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There was a screen shot of Gossip Girl with a picture from 2.25, in Nate/Noe's apartment, with Noe, Nate, Hope, Alex, Brooklyn, Thyra, Dylan, Wyatt, James, Zaya, Sadie, Blair, Chuck, Nate and Carter stood in front of the glass walls, a little further up than Marie, not noticing her behind them.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Gossip Girl here. Your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite."

From 3.13 "The Hurt Locket", in Harry's mansion, Harry placed a hand on Aurora's cheek. They both looked each other in the eyes for a long moment, before finally giving in and kissing slowly, more passionately as time went on, holding a hand to each other's heads. They continued to make out with a fiery passion, holding each other close.

Harry: (voice over from 3.13 The Hurt Locket) "We said that we knew something between us changed. I told you that I would never give up on helping you with everything you're trying to do, with the Crew, the family, the Silence. And I just had to have faith that you wouldn't give up on me either."

From 3.14 "The Lady Vanished", in Harry's mansion, Aurora and Harry were taking it a little more slow, kissing slowly and passionately, though when they both knew that they wanted to, Harry took off Aurora's top, and Aurora unbuttoned his shirt. They continued to look at each other and kiss passionately, hands gliding over each other as they did.

Aurora: (voice over from 3.13 The Hurt Locket) "And if me staying by your side after everything that happened and still asking you if you're okay, no matter how many times you don't answer that doesn't prove that I'm not giving up on you, I don't know what will, Harry."

From 3.14 "The Lady Vanished", at the party, Dan and Vanessa kissed.

Vanessa: (voice over from 3.14 The Lady Vanished) "I have feelings for you."

From 3.14 "The Lady Vanished", at the party, Vanessa looked at Dan. "I don't want to ruin our friendship."

From 3.14 "The Lady Vanished", in the Rhodes/Bass apartment, Vanya walked toward Lily with the scarf.

"Is that Rufus's scarf?" Lily asked.

From 3.13 "The Hurt Locket", at Holland's apartment, Holland let Rufus into her home, closing the door behind him.

Vanya: (voice over from 3.14 The Lady Vanished) "Miss Holland say Rufus left this at her apartment."

From 3.14 "The Lady Vanished", in the Rhodes/Bass apartment, Jenny looked at Rufus. "Please, is there any way that Damien can have visitation rights?"

"I can't have you spending time with someone mixed up with drugs," Rufus told her.

Marie was arguing with Rufus. "Well, moving Jenny away for a little while might actually be for the best since all she does here is attack Zaya, Sadie, Brooklyn, Thyra and Eric, not even caring that she almost got Zaya, Sadie and Laureen killed, and not caring about the fact that her attempt to break down Zaya and Sadie could have very bad consequences to their mental health due to their PTSD and depression after the fire and after Richard almost killed them. You realize they could have hurt themselves by now, if not worse? Not to mention Sadie's heart. And who knows what Jenny's doing with Damien or what else she could do. And you, you've just been pushing me and Hope away this entire time because you were worried about what we would say about your fight with Mom. Noe, Serena, Brooklyn, Thyra and Chuck almost died in a crash, Noe and the baby are still in danger of bleeding out at any given time if something goes wrong, and you're still acting like this and hiding out in a loft because of a letter. At this rate, you'll be lucky to keep one daughter."

From 3.12 "The Debarted", in the cemetery, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck paused when they saw Elizabeth standing at Bart's grave. Elizabeth ran off.

Zaya: (voice over from 3.14 The Lady Vanished) "And who is Elizabeth Fisher?"

From 3.14 "The Lady Vanished", in the trio penthouse, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck walked into the dining room to speak to the Crew.

"Her name used to be Evelyn," Chuck answered. "And she's my mother. But when we talked to her, she said that she's not Brooklyn and Dylan's."

"And come to find out that Brooklyn and Dylan are the half-siblings to Chuck, and they thought they shared a mother but comes to find out they didn't?" James asked.

"And the fact that their mother is probably actually dead?" Nate asked.

From 3.14 "The Lady Vanished", at the bar of the Empire, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck were talking.

"Chuck, you're still our brother," Dylan told him. "No matter how."

"I agree," Brooklyn stated. "Half or not, it doesn't matter, Chuck."

"You're right," Chuck told them. "It doesn't change anything."

"And I want to be sure that Evelyn was telling the truth about us," Brooklyn admitted. "If she is who she says she is, Chuck's mother, then not mine or Dylan's, I want to be sure either way."

"DNA test to prove that we're half siblings?" Dylan asked.

Chuck sighed. "Or to prove that that woman was lying."

From 3.14 "The Lady Vanished", in the Algonquin hotel, Dylan and Wyatt were talking to Elizabeth.

Dylan looked away, trying not to get more irritated. "So then why did our father tell us that we shared a mother, keeping with the story that you were dead?"

"That I do not know, because I never reentered Bart's life after I left," Elizabeth admitted. "I don't know who the mother is to you and Brooklyn, Dylan."

"Do you know if she's really dead or alive?" Dylan asked. "Or was that another of Bart's lies?"

"I don't know," Elizabeth repeated.

From 2.14 "In the Realm of the Basses", in Queller's office, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck sat with Queller.

Jack walked in. "Jack Bass. Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck's uncle."

From 2.15 "You've Got Yale!", at the opera, Chuck, Brooklyn and Dylan stood with Lily, Laureen and Aurora, signing the adoption papers to stop Jack from taking Bass Industries.

Brooklyn looked at Jack. "We're sending you back where you belong. You just lost the company."

Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck clinked their champagne glasses together at their victory, raising their glasses to Jack mockingly, before walking away with Lily and Laureen.

 From 2.16 "You've Got Yale!", in the opera's bathroom, after Brooklyn, Zaya, Sadie, Dylan and Chuck ran into the bathroom and stopped Jack from sexually assaulting Lily.

Jack glared at his niece, nephews, and Zaya and Sadie. "You stupid kids."

Chuck punched Jack in the face in rage. Dylan and Brooklyn walked closer, pulling Chuck away from Jack so he wouldn't get in trouble by anyone, helping calm their brother down, but glaring at Jack in just as much anger.

From 2.18 "Age of Dissonance", in the street, Hope answered the phone, realizing who it was. "Jack Bass? What the hell are you calling me for?"

"Just to shed a little light on the truth that someone's been keeping from you," Jack answered. "Watch the flash drive and see."

From 2.18 "Age of Dissonance", in Hope/Jenny's room, Hope was watching the video on the flash drive that Jack sent, which was what revealed to Hope that she was Aurora's daughter in the first place.

Hope: (voice over from 2.20 Remains of the J) "If it wasn't for Jack Bass, I wouldn't even know that you were my mother. He showed me the video because he was trying to get back at you for the adoption and losing the company."

From 3.13 "The Hurt Locket", in Noe/Nate's bedroom, Noe looked down, fully struck by the fact that she and the baby could die, no longer in denial. "We might die. From anytime from now until the birth."

Nate reached out to take her hands. "The stress can make the condition worse, for you and the baby."

Noe started to cry. "I'm scared. I'm scared about what could happen to me, and the baby. If she's going to be... damaged like me. If we can even survive. Even if something does happen to me, you're gonna be okay. And you can raise her on your own. And you won't be alone. You'll have the family, the Crew."

"Don't talk like that," Nate told her. "I believe that we were meant to have this baby. And I know the danger, but I'm not losing either of you."

From 3.14 "The Lady Vanished", in Noe/Nate's apartment, Nate was leading Noe into their living room, which allowed a perfect view of the night sky outside through the many walls of windows. Bouquets of flowers were positioned all around the room along with candles. Nate got the ring box from the drawer, walking closer to stand in front of Noe.

Noe had tears of bittersweet happiness in her eyes. "Ask me. Please."

Nate also had the tears of bittersweet happiness. "So will you marry me?"

Noe smiled, pleased with the milestone in front of her, letting out a breath, brushing her fingers over his cheeks. "Yes."

Nate smiled sadly with happiness, sliding the ring onto Noe's finger, standing, taking Noe into his arms, as both of them smiled with tears in their eyes, cupping her cheek, kissing her passionately. "I love you."

Noe held him tightly. "I love you more."

Noe and Nate held each other close, tears of bittersweet happiness in their eyes, in the middle of the beautifully decorated living room, surrounded by flowers and candlelight, with the starry night sky and the city in the dark visible through the window wall behind them.

In the closing, there was a screen shot of the Gossip Girl website, with a picture of Noe/Nate in their apartment kissing after the proposal in 3.14.

The headline read: Fiery Iced Lovers

The caption underneath the picture read: Noe van der Woodsen might have had to trade walking down runways for bedrest after the car crash so she and the little Rhodes/Archibald baby can survive, but it also looks like she's going to be looking forward to trading names. Nate Archibald finally popped the question, and once word spread, the Upper East Side couldn't have been happier, despite the dark tragedy that looms overhead these two devoted lovebirds. Say what you want about their past mistakes and scandalous sex at a wedding no less, but I think we all agree that we wish the best to Mr. Archibald with his future Mrs. and their child.

X•O°X•O

Worlds Colliding (Gossip Girl)

X•O°X•O

Day One

Morning - Harry's Mansion - Bedroom

(Song:) Rockstar 101 - Rihanna, Slash

Harry and Aurora were underneath the covers, having just finished having sex, both gasping and moaning, as Harry pushed the blanket off their heads and rolled off of Aurora to lay on his back next to her, both breathing heavily.

Aurora raised her eyebrows, stunned but amused. "Who needs coffee after a wake up like that?"

Harry smirked. "I aim to please."

"And you did just that," Aurora replied. "If you told me years ago that I'd be here, in this bed, with you..." Harry chuckled, kissing Aurora's cheek and head. "I would never have believed it, Harry."

"Neither would I," Harry agreed. Aurora cupped Harry's head so they could kiss passionately for a moment. "You fought for me when no one else could, Aurora."

"And you've helped me when no one else could," Aurora replied. "We might be polar opposites, but..."

"We're a pretty good pair, aren't we?" Harry asked.

Aurora smiled a bit, leaning closer to kiss Harry deeply. They continued to make out and hold each other close for a long moment, pulling away, leaning their heads together.

"Besides, the banter before did add a layer of hotness," Aurora told him.

They chuckled, kissing again.

Harry rolled Aurora onto the bed, positioned above her. "What are you saying? Our hotness is only based off the banter? And if we didn't have it, we'd like each other less?"

Aurora ran her fingers through Harry's hair. "Harry, you know that if we really started dating, after a few months, you'd realize that you hate the way I laugh. I couldn't stand the way that you chew and then we'd break up."

Harry nodded sarcastically, kissing her. "That's a very romantic story. It doesn't have to be like that, Aurora."

Aurora was intrigued, smirking. "Care to make a bet?" She kissed Harry, rolling him onto the bed, positioned above him, lightly running a hand through her hair to pull it back from her face. "I got an idea. We can hole up for 24 hours and fast forward through the entire relationship. Leave the seat up, sing Timberlake in the shower."

Harry got where she was going with this. "Ah, watch TV shows you really like as opposed to ones you're supposed to like."

Aurora nodded. "What do you say? You, me, this place? Let's get sick of each other."

Harry smirked. "I doubt that can happen. But it's a deal."

Harry leaned up so he and Aurora could meet halfway in a heated kiss.

Aurora's phone went off with an alarm, and she reached for it, checking the time. "It's a deal, but it can't be today. We'll make it a bet tomorrow, because right now, I have to go."

Aurora rolled off of Harry to sit at the edge of the bed, reaching for her bra and underwear to pull them on.

Harry sat up behind Aurora, kissing her neck seductively, as Aurora tried not to react because she had to leave, but she couldn't help a small smirk/smile of pleasure. "Where do you have to go this early?"

"Airport landing," Aurora answered.

Harry remembered. "That's right. Hope gets back from Paris today."

"Yep," Aurora agreed.

"Alex said that you, him, Blair, Thyra, Wyatt, James and Carter were going to be there to greet her," Harry stated.

Aurora nodded. "That's the plan. It's been a week since Hope went to Paris, but I've missed my daughter, and Blair and Thyra are dying for details about working fashion week in Paris, even as just an assistant this time around. Knowing Hope, she'll have an entire fashion line by this time next year, right around the time Alex would be starting up his architect company."

Harry smirked. "Sounds like Hope and Alex, yeah. Well, she made it back just in time for Noe and Nate's engagement party tonight."

"That was the idea," Aurora told him, standing, reaching for her clothes to get dressed.

Harry leaned forward. "You want me to go with to the air landing? When both of us met Hope fast to face, she was there at the landing to greet us, with Nate, Alex, Noe, Thyra and Brooklyn."

"That's true," Aurora agreed. "But you haven't told Alex and Nate about us yet, and I haven't had the chance to tell Hope and Thyra, or even James, Carter, Blair and Wyatt."

"Yeah, because we wanted to make sure there really was an us before we told them," Harry agreed.

"Exactly," Aurora said. "And considering that my daughter Hope is dating your nephew Alex and has been for 3 years now, give or take outside obstacles that kept breaking them up, I wanted to make sure this could work, that this could be real, before we told them, so we didn't make anything even more awkward."

Harry sighed, tilting his head. "That's a good point, but I think you and I both know that Hope and Alex won't be as awkward as others would think, Aurora. I think they would be happy."

"Yeah, well, I think so too," Aurora agreed. "But think of it this way, Harry. Hope is just getting back within 30 minutes, Alex is gonna be there with the other kids, and with Noe and Nate's engagement party tonight, nothing should overshadow that considering everything that happened."

Harry nodded in agreement. "Yeah. You're right. So the 24 hour lock in tomorrow, and then we tell them if we know it can work?"

Aurora finished getting dressed, leaning closer to Harry with a slight smirk/smile. "Exactly my thought." She gave him one last kiss before backing away. "I'll see you soon, Harry."

"Yes, you will," Harry agreed. "Tell the Crew hi, Aurora."

Aurora smirked, turning around, walking out of the room. Harry sat back in bed, arms propped behind his head, smirking slightly as he watched Aurora go.

X•O°X•O

Humphrey Loft - Hope/Jenny's Old Room

There was a slow pan over the pictures of Hope and Jenny growing up along the walls, but Jenny was taking most of them down and throwing them into a box, clearly not caring about much of anything at this point.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "When you have three daughters, a father lives in fear."

X•O°X•O

Living Room

Jenny walked into the living room, seeing Rufus in the kitchen across the counter.

Rufus had made breakfast. "How about some breakfast?"

Jenny stopped next to Rufus, looking at the breakfast food sarcastically. "Waffles. Shocker. No, I'm good. Thanks. I'll eat at school."

"I'll see you at 4:15, on the dot," Rufus told her.

Jenny gave him an annoyed look. "School, home, school, home. I get it. Thanks. You know, I wonder if you would be so focused on me right now if you hadn't been avoiding Hope and Marie before even after everything with the others, including Noe's threat of dying anytime from now until she gives birth to the baby. I bet they're not talking to you now, huh? Not since Hope left for fashion week a week ago and is getting back today, and Marie's doing God knows what now."

Jenny turned around, walking out. Rufus was stunned by the way Jenny called him out like that, since she was right, picking up his phone, trying to call Marie and Hope.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "That someday they'll get hurt."

X•O°X•O

Street

Marie was walking down the sidewalk, looking focused and ready for a day of planning, when her phone rang. She saw that it was Rufus calling, but she ignored the call. 

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "That someday, they'll hate him."

Carter walked over to Marie. "Your dad again?"

"Only the second time he's called since I went off on him," Marie answered. "But I can't deal with him right now. I don't wanna hear any half-hearted apologies or excuses, because I have a day of planning to do for Noe and Nate's engagement party. And Hope gets back from Paris today after fashion week's over, so... Dad can see how it feels to be avoided this time, take a number and wait for his little drama with Mom to seem relevant considering the more serious things going on with our friends and family."

"Right," Carter agreed, smirking slightly. "Liking the feisty attitude, more so than every other day."

Marie smirked, tilting her head, shrugging. "I'll see you after I get back from Noe and Nate's. Zaya and Sadie are gonna be there since they've been helping me to have something to do to keep them both calm, plus they want to do whatever they can to help. I think Serena's coming over too."

"All right," Carter agreed. "You got it today, Marie."

Marie chuckled. "Thanks, Carter. Are you heading to the air landing to meet with Hope? Going with Alex, Thyra, Wyatt, Blair, James and Aurora?"

"Yeah," Carter answered. 

"I would go with, but I gotta meet with Noe and Nate for planning, and they would come to the air landing if Noe was up for it, but she's not this morning," Marie told him. "I mean, she's got to get as much rest as she can."

Carter nodded in agreement. "We know. It's not your guys's fault."

"Well, tell Hope to come over when she can," Marie told him. "Her adoptive step sisters wanna see her."

Carter smirked. "Of course."

Marie and Carter shared a kiss, before Marie pulled away with a smirk, winking at Carter, backing away, turning around, walking away. Carter watched Marie go with a smirk, turning around, walking away in another direction to head to the air landing.

X•O°X•O

Airport Landing

The plane landed as Hope got home from Paris. The door to the plane lowered down with steps.

Hope stepped out of the plane, wearing sunglasses, and walked down the steps to step off to the ground.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "And worst of all, that someday they'll grow up."

Alex was waiting, smiling. "Hey, Hope."

Hope smiled, taking off her sunglasses, walking closer. "Alex."

Hope walked up to Alex quickly so they could embrace and kiss now that she was home.

Aurora, Thyra, James, Carter, Blair and Wyatt were waiting by a car, each smiling (or in Carter's case, smirking)

"Welcome home, Hope," Aurora told her.

Hope smiled, walking toward Aurora. "Winter last year, it was Noe, Nate, Alex, Thyra, Brooklyn and me waiting here for you and Harry when you two got back to town when we met."

Aurora smiled. "We came a long way since then, yeah."

Hope and Aurora embraced tightly for a moment, mother and daughter smiling.

"That is one hell of an understatement," Thyra agreed, before giving her cousin a hug. "Hey, Hope."

Hope returned the embrace, smiling. "Thyra. I expected you, Mom and Alex to come, and semi-expected for Blair, Wyatt, James and Carter, nice way to be greeted."

"I bet," Carter agreed. "Greetings aren't over. Noe and Marie couldn't make it because of bedrest and planning Noe and Nate's engagement party, but Marie said for you to go say hi when you can. They wanna see you."

Hope smiled. "Of course. Thanks, Carter."

Blair, Wyatt and James also gave Hope a hug. "Hey."

Blair smiled. "How was your first time in Paris? Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, I did," Hope answered. "It was incredible. I'll explain all about it."

"Well, good," Wyatt told her. "You're already making strides, Hope. This is pretty amazing."

"One way to put it," James agreed. "You're gonna do great for your career."

Hope smiled. "Thanks, guys." She looked at Alex. "You wanna go with me to Noe and Nate's to say hi to them and Marie?"

Alex nodded. "Yeah, and Harry wanted to take me and Nate out for drinks to celebrate anyway so you girls can have some time whenever you can, if you guys aren't too busy, that is."

Aurora raised her eyebrows, nodding a bit. "Right. Well, let's get moving. Hope you kids get to have fun today, actual fun for the first time in a while."

Hope's phone rang. She saw that it was Rufus calling, hesitating but ignoring the call. "Mm..."

Aurora looked at her knowingly. "Still not talking to him?"

"After the way he's been acting and avoiding me and Marie just because he knew that we would call him out on how he's acting especially with everything going on, nope," Hope answered. "And Jenny's still being a bitch to us."

Thyra was annoyed with Jenny. "To everyone."

"Yeah," Blair agreed.

Hope nodded. "Even Dan's avoiding us for God knows what reason now."

"Those three bad Humphreys don't deserve you or Marie," Wyatt told her. 

Carter made a joke to try and lighten the mood. "Time to cut the cord, huh?"

"I'm still gonna try and get things better again, for us and for them/us, but I don't know if it's gonna work this time," Hope admitted. "But Marie could help with that this time around. We'll see."

"Got it," James said. "Come on, let's go. Big day today."

"Big day indeed," Alex agreed.

They all walked toward the limo waiting to take them away.

Thyra paused when her phone rang, and she took it out, seeing that Brooklyn was calling her, answering. "Hey, Brooklyn. What's up?" 

Brooklyn stood in the trio penthouse, having a drink, tilting her head, looking very irritated and determined to handle something, sitting back in a chair behind her, propping her feet up, brushing back some of her hair from her face. "Thyra, listen. Something's come up, and Dylan, Chuck and I need help."

Thyra listened to what Brooklyn had to say, turning to look at Aurora in surprise. "Aurora." They all looked at her. "Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck need you as a lawyer. Right now."

They all frowned in confusion.

In the penthouse, Chuck and Dylan were also having drinks, both looking annoyed and trying to figure this out.

Angela walked over to the Bass siblings, pouring herself a drink, holding it up, looking at them, tilting her head in confusion, looking over their tense faces critically. "What's wrong?"

"We'll explain after we talk to Aurora, Thyra, Hope and Alex," Chuck told her. "James, Wyatt, Blair and Carter are coming over with them, besides the fact that James also lives here and Carter lives in the building too. Angela, can you watch Theo while we sort all this out?"

"Theo's my son," Angela reminded. "Of course I can. Do you need any help?"

"We'll figure it out, but once we talk to the others, we'll let you know," Dylan told her.

Angela nodded, finishing her drink, putting her glass down, crossing her arms over her chest.

X•O°X•O

Music Studio

Preston was in the process of recording another song, playing guitar as he did, having fun and rocking out to the song, which seemed to be a lot more fun than the other songs he had sung before.

Prince was watching from outside the studio through the glass, having a drink, smirking proudly for his brother, taking a drink.

X•O°X•O

Street

Jenny walked out to the street, on the phone. "Hey, I need a car. Yeah, from Dumbo to the Smyth Hotel. Okay, thanks. Bye."

Jenny hung up, putting her phone away, undoing her school tie, taking her hair down, shaking it out.

X•O°X•O

The Empire - Rhodes' Girls Hotel Room

Laureen was sitting on the couch, relaxing, having a drink in her hand, looking very carefree yet in more control of her life and emotions and mental state and happiness than she had been in months, feeling more back to herself and feeling good about that.

