Disclaimer: I own nothing except a great love for CB and the many inhabitants of the UES

A/N: New chapter for you guys. Insanely busy weekend. But good times were had by all and I hope you all have enjoyed the same. Thanks for all the amazing reviews. I swear a few of you just about made me cry…it's wonderful to know that you're enjoying this ride as much as I am. So here are more twists and turns for ya. So read on and *kisses*. As always. Much love to Wifey and my girls…

ஐChapter 28

Chuck was torn between relief and disappointment.

On one hand, it was back to square one with putting a face on his own personal menace. That the possibility of more fires and innocent people getting hurt, still loomed. Then again, on the other side of things, he had his confirmation that at least on top of everything else, he didn't need to worry about Georgina Sparks gunning for them.

Plotting against both he and Blair. Working to bring down his family and the legacy his father had worked long and hard to build.

Shit. He'd been so sure. Certain that she was the one, but how could it be when she was standing here. Smiling at him like a loon.

"Georgie." He greeted her, smiling for the benefit of the director looking on during their little "family reunion."

"Chuck. Big brother! Gimmie a hug." She rushed over and threw her arms around him. "God, I can't believe how long it's been."

He had no choice but to welcome her with open arms with the director still watching. His mouth at her ear Chuck murmured for her ears along, "Hey there, sis. Mind getting your hand off my ass."

"Oops." She pulled away smiling. "So. How's the family?"

Chuck frowned at her. Unable to help himself he stepped between, trying to find some deeper meaning in her words. Some threat.

The director cleared her throat reading something else entirely into his silence. "I'll just leave the two of you to get reacquainted. I'm sure Georgina cannot wait to hear noise of home and your family. Your Grandmother." She added meaningfully, throwing in one of those pitying looks that he'd grown to hate after Bart's accident.

"Oh, yes. Grandmother. I've missed her. I was going to write but the longer I didn't the harder it was. Tell me. How is she?" Georgina said, her tone full of adoration for their non-existence relative.

God, she was really good. Why was she playing along? She could've had him thrown out on his ass. What the hell was she up to?

He demanded as much once they were alone.

The mask fell away as she settled on the edge of the desk. Cool calculation in her eyes. "Me. I was just learning Canasta. You're the one who came to see me." She smiled then. Same old Georgie. "And color me surprised. My long-lost brother. You do know that this puts a whole different spin on that night we…"

"Can it, Georgina."

"Oh, call me 'sis.' It's sexy." She teased. "Don't tell me that you and S never once played doctor…slipped up even once, in all the years since Lily and Bart got hitched."

Enough. He had his assurance that she was locked away from the world. Time to get back to B and tracking down the real culprit. Chuck started to his feet.

"Not even once. I'm disappointed. S used to be so much fun and you…" She studied him, "Still saving yourself for 'Sleeping Beauty'?"

"Have a nice life, Sparks."

"Oh, don't go. Come on, I'll be good. I never get any visitors in this place. Tell me how goes the 'Cold War' with Mommy Dearest. Last I heard, you were going toe-to-toe with Blair's mother." Georgina pouted, "I'll play nice."

"That makes one of us."

"Why'd you even come here, then?" She snapped at him. "Why the games and talking your way into this place?"

Chuck shrugged negligibly, "I was in the area. Guess you could say I was curious about where you finally ended up."

"This place is hell. My parents just dropped me here." She revealed, "And do you know that in all the time I've been here? Almost two years. You're the first person who's come looking for me."

"How…unfortunate." He murmured, shrugging into his coat. "No friends. No family. Just this place. I hate to say it, Sparks, but it couldn't have happened to a more deserving person. You did this to yourself."

"Don't be a hypocrite, Chuck. You're no better than I am. You played your games with peoples lives…and that bitch…" Georgina met him glare for glare but took a step back as she uttered the last. "You and your queen got off on it."

"Blair is nothing like you."

"I suppose you're right. I could've come out of this whole thing in a much worse position. You see…at some point. Just as they always do, my parents are going to forgive and forget…and then I'll be out of this place. But too bad for you…your Queen B is a friggin' vegetable and you're stuck raising those two brats. No wonder you came looking for me. You're bored out of your mind." She guessed. "Tell you want…spring me out of here early and I'll be on my best behavior."

