tongue and not rise to the bait Blair was dangling in front of her. Chuck couldn't help but smirk as he instantly figured out that the Brooklynite was there because she needed their help. "This should be interesting," Chuck thought silently, deciding to let Blair take the lead since the newcomer obviously came to seek her for aid. He glanced over at his girlfriend as she raised her brows up as if to say that she was losing patience with waiting for the girl to speak.

"Look," Vanessa began, "I know I'm not your most favorite of people-"

"That's putting it mildly," Chuck responded nonchalantly as he swirled his scotch in his glass, unable to help himself.

"But…I need your help," Vanessa forced out.

Blair tilted her head to the left as she laced her hands over her knee with a light shrug as she asked with a smile, "And why, may I ask, would we ever help you?"

"Because this favor isn't for me, it's for Nate," Vanessa responded.

Blair froze at Vanessa's words and glanced over at Chuck, showing her concern to him over what trouble Nate had gotten himself into that he hadn't even come to them. Chuck finished his glass of scotch as he rested his left arm behind Blair, silently agreeing that whatever has happened, it was no question on if the pair were going to help their friend or not.

"I'll say this, you've gained our attention," Chuck spoke for them, not revealing to the outsider his distress and concern for the guy he saw as his brother.

Vanessa quickly began to explain what's been going on with Nate for the past month. Some the couple knew, his family's financial troubles, others, such as the fact that Nate was basically sleeping with Catherine just to pay off said debts, was new. Then the situation got even more serious when Vanessa explained that Nate wanted to end it, but Catherine wouldn't let him go and resorted to threatening to tell the FBI about the Captain's whereabouts in retaliation. Blair shook her head to herself and reluctantly had to give the Duchess props for her cunning. The new information had only cemented the fact to both Chuck and Blair that it was time for the Lord and Duchess to make their exit off of their island. But with Nate's current dilemma they had to find a way to do it carefully in order for Nate and his family to avoid any more suffering.

It was then Vanessa gave the couple a gift. She handed over her cell phone after her very long rendition of the events in her day of when Catherine came to her and tried to buy her silence and Vanessa riding into Catherine's home on her moral high horse full of outrage, Blair couldn't help but scoff and roll her eyes. It was last year all over again. Vanessa claiming to be the one full of morals and refusing to be paid off, but the fact that she came here to seek Blair and Chuck's help, instead of telling Nate the truth, only proved that she wasn't as full of ethics as she liked to pretend.

Blair looked down at the phone in her hand after carefully taking it from the Brooklynite and paused at the sight before her. Vanessa spoke up as she watched Blair take in the phone's contents, "I'm sorry. I know that Marcus is you guys' friend, but like I said, Catherine knows where the captain is. She threatened to expose him if I ever took Nate from her."

Blair couldn't help but scoff to herself at Vanessa's words and how out of the loop the girl truly was not to mention the irony that all the while Marcus was busy trying to make Blair choose him over Chuck, going on about how Chuck was cheating on her, he was off having relations very close to home. Blair handed the phone over to Chuck with a slight smile as she finally spoke, "Who else knows?"

"What?" Vanessa asked a bit confused.

"Who's seen this?" Blair asked forcefully after she watched Chuck look at the photo and share a look with her. She turned her full attention to Vanessa. This was exactly what they needed and it answered the question of how they were going to do it while helping Nate at the same time, but it could only be successful if very few people knew about this secret. The couple waited for the outsider to answer.

"Dan. Just Dan," Vanessa answered honestly.

Blair couldn't help but roll her eyes. Serena's ex was certainly accumulating a lot of intel about their circle and since he and Serena were over, Blair made a mental note to prepare for the time that "lonely boy" may decide to do something with said intel. Blair knew better than most how powerful knowing a secret can be; in fact she was just going to show just how powerful thanks to these pictures of Catherine and Marcus.

She nodded over to Chuck since he still had the phone in his hand and he quickly started fiddling with it without a word from Blair. She loved that she didn't have to spell things out to him. That the two were so well connected that not a word needed to be said for a plan to come together perfectly. It was always like that with them though. Even when Blair was dating Nate, she and Chuck always have and probably always will work best together.

After hearing the ping of the message being sent, Blair held out her hand for Vanessa's phone and stood up from her place on the couch and slowly walked towards Vanessa as she issued her one and only warning, "If you or Humphrey ever breathe a word of this, one word to anyone, you'll regret it for the rest of your lives. Do you understand?"

"I just want Nate free from Catherine," Vanessa explained, "I don't want him or anyone else finding out about this." Blair pursed her lips as she listened. It's funny that Vanessa truly believed that Nate wouldn't find out about Catherine. What was the girl thinking? Did she think that Catherine would disappear and Nate wouldn't ask questions? With the plan that Blair was forming in her mind, Nate would be back where he was before Catherine with a lot less of a burden on his shoulders.

Blair sighed as she handed over the phone, "Good. We'll take care of it."

She didn't bother to warn the girl of how stupid her hopes to keep Nate in the dark were. If Vanessa truly liked Nate the way she claimed, one of the first things Nate didn't like was secrets being kept from him and lies to him. It was the source of his falling out with Chuck last year and they have been friends since the beginning. Vanessa didn't have a chance of hoping to rekindle a relationship with Nate after this was over and Blair couldn't help but pity the Brooklynite.

Vanessa took the phone before pleading, "I'm trusting you, Blair."

Blair couldn't help but scoff as she rolled her eyes as she saw in her peripheral Chuck standing up and walking up behind her, "Like you have a choice."

The couple watched silently as Vanessa left, hopefully for the last time, before Blair slowly turned around with a specific gleam in her eyes as she asked, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Bass?"

Chuck smirked as he placed his hands upon her hips, "A little blackmail over brunch tomorrow?"

"It's like you can read my mind," Blair responded before leaning up and giving him a light kiss before reluctantly pulling away, "I'll make arrangements with Marcus and you make yours with Catherine?"

Chuck nodded in agreement. It looked like this week was going to rid the couple of a lot of excess baggage. If everything worked out the way they wanted, Nate's money troubles would be over, Serena would be back and better than ever, Chuck's dry spell would be over, and the Brooklynites and boring royals would be out of sight and out of mind.

But Chuck knew better than to celebrate his victory too soon. There were still several moves to make and a few unpredictable players in the game for the couple to know how the end will play out, and they had to prepare themselves for the chance that they might not get everything they want out of the situation.

The couple was busy plotting alternative plans as a form of back up for their mid-morning take down tomorrow when they both received synchronized text messages.

What Dan Humphrey does with the other serfs in the village is his business. But when he brings his new maiden to court…it's a declaration of war.

Sound the Trumpets, strumpets.

Blair was the one to see it, and she was not at all pleased. She quickly called Serena to make sure that she was okay, but the blonde didn't answer. Before Blair could grow too concerned, Chuck assured her that she was spending the night with Lily and she probably didn't even have her phone on her. She quickly extracted a promise from Chuck that he wouldn't allow Serena to go into school the next day blind to the situation. Since Blair wouldn't be showing up for her morning classes to deal with the whole Catherine/Marcus/Nate situation, Chuck would be the only one of the pair to have the opportunity to warn the blonde since the two shared the same household.

It was still only the first week of school and so much had happened on the first day. It was definitely going to be an interesting second day with the way things were developing.

xoxo

Serena was both angry and embarrassed as she walked down the halls of Constance the next morning. She had such high hopes the previous night when she went to bed. After her small altercation with Dan in the courtyard she decided to spend the evening in with her mother to catch up. The two stayed up late and watched movies and Serena genuinely enjoyed herself that she left her phone in her bedroom charging figuring that the people who wanted to get in touch knew where to find her if there was an emergency.

Unfortunately, being separated from her phone the previous night wasn't such a good idea. Serena found herself shaking her head to herself at her wakeup call that morning.

She was sleeping peacefully when she felt something brush along her cheek. After brushing it away a few times, Serena reluctantly opened her eyes to find Chuck in bed with her fully dressed and holding a flower. Serena rubbed her eyes and sat up quickly as she exclaimed, "Chuck! I thought we talked about boundaries. Get out."