Dominic walked up behind Laureen, shirtless. Laureen turned her head to look at Dominic, smirking a slight smile, taking a drink. Dominic chuckled, sweeping Laureen's hair to one side of her head, kissing her neck. Laureen closed her eyes in pleasure for a moment, biting her lip, placing down her drink, standing, turning to face Dominic so she could wrap her arms around his neck and pull him into a passionate, fiery kiss, their hands trailing over each other.

X•O°X•O

Noe/Nate's Apartment - Living Room

Noe was laying down, bedresting on the couch while drinking water from a glass and watching TV, seeing a girl on a teen drama crying. "Oh, God, pull it together." She changed the channel to see that a horror movie, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, was playing. "Better."

Nate was nearby getting breakfast for Noe, smirking, tilting his head in amusement, chuckling.

Zaya, Sadie and Marie were working on preparations for the party that night, looking toward Noe, amused as well, smirking, exchanging a look.

(Song Ends)

Nate walked over to Noe with the breakfast on a tray along with her medications to take. "Gotta love your taste in movies, Noe."

Noe smiled. "Hey."

Nate sat next to Noe. "Hey."

Noe sat up slightly so that she could eat and take her medicine. "I hate all these damn pills."

Nate chuckled. "I know. But it's what we have to do for now, okay?"

Noe nodded. "Yeah."

Zaya, Sadie and Marie walked closer.

"Zaya, Sadie, thanks for helping Marie out with the party so much," Nate told them.

"Yeah," Zaya agreed. "Besides everything going on, we promised Marie to help with the party planning for the engagement party, so..."

"I really think that you guys are gonna like it," Sadie told them.

Marie walked over with a clipboard. "You guys don't have any preferences for a seating chart, do you?"

"Just keep Mom away from Rufus so that there's no drama or fighting, that's even if Dan, Jenny and Rufus show up at all," Noe answered.

Marie made a quick note about that. "Got it."

Nate nodded. "Obviously all the Crew and family is invited. Harry, Aurora, Laureen, Lily, Eric and Dominic all already promised to be there. Beck Boardman is even coming since Eric invited him."

Marie made another note. "Right, of course. Eric and Beck. Another relationship where both parties have yet to confess their feelings, like someone in this room and Preston."

"Oh, don't start, Marie," Sadie told her. They chuckled. "Isn't Hope back? Is she with Alex, Blair, Thyra, Wyatt, James, Carter and Aurora?"

"Yeah, and Carter texted explaining that Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck need last minute help, so they're going over to the trio penthouse to figure it out," Marie explained. "But Hope and Alex should be by after that, if they get a chance."

Noe and Nate nodded in understanding. Zaya and Sadie nodded.

Zaya looked at Noe and Nate. "And you wanted fire and ice for the theme of the party?"

"Yeah," Noe answered. "I just always liked the theme of fire and ice for some reason."

Nate chuckled. "Well, it's kind of fitting."

"Yep," Noe agreed, looking at Zaya and Sadie. "That is, if you two and Laureen are okay with that, after everything..."

"Of course we are, Noe," Sadie told her. "It's your party, and it's just a theme. Reds and light blues for color coded attire. It's not a problem."

"It's really not," Zaya agreed.

Noe nodded in relief, looking at Zaya, Sadie and Marie. "And I was hoping that we could not just get music played... but sung. By the people closest to me. The ones that I know love to sing and dance and I want to be able to hear and see it again. Since I don't know if... or how many more chances I got with that."

Nate took Noe by the hand. "You'll get plenty of more chances for the rest of your life, Noe."

"I just mean just in case, Nate," Noe told him.

Nate, Zaya, Sadie and Marie nodded sadly in understanding.

"Yeah, I would love to sing and dance if that's what you want, Noe," Zaya told her.

Noe nodded. "It is. I actually have this song in mind that reminds me of what we and Laureen went through, and I just... it helps me keep faith about surviving the future too."

"Okay," Marie agreed.

Nate leaned back. "I think that's it for the most part. Marie's already got most of it planned."

"Yep," Marie agreed. "It'll be ready in time, believe me."

Zaya looked at Noe specifically. "And until then, get plenty of rest."

Noe nodded, tilting her head. "Yeah, I know, Zaya. I will."

"Thank you guys," Nate told them.

"Of course," Sadie agreed. "It's gonna be good. I'm so excited. Everyone's really happy that you two get to get married."

"Well, let's just focus on the engagement party and take it step by step," Nate told them. "Gotta make sure we take it a little slower so no one gets overwhelmed."

Nate looked at Noe.

"I'm not gonna get overwhelmed," Noe replied. "I just... if possible, I want to be married by the birth, or close to it. It seems like good timing, right? And it is still a couple months away."

"Right," Nate agreed. "Yeah."

"Listen, don't worry about a thing," Marie told them. "We'll take care of everything."

Noe looked at Nate. "If I'm Sleeping Beauty, they're my three fairy godmothers."

Nate chuckled, smiling.

Zaya, Sadie and Marie smiled slightly.

X•O°X•O

The Empire - Trio Penthouse - Living Room

Blair was on the phone. "Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck have an emergency meeting with Hope's mother, and Thyra's aunt, Aurora Diamond, but Chuck was hoping we could all meet up for some shopping later."

Elizabeth's voice was on the other line. "That sounds lovely. This has been a wonderful week."

Blair sat down. "Chuck thinks so too. He mentioned what a great squash player you were. And he likes a woman who knows her way around haberdashery. Actually, I think there's something he wants to ask you. Call when you're in the lobby."

Wyatt, James, Carter and Alex were sitting on the couch across from Blair, as Blair hung up.

Angela was holding Theo by a playpen, feeding him a bottle.

Brooklyn, Dylan, Chuck, Aurora, Hope and Thyra walked in.

"Are you guys okay?" Wyatt asked.

"Yeah, what's going on?" James asked.

"Several female employees at the Empire are suing Chuck... for sexual harassment," Brooklyn answered.

Blair, Wyatt, James, Carter, Alex and Angela looked at the Basses and Diamonds in surprise. "What?"

"Obviously, there were incidents with room service at the Palace, but that was our father's hotel," Chuck told them. "I was a kid. I would never do that now. Not in our hotel." He looked at Blair. "Not to you."

"No, of course not," Dylan agreed. "They're scheming harlots, trying to get us to pay them off."

"We have proof that two of those girls weren't even in town on one of the alleged nights," Aurora told them.

"So we'll fight it," Thyra told them.

Carter nodded. "Shouldn't be too hard. You have innocence, good breeding and Aurora, one of the best lawyers in New York, on our side. It's a slam dunk."

"A court case would be a PR nightmare," Hope told them.

Chuck looked at Hope, Thyra, Brooklyn and Dylan. "And we've worked too hard on this hotel and building the clocktower to risk it now over this. We'll settle."

Angela tilted her head skeptically. "Settlements are for the guilty. It's not fair."

"It's still too much to risk right now, but I will find a way around it that doesn't bring more drama and stress to all of you kids," Aurora told them. "I promise."

"How are you going to do that?" Alex asked.

"Mom's planning on talking to one of her lawyer partners that offered to help this morning," Hope answered. "Seeing what can be done, and it's tricky, since the Diamond name is mixed in with the Empire and other businesses with the Basses... And Archibald because Alex has been working with us for these projects..."

Alex sighed heavily. "Yeah, but that won't risk my entire career like this will."

"But any court case might dismiss Aurora on the case because her name, her daughter and niece involved," Brooklyn pointed. "And it can reflect badly on the three of them and you, Alex. Thyra, Hope, I'm sorry."

Alex, Hope and Thyra shook their heads.

"It's fine, Brooklyn," Thyra told her. "We'll figure it out."

"I think a settlement is the only way for all of us," Dylan pointed out.

"Still," Aurora told them. "I'm gonna try to figure out a way."

"Okay," Wyatt agreed.

"All of you just try and focus on Noe and Nate's engagement party tonight," Aurora told them. "I'll handle things as much as I can."

Aurora walked to the elevator to leave to head to work on this case.

James sighed heavily. "This isn't happening. Aurora's gonna figure it out."

"If this gets even more out of hand, this doesn't just reflect the Bass name, but the Diamond and Archibald too, like Hope said," Chuck pointed out. "It could disrupt other business futures that Hope, Alex, Thyra and Aurora have. And it reflects Lily because of her position at our family company. And tonight is Noe and Nate's engagement party."

"We can't risk having press and paparazzi around and trying to get in our faces with the party tonight, for Noe and Nate's engagement, especially knowing that this could cause a lot more worry and stress," Brooklyn agreed.

"So today we settle, and after Noe and Nate's party, we'll figure something out," Dylan told them.

"This way, this isn't overshadowing the evening or anything else," Hope told them. "The case will be sealed. The press won't know. No one will."

"And Aurora can find out what's really going on and why this is suddenly happening," Thyra finished.

Alex, Angela, Wyatt, James, Blair and Carter, understanding now why they were doing it this way, nodded in agreement.

"Okay," Carter stated. "So you get to seal the case so that Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck don't have a major scandal because of bogus allegations, and protect Alex, Thyra, Hope and Aurora's business futures, and try and make sure that Noe and Nate's night isn't overshadowed and there's no more stress for the Crew." He looked at Chuck. "And you get to make sure that the first time Elizabeth truly meets Marie, Noe, Serena, Zaya, Sadie, Laureen, Lily and Eric as your adoptive family to be perfect. Got it."

"That's not why I'm doing this," Chuck told them.

"It's a part of the reason, Chuck, and you know it," Dylan told him. "But it's okay."

"Yeah, it's completely understandable," Blair agreed. "What is the point of having Elizabeth in your life if you're not going to let her in? Not everyone's willing to wait 18 years for an 'I love you'."

Blair gave Chuck an embrace.

Carter sighed heavily. "Let's hope this is the only thing that you guys have to deal with."

"I've told Prince this before, Carter, and I'll tell you, don't make me kick your ass for jinxing us," Angela told him.

The others chuckled.

"You sure you guys got to do this?" James asked.

"For now, at least, yes," Hope answered.

Alex sighed. "It sucks, but I agree. Not just for us, but for the Crew and everyone else."

"At least for tonight," Brooklyn agreed.

Angela sighed, tilting her head. "It still feels like giving in and admitting defeat. At least until Aurora finds out what's going on."

Wyatt stood, walking over to Angela and Theo to take Theo. "And we will."

Thyra nodded. "We'll figure it all out."

X•O°X•O

Humphrey Loft - Living Room

Rufus opened the door to find his wife outside. "Lily, what are you doing here?"

"I'm just checking in," Lily answered. "How are things going with Jenny?"

Lily walked in.

Rufus closed the door. "Oh, we have an understanding. She goes to school, she goes home. She does not date boys with bags of pills."

Lily sighed. "Ugh, I'm sure she's furious."

Rufus walked over to Lily. "The Hulk was furious. There's no word for what Jenny is. Or Hope and Marie with me at the moment, or for the past week."

Lily nodded. "They still haven't talked to you?"

"Not yet," Rufus answered. "But Marie was right before. And so was Dan when he said this is the last thing either of them needed. I know it's my fault. I'm just not sure how to fix it."

Lily tilted her head. "Rufus, I need to ask you something."

Rufus's phone rang, so he pulled it out. "One sec, Lil." He answered his phone. "Headmistress Queller, hi. I see. Thank you for calling." He hung up, looking at Lily. "Jenny didn't go to school this morning. Apparently, she's been cutting classes all week."

X•O°X•O

Noe/Nate's Apartment - Living Room

Zaya, Sadie and Marie were still making pre-preparations, while Noe and Nate were not in the room at the moment.

Serena walked into the apartment. "Hey, there you guys are. Marie, have you been checking your phone, or are you still ignoring Rufus?"

"Still ignoring him because I'm trying to focus on party planning," Marie answered. "And all he wants to do is try and make excuses about the way he's been acting."

"Why?" Zaya asked. "What's wrong?"

"He's freaking out," Serena answered. "He can't find Jenny. He thinks she's with Damien. This is not good."

"Damien, your and Prince's friend from boarding school who tried to forcefully kiss Marie?" Sadie asked. "I mean, it was Andrea at the time, but still."

"Yeah," Marie answered. "And now that creep's still with Jenny?"

Zaya and Sadie were both angry with Jenny, but they didn't trust Damien.

"Zaya, Sadie, I know that you still have issues with Jenny, and you have every right to, but Damien's not the same guy that Prince and I knew," Serena told them. "He could be really bad news."

"You know what's most attractive about a bad boy?" Marie asked.

"No, I really don't," Zaya answered. "Maybe that's because I'm into girls, but still."

Sadie smiled.

"Your parents refusing to let you see him," Marie answered. "Dad is driving Jenny right into Damien's creepy arms. And Zaya, Sadie, I'm still furious about what she's been doing, but she's still my sister too, so I can't let that happen. You know what? I'm calling Hope. Maybe she'll know how to get through to her."

"Doubt it, but good luck," Sadie told them.

"Fine," Zaya agreed. "Marie, you, Hope and Serena do whatever you have to do, but count us out."

"Yeah," Sadie agreed. "And don't even tell us what you're up to. At least then Zaya and I can have plausible deniability."

"Do you want us to tell Noe and Nate?" Zaya asked.

Serena shook her head. "No, no, let them have the day off until tonight."

"Yeah, Noe doesn't need the stress, and she needs as much rest as she can for the party tonight," Marie agreed. "Nate can stay and make sure she's okay. Do you two think that you can handle the party stuff until I get back? It shouldn't take that long, but if it does..."

"It probably will take long, knowing your bitch of a half-sister," Zaya told her.

Marie and Serena nodded, expecting that reaction.

"Do you two got the party?" Serena asked.

"Oh, yeah," Sadie answered. "Do you not know us, Marie? We got this."

Zaya, Sadie, Marie and Serena all smirked.

X•O°X•O

Noe/Nate's Room

(Song:) I Get to Love You - Ruelle feat. Fleurie

Nate was leading Noe back to their room. "Let's get you to bed."

"Nate, you can stop worrying," Noe told him.

Nate scoffed a chuckle. "I'm gonna worry, and I'm gonna keep worrying."

"Nate, I'm fine," Noe told him. "The baby's fine. It's mid-morning. I don't need a nap, and I wanna be ready for the engagement party tonight."

"And you will," Nate replied. "After you get some rest."

Noe tilted her head. "Nate."

Nate pretended to be listening to the baby. "Wait. What's that? Yeah, the baby says it's definitely time to take a nap. Good call. I agree." Noe gave in, letting Nate take her to the bed and get her to lay down. Nate made sure she was comfortable. "All right, safe and sound. Here we go."

"The doctors said take it easy," Noe pointed out. "That doesn't mean I have to spend every waking hour in bed."

"And you don't," Nate replied. "Ever since the crash, you've been to parties and appointments. That's enough moving around. The doctors also said that you need as much rest as you can get because it can help..." Noe and Nate both looked numb for a second, but Noe knew he was right. "Every other hour, you get to rest."

Noe managed a small smile. "All right."

Nate stroked her skin, looking at her longingly. "I love you."

Noe smiled tiredly. "I love you."

"Get some rest," Nate told her. "You'll be completely ready for the engagement party tonight, I promise."

Noe nodded in agreement. Nate tucked Noe in, kissing her on the head.

Noe reached for his hand. "Nate. Can you stay?"

Nate laid down next to Noe. "Yeah, I'm not going anywhere."

Noe sighed, snuggling close to Nate as he put his arm around her, laying her head on his chest, biting her lip. "We've been thinking of baby names, yet we didn't know what to call the baby, especially with the danger, and everything..."

"Yeah," Nate agreed softly. "I thought you wanted to wait until close to the date to decide."

Noe looked up at Nate. "What if I'm changing my mind? Can we decide something today? Because I don't know if..."

"Noe, don't go there," Nate told her softly. "Please. You have to believe that both of you are gonna be okay."

"And I do," Noe assured. "I really do. But I just want to, just in case. Like with trying to spend so much time with the others, just in case. Like with asking Zaya, Sadie and Marie to sing tonight with me. Nate, we do have to admit, that there's a chance, if we make it to the birthdate, that I might... not make it, but she might be able to. I'm sorry..."

Nate sighed heavily, closing his eyes. "Don't be. You're right, and we do need to talk about it. It's just really hard." Noe nodded knowingly, sadly. "You're both gonna make it. But yeah. I've already had a name in mind for quite a while now. I just thought you would want to continue to wait."

Noe looked up at Nate. "What is it? The name?"

"Skylar," Nate answered. "Or just Skye."

Noe smiled tearfully. "Skye. Like my middle name."

"Yeah," Nate answered. "Because I had been thinking about what you said. If you didn't make it, but she did. I didn't want to think like that, let alone talk about it. But... either way, I want her to have something of you. And Skye seemed like the only right choice."

Noe chuckled softly, nodding. "What about from you?"

"Well, she gets Archibald as a last name," Nate pointed out. "And so do you when the time comes."

Noe smiled. "Oh, right. Duh." They chuckled. "Skye. I love it. Skye it is."

Noe and Nate smiled at each other sadly.

Nate kissed Noe on the head, then on the lips. "Get some sleep, okay? You didn't sleep much last night. I'll be right here."

Noe nodded in agreement, soon enough falling asleep in Nate's hold. Nate was soon falling asleep after her as he held her in his arms. 

(Song Ends)

X•O°X•O

NYU - Dan's Dorm Room

Dan and Vanessa were laying in Dan's bed after hooking up, kissing.

Vanessa looked at Dan's ringing phone. "Your dad has called, like, five times. He's obviously looking for you."

"I know," Dan agreed. "I'm just not sure I want to explain where I've been. To him, or Hope or Marie, even though I've talked to both of them and Alex about other things. We agreed if this is gonna work, we gotta--we gotta keep it casual. And if my dad or sisters know, then it's suddenly gonna feel serious and you know how bad I am at lying to them."

"You can't avoid them forever," Vanessa pointed out.

Dan sighed. "You know, you're right. Dad's already pissed Hope and Marie off by avoiding them and dragging out this fight with Lily, and now I'm avoiding because of this. I'll figure it out." He picked up his phone, calling Rufus. "Hey, Dad. What?"

X•O°X•O

Smyth Hotel - Damien's Hotel Room

(Song:) So Light is Her Footfall - Air

Damien and Jenny were sitting together, making out.

When Damien slid his hands along her thighs and laid down, Jenny got nervous because she knew where this was leading to, pulling away. "Oh, it's 9:30. I have Latin."

Jenny stood, walking away.

Damien sat up. "It's a dead language. It's not going anywhere. Why don't you just ditch it and stay here with me?"

Jenny pulled on her jacket. "I can't. I have a quiz."

Damien chuckled. "Come on, Jenny. Don't you think it's a little coincidental the last time we got to this exact same spot, you know, the place right underneath your kilt, that you had to go dissect the fetal pig?"

"I did," Jenny told him. "Come on, Damien. You know I wanna be here."

Damien turned to look at her directly. "Jenny, why don't we just talk about it?"

Jenny put her scarf on. "What's there to talk about?"

"I think you're an amazing girl," Damien told her. "I love spending time with you, but... when I date someone, sex is usually part of the equation, and if you're not cool with that, it's fine, but you need to say something. You can't just shut me down every time we're alone together."

"I'm not," Jenny denied. "I... it's just not a good day. I mean, I have a quiz and then I have that other class."

"You're younger than me," Damien told her. "I get it. Could it be that you never..."

Jenny looked embarrassed. "No. Damien. It's not like that." She sat next to him. "Look, I just don't like the first time with someone to be rushed. And I have school."

Damien nodded. "Okay. Well, how about tonight after the engagement party? After your father goes to sleep, you can sneak out. No rush. Okay? Nice and slow."

Jenny had a small, nervous smile. "Yeah, perfect. Um, it's on, Dalgaard. I will see you tonight."

They kissed. Jenny smiled, standing, walking away.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "There's always a moment a father can't let himself fear. The day his little J decides to lose her big V."

(Song Ends)

X•O°X•O

X•O°X•O

Street

Brooklyn, Thyra, Dylan, Wyatt, Blair and Chuck were walking with Elizabeth, as Brooklyn and Dylan were making an attempt to get to know Elizabeth for Chuck's sake, and Thyra, Wyatt and Blair were there for the three of them.

"I can't believe the fuss they made over you at Tumbull & Asser," Elizabeth admitted.

"I should hope so," Chuck told her. "Us and Prince William practically put the manager's daughter through college."

Blair whispered to the siblings. "Ask her."

Elizabeth chuckled. "Well, I had a lovely time."

"Actually, there's something Chuck, and Brooklyn and Dylan, want to ask you something," Wyatt told her.

"You've already spoken to one of our adoptive sisters, Serena," Chuck told her. "She's the one that told you we'd be at Kellari when you came to talk." Elizabeth nodded. "We have two others, Nevaeh and Marie, and a brother named Eric. Cousins named Zaya and Sadie. Our adoptive mother is Lily, and our adoptive aunt, Zaya and Sadie's mother, is Laureen. We will all be gathered tonight."

"It's Nevaeh's engagement party with our friend Nate," Brooklyn explained. "She likes to go by Noe, though. They both said it was okay if Chuck wanted to invite you, if it was okay with me and Dylan, and it is."

"We understand it might be awkward for you to go to a party where all of our adoptive family will be," Dylan told her. "And all our friends."

"I'd love to come," Elizabeth told them. She looked at her son. "Charles, this is why I'm here. I've already gotten to know Brooklyn and Dylan as your half-siblings, and I would like to meet your adoptive family as well." Chuck smiled. Brooklyn and Dylan nodded barely. Blair, Thyra and Wyatt looked at them supportively. "I wanna be as much a part of your life as you'll let me."

Press ran closer.

"Chuck," a reporter called. "Did you pay off women you sexually harassed?"

"Did you receive sex in exchange for promotions?" another reporter asked. "Are your siblings and coworkers aware of what you did? Is it true?"

"No, it's not true," Thyra answered in annoyance. "Back the hell off."

Chuck placed a hand on Elizabeth's arm. "Look, this is a lie. I'll explain later."

Thyra turned to Brooklyn, Dylan, Chuck, Blair and Wyatt. "Somebody must have leaked the story."

Wyatt gestured for them to go. "Let's just go. Let's go."

"It's okay," Blair assured.

They all walked away.

Brooklyn paused when her phone rang, seeing the caller ID said Jack Bass, stopping where she was outside, calling to her brothers. "Dylan. Chuck." Dylan and Chuck turned to Brooklyn. "Jack's calling me."

