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

A/N: New chapter for you patient people. Just days after the first in forever and ever. I'm on a roll. Fingers crossed to keep things that way. What I'm aiming to do is to update both And They All… and Crash Into Me at least twice a week so that's *fingerscrossed* four updates a week. Win? Okay and if its more than that. Even better. All right so last chapter left off with McCarty missing from where Chuck and the boys expected him to be and more importantly Blair back where she always belonged. Home.

I don't have a beta anymore. Some things slip by me even after I've stared at it a few thousand times so forgive any mistakes you may find in this, large or small. Just the story…enjoy it. This is dedicated to CB lovers and most especially to my girls (you know who you are MWAH!!!

Chapter 33

Home. She tested the word on her tongue and just stared at him.

He returned her gaze, the beginnings of that infuriating and sexy grin teasing the corners of his mouth. "You didn't figure it out. Losing your touch, Waldorf. I thought for sure that you'd catch on."

"I knew you were up to something." She was quick to reply. It was only the what that remained hazed in mystery. Sneaky Basstard.

She glanced around the lobby, taking it all in. The tasteful décor, gleaming wood and gilded frames. Chuck was watching her expectantly, as if waiting for her stamp of approval and they hadn't even made it past the first floor yet. Still, she loved it and told him without words, her mouth curving and fingers threading through his.

The woman at the front desk looked up, smiling as they passed, "Good Evening, Mr. Bass."

Blair resisted the urge to roll her eyes or even glare a hole into the little idiot. She couldn't believe the nerve. Making cow eyes at Chuck right in front of her…and their children. Granted she probably had no idea who…

"Miss Waldorf." She turned to Blair next, surprising her with a warm, welcoming expression.

Okay so maybe she did know and it was a fair possibility that she hadn't been just flirting with Chuck. No reason for getting all territorial and it was Chuck who casually threw an arm around Blair's waist. He tipped his head to the younger woman and kept moving along.

Blair relaxed against him, listening as the woman went on to greet Serena and the twins in a similar manner. Guess she was just being nice after all. But really. Some people were just too damn perfect for their own damn good.

Serena twisted around, pinning her bestie with a knowing glance.

The brunette rolled her eyes in response and resisted the urge to stick her tongue out.

Her best friend started to turn again but her eyes widened, arrested by something over Blair's shoulder. Confusion and worry flashed across her face before she was dragging blue eyes back to brown. Any trace of the humor that had flowed between them, melting away, "Uh, B."

Chuck glanced between them, a hand resting at the base of her spine. He'd felt her body go rigid against his. The girls turned as well, unconsciously attuned to the sudden electricity in the air. They looked from their parents to the same something that had arrested Serena's attention before. Only their reaction was markedly different, their confusion giving way to delighted smiles.

"Grandpa Cyrus." Kat called out, confirming Blair's grim predictions. Eleanor wouldn't be put off any longer.

She sighed, taking every moment she could not to face her mother. Blair wasn't sure that she'd be able to look the other woman in the eye.

Blair didn't want her daughters present the inevitable face-to-face with the woman who'd carried her for nine months and then shoved her off on other people to be raised. If there had been a way to have someone else handle the former, Blair had a figure that her mother would've hired help for that as well. "Serena, would you mind taking Kat and Evie upstairs?"

At first it seemed as though Serena would protest. Instead, she nodded, capturing the twins' hands in her own. "Come on, guys."

"But…" Evie started, frowning at the adults and their strained expressions.

"Evie, go." Chuck said, suddenly getting the feeling that he knew all too well what was about to go down, especially once he caught sight of Blair's stepfather. Chuck glanced between his sister and the woman he loved, his eyes slightly accusing as they met Serena's.

Blair hadn't waited for answers after all. She'd gotten them from her best friend instead. Just how much had Serena said.

He glanced over at the brunette at his side. Her whole focus seemed to be on the trio making a beeline for the waiting elevator, but he could see the wheels turning and feel her body tense up all the more as if the coming confrontation would be more than an assault on the emotions. "Blair, I…"

"Not now, Bass. We'll talk later." She tried to pull away, but her hand was firmly tucked within his. "Chuck, I need to do this on my own."