"Good morning to you, too," Chuck responded lightly, obviously not taking her words to heart as he continued on, "I had Margaurite make you up a little something."

Serena glanced at the tray lying on the corner of her bed and sighed, not willing to admit that it was very thoughtful of Chuck to set it up. It wouldn't be until later on her way to school, that Serena would see it as more than just considerate since he was bringing her bad news.

"You were missed at S.T.K. last night," he brought up nonchalantly.

Serena sighed and laid back down onto her pillows, being careful to keep herself surrounded by her duvet as she responded to Chuck's silent inquiry, "Mom and I had a girls' movie night. She made me watch "Paris, Texas." She kept talking about how amazing Harry Dean Stanton was."

Chuck chuckled at the image Serena painted and Serena couldn't help but smile up at him as he spoke, "Well, I just wanted to make sure you got your breakfast and the morning headlines, especially this one."

After handing her phone over, Chuck stood up from the bed and made his exit, leaving Serena in peace. She glanced at the phone, knowing that if Chuck wanted her to be made aware of what happened the previous night during her absence, that it was pretty big. Unfortunately she didn't have any idea how big it was.

Serena pushed her hair back out of her face, wishing that Blair was here so she could talk to someone about what was going on. Or at least have someone to vent to, but her best friend had an apparent brunch plans with her boyfriend that couldn't be cancelled. Serena, of course, understood and the pair agreed to meet up later at lunch to talk about it. She still couldn't believe that Dan brought Amanda to S.T.K. where he knew all of her friends went.

She remembered thinking as she got dressed for the day that throughout their entire relationship he went on about how much he disliked the people they went to school with to the point that Serena very rarely suggested that they go out to social gatherings, but apparently upon their break up that thought process went out the window and he was more than willing to try new things with Amanda.

As she rounded the corner, doing her best to ignore the looks and whispers, she saw the object of her thoughts waiting for her at her locker. Serena strode purposefully towards him, ready to give him a piece of her mind. The difference between today and the previous morning were astounding. To think that she actually hid from him compared to now that she was planning to actively seek him out after she put her things away for the day was astounding.

"Serena-" Dan attempted to start, but Serena didn't want to hear what he had to say at the moment as she interrupted him.

"So this is how you want to handle it, using another girl to embarrass me in front of my friends?" Serena asked bluntly. As she watched him just sigh in response, Serena continued on with her questions wanting to know what exactly was he thinking, "Is that your idea of sending a message, Dan?"

"Well, that- that phrase might have been used, but-" Dan, again, tried to speak.

"I can't believe you would do that," Serena interrupted as she opened up her locker.

"Look, I know, and I'm sorry. I was wrong," Dan apologized, having the grace to look sincere.

"Yes, you were," Serena retorted, not willing to give him an inch, "I would never try to humiliate you like that."

"No, but you would try to coerce a girl not to go out with me in the first place," Dan retorted back.

Serena paused and released a sigh as she looked at him. She thought on it and before she could think on it too much, she quickly came up with an idea for damage control and began to pitch it, "Fine. Tonight, the three of us."

"Okay," Dan began to agree before quickly realizing what he agreed to, "What?"

"Look, you're going to date other people, and I'm going to date other people," Serena began to explain her line of thinking, "We can either let everyone else tell us how we should be jealous and compete, or we can just deal with it and try to preserve at least a little of our friendship."

Dan paused before he reiterated, "So you, me and Amanda are having a date?"

Serena closed her eyes briefly before taking her first set of books for the day and shut her locker as she responded, "I'd rather you not put it that way, but yes." When Dan didn't say anything against the idea, Serena took it as his acceptance and spoke again, "8:00."

"Yeah, it's a…uh, 8:00," Dan responded with a nod.

"Okay," Serena spoke softly and turned to walk away. She still wasn't completely happy, but this wasn't about her happiness. This was about damage control. The fact that she was even doing this for the masses, showed that Chuck's words from yesterday morning of being born into this world and that she missed the social politics had a bit of truth.

xoxo

While Serena was slowly slipping back into her social standing with damage control, Chuck and Blair were busy setting up the scene for their takedown of the foreigners. Blair was sitting across the table from Marcus at Centolire giving the performance of her life of an understanding friend. She may have also mentioned to Marcus that maybe she was a bit hasty in ending their friendship and that ever since the blow up at her party last week, Chuck had been a bit distant. To which Marcus was quick to sweep in and be the supposed hero of the scenario. The guy was seriously delusional to think after everything that was said and done that he still had a shot.

"I'm so excited for you to come to the country estate for the Holidays," Marcus spoke with his charming smile as he gently reached across the table to take her hand in his, "Snow on the grounds, crackling fire, just the two of us under the stars."

Blair had to refrain from shuddering at the feel of his touch as she just watched him muse out loud about their supposed future. Sensing an opening after checking the time covertly, Blair pulled her hand away as she asked nonchalantly, "You sure it won't be awkward?"

Marcus looked at her confused, "Awkward? How?"

Blair laughed lightly as she put on a sweet smile as she raised her hand up and rested it under her chin and spoke, "Well, if you have it your way, juggling two women under one roof." As Marcus remained silent, Blair decided to stop wasting time, "You are sleeping with Catherine, right? Or do you prefer 'mom'?"

Blair watched as Marcus tried to come up with some sort of explanation to save himself with, "I can explain."

"Hooking up with your dad's second wife?" Blair asked bluntly with a scoff, "I thought my family was twisted, but you people take the cake."

"It's only happened a few times, and I put a stop to it when I met you," Marcus lied through his teeth.

Blair just looked at him as she thought on all that she went through in the past couple of months since Marcus had come into her life. "You know, this is actually for the best for all involved."

"Can't-can't we still-" Marcus began to speak, looking genuinely afraid.

Blair couldn't help but laugh at the fact that he thought that she would want anything to do with him, "Oh, please. I just want to get through this without throwing up in my mouth."

"Get through what exactly?" Catherine asked as she walked up behind Blair on Chuck's arm.

Blair and Marcus turned towards the newcomers. Blair smiled at her boyfriend as she responded, "Perfect timing."

Chuck smirked and leaned towards her, giving her a light kiss on the cheek before taking his seat on her left, leaving Catherine standing there by herself as she began to speak again, "Chuck sent me a message to meet him. What's going on here?"

Blair looked Catherine over as she took out her phone and glanced at Marcus who looked positively terrified. Blair smirked as she spoke, "Take a seat."

"I beg your pardon?" Catherine asked, not moving.

Blair, ignoring even more phone calls from Vanessa, sent one of the incriminating photos to Catherine's cell phone as she glanced back at the Duchess, "Oh, no. Not yet…but you will."

The sound of Catherine's phone going off could be heard clearly as Blair dropped her phone back into her purse with a particularly devious smile as Catherine paled at the message she received. Fortunately, Catherine was smarter than Marcus and quickly took her seat as Blair said. "What do you want?" she asked, not wasting time.

Blair simply smiled as she glanced over at her boyfriend to take over. After all he wanted Marcus gone from the moment he met him; it seemed only right to let him lead the charge and issue the couple's demands. Chuck smirked in thanks as he looked at the 'mother/son' duo, relishing in the look of fear on Marcus' face. He did warn him that they were not ones to be trifled with. He warned him that this was going to be his future if he didn't watch himself. And Chuck Bass was a man of his word. He reached over and took Blair's hand in his; showing a united front as he spoke lightly, "Let's talk about your exit strategy."

xoxo

A few hours later, Blair and Chuck waited for their next appointment. Their brunch meeting went very well and it was sad to say that Marcus and Catherine got out of the situation with their reputations intact, but Chuck had no plans to allow them to stay that way for long. At this point in the game it was just about getting rid of the foreigners and helping his best friend out of trouble and Blair agreed. At this point, Nate was the more important factor and the fact that Catherine used the Captain against Nate to make him do as she wanted was not something Blair took lightly. And she already had a plan in the works with Chuck to rectify that later when the dust settled. After all, revenge is said to be best served cold.