The three of them realized Jack was behind this.

"Of course," Dylan scoffed.

"Put it on speaker, Brooklyn," Chuck told her.

Brooklyn nodded, answering, putting the phone on speaker. "We should have guessed."

Jack was in the city, walking down the sidewalk of another street. "Naughty niece and nephews."

"Uncle Jack," Dylan replied, angry.

"You won't believe what I just heard," Jack told them. "I'm shocked by the allegations against you, Chuck. And the rumors that Brooklyn and Dylan allowed it to happen... as well as your colleagues in business lately. Hope, Thyra and Aurora Diamond and Alex Archibald."

"Yeah, I'm sure you are," Chuck told him sarcastically.

"How is Hope anyway after I revealed to her that she is Aurora's daughter?" Jack asked. "Seems to me that didn't come with as much drama and danger as I thought it would for getting back at Aurora for the adoption and making me lose the company."

"Oh, it came with plenty of drama and danger," Dylan replied. "Someone actually tried to kill Hope after everyone found out. And believe me, that wasn't the only life and death experience since then."

"Burn in hell, Jack," Brooklyn told him.

"Goodbye," Chuck told him.

Brooklyn hung up.

Jack smirked, getting into a limo.

X•O°X•O

Humphrey Loft - Living Room

Rufus was sitting on a couch.

Lily walked over with two mugs of coffee. "She's a teenage girl. Cutting school to be with her boyfriend isn't exactly criminal behavior. What she did to Zaya, Sadie and Laureen was, and I don't know how to make that right."

Rufus took the mug. "I guess I'm still holding out hope that somewhere underneath that... mop of blonde hair is my little girl."

Lily sighed. "I know."

"Thanks for being here," Rufus told her.

Lily walked toward the counter, taking a seat. "Oh, I'm glad I could be. And I'm willing to put the past in the past if you are. Rufus, we just need to talk."

"Now?" Rufus asked.

"Well, Noe and Nate's engagement party is tonight," Lily explained. "Marie is obviously planning it, while Zaya and Sadie are helping. Hope and Marie will be there and you could try to make nice with them as well. I was hoping you could join me."

Rufus stood. "Lil, I think this morning has been a step in the right direction. But I am fairly certain Hope and Marie don't want to see me tonight, and they definitely wouldn't want anyone there that could cause a scene because of Noe's condition."

"That wouldn't be a problem if you wouldn't cause a scene," Lily replied.

Rufus sighed. "I'm gonna go try to get ahold of Serena again. At least she's taking my calls." He walked away, making a call. "Hey, Serena. Have you heard from her yet? Is Marie with you?"

Serena was on the other line, in the trio penthouse, in James's room, sitting with James. "Yeah, actually, Hope and Marie both are. They're talking to Jenny right now."

Rufus walked into his room. "Oh, thank God."

Lily stood, turning to face the counter, taking out Rufus's scarf, placing it on a table.

X•O°X•O

The Empire - Hallway

Sadie was moving some things to the ballroom to help with the party, multitasking with working on her project with Preston as she did.

Preston was sitting at the side of the hallway with their papers, quoting. "'Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be, for my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced or cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloody but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments is the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul'."

"Dark as hell quote, but I love that one given everything," Sadie told him.

Preston smirked. "True."

"You cannot run away from weakness," Sadie stated. "You have to fight it out and take control of your life back, or fail trying. And I'm determined to keep control of my life again, and actually keep faith that I can survive it. And Noe and the baby too. Many people die with their music still in them, because they are always getting ready to live, but before they know it, time runs out. That's not gonna happen to us."

Preston reached out to Sadie, comforting. "I know it's not. It's nice to see that you have faith back, Sadie."

Sadie smiled a bit. "Thanks, Preston. It's hard, but you, Mom and Zaya, the rest of our family, the Crew... you're all helping with that." Preston nodded in understanding. "But this project, us writing everything down from literature to our own thoughts, I like it. I mean, the good girls keep diaries. The bad girls never have the time. Me? I just wanna live a life I'm gonna remember. Even if I don't write it down. But writing it down now... it feels nice."

Preston nodded in understanding, quoting another quote that fit with what Sadie said. "Live each season as it passes, breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influences of each."

Sadie chuckled. "I gotta continue with the party planning."

Preston stood. "Yeah, and I gotta head home before Prince gets in trouble with our parents again for us avoiding them and trying to get a little more freedom in life and our careers."

Sadie looked at him in concern. "Was it really that bad? The fight you guys had?"

"Yeah," Preston answered. "But don't worry about it. It's nothing compared what you and the Crew and your family have to deal with. It's not important compared to that."

"Preston, it's important to you, so it's important to me," Sadie told him. "You've been there for me, so let me be there for you."

Preston smiled, touched. "Maybe another time when we both have more time."

Sadie nodded in agreement. "Okay. How about tonight?"

"Noe and Nate's engagement party?" Preston asked. "Oh, yeah. Prince and I'll be there. Especially after hearing that you, Zaya and Marie will be singing and dancing because Noe asked you guys too."

"Well, singing, yes," Sadie answered. "We don't have much time to practice dancing, though who knows?" They chuckled. "See you tonight, Preston."

Preston smiled, nodding. "See you tonight, Sadie."

Preston walked away. Sadie watched him go with a slight smile.

X•O°X•O

Trio Penthouse - Living Room

Hope and Marie were sitting with Jenny.

"Thanks for texting me," Jenny told them.

"Of course," Hope agreed. "I just got back from Paris and wanted to see you, though I'm surprised you answered and came since you've been avoiding us."

"Well, I needed advice, to be honest," Jenny admitted. "About Dad and Damien. See, if Dad wasn't so controlling and judgmental, then I wouldn't have to be sneaking around like this."

"No, we--we get it," Marie told her. "You're 16. You want to be able to date who you want."

"Exactly," Jenny answered.

"So, how are things with Damien?" Hope asked.

Jenny looked down. "They're great. Um, he listens to me, and he--he treats me like an adult and really likes me." She looked up. "I've never felt this away before."

"So, it--it's serious then?" Marie asked.

Jenny nodded. "Well, it's about to be. He's, uh, staying at the Smyth Hotel, and I was thinking that tonight--"

"Tonight?" Hope repeated. Jenny nodded. "Wow. Uh, I'd say that is serious then. Your first time? That--that's monumental. It is your first time, right?" Jenny nodded. "Are you nervous?"

"Yeah, I guess a little," Jenny answered.

"And that's why you answered us back and wanted advice," Marie realized. "Because of this."

Jenny nodded, not seeming to feel guilty that that was the only reason why she answered back and came. "Yeah."

"You know, Jenny, the thing about your virginity is that you can never get it back," Marie told her. "You know, I--I didn't get to choose when I lost mine, so..." Hope and Jenny both realized that she meant Vincent, realizing that she had that stolen from her along with a lot of other things, both stunned, and Hope looked at Marie in concern, taking Marie by the hand comfortingly. Marie held Hope's hand tightly in return, thankful for her being there for her. "But if I had, I kinda wished it would've been somebody that would have stood up for me and fought for me, you know, like Patrick Swayze in 'Dirty Dancing'."

Jenny frowned. "'Dirty Dancing'?"

"It's great," Marie told her. "You should download it."

"All right," Jenny said. "But, see, the thing is, Marie, that Damien really is the right guy. It's not like Vincent and you. I mean, I know that's how it might seem after he grabbed you and kissed you, or Andrea, at the state dinner, but that's not what it looked like."

"Then what was it?" Hope asked. "Because we know he got aggressive with Andrea because Marie remembers that."

Jenny hesitated, not wanting to come clean yet because she knew she would be in major trouble. "Um, nothing. Never mind. I think he just had a few too much to drink, but... he's not like Vincent, trust me. I know you're worried, and thanks, but I'm gonna be fine."

Alex walked out of his room, while Serena and James walked out of James's room.

Carter walked over from the counter bar with a drink, frowning, looking at Alex, Serena and James as they watched Hope, Marie and Jenny. "What's going on?"

"Explain later," James told him. "Or Marie can explain it to you, Carter."

"Yeah," Alex agreed.

Serena looked at Jenny. "Uh, you know, obviously, you're not going to school today. I was thinking about staying up here with James a little while longer so we can talk about what to do for tonight."

"Right, Noe and Nate's party," James agreed. "Zaya and Sadie are downstairs in the ballroom with Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck planning for the party, which is why they're not in school because they wanted to help Marie. So did Hope, Thyra, Blair and Wyatt. Angela even wanted to help a little."

"Hope, Marie, why don't you take Jenny downstairs and you can help finish up the party planning?" Serena asked. "Alex and Carter can go with you guys."

Alex and Carter both looked at Serena, raising their eyebrows skeptically. James smirked at their expressions.

Jenny chuckled. "Pretty sure Zaya, Sadie, Brooklyn and Thyra don't want me around."

"Zaya and Sadie said they would try to be civil for Noe and Nate's party tonight, so there's no stress to Noe so that she and the baby can be safe," James explained. "Brooklyn and Thyra even agreed."

"And it would take a lot for Brooklyn, Thyra, Zaya and Sadie to all agree to that," Carter pointed out, taking a drink. "So we hope you keep up with those terms too."

Jenny looked at Hope and Marie. Hope and Marie both gave Jenny a look, so she nodded, causing Hope and Marie to sigh in relief.

"Well, come on, then," Alex told them. "Let's go see what we can do about helping with the party."

Carter looked out the window. "And about getting rid of the protestors outside. They have a bunch of signs because of this whole lawsuit thing."

"Yeah, we have to get rid of them before tonight," James agreed. "I can handle some of the press and paparazzi because of my photographer contacts, get some of them to back off."

"I'll figure something out with the protestors," Carter told them.

"Good," Marie said.

Hope nodded in agreement. "Yeah, good."

Alex nodded for the girls and Carter to follow. "Come on."

Hope, Alex, Marie, Carter and Jenny walked out of the room.

James turned to face Serena, crossing his arms over his chest, smirking in amusement. "So tell me that you actually have a plan."

"Trust me, I do," Serena answered. "Telling Jenny that Damien is bad for her will only make her want him more. We have to show her."

"And how--how are we gonna do that?" James asked.

"I called him and invited him over for lunch," Serena answered.

"What, are you crazy?" James asked. "The creep's practically seducing a minor, and he tried to rip Marie/Andrea's clothes off when she was alone with that guy."

"That's why I told Marie and Hope to take Jenny downstairs with Alex and Carter," Serena explained. "I'll try to get Damien to do the same thing to me that he did to Marie/Andrea, but this time, Hope, Marie and Jenny are gonna walk in right in time to catch him."

James nodded sarcastically. "Oh, so you mean the Blair and Chuck game from summer."

"Yeah," Serena answered. "James, I know it's not ideal, but Jenny's gonna have sex with him tonight if we don't stop this. She might have pissed everyone off because of Zaya, Sadie and Laureen with the outing and the fire, but we need to get rid of this guy, not just for her, but for others too." James tilted his head skeptically, looking away. "James, this is gonna work. And in case it doesn't, you can be in your room."

"What, in hiding until he tries something on you?" James asked.

Serena shrugged. "Thanks to learning a little of fighting with you and Carter over the summer, I'm sure I can handle it, but if it makes you feel better to know that I'm okay, then let's do it."

James sighed, tilting his head. "We're gonna regret this, aren't we?"

Serena chuckled. "We're gonna win."

"Well, we're used to winning," James pointed out. "But like this? This is... different. Weird different, but yeah. I think this would be an easy win too."

Serena smiled.

X•O°X•O

Downstairs - Ballroom

Zaya and Sadie were working on setting up the rest of the party.

Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck were nearby, helping set up for the party.

Angela was also helping, while watching Theo.

Brooklyn walked over to Zaya and Sadie. "How's Noe?"

"Resting, with Nate," Sadie answered. "Noe's fine, Brooklyn."

Zaya looked over at them. "Brooklyn, while you've been close with Noe again lately, even though you were distant for a little bit because you were scared, Dylan and Chuck are still kinda distant. I know it's because you're scared, and so are we. But she needs us. She can survive this. Her and the baby."

Dylan and Chuck nodded sadly in agreement.

"Yeah, we know," Dylan agreed.

"Why do you think we're helping set up Noe and Nate's party here, Zaya?" Chuck asked.

"We just have to make sure the press can't make a scene outside or get in," Angela told them.

Jack walked up behind the Bass siblings. "Good luck with that." Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck tensed up at the sound of their uncle's voice, turning to look at Jack behind them, glaring. "There they are." Zaya and Sadie looked at Jack in shock and anger after seeing him again. Angela looked at Jack in confusion and suspicion, stepping in front of Theo. Jack noticed the movement. "Oh, is that little guy Dylan's son that I heard about? That means you're Angela. Theo might have taken our family name, but I doubt you will be."

"Who the hell are you?" Angela asked.

"He's our backstabbing uncle," Brooklyn answered.

"Jack," Chuck explained.

Jack chuckled. "I would have been here sooner, but I got distracted reading some of those protestors' signs. I never realized how many sex puns you could make out of the name 'Chuck Bass'. Of course, it doesn't just affect you, but Brooklyn, Dylan, Thyra, Hope and Aurora for your business. Maybe even Alex a little because of his known workmanship with you." Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck glared at him for messing with their careers. "Don't worry. It'll blow over in a couple weeks."

"And you expect us to believe it's just coincidence you show up the same time this lawsuit does?" Chuck asked. "A lawsuit by the way you knew that Aurora couldn't handle on her own because her name is tied to this entire thing like ours, and like Hope and Thyra and Alex."

"I came back to protect you," Jack told them.

Brooklyn scoffed. "Bitch, please. Go sell your bull somewhere else. We're not buying it."

From further back, Angela, Zaya and Sadie smirked.

"Well, maybe you'll buy this," Jack told them. "See, I heard a rumor. Evelyn Bass rose from the dead."

"Oh, she wasn't dead," Dylan told him. "No, it seems our father kept the fact that Brooklyn and I are half-siblings to Chuck a secret all this time and he paid Evelyn to stay away from Chuck all these years."

"And since he lied about Chuck's mother, who knows what he could've lied about Dylan's and my mother," Brooklyn told him.

Jack nodded. "Yeah, I get why you'd fall for all this. What, with all your mommy issues." He nodded to Chuck. "All those abnormal attachments to your babysitters. Didn't help that I was nailing 'em, huh?"

"If you're gonna say that Elizabeth's lying, we already had a DNA test run to prove that Dylan and I are Chuck's half-siblings," Brooklyn told him. "Our people, we made sure that we got the correct results, and we know that Elizabeth was telling the truth."

"Well, Brooklyn, she might have been telling the truth about you and Dylan being half-siblings to Chuck, yes," Jack told her. "And maybe this woman is Evelyn, or maybe not. Did you run a DNA test between Chuck and Elizabeth to prove that she is Evelyn like she says?" They didn't answer, clearly not having done so. "That's what I thought. She could be lying about being your mother, Chuck. And for the part where Dylan and Brooklyn think that Bart was lying about their mother, I saw her body in the casket at the funeral home."

"And why should we believe anything you say?" Dylan asked.

Jack shrugged. "Tell you what. I'll swing by the party tonight. I heard about Noe van der Woodsen and Nate Archibald's engagement party tonight."

Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck glared at him.

Angela raised her eyebrows skeptically.

This caused Zaya and Sadie to speak up.

"You're not invited, and now I'll make sure the doorman knows not to let you in since I have the guest list," Zaya told him. 

Jack turned to look at Zaya and Sadie. "Oh, hey. Zaya and Sadie, right? Their adoptive cousins and Laureen's daughters. Last time I saw you two, it was at the opera."

"Right when we had to stop you from sexually harassing our aunt Lily," Sadie told him, glaring.

Jack pressed his lips together. "Right."

"You stay away from the party," Chuck told him. "There cannot be any stress or scenes caused around Noe."

Jack nodded. "Right, the crash. Heard all about that too, since you three were in it with Noe and Serena. Bummer about Noe and her baby though. Wonder if she really is a phoenix rising from flames and ashes." His words were causing Zaya, Sadie, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck to get angrier and angrier by the moment. Angela glared at Jack cautiously. Jack turned to point at Zaya and Sadie. "That's right, I also heard about the fire you two were in with Laureen. Your father, Richard." Zaya and Sadie were completely incredulous that he brought this up. Angela, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck eyed Jack suspiciously since he seemed to know everything. "At least Rhodes-Basses as a full family and your little Crew of friends are always in the headlines of this city, even in the worst ways."

Brooklyn, protective of her adoptive sister, aunt and cousins and losing her temper because of what Jack was saying, grabbed Jack by the arm, twisting it around to shove him face first against the bar next to them, making him groan in pain. "Shut the hell up about Noe, Zaya, Sadie and Laureen. You come to the party tonight and this is only a taste of what you'll get. I will kick your ass if you screw up Noe and Nate's party tonight or anything else. And don't bring up our family like that ever again. Do I make myself clear? Because I'm not the only one here that can kick your ass. Zaya and Sadie can too. And Hope, Aurora, Thyra, James, Carter, Alex, Angela, Laureen and Harry if you show up tonight. Even Serena could."

Zaya and Sadie smiled slightly at Brooklyn defending them like that, smirking smugly, crossing their arms over their chests, tilting their heads. Angela, Chuck and Dylan smirked at Zaya, Sadie and Brooklyn.

Jack chuckled. "All right. I deserved that. Nice moves you learned, Brooklyn. Didn't expect that." Brooklyn let Jack go, backing away. Jack stood up straight. "I'll let that pass this time because of what I said, though next time you won't be so lucky. You and your friends may be able to defend yourselves and fight a hell of a lot better than I can, but the contacts I have? They're not to be trifled with. I think you know of them. I mean, all three of your families have been involved with them."

Angela nodded like she had expected that, very annoyed. "We know that Bart was involved with the Silence before he died because Chuck and Dylan got invitations that weren't meant for them to go to a party for the Silence last year. He wasn't the only one involved in the Silence though, was he, Jack?"

Jack smirked. Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck weren't even surprised at this point, looking away, worried about what this could meant.

Zaya and Sadie were also worried and frustrated, glaring at Jack. 

"That's how you knew everything about the fire, the crashes, Angela, Theo, everything else," Zaya told him. "And Hope being Aurora's daughter last year."

"Yep," Jack answered. "And believe me when I tell you that I'm surprised to know that it was you two and Laureen that survived the fire and not Richard... like the Silence thought. I'm betting he didn't take care of Dominic Driton for what he could have found out either. Luckily Aurora helped you two and Laureen change your name to Rhodes so quickly, and I'm betting that was partially due to trying to keep you safe from being discovered by the Silence. Luckily they don't know you like I do. " He turned to look at Brooklyn. "And imagine my surprise when I found out that you, Hope, Thyra, Aurora, Alex, James and Carter Baizen and even Harry Vanderbilt were all forced to sign a contract to ensure that you couldn't get involved in anymore Silence business, like Rome."

They all glared at him.

"Jack, for the love of God, don't," Brooklyn told him.

"What?" Jack asked. "Not everyone in the organization is completely evil or insane. I'm just letting you know of the situation you're in. Wouldn't want a bunch of psychopaths to kill my family and their family and friends, would I? Maybe now that you know this, we can have a more civilized conversation without any threats or violence. Knowing that I know everything here, even the things that the Silence doesn't." Brooklyn, Dylan, Chuck, Zaya, Sadie and Angela were all very aware of the manipulation that Jack was using, but they didn't think that he wouldn't use that information to make them or the others be in danger. "And I just want to see if this Elizabeth really is Chuck's mother. I'm sure you two and Dylan can appreciate that. The old Evelyn and I never got along. Maybe now we'll hit it off. It might be fun, seeing if she's an imposter or not."

"Get the hell out of here," Dylan told him.

"We'll be civil and not fight, but that doesn't mean that you're welcome here," Brooklyn told him. "Go."

Sadie waved sarcastically. "Bye."

Jack smirked, walking away.

Alex, Carter, Hope and Marie walked in from one side of the room, while Jenny stayed in the hallway, out of the way, since they had planned to come and help finish planning for the party that night. Jenny could see into the ballroom, but she couldn't hear what was said between any of them.

Aurora, Blair, Thyra and Wyatt walked in from the other side of the room to update Brooklyn, Dylan, Chuck, Zaya and Sadie about the condition of the case and protestors outside.

They all stopped when they saw Jack.

Alex glared at Jack. "Oh, what the hell?"

"Nice to see you again, too, Alex," Jack replied.

Marie was confused because she had never seen Jack, but had heard of him from the others. "Who is that?"

"Jack Bass," Carter answered.

Marie was stunned, glaring at Jack, since the others told her what he did to Hope with the reveal and to Lily at the opera, along with what he did to Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck. 

Jack smirked, looking at Hope, Aurora, Thyra and Blair. "Well, hello, beauties." He looked at Wyatt, Alex and Carter. "Boys." They could do nothing but glare at him. Jack looked at Marie. "And you must be the other Rhodes girl that they were talking about last year. Marie, right? They all thought you were dead last year. I've never met a ghost before. Kind of neat."

"Would you like to be a ghost?" Marie replied. "Because I'm pretty sure that anyone here would love to take you down."

Jack smirked, impressed. "Aw, she's got a mouth on her. And she's a beauty like the rest. Got to say, Carter, you have some nice taste."

Marie just glared, unimpressed.

Carter glared at Jack. "How would you even know about us?"

Jack shrugged. "I know things. Let's just say the last meeting that you went to a couple of months ago, I saw you, but I didn't let you see me, because I didn't want you to tell my nephews and niece about the little shared organization we're both in."

Alex, Carter, Hope, Marie, Aurora, Blair, Thyra and Wyatt realized that he meant the Silence, looking at each other, and Zaya, Sadie, Angela, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck in shock and worry, who were just as worried, eyeing Jack with glares.

"You're apart of the Silence?" Alex asked.

"Yeah," Jack answered. "And I'm not going to explain all that again, because it's kind of boring to repeat myself."

"Yeah, and what makes you so exciting?" Sadie replied. "Because nothing from what I can see."

Hope scoffed. "Jackass. Pun not intended, it was just there."