"Not on your life, you crazy bitch." Chuck was no longer wavering between disappointment and relief. He was fucking elated that he'd found Georgina in this place. She seemed to think Blair was still in a coma…which made sense. Not like she would've been able to get that kind of news on this side of the world. Especially since she seemed to have no outside connection to the world, beyond parents who couldn't be bothered to visit her for the holidays.

Chuck wasn't about to correct her assumptions.

Their little visit had reminded him just why he didn't want the bitch within a thousand yards of his family. Hell, he didn't want her on the same fucking continent.

"Do yourself a favor when you get out of here, Georgina. Use your parents' money...live however you like but don't come back to New York." Chuck warned as he started for the door.

"Oh, I don't know. A girl gets homesick, at times."

"Find a different home." He yanked the door open and came face to face with the director. The woman took one look at the "siblings" and her smile fell away. Well, fuck. There went instilling a bit of good will. Getting his foot further in the door, so to speak, so that he could check-in with the woman now and again on his "sister's" progress.

"Chuck, wait." Georgina called out, her tone suddenly rife with remorse.

Heaving a sigh, he avoided the older woman's eyes and turned back and the crazy bitch smiled.

"Don't I get a kiss goodbye?"

He glared and walked away, the director calling out. "But wait. I don't understand. Did you tell her about your grandmother?"

Chuck disappeared down the corridor without offering answer. Instead it was Georgina's almost hysterical laughter that filled the ensuing silence. She couldn't help herself, really.

The King himself had come to check up on her. She'd known he would. Wanting to protect his precious Blair.

It'd been the hardest thing ever to keep a straight face when the son-of-a-bitch had gone all self-righteous on her. And they'd see soon enough just how he handled life without his family. No friends watching his back.

"How'd I do?" the nurse she'd paid to masquerade as the director queried, following her quick pace beyond the real director's secretary. Both women were on Georgina's payroll.

The real director was off visiting with her family. Instead it was Georgina's moles who'd intercepted Bass' phone call earlier. Georgie had known that it was only a matter of time before he'd at least send someone to get a direct line of vision on her after his bumbling PI showed up again, asking questions and flashing her picture at Veronique. She'd 'convinced' or rather bribed more than one of the nurses on staff to keep an eye out for anyone asking questions about her. And damn if her gamble hadn't paid off beautifully.

"Good enough for a late Christmas bonus." Georgina handed over the cash-filled envelope as promised and two others for the secretary and Veronique. "Make sure these get to the rightful parties. I need to get back to New York. Can't let them ring in the New Year without me. Chao."

Georgina stopped back in "her" room only long enough to collect the things she'd left earlier. The wig and bulky clothes that would help her get out of this place beneath the watchful eye of whichever sentry Chuck Bass had thought to call in to keep an eye on the place.

Wouldn't it be funny if she beat him back to New York? Maybe plan a surprise of two for his homecoming. Definitely something to think about.

~ஐ~

They'd checked everywhere they could think of, stopping at Serena's, Chuck's and Anne Archibald's house. No one fitting Nate's description had been brought into any of the surrounding emergency rooms. Serena was having flashbacks of Christmas night when Dan had gone missing. The guys had tried to assure her that it was nothing but of course they'd been lying through their teeth. So Serena was edging into full panic mode that last time she tried her friend's cell phone.

Thankfully the call was finally picked up. She'd been fully prepared to unload a shitstorm on her old friend. Only it wasn't his voice on the other end. Somehow he'd ended up at his lawyer's place, and at that point, Serena was too exhausted to find out the why and how of it.

Just knowing that he was okay so that she could strangle him later for making them all worry. Hug him close because she knew deep down that he was hurting.

God, she really wanted to slap Vanessa. Just one more time.

Serena made it back to the hospital just before dawn. She was relieved to see that Blair was still where she'd left her and instead of disturbing the three sleeping children with another move, Serena simply slipped into the hospital bed with her best friend.

The move woke Blair from her troubled rest, but only briefly as she quizzed her bestie about Nate. Then all was quiet once more in the darkened room.