"Well, that's just too damn bad because that's not how this works. I don't know all that's happened between you and Eleanor while I was away but no way in hell am I budging from this spot. I didn't want you being on your own when you knew and finally saw her…"

"I wasn't. I didn't actually see her." Blair said, "We spoke earlier. Briefly. Besides, I thought we'd reached an understanding but obviously that's not the case if she's here. Look you don't have to leave me…I wouldn't want that anyway. Just let me do the talking."

"Are you sure?"

"Chuck." She squeezed his hand, her expression fierce. "You've been fighting my mother for the past five years but I should've been the one finally standing up to her. I need to do this."

Sighing, he brought her hand to his lips, brushing them gently across her knuckles. Then he let her go. Motioning her for her to lead on.

Blair wanted nothing more than to pull him back to her and make a run for the elevator. Instead she turned to face her mother and came face-to-face with Cyrus. She looked beyond him, around the lobby but didn't spot her mother at first glance. Her eyes swept the lobby again and turned up nothing.

"Hello, Blair. Chuck." Cyrus greeted, his usual enthusiasm and smiling visage dimmed with the gravity of the day's events.

"Where is she?" Blair demanded, regret surging through her not for decision about her mother. That simply had to be done, but she regretted most the collateral damage. The look on Evie and Kat's faces when they'd caught sight of her stepfather. And Cyrus. The little man stood in front of her with his eyes void of judgment or anger. He looked saddened by all that'd passed.

"She's not here," He informed them.

"I can see that. Where is she? What is she out there…waiting for you to report in?" Had her mother sent Cyrus to make her feel guilty? To find out how firm Blair was in her decision. Well, if that was the case, Eleanor Rose was in for the shock of her life. Her mother probably thought that she'd just cave and change her mind after a few carefully worded apologies.

"She's gone."

Blair almost didn't hear him at first. Two short words with far too much meaning behind them. "Gone?"

"Yes. You asked her to go and she did," he sighed, "With the plane ticket you yourself provided."

"Oh." Her mother had gone. Defying all expectations to the contrary and for once thinking of someone other than herself and what she wanted. This was what she'd wanted, Blair reassured herself. It was the right thing for everybody.

She flinched. Her mother had used the same reasoning when she'd given Evie to strangers. Blair held on that, letting it dull the sudden ache in her chest at the realization that her mother hadn't come after all. She hadn't stayed to fight.

That's not what you wanted, she told herself. Repeating it again and again. Eleanor was on a plane at that very moment and they were done. She was home with Chuck and their girls. That was all that mattered.

She felt Chuck's hand settle at the base of her spine, again, massaging gently. As if he understood the push and pull of thoughts. Blair turned her head, eyes locking with his. Heat burned the back of her eyes at what she saw. He did. He understood all too well.

She'd cut her mother out of her life and proclaimed the woman all but dead to her. It was different with Bart, but so much the same. Chuck hadn't willingly cut all ties with the father he'd loved, and his death was so much more final than her mother's exile. Still, Chuck had always been left wanting in the relationship with his father. Trying so very hard to be a good son and always somehow falling short in the man's eyes. In that she and Chuck were the same.

Blair was glad that he'd stayed with her and couldn't have seen this task through without him. "Is that the only reason you came? Or are you going to tell me how wrong I am for hurting my mother this way…"

"Honestly. It never crossed my mind. I just left her there at the airport. She wouldn't let me go with her. Said she needed some time to herself to think. I left the airport and couldn't think of where to go. Then suddenly I needed to get here. Needed you to know that she's done as you asked." Cyrus frowned, "I know you're hurting, right now. Still stinging from everything..."

"Please don't defend her, Cyrus. Just don't." Blair gulped beyond the lump in her throat, resisting the urge to hug the little man who appeared just as lost she suddenly felt. Yes, angry still and for always but the emotions she'd been pushing down and running away from as surely as she'd been running from the threat of Eleanor were boiling to the surface. "It does hurt. It always will."

He nodded, so understanding. She suddenly wanted to hug him. Just as he'd done for her on the day that they'd buried Bart Bass. She wished that he didn't have to be in the middle. He'd supported her in so many ways during that time after the funeral and then without Chuck.

"Listen. Maybe in a while, you could stop by to visit the girls. They're really crazy about you, you know." she offered.