"Well, I see you're becoming more like Thyra and Aurora, Hope," Jack told her mockingly. "Hey, how do you three like being a full family? I hear that you're all like family with Blair and Wyatt, and Carter Baizen here since his brother James was adopted by Eleanor and Cyrus when I was in town last year. Seems like I'm partially to thank for your little family growing. You're welcome."

"Rot in hell, bastard," Thyra replied.

Aurora stepped closer threateningly. "You son of a bitch. You being in the Silence explains how you knew about Hope to begin with. How you had the video of me and Rain when we first had her." Jack nodded in agreement. "Do you have any idea the danger you put Hope in when you pulled that stunt?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm aware of it all, Aurora," Jack told her. "You, Hope, Thyra, James, Carter, Angela, her mother Emilia. And now Zaya, Sadie, Laureen, Alex, Brooklyn and Harry too, after Richard and Rome. And even the multi-million dollar media man Dominic Driton, since he was able to find out about a few things regarding Richard, and who knows what else. And Dylan, Chuck, Blair and Wyatt could be caught as collateral damage if you made so much as one wrong move. Along with your other friends, other family."

They were all horrified that he knew and what he could do with it if he wanted to hurt them.

Carter stepped closer. "You son of a..."

Jack stepped back, holding up his hands. "Ah ah ah. I didn't say that I would turn you guys in. If things remain calm and cool-headed, they'll never have to know that Richard failed and Zaya, Sadie, Laureen and Dominic are still alive. Nothing at all, as long as there's no violence or threats. Otherwise you all know you could get into hell-level trouble."

Hope, Aurora and Thyra knew he was right, restraining themselves just barely, while Alex and Carter also had to hold themselves back like Brooklyn, Zaya, Sadie and Angela already had to, all glaring at Jack.

Blair scoffed. "And now it all makes sense. How you knew about Aurora having Hope, the video, everything else, including this lawsuit. You're a blood-sucking reptile."

Jack was amused, looking between the group. "Wow. Harsh words from all of you today. But I'm innocent."

"There's no city, state, country, continent, world or galaxy where you're innocent," Wyatt told him.

Jack smirked. "Well, you're right about that. My sources tell me reservations are already down 20%. If it keeps up like this, I doubt that anyone would be willing to stay here, or in that clocktower that you're all working on."

"You're a lying ooze," Blair told him.

Jack looked at Chuck. "Beloved nephew is going to have to step down from this beloved Empire." He looked at Brooklyn, Dylan, Thyra and Hope mockingly since they were all apart of building up this hotel. "And you four might have too to if rumors keep spreading that you let him do this sort of thing and allow it without repercussions." He looked at Aurora and Alex. "And I wonder how your names will fair in law and architect once word spreads about all of this and everything you've all worked on gets dragged through the mud. Wonder if you'll get any other career after this."

"We'll pull through like we always do, no thanks to you," Hope replied.

"And even if we did step down, then what?" Thyra asked. "You think you'd somehow get it?"

Alex scoffed. "Please. That'll never happen."

Jack glanced at Blair with a smirk. "Well, I've already had everything of Chuck's worth having." They all glared. "And as always, the pleasure is yours."

"Get out before we call security," Aurora told him.

"And don't even think about showing up tonight," Dylan told him. "Silence or not."

Jack faked a pout. "Aw. And I was thinking I would get a present. Like a little bitch."

"Hmm, let's see," Zaya told him. "We do not have a clone of you..." She saw Jenny out in the hallway. "Or her." The others smirked at Zaya's offhand chance to throw shade at both Jack and Jenny. "And we're not a mirror, so you must be talking to your own reflection."

"We might not be able to kick your ass the hell out of this hotel and out of the city because of you dangling that leverage over our heads from the Silence, but we can and find a way to take you down too," Angela told him. "If that's what it comes to."

"Well, it won't come to that, because as I said, there's no need for it to get messy if things are civil here between us," Jack replied. "But even if it did, you'll all fail."

"You are entitled to your incorrect opinion, no matter how stupid it may be," Wyatt told him.

"Just go, Jack," Brooklyn told him.

"Now," Chuck told him.

Jack looked between them, amused, walking out of the room while they all watched him go with a glare, exchanging a look of worry after what they just found out.

Sadie held a hand to her chest. "Oh, my God."

Zaya reached out to Sadie's shoulders to steady her. "No, no, no. It's gonna be okay."

"Zaya, we need to tell Mom," Sadie told her.

"Yeah, go tell Laureen," Angela agreed. "She needs to be warned, plus if Jack follows through on his threat, then Dominic's in danger again too, and..."

"We need to tell James and Harry too," Aurora told them.

Alex pulled out his phone. "I'm calling Harry."

"Thank you, Alex," Aurora told him. "And Zaya? Sadie? Laureen might have to come clean to Dominic in order to make sure he's aware of the danger to keep him safe."

"Yeah," Zaya and Sadie agreed, walking away.

"I'll go tell James," Wyatt told them.

"I'll go with," Blair told him. "James needs to know ASAP."

Thyra and Carter nodded in agreement.

"Where is James?" Thyra asked.

"Upstairs with Serena plotting," Carter answered. "Don't ask."

"What do we do?" Marie asked.

Carter placed his hands on Marie's shoulders. "You don't worry about it for right now, okay? This is our mess. We'll handle it."

Hope took Marie's hand. "Come on. We need to go back to Jenny before she starts asking questions."

"And we're not telling Jenny about any of this," Marie muttered.

"No way in hell," Hope agreed. "It's too dangerous."

Angela picked Theo up. "I'm getting Theo upstairs."

"I'm going with you," Dylan told her.

Everyone split up.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Careful, guys. Never know when this leverage can turn into something more. Let's pray this bait doesn't bite back."

X•O°X•O

X•O°X•O

Humphrey Loft - Living Room

Dan and Rufus were sitting across from each other.

Dan kept checking his phone. "You know, Dad, I think every girl goes through a forbidden guy phase. You know, it explains why vampires are so popular right now."

"Well, if he were a vampire, I could slip garlic in her waffles, not that she'd eat them," Rufus told him.

"Well, I'm keeping tabs on Gossip Girl's spotted map to see if I can find Jenny, or Hope and Marie since we now know they're together," Dan explained, looking a little secretive about that part. "Maybe you can try and make amends for all three daughters who aren't talking to you."

Rufus looked down. "Yeah, maybe." He looked at Dan. "Hey, distract me. I've, uh, noticed you've been sleeping out quite a bit this week."

Dan nodded. "Yeah, yeah, just at Vanessa's, you know? Uh, I fall asleep on the extra bed sometimes, studying late. It's no big deal."

Rufus narrowed his eyes. "You always were a bad liar. Obviously you're seeing someone."

Dan chuckled. "Okay, all right, you got me. Um, it's actually, uh..." Vanessa walked in. "Vanessa."

Rufus turned to Vanessa. "Thank you so much for coming by." They embraced. "Uh, I know I'm overreacting but I just need family by my side, and I know you're practically Jenny's sister."

Dan was weirded out by that, shaking his head. "No, Vanessa's not family. She's not a sister. She's a--she's a friend, she's a classmate, really, you know."

Rufus's phone rang. He took it out to see who was calling. "Oh, it's Lily. I'll be right back."

Rufus walked to his room to talk to Lily alone.

Vanessa walked up to Dan. "Hello."

"Hey," Dan replied. Vanessa stepped closer as if to kiss Dan. "What--what's going on? What are you doing?"

"Rufus is in the other room," Vanessa told him.

"All right, you know what?" Dan asked. "I think we need to set some guidelines."

Vanessa tilted her head. "Guidelines?"

"Well, you know, zones," Dan clarified. "Zones where we're friends only. Zones where we're friends with benefits, and here, where--where my dad treats you like his own daughter and we've prepared Thanksgiving dinner while watching 'The Sound of Music', that--that's gotta be... I think that's gonna be a friend-only zone."

Vanessa nodded weirdly. "Okay, I see your point."

"And Lily's," Dan added. "You know, the Upper East Side in general, actually, that--that's a friends-only zone too. Uh, but downtown, you know, around school, that's friends with benefits zone. I'll draw you a map, that's what I'll do. It'll be much easier." His phone went off with a notification, and he picked it up to look at it without Vanessa seeing the screen. "Oh, speaking of maps and how they make things much easier."

"What's that?" Vanessa asked.

"Hope, Marie and Jenny were spotted at the Empire," Dan answered. "I've been checking the Gossip Girl spotted map for Dad." Vanessa nodded. "Dad! They've been spotted!" Rufus walked out of his room to look at Dan, waiting to hear where his daughters were. "The Empire, which makes sense since Alex and Carter are staying there, but Jenny being there with them is a surprise. I'm sure they were gonna help set up Noe and Nate's engagement party there tonight."

Rufus nodded. "Thank you. Sorry for calling you two out here. I think I can handle it from here."

Rufus walked out of the loft.

Vanessa looked at Dan. "I'm gonna go back to school."

"Okay, I'll come with you," Dan told her. "We can talk about what zone the subway is." 

"How about the subway is a no talking about zone rules zone, okay?" Vanessa asked. "Better yet, classmate a sitting on opposite ends of the car zone."

Dan tilted his head. "All right. I'm still drawing a map. You saw how well a map helped out in this last situation with my sisters."

X•O°X•O

The Empire - Rhodes' Girls Hotel Room

Laureen and Dominic were sitting on the couch, fully dressed, while Dominic had an arm around Laureen, and both had a glass of wine in hand.

"Thank you for being around so much," Laureen told him. "It feels nice to have someone just be there after everything that happened."

"Of course," Dominic agreed, kissing Laureen on the head. Laureen smiled contently, closing her eyes. "Noe and Nate's engagement party is tonight, yes?"

"Yeah," Laureen answered. "Themed fire and ice. So wear red or light blue."

Dominic raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Oh, are you adding me as your plus one again, Laureen?"

"Actually, Noe and Marie specifically wanted you as a guest, since she knows how much you've been there for me, Zaya and Sadie," Laureen answered.

Dominic nodded in amusement. "Seems like Noe and Marie take one thing after Lily then. Inviting me to parties and gatherings because of you, Zaya and Sadie, trying to set you and me further up together. Serena and Eric have both helped with that too. Not to mention the Crew. I saw how they always seem pleased to see you and me together, especially our kiss at the state dinner."

"Yep," Laureen agreed.

"So the Crew trying to set their surrogate mother up to be happy after so long of not being, huh?" Dominic asked in amusement. "Or at least being thrilled about it."

Laureen smiled. "Seems like it." She looked up at Dominic. "And I am, you know?"

Dominic looked down at Laureen. "You're what?"

"Happy," Laureen answered. "For the first time in a long time."

Dominic smiled softly. "I'm glad."

Laureen and Dominic shared a kiss, sweetly passionate.

Zaya and Sadie knocked before walking in. "Mom."

Laureen and Dominic pulled away.

"Hey, Zaya," Dominic told her. "Sadie."

Zaya and Sadie waved back sheepishly. "Dominic."

"Um, Mom, can we talk to you real quick?" Sadie asked.

"It's important," Zaya told her. "Very."

Laureen sighed, nodding. "Yeah, sure."

"Be right back, Dominic," Zaya told him.

"Okay," Dominic agreed.

Zaya, Sadie and Laureen walked out of the room.

X•O°X•O

Hallway

Zaya, Sadie and Laureen walked into the hallway, into an alcove where they could talk alone and no one could hear or interrupt.

"What's wrong?" Laureen asked.

Zaya and Sadie exchanged a look, looking at Laureen worriedly.

"Do you remember when we told you that Jack Bass was the one that revealed to Hope that she's Aurora's daughter and everything that came after that, when we first had to tell you about the Silence after figuring out Dad was one of them?" Zaya asked.

"Yes," Laureen answered, cautious.

"Jack is back in town," Sadie explained. "And... like Bart, he's apart of the Silence too. Like Bart was." Laureen processed this, looking worried about where this could lead. "He just confronted me, Zaya, Hope, Alex, Brooklyn, Dylan, Chuck, Thyra, Aurora, Dylan, Wyatt, Marie, Angela, Blair and Carter down in the ballroom when we were trying to get the party ready for Noe and Nate tonight. He knows everything, Mom."

"About all of us, about James, about Harry, about Dominic, about Emilia," Zaya agreed. "He threatened us to not fight with him or try to get rid of him, or he could tell the Silence. About everything. About how Dad failed to kill us, how he's dead, and how Dominic's still alive too."

Laureen was horrified, turning away. "Oh, my God."

"Mom, we don't know if Jack will actually reveal us to the Silence or not," Sadie told her. "But Dominic... even Aurora said that it might be time for Dominic to know, just in case. Because he's in more danger if he doesn't know at this point."

Laureen turned to face Zaya and Sadie, biting her lip, hands on her hips, sighing, knowing they were right, nodding, breathing deeply. "You're right. We need to tell Dominic. We need to tell him everything."

X•O°X•O

Trio Penthouse - Living Room

Serena and Damien sat at a table, the atmosphere "romantic" with lit candles apart of Serena and James's scheme.

"I'm glad you called," Damien told her. "I've almost called a million times."

"Really?" Serena asked. "Why's that?"

"To apologize," Damien stated. "The state dinner, with Marie, or her alter. My behavior was... I had a few too many drinks, and I didn't want you or her/them to think I was like that."

Serena looked down. "They actually haven't said much about it. Marie, or the alters. But that's not why I called you over. James and I are over. Uh, I have absolutely no feelings for him anymore, and, um..."

James, in his room, out of sight but being able to see and hear, smirked, rolling his eyes in amusement at Serena's scheming. 

Serena leaned closer as if to kiss Damien.

Damien pulled back. "Oh, um... Serena, I'm dating Jenny, and I actually really like her. So I can't do this." Serena and James were both surprised by his response. Damien stood. "Great lunch, and sorry about James."

Serena nodded. "Me too."

Damien walked to the elevator, and left the penthouse.

James waited until he was gone until he came out of his room, walking toward Serena. "Well, that didn't go as planned."

"No, it did not," Serena agreed.

James shrugged. "But whatever, right? We'll find another way."

Serena smiled. James smirked.

Blair, Thyra, Wyatt and Carter entered the penthouse after the elevator brought them up. 

"James," Thyra told him. "Serena."

Serena stood.

James turned to face them. "What's wrong?"

"A hell of a lot, as usual," Carter answered.

Blair gestured to the couch. "You two might want to sit down for this."

"It's not easy to share, and definitely won't be easy to hear," Wyatt agreed. "Wasn't for us."

Serena and James exchanged a confused look, before looking at Blair, Thyra, Wyatt and Carter curiously.

X•O°X•O

Hallway

Alex was walking down the hallway while on the phone. "Might have to put the drinks with Nate before the party thing on hold after all this, Harry."

Harry was at home, having a drink. "Maybe. But, Alex, we can't let the Silence to continue getting in the way of us living our lives. Not just for you and me, but for Aurora, Hope, Thyra, Brooklyn, Carter, James, Zaya, Sadie, Laureen, Dominic, Angela and Emilia too. Thank you for telling me about Jack, but we can't let him stop our lives."

"All right, fine," Alex agreed. "But what do we tell Noe and Nate? This could really set things off, and we all have to be careful about the stress and tension that Noe's around, especially tonight."

Harry sighed, worried. "I know, but we can't lie to them either. Noe and Nate need to know in case things get worse and others in the Crew and family get caught in the crossfire of the Silence if we really do get targeted again. I mean, that's why Aurora said for Zaya, Sadie and Laureen to tell Dominic, right? So that in case they really are in danger, Dominic knows the full story and is probably in a little bit less danger, as long as the Silence doesn't know."

"Right," Alex agreed. "God, why does all of this have to happen today? It was supposed to be a good day."

"And we can still make it a good day," Harry pointed out. "For Noe and Nate."

Alex nodded in agreement. "For Nate and Noe."

They hung up.

X•O°X•O

Hotel Restaurant

In the restaurant of the Empire, Hope, Marie and Jenny were sitting together.

Jenny was tired of the quiet, sighing. "Hope, Marie, what's going on? What was that about earlier?"

"Don't ask," Hope told her. "You don't have to worry about it. Sorry about that."

"Let's just focus on finishing up before the party," Marie told them.

Hope nodded in agreement.

Rufus walked into the restaurant.

Hope saw Rufus first, not happy knowing that there would be an argument, while she and Marie were still focused on everything else. "Oh, great."

Jenny and Marie followed Hope's gaze, seeing Rufus staring at his three daughters, as they just looked back, none of them happy.

"How did you find us?" Marie asked.

"Your brother is a whiz at finding out how the spotted map on Gossip Girl works," Rufus answered. Hope and Marie nodded sarcastically. Jenny scowled. "Jenny, let's go home. You're gonna dream of the days you were just grounded. From now on, I will escort you to and from school. Queller will assign someone to walk you from class to class, and you will have lunch in her office."

Jenny scoffed. "Dad, I ditched class to be with my boyfriend. So what? It's not like it's affecting my grades."

"And you realize that being this micromanaging is driving Jenny right into Damien's creepy arms?" Marie asked.

"He's not creepy," Jenny denied.

Hope and Marie both gave Jenny a skeptical look.

"Hope, Marie, I know you're trying to help, but right now, you're not," Rufus told them.

Hope scoffed, looking away. "That's funny, because that's what we've been trying to say to you for at least a week, ever since Marie went off on you for dragging out this fight out with Lily even after the crash with Noe, Serena, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck, and the fact that Noe and her baby are still in danger of dying. We needed you, and you were ignoring us because you knew we would tell you exactly how stupid and stubborn you were being."

Rufus closed his eyes in guilt, not knowing what to say to that.

"You wanted to go back to Brooklyn to avoid us more, good for you," Marie told him. "While Hope and I've been here, struggling to figure out how to help our families. Our siblings. And so much more. Neither of you or Dan have been making that very easy on us when we needed you there for us after everything." She looked at Jenny. "Especially the way you've been acting to everyone and not taking responsibility or care for things that you've done that had dire consequences, like with Zaya, Sadie and Laureen."

"I've apologized for that, and they won't let it go," Jenny replied. 

"You literally still go to war with them because you just want to overthrow them, not caring about the trauma they went through," Hope responded.

Jenny scoffed, shaking her head. "You three can't keep treating me like a child."

"Well, you certainly are acting like one," Rufus told her. "If you think that this guy, the one that brought drugs into the house, is right for you, you're a child."

Jenny nodded sarcastically. "Yeah, and if you would listen to him, then you'd know that they weren't his pills." Hope and Marie were both skeptical of that, tilting their heads. Jenny knew that they were skeptical and moved on before they could speak. "But you didn't, you just jumped to conclusions like you always do." Jenny looked at Hope and Marie. "And both of you are jumping to conclusions when it came to trying to 'protect me' from being with him because you thought that he could be anything like Vincent after one drunken kiss with Marie/Andrea."

"He didn't seem drunk," Marie replied. "And it still has no excuse for that, and you really think that after what I went through, I would sit back and watch my little sister be with a guy that we can't trust? I'm trying to protect you from going through something like that, because even if Damien is not like Vincent like you said, he's not a good guy."

"I don't need your help or protection," Jenny replied. "You know what, Marie? Why don't you go back to the Rhodes family since you took their last name and you clearly like Noe, Serena, Zaya, Sadie, Eric, Lily and Laureen more than us. Hell, even Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck. You barely know me, so why do you care so much? You don't have a right to get into my life like this because I don't know you."

"You've never made an effort to try, though I've tried to get to know you," Marie replied.

Jenny ignored her. "And Hope, you can go back to your other family, your real family, because after all the fracturing this family's been through, you've been with them more than anything because we're not your real family."

Hope and Marie were both hurt by the words but tried not to let it show so that Jenny wouldn't see.

"They are my real family, yeah," Hope agreed. "But I've spent my entire life with you, and Dad and Dan. I wanted both of my families because I didn't want this one to fracture. You three were the ones that started to push me away, and push Marie away even though she came all this way to be here for all of us."

"Okay, that's enough," Rufus told them. "All of you."

"Oh, you finally speak up now?" Marie asked. "How about when Jenny was tearing into us and saying we're basically not her family? Like when she outed Zaya, and Zaya, Sadie and Laureen almost died, you did nothing then too. It's no wonder why this part of the family is falling apart, because of you two. If you had any sense of family, you wouldn't abandon or betray the ones who need you when they need you the most."

Hope and Marie stood, walking away. Rufus and Jenny were left stunned.

X•O°X•O

Noe/Nate's Apartment - Bedroom

Noe and Nate were starting to wake up, both tired and groggy, but looking at each other and remembering that their party was that night, smiled at each other.

"Hey," Noe told him.

"Hey," Nate replied.

"What time is it?" Noe asked.

Nate looked at the time on his phone. "It's just a little into afternoon. We still got plenty of time. Alex and Harry have been calling me."

Noe reached for her phone, checking her messages. "The girls want me to come over to get ready for the party together, if you still want to go with Alex and Harry before the party."

"Yeah, sure," Nate agreed. "Could see about what's up with Alex, James, Carter, Dylan, Chuck and Wyatt too. And even Preston and Prince. But you still..."

Noe nodded knowingly. "Got to rest until the party. I know." She looked out of the wall of windows of their bedroom, smiling slightly. "You know, I've never been more happy that you got us an apartment with windows for walls so that I didn't feel trapped or suffocated, especially lately when I have to be resting as much as possible. I would go completely nuts if it wasn't for the windows letting me look outside and not feel trapped or crowded."

Nate nodded knowingly, kissing Noe on the head. "I know. I'm glad I got this one too."

Noe sighed. "Skye and me have gone completely bed rest stir crazy. I hate this."

Nate brushed back Noe's hair. "I'm sorry. I know how hard it is being cooped up in here."

"Hard?" Noe repeated. "I've read every magazine in here cover to cover five times. Tell me stories about life on the outside."

Nate smiled. "Yeah. I love you."

Noe smiled at Nate. "I love you too. Do you think we should reveal Skye's name at the party tonight?"

Nate nodded, chuckling. "Yeah, I think that would be a good idea."

Noe smiled. "Okay. I like what you said, though. About Skylar being her full name, in case when she grows up, she doesn't like the Skye as a name, or nickname. So if she doesn't, then she can just go by Skylar."

Nate kissed Noe's cheek. "I think she'll love either one."

Noe looked at Nate, smiling happily for a moment, as Nate returned the smile, both kissing sweetly and passionately.