And just like that it was morning. One of those "blink your eyes" and you missed it nights of unrest. The blonde stretched out and found that she had the bed to herself.

"B?" Serena rolled over and found that she had the room, as well. Blair and the kids were nowhere in sight. "Dammit, Blair. You promised." She silently cursed the best friends she'd known all her life. First, Nate had her up all hours of the night. Now she was supposed to go tearing off after B.

The blonde hurried out of the hospital room and nearly ran into Blair and her entourage.

"There you are."

"Estelle, wanted to see the kids."

Serena blinked at her best friend, her brain still too fuzzy with sleep to figure out who in the world B was talking about. "Who?"

"Mommy up." Alex demanded, holding out his arms.

"Estelle. The old lady down the hall. You were asleep and Dorota stopped by with breakfast." Blair said.

Oh, right. The nosey old lady who'd thought Dan was into guys. "Dorota was here? What time is it?"

"Just after eight. Dorota's running a few errands for me." Blair advised breezily as she ushered their group back into her hospital room. "Things I need done before my transfer to the private hospital tonight."

Serena hid a smile against her son's ear, but it must have shown in her eyes.

"What's that look?"

"What look?"

"That one…you're looking awfully pleased with yourself." Blair said, something that wasn't quite suspicion in her eyes.

Serena wondered if that doctor of hers had spilled the beans about Chuck's surprise. Or at least dropped hints. She hoped not. B could use a few happy surprises after the drama of last night. Hell of the entire week since she'd finally woken up. "I am. Tomorrow's a whole new year and you're finally back. Getting out of this place. Everything's right."

Her friend smiled sadly, "Not yet. Soon though."

Eleanor. "Do you want to talk about it?" Serena asked.

"Nope. There's nothing to talk about. Besides, shouldn't you be leaving. Lily's on her way to pick up Evie and Kat, and don't you have to drop this guy off." Blair reached over stroking Alex's baby soft cheeks.

"Yes. New Years Eve with the Baizens and then Carter's dropping him off tomorrow. Blair, what are you up to…are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No. Trust me. I wish you didn't have to go. I'm going to be bored out of mind. Dr. Will's got a stack of paperwork that I wish you could sign for me."

"Have you talked to Chuck?" Serena asked.

"Briefly. He said he couldn't talk long. I think he was just afraid that I'd start asking about my mother." Blair shrugged.

"B, don't be mad at him."

"I'm not."

"Not even a little?"

Blair sighed, "He was trying to protect me. I get that. It drives me crazy but I can't hold that against him. I'm going to let him know when he gets back though…that there can't be any more secrets between us. No matter how bad. I want to make a life with him, Serena. I'm just not sure how I'll be able to do that if I can't trust him."

Serena immediately thought of the other secrets that she was holding back on her brother's behalf. The truth about that fires that had destroyed Jennifer's and almost killed her and Nate. Dan, Jenny, and the others who'd been at the party.

Her bestie needed to know about the rest and Serena was going to tell Chuck exactly that. Tonight at the apartment.

"Have you decided what you're going to do about Eleanor?"

Blair smiled, watching Evie and Kat.

They were energized and freer with their sleepover already a done deal. No need to be on their best behavior now.

"Feed me, Seymour." Evie demanded, her mouth wide and waiting for her twin to toss leftover popcorn in the air.

"Mommy, can we watch the movie again?" Kat purposefully threw popcorn everywhere but her sister's mouth.

"Give me that. Yes, you can watch, but no singing. Not too loudly, anyway. You don't want to disturb Miss Estelle, do you?" Blair snagged the bowl and set the movie up again. "Just until Grandma Lily gets here, guys."

Serena settled her son down with his cousins before turning back to her best friend. "B, about Eleanor…"

"Not now, S." Blair tipped her head to Kat whose attention seemed more focused on them than the action on screen. "Tell me about Nate again. He was at Gerry Blake's house last night?"

"Yeah. Did Chuck say whether or not he'd talked to him?"

"No. He didn't get any answer when he tried. He's worried. About me. Nate. And I don't think his business meeting went all that well." The brunette confided. "He was totally trying to cover up. I'm just glad he's on his way back. He'll get back and then we'll talk and everything will be fine."