"And the feeling is returned entirely." He started to smile but just that quickly it died away, his eyes dim with the hopelessness of the entire situation.

Blair frowned, "About my mother. I know you love her and get to see a different side of her than the one that she's always reserved for the world and her family. This was the last straw, Cyrus and she knows that. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gotten on that plane."

"Yes, you're mother can be quite stubborn. You get that from her." His soft chuckle came out strangled. He cleared his throat, "Well, you two are all dressed up. I should probably let you get on with your plans. Enjoy your New Year, kids."

Blair looked at Chuck as her stepfather turned to go. He shrugged unhelpfully.

"It's your call, Waldorf." Chuck murmured, understanding her unspoken words.

She made a face. "Cyrus, wait. Why don't you come up? You shouldn't be alone tonight."

The man's round face broke into a smile, lighting up his eyes for just a moment and he reached out, his hand cupping her shoulder.

"Not enough." Blair croaked, pulling away from Chuck and throwing her arms around her stepfather, dragging a startled "ompf" from the man.

His arms came around her. "Thank you."

"I'm sorry. I really am."

"I know."

"I want to hate her. I really want to but I can't." Blair said, "I need you to understand. Please."

"Aw, little girl." Cyrus stepped back, reaching into his pocket and coming up with a clean handkerchief. "I understand. I do."

Chuck cleared his throat, "Maybe we should take this upstairs."

"I'd like that," Cheeks hot and damp with tears, she accepted the silken cloth from her mother's husband. "Will you come up? The girls already saw you and they'll ask way too many questions if we go up there with out you."

"If you'd like."

"I would." And she really did. Her relationship with her mother was casualty enough. Threading one arm through Chuck's and the other through Cyrus, Blair sighed, "Well, let's get this show on the road. My party awaits."

Chuck cleared his throat, "Actually, if Cyrus wouldn't mind heading up without us. There's something that I wanted you to see first."

"Of course." Cyrus startled them both with another hug before he let go. They walked to the elevators together but he went up with out them. Some of his old enthusiasm back in his manner and expression but there was an sadness that hadn't been there before.

One Blair couldn't help but feel responsible for. Lost in thought she allowed herself to be maneuvered into the next elevator. As the door slipped shut, Chuck turned to her, surveying her expression.

"Blair…listen," he stepped in front of her, his expression serious. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For not being the one to tell you. I know you wanted full disclosure about your mother. About everything." Chuck reached out, his fingertips skimming the curve of her cheek, twining in her hair.

She could see them there. The secrets in his eyes and the edge of his tongue. They left her edgy and nervous. Making her wonder what more she could stand to lose. Blair leaned into the hand cupping her jaw. She was so afraid, "You're right. I want it all…no more secrets. Not between you and me."

"I know. God, I know."

"I don't care how bad." Liar, a voice accused and she tamped down. "Still, I have one request."

"Anything." He watched her.

"Well. First, I want my surprise. Then you're taking me to my party." She said matter-of-factly, "Show me a good time before midnight. Before the footmen become mice and my carriage…"

Chuck cut her off, "Waldorf, I'm going to be extremely insulted if you compare my limo to a pumpkin so tread carefully. And what makes you think there's a party?"

She returned his smirk with one of her own. She looked pointedly at their outfits. "We're not exactly dressed for a night of basketball…popcorn and old movies."

"Well, maybe we have a stricter dress code. Or would you prefer slipping on a pair of those jeans you've taken to wearing." He retorted, "You'll get no complaints from me if that's the case."

"You're not going to distract me that easily, Bass. Nice try, though." Blair told him, "My surprise, then my party."

He sighed, shaking his head. "Stubborn and demanding."

"Yes. Don't pretend it doesn't turn you on."

"Wouldn't dream of it." The elevator came to a smooth stop. "Let's go, Waldorf. You insisted and now we're here."

He stepped from the elevator and left her follow.

~ஐ~

Nate didn't mind being left behind to review the video feed. With direct orders from his best friend, the hotel's security team had executed a thorough and discreet search of the hotel, looking for any sign of McCarty. Incapacitated or otherwise. Of course Chuck didn't go into anymore detail than his people needed, which was next to nothing.