X•O°X•O

The Empire - Carter's Hotel Room 

Marie and Angela were both sitting and having a drink as they were processing everything from earlier, while Marie was also annoyed with the Humphrey fight earlier.

Carter and Prince walked closer with a couple more drinks so they could all relax for that night.

"Here," Prince told them. "Looks like you could use these."

Angela took the glass from Prince. "We certainly could."

Marie and Angela drank their drinks.

Prince looked at the three of them curiously. "Look, Carter, Angela, you both explained to me about the Silence to explain why Marie was so worried about you two doing something to Vincent that could catch their attention, like breaking into jail just to kick his ass."

"Right," Carter agreed.

"And everything you three just said from earlier..." Prince trailed off. "I'm sorry, guys. I never knew how much danger the Crew and their families could really be in."

"Well, you deserved to know if you're going to be involved with any of us, Prince," Angela told him. "It's too dangerous for you not to, especially with Jack's threats earlier."

"I don't think Jack would follow through," Carter admitted. "I think he was just being a prick like he's been all his life from what I remember when he was in town while we were growing up. Toying with us and taunting us, but I don't think he'd actually do anything like what he said."

"Yeah, well, better to be paranoid than taken off guard," Marie pointed out. "Trust me."

Angela nodded in agreement. "I'll drink to that."

Angela and Marie clinked their glasses, drinking. Carter and Prince looked somewhat amused.

Marie checked the time. "Oh, Angela, we have to go get ready with the girls soon."

"Oh, well, that would be fine and all, but given the drama earlier, I didn't have time to go get a dress for tonight," Angela told them.

Carter and Prince exchanged a look, chuckling knowingly.

"Uh, yeah, about that," Prince told them.

"What?" Marie asked.

"Whatever's going on with all of us, we're still trying to figure it out, right?" Carter asked. 

Prince nodded. "Marie and Carter is the easiest to decide since they're already together, in love, and Brittany's with me while she and the other alters are flirting with Angela, and Andrea has clearly stated that she would love to hook up with either of us." Marie and Angela smiled, chuckling. "And Lacy and Nick are just into Angela, obviously since they're only into girls. And Angela, with you being around me and Preston so much because of being our bodyguard, and everything else with the Crew... we're trying to figure out how a right way to handle this."

"Does this mean the mature way like when Marie made sure it was okay for Andrea to go out with Damien before we knew what a creep he was, or when Brittany told you that the alters were flirting with me and that we liked each other?" Angela asked.

"That, and maybe a little romantic way," Prince answered.

Carter placed a large gift box in front of Marie, while Prince placed one in front of Angela.

Marie and Angela stood, opening the boxes.

Marie's box held a beautiful fire red formal romper with a flowing skirt attached, and a note inside. Marie picked up the note from Carter, seeing it said "I can only think of this being taken off of you".

Marie smiled, shaking her head. "Damn it, Carter."

Carter smirked, shrugging, taking a drink. "I knew that would get you to smile, beautiful."

Angela looked at the gorgeous fire red dress in the box Prince had given her. "Prince... Carter... this is..."

"It's amazing," Marie told them. "Thank you."

Angela chuckled. "It's a surprise, but, yes, it's really nice."

"Well, out of fire and ice, all four of us are obviously fire," Prince pointed out.

"The type that would burn a whole town down," Carter agreed.

Marie and Angela smirked. "Obviously."

Angela looked at Prince. "You did not have to get this for me."

Prince shrugged. "I think it's only fair given everything between us four, even if we're still figuring it out."

Angela and Prince did share a look, though they looked away. Carter and Marie looked at them knowingly, smirking.

Marie looked at Carter. "Thank you."

Carter put an arm around Marie, whispering slightly. "I'm sure that outfit would look almost as beautiful on as it will when I take it off."

Marie laughed, looking down. Angela and Prince smirked, rolling their eyes. Carter smirked.

X•O°X•O

Rhodes' Girls Hotel Room

Laureen, Zaya and Sadie were sitting with Dominic, after they had to tell him everything.

Dominic was processing. "Richard was apart of this... Silence? And that's why it was so hard for us to take him down, Laureen. Why we couldn't arrest him. And why it was so hard for me to find out about his affair that died in the fire while she was pregnant. Zaya and Sadie's half-sibling having died before being born."

"Yes," Laureen answered softly.

"And because of that, they tried to make him kill you, Zaya and Sadie and even put my name on the list in case I learned too much on my own," Dominic stated. "Like others of your family being targets. The Crew..."

"Dominic, I'm so sorry," Sadie told him. "We never knew that Dad was in the Silence until just before the fire."

"And we had no idea how intense this would get," Zaya added.

Laureen closed her eyes, looking down. "I never should've asked for your help in the first place. You're in danger because of me, and we needed to tell you so that you knew. And I can't continue with a relationship with you unless you knew, especially with this danger."

Dominic sighed heavily, taking Laureen by the hand, which caused the three girls to look at him, slightly surprised. "Laureen, how many times did you ask me if I was really sure that I wanted to help you with the investigation and taking down your ex-husband? And I kept telling you, each time you told me that I didn't have to do this because it might be dangerous, I told you that I didn't care. That I wanted to help you, and Zaya and Sadie. I said I didn't care how dangerous it could be. I stand by that."

"But that was before we knew how dangerous it really was, and now that we told you..." Zaya trailed off.

Dominic shook his head. "It doesn't change anything. Zaya, Sadie, I did what I did because I wanted to help both of you and Laureen." He looked at Laureen, meeting her gaze. "I wanted to be there for my childhood best friend and her daughters." He looked at Zaya and Sadie. "And I still do. I don't care about the danger. I just want to be here with you."

Laureen, Zaya and Sadie smiled with tears in their eyes. Dominic and Laureen both held one of Zaya and Sadie's hands, and Zaya and Sadie sat forward to embrace both of them.

X•O°X•O

Trio Penthouse - Living Room

Chuck, Brooklyn and Dylan were standing alone, processing and talking about everything from earlier.

Elizabeth walked in, wearing a fire red dress, smiling. "Hi." She looked at Chuck. "I bought you a little something to wear tonight."

Elizabeth handed Chuck a gift box.

Chuck managed a small smile, but Jack had already planted a seed of doubt. "Oh, thank you." He opened the box, seeing that it was a fire red tie. "Oh, it's beautiful."

Elizabeth smiled. "Blair helped me pick it out. She said that tonight's theme was fire and ice, and she said that you three could give the devil a run for his money... in the best way."

Chuck chuckled barely.

Brooklyn and Dylan barely managed small smirks as they eyed Elizabeth with slight suspicion.

"That's one way to put it," Dylan agreed.

Elizabeth looked between the three of them. "Are you all right? Is it the lawsuit?"

"Not the lawsuit, but, uh, who may be behind it," Chuck answered. "Our Uncle Jack just arrived in town."

Brooklyn sighed. "He's already playing mind games with me, Chuck, Dylan and all the ones we care about."

Elizabeth nodded. "Sounds like Jack. Will he be going to the party tonight?"

"Uh, he's not invited, and we basically banned him," Dylan explained. "But he is a cockroach and they tend to slip in through the cracks."

Elizabeth hesitated. "Um... your uncle and I... we have history. It's ugly history."

"Look, I'm not going to let Jack determine who can and can't come to the party," Chuck told her.

Elizabeth shook her head. "I'm sorry, I don't know if I have the strength to deal with him and meet your family at the same time. I hope you understand."

Chuck, Brooklyn and Dylan were more suspicious.

"We understand perfectly," Brooklyn told her.

Chuck took a deep breath. "But since I can't spend the evening with you, stay for a while. Have a drink."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "Of course."

"I've got to head out," Brooklyn told them.

"Getting ready with the girls in Angela's room?" Dylan asked.

"Yeah," Brooklyn answered. "I'll see you guys soon."

Brooklyn walked away.

"Brooklyn..." Chuck trailed off. Brooklyn turned back. "Be careful not to tell Noe too much to overwhelm her, especially tonight."

"I know," Brooklyn agreed. "But we agreed not to lie to Noe anymore like we did the first year she had amnesia from the first crash. We just... have to ease into it. She needs to know what's going on in case Jack shows up at the party tonight, and so does Nate."

Chuck and Dylan knew she was right, nodding in agreement. Brooklyn glared at Elizabeth's back in suspicion, before turning around and walking to the elevator.

X•O°X•O

Angela's Hotel Room

The Crew girls were now gathered and getting ready for the party, doing their makeup and hair, including Noe, who was sitting down as she did.

Noe processed the things that they told her. "So Jack Bass is back in town, he's in the Silence, and he threatened all of you?"

"He was more like pointing out the fact of his power within the Silence to make sure we didn't kick his ass the hell out of the hotel and out of this city," Hope answered. "It's nothing to get worked up over."

"At least not until we know what he's planning to do in this city this time," Brooklyn agreed.

"Noe, it's gonna be fine," Thyra told her. "We just had to tell you in case he showed up here tonight."

Noe nodded in understanding, worried, but determined to stay calm.

"And you don't have to worry about the Jenny and Damien situation either, since that is nothing compared to the rest of this," Marie told her.

Zaya was annoyed. "Yeah, but Jack and Jenny are seriously pissing me the hell off and I would like to beat both of them into the depths of hell." Sadie smirked in amusement at Zaya, making a catty noise, snarling, curling four fingers out like claws. "Sorry. Too angry?"

The other girls were amused.

"Just a smidge," Sadie answered.

"Yep," Serena agreed.

Zaya nodded. "Dialing back."

"Thank you," Noe told her. "But you have a right to be that angry. All of you do. Wait, what about this lawsuit and Elizabeth?"

"That's more complicated," Angela answered. "It's not just effecting Chuck, but it's affecting Brooklyn, Dylan, Hope, Thyra and Aurora since they've been apart of the hotel since the beginning, and Alex because of his collaborations with them, and Aurora can't handle the case alone because her name is involved."

"Not to mention Jack brought up doubt that Elizabeth is who she says she is," Thyra added.

Blair sighed. "I can see Chuck's starting to doubt himself."

"Why wouldn't he, with the press, the protestors, Jack and everything?" Serena asked. "The Daily Intel says he's thinking of stepping down."

"Chuck's not stepping anywhere," Brooklyn told them. "And Dylan, Thyra, Hope, Alex, Aurora and I can handle this."

Hope nodded in agreement. "Yes, we can. We just... don't know how yet."

Marie looked at some of Angela's makeup. "Oh, can I borrow that?"

"Go ahead," Angela answered.

Sadie looked at Marie and Angela's gift boxes with their outfits for the party. "Marie, Angela, where did you get these? They're beautiful."

"Even I'm impressed," Blair agreed.

"Carter and Prince got them for us," Angela answered.

The other girls exchanged an amused look.

"Oh, it looks like things are getting serious for you four... or eight, if we're counting the alters," Brooklyn told them. "I'm still confused by that a little."

"Well, it's still confusing for us and we're living it, and trying to figure it out," Marie admitted. "But we're getting there, all right? Don't rush us."

The other girls laughed.

Hope pointed at Noe. "Oh, speaking of gift dresses, as soon as Marie, Zaya and Sadie told me that you guys were doing fire and ice for the party, I started making your dress while in Paris and flew it back with me. It's definitely more dramatic than ours, way more formal like you're going to a ball instead of just an engagement party, and you deserve it."

Noe smiled. "You did not have to make me a dress, Hope. But thank you."

"Everything seems to be going well at least in the love department for the Crew, right?" Thyra asked. "I mean, all of us are happy. Marie, Carter, Angela and Prince are figuring them out. Noe and Nate are engaged. Hope and Alex are stronger than ever, and so are me/Brooklyn, Dylan/Wyatt, Blair/Chuck and Serena/James. Even you, Sadie, with your little crush on Preston."

"Oh, can you all just drop it?" Sadie asked.

The girls laughed.

"Yeah, at least in the love department, we're all good," Serena agreed.

Blair looked at Noe. "Especially for you today. You are awfully glowy today, Noe."

"Everything with Nate is intense lately because of the danger, but it's still impossible not to be happy when I'm with him, and he's with me," Noe admitted. "That part at least is still perfect. And knowing that I'm engaged and I get to marry him, I just feel like the happiest girl on the planet. Is that too corny?"

Zaya smirked. "Noe, if I rolled that way, I myself wouldn't get out of bed if he was lying next to me."

The girls smiled.

"And Zaya, don't worry," Brooklyn told her. "You'll find someone like the rest of us. And if that girl got inducted into the Crew like with Prince and Preston because of their relations with some of us, that wouldn't surprise me at all, but whatever."

They laughed lightly.

"Eh, I don't know," Zaya admitted. "After all the pain I've seen caused by love in relationships, I'm not sure I want it. Love is overrated. Maybe I'm better off without it." The other girls looked at Zaya in concern. "You know that romantic notion that all the garbage and the pain is actually really healing and beautiful and sort of poetic? It's not."

"You know what's better?" Hope asked. "Love. The day that you start thinking that love is overrated is the day that you're wrong. The only thing wrong with love and faith and belief... is not having it."

Zaya considered that, tilting her head.

Thyra pointed in the mirror. "Take a look at yourselves in the mirror. Who do you see looking back? Is it the people you want to be? The people you're meant to be?"

"People can keep threatening us and telling us we can't do something, but we can," Marie told them. "Heartache happens everyday, obviously. But dreams come true every day too. Mine did with all of you."

"Even mine did, when I finally found more family, and an entire Crew at that that would go to bat for Theo," Angela agreed. "And for each other."

"Things might be tough now, but they'll get better again," Serena told them.

"That's the point of faith and belief, right?" Blair asked.

Sadie nodded in agreement. "Right. Sometimes happiness doesn't come from money or fame or power. It comes from good friends and family and from leading a good life."

Serena gave all the girls a pointed look, especially Noe, Marie, Zaya, Sadie and Angela since they had been through so much and Marie and Angela admitted that they didn't know if they could be happy before all of this. "So take a look in that mirror and remind yourselves you can be happy, because you deserve to be. Believe that."

The girls smiled with bittersweet happiness.

Noe stood to get ready, looking at herself in the mirror. "Okay, it's official. I'm on my way to becoming a blimp."

"Shut up," Sadie told her. "Like Blair said, you have that whole glow thing."

"If by 'glowing', you mean 'growing', then maybe," Noe replied.

Hope smiled. "Come on, let's just get dressed."

Brooklyn smirked. "At least we all get to look fabulous for fire and ice."

"I mean, we always look fabulous, but this could be another level," Thyra agreed.

Marie smiled. "Okay, modesty does not know Brooklyn and Thyra."

"Nope," Zaya agreed.

"Never has," Blair agreed.

The girls laughed.

Angela smiled softly. "I never thought that I would like things like this. But this is kind of nice. With all of you."

They smiled softly.

Noe looked at them. "I'm glad we're all here. I don't know..." They all looked at her knowingly, sadly and sympathetically. "I don't know how many more of these I get, so..."

"So let's say this," Sadie told her. "Thank you, Noe. You always make everything better for us."

"And we're not gonna ruin today with crying," Zaya told them. "We're gonna get dressed because we have a party to go out there."

Serena nodded in agreement. "Come on."

Noe took a deep breath. "Thank you. I just want all of you guys to know... I love you so much."

"We love you too," Brooklyn told her.

"So much," Marie agreed.

Thyra grabbed a camera. "Hang on. I'm taking a picture. No crying for the picture, yeah?"

Blair took the camera to put in on a table so it would be aimed at the girls to take the picture. "Okay, get in here. Ready? One, two, three."

Serena, Noe, Marie, Zaya, Sadie, Brooklyn, Thyra, Hope, Angela and Blair  stood together for the picture, smiling

X•O°X•O

Humphrey Loft - Hope/Jenny's Old Room

Jenny was watching Dirty Dancing on her laptop.

Rufus walked in. "Dirty Dancing?"

Jenny nodded. "Yeah, Marie recommended. It's corny, but it's kinda good."

Rufus frowned. "Come on, it's totally good."

Jenny paused the movie. "Yeah, maybe his dad's an even bigger jerk than you."

"Look, I have to go to Noe and Nate's party to talk to Lil," Rufus told her. "Obviously, I can't let you out of my sight. So that means you're coming too. Noe's your stepsister, after all. And after this afternoon with your sisters, we all need to make up. But I will be watching you all night."

Jenny nodded sarcastically. "Great."

X•O°X•O

Night - The Empire - Trio Penthouse - Living Room

The Crew boys (not including Prince and Preston) were in the penthouse.

"Well, Alex, Carter and James were able to get rid of the protestors and the press outside for the party, at least," Nate stated. "Preston and Prince actually kinda helped with that."

Carter rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed by the crowd they had taken care of. "Pathetic. Suburban moralists in mom jeans."

Alex smirked. "Why don't you tell us how you really feel, Carter?"

Dylan and Chuck were clearly using Elizabeth's glass from earlier to get a DNA test, which the other boys noticed.

"What are you doing?" Wyatt asked. "Are you kidding? Another DNA test? You've been watching too much CBS."

"We should've done it when we did the test to prove that she wasn't lying about Brooklyn and I being Chuck's half-siblings," Dylan told them. "We thought that if she was right about that, then she would've been Evelyn."

"But she could still be right about Brooklyn and Dylan, and still be an imposter," Chuck pointed out. "Our friend at the NYPD says he can have it done in a few hours. This way, we'll know once and for all who Elizabeth really is."

"You know who she really is," James told him. "You can see it in her eyes. In your eyes. Jack's gotten inside everybody's heads already."

Dylan sighed. "He has a point, James, about Elizabeth at least. She shows up out of the blue, doesn't know things about our family, and when she hears that Jack, the only person who actually met Chuck's mother will be at the party tonight, she bails."

Elizabeth walked into the room.

Alex looked busted. "Elizabeth."

Elizabeth looked disappointed. "I was coming to tell you I changed my mind."

"Chuck and Dylan weren't thinking," Wyatt told her. "Jack just got into their and Brooklyn's heads."

Elizabeth looked at Chuck. "I thought... you were starting to open your heart to me like I was to you."

"It's not them doing this," Nate told her. "It's just a big misunderstanding."

"Look, if you are who you say you are, you won't mind us doing a DNA test, right?" Chuck asked.

Elizabeth just shook her head. "I should have known you would never let me in. You are your father's son." She looked at Dylan. "Both of you. And your sister is her father's daughter."

Elizabeth turned around, walking to the elevator to leave.

Carter looked at Chuck and Dylan. "I would go ahead and go through with the test. Just to be sure."

"But if it comes back and says she is your mother, Chuck..." James trailed off. "You have some explaining to do."

Chuck sighed, knowing he was right, and looking like he hated himself for even doubting Elizabeth.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Looks like the protestors outside aren't the only ones who think Basses are asses."

X•O°X•O

X•O°X•O

Carter's Hotel Room i

Carter was in a tux with a bouquet of roses and a small box in his other hand, looking at Marie in her outfit. "Whoa. You look..."

Marie smirked. "I know."

Marie pulled Carter into a kiss.

"You look beautiful, Marie," Carter told her. "I just... I needed to tell you that. But when you opened the door, you left me breathless."

"Yeah, well, the kiss didn't leave much breathing room," Marie replied.

Carter smirked. "No, it did not."

They both laughed.

Marie took the flowers and the box out of his hands, placing the roses in a vase on Carter's table, looking down at the box. "What's this?"

Carter walked closer, guiding Marie to stand in front of the mirror, standing behind her, pressing a gentle kiss to her neck. Marie tilted her head in pleasure, eyes closed as he left a trail of kisses on her neck.

Carter placed his hands on her hips. "Open it and find out."

Marie opened her eyes, lifting her head, taking a deep breath, pulling the red ribbon off of the box, opening it to reveal a gold necklace with a small jewel in the middle. She smiled, pulling it out of the box, turning to face him. "I love it. But you didn't have to get it for me, Carter. Or this outfit. You and Prince went above and beyond for me and Angela today."

Carter smiled. "We wanted to. Here."

Carter held out his hand, so Marie put the necklace in his hand, before turning back around. Carter swept her hair to one side, placing the necklace around her neck, clasping it together, brushing his fingers along her collarbone. Marie looked at the mirror to take in the look of her in the sexy red romper with the flowing skirt with the beautiful gold necklace, placing a hand on the necklace, smirking a bit. As Carter pulled his hand back he turned her chin toward him so they could kiss once more.

Marie turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I don't know what to say to all this. Thank you."

"For a long time, I wasn't ready for anything serious," Carter admitted. "Falling for someone seemed like the scariest thing I could do."

Marie nodded in agreement. "I know the feeling."

Carter knew she did. "You of all people know the feeling because it's not just you you have to think about."

"Yep," Marie agreed. "But you're ready to step out of the shadows now. Have been for a little while now."

"Yeah," Carter answered. "The question is, are you? You told me before that you kept things at bay, closed yourself off in an effort to protect yourself. All of you did. Maybe it's time for you to step out of the shadows."

Marie thought about her response for a moment. "The shadows around me are darker than you know. I thought I couldn't love anybody for a long time. I was wrong. I was protecting myself, and the others, like you said. From loss and hurt. And then I met you. And I was drawn to your volatility and your fire. And I was scared that if you burned me, I would turn to ash. But I'm not scared now. I haven't been for a long time now."

Carter took Marie in his arms, causing her to smile. "Good. I'm not either."

Carter and Marie smiled, kissing passionately for a moment, before pulling away, smiling, and walking out of the room together to go to the party.

X•O°X•O

Ballroom

(Song:) Good Life - OneRepublic

Everyone was arriving for the engagement party, themed for fire and ice.

The ones dressed in beautiful dresses and suits in shades of light blue like ice: Hope, Alex, Thyra, Wyatt, Nate, Aurora, Harry, Beck, Dan, Rufus, Jenny, Lily and baby Theo.

The ones dressed in beautiful dresses and suits in shades of red (with some black and gold designs) like fire: Brooklyn, Zaya, Sadie, Marie, Angela, Preston, Prince, Laureen, Dominic, Serena, Blair, Chuck and Carter.

Like Hope said, the dress she made for Noe was dramatic and more beautiful than the rest, floor length, black and red Ombre with flame like fabric at the chest billowing about, and the skirt of the dress flared and danced over the floor as she walked like flames.

Dylan's tuxedo jacket was black and had orange designed flames on it.

James had a suit that was light blue and had red designs to signal both fire and ice.