Serena didn't bring up Eleanor again or accuse her bestie of slipping on those blinders again. Besides, once Blair knew the truth about the fires, there wouldn't be anymore secrets hanging in the wind. B was right. Chuck and Blair would talk and finally have it out. They'd find a way to deal with Eleanor. Then they could all get on with their lives.

"It'll be okay." Blair assured. "You'll see, S."

~ஐ~

In another part of the city, Nate was busily trying to figure out just how embarrassed he should be feeling. He'd apologized to Gerry and the man's wife again and again, with phantom echoes of admonishments from his grandfather ringing in his ear. Despite, the couple's assurances of complete discretion, somehow William Vanderbilt had a way of finding things out.

Chuck had once confided about Bart's little hobby of keeping dossiers on those he worked with and the people around him. Nate wondered if his grandfather indulged in the same.

He stopped off at the hotel long enough to shower and change. Thankfully the door to the suite across from his didn't budge. Either Dan had finally gotten the hint and was butting the hell out of his life or he was out and about "saving the world."

Only later did he remember the fact that both Blair and Jenny were supposed to be getting out of the hospital. The other man was probably off taking care of his sister. Or offering a shoulder to his best friend.

Don't go there, he warned himself, popping two more aspirin for his pounding headache. He'd called Chuck at the first opportunity and gotten his friend's hangover cure-all. Too bad he didn't have the time or resources to put the thing together. Why in the hell hadn't he just gone along with Chuck's advice to just call down to the kitchen and have it all sent up.

Wasn't as if the staff hadn't seen he and Chuck in worse states? He still couldn't believe he'd trashed the bar. He'd just needed to hit something. Destroy in just the way he felt destroyed. First his marriage and now looking around at his fellow officers watching him, he had to wonder if his career was soon to follow. God, he'd fucked up last night and judging by the varying degree of curious and amused looks he was getting, it seemed that the NYPD rumor mill was churning at full speed.

His partner's desk was empty but that jackass Henderson had his butt planted on his favorite spot at the corner of Nate's desk.

"Not now, man."

"Come on, Archibald. Truce." Henderson held up his hands in mock surrender. "I heard about your trouble last night. What can I get you, man…aspirin. Coffee. Some Kleenex."

"Back the hell off and get off my goddamn desk."

"You really look like shit, but good thing you didn't have to spend the night in the drunk tank. First you've got your granddaddy pulling strings and now your good friend." Henderson grabbed the picture frame from Nate's desk and snagged the wallet sized picture of Kat and Evie. "These are his kids, right? Where's that picture of the cute blonde you had in here before? Bet you hit that before."

"Are you trying to piss me off?" Nate snatched the picture frame and picture out of the man's hands.

"Henderson, leave the kid alone." Someone called out from the other side of the room.

"Nah. Richie Rich, can handle himself just fine. I heard about the number you did on your friend's place. You've got some real issues, you know?"

"This is the last time I'm going to warn you, Henderson. Get the fuck out of my face."

"Make me." Henderson invited, his smile wide. "Then after I beat your spoiled ass into the ground…maybe I'll go look up your blonde friend. Or your wife. She's got to be awfully lonely with you living at that hotel."

Nate felt the stirrings of the same anger that had him wanting to strike out at something. Someone. And that asshole Henderson was giving him one bigass target.

"Come on, Richie Rich. Make me get out of your fucking face."

"No. That's my job. Everybody get back to fucking work. Where the hell do you people think you are…Ceasar's goddamn Palace? Archibald, get your ass in my office now." The Lieutenant shoved between them. "And Henderson. I swear to god. If I ever and I mean ever come across you baiting a fellow officer…acting like some goddamn schoolyard bully…you'll be writing fucking parking tickets until you damn well retire. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir." Henderson muttered, his eyes promising dark retribution once the Lieutenant's back was turned.

"Anytime." Nate mouthed.

"And what the fuck are you still standing there for?" Lieu turned back to Nate. "What are you waiting for me to say pretty-fucking-please?"

"No, sir."

"Then get the fuck in there."

