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There was a screen shot of a Gossip Girl article announcing Serena and Noe's return and Noe's amnesia, with a picture of them at the Ivy League Party in 1.03.

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

From 1.08 "17 Candles", outside Blair's party, Nate looked at Noe. "Why'd you come out?"

"I felt caged," Noe answered. "I can't stay in one place for too long anymore."

From 2.21 "Seder Anything", in Hope's motel room, Aurora put an arm around Hope's shoulders. Hope leaned her head on Aurora's shoulder, and Aurora rested her chin on Hope's head, both closing their eyes, very emotional.

Blair: (voice over from 2.19 The Grandfather) "Hope Humphrey is Aurora's daughter."

From the first two books, Hope was with the Humphreys as family.

Laureen: (voice over from 2.21 Seder Anything) "And you're happy with your families, both of them, aren't you? Your adoptive family..."

From 2.21 "Seder Anything", in the Waldorf Penthouse and the limo, Hope was shown getting closer with the Waldorf-Diamond-Baizens, all very happy, and a lot of the kids teasing Carter.

Laureen: (voice over from 2.21 Seder Anything) "And the Diamond-Waldorf-Baizen/Roses?"

From 2.21 "Seder Anything", in Laureen's office, Hope and Laureen were having a session.

"It's taking some getting used to and a lot of balancing, but yeah, I think I can get the hang of it," Hope answered.

From 2.19 "The Grandfather", in an empty room at the party, Serena looked at James. "So are you breaking up with me because you want to protect me, or because you need time alone to think everything through?"

"Both," James answered. "But I don't want to lose you, Serena. I still want to be with you, but if they come after me again, and you're with me... you could get hurt."

From 2.20 "Remains of the J", in the loft, Dan sat down next to Rufus. "Hope has so many awards that could get her a scholarship anywhere, and Yale has great financial aid."

"Well, as of now, we're not sure if those awards would apply to both the colleges your sister wants to do, and we're a low priority for Yale," Rufus admitted. "It's all determined by need."

From 2.20 "Remains of the J", in the airport, Gabriel looked at Serena. "I met you last year. You were calling yourself Savannah."

From 2.21 "Seder Anything", in James's room, Serena and James were sitting on James's bed.

"Gabriel and Poppy were over," Serena told him. "And it's not like either one of us planned this."

From 2.21 "Seder Anything", outside the Waldorf building, Serena and Gabriel almost kissed. James was standing inside, having seen.

Serena: (voice over from 2.21 Seder Anything) "This thing between us just happened and we couldn't stop it."

From 2.21 "Seder Anything", in the bar, Marie and Carter met.

Carter smirked. "I'm Carter Baizen."

Marie looked at his outstretched hand for a moment before shaking it. "Marie Rosson." Later, they were playing their game of truth and pool. "I'm looking for my real family. I think I might be able to find them."

From 2.21 "Seder Anything", outside the bar, Marie and Carter were talking.

"Drinking to forget everything for long periods of time, it's not gonna work forever," Marie told him. "I used to do the same thing. It might numb the pain, but it pushes everyone else away. Looks like you could still need the brother you got and his family that he has now. At least then you know you're not alone."

Carter considered this, but changed the subject because he didn't like feeling like he needed the help. "You know a lot about me, you even try to help me, but you still say no to a night together. So are we going or not?"

Marie leaned closer as if to kiss him. Carter smirked triumphantly.

Marie turned her head at the last second to speak into Carter's ear. "I have a feeling you don't give up easily. Game on, Carter Baizen."

Carter gaped in shock. Marie smirked, backing away, winking at Carter, turning around and walking away without a backward glance. Carter watched her go in amusement, unable to believe it, but very intrigued.

In the closing, there was a screen shot of the Gossip Girl website, with a picture of Marie and Carter outside the bar when Marie acted like she was about to kiss Carter in 2.21.

The headline read: New Mystery Girl?

The caption underneath the picture read: Looks like Dark Prince Carter Baizen was unable to nab an intriguing mystery girl the other night at his favorite haunt. Mystery girl wasn't going to be one of his many girls for one night. Good for her! Can you say rejected? We're betting the rest of the WDBZs are having a hay day with this. Though we know that Carter isn't one to give up once he's got something in his sights. And after his last real girlfriend that we know of, Noe van der Woodsen, forgot their relationship entirely, maybe Carter's looking for a second chance at something real. Sound unlikely? We never know with a Baizen brother. But we all know that Carter has a reputation, but no one has a clue about as to who this mystery girl is. Gossip Girl and all you readers are dying to know who this girl is and if we'll see her again, like some of you noticed she was in the club where Noe and Hope were singing goodbye to their old selves for good in the videos sent last night. Can't wait to see what's in store the Dark Prince and this potential mystery princess.

X • O ° X • O

Worlds Colliding (Gossip Girl)

X • O ° X • O

Day One

Marie's Inner World - Castle

(Song:) Some How - Downsyde

There was a montage of the inner world starting from the opening in the ocean that Marie had come through and the others had been around to communicate with her from the inside, to the castle at different parts of the day and every setting there was during each mind state they were in when the tones of the castle and the sky and the ocean would change from light to dark to twisted storms, to the inside of the castle, the courtyard, the corridors, and the gold room where Marie and the others would meet together.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Eventually, every queen finds herself in unfamiliar territory outside the castle walls. In this case, not always living with the comfort of the ones we share everything with."

Marie was not inside the inner world as of now, since she was awake, but the others were talking.

"Brittany, Andrea, come on," Lacy told them. "I got a new game for us."

"No, thanks, Lacy," Andrea told her.

"Can't, thinking of new lyrics and poetry," Brittany told them.

Nick fell back into a couch, lounging, smirking, laughing. "Poetry? Ha!"

Brittany gave him a look. "You look surprised, Nick."

"I'm the writer, not you," Nick told her.

Andrea scoffed. "Please, Nick. You write short stories while Brittany's into music."

"Well, at least Marie sent my short story in to be read by someone who was published in 'The New Yorker'," Nick replied. "She knows literature, good writing. She read to us every night, every night, classics. I always thought she could have a career in writing."

The others smiled in amusement.

"Or music," Brittany added. "Marie's really good at singing. She gets that from me. And the thrill for theater and drama."

"Well, Marie gets the need for fashion, parties and society from me," Lacy replied.

"Well, at least Nick and I give Marie the courage to stand up for herself like she did with the two guys at the bar the other night, even though she clearly liked Carter even though she doesn't want to admit it," Andrea told them. "Marie's just got too many trust issues because of Vincent."

"And she's focused on trying to find the real family," Nick added.

Lacy frowned. "Andrea, she always talks to you. And I get it, it's like she gets to talk to the real Andrea."

"You appeared after the real Andrea died because Marie needed her still since the real Andrea took care of her, took care of us," Nick told her. "And we know everything too and we help out. Just wish..."

"We could be a part of it more," Brittany finished.

"Yeah," Andrea agreed. "I know I'm just an introject. But you guys helped Marie, and each other, for as long as you have, so just be glad for that."

Brittany stood. "True. Just wish I could help her more now. About losing Andrea, about everything."

"There's no 'I' in 'team', Brittany," Lacy told her.

"I know, Lacy," Brittany replied. "But there are 6 I's in Dissociative Identity Disorder."

Nick raised his eyebrows. "That went 0 to 100 real fast. Speaking of fast, Marie better get us some real food fast or I'm taking the wheel and getting us some damn food."

Andrea smirked. "Right, 'cause it's not like you take over every time one of us girls is in control and we have food and you eat it instead."

Nick smirked smugly, raising his eyebrows. "Well, you're just gonna have to get used to it, Andrea. Macy, Lacy and Brittany have."

Lacy rolled her eyes slightly. "We had to settle with it, Nick. Nothing else."

The alters laughed.

X • O ° X • O

Reality

Morning - Street

Marie was walking down the street, not having heard most of what the others had said inside since they were inside the castle and away from the opening in the ocean, but could somewhat feel what they were feeling, looking down.

Carter was walking down the street away from his limo in the opposite direction.

Marie was surprised to see him, raising her eyebrows, turning to look around.

(Song Ends)

Carter noticed her, surprised, smirking. "It's Marie, right?" Marie turned to face him, looking startled that he remembered her name. "Rosson."

"Yeah," Marie answered. "I didn't think you'd remember. We were pretty drunk the other night."

"Kind of hard to forget the girl from the night of 'truth and pool', drunk or not," Carter replied. "The girl I bonded with over the 'dead sister' similarity. The girl that rejected me, but was willing to try to talk some sense into me about stopping a downward spiral so that I didn't push everyone around me away from me." Marie shrugged. "I'm sure when you came to the city to look for your family, you didn't expect to have a night like that with some guy you read about on Gossip Girl."

Marie shook her head. "No, not really. But I mean, I have to admit that I had fun."

"Maybe we could have some more fun," Carter suggested. "What are you doing now?"

"Heading to NYU," Marie answered.

"You go to college there?" Carter asked.

Marie shook her head. "Visiting campus to see if it's for me. I did send in applications and all, but wasn't sure about going there."