Noe and Nate were smiling and mingling with everyone.

Noe was hugging Hope, Alex, Brooklyn, Thyra, Wyatt, James, Zaya, Sadie, Marie, Angela, Serena, Blair, Eric, Laureen, Lily, Harry and Aurora all in turn. Carter nodded to Noe and Nate, raising his glass in celebration. Dylan and Chuck smiled. Beck, Preston, Prince and Dominic also raised their glasses in toast.

Nate got handshakes/hugs from Alex, Dylan, Wyatt, James, Preston, Prince, Chuck, Carter, Harry, Eric, Beck and Dominic, while Hope, Brooklyn, Thyra, Zaya, Sadie, Marie, Serena, Blair, Aurora, Lily and Laureen gave him embraces as well. Angela patted Nate on the shoulder.

"There they are, the future Mr. and Mrs. Archibald," Alex told them teasingly.

Nate smiled. "Well, someone's in a good mood tonight."

"We could say the same thing about you," Hope replied.

Nate shrugged. "I'm engaged to the girl of my dreams. Why wouldn't I be?"

Noe smiled.

"There's the guests of honor," Laureen told them, smiling. "Don't you all look wonderful?"

Noe chuckled. "Well, thank you."

"You can thank Marie, Zaya and Sadie for putting all of this together, outfit ideas included," Nate told them.

Zaya and Sadie took a teasing bow. "You're welcome."

Marie smiled.

Noe looked down at her dress. "And thank Hope for this extravagant dress. I love it so much."

Everyone smiled.

"Why fire and ice?" Dominic asked.

Marie shrugged. "Well, when we first sat down to discuss tonight's occasion, I immediately thought of an evening inspired by primal bookends. Fire and ice, beginnings and endings, and the love between a man and a woman, or the personalities of both fire and ice that Noe and Nate both seem to have."

There was laughter and applause.

Lily smiled. "Tonight not only marks the first party thrown especially for these two, but it is for the engagement of my daughter Nevaeh van der Woodsen, to the handsome and beguiling Nate Archibald. We've known him and his brother Alex, who is dating my adoptive stepdaughter Hope, and they feel like a piece of the family puzzle we never even knew was missing. And it wouldn't surprise me if Alex and Hope are soon after Nate and Noe. Like with my adoptive children, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck Bass, and their loves, Thyra Diamond, and Wyatt and Blair Waldorf. And my daughter Serena happens to be dating their adoptive brother James Baizen, while my daughter Marie Rhodes is dating James's brother Carter, and the alters do have something going on with Angela De Los Caballeros and Prince Shea, the mother of my grandson Theo and brother to Preston, my niece Sadie's crush."

"Oh, can we please let that go?" Sadie asked.

Preston smiled, blushing.

There was laughter from the crowd.

Lily smiled. "While we are still waiting to see who Zaya might find, aren't we, Laureen?" Laureen nodded, smiling. "At least you have found love in Dominic Driton. In a word, I approve for all of you. And as anyone can tell you, approval is not something I give away freely."

Dylan smirked. "Ain't that the truth."

They all laughed.

Noe walked up to Dylan and Chuck. "Dylan, Chuck. No more avoiding me, right?"

Dylan and Chuck had small, sad smiles.

"Sorry, Noe," Dylan told her.

"No more avoiding," Chuck agreed.

Noe wrapped either of her arms around Dylan and Chuck, and they returned the embrace and kissed her cheeks, causing the others to smile at them sadly, knowing that Dylan and Chuck (and Brooklyn before) had had a hard time around Noe because of the fear of losing her, but glad to see this.

James looked at Noe. "How's life from your bed?"

Noe just gave them a blank look. "Our ceiling fan does 147 rotations a minute."

The others chuckled.

"Well, that answers our question about how Noe's doing," Carter told them in amusement.

"What about the baby?" Brooklyn asked.

"She's kicking baby-growing ass," Nate answered. "The doctors say they're both doing good."

Serena nodded in relief. "Good. That's what Auntie Serena likes to hear."

"Good job in there, kiddos," Harry told them.

"I can't believe you're both about to be married and having a kid," Wyatt admitted.

Thyra smiled. "Please, I think they were ready to get married and have a baby on their second date."

"Even I have to agree that," Blair agreed.

There was more laughter.

"All of you take the night off and have fun, talk amongst yourselves," Aurora told them. "We have a whole night of this party."

"Okay," Preston agreed.

"It's a really nice party though," Prince said, looking around. "Marie, Zaya and Sadie and the rest of you did awesome."

Angela chuckled. "Thanks."

Chuck nodded. "Let's relax for the night, all right? Don't worry about anything else."

Beck and Eric walked around the room, looking impressed by the party.

"Well, Marie, Zaya and Sadie know how to put together a good party," Beck told him.

Eric smiled. "Yeah, they do."

Beck turned to look at Eric. "How are you with everything?"

"I'm struggling, but doing better than most of my family, the Crew," Eric answered.

Beck nodded in understanding. "I heard that Preston and Prince and Angela are officially apart of the Crew. Does that bother you since they're new around here? And you've been here?"

"What?" Eric asked. "No, that's fine. I mean, I'm not like them, Beck. You know that. I mean, I can be sometimes like with Jenny lately, but that's not who I am for real. And it's not who you are for real."

"Guess not, even though both of us can pull it off well from time to time," Beck pointed out. They chuckled. "So you don't want to become one of those guys that elite girls or guys drool over?"

"What, by meaning mean and scheming and all that?" Eric asked.

Beck shrugged. "And sometimes being a general ass."

Eric chuckled. "I'm not that guy, Beck. And I don't wanna be. So, maybe the elite guys like that just aren't for me, then. But one of these days, I'm gonna be with a guy who really loves me. And maybe he won't be what the others are like, and maybe he won't be what others call hot, but I'll think he's amazing, and I'll tell him so." Beck smiled. "I won't be mean to him because I won't have to play games with him. I'll just be the guy that he can always count on, and... that'll be enough." Beck smiled a little more. "And he'll... be elite to me."

Beck smirked slightly, patting Eric's shoulder fondly. "Pretty moving, Erickson."

Eric smiled, as the two looked each other in the eyes for a long moment, before walking along together.

Nate walked by them, toward Marie, Zaya and Sadie. "Hey."

"Hey, Nate," Zaya told him.

"Noe's almost ready for the song she wanted to do with you guys," Nate told them. "After that, I was wondering if you could sing another song, from all of us to her."

Marie, Zaya and Sadie looked at Nate curiously, but nodded.

"Of course," Sadie answered. "Anything you need."

"Absolutely," Marie agreed.

Zaya nodded. "Of course."

Nate smiled slightly. "Thanks, guys."

X•O°X•O

Elsewhere

Aurora looked around.

Harry walked up to Aurora. "Hello, Aurora."

Aurora turned to face him. "Harry."

Harry noticed that all three Diamond girls were in light blue dresses, smirking. "To the surprise of no one, you Diamond girls are wearing ice dresses. Got three ice queens now, huh?"

Aurora smirked. "Hilarious. And you're one to talk, because you, Alex and Nate are all in ice blue suits too."

Harry shrugged. "Guess so."

Aurora considered that, turning her head to look over the party. "Actually, the color theme seems to stick closely to family members. Me, Hope, Thyra, Wyatt, you, Alex, Nate, Theo and I are all ice. Even Dan, Rufus, Jenny and Lily, but I don't care about those after the way the Humphreys have treated Hope and Marie lately."

Harry nodded in agreement and understanding. "Uh-huh."

"And then Brooklyn, Chuck, Dylan, Noe, Serena, Marie, Zaya, Sadie and Laureen are all fire," Aurora added. "And Preston and Prince, Dominic. Angela. Carter is fire, but James is wearing both fire and ice colors so because he's like in between the radar of fire/ice in our family."

Harry chuckled. "Okay, Aurora, you're pulling a Hope and rambling, and you only do that when something's wrong. Talk to me."

Aurora returned serious, sighing. "Did Alex tell you everything?"

"Yeah, he did," Harry answered. "Jack Bass is an ass."

"That he is," Aurora agreed. "I'm not sure what we can do without risking everything and everyone."

Harry placed a hand on Aurora's arm. "We'll figure it out, Rory. We always do."

Aurora looked up at Harry, nodding. "But with all this going on, I'm not sure when we can tell Hope and Alex about us. Not even sure when the 24 hour lock in can actually happen now because now I have to focus on this lawsuit and Jack, but I can't handle either of those on my own because of my name being involved with the Empire, and..."

Harry placed his other hand on Aurora's other shoulder, cupping her shoulders to calm her down. "Rory. We're gonna get through this. Like we get through everything. The lock in, telling Hope and Alex and the other kids, we'll figure that out too. When the time's right."

Aurora nodded, taking a deep breath. "Okay."

Harry nodded. "Okay."

Aurora managed a small smile. "Thanks, Harry."

Harry chuckled, nodding.

Across the room, Hope and Alex were dancing to the song playing on speaker, having seen Harry and Aurora talking.

"Have you noticed something different between Mom and Harry since I got back?" Hope asked.

"Not really, since Harry's been keeping to himself and I haven't seen much of Aurora while you were away," Alex answered. "But, uh... something does seem different, yeah."

Hope and Alex exchanged a look, looking slightly knowing, smirking a bit in amusement.

Hope wrapped her arms around Alex's neck. "Whatever happens, I'm just glad to have my families and be here with you."

Alex wrapped his arms around Hope's waist to pull her closer against his chest, holding her, as she smiled as he lifted her up. "Same goes to you. Love you, Hope."

Hope smiled. "Love you, Alex."

They kissed sweetly.

X•O°X•O

Elsewhere

Lily found Serena in the crowd. "There you are. You haven't returned any of my calls in weeks."

"I'm here to support Noe and Nate, not talk to you," Serena told her.

"Serena, I know that you are angry and maybe someday you'll understand why I didn't tell you I was--" Lily started.

"Doing my father when I came to see him and get answers for what he did to Noe?" Serena cut her off.

"Well, that's--" Lily started.

"Save your lies for your current husband," Serena told her, walking away.

Lily sighed.

Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck walked along together.

Lily walked up to her adoptive children to give them each a hug. Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck each gave Lily a kiss on the cheek when she hugged them.

"Hey, Lily," Brooklyn told her.

"At least three of my children are talking to me," Lily told them. "And I want you to know, I support all of you, and Hope, Alex, Thyra and Aurora. None of us believe slander."

"Well, thank you," Chuck told her. "That means more to me than you know."

"Thanks, Lily," Dylan told her. "For everything."

"Where is this coming from?" Lily asked.

Brooklyn shrugged. "We've been dealing a lot with the past with the whole mothers situation and finding out Dylan and I are half-siblings to Chuck. And not knowing about Elizabeth and her intentions, or if she's really Chuck's mom, and not knowing about Dylan's and my real mom, if she's dead or alive. But you..."

"You've been the only real mother figure we've ever had," Dylan finished.

Chuck nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Thank you, Lily."

Lily smiled.

"Though you should know," Brooklyn told her. "Jack's in town. I wanted to warn you, because of last year..."

Lily was stunned to know that Jack was in town, and nervous because of the opera in 2.16, but nodded. "Thank you, for telling me."

Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck nodded.

Serena walked to the side of the party, looking around.

James walked up to Serena. "You okay?"

"I don't know," Serena admitted. "I'm trying to figure out how to deal with all of this drama today, and then still trying to figure out what to do with Mom, the letter and Noe. I mean, she handled the news of everything today well, but..."

"None of that included her mother lying about being in contact with her father who caused the accident, made her lose her memories and caused her brain trauma and left her for dead when she was in a coma," James finished. "Everything today with you, Hope, Marie and Jenny... Jack threatening all of us. And here we thought things could slow down for a while."

"Well, things did slow down, we're just not completely out of the woods," Serena pointed out.

"That's true," James agreed, sighing. "I'm sorry that you still have to deal with all of this."

Serena looked at James. "I'm sorry too. But at least we got each other to pull us through."

James nodded in agreement. Serena placed a hand on James's cheek, as they kissed passionately.

X•O°X•O

Elsewhere

Marie was getting ready for the songs, seeing Angela nearby, walking closer, as they saw Prince by the bar.

"Hey, Angela," Marie told her. "Did anyone tell you that you look like a femme fatale stalking out her prey when you're on the job? Or just looking at Prince."

Angela chuckled sarcastically. "Ha ha."

"Don't worry," Marie told her. "If you like him, then it's fine. Pretty sure he likes you too, and all of this open relationship stuff is pretty thought out so far. Plus, for your job, if all you have to do is sit and stare at Prince Shea, then you've got it."

Angela smirked a slight smile. "Don't you have a song to go do with Noe, Zaya and Sadie? Don't let me hold you up, Marie."

Marie smirked, tilting her head. "Actually, two. But think about what I said."

Marie walked away.

Prince saw a mirror behind the bar, smirking, looking over to Angela. "You look beautiful."

Angela smirked. "You're not that bad either."

Prince smiled teasingly, pointing to the mirror behind the bar. "I'm talking to myself."

Angela chuckled, rolling her eyes. "You're so full of yourself."

"What, are you kidding me?" Prince asked. "I'm sexy. I'm hot fire, baby."

Angela smirked. "Mm-hmm."

Prince offered Angela a drink. "Drink? It's not like you're on the job right now. It's your night off."

"That's true," Angela agreed, giving a soft smile. "I'd like a drink, yeah."

Prince handed the drink to Angela, and they both clinked their glasses before drinking.

X•O°X•O

Elsewhere

Sadie was getting ready for the songs.

Preston walked up to Sadie. "Hey, Sadie."

"Preston," Sadie replied, as the two friend-crushes shared a hug. "Thank you for coming."

"Of course," Preston agreed. "You said on the phone earlier that you had something to tell me."

"Yeah," Sadie answered. "I mean, it's kind of a long story, and I don't have a whole lot of time right now, but can we talk later, when the songs are over?"

"Yeah, sure," Preston answered. "It's been a while since we've heard you and Zaya sing, plus Marie. I think the last time I heard you guys was at the speakeasy opening when you sang and danced, but I'm pretty sure that was Brittany and not Marie."

"Oh, it was," Sadie answered. "And that was before everyone found out about Marie's DID because of Vincent, so it's cool that you knew that it was Brittany after finding everything out."

Preston chuckled. "Yeah. Looking forward to the songs."

Sadie smiled slightly. "Yeah, me too. I think we all need to hear them lately. Like we all needed to hear the song you sang at the state dinner. Not because of the teasing, because I still feel like stabbing Carter after all that..." Preston laughed, and Sadie giggled. "But because of the message and support you gave us. So thank you."

Preston nodded, smiling. "Of course."

Sadie and Preston's eyes locked for a second.

Sadie looked away, flustered, blushing slightly. "Um, I need to get ready."

"Right," Preston agreed, amused, also flustered. "Right, of course. We'll talk after."

Sadie nodded in agreement. "Yeah."

Sadie walked away. Preston was amused.

X•O°X•O

Elsewhere

Dylan and Wyatt were with Theo, while Dylan held Theo, and was looking at Wyatt.

"What are you doing?" Wyatt asked.

"Staring at you," Dylan answered. "Why are you so cute, Wyatt?"

Wyatt smirked, taking a drink. "How the hell should I know? How about you?"

Dylan smirked, tilting his head. "Oh, I know I'm hot. I don't know how either."

"Stop staring at me," Wyatt told him. "I might be ice right now, and you might be fire, but you're giving me goosebumps."

Dylan leaned closer. "Never. And good."

They smiled, kissing.

X•O°X•O

Elsewhere

Away from the party where they had a moment alone, Brooklyn walked up to Thyra, smirking. "You and Hope following after Aurora with the ice queen vibes. I'm not surprised. I love you all dolled up."

Thyra smiled, biting her lip lightly. "Well, I wanted to get your attention."

Brooklyn smirked. "Oh, baby, you've always had my attention." She closed in on Thyra, backing her against a wall, her hand wandering down her plait, resting at her waist. "Quite the girl to show off, Thyra." She ran her thumb up and down the curve of Thyra's chest. "What are you playing at with this outfit?" She leaned her head against Thyra's, both their breathing shallow. "You have no idea how beautiful you look. I could take you right here and now without thinking twice, you know that?"

Thyra hid a smile. "Brooklyn. Not here, please."

Brooklyn gave in with a pout. "Fine." She slid a finger along Thyra's waist, pulling her closer, whispering in her ear. "But only because of where we're at right now."

Thyra smiled. "Glad I can get this reaction out of you."

Brooklyn and Thyra smiled, kissing passionately.

X•O°X•O

Elsewhere

Laureen and Dominic were dancing.

"I can't believe you still wanted to come here with us tonight after everything we told you," Laureen told him.

"Like I said, Laureen," Dominic told her. "I don't care about the danger as long as I know that you're okay. And so are Zaya and Sadie. You know, at the end of summer, when you walked into my office, and all the memories of us being best friends came rushing back. And slowly, so did the feelings I had for you back then. But then you met your ex and I regretted not fighting for you back when we were teens. Though I knew I had to let you go because you had Zaya, and then Sadie. And then everything changed. Now you're free."

"And a large part of that is because of you," Laureen pointed out.

Dominic chuckled. "Maybe. It's been said that the saddest thing a man will ever face is what might have been. But what of the man who's faced with what was, or what may never be? Or what can no longer be? That's what I felt when we were teens and I lost you before I even told you how I really felt. Choosing the right path is never easy. It's a decision we make with only our hearts to guide us. But sometimes we find our way to something better. Sometimes we fight through the regret and remorse of our mistakes, our malice, our jealousy, our pain, and the shame we feel for not being the people we thought we were back then. But that's when we find our way to something better. Or when something better finds its way to us. There are many who couldn't understand, and sometimes I didn't either. But even when I wasn't with you, I knew in my heart that someday we would find each other like this. And our lives could be whole again. I love you... Laureen Rhodes."

Laureen smiled tearfully and emotionally in relief and love, biting her lip. "I love you... Dominic Driton."

Dominic placed a hand on Laureen's cheek, and Laureen pulled him into a passionately sweet kiss.

(Song Ends)

In the middle of the ballroom, Noe, Zaya, Sadie and Marie were standing together.

"This is a song that I told Zaya, Sadie, Marie and Nate that I wanted to sing with them because I wanted to hear them sing again, even if there's no dancing this time," Noe admitted. "This song reminds me of what we've all gone through, including Laureen, and how we survived and keep on, and it gives me strength and faith enough to believe in that me and the baby can continue on. And Nate and I decided the baby's name, by the way."

"You did?" Hope asked, happy.

"Yeah," Nate answered.

"Skylar, or Skye," Noe explained. "Nate wanted her to have something of mine, my middle name, while she and I both will have Archibald."

Everyone smiled, loving the name.

"Skye," Alex whispered. "Perfect."

Everyone agreed. "Skye."

Noe, Zaya, Sadie and Marie started the song "I'm Alive" by Sia.

Noe placed a finger over her lightning shaped scar on her temple. "I was born in a thunderstorm / I grew up overnight / I played alone, I played on my own / But I survived."

Noe's verse referenced not just the scar and the accident, but how she had been on her own with William for a lot of her life.

Marie walked around the room, looking at all the family and Crew. "I wanted everything I never had / Like the love that comes with light / I wore envy, and I hated that / But I survived."

Zaya sat down, thinking about the fire. "I had a one way ticket to a place where all the demons go / Where the wind don't change and nothing in the ground can ever grow."

Sadie spun around, facing forward. "No hope, just lies and you're taught to cry in your pillow / But I survived."

Noe placed a hand over her belly. "I'm still breathing."

Marie held her head in her hands, referencing how she survived DID and everything that happened to her and the alters. "I'm still breathing."

Zaya stood defiantly to showcase how they survived. "I'm still breathing."

Sadie placed a hand over her heart. "I'm still breathing."

Noe sang strongly yet beautifully. "I'm alive..."

Marie spun around. "I'm alive..."

Zaya did a slow spin, dip back and leg kick into the air, standing and lowering her arms to her sides. "I'm alive..."

Sadie nodded with tears in her eyes as she was also taking this song to literal heart. "I'm alive..."

Marie's verse referenced how she found happiness and comfort in the Upper East Side which was new to her until now. "I found solace in the strangest place." She put her hands to her head, also referencing the inner world and alters. "Way in the back of my mind."

"I saw my life in a stranger's face," Noe sang. "And it was mine."

Sadie's verse referenced the fire as she looked completely numb. "I had a one way ticket to a place where all the demons go / Where the wind don't change and nothing in the ground can ever grow."

Zaya thought about all the PTSD she, Sadie and Laureen went through after the fire and how they pulled through. "No hope, just lies and you're taught to cry in your pillow / But I survived."

Marie stepped closer to Carter, Prince and Angela, putting an arm around Angela, knowing what Angela went through with Joffrey while the others didn't, including her with the message of the song. "I'm still breathing."

Angela managed a small smile, thankful for Marie including her in the message about being survivors, though not revealing what she went through to anyone else.

Zaya took one of Laureen's hands. "I'm still breathing."

Sadie took Laureen's other hand. "I'm still breathing."

Laureen smiled softly, sadly but proudly. Dominic nodded slightly.

Noe stood with Nate, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I'm still breathing."

Marie spun away from Carter, Prince and Angela. "I'm alive..."

Zaya, still holding Laureen's hand, twirled her mother around, spinning away from them. "I'm alive..."

Sadie did a spin. "I'm alive..."

Noe took Nate's hand as he spun her around. "I'm alive..."

Marie picked up a cup, tossing it down, but it didn't break since it wasn't glass. "You took it all, but I'm still breathing."

Noe held one hand to her belly and the other to her scar on her temple. "You took it all, but I'm still breathing."

Zaya looked at her fire red dress, before raising her head strongly. "You took it all, but I'm still breathing."

Sadie reached out to include the Crew with everything they all had gone through but survived. "You took it all, but I'm still breathing."

Noe thought about all the mistakes she had made, now which she could remember. "I have made every single mistake that you could ever possibly make."

Marie thought about growing up outside of Boston. "I took and I took and I took what you gave but you never noticed that I was in pain."

Zaya sang with even more determination because she knew what she wanted in life and she was willing to do whatever it took to get there. "I knew what I wanted, I went in and got it / Did all the things that you said that I wouldn't."