Hours after Dan and Chuck had gone, Nate was beginning to get that all too familiar feeling that they'd reached another dead end. Remembering the blood left in McCarty's suite, Nate couldn't help wondering just how close to the truth he might be with that statement.

He remembered his lieutenant's words. The man was right. His priorities were definitely screwed up. Instead of locking down the possible crime scene, he'd let Chuck and Dan wander throughout, possibly contaminating evidence. Then when he should've called it in, he'd let Chuck talk him into keeping things quiet.

Despite it all, Nate knew he wouldn't do it any differently were he able to go back. Still. How much longer could they keep the entire investigation to themselves and now McCarty's disappearance.

Shit. He watched and re-watched the footage, searching out someone who fit the description that he'd gotten from Chuck. He watched until he was no longer sure what he was even looking for, his eyes drier each time he watched the stupid DVD they'd copied for him.

The young officer watched frame after frame from floors throughout the hotel, looking for one face that would stand out but after a while they began blurring together. It even too him, for his own image to register when he'd come down earlier.

He looked for familiar images. People who didn't quite seem to belong. Nate watch those who couldn't make themselves blend into the background as mere static, then he looked to those who blended quite well.

No McCarty. No suspicious figures.

Cursing, he hit the button to start again. Checking the lobby DVD, yet again.

Chin cradled in his hand, Nate yawning trying to make himself focus and see what he'd missed before. There had to be something. No way, McCarty could've just disappeared.

Again. He watched Dan step off the elevator, having abandoned his post to cater to his best friend. Don't go there, he warned himself. Focus. Come on, he shook himself, eyes on the time stamp.

Fifteen minutes. They'd all been downstairs for just that long or short of time and somehow managed to lose their first real lead in this. Or at least so Chuck thought. Didn't the fact that McCarty was nowhere to be found, back up his friend's suspicions.

Nate was sure it did.

Cameras on the elevators, in the stairways, and main thoroughfares, somehow there were none to be found outside the actual rooms. Nate didn't see anyone of interest. No one on McCarty's floor. Once with the Lobby dvd, he thought he'd spotted a familiar form.

Because he knew him on sight or because Chuck had given him that description, Nate wasn't really sure. More than once, he willed the figure to give him a clearer view and look towards the camera but no such luck.

Nate frowned. In all the footage, he'd looked through, he never actually saw the man on the stairs or in the elevator. It wasn't as if their mystery man was leaving the hotel. He was walking towards the elevators, but didn't get on.

He glanced at the time stamp and as he did, right on schedule Dan stepped off. Right then, Nate noticed something that he hadn't before. The figure of the man with his body perpetually turned from the camera had stiffened. He'd gone still at the sight of Dan Humphrey.

Dan never once glanced in the man's direction but headed straight for the door. But the man watched Dan. Surreptitious to be sure but Nate would be just about anything that the mystery man had tracked the reporter's every moment until he was out of sight.

Then the man was on the move again. Where was he going? Past the elevators but where.

Nate looked through the neat stack of DVDs. Floors, stairwells, and elevators. Something more pulled at his attention. He frowned, trying to think what it was as he slipped in another. Watching hallways. Housekeeping with their carts. Patrons in the bar. Servers in the kitchen.

Smiling suddenly, Nate realized exactly what he'd been missing. What he'd neglected to even wonder at.

The staff. Could it have been one of the staff? He shuffled through the DVDs that he'd been given and came up with one he'd managed to neglect until now. Too focused on the most obvious and public. When he should've been checking areas where the staff traveled most frequently.

Their guy wasn't on the main elevator or stairwells but what about the service elevator?

Feeling his focus sharpen, he sat up straighter. A new excitement rushing through him as if he were on the brink of some great discovery.

Son-of-a-bitch. I got you now, he thought as he slipped the DVD into the player.

~ஐ~

From one room to the next, they wandered, her silence pulling at him as much as her earlier excitement. Why in the hell wasn't she saying anything. He grew more and more nervous as they toured every inch of the newly renovated apartment. The living space downstairs that had been completely transformed. When they'd first walked in, it'd seemed as if they'd walked into an upscale health club rather than an apartment on the Upper Eastside. He'd given the contractor and decorators exacting specifications of the space and equipment that would be needed for Blair's physical rehab.