Carter chuckled. "Well, at least it means you'd be in the city."

Marie nodded, shrugging. "True. I'm just like really lost. Big city, new around here."

Carter nodded in amusement. "Yeah, it's easily confusing for newbies. But I've been coming down here for years. I could teach you anything you would need to know. The best latte, the best slice. The best pot dealer." Marie laughed. Carter smirked. "How about tomorrow? Or the day after that? Are you free for coffee?"

Marie smirked in amusement. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"Normally I wouldn't have to ask," Carter replied. "But you're a rare breed of girl around here. Or, well, new around here anyway."

Marie smirked at the irony. "You have no idea. And I'll think about it. But I thought I made myself pretty clear that I don't want to get 'involved' with you."

"You did," Carter answered. "Which is why I used the last couple days to think, and I've come up with a proposal."

Marie raised an eyebrow, looking at him in amusement. "Please, do enlighten me."

Carter smirked. "Since you obviously don't wanna be romantically or physically involved with me, yet anyway, which, by the way, your loss--"

Marie tilted her head, drawing out the first word she said while starting to walk away. "Aaaand goodbye."

Carter easily caught up to her, laughing. "Hey, I'm sorry, that was a joke. As I was saying, you made it clear you don't wanna be my girl, so I wanted to ask you to be my friend instead."

"What?" Marie asked.

"Friend," Carter answered like it was obvious. "Do I need to spell it?"

Marie smirked sarcastically, tilting her head, flipping him off. "I'll spell another F word for you."

Carter smirked. "No need. If you're not gonna let me be anything else, that's fine."

Marie looked at him skeptically. "You're asking me to be a friend because I tried to help you the other night?" Carter tilted his head slightly. "Then why do I get the feeling you have other secret intentions, Carter Baizen?"

"I could say the same thing about you," Carter replied. "But I don't. I get that you might not trust me yet, so spend the next few days with me. See for yourself. If after two days you decide you really don't want me in your life, I'll leave you alone for good."

"You know I'm busy trying to find my family," Marie told him.

Carter shrugged. "I could help you."

Marie shook her head. "Nah, it's something that I gotta do on my own." She thought about the others. "Or, well, not alone alone, since I'm never alone, but whatever. But... I'll take your offer of being friends under consideration."

Carter chuckled, impressed, unable to help a small smile. "You are a hard girl to win over, Marie Rosson."

"Yeah," Marie agreed. "But I have a feeling that's why you like me so much. Friend or not."

They both smirked.

X • O ° X • O

Waldorf Penthouse - Living Room

Carter returned home with coffee and a bag of pastries, walking toward the dining room table, where Hope, Thyra, Blair, Wyatt and James were sitting, prepping something. Hope, Thyra, Blair and James were painting umbrellas with gold and blue paint, having done several already.

Wyatt was on his computer, making a logo. "Come on, I need this to be perfect."

Carter reached the table, sitting on the table next to James, putting the bag of pastries on the table. "Remind me again why I got stuck getting the snacks?"

"At least you're not the one with paint on his hands," James told him.

Wyatt smiled innocently. "And because I forced you to help."

"Because in what I guess is good WDBZ fashion, as Gossip Girl now calls us..." Hope trailed off.

"If we suffer through this..." Thyra trailed off.

"You suffer with us," Blair finished.

Carter took a drink of his coffee. "I hate you guys."

Hope, James, Thyra, Wyatt and Blair all said in sync, "No, you don't."

"Though, can I say something?" Blair asked.

Thyra sighed. "Here we go."

"NYU?" Blair asked. "God, what we were thinking? You know how I feel about ironic facial hair."

"Well, we were thinking that we were lucky to get accepted into any school at all," Wyatt answered. "Just like Thyra would be."

"That's true," Thyra agreed.

Hope looked at Wyatt. "But, wait. Are you actually happy to go?"

"God, no," Wyatt answered. "But I'm done being behind on my life plan, so I have to suck it up."

"Are we really back to NYU?" Carter asked.

"Yeah," James answered. "And just because we're dealing with this, don't think we won't talk about the fact that you just came back from flirting with that mystery girl from Gossip Girl."

Carter didn't deny the flirting part. "Her name is Marie." The others smirked in amusement, knowingly. "But yeah, she's thinking about going to NYU too."

"You really like this girl, don't you?" Thyra asked. "This Marie?"

Carter shrugged her off, taking a drink of coffee. "Shut up, Thyra."

Thyra smirked.

"Well, I think it's fitting that you like a girl that helped you even when you were spiraling and even though she rejected you," Hope told him. "Marie sounds awesome by the way."

Wyatt frowned. "I think Gossip Girl said Marie was one of the girls at the club when you and Noe were performing."

"Right, yeah," Thyra agreed. "I think she's the one that helped Noe not fall when she jumped off the table."

"Careful there, Carter," James told him. "Wouldn't want your new potential girl Marie get a bad review about you from your ex-girlfriend Noe."

"Bite me, James," Carter replied. "Speaking of ex-girlfriend Rhodes girls like Noe, how are you and Thyra dealing with Serena and Zaya?" He looked at Thyra. "Not to mention Brooklyn's an adoptive Rhodes girl." He looked at Wyatt and Blair. "And Dylan and Chuck are both Rhodes boys by adoption too. Any boyfriend of Sadie's better watch out in the future, and Richard better watch out for Laureen now, before Laureen ends up snapping like he has."

"Okay, we're done," Thyra told him.

Carter smirked smugly. The others smiled in amusement.

"Well, if Marie could help you stop spiraling and pushing others away, maybe she could calm you down in other things," Blair told him.

Hope smirked. "Don't count on it."

Carter smirked sarcastically.

Aurora walked in. "Good morning, kids."

All six responded in sync, in a singsong voice, "Good morning, Rory."

Aurora smiled. "What are you kids doing?"

"Helping Wyatt make a surprise for Dylan," James answered.

Wyatt looked up at Aurora with a small smile. "I'm going all out."

Aurora smirked. "As always."

"And also teasing Carter about Marie, AKA, the girl who rejected yet helped Carter the other night," Hope added.

Aurora smirked. "Right."

"Plus talking about NYU until Columbia is a sure thing," Wyatt added.

Blair rolled her eyes. "God, I wish Columbia was a sure thing now."

James smirked. "Relax." Hope was messing with her hair. James noticed. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I thought you'd be psyched after Noe, Nate, Brooklyn, Blair, Thyra, Dylan, Wyatt, Zaya, Sadie, Harry and Aurora basically helped set you and Alex back up at the Vanderbilt party," Carter told her. 

"Yeah, yeah," Hope said. "I am. We still have things to talk about, but I just... I have to go."

"Another session with Laureen?" Carter asked. "Laureen von Miller, AKA the Crew's therapist and surrogate mother."

 "Or are you meeting up with the other family?" James asked.

"Second option," Hope answered.

"Are we not gonna talk about the fact that you had to take out a kidnapper to protect yourself?" Wyatt asked. "Like James and Carter had to take out assassins with Angela De Los Caballeros so they could protect themselves?"

Aurora gave him a look. "Wyatt."

"No, Wyatt's right, Aurora," Blair told her. "We need to talk about this. Is the guy that came after her from the same group that went after James, Carter and Angela?"

"No," Aurora answered. "I'm sure that was just someone looking to use Hope to extort money from me but never got the chance."

Carter smirked. "Because Hope had some badass Diamond in her after all. Nicely done."

"Shut up, Carter," Hope replied.

"Aurora, you said you had to give up Hope, and Victoria and Matthew had to leave Thyra with Blair, Wyatt, Eleanor and Harold, or Alex, Nate, Anne, Howie and Harry so that you guys could protect them," James told her. "That's why you guys left Thyra with the Waldorfs or the Archibald-Vanderbilts. Because whatever danger to you Diamonds was bad enough to require it. And you knew about the Silence when Carter called you for help with Angela after she was hurt by the assassins, when Carter, Chuck and Dylan found her."

"This danger that you guys were in, it's why you knew about the Silence, isn't it?" Thyra asked.

Aurora sighed heavily, realizing now was the time to come clean.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Sometimes the Ice Queen has to realize when it's time to tell the truth when her kingdom of royal kids know how to put the pieces together themselves."

Aurora sighed heavily, taking a seat at the head of the table. "I guess I have no choice."

"Nope," Blair agreed.

"Years ago, Victoria, Matthew and I found out something that we shouldn't have known that almost got us killed more than once," Aurora admitted.

"What do you mean?" Wyatt asked.

"There was this... catastrophic event that we knew was going to happen because Rain was a great hacker, like Hope," Aurora admitted. "That's another thing you got from your father." Hope nodded sadly. "He found out about a contract someone ordered to blow up a plane, and we tried to stop it, but we couldn't because we never knew who was behind it. But we weren't going to stop looking for answers, especially when it became clear that we were being targeted."

Thyra looked horrified. "This is what you meant by trying to find out if the plane crash my parents in was an accident or not, like with Carter trying to find out about James and Caroline's crash." Aurora nodded. "You really think these people, the Silence, killed my parents?"