Sadie shook her head in determination, thinking about how Richard used to gaslight Zaya and Laureen with Sadie's heart condition and how Sadie stood up to him and said she would survive no matter what. "I told you that I would never be forgotten / And all in spite of you."

The Crew and family were all incredibly moved, touched and impressed, proud that they were dealing with their pasts like this and how they were determined to keep living.

Zaya had tears in her eyes. "And I'm still breathing."

Noe looked around the room at everyone. "I'm still breathing."

Marie turned away. "I'm still breathing."

Sadie raised her arm over her head, singing in a very long high note that was beautiful. "I'm alive............"

While Sadie was still holding out her note, Noe, Marie and Zaya sang, "You took it all, but I'm still breathing."

Noe sang strongly with a high note, not as trained as her sister and cousins, but still sounding beautiful as she held out the note. "I'm alive........"

While Noe was still holding out her note, Marie, Zaya and Sadie sang, "You took it all, but I'm still breathing."

Marie took a deep breath before singing in a very long high note that was incredibly impressive, beautiful. "I'm alive........"

While Marie was still holding out her note, Noe, Zaya and Sadie sang, "You took it all, but I'm still breathing."

Zaya, vocally training for Broadway since very young, had more control and her high note and how long she could hold it was near perfection. "I'm alive................."

While Zaya was still holding out her note, Noe, Sadie and Marie sang, "You took it all, but I'm still breathing."

They all sang gently compared to before, finishing the song together. "I'm alive / I'm alive / I'm alive / I'm alive."

The family/Crew all clapped emotionally and proudly, moved by the song and the way they sang and included everything the others had gone through as well.

"That was amazing," Serena told them.

James nodded. "Yeah."

At the back of the room, Jack walked closer to Lily. "Your daughters and nieces are actually pretty good." Lily looked at Jack, stunned, nervous. "And you look glorious as always."

Rufus, just now arriving in a blue suit, walked up to them, glaring at Jack. "How dare you show your face at a party for our family?"

"Rufus, don't blow a gasket," Jack told him. "I just came to offer my apology. Lily, I wasn't myself that night at the opera gala. I'd had a lot to drink and took some of those over the counter pills they started keeping behind the counter recently... and some meth. Really, I was just in a bad place. But now I'm a changed man."

"You expect us to buy that?" Rufus asked.

Jack nodded. "It was worth a shot."

"You need to leave," Lily told him, looking toward her family, hoping they wouldn't see Jack because of the tension and stress for everyone could make things worse.

"I'm not gonna make a scene," Rufus told him. "But if you so much as show up within 15 feet of my wife again tonight... you're gonna regret it."

Jack smirked, winking, walking away.

Lily looked at Rufus. "So I guess you found the scarf."

"Can we go somewhere private to talk?" Rufus asked.

Lily nodded.

Just a small distance away, Dan walked up to Jenny. "That was an impressive song, huh?"

"Guess so," Jenny answered. "Go away, traitor. Dad told me, Hope and Marie that you're the one that helped him find us."

"I was trying to help," Dan told her.

"I'm not in the mood for another lecture," Jenny told him.

"Come on, did the Upper East Side princess crown cut off the circulation to your brain?" Dan asked.

"Damien's my boyfriend," Jenny told him.

"Jenny, you're 16," Dan told her. "Come on."

Jenny nodded. "Yeah, and when you were 16, you were in love with Serena, and Hope was in love with Alex like she still is and everyone thought it was adorable."

(Song:) I Party - Far East Movement (feat. Iz and DB Tonic)

Vanessa walked into the party, wearing a red dress, dressed like someone from the Upper East Side, smirking at Dan.

Dan looked at Vanessa, stunned by the way she looked, looking at Jenny. "Uh, you know what? Just... I'll--I'll be right back. Just stay here."

Dan walked over to Vanessa.

"Hey, Dan, how are you?" Vanessa asked.

Dan looked her over. "You look amazing."

Dan leaned closer as if to kiss Vanessa.

Vanessa stopped him, smirking, knowing exactly what she was doing. "This is a friends-only zone. I thought we agreed."

"Well, that--that's not a friends-only dress," Dan told her.

Vanessa chuckled, looking down at her dress, playing dumb. "Really? I--I thought it was perfect. My bad. Oh, and--and just so you know, I'm not wearing any underwear."

Vanessa walked away, leaving Dan stunned for a second.

(Song Ends)

Marie, Zaya and Sadie were about to sing the next song.

"So, Nate came to us at the start of the party and asked us to sing this next song, the final song we're singing tonight, coming from him to Noe and Skye mostly, obviously, but also from everyone else that cares about both of you," Sadie told her.

"This is how we feel every day until we know that both you and Skye are gonna be okay, Noe," Zaya told her.

"Everyone wants to keep you safe and keep Skye safe," Marie told her. "Because we all love you."

Nate stood behind Noe, wrapping his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder, as Noe held his arms around her.

The song was Safe by Nico Santos, slightly reworded to fit the situation.

Sadie started the song, singing softly but comfortingly. "Is this life for living? / Oh, ease my mind, oh, ease my mind / Tell me I'm forgiven / Ease my mind, oh, ease my mind / Oh, stay close / Don't go / I gotta know."

Zaya had tears in her eyes as she sang. "Or until then, we'll be staring out the window / Thinking 'please, keep them safe, keep them safe' / Until then, we'll be watching every shadow / Thinking 'please, keep them safe, keep them safe' / Oh... oh... oh / Keep them safe, keep them safe."

Noe had tears in her eyes as she looked at Nate, touched by the gesture from all of them.

Laureen and Lily both had tears in their eyes as they looked from Marie, Zaya and Sadie to Noe, and to Serena, Eric, Hope, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck. All the siblings/cousins had tears in their eyes as they thought about what could come, but held themselves together. Nate still held Noe from behind. James, Alex, Thyra, Wyatt and Blair each held Serena, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck's hands, each just as emotional because of Noe being one of their best friends. Beck placed a hand on Eric's shoulder. Dominic wrapped his arms around Laureen comfortingly. Carter, Angela, Prince and Preston looked up at Marie and Sadie, there for them even if not by their side while they were singing. Aurora and Harry were also emotional given everything, there for everyone.

Marie looked around at everyone. "Fate placed us together / Oh, tell me why, oh tell me why / So if you can't face forever / Then tell me lies, oh tell me lies / Oh, stay close / Don't go / I gotta know."

Sadie sang the chorus sadly and sweetly, comfortingly. "Or until then, we'll be staring out the window / Thinking 'please, keep them safe, keep them safe' / Until then, we'll be watching every shadow / Thinking 'please, keep them safe, keep them safe' / Oh... oh... oh / Keep them safe, keep them safe."

Zaya continued with the next verse. "Is there a moment there in love we ever thought we've got enough? / So stay with us / You're safe with us."

Marie sang the chorus gently like a soothing lullaby, comforting and reassuring. "Or until then, we'll be staring out the window / Thinking 'please, keep them safe, keep them safe' / Until then, we'll be watching every shadow / Thinking 'please, keep them safe, keep them safe' / Oh... oh... oh / Keep them safe, keep them safe."

Zaya, Sadie and Marie sang the chorus one last time, harmonizing beautifully, soothingly. "Or until then, we'll be staring out the window / Thinking 'please, keep them safe, keep them safe' / Until then, we'll be watching every shadow / Thinking 'please, keep them safe, keep them safe' / Oh... oh... oh / Keep them safe, keep them safe."

Once done, everyone clapped, even more emotional than before, as Noe nodded. "Thank you."

Zaya, Sadie and Marie nodded.

Noe turned to face Nate, kissing him. Nate held her close, leaning his head against hers.

Everyone watched in bittersweet happiness, though were still sad and worried about everything.

"We just... we want to make sure that you and Skye are going to be okay, Noe," Dylan told her. "Safe."

"No tears," Noe told them. "I'm gonna be okay."

"Good," Alex told her. "'Cause we have a lot of dreams wrapped up in you and Skye. And it's kind of hard to have a happily ever after without you."

Laureen nodded. "Noe, Nate, you're both going to have your happily ever after. You are gonna get married, and once you have Skye, then the doctors can fix the tear and then after you heal, you might be able to have another baby without issue or threat. I promise."

Noe nodded tearfully. "I promise too."

Nate held Noe close. "Good, 'cause I'm gonna hold you to it."

Everyone looked at them knowingly in bittersweet happiness, sympathetic, concerned and worried, but all wanting to be there happily for them.

X•O°X•O

Elsewhere

Prince had been drinking a little too much.

Preston saw that Prince was drunk. "Prince, what the hell?"

Prince sighed. "Sorry, Preston. Must've lost track."

"Okay," Preston agreed, looking around.

Angela walked over to them with Theo in her arms. "What's going on?"

"Prince got a little drunk, and he drove us here," Preston answered.

Angela looked at Prince, nodding sarcastically. "Got it. Okay, well, why don't I take you two upstairs and I'll see about what I can do? Because I'm sure this has something to do with the fact that neither of you wanna go home and deal with your parents."

"Maybe," Preston and Prince answered.

Angela nodded knowingly, handing Theo to Preston. "Preston, can you hold Theo?"

Preston held Theo easily. "Yeah, sure."

Angela walked over to help Prince out of the room. "Come on. Let's get upstairs."

X•O°X•O

Elsewhere

(Song:) Trampled Youth - Kid A

Hope and Marie walked over to Jenny.

"Nice song," Jenny told them lamely.

"You're lucky we're trying to talk to you right now after what you said to us earlier," Marie told her. "Jenny, you deserve better than Damien."

Hope nodded. "You deserve a guy who's gonna see that, you know, who's gonna be there in the morning with you."

"It's not like Alex is available," Jenny replied, snapping back at Hope to try and shut her up, because Jenny used to have a major crush on Alex and Hope felt insecure about it.

Hope gave Jenny a look, not letting her get to her. "Why would you even want to be with a guy like Damien after knowing what he did to Marie/Andrea at the state dinner?"

"You saw it happen," Marie told her.

Jenny got fed up about talking about this again, wanting to shut them up, and didn't care about getting into trouble again, so she came clean. "Well, you guys know that Damien's had drugs, obviously, because of Dad and Lily and how they freaked out. But, uh, he only hit on Andrea to get her to take off the opera jacket with the drugs in it."

"More drugs?" Hope asked. "Is he dealing?"

Jenny smirked, raising her eyebrows, tilting her head.

Marie raised her eyebrows. "I'm sorry, you let us go on a set up date with a guy you know gave us a jacket with drugs in it?"

"Even after knowing..." Hope trailed off. Hope and Marie were both incredulous. "You can't be with someone who's dealing drugs."

"Why?" Jenny asked. She looked at Marie. "It's not like you've never done any. Both of you stop, because you're not my sisters. Not really anyway. I don't care about what you think about me now, so stop pretending to care about me. " Hope was hurt more than she wanted to be because of having been sisters with Jenny her life, and Marie was annoyed and hurt by one of her siblings she spent so long looking for was acting this way. Damien walked in. Jenny smiled. "In fact, the only one who does just got here."

Jenny stood, walking toward Damien.

"How are you?" Damien asked.

"Good," Jenny answered. "How are you?"

They started to walk away quickly to try and get away from Hope and Marie.

Hope and Marie both stood to step in their way and stop them from leaving.

"Sorry, Damien, there's no way we're letting you leave with her," Marie told him, not sorry at all.

"Really?" Damien asked, seeing a caterer walking by with a cart of food and drinks, pushing the cart over distract Hope and Marie, making it block their path and hitting them in the process, making them stumble back, and gaining the attention of everyone in the room as everything on the cart crashed to the floor.

Jenny and Damien both ran off before anyone else could try and stop them.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Poor Hope and Marie. Looks like Little J is about to do a little dirty dancing of her own."

(Song Ends)

X•O°X•O

X•O°X•O

Carter, Serena, Eric and Dan walked up to Hope and Marie as they were shaking some of the stuff off of them from the cart.

"Hope, Marie, are you okay?" Eric asked.

"Yeah," Hope answered.

"What the hell was that?" Carter asked.

"It's Jenny," Marie answered. "She ran off with Damien. The guy's a drug dealer."

"What?" Dan asked.

"He's staying at the Smyth," Serena explained.

Eric nodded. "Okay, all right, Beck and I can head to the Smyth and see if we can find them. Find Mom, Laureen and Rufus."

Eric walked out of the room with Beck.

Carter, Hope, Marie, Serena and Dan exchanged a look.

X•O°X•O

Angela's Hotel Room

Preston was sitting with Theo and watching him.

Angela had laid Prince's drunken form in the spare bed of the room. Prince rolled in the bed.

Angela put a glass of water next to Prince. "Hey, Preston, can you watch Theo while I run out? I don't have any aspirin and I don't think anyone downstairs does either. I'll go get some, in case Prince has a hangover in the morning."

"Yeah, it's fine," Preston answered, curious by Theo. "It's kinda fun helping with Theo."

Angela smiled slightly. "I'll be back soon."

Preston nodded. "Okay."

X•O°X•O

Ballroom

Noe was getting water to drink when she saw Dominic also getting something to drink. "Hey, Dominic."

Dominic looked over. "Hello, Noe. How are you?"

"I am trying to avoid whatever the hell that drama was because people think that even a little bit of stress could make me hemorrhage," Noe answered. "And they may got a point."

Dominic nodded in agreement. "They definitely do."

"But thank you for coming," Noe told him. "I'm glad that you're looking out for Zaya, Sadie and Laureen after everything they went through. I know that they told you everything today because of a new threat." Dominic nodded in agreement. "So I'm glad you stuck around."

"Yeah," Dominic agreed. "Well, Laureen, Zaya and Sadie deserve someone to stick around and help take care of them, not make their lives a living hell."

"Exactly," Noe agreed. "I want to make sure that they're gonna be okay... in case I don't make it. I wanna make sure that everyone's gonna be okay. So... I guess that's why I wanted to talk to you."

Dominic nodded in sympathy, understanding. "Thank you. And I will look out for Laureen, Zaya and Sadie in anyway I can, Noe. And your sisters and cousins and brothers will all be okay. Serena, Marie, Eric. Hope, Brooklyn, Dylan, Chuck. And so will you, you know. You Rhodes girls are survivors."

Noe smiled. "Thank you."

X•O°X•O

Elsewhere

Rufus and Lily were sitting together, talking.

"So, I went to Holland's," Rufus explained. "I don't know what I thought would happen, but I guess a part of me wanted to even the score. But when the time came, I couldn't go through with it. Because the truth is, uh... I love you, Lily, and I couldn't do that to you."

Lily tilted her head. "I love you. I've always loved you."

Just before Lily and Rufus were about to kiss, Hope, Marie, Dan and Serena walked up to them.

"Dad," Dan told him. "Jenny ran off with Damien, and he's worse than we thought."

Rufus sighed worriedly. "Oh, God."

X•O°X•O

Lobby

Brooklyn, Thyra, Alex, Dylan, Chuck and Aurora were standing together.

Aurora sighed heavily.

"Aurora, don't give us the lawyer face," Chuck told her. "Things can't be that bad."

"Actually, according to my contact, things have taken a turn," Aurora told them. "We're getting attacked by Christian conservatives."

"We have those in Manhattan?" Brooklyn asked.

"They're everywhere, Brooklyn," Alex told her.

"The family travel council's organizing a boycott," Aurora explained. "You'd be shocked how much influence they have. I looked into it myself to be sure that the contact wasn't lying, and he's not."

"That's the kind of thing that would only entice our target clientele," Dylan told her.

Thyra sighed. "I don't think the business has the luxury of waiting around to see."

Aurora sighed. "I'm sorry, kids. For PR, if nothing else, it needs to seem that our names are no longer in charge. Handing over the operations of the hotel, at least temporarily, just briefly and then we can fix this."

Jack walked closer. "I can do it."

They all glared at Jack.

"You bastard," Thyra seethed. "You're not taking our companies or anything we make from our careers away."

"I promise you, Jack, that will never happen," Chuck told him.

"Then I'll wait," Jack replied. "And when your beloved hotel is bankrupt and empty, along with anything else you lot have worked on together like the clocktower or the club, I'll swoop in and give you fair-market price. I'm sure there's some copper pipes I could salvage."

"This was your plan, wasn't it?" Alex asked.

Jack shook his head. "No, but I'm totally gonna reap its rewards. All of you took what was mind. Now I'm gonna take what's yours. At least you know it's staying close to heart."

Brooklyn just glared. "Get the hell out of here before I do something we'll all regret."

Jack smirked, turning around, walking out of the room.

Dylan sighed heavily. "What do we do, Aurora?"

Aurora was thinking. "I'm working on it."

X•O°X•O

Angela's Hotel Room

Prince had woken up and was drinking water and had taken the tablet that Angela got for him.

Angela walked closer with a cup of coffee, smirking slightly. "Figured that you would need this."

Prince took the coffee to drink. "Yes, I certainly do."

"I might not have a hangover, but that didn't stop my head from throbbing," Angela told him. "You sure know how to party. And the energy downstairs could make anyone feel drunk without even drinking."

Prince smirked. "That's true."

"Speaking of hangovers, how's yours?" Angela asked.

"Considering I'm still a little drunk, my hangover has not started, but I can think somewhat clearly," Prince answered. "Where's Preston?"

"Preston?" Angela repeated. "He's watching Theo. Don't worry. I said that you two could stay here for tonight, and he watched Theo while I went to get a tablet for you."

Prince nodded in understanding.  "How did you get the tablet anyway? I heard you say you didn't have any."

Angela shrugged sarcastically. "I went out to a pharmacy and got one."

"Pharmacy?" Prince repeated. "There isn't one for 3 miles from this place. And at this late of night? Angela, you really didn't have to."

Angela chuckled. "Isn't it in my job description to make sure you're okay, Prince? So I thought your mood would be a little less cranky with a slightly less severe hangover." She realized what she said. "I mean, not that--not that you are cranky. Just that... you know..."

Prince laughed. "It's okay. To be fair, since the fight with my parents is never ending, I have been cranky, and I am sorry about that."

"Well, you were sweet today when you and Carter gave me and Marie our gifts," Angela pointed out.

Prince smirked slightly. "I'm glad you think so, Angela. Thank you for tonight."

Angela simply smiled.

X•O°X•O

The Smyth Hotel - Lobby

Eric and Beck walked up to the hotel and inside.

"Thanks for coming with me, Beck," Eric told him.

"Yeah, of course," Beck told him. "I mean, I hate Jenny, but she and this Damien guy both need a lesson and get shut down."

Eric looked at the clerk behind the front desk. "What room is Damien Dalgaard in?"

"I'm sorry, boys, I can't give out that information," the woman told them. "Would you like me to call up?"

"Well, I seriously doubt he's gonna answer the phone considering he's up there alone with a 16 year old girl," Beck told her sarcastically.

The girl looked surprised.

X•O°X•O

The Empire - Hotel Room

Jenny and Damien made their way into the hotel, making out, smiling.

Jenny laughed. "Oh, my gosh, thanks for showing up tonight and risking the wrath of my dad, and shutting Hope and Marie up for once today."

They started to take off their clothes.

"Let me give you a real reason to thank me," Damien told her.

They continued to kiss.

X•O°X•O

Smyth Hotel - Damien's Room

The girl walked in with Eric and Beck, when they found that the hotel room was dark and empty.

Eric and Beck exchanged a confused look.

X•O°X•O

The Empire - Hotel Room

Jenny sat on the bed in front of Damien. "Right under their noses. Booking a room at the Empire was genius."

Damien took off his shirt. "You sure you wanna do this?"

Jenny nodded. "Yeah."

They continued to make out.

X•O°X•O

Downstairs - Lobby

Blair, Wyatt, James and Carter walked toward Chuck, Dylan, Brooklyn, Alex, Thyra and Aurora.

"Jenny took off with Damien and he knocked over a cart in front of Hope and Marie to make a getaway with the bitch that told them that they're not her sisters and has been tearing into them all day just for trying to help her and protect her," Carter explained.

"Wait, what?" Thyra asked.

"Are Hope and Marie okay?" Alex asked.

"They're hurt, but more pissed than anything," James answered.

"We told you there'd be a new scandal before the day was out," Blair told them.

Hope walked in. "Everyone's looking for Jenny. Right now I just can't. I just remembered that you had something to say about the company, Mom."

"Yeah, but are you and Marie okay?" Aurora asked. "Carter explained what Jenny said to you two all day, Hope."

"Let's not talk about that right now," Hope told them.

"What's wrong?" Wyatt asked.

"A boycott," Brooklyn answered. "We have no choice but to sign our hotel over to someone else. Jack nominated himself."

Carter nodded sarcastically. "Of course he did."

"I could take over, or Blair, or James and Carter," Wyatt offered.

"I don't think signing the hotel over to a 16-year-old genius, a 19 year old photographer, 19-year-old socialite or a 21-year-old playboy would ease the public's mind, no offense," Dylan told them.

Blair shook her head. "None taken. We don't know anything about hotels either, and neither do James and Carter."

"What about Lily?" Hope asked.

"She's Bass Industries," Chuck answered. "The last thing Brooklyn, Dylan and I want is our father's company bailing us out."

"But we need to make sure that our names are clear out of this so that it does ease the public," Thyra told them.

Alex sighed. "I don't see what choice we have."

Chuck's phone went off. He looked at the message.

"What is it?" James asked.

"DNA results," Chuck answered.

"What do they say?" Aurora asked.

Chuck showed the phone to Brooklyn and Dylan, who both sighed heavily.

"Looks like we've got another choice," Dylan told them.

They all exchanged a look.

X•O°X•O

Hotel Room

Jenny and Damien were laying together, making out.

Jenny pulled away. "Damien, um, there's something you should know before."

"Yeah, what is it?" Damien asked. "You can tell me anything."

"I'm a virgin," Jenny answered. "I just wanted you to know in case... I don't know. I just wanted you to know."

Damien nodded. "I kinda figured. It's really not a big deal."

Damien went in to kiss her.

Jenny pulled back. "Well, actually... I mean, it is. It is kind of a big deal for me. I mean, I chose you and that... It means something to me. Does it..."

"Jenny, why don't we talk about this after, okay?" Damien asked, going in for a kiss again.

Jenny, realizing that he didn't care, pulled back and sat up. "No, I--I don't wanna do this."

Damien scoffed, laughing, sighing, sitting up, starting to pull on his shirt. "Wow."

Damien stood to go get the rest of his clothes.