They didn't have to wait too long for Nate to arrive at Blair's penthouse apartment. Blair thought it was best that she was the one to reach out to him since she did technically owe him an apology for her part in Catherine's scheme. Although it appeared that Nate wasn't feeling too upset about over it, if the look of concern on his face when he arrived was anything to go by.

"Hey, Blair. Chuck, um, what was so important that we couldn't discuss over the phone?" Nate asked as he saw that his friends weren't in any trouble that he could see.

Blair stood in front of him as she tilted her head briefly to the side with a smile, "Well, we have some good news and some bad news."

"The bad news is that your girlfriend Catherine is a lying, manipulating whore sleeping with her stepson," Chuck spoke bluntly as he stood next to his girlfriend. The couple decided that it would be best for him to be the bearer of the bad news.

"Whoa. What?" Nate asked in disbelief, "Catherine and Marcus?"

Blair closed her eyes and tried her best to remove the photo from her memory as she spoke, "I know. It's hard to picture." She took out her phone as she added, "I have photos if you'd like to take a look."

Nate looked at her obvious disgust and shook his head not wanting to look at them. Blair looked at him and genuinely apologized, not wanting this on anyone after the hurt she went through finding out about Nate's infidelity, "I'm sorry. But the good news is that I convinced them both to leave town."

"Well, How did you even-," Nate began to ask wanting to know how this even came about on Blair's radar.

"And that's not even the best part," Blair interrupted wanting to get to the good part of the story, "Catherine and I made a deal. I promised to keep my mouth shut, and she agreed to pay off the Captain's restitution. Congratulations, Archibald. Welcome back to your old life."

Nate was genuinely shocked at this major turn of events. The terms that Blair had drawn from Catherine showed that not only did she know about what Nate had been up to for the past month, but that she knew that it was something that Nate no longer wished to be a part of. But the real question was: How did they find out? But then he remembered that this was Chuck and Blair. If there was anything that caught their attention to be concerned they would attempt to fix it without even being asked.

Nate found himself shaking his head gently and smiled in gratitude as he began to offer his thanks, "Look, I-I don't know-"

It was just then that Blair's phone began to ring in her hand. She looked down to see who was calling and held up one finger towards him as she was about to answer, "Wait. Hold that non-thought."

Nate chuckled as he watched his ex-girlfriend walk away to handle whoever was calling and turned towards his other best friend. "Thanks man," he spoke simply.

Chuck smirked as he shrugged, "Think nothing of it. Although I have to admit I'm shocked that you didn't come to us."

"I thought that I could handle it," Nate explained, "Then I realized that I was developing feelings for Vanessa and I wanted to give it a full shot, but then she flipped on me and went completely cold." Nate sighed, "I don't man but it just showed me that I needed to do it for myself rather than for her, and I was coming to talk to you to ask for help ironically enough. You just beat me to the punch."

Chuck nodded silently, mentally thinking that Vanessa had basically destroyed her own chances with Nate by allowing Catherine to manipulate her. It was just a shame that not only will she suffer, but Nate did too going through this alone. Chuck began to contemplate on if he should just go ahead and tell Nate how they came across their information when his girlfriend came back after hanging up the phone with a sigh.

"Okay. Maybe I only have bad news," Blair replied with an obvious look of disappointment.

Nate frowned in confusion, "Who was on the phone?"

"Catherine. She's backing out of our deal," Blair spoke bluntly as she glanced over at Chuck, no longer willing to shield Vanessa if the bitch couldn't do as she was told, "Turns out that Vanessa talked to the Duke."

"Wait. Vanessa?" Nate asked in surprise.

Blair nodded as she began to explain, "She came to us last night and gave us the ammunition we needed to handle this situation. Unfortunately, after I explicitly told her to stay out of it and keep her mouth shut, she went on and told the Duke about Marcus and Catherine,taking away my leverage."

Chuck took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes in frustration. Leave it to a Brooklynite to ruin a proper take down plan with their supposed morality. "I'm sorry, Nathaniel," Chuck spoke, "But with the exception of Humphrey, no one else knows."

Nate simply shrugged, "It's not you guys' fault. I knew that this would be a possibility with breaking things off with Catherine on my own. With tuition already being paid off, I'll just find a way to get through this."

"No. We will find a way to get through this," Blair corrected, "We're family and we're with you till the end."

Chuck nodded in agreement, "1812 is always available if you should need it. No questions asked."

"I can't ask you guys to do that," Nate tried to dissuade them.

"That's just it. You're not asking; we're telling," Blair spoke bluntly, "We're the non-judging breakfast club, remember? We stick together and nothing can stop us."

Nate smiled softly. These were his friends who were with him from the beginning. As Blair said, they were his family and through every problem they have been there to help get each other through. In the world they lived in that was a novelty and they all knew how precious that was to have.

"Thanks," Nate spoke softly, "For being…you." The group smiled at one another before Nate decided it was time to tell his mother what was going on. "I'm gonna go and head home. Give mom a call. She wasn't aware of how I was getting the money."

"You sure you're ready to deal with that?" Chuck asked as he watched his brother in all but blood head towards the elevator.

"I'm not, but it has to be done. There are worse things," Nate shrugged, not feeling as burdened as he did a week ago despite all of his problems not being taken away. He felt with Chuck and Blair on his side that they were helping him carry the load and for once, he was grateful for the help and instead of pushing them away, he just let his friends be there for him.

After watching Nate leave, Chuck turned towards his girlfriend and wrapped his arms around her, noticing that she was still obviously upset at not being able to get everything she wanted. "It'll be alright," Chuck spoke to her softly, "They won't be able to walk away scot free."

Blair scoffed lightly, "Then why does it feel that they are?"

"Because you're not able to see the full picture," Chuck responded as he gave her a gentle squeeze, "I still have a few favors to call in. Since we no longer are under obligation to keep silent, I'm now free to deal out the information the way I see fit."

Blair paused, realizing that he was right. "I like the way you think, Bass." She smiled as she turned towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck as she kissed his lips briefly as she played with the hair at the base of his neck, "I couldn't help that I felt, in the beginning that they were getting off far too easy with a mere payoff."

"Mhmm," Chuck agreed, "Now by the time I'm through with them, they'll have worse things to worry about than the wrath of a Duke. But until then, dinner?"

Blair smiled, "S.T.K?" Chuck nodded, thinking the same thing. "But can I meet you there? I have a stop I need to make first."

Chuck looked at her before knowing her intentions and agreed to meet her there later on at 8:30. He was a bit disappointed that he'd miss the fireworks, but knew that he'd get his own personal show to go along with dinner tonight. "I'll see you then."

Blair kissed him goodbye before gathering her purse and the pair walked outside together before going their separate ways. Chuck in his limo to head home and change, and Blair in a cab headed to Brooklyn. She had no plans to let Vanessa off the hook for her stupid stunt. Sure it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, but Blair knew that she couldn't let the girl go with no consequences. Blair wanted to know what the girl thought she got out of the deal by telling the Duke and relished in the fact that whatever it was, it wasn't nearly as good as what Blair could have gotten.

Blair sighed in relief as the cab driver pulled up outside of that gallery that Vanessa worked at. She leaned towards the driver and told him to wait. She didn't expect to be lingering in Brooklyn much after this meeting. The memory of the anger she felt earlier when her plans fell through to help Nate returned as she heard Vanessa's voice as she left apparently another message on Nate's voicemail. She felt a little satisfaction that he wasn't taking her calls, but knew that with Nate planning to call and explain to Anne what was going on, he most likely just didn't want to talk to anyone at the moment.

Blair stormed in after hearing the beep of Vanessa's phone shut off. "What did I tell you?" Blair yelled as she saw Vanessa in the distance, letting her frustration show. When Vanessa didn't say anything but turn towards her, Blair spoke bluntly, "I told you to do nothing. What, was that too difficult?"

"I thought I would leave doing nothing to you," Vanessa responded sarcastically.

"I was taking care of it," Blair hissed.