"I'm not sure, Thyra," Aurora told her sadly. "That's what I've been trying to figure out." The kids all looked at each other, stunned, and sympathetic for Thyra. "And if so, then I need to figure out who was behind it. The Silence is a lot bigger than you think."

James sighed, frustrated. "Yeah, Angela gave us the headlines."

"And you didn't tell anyone because you didn't want to put anyone in danger," Wyatt told her.

"Exactly, but then all of this started to happen, and you were putting the pieces together, and I knew that if I didn't tell you, you would keep digging, and one of you could get hurt again, or worse," Aurora told them.

Hope was stunned. "This is why you didn't want my adoptive parents telling me that I was adopted. This is why you didn't let anyone know that you were my mother. Because you were trying so hard to protect me from this."

Aurora nodded sadly. "I was. And I'm sorry that I failed, Hope."

"You didn't fail, Aurora," Hope told her. "I'm okay. I mean, sure, yeah, there was a hiccup with the kidnapping, but that wasn't the Silence, like you said. So... but, wait, how the hell did Jack Bass know that I was your daughter?"

"Well, Bart was in the Silence, and he had many PIs on hand," Blair explained. "Jack does too, and maybe... maybe he's in it too. Maybe he found out on his own and that's when he decided to use it against us."

They all nodded.

Aurora took Hope and Thyra by the hands, looking between them, Blair, Wyatt, James and Carter. "Listen to me, all of you. I need you to stop looking. About Victoria, about Matthew. About Caroline and the crash and the fact James and Carter's father was technically the reason behind it because he screwed up. I don't want any of you getting hurt. Thyra, this is why your parents and I had made sure that we taught you to fight, and Hope, I really think you need to consider about learning to fight yourself, because if you get into a situation like that again..."

"I know," Hope agreed. "And... I do. Wanna learn, I mean. I can't feel weak like that again."

"Neither do I," James agreed.

"Then we'll teach you," Thyra told them.

"But we can't give up looking for answers and let them get away with it, Aurora," James told her. "Caroline is dead because of them. Carter and I almost died because of them. And so have you. And if you're right, then Thyra's parents are dead because of them."

"We're not letting them get away with anything, James," Aurora told him. "I will keep looking, but I'm not letting any of you put yourselves in danger because of this. Anymore than you already have. Do all of you understand?"

Hope, Blair and Wyatt nodded meekly. "Yeah."

Aurora gave Thyra, James and Carter a look since they didn't answer, and all three looked angry since they lost family because of the Silence and they wanted justice. "Do you understand?"

Thyra, James and Carter exchanged a look but sighed.

"Yeah," Thyra answered.

"We understand," James answered.

"You can't tell me to stay out of this, Aurora," Carter told her. "I'm in it. Literally. The club, the Silence. If I can build my way up from the inside, I can find out for real about Caroline, about Thyra's parents. I can find out a lot easier than you can. And I can make sure that you, Hope, Thyra, James and Angela stay safe, since Angela's still in danger too even if she's off the radar."

Aurora knew he was right but was still worried, sighing heavily, not knowing what to do.

Hope looked upset that her aunt and uncle could have been killed by this organization, taking Thyra by the hand because Thyra was deeply upset about her parents. Aurora took both their hands. The three Diamond girls looked at James and Carter with understanding since the Baizen brothers had suffered deeply because of the organization, and lost Caroline because of it, and nearly their own lives. Blair and Wyatt looked at the five of them in worry and concern, sympathetic for all they lost and went through because of the Silence, and scared of losing them because of it.

"What do we do now?" Blair asked.

"We can't just act like nothing's wrong and go back to our lives, Aurora," Wyatt told her.

"That's exactly what you're going to do, because it's the only way that I know of to keep all of you safe," Aurora told them.

Thyra sighed. "We just go along with our lives then. Love lives, personal lives, professional, school."

James looked at Hope. "You can't tell your adoptive family about this."

"I know," Hope agreed. "And I won't. I don't want to put them in danger."

"Some of the Crew already knows about the Silence because of the attacks," Carter pointed out. "And because Chuck and Dylan have big mouths." The others smirked in amusement and agreement. "Telling Noe, Hope, Alex and Nate before all this so they could help them remember what happened at the party with Angela and everything. And they had told Brooklyn and Zaya obviously. But not Sadie. And James broke up with Serena because of all this and because we were both dealing with the truth about what happened with Caroline and the crash."

"We just have to make sure that no one else outside the Crew finds out," James told them.

"So we can still keep everyone protected," Wyatt agreed.

Blair nodded in agreement, sighing. "Okay."

Hope looked at them in concern. "Are you sure you guys want me to go? I mean, I could stay here."

"You're the one that wanted a balance for your families, Hope," Aurora pointed out. "And I love that about you. That you don't want to let go of your adoptive family because your heart is so big."

"I don't," Wyatt said nonchalantly.

"Me neither," Blair agreed.

Thyra shook her head. "They're horrible."

"Not to mention hypocrites," James added, taking a drink of his orange juice.

"What do you like about them again?" Wyatt asked.

"I grew up with them, get over it," Hope told them.

"Yeah, I'm no nice guy, but damn, does your adoptive family sucks," Carter told her.

"It's bad when even Carter knows that," Wyatt told them.

"Yeah, why settle for the catfish when you have the caviar right here?" Blair asked.

"Shut up," Hope told them.

Thyra, Wyatt, James, Blair and Carter smirked. Aurora chuckled. They all stood.

Thyra looked at Hope. "Go. We'll be okay."

Hope nodded, giving Thyra a hug. Thyra returned the embrace, closing her eyes. Blair and Wyatt hugged them. James and Carter looked at them with understanding after everything they just found out. 

Hope pulled Carter and James into the hug. "Get over here, you two."

"I don't hug," Carter told them.

"Yeah, hugging's not necessary," James agreed.

"Get over yourselves," Thyra replied.

Hope, Thyra, Blair, Wyatt and James laughed lightly. Carter smirked, rolling his eyes, shaking his head in amusement. Aurora looked at them in amusement, sad that a lot of their normal lives would be different now, but was glad that they could still get through this together. Hope and Thyra brought Aurora into the hug with the kids.

X • O ° X • O

Pawn Shop

The Humphreys (including Hope) were in the shop, looking around.

Hope looked at her adoptive family. "Sorry I'm late. Um, Thyra, Wyatt, James, Blair, Carter, Aurora and I were just having a serious talk."

"It's fine," Rufus told her. "I'm just glad that you and I are back on speaking terms."

Hope managed a small smile, as Rufus pulled her into a hug. Jenny and Dan hugged her when they pulled away.

"Sorry about the things I said at the party," Dan told her.

"I know," Hope agreed.

"You okay?" Jenny asked.

"Just dealing with a lot," Hope answered.

Rufus looked at Hope and Dan. "Well, you two get to pick out anything you want. You're graduating high school. That's a big deal. How about a trunk? Trunks are great for storage. Books, you're gonna have a lot of books at college. Hey, Jenny, maybe you need a trunk, too. Anyone you want."

"Dad, what's with this newfound interest in antiquing?" Jenny asked.

Rufus looked around happily, practically skipping. "Oh, I'm just stimulating the economy by rewarding my fantastic kids, and it so happens that the, uh, gallery was a great investment. It's listening for three times what I paid for."

"You didn't get soaked when the real estate bubble burst?" Dan asked.

"Well, it's not as much as I would've gotten at the top of the market, but I'll be able to send you all to school and have a little breathing room to figure out what I want to do next," Rufus told them, looking at Hope. "Especially if you're seriously considering taking your birth mother's help. Even though I don't like the idea of taking pity money."

"It's not pity money since Aurora's my mother," Hope pointed out. "Laureen's really helping me get to a good place with Aurora, Thyra, James, Carter, Blair, Wyatt, Eleanor and Cyrus. I'm really happy." Dan, Jenny and Rufus nodded, seeing that she was. "And I might not even need the money anyway. But it's good to have a back up plan."

Rufus looked at an engagement ring in a display case. "Yes, it is."

"You should've taken up James on his offer to buy," Dan told him. "Or the offer to consider his option to buy or whatever."

"And you should consider cooking classes," Hope told him.

"Yeah, I mean, even I'm getting tired of your waffles, Dad," Jenny agreed.

Hope smirked.

Rufus pointed at them. "Not cool. I sometimes make chili."

Dan walked over to Rufus, seeing what he was looking at. "It looks a little delicate for your hand."

"Don't get any ideas, big shot," Rufus told him. "I'm just looking." His phone rang. He pulled it out. "It's Lily. One sec."

Rufus walked away to answer.

Dan whistled to get Hope and Jenny's attentions while they were looking through the shop. "Hey." Hope and Jenny walked closer. "Check out what Dad was looking at."

Dan pointed out the engagement ring Rufus was looking at. Hope and Jenny were both surprised and intrigued, exchanging a knowing look with Dan and each other.

X • O ° X • O

VDW/Bass Apartment - Living Room

Noe, Serena, Zaya, Sadie and Brooklyn walked in after having going shopping together, talking happily about their love lives.