"Oh. Wow." She'd murmured at first sight of the apartment, turning on him with a soft smile. But that curving mouth had slowly lost its shape the more of the apartment they toured, from the kitchen to the upstairs bedrooms. He looked around, knowing that the décor had been tastefully done and was on track with what she'd would've had done herself in the past.

On the stairs, he watched her glance towards the suite of bedrooms they'd just left and then back downstairs to the array of machines, hand weights, and mats that she'd no doubt become very familiar with in the coming weeks.

What had he gotten wrong? Fuck. One way to know for sure.

She beat him to the punch, finally giving him her full attention. Expression blank and tone matter-of-fact as she spoke. "So…I'll be staying here rather than your place. I suppose that's a better alternative than months at another hospital."

And suddenly her reaction made perfect sense, sending relief coursing through him. He ducked his head, pretending sudden interest in the wall's color scheme. Chuck hid the smile curving his mouth as he echoed her words, "I suppose."

Blair glanced around, brow furrowed, "And the twins could spend the night here with me every now and again."

"They'd like that," he nodded, "And what about me, Waldorf? Do I not merit an invite, as well?"

"I wouldn't count on it, Bass." Blair countered waspishly. She turned on her heel and made her way downstairs, hand gripping the baluster.

Feigning boredom, Chuck followed, "Well that settles things nicely."

"Yes, it does." A moment passed before she was eyeing him again, "What things?"

"Your living arrangements, of course." Chuck told her, scratching thoughtfully at his jaw. "Unless you'd like to reconsider my…uh sleepover privileges."

"Hmm…sorry. Don't think I will." She informed, that all too familiar smile curving her mouth again.

Feigning his regret, "Then you most definitely won't be staying here."

"I don't know, Bass. This place has a certain charm. It's starting to grow on me." She wandered among the machines, her fingers skimming cold hard metal. Blair wrinkled her nose, "Though, honestly, I wish you really wish you could put all of this in one of the guest rooms. Seriously, how am I supposed to receive guests with all of this…just here."

He took a moment, seeming to give the matter great thought. "Well, if you're referring to me. I think I could come up with a few ideas on just where and how you can receive me."

"Don't be crass." Blair censored, the flash of interest in those chocolate depths belying her words.

"Ah, but it's when you adore me most. Don't bother denying it."

"Would you be serious?" She sighed, glancing around the place again. "Just tell me. Was this place…did you intend this place for me?"

Chuck sobered, one unsettling thought hitting him like a punch to the midsection. Would she prefer this apartment to living with him and the girls upstairs? He only had to remember her disappointed earlier when she'd gone from the fully stocked kitchen to the clean linens in all of the bedrooms. "Hate to disappoint you, Waldorf but this place is just for your physical therapy. You'll be upstairs with me and the girls. Unless that's not what you want."

"Don't be an idiot, Bass. Of course, it's what I want." She said, "It's just. This place is so above and beyond what I expected. The bedrooms and kitchen threw me. All my favorites are in the fridge."

"That was Dorota's personal touch." He revealed, "B, don't be fooled. You're still getting better and I want to be able to help you with it, as much as, possible. After my father died, I never thought that anything else could rob me of my control and make me feel utterly helpless. Then I lost you."

"You didn't. Not really."

"It felt like it. I mean. You were there, but not really. I finally had everything that I could've ever wanted in my life. Except you." Chuck stepped behind her, wrapping his arms about her waist. His head butting against hers.

"Hmm. I guess sleepover privileges might not be such a tall order."

"Too late." he said. "You hurt my feelings already. Guess you're just going to have to come home with me."

"Guess so," Heads still close, she threaded her fingers through his. "Bass?"

"Yes?"

"What you said before? Downstairs?"

He frowned, searching his memory.

"Home. I love my surprise and I'm sure that I'll get to see more than enough of this place once my physical therapy gets started but right now….I'm ready to go home. Okay?"

"Of course."

Hands still joined they started for the door.

"So, Chuck?" Blair questioned as he locked up. "Who else is coming to my party tonight.'

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play games with me."

"Sorry. No games here. This place was your surprise. Now we're heading up for a nice evening inside."

"Over tea? The girls wanted a tea party."