"How?!" Vanessa yelled back, "By having a lunch with your new friend and your boyfriend nowhere to be seen? You know what I think? I think you were so scared to lose out on having someone with a title as your friend that you were willing to screw over Nate."

Blair looked at the girl in shock. It was obvious that she knew nothing about Blair and how she operated. Before she could set the girl straight she went on about what she got out of the deal with telling the Duke everything. "Catherine's husband promised that the Captain would be safe. It's over," Vanessa looked at her in triumph as if she did something so great.

It was sad, honestly. Blair couldn't help but look at the girl in pity. What she got was mere pennies compared to what Blair was offered. It showed that the girl didn't value what a sum of money could do for Nate in his current situation. It could buy his freedom and to allow him to enjoy his senior year with his friends. It would buy his mother the chance to smile genuinely as if her world wasn't falling apart. Vanessa cost Nate all of these things with her stupidity and Blair was more than willing to tell her so.

She scoffed as she spoke to the Brooklynite in a condescending tone, "You know what I think? I think I'd gotten Catherine to agree to pay off the Archibald debts and leave town in exchange for my silence. Nate was about to have his old life back until you went to the Duke. He put them on a plan to London an hour ago." As Blair took in Vanessa's face as it fell and the pieces began to form into a picture of what she did, Blair ended with, "So you're right. It is over for Nate, thanks to you."

As Vanessa just stood there, not saying a word, Blair took it as a victory as she checked her watch to see the time. She had enough time to change and get to S.T.K. in time and anything else she said to Vanessa at this point would just be wasting her breath. She gave the Brooklynite one last look before stating, "Now if you'll excuse me I have dinner plans."

She turned and headed outside to her still waiting cab. She felt a little bad for Vanessa for her part in ruining Nate's chances, but now the girl knew that anything she could possibly do in regards to the Upper East Side world would always come as a poor knock off to what Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass could. Never send a child to do what a woman could do better.

xoxo

Serena was in hell. She was sure this was what hell was. Here she was sitting across the table with both Amanda and Dan and it felt that she wasn't even there to begin with. After drinks were handed out, Serena chose to stick to non-alcohol for the evening; the duo went into a conversation about their favorite authors and their works.

Since Serena wasn't that big of a reader, she was basically left out in the cold. She tried her best to follow along, but she couldn't help but feel as if she was missing something. She began to feel that maybe Blair was right when she asked her earlier at lunch when they met to talk if Serena lost her mind. Blair admitted that damage control needed to be done, but the brunette's thinking was that Serena needed to bring a date of her own to even the field. But of course, Serena refused, not wanting to make it look as if it was a competition. Now, sitting here and watching them, she couldn't help but feel as if she made another mistake in not taking Blair up on her offer to help find her someone as her plus one.

She looked around the room and saw that everyone was covertly watching their table and did her best to put on a happy smile and appear as if the situation wasn't bothering her. It was one thing to set up a setting for damage control, but if she didn't manage to pull it off she'd be putting herself through this torture for nothing. Getting a second wind, Serena tuned herself back into the conversation to attempt to join in.

"Harris hated him," Dan explained to Amanda, "He called Rilke the Mitch Albom of the 19th century."

"Rilke?" Serena asked casually, smiling through her confusion.

"Rainer Maria Rilke?" Amanda clarified. Serena raised her brows at the girl, still confused as to who she was as Amanda gently replied, "'Letters to a Young Poet'?"

Serena made an 'Oh' face and began to nod as she looked away as Dan spoke up, "Yeah, I-I gave it to her, actually, but she never read it. Though in her defense, she never read 'Tuesdays with Morrie' either."

Serena felt even more lost as Amanda jumped onto, what seemed like, a completely different subject, "This comparison coming from a man who does his best writing sloshed at a pub."

Serena smiled as she asked, "When did you start writing in a pub?"

"No, no, no. Not me," Dan shook his head in response.

"Harris," Amanda spoke bluntly as she once again looked at Serena as if she were a complete moron.

"Oh," Serena replied beginning to feel like one herself as she glanced over at the bar, feeling as if she needed something stronger to get through this night. "Uh, you know what? I'm going to go get another round."

"Okay," Dan responded as he took a drink from his glass as he watched her go.

As Serena made her way to the bar, she took a deep breath, feeling completely exhausted. The bartender didn't waste time in approaching her and asked if she'd like another soda, but Serena had already made up her mind on switching as she replied, "Belvedere martini, two olives, please."

With the way she looked and the fact that it was New York, the bartender didn't even hesitate as he began to mix Serena her drink.

"Serena?" a voice called out to her from behind.

Serena quickly turned, feeling a sense of relief at who came to her side and quickly gave her a hug, "Blair. What are you doing here?"

"Chuck and I came out for dinner," Blair responded with a light shrug and a smile, but Serena wasn't fully buying it.

"And you decide to come here?" Serena spoke her suspicions out loud.

Blair rolled her eyes lightly, "Alright, I may have suggested this place so I could check in on you and provide needed back up. Did you honestly expect me to leave my best friend to handle this alone?"

Serena smiled, "You didn't have to come…but I'm glad you did."

Blair returned the smile, glad to see that her presence was welcomed, "From what I heard from the minions, you need me. How are things going with Humphrey and co?"

Serena sighed, "Horrible. I just feel so out of sorts and they're talking about things that I just can't connect with. I'm beginning to regret this whole idea."

"Well, fortunately for you, I have a gift for you," Blair replied lightly as she motioned the girls over.

Serena frowned in confusion, "A gift?"

"Yes, a gift, but feel free to turn it down. You don't have to do anything you don't want to," Blair explained as Penelope and Iz approached slowly.

"Doing okay, S.?" Penelope asked.

Serena shrugged as she replied, "I will be."

"So…don't be mad," Iz spoke, "But Blair set something up that we all agreed would definitely cheer you up."

Serena looked over at her best friend, knowing that this was the gift she was referring to and getting more curious about what it could be as Blair continued to stand there silently.

"Several somethings, actually," Penelope corrected as the duo parted to make the big reveal.

"Serena," Blair finally began to speak up as group of very cute boys approached the group and made introductions, "This is Jenns, Captain of the Dalton lacrosse team."

"Can I buy you a drink?" Jenns offered with a smile.

Serena smiled back, flattered as she looked over at Blair as her best friend raised her brows with a smirk as she waited for her to respond to the offer. Serena knew what Blair was offering and the brunette's words from earlier of Serena not having to accept if she didn't want to came to mind. But this wasn't earlier when the two were on the steps for lunch and just discussing the plan when it was so easy to turn it down. It was now after about thirty minutes of non-stop Amanda and Dan show and of Serena feeling inadequate. She glanced over towards her table and saw the duo laughing over a joke that most likely only they would get and made her decision. She was tired of playing nice since Dan wasn't even making some effort to include her in the conversation; why shouldn't she embrace a part of her social status and have some fun with a hot guy for the night.

The bartender just placed her martini down behind her as the group waited for her to speak. Serena turned and picked up her glass as she spoke, "Um…how about the next one?" Serena smiled as she raised her glass and took a sip, doing what she did best and flirted with Jenns over the rim of her glass with a wink and a smile. She glanced over to her left at Blair and sent her a silent 'thank you'. To which the brunette nodded graciously and left Serena to her fun, motioning over to where hers and Chuck's table was if she needed her. Serena nodded as she focused her attention back to Jenns. Maybe it was time for Dan to get a taste of his own medicine.

Even the most chivalrous knight is not above a little romantic retaliation. It turns out Lonely boy is a worthy opponent, and it's time for S. to bring in the Calvary. Wild horses couldn't keep us away.

Blair sighed in exhaustion as she sat beside her boyfriend. After all of the drama involving Nate and Catherine and then to find out that her plans had been foiled because of a naïve Brooklynite who couldn't keep her mouth shut, the last thing she needed was to deal with Serena and her ex-boyfriend problems. Blair was just ready for the night to be over, but it wouldn't until she was sure that Serena got through it okay. It was just in her nature to look out for her friends and if she left it up to the gods, Blair would never have any peace so she might as well get a front row seat so she could act according to whatever is thrown into the situation.