"I mean, what I had with Thyra was not even a relationship, but it was fun, whatever it was," Zaya told them. "And I'm glad that you two are back together, Brooklyn. You two deserve each other, and I do mean that in the best way possible."

Brooklyn smirked. "Well, thank you, Zaya."

"But my ex-boyfriend at Unity was a complete joke, and not just because I found out that I'm into girls," Zaya told him. "He was a total douche that betrayed me for Lana. Total waste of time."

"Come on, Brooklyn, you've gotta tell us about what it's like being back with Thyra," Sadie told her.

"It's amazing," Brooklyn answered. "I mean, we're both so much better than we were before. We've gotten to be better for each other, better for ourselves. Thyra's doing so good with her own issues, and Laureen's been helping with mine like she helps all of the Crew, so..."

They smiled.

"Right," Serena agreed. "That's so amazing, Brooklyn. And Dan was fine, okay? James was amazing though. I loved it, even though now he's not ready for anything after everything with the..." She looked at Sadie, looking at the older girls. "You know what with you know who."

The girls nodded.

Sadie frowned. "What?"

The other girls said, "Nothing."

"What about you, Noe?" Zaya asked. "Any other ex-boyfriend stories?"

Noe pretended to think. "You know, I can't remember if I have ever had another boyfriend aside from Nate and Carter." Serena, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie looked concerned. Noe smiled. "I'm kidding."

Sadie hit Noe's shoulder. "That is so not funny."

Noe smirked. "Good, because that wasn't much of a joke. I don't remember much of being with Carter, but I do know that Nate's my first real boyfriend."

"Come on, you've been with your dad most of your life," Brooklyn told her. "How are we supposed to know any of the good stories about your life before the accident and you came back here?"

"Nate is my first, if that's what you're asking," Noe told them. "Shepherd wedding thing was a scandal, but it was my first time. And he's good to me. Good for me. And he's learned a thing or two."

Brooklyn smiled, pulling a bottle of wine out of the fridge. "Hmm, so being a kept man does have its perks."

"How's the foreigner, Serena?" Zaya asked.

"Zaya, Gabriel is from North Carolina," Serena told her. "That's in the United States."

"Not by choice," Zaya replied. "Let me remind you of a little thing called the Civil War."

The girls laughed lightly.

"No, seriously," Sadie told her. "Details!"

The girls smiled.

"Everything with Gabriel is perfect," Serena told them. "No strings, no demands, except he is so focused on building his new company that he can never commit to anything. Dinner reservations, movies. Sometimes he'll get a text for a meeting, and then, poof, he's gone."

"Well, if it's casual like you say, no strings, then what do you expect?" Noe asked, picking up a cherry to eat. "It's not like you're gonna marry the guy."

"I kind of did marry him," Serena told them, taking an awkward drink. Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie looked at her in confusion. "We got carried away. I talked to Cyrus, and Aurora just to be sure. They both said it doesn't count."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, back up," Sadie told her.

"Let me get this straight," Brooklyn told her. "He goads you into making the ultimate commitment, and now he can't stick it out through a whole dinner?"

"He didn't goad me," Serena told them. "It was... romantic."

"Gabriel sounds like my ex from Unity," Zaya told her. "And you know how that turned out. Pictures emailed out, dyslexia broadcasted, betrayed by my friend and my boyfriend."

"Zaya's right, Gabriel is disappearing for a reason," Sadie told them. "We need to get to the bottom of it."

Noe laughed at their enthusiasm to find this out. "No, we don't."

"Oh, come on," Brooklyn told them. "Let's follow him tonight."

Sadie gasped, smiling excitedly. "We can dress up, use code names. I've always wanted to be a spy."

"Sadie's actually really good with surveillance equipment," Zaya told them. "Doesn't that sound at all fun?"

Serena shook her head. "No, not even a smidgen."

Noe looked at Zaya and Sadie in amusement. "I think you two are desperate to find another reason to be out of your house tonight."

"Laureen at work, Richard at home, and you two are on a witch hunt," Brooklyn told them in amusement. "Zaya, Sadie, don't worry. I'll help you."

Noe shrugged. "Yeah, why not? It sounds like fun."

Zaya and Sadie smiled. Serena gave the four girls a look, shaking her head.

Sadie looked at Serena with an innocent look. "So what exactly are you guys doing tonight?"

Serena gave Sadie an amused look. "No. Noe, Brooklyn, do not encourage Zaya and Sadie for a witch hunt of my new boyfriend."

"Yeah, well, maybe you should be trying to work things out with James instead, and then you wouldn't have this problem," Zaya replied.

"Team James over Team Gabriel or Team Dumphrey any day," Sadie told them.

Zaya, Noe and Brooklyn smiled in agreement.

"I mean, you did marry James first, Serena," Brooklyn told her. "You're like the queen of weddings that don't count."

Serena nodded sarcastically.

Noe smirked. "Hmm. James has got to work through things, but the way you said he helped you cover with Mom where Gabriel was concerned... you still love each other, obviously."

"Come on, Serena, give us an alternative about what to do tonight, because we are at a loss for options," Zaya told her.

Serena was thinking. "Well, I can formally introduce Gabriel to Mom and Laureen. Right here in this apartment, with all four of you, and Dylan and Eric. I doubt Chuck would be here. But at least then I could get you guys to trust him."

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie scoffed. 

"Not likely," Noe told her.

"Fat chance," Brooklyn agreed.

"He sounds too much like my ex-boyfriend," Zaya told her. 

"I don't like him already," Sadie stated.

Serena gave them an amused look. Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie smirked.

X • O ° X • O

Basketball Court

(Song:) Somehow - Downsyde

James was playing basketball shirtless, not caring that his scars from the car crash were exposed. Chuck, Alex, Nate, Dylan and Wyatt walked by, shocked to see his scars, but they all tried to act like it was not a big deal.

James turned to face them. "Hey."

"Hey," Dylan replied. "I see your basketball game's improved."

James shrugged. "Had a lot of free time on my hands when I was away. There was a basketball hoop outside the hospital where I took Caroline."

The boys nodded in understanding.

James tossed the ball to Alex. Alex tossed the ball up at the hoop, making the shot.

"Almost missed the shot," Nate told him. "You distracted?"

"Yeah," Alex answered. "Things with Hope."

Chuck nodded awkwardly. "I thought Nate, Noe, Brooklyn, Thyra, Dylan, Wyatt, Zaya, Sadie, Blair, Harry and Aurora set you and Hope back up at the Archibald/Vanderbilt event, Alex."

"Sort of, in a way," Alex answered. "We still got things to talk through."

"Yeah, Hope said the same thing," James told him.

"We do know that she's nervous but excited," Wyatt told him. "Had to stop a ramble about it this morning."

Chuck smirked in amusement. "You can take the Diamond out of Brooklyn, but can't take the ramble out of her."

"Good," Alex replied. "Means she didn't completely lose herself. But she is changing, and whoever she is, I want to find out and be there for her. Same for the rest of the Crew."

"Good for you, Alex," Dylan told him. "Even though Hope and Noe have changed completely like they sang loud and clear, you and Nate didn't give up. What about you, James?"

"What do you mean?" James asked.

Nate chuckled. "You know what he means, James. Serena."

"Yeah, at least Alexander and Nathaniel are doing something about their changing relationships with Hope and Nevaeh, past and present," Chuck agreed. "You broke up with Serena because of too much change, not because of her, but because of you and the Silence and everything to do with that. What are you thinking, James?"

James sighed. "Serena's better off without me, believe me."

"Oh, come on," Wyatt told him. "You're crazy abut her, and you do nothing about it. How are you gonna live with yourself knowing you barely even tried?"

"She's with Gabriel now, okay?" James asked. "And it's complicated."

"Yeah, well, if you even competed, you would win, no contest," Dylan replied. "Serena's happier with you than anyone else, believe me."

"And you're happier with her," Wyatt added.

"Come on, James," Alex told him. "You're twice the man he is."

James sighed. "Which is why I got to let Serena go. If the threat comes back, she's just in more danger. You think that I won't be able to live with myself knowing I didn't try to get her back? How do you think I'll live with myself if I got her back and she got hurt because of me? Or worse?"

They knew he had a point, but they were disappointed, letting it go for now. 

X • O ° X • O

The Palace - Boardman Penthouse - Living Room

Beck was sitting with Emma and Elizabeth. "I'm gonna pass my driver's test. I don't want to be driven around all the time."

"As if Dad would let you take the test," Emma told him, showing a newspaper article to Elizabeth.

"You spoke with a reporter?" Elizabeth asked.

"And made Dad look like a Batman villain who hates his gay son," Emma answered, looking at Beck in amusement.

Beck shrugged, unbothered. "Well, it's true."

Malchus walked into the room. "Beck, a word?"

Elizabeth turned to Emma. "Okay, peanuts, let's get you to school on time for once."

"Peanuts?" Emma asked. "Seriously, Mom?"

"Come on, Emma," Elizabeth told her.

Emma gestured to Beck and Malchus. "But this is gonna be good."

Emma and Elizabeth both sighed, walking out of the room.

Beck stood, turning to his father. "I would also like to go to school."