"Damien, where--where are you going?" Jenny asked.

Damien walked to the door. "I knew you were just a kid."

Damien opened the door, walking out, closing the door behind him as he left.

Jenny started to cry.

X•O°X•O

X•O°X•O

Humphrey Loft - Living Room

Eric, Serena, Noe, Dan, Marie, Lily and Rufus were here after the party was over.

Hope was pacing after telling them about the hotel scandal and what they had to do.

"I'm sorry about the hotel and everything else, Hope," Eric told her. "I know how hard you, Brooklyn, Dylan, Chuck, Alex, Thyra and Aurora worked on those projects."

"Yeah, and now the guy that blew up the whole adoption secret just to get back at my mom is taking this away from us too," Hope told them. "I swear, if I could, I would kick his ass."

"Now you're sounding more like Thyra and Aurora," Noe told her.

Serena chuckled. "It's gonna be okay."

"Yeah, you'll figure it out," Marie agreed.

Dan looked between them. "Anyone else miss actual family moments like this?" They all looked at him. "Okay."

Lily hung up her phone. "Well, the police are looking into it, but they don't seem optimistic that they're gonna find them tonight."

"Yeah, they're not at the hotel," Eric told them.

Marie shook her head, turning away. "I can't believe we couldn't stop her."

"No, Marie, don't blame yourself," Dan told her. "Don't do the thing where Hope apologizes for everything that isn't her fault."

Hope nodded sarcastically, tilting her head. Marie nodded sarcastically at Dan.

"There was nothing any of us could have done," Rufus agreed. "Jenny's mind was set."

Noe sighed, looking at Hope and Marie in concern. "Are you two okay?"

"Not really," Hope answered.

Marie sighed, shaking her head. "Not really. Hope and I tried. I mean, we really tried. And the things she said to us..."

"It's not your fault, Marie," Serena told her. "And she was way out of line to both of you."

Jenny walked in, and everyone looked at her.

"Everyone will be happy to know that Damien and I broke up," Jenny told them.

Rufus walked toward her. "Jenny, I'm sorry for you, but that's what happens--"

"Whatever, Dad," Jenny told him. "Am I still grounded?"

"Yes," Rufus answered.

Jenny scoffed, nodding. "Okay. I'll just, um, stay at home for the rest of the year. All right, now, I'm really tired, so if it's okay with you, I'd just like to go to my room."

Jenny walked into her room. 

Serena, Noe, Eric, Marie, Hope and Dan exchanged a look.

X•O°X•O

Jenny's Room

Jenny laid down on her bed.

Marie walked into the room. "Hey. You okay?"

Jenny was getting ready to listen to music through headphones. "I'm fine."

Marie sat next to her. "That's a relief. So then you and Damien didn't--"

Jenny looked up. "No, we did. Honestly, Marie, I don't know what you were so worried about. It was no big deal. Would you mind closing the door on your way out?"

Marie scoffed, not knowing how much of this she could put up with before she gave up in trying, standing, walking out of the room.

X•O°X•O

Algonquin Hotel - Elizabeth's Hotel Room

Elizabeth seemed to be packing up to leave. When she heard a knock on the door, she walked over to answer it, letting Chuck in, walking back over to her suitcase.

Chuck walked in, closing the door behind him, holding a folder of paperwork. "I should have trusted you."

"The test came back?" Elizabeth asked.

"It's hard for me to let people in," Chuck admitted.

"I abandoned you when you were just a baby," Elizabeth told him. "Thyra told me the story of how Bart pit you, and Brooklyn and Dylan, against each other all your lives. How could it not be hard for any of you?"

"Yes, but Brooklyn and Dylan have changed," Chuck told her. "And I want to change too. I want to trust you, I need to because... we need someone to take over operations for the hotel. For a little while."

Elizabeth turned to look at him. "What?"

"It's mostly just a signing authority," Chuck told her. "We'd still have the voice behind the scenes. It just needs to look like we're gone, until the scandal about me subsides, until the rumors about Brooklyn, Dylan, Hope, Thyra and Aurora, and even Alex, fade."

Elizabeth shook her head, looking down. "Charles, it's too much. There are other people who would do a better job."

Chuck walked closer. "Those other people aren't my mother. Look, it's not hard. We'll show you everything you need to know. You just have to sign these papers."

Elizabeth had a soft smile.

X•O°X•O

Humphrey Loft - Living Room

Once the kids were gone, Lily was on the phone. "Hello, Mother."

"Lily," CeCe greeted. "It's been six months, I'm afraid it's time to check back in with Dr. van der Woodsen."

Lily sighed. "Can't we get someone else to do the tests? I mean, does it really have to be him?"

"You know he's the right choice," CeCe told her. "And it's been too long already. Please, darling, for me. For your children, Zaya, Sadie and Laureen. They've already all lost too much."

Lily nodded. "Okay. I'll get on the next plane out."

"Thank you, dear," CeCe told her.

Lily hung up.

Rufus walked closer. "Lil?" Lily turned to face him. "Hey, everything okay?"

"Actually, that was my mother," Lily told him. "And she is at Canyon Ranch. And normally I could ignore her pleas, but..."

Rufus nodded. "You should go. I think Jenny and I need some time right now anyway. Maybe when you come back, you and I can start all over."

Lily smiled softly. "I would love that."

"Clean slate," Rufus stated.

Lily nodded. "Absolutely. Clean slate."

They embraced, while Lily looked like she could cry.

X•O°X•O

NYU - Vanessa's Dorm Room

Vanessa was studying on her bed.

Dan knocked on the door before walking in. "Hey. So, uh... so listen. I know your room is a benefits-only zone, but, uh, right now, I--I need to talk to my friend."

Vanessa chuckled. "Fine. I'll make an exception. Shoot."

Dan walked closer. "Well, you see, there's this girl, and under normal circumstances, I'd tell everyone. 'Hey, everybody, I'm seeing this amazing girl. I think it might be serious. But this girl and I, we agreed that--that would be a mistake'."

Vanessa nodded. "Interesting."

"The thing is, keeping these feelings aside is-is-is killing me, 'cause all I want to do is tell everybody how happy I am," Dan admitted.

"How happy are you?" Vanessa asked.

Dan nodded. "Oh, I'm very, very, very happy. Very happy. The kind of happy that people write embarrassing songs about."

Vanessa smiled. "Then, as your friend, I think you should tell people." She took Dan's hand, pulling him closer so they were face to face. "And as long as this is still a benefits-only zone..."

They started to kiss, laying down.

X•O°X•O

The Empire - Hallway

(Song:) Gospel - The National

Sadie and Preston were walking together, after Sadie had explained everything.

"So Prince already knew about all this, with the Silence and everything?" Preston asked. "Carter, Angela and Marie told him?"

"Yeah, they kinda had to after what they did with Vincent," Sadie answered. "And Mom, Zaya and I had to tell Dominic. And since you could get caught in the crossfire too since you're always close to me, or Angela since she's your bodyguard, and you and Prince are officially apart of the Crew... I just had to tell you, Preston."

Preston nodded in understanding. "So that's what you guys meant... when you said that being in the Crew could come with danger."

"Yeah," Sadie answered. "You deserve to know if you're gonna continue being my friend and be close to the rest. If this doesn't scare you off."

Preston turned to face Sadie, shaking his head. "It's not scaring me off, Sadie. I can handle it."

"You could be in danger if you get caught in the crossfire," Sadie pointed out.

"Aren't you in more danger though?" Preston replied. "I'm not worried about me. I don't have anything to do with the Silence. I just wanna be here for you."

Sadie smiled slightly. "Thank you."

Preston smiled, nodding, before letting the smile fade. "Your dad was one of them."

Sadie pressed her lips together, nodding. "Yeah. All this reminds me of a quote, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. There is no privacy that cannot be penetrated. No secret can be kept in a civilized world. Society is a masked ball, where everyone hides his real character, then reveals it by hiding." Preston nodded understandingly. "Do you ever feel like your whole life is some kind of dream, and wonder whose it is, and whether they're enjoying it?"

"All the time," Preston answered.

"My life is like a nightmare," Sadie told him. "At least this part of it."

Preston, on instinct, reached out to take Sadie's hand in a motion of comfort, which surprised both of them, but both of them seemed to like it. "Well, if it is a nightmare, then at least you don't have to go through it alone. Do you know the quote 'All are architects of fate. Living in these walls of time. So look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again'?"

Sadie nodded. "Henry Wadsworth Longfellow."

"Don't keep looking back, Sadie," Preston told her. "It's not gonna help make things better. Looking ahead and knowing that things can get better..." Sadie nodded. "And I wanna help make it better."

Sadie smiled, leaning in so that she could embrace Preston. Preston was surprised for a second but returned the embrace, both smiling contently.

X•O°X•O

Carter's Room

Carter, Prince and Angela were sitting down, while Prince was more sober now.

Marie (Brittany) was pacing, ranting. "If I had been able to switch out earlier, at all today, like I've been trying to, I would've jumped down Jenny's throat for all of that she said to Marie and Hope."

"And I would've beat Damien's ass if we had found him again for that stunt with the cart," Carter added.

"Sounds like we missed an intense showdown," Angela told them. "Sorry."

Prince raised his hand. "My bad. I got drunk. Preston and Angela took care of me."

"It's fine, Prince," Brittany told him. "I just... as soon as I see Jenny again, and I'm awake, I'm gonna tear into her like she's never been before."

Carter smirked slightly. "Down, girl."

"It's gonna be okay," Angela agreed.

Brittany sighed, turning to face them. "I'm sorry. You're right."

"And we're sorry," Prince told her. "Jenny was out of line, and you're justifiably angry. Just..."

"I'm dialing back, don't worry," Brittany told them, looking at them all curiously. "You know, normally it's Marie that's awake when we're all together, but I'm glad that I am this time, because I've been wanting to talk to you three. All of you."

"Okay," Carter agreed. "Shoot."

"I don't know what's going to happen, but I do know that I like all three of you," Brittany told them. "A lot. Like so much that I can't even begin to imagine being without one of you."

"And Lacy and Nick said they did want to be with me," Angela told them. "Marie might just be with Carter, but Brittany and Andrea..."

"Brittany and Andrea like to be with you, me and Carter," Prince added. "Yeah, we know, Angela. I like being with you too. Hanging out with you. I like you."

Angela bit her lip, tilting her head. "Well, I can't exactly deny that I like you anymore, can I?"

Brittany and Carter both shook their heads. "No."

"It's so obvious, you're into each other," Carter told them.

"Shut up, Carter," Angela replied. Brittany smiled. "Okay, so I also like Prince, even though I'm just friends with Carter, and you two boys are just friends."

Carter smirked, amused. "It's really complicated. This whole thing that we all got going on. But maybe it can work."

"Maybe," Brittany agreed. "I really want it to. All of us do."

"So you want to make this official?" Prince asked.

Brittany nodded. "If all of you want to, too."

Angela shrugged, smirking slightly. "I don't see why not. I do really like you, Brittany. And Andrea, Nick and Lacy, and Prince. And this thing might be complicated, but I think it could work. It's worked with Carter and Marie and all of us, right?"

"I'm not sure what you could call us, since no label could work," Prince told them. "But I'm willing to make it official. And permanent. If all of you want to. Marie, Nick, Lacy and Andrea all agree?"

Brittany nodded. "It took a long talk about how to go about it, but, yes. We all agree."

Carter shrugged. "I don't have a problem with it."

Angela smirked. "Well, now with this little arrangement we have, we just couldn't help ourselves to want more, could we?"

Prince smirked. "Apparently not. We're all... irresistible to each other. That we wanted more. To be real."

Brittany smiled. "It's real."

Brittany, Carter, Prince and Angela all smiled slightly as looks exchanged between them.

X•O°X•O

Rhodes' Girls Hotel Room

Zaya, Sadie, Laureen and Dominic returned to the hotel room.

"Are you gonna go home after this, Dominic?" Zaya asked.

"Yeah, you guys need a night to yourselves, and I'm still processing everything you told me," Dominic answered. "But don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."

Zaya, Sadie and Laureen smiled.

Sadie gave Dominic a hug. "If anyone did come after you from the Silence... well, Mom, Zaya and I can fight pretty decently, and you beat our dad's ass in a bar fight once, so..."

They all looked at Sadie in amusement for that last part and how bluntly she said it. Sadie shrugged, clearly not caring.

Laureen chuckled. "I think we'll be okay. As long as everything stays quiet for a little while."

Zaya nodded in agreement. "Mm-hmm."

Dominic smiled softly. "Get some rest. You three deserve it. Night, Zaya. Night, Sadie."

"Night, Dominic," Zaya and Sadie replied, walking away to go get ready for bed.

Laureen looked at Dominic. "I have no idea what I did to deserve a guy like you."

Dominic smiled. "Laureen, you deserve the entire world. All three of you do." Laureen smiled. Dominic brushed back Laureen's hair, as the two looked each other in the eyes for a long moment and kissed passionately. "Good night."

"Good night," Laureen agreed.

Dominic turned around, walking out of the hotel room. Laureen sighed in relief that Dominic took it so well and he was still there for them, and with them.

X•O°X•O

Noe/Nate's Apartment - Living Room

Noe and Nate were home. Nate pulled Noe's jacket off for her. Noe turned to face him.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Nate asked.

"I'm fine," Noe answered. "Well, the party was good for a long while before all the drama happened."

"Yep," Nate agreed. "How are Hope and Marie, by the way?"

"Hurt because of what Jenny said to them all day," Noe answered. "But they're trying not to be hurt. They still care about family more than anything which is why they would never give up on family, but even Jenny was pushing her limits today."

Nate nodded in agreement. "And Alex and Thyra told me about the lawsuit and everything with Hope, Brooklyn, Dylan, Chuck and Aurora, and Jack's threat to them, James, Carter, Angela, Zaya, Sadie and Laureen earlier. Even Harry, Emilia and Dominic. I know the girls told you." Noe nodded in agreement. "But they're all gonna be okay, Noe."

Noe nodded. "I have to believe in that, or things could end up really bad. I just want to be happy with you, and with Skye."

"So do I," Nate agreed.

They embraced, holding each other close.

"Thank you," Noe told him. "For everything. I love you, Nate."

Nate kissed her head. "I love you too."

Nate cupped Noe's cheek so they could kiss sweetly and passionately.

X•O°X•O

The Empire - Trio Penthouse - James's Room

James and Serena sat down on James's bed.

"I'm sorry that our plan earlier didn't work, Serena," James told her.

"It's okay," Serena told him. "It's not your fault. Is everything okay with the others? Hope told us about the business and hotel, and Jack's threat to everyone..."

"I think we're figuring it out," James stated. "But we'll see if it works."

Serena took James by the hand. "James, no matter what happens, I know that things are going to be okay, between us, I mean. Because I know that you love me, and you know that I love you."

James looked at Serena with a slight smile, nodding. They looked at each other for a moment before kissing.

X•O°X•O

Alex's Room

Alex and Hope were laying down, arms around each other, as Hope leaned her head on Alex's shoulder.

"Jenny was way out of line with you and Marie today," Alex told her. "I'm so sorry, Hope."

Hope shook her head, looking down. "I'm fine."

Alex gave her a look. "You care about both of your families more than anything and you always bend over backwards trying to take care of everyone."

"Uh, Laureen's been helping me with my codependency issues to take care of everyone else, as have you," Hope pointed out.

"That's not the point," Alex told her. "I know today hurt you. And I just want you to know that I'm here for you. Even with everything going on with this lawsuit, Jack, our careers in jeopardy. Well, your family's career with Diamond Enterprises, but you, Thyra and Aurora all have other things you do too. Your main one being fashion design."

Hope looked up at Alex. "I'm fine. And my career in fashion design will be a success, and so will yours in architecture and building design. We'll take the design world by storm and show them everything they were missing before."

Alex smirked. "I like the sound of that. Though I will say this. If I ever see Damien Dalgaard again..."

Hope chuckled. "I know. Let me guess. You'll kick his ass and put him on the transatlantic plane to send him back to Belgium and his ambassador father."

"Yeah," Alex answered. "Because everything that happened tonight was because of him and Jenny, and they hurt you. I'd do it because I love you."

Hope smiled. "I love you too, Alex."

Hope and Alex kissed slowly, softly and sweetly, before Hope laid her head back down on Alex's shoulder so they could try and get some sleep.

X•O°X•O

Living Room

Chuck returned to the penthouse, walking in, seeing Blair sitting on the couch waiting for him. "What are we celebrating? The lawsuit? The scandal? The rumors?" He walked over to sit next to Blair. "Or the fact I just signed over our hotel?"

Chuck leaned back into Blair's arms.

Blair held Chuck, leaning her head against his. "We're celebrating you. Opening your heart to Brooklyn and Dylan to where you finally became close as siblings. Then me. The Crew. And now you're mother. And me, being the woman who encouraged you to do it."

 Blair and Chuck started to kiss.

X•O°X•O

Waldorf Penthouse - Thyra's Room

Brooklyn and Thyra were laying down, holding each other.

"It's gonna be okay," Thyra told her. "We always figure it out. We'll do it this time too."

Brooklyn gazed off. "Yeah. Maybe."

Brooklyn's eyes almost drifted closed.

Thyra smiled, brushing back Brooklyn's hair. "You're tired. Go to sleep."

Brooklyn chuckled. "If you do too." Thyra nodded. "Love you, Thyra."

Thyra gave Brooklyn a gentle kiss, which she returned. "I love you, Brooklyn."

They settled in to go to sleep, with Thyra's head on Brooklyn's shoulder as Brooklyn trailed her fingers through Thyra's hair.

X•O°X•O

Wyatt's Room

Dylan and Wyatt were putting Theo to sleep, before going to Wyatt's room and going to lay down.

"Never ceases to amaze me how fast Theo can fall asleep," Dylan told him.

Wyatt chuckled. "Right." Knowing that Dylan was still thinking about the scandal and rumors and hotel, Wyatt took his arm. "Dylan. Everything's gonna sort itself out, okay?"

Dylan sighed, nodding. "Okay. I don't wanna think about this anymore. I just want some sleep, Wyatt."

Wyatt nodded in agreement. "So do I. I love you."

"I love you too," Dylan replied.

Dylan and Wyatt laid down to go to sleep, sharing a kiss as they did.

X•O°X•O

Harry's Mansion - Living Room

Harry poured himself a drink, and then another for Aurora.

Aurora walked in. "Still awake? You were expecting me."

"Oh, after a day like today, definitely," Harry answered, holding up their glasses. "Drink?"

Aurora walked closer to take her glass. "The first of many."

Aurora and Harry clinked their glasses, drinking.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Harry asked. "The next chapter in the drama of the Crew/family?"

Aurora shook her head. "It's settled for tonight. I can think about it again tomorrow." She looked at Harry for a long moment, leaning closer to cup his cheeks and kiss him heatedly, passionately. Harry returned the kiss just as much so, holding Aurora close. They broke the kiss to breathe, parting just slightly, face to face, looking each other in the eye. "Since things are settled for now... 24 hour lock in starts now."

They smiled slightly, and started to kiss with even more passion.

X•O°X•O

Street

Eric walked along the street.

Beck walked closer. "Hello, Erickson."

"Beck, hey," Eric told him. "Thanks for answering my text. I know it's late."

Beck shook his head. "It's fine. I'm glad I could help tonight, even if we didn't really help at all."

"It was the thought that counts," Eric pointed out.

Beck nodded in agreement, amused. "That's what I always say." They chuckled. "Are you doing okay?"

"Well, there was a little family moment earlier with almost all of us, so things are a little bit better than they were before, but not much," Eric answered. "I'm sure that once things calm down and we have more time for moments like that without all the drama, things will get better. And then we'll be fine."

Beck nodded in understanding. "Got it. Anything I can help with?"

Eric turned to look at Beck. "Yeah, distract me, Beck. With anything."

Beck looked to the side, nodding, before looking back at Eric. "Okay then. I liked what you said back at Noe and Nate's party. How you're not like the Crew but you don't judge them since we can be like that sometimes too, and you don't have to act like a jerk to fall for someone and treat them right. That they would be elite to you and all of that."

Eric blushed since he had been thinking about Beck while saying all of that. "Right, yeah. I can't believe you remember all that."

"Well, I liked what you said," Beck told him. "It registered pretty deep. Were you thinking of anyone in specific?"

Eric blushed lightly, but knew that he wanted to admit this now, thinking it was time, nodding. "Yeah, actually. I was... I was thinking of you." Beck was only slightly surprised, but very happy since he had had a crush on Eric for so long now. "One of the reasons why Jonathan broke up with me is because he... knew that I liked you. And I think most of my family did too. So..."

"So..." Beck replied. "Eric, it's okay. Um, I've had a crush on you for about a year now. And you were with Jonathan, and last year at the opera, I teamed up with Wyatt to try and get your attention to see if you liked me too, but..."

"That's why you and Wyatt kissed at the opera?" Eric asked in surprise.

Beck nodded. "Not the smartest plan, but Wyatt was also trying to make a point to Dylan since they were broken up at the time."

Eric chuckled. "Right. So you schemed with Wyatt to see if I liked you... and I got into scheming against Jenny first, because she kissed you, plus everything she did to Zaya, Sadie and Laureen, and how she's acting to Hope and Marie now."

Beck smiled. "So we schemed for each other. I like that."

Eric couldn't help but smile back. "Yeah, I... I just don't know what to do now."

Beck looked at Eric for a moment. "I do."

Beck slowly reached to place a hand on Eric's shoulder, fingers laced in his jacket. Eric looked down at his fingers resting within the fabric of his jacket, looking up at Beck, both taking this slow since they were friends, but also having liked each other for a long while, leaned in close, and kissed softly at first, before the kiss became more deep and passionate with every passing moment as it turned into making out.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "And just like that, even Eric van der Woodsen and Beck Boardman can find new love... or at least give into it."

(Song Ends)

X•O°X•O

Algonquin Hotel - Elizabeth's Room

Elizabeth walked toward the door, opening it, revealing Jack and a lawyer, the one that was "helping" Aurora but turned out to be backstabbing her.

"Well?" Jack asked. "Do we have ourselves a hotel?"

"We do," Elizabeth answered.

Jack and the lawyer walked in, closing the door behind them, as they went to look at the paperwork with Elizabeth.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Careful, Chuck. It's an open heart that's vulnerable to the deepest wound. XOXO, Gossip Girl."