As Serena led Kelsey's older brother, Jenns, over to the table where Humphrey and Amanda were sitting and talking, Blair's attention was drawn away from the scene to her boyfriend beside her who had just taken her hand in his. She smiled at him softly as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze, grateful that he was here to help prevent her from overstepping her friendship bounds. She had experience where she went too far and ended up pushing her friends away with her over-protective nature. Thankfully, the ones that mattered understood and usually forgave her sooner rather than later.

"Thank you for agreeing to have our dinner here," Blair spoke softly.

Chuck nodded with a smirk, "I assure you it was as much for my own benefit as it was yours?"

Blair frowned a bit in confusion, "How so?"

"Well…" Chuck began before deciding to let his girlfriend in on his scheme, "You know that I prefer to be in the audience to watch my scheme unfold into its final act."

Blair looked at him for a long moment as the pieces began to form together. The picture they painted was one of a scheme for the record books because it relied heavily on the players going on their natural instincts. Blair found herself slowly smiling as she realized that she was one of those players and didn't even realize until that very moment.

"You did this, didn't you?" she asked, already knowing the answer, but still wanting to hear it from him.

"I have no idea what you're referring to," Chuck replied with a mischievous smirk on his lips as he took a sip from his glass of scotch.

"You set this whole thing up: Humphrey's new girl, Serena, and even myself. You knew that Serena wouldn't take too well with Humphrey moving on so fast and that I'd go into protective mode and try to prevent the entire situation. Humphrey being Humphrey would be judgmental resulting in a rift between the two," Blair gasped, "This was the scheme you were talking about yesterday morning to put both Serena and Humphrey in their proper social place! Oh, Chuck Bass you're good."

Chuck simply continued to smirk at his girlfriend as she put the pieces together and looked at him with a look of obvious respect and how majorly impressed she was by his plan. "I'm glad to have your approval, Waldorf."

Blair smirked at him as she slowly slid closer to him as she whispered to him, "If you manage to pull this off by the end of the night, you'll have more than just my approval. I think I just fell in love with you more than I thought was even possible."

Chuck couldn't help the shy smile that came across his face at her words before gaining ahold of himself and placed a kiss on the back of her hand that he was still holding, "Then I'll consider tonight a win either way."

Blair smiled at him, fighting the urge even more than usual to take him home and reward him before victory was in sight, and simply kissed his cheek affectionately before turning her attention towards where Serena was. Truly able to enjoy the show as if it were a play that Chuck himself created; it was magnificent and extremely sexy to watch her boyfriend pull the strings of others to do as he wanted without him being directly involved.

While Blair was in awe as the scene unfolded, Serena was putting on a showworthy of being watched. After bringing Jenns back to their table, the Lacrosse captain immediately took over the conversation. He was just like all the other jocks that Serena had dated, or fooled around with to be more accurate, in the past. All he did was talk about his greatest moves on the field that resulted in him winning for his team. He didn't have anything to talk about other than sports, but, unlike Amanda and Dan, Serena was a pro at dealing with this type of conversations and slipped back into the world she used to live in before Dan.

Not the drinking until she blacked out, not the world where she did drugs and slept with her best friend's boyfriend on a bar. The world where Serena flirted and had fun and was a social butterfly and enjoyed being in the limelight every once in a while. Maybe she was too hasty with turning down going back to her place in the social hierarchy in school. Maybe there was a way she could blend what she had become this past year to the good parts about who she used to be. She couldn't help but admit that she felt a bit lost when she dated Dan. She had just gotten back from boarding school and she wanted a fresh start and Dan gave her that. Unfortunately with that fresh start she lost part of who she truly was.

Serena put on a happy smile as she listened to Jenns talk, again, about lacrosse, "…This guy attacked in the crease, and he fakes left. I faked left. He faked right, then I faked right, and then wham!"

Serena jumped in surprise as she replied with a smile, "Oh!" She'll admit that Jenns was a dud, but he was the best that she could do under the circumstances. He was there to even the playing field for her. It wasn't as if she was going to fall in love with the guy and she knew Blair didn't expect her to, just fake it until she made it.

Serena smiled impressed as Jenns finished off his story, "Just laid him out."

"Wow. Amazing," she replied as she pushed her hair back over her shoulder.

"Yeah, that was a fascinating story," Dan agreed sarcastically, "It was much better than the one where you faked, uh, right and then left, and then you hit him."

Serena glanced at Dan briefly before leaning towards Jenns, giving his arm a gentle squeeze as she spoke with a light tease, "Dan's not a big sports fan."

The pair laughed as Jenns agreed, "Yeah, I can see that."

"Yeah, he likes poets and 'letters to poets'," Serena explained as she rested her head on her hand and she looked across the table as she finished.

"I'm going to go use the ladies room," Amanda spoke up, obviously feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Serena couldn't be bothered to be genuinely concerned for the girl as she lifted up her head with an insincere sound of concern. It wasn't until after the girl left that Serena felt a bit guilty for taking out her anger at the poor girl. She just happened to be the one that caught Dan's eye. It wasn't her fault and she didn't deserve Serena's cattiness.

Needing to be alone for a moment to collect her thoughts, Serena turned towards Jenns with a smile, "You know what? I need another drink."

She laughed light as she moved to get out of the booth as Jenns replied, "I'll do this again."

Serena paused, not even sure she knew what he was even talking about, but played along as she nodded, "Okay. Okay."

She quickly slid out and left the situation. She found herself back at the bar asking for another martini, figuring that it would be her last one of the evening. She didn't want to get drunk tonight; she just wanted to get through it. She was just grateful that with Jenns as a buffer she wasn't completely alone watching the Dan and Amanda show for the rest of the evening. Plus, she knew that if she needed an escape plan, Blair was nearby as a last resort.

"So is this your great peace plan?" Dan walked up to her and asked, obviously not impressed. Serena turned towards him slowly as he continued on making his accusations, "You invite me out so you can rub lacrosse guy in my face?"

"I didn't plan this," Serena replied honestly as she shook her head.

"Yeah. Uh-huh. I'm sure," Dan replied making it obvious that he didn't believe her for a second.

Serena was honestly just over this constant back and forth and crossed her arms over her chest as she lashed back out, "What? I thought it was okay that we date other people."

"Well, you- you certainly picked a winner," Dan retorted, judgment dripping from his tone.

Serena glanced to the side towards Blair and the rest of her friends in the distance, watching the couple very closely, silently telling them to stay where they were and that she didn't need them as she smiled and returned her attention to Dan as she gracefully retorted, "Well, he's fun, non-neurotic. I thought that would be a nice change." She glanced at her ex up and down, making it obvious that she was referring to the fact that Dan was none of those things not changing her defensive posture.

"That's classy, Serena. Thanks," Dan replied with a nod.

Serena looked at him in surprise that he actually wanted to go there and couldn't keep silently on her real feelings, "Classy? Like you asking another girl out our first day back at school?"

"We were broken up," Dan replied as if it wasn't a big deal.

"So what, Dan? It hurt," Serena's voice cracked as she snapped back. She didn't expect him to remain single forever, but she at least thought there would be a grace period. "What did you expect? I loved you, and just because we broke up, doesn't mean I can just turn it off like that."

Serena quickly turned back towards the bar, unable to bear seeing him or she would succumb to tears. She knew she was not being herself and with the words out there she realized that she did care about Dan. Why wouldn't she? He was her first love, but ever since they broke up the first and second time it was like she was seeing a different side of him that she didn't like at all. The tears that threatened to escape from behind her eyes stemmed from the fear that the guy she thought she loved never existed as well as the reality of the situation that the great love she thought she had was officially over. It was time to move on and there was genuinely nothing there for her in Dan's life.

Serena was brought from her depressing thoughts as Dan sighed, "All right. Um…may-maybe we should stay away from each other for a while."