Malchus shook his head. "Not today." He brought over a golf club set. "So anyway I want you to try these out and see if they're the right height for you."

Beck took one of the clubs, chuckling in surprise. "Wait, you want to go golfing?"

Malchus nodded. "Yes, I do. I have the day off and I know I don't have to convince you to skip school and I'll even let you drive."

"Yeah, but I haven't even passed my road test yet," Beck told him.

"Yeah, you're not going to if you don't squeeze in a little practice," Malchus replied.

Beck was suspicious. "So we're not going to talk about the article?"

"Beck, I'm not proud of the way I reacted to the news of you and this boy you like," Malchus told him. "Gay, straight, whatever you are, I just want you to know that I accept you."

Beck smiled a bit. "Well, just so you know, I'll probably be crushing you with these."

They both laughed.

Malchus smiled. "I expect nothing less from my son." He tossed a pair of keys to Beck. "There you go."

X • O ° X • O

Street

Brooklyn and Thyra were walking together.

Brooklyn was stunned. "Aurora's sure that your parents's crash had to do with the Silence? Like James and Caroline's?"

"She's not sure," Thyra answered. "But it's looking like it, yeah. I mean, Brooklyn, all of this... it's starting to make sense why Aurora had to give up Hope."

"And why your parents left you constantly with the Waldorfs and Archibald/Vanderbilts," Brooklyn agreed. "It wasn't because they didn't care about you, but because of the danger the Diamonds were in. Aurora and your parents loved you and Hope so much they had to stay away from you to make sure you were safe. That's why you had to grow up with Blair, Wyatt, Alex, Nate, Harry and the others."

"Yeah," Thyra agreed sadly. "I'm starting to think that James had the right idea with breaking up with Serena to keep her safe. Because if this is all true..."

Brooklyn turned to give Thyra a look, shaking her head. "Uh-uh. If you're really in danger, then I'm not letting you push me away. Do not make the same mistake I made, okay? Thyra, I just got you back. And you know how to protect yourself."

"But you don't," Thyra replied.

"Then I'll learn," Brooklyn countered. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that you're safe. That Blair, Wyatt, James, Carter, Hope and Aurora are safe too. You're not getting rid of me that easily, Thyra."

"Brooklyn..." Thyra trailed off, conflicted. "Hope already got kidnapped and she had to kill, on accident, to defend herself, and that wasn't even a guy from the Silence, we don't think. Just some guy looking for a pay day. And James and Carter had to kill to protect themselves from the assassins that went after them, and Angela De Los Caballeros. If it came down to it, I know Rory would kill to protect herself and others, and if it meant getting justice for Caroline and my parents, I would. Especially if it meant protecting myself, you and the Crew, the Vanderbilts like Harry in case he becomes a target."

"And you don't think I would too?" Brooklyn asked.

"No, I know you would," Thyra answered. "But James and Hope have been torn up since they had to kill to save themselves. Carter's obviously okay with it, but... I don't want you to have to find out how you deal with it."

"Oh, I know that I'm more than likely gonna be fine," Brooklyn replied. "Look, I know I don't know how to fight, but I'm willing to learn if it means that I get to help you and your family. I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you or them. Please, just let me help. And don't push me away."

Thyra was considering this seriously, looking awed and moved by the lengths Brooklyn was willing to go. "You'd really do that for me?"

"Of course I would," Brooklyn answered. "How could you even ask me that?"

They both smiled, happy yet a little emotional.

Thyra swallowed, closing her eyes, shaking her head before nodding. "Okay. Fine, fine." She opened her eyes. They both smiled. "I'll teach you. Aurora, Carter and I have to teach Hope and James anyway so that they're not vulnerable ever again. James knows how to use a gun, but he needs to be able to fight too. And Harry's willing to help since he knows how to fight too. I'm sure that once Alex finds out, he'll want to learn too."

"So Harry, Aurora and Carter, and you can teach me too, like Hope, James and Alex, and I'll get any other training in the city if I have to," Brooklyn told her, taking Thyra's hands in her own, pulling her closer. "We're gonna be okay, Thyra. We'll find out what happened with your parents, and if the Silence really did have them killed like they did with Caroline, and tried to do with James and Carter, then we'll find a way to make them pay. I promise. Okay?"

Thyra nodded, tears in her eyes after everything she learned, more angry and determined than sad. "Okay."

Brooklyn pulled Thyra into an embrace protectively, to be there for her in any way she could. Thyra held onto Brooklyn tightly, closing her eyes. They shared a slow, sweet and passionate kiss that got more heated and passionate as the kiss went on.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Looks like Brooklyn Bass and Thyra Diamond are ready to start a war. If we know anything about these two princesses, and soon to be queens, of the Upper East Side, they know how to win a battle. But is this fight a war they can win, or will they go down in flames with everyone and everything else?"

X • O ° X • O

Eleanor's Atelier

Hope was working.

Chuck arrived. "Back to work, I see."

Hope was awkward to see him after 2.20. "I just needed to keep busy."

"Right," Chuck agreed. "I see you haven't spilled our dirty little secret to Alex."

"I will, when we can talk, but I'm working right now, obviously," Hope told him. "And I take it you didn't tell Blair."

"Kind of not," Chuck answered.

"Well, I'm just barely now getting to a good place with this new family, and I don't want that to get ruined, so I'm definitely gonna need something to make up for this," Hope told him.

Chuck raised his eyebrows. "One of the reasons I came by, actually. Since you are just now starting a family with James, Blair, Wyatt, Thyra and Carter because of being Aurora's daughter, I know you wouldn't want anything to ruin it like a mistake that happened during a spiral."

"And you wouldn't want to lose Blair forever because of this," Hope replied. "You're clearly miserable without her, she is too."

"Like you and Alex aren't miserable without each other?" Chuck replied. "But you got Alex back. And I have a feeling I might be able to get Blair back too."

"Well, good luck with that," Hope told him. "If I could do anything to help, I would, since I owe her, for helping me and Alex, and for drunkenly hooking up with you while in a downward spiral. Plus because of this new link we have as a... blooming family. I am going to tell her, I just... need to find a way to make it right."

"That's actually why I wanted to talk to you," Chuck told her. "I knew that you would want to pay Blair back for you and Alex, and for what... transpired between you and me."

"You talk about it like you're making a business deal," Hope told him skeptically.

Chuck shrugged. "If you find that hard to believe, you should see--"

Hope closed her eyes. "Don't finish that sentence." Chuck smirked. "What do you want, Chuck?"

"Your expertise," Chuck answered, showing a sketch to Hope of a black and gold ball gown. "This is a sketch made by a young Blair, Brooklyn, Thyra, Serena and Noe from a book about a perfect prom. This was Blair's fantasy dress."

Hope realized where he was going with this. "And you want to give it to her, don't you?" Chuck didn't answer. Hope smiled. "Aw, you do have a heart after all. You and Carter are both showing your soft sides today for Blair and Marie."

"Do you want to help or not?" Chuck asked.

Hope smirked. "Sorry. You want me to make the dress."

Chuck nodded. "I want you to make the dress. You'd be paid handsomely for it."

"I'm making this for Blair, who is like family now," Hope pointed out. "I don't need to be paid."

Chuck shrugged. "And considering you've been wearing your own designs since the moment you stepped onto everyone's radar at the Kiss on the Lips party last year, and so forth, I know that you have the talent to get this done."

Hope picked up the sketch to look over the dress, knowing it would be easy. "This dress. Oh, yeah, I got this."

Chuck smirked. "I know you do."

X • O ° X • O

Country Club

Beck and Malchus walked into the room, having a happy talk for once.

"Do you remember my first club pairs?" Beck asked.

"Yes, I remember those clubs going through the pool house window," Malchus answered. "That's what I remember."

"Well, I was playing Spider Man and I was seven," Beck replied. They laughed. "Okay, so what's this about?"

"What do you mean?" Malchus asked.

"I humiliated you in the newspaper," Beck told him. "I called you a homophobe. Then you bring me golfing and let me drive. Why?"

Malchus shook his head. "You are my son. Sometimes I feel like I don't know anything about you."

"That's because we're always fighting," Beck told him. "You, Mom, you all blamed me for the affair because of my issues, and that wasn't fair."

"I know it wasn't fair," Malchus agreed. "We all have to work on this, huh? Come here." He pulled Beck into an embrace. "Ah, you're a good kid."

Photographers were in the room, taking pictures, causing Beck and Malchus to pull away.

"What the hell?" Beck asked.

Malchus sighed, looking pleased. "Looks like the press found us. Oh, come on, guys. This is supposed to be my day off."

"Sorry, but it's a rare opportunity to catch a genuine moment with your son," the female reporter told him. "Care to comment?"

Malchus put an arm around Beck's shoulders. "Well, I mean, all I can say is that when your child comes out of the closet, it's a very difficult time for everyone. But the important thing to remember is that you just keep communicating, and you just keep loving them no batter what. But I do wish the LGBT community just understands that I'm learning, I'm growing as a person and as a father. Beck?"

Beck, realizing that Malchus set this entire day up just so he could set up this interview to do damage control and put on an act, was completely fed up, walking away.