"Which I'm certain they're setting up as we speak. As a matter of fact, I'm sure I spoke out of turn a moment ago. 'Who else is coming to your party'…lets see. There's Mr. Bear. Toad boy. That ugly rabbit thing."

Awed Blair's mouth dropped open even as she dug her elbow into his side. "Mr. Fritz. Don't insult Mr. Fritz." Blair didn't need to wonder who had resurrected her old stuffed animal from the toybox that'd been put away years before. She'd thought for certain that her mother had given all of her old toys away. Somehow Dorota must've saved it all before her mother could get her hands on them.

"Ready, Waldorf."

"Oh, trust me. You don't even need to ask."

~ஐ~

A bevy of familiar faces. The closest of family and friends. Some of those family members just as unexpected as those few friends who'd been included on the short guest list. Serena glanced around the tight group, Jenny off in one corner with the twins. Eric and his boyfriend of three years talking to Dorota. Harold and Roman chatting with Lily. Music played softly in the background, meshing with muted sound of conversation.

Serena couldn't say that she was actually surprised when Cyrus had stepped out of the elevator less than ten minutes after she and the girls had. Blair's stepfather had stood there his eyes wandering about the gathering of family and friends. As if he was searching out a particular face.

She knew instinctively that he was searching out Eleanor. The same way, she'd found herself looking for Dan until their eyes had locked and held. But Eleanor wasn't there.

She'd overheard bits and pieces of somber conversation between her mother and Harold. From that she gleaned the details of Eleanor's exile. Serena couldn't help but feel bad for them all. Eleanor included.

Serena tried putting herself in the older woman's position, despised and disowned by her only child. Her baby Alex. Not seeing his smile again. Smell his sweet baby smell or hear him calling out for her. Still, she understood the other side of it. Knowing that she'd want to do the same if Lily had taken her sweet Alex and given him to strangers to be raised.

Despite the growth of her own relationship with her mother…Lily settling more firmly in her role as mother to her two children and the boy she'd adopted as her own. If her mother had crossed that line, Serena knew that she'd have acted no differently than her best friend had.

Of their own volition, her blue eyes swept the room, unmindful of what they searched for until she was left wanting. Aching.

Another face in the crowd. A Smiling face and the lightweight burden in her arms.

Her Alex. Just as absent as Eleanor Waldorf-Rose.

"You are aware that a few weeks ago, this would've topped the list for the very last place that I expected to spend my New Year." A champagne glass pressed into her hand, Dan's eyes concerned and studying her despite his playful tone.

She flashed him a grateful look, gulping down the contents of the champagne glass. "So. There's a list, huh?" Serena finally asked, pushing away her sadness for the moment. It was just one night. She supposed she was being selfish. Alex was probably having a good time with Carter and the rest of the Baizen family.

"You'd be surprised."

"And the other list…Dan Humphrey's official New Year's Eve itinerary. If you were back in Chicago right now. Would you be back in your apartment, getting ready for bed or to watch the ball drop?"

"Hey…I'll have you know that I had plans for the evening that didn't include Dick Clark or my remote."

Serena chewed at her bottom lip, the action instinctive and more habit than effort to try driving Dan crazy, watching her mouth. "Hot date, huh?" She said, not doing a good job of covering her curiosity or the hint of jealousy in her tone. "You should've said something. We would've sent the jet for her."

Dan couldn't help smiling at her reaction, "Wow. It's as easy as that. Just like sending a limo to Brooklyn, huh." His words and tone were playfully. Intent on pulling a full on smile from the beautiful blonde before him.

Instead she frown, her eyes serious as she studied him. Long moments stretched into another before she finally stepped back. Shaking her head, as if she'd looked inside of him and found him lacking. "Wow."

"What's wrong?" He demanded, wondering if whatever had put that tortured look in her eyes earlier was back with a vengeance. But when he looked in her eyes he didn't see that unbearable sadness. Resentment and anger seethed in those blue eyes.

Serena shook her head, stepping back, her arms folded about her chest.

"Serena?"

"It's nothing. Really. Just déjà vu."

"Of what?"

"Just facts. About how some things just don't change." Serena said, "People. Carter's the same cretin he was a long time ago. I just fooled myself for a little while. Eleanor would've found other ways to ruin her relationship with Blair…maybe even did a lot of damage along the way…and you…"

"Me?" Dan stared at her, confused. Not sure where she was coming from with this. "What about me…Look, I was kidding before. There's no hot date back in Chicago. If that's the problem."