It was as if he heard every thought that passed through her head and Serena couldn't help but agree with the assessment. The two were completely different from their sense of style to the way their worlds worked and it was time Serena stopped fantasizing of what used to be and start living her life where she belonged. A life that may no longer include Dan Humphrey in it.

Serena nodded to herself and at Dan's words as she turned back towards her ex-boyfriend, "Yeah, you're right." She looked around the room and decided to embrace her life on the social hierarchy wholeheartedly. The life that she could admit she missed more often than not during her time with Dan. With Dan no longer a part of her life romantically and obviously not willing to accept her for who she was fully like her real friends, maybe it was best to cut ties for a while.

"You and Amanda should probably go," she found herself saying firmly as she crossed her arms.

Dan did a double take as he asked, "Are you ordering me to leave?"

"Consider it a suggestion," Serena replied, "Why should I go, Dan? These are my friends here, and it's not exactly your kind of place." Without waiting for him to respond, Serena turned and went to the other side of the bar, leaving Dan to stand there alone unaware of the audience who witnessed Serena's snub.

As Serena walked away, Chuck and Blair went their separate ways; Blair to comfort her best friend and Chuck to make sure that the lines that were being drawn were permanent. he walked up behind Humphrey as he took money out of his pocket to pay the bartender, obviously about to leave as Serena suggested.

"Cashing out so soon, Humphrey?" Chuck asked with a smirk as he leaned against the bar.

"You really should wear a bell," Dan replied, not answering his question.

"Kinky. I'll think about it," Chuck replied smoothly as he continued on with his previous conversation as he looked over at his girlfriend and step-sister talking, "I hope you're not leaving. You're about to see the real Serena."

Dan looked in the direction that Chuck was motioning and nodded before turning his attention back, "I've seen enough."

Chuck scoffed as Humphrey walked away, "Not by half." Deciding that both Serena and Humphrey needed a push in the right direction and he was glad that he brought with him reinforcement to finish the plan by deadline. He glanced over to his girlfriend, seeing that she had the situation with Serena under control and began to set the next phase of the plan in motion.

He casually walked over to Penelope and Iz and spoke bluntly, his presence alone gained their attention, "Serena's not thinking straight. She's making this about Dan. It's the new girl that defied you."

Chuck smirked as Penelope did what she always did, took the opportunity to show her poor excuse of power by exacting vengeance for her Queen. "What would you suggest?" she asked intrigued. The fact that she asked for his suggestion showed that she would never be Queen herself. She was born to be a minion. Always so close to true power but never having it for herself.

Chuck took out a plastic bottle of his pocket as he began to issue his orders, "Ninth grade, the Danish exchange student who kept flirting with your junior prom date?" He began to squeeze the contents of the bottle into Penelope's empty martini glass with a smirk as Penelope began to return the gesture, obviously remembering the take down.

Chuck pushed the glass towards her as he asked, "You still remember how to serve a Nair-tini, don't you?"

The girls smiled at the prospect. The Nair-tini was something that Blair invented that night. She was always aware of what went on in her kingdom and she didn't want Penelope's constant whining to ruin junior prom for her so she came to the dance prepared to finish the Danish girl after she had had enough of the display. Chuck remembered when she texted him bring the Nair bottle with him and how he didn't fully understand her genius until the take down was done.

He was grateful that he was able to fully enjoy the show this time around as Penelope lifted the glass into her hands and glanced over at Iz, obviously taking the bait.

While Chuck was talking to the minions, Blair was by her friend in comfort. She'd been standing beside Serena quietly after both her and Chuck watched from a distance her and Humphrey's conversation. As she watched her best friend down half a martini in one gulp, Blair arrived at her side ordering her own as she placed her hand on top of Serena's. "I'm guessing that since you're the one that walked away, Humphrey is still being a total ass?" she asked lightly.

Serena couldn't help but laugh a bit at Blair's words and nodded. "Yes and no. I don't it just seems that since we came back to school…maybe even before then, that Dan seems different."

Blair frowned in confusion, not having seen anything that she hadn't seen before, "How so? I'm pretty sure he dressed this badly back when you two were dating."

Serena gave her best friend a half smile, "It just seems like he's quicker to judge me and to assume the worse you know? I mean I know I could have handled this whole Amanda thing better, but I could have handled it a lot worse."

Blair nodded in agreement as she took a sip from her glass and glanced just beyond Serena to where her boyfriend and minions were talking before, choosing to not draw attention to it, she looked back at the blonde beside her. "Do you want me to be honest?" she asked carefully.

Serena nodded as she took a deep breath. "Humphrey has always been like this. He sits back on his moral high horse and judges all of us on how our world works. You're only just noticing how bad this is because you're no longer in a relationship with him."

Serena looked down into her glass at the realization that Blair was right. Looking back, Dan would always look at Serena with so much disappointment when she would do something like have an occasional drink or back when the pool incident happened and the entire junior class almost got expelled. She knew he had her on a pedestal, but it wasn't until now that she noticed that his ideals of who she should be was worse than anything her mother wanted of her.

"I realized something though tonight," Blair spoke up as she watched Serena obsorbe her words, not saying anything to defend Humphrey like she normally would have. "I learned that he, like his friend Vanessa, are hypocrites." Serena looked at her, silently waiting for Blair to explain herself. "It's true," Blair continued on, "They look down on us for our actions, but we are the first ones they come to when they need help; proving that they need us more than we need them."

Serena shook her head. No she couldn't believe Dan was like that. "No. You make it sound as if he's using me."

Blair sighed softly, "Maybe not intentionally, but how many times has he said or done something that has hurt you only for you to find out that he's done something much worse?"

Serena opened her mouth to dispute the claim only to come up short. Her mind flashing to the White Party in the Hamptons when he said those hurtful things to her after finding her fake making out with Nate, and when he turned to leave he was confronted by his own misdeeds in the form of those two girls that he had simultaneously dated throughout the summer. How when Serena attempted to tell Dan the truth last year before her mother's wedding, he was with Georgina not giving her much thought despite their fight. He asked Blair for help with dealing with Georgina even though she'd already formed a plan with Chuck to handle it. Despite his constant protests against their methods.

Serena closed her eyes and released a sigh, "You may have a point, but that was during the time that we were dating, but I don't think he looks down on us at all. We've already established that we are just too different to be together like a couple, but I don't think we're too different to even be friends."

Blair nodded her head, seeing Serena's thought process. "Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he doesn't look down on us. But he hurt my best friend, I'm allowed to be skeptical of his motives and where he stands with you."

Serena smiled softly, "And I appreciate that, but you don't have to worry over it. After the conversation I just had with him. It may be for the best that we just give each other space for a while anyway."

Blair raised her glass with a smile of approval, "Enough about Humphrey. To senior year and to us."

Serena smiled and tapped her own glass to Blair's, "To us."

As the girls took a long sip from their glasses and began to laugh together like old times, something happened in the middle of the room. The duo looked where Amanda was standing in the middle of the room, running her hands through her hair and looking very upset. Blair tilted her head to the side as she glanced over at Penelope and Iz as the two laughed and clinked their glasses together in triumph and back to Amanda as she began to pull out actual clumps of hair. Blair would recognize a Nair-tini anywhere.

She put her glass down as she watched Amanda have a mini freak out and attempted to quickly leave only to be stopped by Humphrey.Amanda didn't linger for much longer as she snatched her arm away from the Brooklynite and fled the club quickly. Blair had to give the girl props for refraining from making too big of a scene. Sure a few tears escaped, but Blair had witnessed worse reactions to that particularly classic take down. Memories of previous victims floated through Blair's mind and couldn't help but smirk to herself.

It was then Humphrey looked around the room as he rubbed his face with his hands. He was obviously looking for someone and when his eyes landed on both Blair and Serena, it became obvious that he was looking for them. He stormed over to them quickly with anger on his face. Serena, always the concerned one spoke first, "Dan. I'm so sorry. Is she okay?"

"No. No, don't," Dan replied shortly, stepping away from her touch.

Serena looked at him in confusion, "Don't what? I didn't plan any of this."

"Yeah right," Dan retorted, "And I'm sure that it's just a coincidence that Blair Waldorf is here."