X • O ° X • O

Night - VDW/Bass Apartment - Living Room

Serena had set up the dinner so that she could formally introduce Gabriel to Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya, Sadie, Dylan, Eric, Lily and Laureen.

"And then my grandfather says, 'if it's Menthol you want, it's Menthol you're gonna get," Gabriel told them.

Lily laughed.

Laureen chuckled out of politeness, not really finding it funny. "I didn't know your family was in the tobacco industry."

"Yeah, they are, but Gabriel doesn't want anything to do with it," Serena told them.

"They were grooming me to take over, but I had to break out on my own and do something positive," Gabriel told them. Noe, Zaya, Sadie and Brooklyn exchanged a skeptic look, clearly not buying Gabriel's tale. "So I started researching new technologies and found a company that wants to provide wireless access to the developing world. So I've been backing them. I mean, it sounds like such a good thing, but to my family, it is betrayal."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Eric told him. "Family is so important."

"And we know a thing or two about betrayal and how to recognize some signs, or at least be skeptical of it," Zaya told him.

Serena gave Zaya a look. "Zaya."

Lily's phone rang. She pulled it out. "Oh, excuse me. Oh, I asked the caterer for a '99 Brunello. This isn't a PTA meeting."

"Though nothing's as important as the right wine," Laureen told them.

Dylan raised his glass. "Amen to that."

They laughed.

"Look, I apologize," Lily told them. "Laureen and I are hosting the co-op meeting tomorrow."

Laureen sighed. "It'll be an hour long battle over lobby renovations, followed by cocktails and appetizers."

Lily looked at Gabriel. "You're welcome to join us. Keep Serena company."

"Yeah, we could get to know you better," Sadie told him suspiciously. "See what else we can learn."

Serena bopped a finger on Sadie's nose to try to get her to stop. "Sadie. Shh."

Sadie pushed her hand away lightly. "Don't tell me what to do."

Laureen looked at Zaya and Sadie in amusement, wondering what their deal was that night.

"I'd be honored," Gabriel told them.

Brooklyn looked at Noe, nodding to Gabriel.

"Hey, who's up for a movie?" Noe suggested, testing Gabriel.

Zaya and Sadie raised their hands. "Me."

"Yeah," Brooklyn answered.

"Sure," Eric answered.

Dylan shrugged. "Why not?"

"Yes," Lily answered.

Laureen smiled. "I'd love that."

"Do you know what?" Gabriel asked. "That sounds lovely, but..." Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie exchanged a knowing look, not surprised. Serena gave them a look. Dylan, Eric and Laureen noticed the exchange, frowning a bit in confusion. Lily didn't notice as she was too busy on her phone. Gabriel looked at Serena. "I'm sorry, honey. I have some work to do. So... this has been great. Thank you very much, but I'm afraid I have to go."

Gabriel and Serena stood, walking a short distance away.

"Gabriel, it's a movie," Serena told him. "You know, most of them are only, like, 80 minutes these days."

"And you know that there's nothing else I'd rather do, but I'm a little behind on reviewing the prospectus," Gabriel told her. "This is important to me."

"Yeah, and you spending time with my family is important to me," Serena told him.

"My deal will be closed soon, and then I'm all yours," Gabriel told her. "I promise." He kissed Serena chastely. "I'll see you tomorrow. Let me get my coat."

Gabriel walked out, leaving.

Serena sighed, walking upstairs to go to her room.

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie exchanged a look, standing.

"What are you four up to?" Laureen asked.

"Nothing," Noe lied.

"We just need some air," Brooklyn told them.

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie walked out. Dylan and Eric exchanged a look, knowing they were up to something, standing, following them.

X • O ° X • O

Outside

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie were spying on Gabriel. Dylan and Eric walked closer. Chuck arrived home.

"What's going on?" Eric asked.

"You don't know spying when you see it?" Dylan asked in amusement.

Chuck chuckled. "Who are we spying on tonight?"

"Serena's shady southerner," Zaya answered.

"Well, I can't say he does much for me, either," Chuck told them. "But why the intrigue?"

"Boredom, and Zaya and Sadie are trying everything they can to avoid going home," Brooklyn answered.

"We're worried for our cousin," Sadie replied. "And all of you are worried about your sister, adopted/blood alike, otherwise you wouldn't be here. Serena said Gabriel just disappears." She made 'poof' gestures with both hands to illustrate her point, eyebrows raised in a sassy look. "Poof!"

Noe shrugged. "Well, we're gonna find out where he's poofing to." She saw Gabriel on the way out. "Get down!"

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya, Sadie, Dylan, Eric and Chuck all ducked into hiding, watching Gabriel.

"It feels like we're in the middle of some spy movie," Eric told them.

Chuck smirked. "Shh."

"Look," Zaya told them. Gabriel walked toward a limo. Poppy got out of the limo, smiling. "Poppy?"

Gabriel and Poppy embraced, as Gabriel pushed Poppy lightly into the limo behind her, both smiling and holding each other close.

Sadie's mouth dropped. "Oh... my... God."

Noe took out her phone, taking a picture. "Got them."

Eric sighed. "Have fun explaining this to Serena. She's not gonna believe a word of it, even with the picture, Noe. Especially since you, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie are acting like on a witch hunt."

"A well deserved one," Sadie replied. "Eric, we were right."

"I know, but..." Eric trailed off.

"And leave making Serena believe to us, Eric," Zaya told him.

"What do we do?" Dylan asked.

Brooklyn tilted her head. "Well, when a family likes us discovers one of our own is with a dragon in disguise, the only thing to do is pull up the drawbridge and trap the son of a bitch."

"You are speaking metaphorically, right?" Chuck asked.

Brooklyn smirked, playing innocent. "Of course."

Noe, Zaya, Sadie, Dylan, Eric and Chuck gave Brooklyn a skeptical look, knowing that she would mean that literally. They all watched as Gabriel and Poppy got into the limo and drove away.

X • O ° X • O

X • O ° X • O

The Palace - Boardman Penthouse - Living Room

Beck was alone, sitting on the couch at home.

Malchus walked in. "What is wrong with you? You made a mockery of me back at the course."

"Me?" Beck asked. He stood. "You acted like you wanted to spend time with me, but you called the press? All you ever do is manipulate everything. I can't believe I fell for this."

Beck walked away.

Malchus started to follow. "Beck. Hang on. Where do you think you're going?"

"Away, where at least one person gives a crap about me," Beck answered.

Malchus shook his head. "No, not until we finish talking."

Beck continued to walk away. "No."

Malchus grabbed Beck's arms forcefully, pulling him back, almost violently. "Do not walk away from me when I'm talking to you!" He pushed Beck into the wall, but looked shocked by his outburst and what he had just done, while Beck looked shocked as well, like nothing like this had happened before. "Oh, God. Oh, God, oh... That was an accident. I'm sorry."

Beck looked shaken up. "Okay. Now can I go?"

"Yeah," Malchus answered. "Yeah."

Beck walked away, clearly rattled and upset.

X • O ° X • O

Day Two

Morning - VDW/Bass Apartment - Serena's Room

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie were trying to get Serena to listen.

"You have to dump him," Noe told her.

"Yeah, we caught that redneck red-handed," Brooklyn told her.

"Well, obviously I'm not thrilled, but I'm gonna get to the bottom of this on my own," Serena told them. 

"If you could do it on your own, you would have by now," Zaya replied.

"You know, it was Friday night, and we could've been out there watching a movie instead of trying to help you with this little Nancy Drew case," Sadie told her. "Why can't anybody watch a movie around here? I told you I had bad vibes when I first met Poppy, and I have the same ones with Gabriel."

"Sadie, you can't base things off of 'bad vibes'," Serena told her, amused but exasperated.

"When we find the two sleazes together, we can," Brooklyn replied.

Gabriel walked in.

Noe gave Serena a significant look. "We'll talk to you later."

Zaya gave Gabriel a suspicious look, before looking at Serena. "Call us if you need anything."

Noe, Zaya, Sadie and Brooklyn walked out. Serena sighed.

Gabriel walked closer to Serena. "Serena, there's something you should know. Last night, I was..."

X • O ° X • O

Park - Riverside

Nate and Noe were walking along the riverside in the park.

"Spying on that boyfriend of Serena's," Noe told him. "Philanderer."

"Really?" Nate asked, seeming amused.

"Brooklyn, Dylan, Chuck, Zaya, Sadie, Eric and I saw him with Poppy," Noe explained.

"So that's where you disappeared to," Nate told her.

Noe shook her head. "I didn't disappear. We did all of this from the comfort of my own home."

Nate chuckled. "I guess that makes everything better and easier, huh?"

"Well, not the awkward tension at dinner last night," Noe answered. "I can tell you that." She turned to face Nate. "And unlike some people we know..." She coughed into her sleeve. "Serena." Nate smiled. "At least this relationship comes without secrets and lies. Not anymore."

Nate smiled. "We're really lucky." Noe nodded. They smiled, drawn into a kiss for a long moment, pulling away. "Ready to go have lunch?"

"Oh, yeah," Noe answered.

They smiled, chuckling, walking on.