Nate was moving, already halfway across the room before he remembered the picture frame in his hand. Uncaring of what they'd make of it, he let the silver frame drop in with the trash where it belonged. He heard the instant buzz of speculation but kept his eyes straight ahead, slipped the pictures of the twins and Alex into his jacket pocket.

He adopted a neutral expression but Nate was almost relieved when the Lieutenant slammed the door behind him. God, the man was pissed and Nate couldn't help the smile creeping across his face as he remembered the Lieu taking a piece out of Henderson's ass. It felt good to have someone else on the receiving end of Lieu's ire and there was no one more deserving that than that jackass, Henderson.

The older man was quiet and Nate didn't turn, though he could almost feel the eyes drilling into the back of his skull. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but all good humor fled completely once the Lieutenant came around to face him.

Shit. "Sir, I…"

"Shut the fuck up…just can it." He settled down heavily behind his desk, never once taking his assessing eyes off of Nate.

Nate couldn't help squirming, he felt like he should be saying something. Explaining himself but what exactly could he say?

"You look like shit."

"Yes, sir…" Nate agreed earning a glare. Oh, right. No talking. "Sorry."

"You put on a hell of a show last night I heard…and out there. Do you like what you do? The job?"

The younger man opened his mouth but snapped it shut just that fast.

"I meant for you to speak there, Archibald. Answer the fucking question."

"Of course I do, Lieutenant. I can't think of anything else I'd want to be doing."

"Good. That's damn good." He nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Because I want you to keep that thought in mind. You're going to get the fuck out of my bullpen today just so you can think about that and nothing else. Consider how much you love being a cop the next time you pull some bullshit like last night and then drag your tired ass in here like you did this morning."

"Sir, I can work today…"

"You're damn well hungover. I don't want you in my squad today. I want you out of my sight. Come back tomorrow ready to work or to hand over your badge. Whatever personal problems you've got going on right now…I can't fucking coddle you or baby your ass. Leave them at the damn door and come to work. You got me."

"Yes, Lieu."

"Good. Now. You wanna tell me why you had Melvin looking for an Olivia George."

Well, fuck. Nate cleared his throat, "She's a person of interest, Lieu."

"In the arson case?"

"Well, not necessarily…she might…uh. Have information…in connection."

"Stop bullshitting with me. I'm not in the fucking mood." The older man interrupted. "Take you ass out of my sight. Go home or where the fuck ever and remember what I said. You come to work or hand me that badge and gun. You come in tomorrow, I want a straight answer on this person of interest and what you and Bass have come up with so far on these fires. Now go."

Nate didn't wait to be told twice. He was out the door, pulling it shut before the Lieutenant could change his mind. The aspirin he'd been popping still hadn't kicked in and he had the mother of all headaches. It was probably a good thing that the Lieu had booted him for the rest of the day. He should probably just head back to the Palace for Chuck's hangover cure-all. Few more hours of sleep before he had to make himself presentable for this thing Chuck was having for Blair later at the apartment.

God he wasn't up for it, but they were his best friends. Chuck and Blair. And Serena, too. The Non-judging Breakfast Club, Blair had called them, years ago.

Damned if he didn't need them now. Them and a stiff drink.

His aching head protested the last. He walked past his desk and saw that someone…likely Henderson had retrieved his wedding picture from the trash bin and set it back in its former place of honor.

Nate grabbed it up and dropped it back into the garbage, glaring at Henderson's obnoxious, smiling face. "If you like it so damn much. You keep it."

Henderson's smirk only grew wider and Nate had to get out of there. Or hand his badge and gun over to the Lieutenant right then and there.

Another drink was definitely in order. He'd destroyed the bar but there was still the mini-bar in his suite.

~ஐ~

Eleanor's laughter rang, filling up the enclosed interior. The joke poor Roman was busily butchering wasn't even that funny but she couldn't help herself. She felt more exuberant. More alive than she had in years. It was surreal. Sitting across her from ex-husband and his lover in the back of the hired car, snuggled close to a man she'd never envisioned herself with but couldn't see living without him now.