"What do I have to do with this?" Blair asked innocently.

"Oh please like your posse does anything without your say so," Dan accused.

"Obviously they do," Blair retorted.

"It doesn't matter. Just leave her alone, okay?" Serena defended, getting angry, "She didn't have anything to do with this. She was talking with me on the other side of the room. It all just happened."

"That's the Serena Van Der Woodsen mantra, isn't it?" Dan said in frustration as he raised his hands in the air, "No- no fault, no responsibility, things just happen. You know, you used to tell me that you were afraid that people couldn't see the real you. Well, maybe you're the one who can't see yourself. From where I'm standing, this is who you are. You're just like them."

"Is that what you think of me?" Serena asked softly as she saw the sincerity in Dan's eyes.

"Yeah. Yeah, it is," Dan responded with a nod before motioning over to Penelope and Iz with one hand and Blair in the other as he finished, "At least they own up to it. Maybe it's time you did, too."

Serena didn't say anything more as she watched Dan leave. She just couldn't believe that Blair was right about him. He did look down on her. She knew how much he disliked Blair and her social politics, but the way he looked at her as if she were gum under his shoe and the words that she was just like them was an eye opener.

She took a deep breath and turned towards Penelope and Iz. The pair stiffening up at the look on her face, but before she could say anything her best friend spoke up, "Don't worry. I'll deal with them later."

Serena looked over at Blair, realizing that this was a punishment best dealt by her as Queen, and nodded as Blair dismissed the girls from her sight. As the pair was left alone, Serena spoke softly, "You were right."

Blair shrugged, "I didn't expect for it to be proven so soon, but…the question is what do you want to do?"

Serena shook her head as she crossed her arms over her chest before she answered, "I'm done. I'm done trying to be who he thinks I should be. It's because of that I lost who I truly am. I don't want to go back to the drinking and partying, but I do want to go back to the good parts. I feel like I was only being half of who I am this past year and it's time that I just stop pretending and just be."

Blair nodded in agreement, "It's a heck of a way to find out who your true friends are, but it happens best through humiliation."

Serena gave a half smile remembering Blair's pregnancy scare last year and how it almost cost her everything. Serena was there for her then and Blair continued to be there for her throughout the rest of the school year when Georgina returned and her world spiraled out of control once again. She was reminded again of the fact that Dan wasn't. He allowed her to push him away and seemed to had taken the easy way out instead of fighting.

"Speaking of humiliation," Blair spoke up as she gave her best friend's hand a gentle squeeze, "I have an idea for Humphrey."

Serena frowned and shook her head, "Blair just leave it."

"Just hear me out," Blair spoke on as the plan formed in her head, "I'm not asking to do anything more than what he's asking. He thinks he's so above us and everything we represent, then I say let's relieve him of our burden."

Serena looked at her in confusion before realizing what she was insinuating. She had to admit the idea was good, but she couldn't help but hesitate. If she agreed to this she'd officially be back in the social structure of school. She'd be officially closing the door on Dan Humphrey. "What do you say S.?" Blair asked, leaving the final decision up to her.

Serena began to slowly smile, ready to let the past year go. To take with her the things she wanted to and leaving behind the rest. It was time for the real Serena to return to Constance. Whether the world was ready or not, it was time.

As she nodded to her brunette counterpart, Blair beamed. There was no way that she could have thought of the night ending this way, but she embraced it happily. She glanced around the room, seeing her boyfriend sipping on his glass of scotch, apparently watching every single moment that had happened since Penelope tossed the Nair-tini into Amanda's hair, before raising his glass to her with a smirk.

She smiled back before leading her best friend out of the club and back to her penthouse, "Come on. We have some planning to do."

Serena laughed as she followed her best friend out. She was ready for this next phase in her life and she knew with Blair, Chuck, and Nate by her side, the foursome would be unstoppable. They'd take the world by storm and have fun doing it. It was just like old times but better and tonight was only the beginning.

Spotted: A beautiful blonde phoenix rising from the ashes of a major public humiliation. Welcome back Serena.

xoxo

The next day, Nate was walking alone towards school. He could have gotten a ride with Chuck this morning since, according to the Gossip Girl blast, Blair was spent the night hanging out with Serena, but he felt he needed the time alone to reflect a bit. To say that his mother wasn't happy about Nate's actions was putting it lightly, but in the end she ended blaming herself for putting him in the position in the first place. Nate did his best to dissuade her of the notion and made a promise that he'd go to the Hamptons to visit this weekend so the two could spend some time together.

With their financial situation now back in full force, his mother thought it best to just hide out in the Hamptons for the time being. Nate's grandfather had still cut them off and apparently was refusing to even speak to his mother on the matter. Nate didn't know what to do to help, but his mother explained that she was just grateful that he had real friends to stand beside him and help him through this difficult time. Nate immediately felt bad because he knew it was true. Wasn't it just what he thought back at the White Party? That his mother, despite how popular she was on the Upper East Side, in the end was shown that she never had any true friendship amongst her peers. Nate could only imagine how lonely that must be.

Nate was then pulled from his thoughts at the sound a voice calling out his name from behind him. Nate turned around only to find Vanessa standing there. He released a sigh of exasperation as he asked bluntly, "What are you doing here?"

He made it a point to not answer her calls or to call her back for a reason. Call it childish, but it seemed that she now understood how it felt to be ignored. "I came to apologize," Vanessa spoke sincerely, "I didn't know what Blair was doing with the deal and the money and…"

Nate shook his head as he looked at her. She honestly didn't get it. "You think I care about the money?" he asked her, "I mean, I asked you point-blank if anything was wrong. You lied to me."

"I had to," Vanessa exclaimed, "I didn't know what to do."

Nate frowned at her excuse as shrugged and replied, "What, so you confided in Dan? I mean, Blair and Chuck? Really?"

He knew how much she hated the couple and the fact that she willing went to them for help first without even telling him, after knowing how upset he was with his mother going behind his back to get that money from Chuck, was very telling. Nate had enough people keeping things from him about his own life and he thought Vanessa understood that. Maybe she didn't understand him as well as he thought. "Everyone but me," he reiterated his point.

When Vanessa didn't have anything else to say, Nate just shook his head and took a step back, "I gotta get to school."

AS he turned away, he hitched his bag up onto his shoulder as Vanessa called out after him, "So that's it? We can't even be friends?"

He paused as he turned back towards the girl that he thought was different, who saw him for more than just some pampered, rich guy. He didn't need protection, he needed people who can be honest to a fault and be a genuine friend. Vanessa's words from earlier in the week came back to him and he couldn't help but scoff a bit to himself as he shook his head and responded, finding the words ironic and perfect at the same time, "Well, we were never really friends, remember?" Not waiting for her answer he turned and continued on his way to school with no regrets.

xoxo

Chuck was leaning against his usual brick wall on the lookout for either his friends or his girlfriend. He knew Nathaniel insisted on walking to school today, but he wanted to be available to him the second he arrived. The two had been a bit distant, but with the revelation of Nate's troubles, Chuck understood why and hoped to rectify it. He was also hoping to see Blair or Serena since they headed back to Blair's for the night to allow Serena to lick her wounds in privacy and Blair could spend some much needed "girl time" with her best friend. Chuck mostly wanted to hear an update on the final phase of his scheme. Blair mentioned when she called after she left with Serena that a plan for a specific Brooklynite was going to unfold later that would cement his victory.

Thinking back on his morning meeting, Chuck couldn't help but think he was already successful. He smirked as he reflected.

His meeting was located in a restaurant off the grid. He couldn't risk the plan falling apart in the last stages. Everything fell on the point of him and Blair having their hands clean of the entire mess that Chuck himself created. He smirked as he saw his very useful pawn waiting for him with a silk scarf wrapped around her head.

He nodded to her as he took his seat with a smirk, taking in her crossed arms as she spoke first as he sat back and looked at the plate of fries she had already ordered, "Getting my hair burned off was not a part of the deal."

He watched unrepentant as she picked up a fry and ate as Chuck responded simply to Amanda, "The casualties of war."