Nate looked at Noe curiously. "Why did you want to meet out here anyway? I could've easily come to your place."

"I know, I know," Noe agreed. "It's just... I got that feeling like I couldn't stay inside because it felt like the walls were closing me in, and I felt blocked and suffocated again, Nate. You know I've had the issue since the accident, but lately it just feels worse, and... doesn't help that it's been more crowded at home lately, with Jenny, Dan and Rufus always coming and going, and knowing that they could end up moving in with Hope soon, since I don't know if Hope is gonna be moving in with us or in with Thyra, Wyatt, James, Blair and Carter and all, and..."

Nate nodded knowingly, looking like he was already planning something. "Yeah, I remember, you said you felt crowded and suffocated for a while. Especially if the Humphreys move in too."

"Yeah," Noe agreed. "But then again, I can't be outside for too long or it gets overwhelming too, so..."

"Yeah," Nate agreed. "Well, what if I told you that I had a surprise lined up to try and fix that a little bit?"

Noe looked at Nate in confusion, amused. "What do you mean?"

"It's called a surprise for a reason, Noe," Nate told her in amusement.

Noe groaned, tilting her head. "Ugh, fine."

Nate smiled. "Come on, let's eat."

Noe nodded in agreement.

X • O ° X • O

Building - Outside

Dylan arrived outside a building with a big screen on the outside, looking around in confusion, taking his phone out, making a call.

Wyatt's voice was on the other line. "Hey."

"Hey," Dylan agreed. "I'm at the address you sent, but where are you? All I see is a big building with a screen."

Wyatt was nearby, a small distance away behind Dylan, smiling. "I'm getting there, but, uh, you know, ever since we got back together, and we've been seeing Laureen, things have been going really well."

Dylan nodded. "Totally have. It's been difficult to work through so much, but we managed to do it, right?"

"Yeah," Wyatt answered. "I am graduating soon, and even though I might not be able to go to Yale or Columbia, and I leaving high school, which means that we only have one chance to go to prom together, even though you still have two years before you graduate, like Brooklyn and Thyra."

"Yeah," Dylan agreed. "So what are you saying?"

"You know, I'm not one for simple words," Wyatt told him. "So why don't you just look in front of you?"

Dylan turned around toward the building. 

The screen across the street turned on, showing the words: You are the one and only

Across the street, Hope, Blair, Thyra, James and Carter had hung up the blue and gold painted sign that said: PROM?

They had painted 10 umbrellas with a letter on each one, and Hope, Blair, Thyra, James and Carter each held an umbrella in each hand, opened with the letters shown to Dylan and Wyatt, spelling out their names. Hope's umbrellas had D / Y painted on them. Blair's had L / A painted on them. Thyra's had N / W painted on them. James's had Y / A painted on them. Carter's had T / T painted on them. Hope, Blair, Thyra and James were happy to help do this, while Carter was annoyed but forced to do this and went along with it.

Dylan was blown away by this, realizing how much work they put into all of this, hearing footsteps behind him, turning to see Wyatt behind him, walking closer with a bouquet of roses. "Roses? I thought you hated them because you think they're a cliche."

"I do," Wyatt answered. "But I would happily do cliche with you any day."

"You really did all this for me?" Dylan asked. "You spoil me too much."

Wyatt smiled. "Well, as I said on the screen, you're my one and only. Who else would I spoil?"

Dylan smirked. "So this is really happening?"

"Well, that depends on you," Wyatt told him. "What do you say? Dylan Bass. Will you go to prom with me?"

Dylan smiled. "Wyatt Waldorf... What the hell do you think?"

Dylan took Wyatt by the head, pulling him into a deep, passionate kiss, not caring about whoever was watching. Wyatt returned the kiss just as passionately.

Hope, Blair and Thyra cheered, clapping and laughing. James and Carter smirked in amusement. James was clapping slowly. Carter shook his head, walking away.

Dylan and Wyatt were still kissing passionately.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Spotted. Once again, our Bi  Playboy and Golden Boy. Two fallen kings reuniting to come back to power stronger than before, with a loyal court of fellow royalty kings and queens in the wings to set the bar for surprises as high as they can be. If this is just for prom, who knows what future proposals could hold for the New York royalty?"

X • O ° X • O

Cafe

Marie was sitting at a table with a girl, but she was acting like Lacy from the inner world, even speaking with Lacy's British accent. As revealed at the beginning, she had Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), and Lacy was the one speaking with the girl, flirting with her, obviously a romantic flirt, sweet and nice, and the girl was a bit awkward but sweet and nice too.

"So are you drinking something more than coffee tonight?" the girl asked.

"Nah," Lacy answered. "I run on caffeine, sarcasm and inappropriate thoughts."

The girl laughed. "Yeah? Well, I'm not drinking tonight either. Killer exam tomorrow."

"Really?" Lacy asked. "On what?"

"Psychology," the girl answered, before flirting a bit more. "Human sexuality, actually."

Lacy smirked, knowing the girl was trying to flirt with her, using her fingers to climb her arm gently. "What a coincidence. I specialize in sexuality."

The girl laughed nervously. "I'm so sorry. I'm like super nervous. I'm probably giving a really bad first impression."

Lacy smiled, shaking her head. "Not at all. It's all attitude, my friend. It's gotta work with the vibe you got."

The girl laughed. "Geeky and shy are not a vibe."

"Packaging, friend," Lacy told her. "I don't see you as geeky. You're sensitive. You're not shy, you're mysterious." She laughed. "Girls, or guys, love that. Anybody special you looking to impress?"

The girl smiled. "Just you."

Lacy smiled, tilting her head. "That's more like it."

The girl chuckled. "I love your accent."

Lacy beamed a grin. "Thank you."

Lacy gazed off like she was being distanced from reality, looking out of it, everything around her seeming vague and far off as she was dissociating. 

A guy walked closer, seeing that the two had been flirting, looking at Marie. "What the hell, Brittany?"

Lacy was still dissociating.

The girl looked at the guy in confusion. "I'm sorry. Who are you?"

Brittany was coming to, looking around in confusion, stunned, reeling as she was trying to gather her thoughts, not knowing where she was.

"I'm just the guy that she blew off," the guy answered, irritated. "Flirting with you instead."

"First, her name is Lacy," the girl told him.

Brittany stood. "Okay, one, I have no idea what just happened."

The guy nodded sarcastically. "Oh, right, real convenient."

"I saw you once, okay?" Brittany asked. "I flirted with you, get over it. Doesn't mean that I can't talk to someone else. You're a guy in need of a clue. Here's one. Women send signals. This is a reject. Before you dip into your shallow pool of wit, let me paint us a picture and save us both the trouble. Here's how this is gonna play out. You are going to slink back to whatever hole you crawled out of, get wasted, go home, and make nice with yourself. But don't be thinking of me, because even your fantasy of me, isn't interested in you."

The girl was very confused on what was happening, stunned, not realizing it was two personalities they just dealt with, not one. "Uh, Lacy, what the hell is going on?"

"Her name's Brittany," the guy told her.

"You know what?" Brittany asked. "It doesn't matter. I'm done with both of you. Goodbye."

Brittany pushed past the guy as he was in the way of her leaving the table since they were sitting at the corner, walking past him to walk out of the cafe without looking back.

X • O ° X • O

Street

Brittany walked down the street, slowing down when she started to dissociate. When she came to, Marie was awakened.

Marie looked around in confusion, completely lost, sighing in frustration, not knowing what happened or where she was. "What the hell now?" She lightly tapped her hands on her head in exasperation. "Come on, guys."

Marie walked away.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Queen of hearts or queen of heartache? Seems like Carter Baizen's heart is the only heart this mystery girl could steal in a tangled web of confusion. Though some might think she just lost her head."

X • O ° X • O

VDW/Bass Apartment - Serena's Room

Gabriel and Serena were sitting on Serena's bed.

"Are you sleeping with her?" Serena asked.

Gabriel shook his head. "No. No. Not since I met you. I told her that I just needed space and time to think. But the truth is, I'd--I'd just like to never see her again. You know, when I first came to New York, I didn't know many people. And all the investors in my company are her contacts. And when she found out about us, she threatened to pull them. So I told her that you and I were over. If she found out the truth, I could lose--I could lose everything. You hate me?"

"No, I don't hate you," Serena answered. "But I hate lying. And you lied to me. And you lied to Poppy and... well, despite everything, she's still my friend and I care about her."

"I didn't plan on falling in love with you," Gabriel told her.

"Gabriel, you--you have to tell her about us," Serena told him.

"I can't," Gabriel denied. "You know how jealous she is. And I've spent two years developing this company. It--it's everything to me. It's finally that chance to be free from my parents."

"By tying yourself to Poppy?" Serena asked. "I can't be in a relationship where I'm not the only one."

"Okay, listen, these contracts will be done in one week," Gabriel told her. "And after that, I promise you, I will tell her everything. Trust me. The money she'll make, it'll cushion the blow."

Serena looked down. "As long as it's not physical, then I... I guess I can live with it. But only for a week. I mean it."

Gabriel nodded. "Okay." He took Serena's hand in his. "Believe me. I only have eyes for one girl. And she is the most exquisite thing I've ever seen."