It felt surreal, as if the past five years had been some strange dream or a story of someone else's life. Still riding high from the fun she'd had with all of her girls last night, she was growing more and more excited for the night's coming festivities. Honoring the New Year and most importantly officially welcoming Blair back home.

Sighing, she glanced over to see her beloved watching her with the sweetest of smiles. "What? Do I have something stuck in my teeth?"

"No, no." He patted her hand when she would've reached up to check.

"Then what's with that look? It's rude to stare, darling."

"Yes, but I have an excuse. I am enthralled. You are simply glowing, my dear." Cyrus informed, smiling brightly.

"Oh, stop it." Eleanor waved him off but couldn't help returning his smile.

Harold and Roman quickly agreed with her beloved. Her first husband admonished, "Listen to your husband, Eleanor. You look ten years younger."

She felt it.

"You look happy." He added. A knowing look in his eyes.

"I am," Eleanor admitted, laughing again as Cyrus dropped a quick kiss against her open palm. "Brunch for the four of us was a wonderful idea, Harold. Thank you for inviting us."

"Well, I wish that I could take full credit, but it was all your daughter's idea."

Eleanor blinked in surprise. The younger woman hadn't mentioned it last night "Blair?"

"Yes," Roman nodded, adding in accented tones, "She called zis morning and inzisted that we all go out for brunch."

"That was sweet of her," Cyrus said, "You'll have to call her when we get home and thank her."

"Excellent idea, my love. I'm truly glad that we were able to do this. Sit down together and just talk without all the old tension and resentments."

All three men nodded their agreement. They were all polite but she could tell what they were thinking. How the tension and high drama had been of her own making. Didn't she know that all to well?

"To new beginning," She raised her champagne glass, "And Blair. To her happiness with Chuck and their family."

They all toasted to that. Fully prepared to leave the past where it belonged. The foursome chatted about their grandchildren. Harold and Roman sharing more stories of the five years, Eleanor had missed out on. She'd tried to stop feeling envious last night with Lily, but hearing them talk about Evie and Kat didn't burn her quite as much as it did with Lily. More likely than not because sometimes she'd look at the other woman and remember that day in the judge's chambers. Lily's dire words ringing in her ears.

"….You've lost everything you hold dear. You just don't know it yet."

Eleanor shivered, remembering them now. Unconsciously, her ever thoughtful husband rubbed his hands up and down her arms, never once, outwardly wavering in his attention to Harold's words. When he laughed and looked at his wife, touches of concern in those brown eyes, she tried to shake herself of that feeling and recapture that exuberant happiness of earlier.

Tonight. She told herself, smiling. Trying to picture the look on Blair's face when Chuck finally brought her back to the apartment for her surprise party. God she couldn't wait.

~ஐ~

Dorota waited. Following her mistress' orders to the tee, despite the nervous fluttering in her belly. She may not have worked for Eleanor Waldorf-Rose in years but the woman still scared the poop out of her.

Not for the first time, she wondered if Miss Blair had made the right decision. Yes, she would get her revenge, but was it ultimately something that she'd be able to live with. Dorota wasn't sure, but she knew that as always the young miss would have her.

She hoped that Mr. Chuck was true to his word and that he made it home in time for the party. She had a feeling that Miss Blair would need him at her side once everything was said and down between the two Waldorf women.

In flashing insight, Dorota had the sudden thought that she should probably call Mr. Chuck. That he should know what was happening, but before her fingers could so much as twitch and reach out for the phone in her lap, she stopped herself.

No. She couldn't call him. Miss Blair had made her promise not to. Instead she just sat there. Waiting. Listening until she finally heard the sound of a key in the lock.

Showtime.

ஐTBCஐ

A/N: And there you have it…there is mischief afoot. With Dorota in the middle and Blair pulling the strings. Natie can't catch a break..at home or at work. Georgina still out and about and crazy as hell. She was one step ahead this time but how long can that last. And King C…on his way home to rescue his Queen from her prison of a hospital. Ready to unleash his surprise for the New Year. That it's homeward bound for the Waldorf-Bass unit rather than another hospital. Hope you liked this one. As always let me know what you're thinking. I'll try to update within the next few days. Almost vacation. *yay* Later bbs *kiss*

Courtneyஐ