"Things would be so much easier if it were. No, our problems always stemmed from the same issues…money and background."

"Why are we talking about this? Look, I've got an idea. About a second ago, we were talking and laughing. How about we go back?"

She shook hear head, "We can't."

"And why do I get the feeling that we're talking about something else here?"

"It's better to stop things here and now. Stop stirring up the past and old feelings. We should just focus on all the reasons why we never worked."

Dan argued, despite his own previous resolve to keep things friendly and leave romance by the wayside. "What if we could now? Five years is a very long time…I think we've both changed."

"Not really. I'm still the spoiled wild child that you fell for in high school and you're still…"

"The boy from Brooklyn…I remember."

"That's not what I was going to say, but you just proved my point. I don't care about your background Dan or how much money your family has or whether or not they ride around in taxis or limos. That was always your problem. I accepted you for who you were but you couldn't do that for me." Serena said.

Dan recalled his earlier joke about the limo and Brooklyn. "I was kidding."

"Not really and I've made enough mistakes in the past. It'd be one thing if it was just me, but I've got Alex to think about here."

"You're right." He said after a moment, glancing away from her. "I judged you and your world in the past but when we were together and not together and together and not together again…I became a part of your life. Your world. The people you called friends were connected to my life and I got to know them as people…understand them more so than if I'd just been on the outside looking in."

"Dan…"

"Let me finish…I've changed. A lot over the years. Nothing's made me realize that more than being back here and helping Chuck and Nate with the arson investigation. I think I understand your world and the people in it, far better than you know. And judging me by my mistakes in the past would be just as bad as what you accuse me off." He shook his head, grabbing the empty champagne glass from her clinging fingers. "Do you need another drink…I could use another drink…I'll get us one."

Stepping away from her, he muttered something unintelligible and was off before she could answer him either way.

Serena didn't move, her feet feeling as if they were cemented to the floor and her tongue glued to the top of her mouth. She should call him back and…apologize? She was just as confused as he seemed to be about how their friendly teasing and joking had completely twisted into that same old argument.

Yes, his words had touched a nerve, but of course Dan wasn't the same guy that he'd been in high school, unyielding and downright one-sided in his judgments. She'd seen that for herself with the guys all working together. The past of who they'd been and who they were now, having no bearing as they worked together to find the arsonist.

Deep down, Serena knew that she was starting to fall for him all over again. Breakfast. Long telephone conversations and grabbing those little moments in his company. Even when searching out Nate the night before, Serena had been happy just being with him.

That scared her beyond belief. She'd never loved anyone in quite the way that she'd loved Dan Humphrey and their breakup had hurt like nothing else. What she was feeling now, felt more. Mature and deeper. Serena couldn't leave herself open to be so wrecked again. She had Alex to worry about this time, too.

So Dan's harmless joke had opened old wounds and bad memories of why they could never really be.

She wanted to call him back to her, even pried open her mouth to do it. He looked around as if he heard her silent call. Their eyes locked in confusion and hurt, but the moment passed and they hurt the commotion around them as the elevator doors opened once more and out stepped the guest of honor.

Her best friend's expression was one of mock surprise that probably did little to convince even the twins. Especially with the knowing gaze and quirked brow that she turned on the man at her side.

Serena tore her gaze away from the look between the two lovers. She looked to Dan, but he'd already turned away.

TBC

A/N: Blair's home with her family, sans her mother. Chuck's place her place and the apartment downstairs her very own personal physical rehab. Chuck, he finally has everything he ever wanted but secrets and dangers still following in his wake. Cyrus. So much love there. Even with Eleanor exiled, no way can he be cut out of this family affair. Will Nate spot Georgie's partner and his own fellow police officer, Henderson? And DS…they're on…they're off…they're on…feels like old times again. Will the same demons and troubles that plagued them before be what keeps them apart this time or is there something else on the horizon that could throw yet another wrench into their attempts at romance. Only time and more chapters will tell the tale. Hope you liked this one. I loved writing it. Will update asap. As always let me know what you're thinking.

Courtney