"I don't get it," Amanda replied with her mouthful. Chuck did his best to hide his disgust as he listened, "You wanted me to pretend to like this guy so he could make his ex-girlfriend jealous?"

"Jealousy is a very powerful emotion," Chuck explained, deciding to not give too much away. If he did, the girl would become a liability, but he couldn't help but revel a bit in his potential success, "I had to sever all ties while making her grateful for it in order to keep the monarchy intact."

Amanda looked at him for a moment before resting her elebows on the table and laced her fingers together as she spoke, "You must care for her very much to do this to your sister."

"Step-sister," Chuck corrected with a smirk, "Let's just say that Blair is the most important person in my life. Her happiness makes me happy." He shrugged as he mused to himself out loud, letting his twisted version of a romantic nature show, "What can I say, I'm in love."

Amanda just smiled and shook her head, respect shining in her eyes as Chuck decided there wasn't much left for them to discuss as he reached into his jacket pocket, "By the way, I hear you're going to boarding school in Vermont," Amanda raised her brows briefly, the only indication of surprise that he knew her plans as he handed her a thick envelope, "Something to keep you warm," he explained.

The brunette nodded as she took the envelope without hesitation and began counting as Chuck slid out of his chair and headed out. Considering their business complete.

"I have to say, Bass," a voice spoke just above Chuck, pulling him from his memories of his meeting as he looked up at her with a smirk, "I spent the night reliving the events at the bar and it just reminded me so much of something I'd do. I'm still so impressed that I'm still tingling inside."

Blair smirked as she stepped down the steps and stood beside him, leaning against the brick wall. "I'm glad that I left a lasting effect," Chuck replied as he looked her over. No matter how long they were together, he still couldn't get over the sight of how beautiful she was.

"It was definitely a scheme worthy of the record books, and you've more than proven your worth of being by my side," Blair spoke with a smile, ready to give Chuck exactly what he wanted with a light laugh, "You are my equal in every way, not that it was ever even a question. So…I've decreed that you're back…in."

Chuck wrapped his arm around her waist, reveling in freedom of punishment as he spoke softly, "I would be honored to serve you my Queen and rule this kingdom by your side." Blair felt her smile grow as he pulled her towards him and kissed her the way that he'd been wanting to for so long. She responded passionately, glad that this particular game was over, but also wondering what the next one had in store.

A few minutes later, the couple was interrupted with a sound of disgust from Serena, "So I guess the punishment is over?" She smiled at how happy her best friend was even if it was with Chuck Bass.

"And not a moment too soon," Chuck responded with a smirk, seeing Nate in the distance, "If you'll excuse me, I have another type of bonding to pursue."

Blair smiled and gave him one last kiss as she watched go after Nate. She was glad that things were going back to normal for the group. She was unaware of the slight look of envy on her blonde counterpart beside her until she spoke, "So what brought on this change of heart?"

Blair looked over at her, smile still in place, "Well with his performance last night…I couldn't continue punishing him."

"Do I even want to know?" Serena made a face, "Wait. Did you two do something while I was sleeping?"

Blair scoffed, "As if you'd even hear us if we did with the way you snore, but no. His letting me off the hook to take care of you is what I'm referring to. I have no problems admitting how selfish my boyfriend can be and the fact that he was willing to let me go…well what can I say I'm a soft touchwhen it comes to him."

Serena smiled as she shook her head at her best friend's antics. "I'm glad that I have a friend like you, B. I don't even know what I would have done if I had to go through last night alone."

"And you never will," Blair responded, "By the way, how are you feeling?"

Serena thought on it briefly before she replied, "Like a weight's been taken off my shoulders. It's nice to just be me rather than what someone thinks me is."

Blair nodded in understanding, "I know the feeling." Blair looked just beyond Serena, seeing her minions, Iz, Penelope, and Nelly Yuki hesitantly make their way over. Blair couldn't help but feel relieved that she let Chuck take the reins on the current scheme. With her hands completely clean, she didn't have to worry about any backlash in the future if that Amanda girl had the nerve to come back. Not that she expected her to, Chuck was always a very thorough partner in crime.

Serena glanced behind her to see what held Blair's attention and sighed as she glanced back at her best friend. Blair quickly replied, "I talked to them. What happened to Amanda will not happen again. I'm officially retiring the Nair-tini scheme permanently."

Serena nodded, seeing the truth in Blair's eyes, "Thanks."

"Blair, Serena…what did you guys do last night?" Iz spoke up first as the trio to speak.

Blair shrugged as she put on her persona of Queen, "Hanged out at Chuck's suite and caught up." Serena nodded in agreement, "Is it done?"

Penelope nodded as she waved her phone in the air, "Just waiting for your word to set it in motion."

Blair looked over at her best friend, silently giving her one more chance to back out of the plan. Seeing no hint of doubt or hesitancy, Blair smiled as she looked back at Penelope as she gave the order, "Do it."

"It's done," Penelope replied after sending out the mass text immediately. "So, where are we going tonight?"

"The Dalton guys keep texting us. It was a feeding frenzy last night," Iz spoke excitedly, glad to know that she was getting by with a slap on the wrist in her part of the events the previous night.

Blair smiled as she led the girls into the building to their lockers. She was glad that she got to school early to get her assignments from taking the morning off yesterday. She did not want to miss this scheme play out to punish Humphrey. Everything was as it was supposed to be: Serena, Chuck, and Nate by her side, Humphreys out in the cold. It was shaping up to be a great year.

The girls were talking about what happened after Serena and Blair left the bar and how they should make it a group event tonight when the group walked out to the courtyard where it was virtually empty. Blair couldn't help but marvel at the obvious show of power. The only one standing in the middle of the usually bustling grounds was Humphrey and a few stragglers moving to leave.

Serena paused with Blair and the rest of the minions as she looked on at Dan. She thought she'd feel some sort of guilt for what she let Blair do, but she didn't. He brought this on himself. He basically said she should embrace what she supposedly was and this was her doing it. He didn't know her like she thought he did and Serena felt like she was finally free to be who she was without guilt. Her standing there with Blair and her posse showed that she was taking his advice as well as admitting that she had a hand is excommunication.

She linked her arm with Blair's and looked at her best friend who was smirking at Dan before looking at her. Serena nodded her head to the side, done with the show down and ready to move on to this new chapter of her life. She was done with Dan Humphrey and all that he claimed to have to offer. She was Serena Van Der Woodsen and she was beginning the path to find out who that person was.

Blair, linked with Serena, walked away without a glance back with the rest trailing behind her. Yes. It was going to be great year. She could feel it.

Sorry, Lonely boy. Don't say we didn't try to warn you.

But if S. would allow this to happen to D., are any of us safe from Queen B?

Senior year has only just started and B has shown that her reach is even longer than last year.

It's amazing what a Summer can do.

Bow down or bow out.

X.O.X.O,

Gossip Girl

A/N: Happy New Year's Eve! And Christmas…and Hanukah…and Kwanza…and boxing day…man there's a lot of holidays going on this past month! Lol This chapter was a beast, but I have to admit it was the reason for my wanting to do the sequel for The Queen and her Dark Knight. This was the beginning of my taking a step away from the canon and taking the story further into AU. But with that plan in mind, it took me longer to hash it out accordingly.

Thoughts and reviews are most welcome! I'd love to hear what you thought of how this chapter played out. Some were worried about Catherine and Marcus getting off too easily in the show, but I assure you they'll get hit hard later in the story. Gotta give it time for the dust to settle and the iron to cool a bit ;) Chuck is officially off his punishment and Dan is out!

See you guys next year with a new chapter! Since I'm taking the story in a new direction then the show, I've also decided to change who Gossip Girl is. I assure you, my version makes a lot more sense than canon so I'd love to hear who you think the real Gossip Girl is and why? What are you looking forward to seeing for the rest of the story? I know it takes forever and a day to update, but know that I'm always thinking about this story, one way or another and this chapter is 47 pages long with 24k+ words! It's exhausting being creative, let me tell you!

Lots of love!

-Plei4fun