Gabriel kissed Serena's hand.

X • O ° X • O

Waldorf Penthouse - Living Room

Hope, Thyra, Blair and Wyatt were talking.

"I'm so happy Dylan said yes to you, Wyatt," Hope told him. "I mean, it was obvious he was going to, but..."

Wyatt smirked. "Of course it was. But thank you for helping us with that."

"Of course," Hope agreed. "Uh, Blair, have Thyra and Wyatt told you anything? Chuck-related?"

"If you're talking about a downward spiral shameful hookup, yes," Blair answered. Hope nodded nervously. "You wanted to tell me?"

"Yeah, obviously," Hope answered. "I was just so... worried that if I did, then what we started, this good thing... it could be over so soon, but... I just needed to tell you."

Blair nodded. "Well, you were drunk and spiraling and your world was imploding. I haven't been with Chuck and I will never be with the way things are going. We all did things questionable while in that position, but yours was worse than ours, so..."

"I think it's safe to say that you two are good," Wyatt told them.

Hope sighed in relief, causing Blair, Wyatt and Thyra to smile a bit.

"Either way, we're gonna make up for it, but it's a surprise," Hope  told them.

James and Carter walked in.

"What's a surprise?" James asked.

"Nothing," Hope told them.

"Aurora just left for work at the office," James explained. "She's trying to find a loophole for Laureen, Zaya and Sadie so they can leave Richard, without Sadie's heart condition being threatened."

They nodded in concerned worry but understanding.

Thyra looked at Carter. "Hey, you see Marie today like you talked about?"

"No," Carter answered. "Marie called and cancelled. Said there were some complications. I don't know, don't need to."

"Well, at least you aren't worked up over it," James told him.

"Why would I be?" Carter asked.

The others shrugged.

Hope looked at her watch. "I should get going."

"What's got you in a good mood?" Wyatt asked. "And that's saying something."

"Oh, my adoptive siblings and I caught our dad eyeing a ring yesterday," Hope explained. 

Thyra raised her eyebrows in surprise. "A ring ring? Oh, my God. Wait, this is good news, right?"

Hope shrugged. "Well, I mean, he--he looked. He didn't buy."

"Oh," Wyatt said.

Blair nodded. "He chickened out. Why?"

"Well, didn't Jenny say that she wouldn't move in with Noe, Serena, Eric, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck and their mom?" Carter asked. "And Dan would've slept with his maybe stepsister, no offense, James."

"Shut up, Carter," James replied.

Hope smirked.

Wyatt looked at Hope. "What about you? I mean, you are still their family by adoption legally, so if Lily and Rufus got married, you'd still be Noe, Serena and Eric's step/adoptive sister, right? And Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck's since they're Lily's kids by adoption. And Zaya and Sadie's step/adoptive cousin, Laureen's step/adoptive niece."

"So looks like Dan's not the only one that slept with a maybe step sibling," Thyra told her teasingly.

Hope made a face. "Okay, no, since there's like twice removed by adoption alone, you cannot compare that, like, at all."

James and Carter were confused since they had walked in after the Chuck talk.

"Wait, what?" James asked.

"Nothing," Hope told them sheepishly.

Carter realized, smirking in amusement. "Wait, you and Chuck?"

James raised his eyebrows. "You're not serious."

Hope covered her face with her hands. "Shut up. Stop it now." The others laughed lightly. "And it's not like any of you have room to talk. You've all been with a Rhodes and/or Bass."

"None of us are gonna become their adoptive step sibling," Blair replied.

Hope was even more embarrassed and sheepish. "Oh, my God."

They all laughed.

"Hmm, but Noe, Zaya, Sadie, Brooklyn and Dylan did tell us about how they, Eric and Chuck were spying on Serena's boyfriend Gabriel after he left dinner with Lily and Laureen," Blair explained.

Carter looked at Hope tauntingly, smirking. "Just think, if your adoptive family, including you, do become family with the Rhodes/Basses, you'd probably be in on schemes like that too. Especially since you're already close with Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya, Sadie and Serena. Laureen's helping you out like everyone else. Lily and Rufus already had a daughter together, who died, but still. Are you close with Dylan and Eric? Apparently you are with Chuck."

Hope smiled sarcastically, embarrassed. Carter smirked.

James hit Carter on the shoulder. "Okay, you can shut up now."

"I told Brooklyn that we could help her, Noe, Zaya and Sadie with the mission that they, Dylan, Chuck and Eric started," Thyra admitted. "Obviously Serena doesn't want them to continue, and Lily and Laureen are in the dark, but still. Like Hope said, the Waldorf-Diamond-Baizen connection with Rhodes-Basses is pretty much all the way around, so... And Archibalds/Vanderbilts since Alex, Nate and Harry too."

Wyatt smirked. "Yeah." He looked at Hope. "So would you be okay with Lily and Rufus getting married?"

"I mean, it'd be weird," Hope admitted. "I mean, everything we just said."

"You'd get to be step/adoptive sisters with your best friend Noe," James pointed out. "And Serena, Zaya, Sadie and Brooklyn already look out for you like sisters/cousins. Chuck and Dylan's helped with how many schemes to help protect you even before everyone found out you were a Diamond? I mean, I know it was to protect Noe, Alex and Nate too because the Archibald brothers and their girls always get into trouble, but... especially lately with the Vanderbilts, besides Harry, obviously."

Blair smirked. "The amount of times that we had to help you, Noe, Alex and Nate..."

"Hey," Hope complained.

"Oh, you know it's true," Thyra told her in amusement. "But, I mean, being stepsisters with your best friend?"

Hope smiled.

Carter smirked. "Sharing bunkbeds with Chuck."

Hope threw a couch pillow at Carter, making them laugh again. "It'd be weird, but, I don't know, you should've seen our dad yesterday. I mean, he was practically skipping. I don't think I've ever seen him this happy. Or anyone that happy. So we were gonna get the ring for him to let him know that we supported him, so..."

"So you can be somehow related to all members of the Crew?" Carter asked. "Almost all, anyway. And Harry Vanderbilt, Aurora as your mom, Lily, Laureen, Eric, your horrible adoptive family. Eleanor, Cyrus. Would have been to Caroline too, not to mention the tragically lost child. Who knows who else."

"You're such an ass," Thyra told him in amusement.

There was more laughter.

"Whatever makes you happy, Hope, with any family, or all the family, or whatever," James told her.

Hope smiled.

"It is kinda cool that you'd be somehow connected to most of the Crew, though," Wyatt told her.

Blair nodded, tilting her head. "Yeah."

They all smiled.

X • O ° X • O

St. Jude's/Constance - Hallway

Beck was completely rattled and still upset from what happened with his father the previous night.

Eric saw him in the hallway and seeing how upset he was, walking up to him. "Beck?"

"I got to get to class," Beck told him. "See you, Eric."

Eric grabbed his arm. "No, wait, talk to me."

Beck looked around nervously. "Not here."

X • O ° X • O

Boys's Room

Eric led Beck into the boys' room. Beck threw his bag onto the floor.

"What's going on?" Eric asked. "I'm confused, okay? I just want to help, but I can't if I don't know what's going on."

Beck chuckled without humor. "Yeah, well, you're not the only one confused, Eric."

"Beck, talk to me," Eric told him. "What's happening?"

Beck was trying not to cry. "I'm happening, Eric. The great tornado that is Beck Boardman is screwing up his life again."

"You had another fight with your dad?" Eric asked.

Beck looked at Eric, not sure of what to say. "I should get to class."

Beck leaned down to pick up his bag.

"Beck, if something is going on at home, you need to talk to someone," Eric told him. Beck tried to walk past. Eric put a hand to Beck's chest to stop him. "Hey, you don't have to talk to me, but someone. Listen, my aunt Laureen, von Miller, she's a psychiatrist. A therapist. She's been helping so many people, including my sister Noe, and a lot of others. Thyra, Wyatt, Hope, Brooklyn, Dylan, James, her daughters Zaya and Sadie, most of the Crew. Laureen can help you too. When you don't tell people what's inside your head, it only gets worse. Believe me."

Beck knew he was right, tears in his eyes, turning his back to the wall to lean against it. Eric leaned against the wall next to Beck to be there for him. They looked at each other sadly, not knowing what to say, and yet not having to say anything, and just be there for each other.

X • O ° X • O

Clothing Store

(Song:) Waters of March [aguas de Marco] - Anya Marina

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya, Sadie and Serena were checking out dresses, while Serena was trying some on.

Noe looked at Serena skeptically. "So let me get this straight. Gabriel is still popping Poppy, and you're okay with that?"

The girls scoffed.

Serena looked in the mirror, looking at the dress she was wearing.

Brooklyn shook her head. "No, no, that is too MOB. Put on the Vena Cava."

"For the hundredth time, he's not still sleeping with her," Serena told them. "And while it's not ideal, he is gonna break up with her next week."

"And what proof did he offer of that?" Zaya asked.

"He doesn't need proof, Zaya, because I trust him," Serena told her. "We have this amazing connection." Serena walked into the dressing room to change. "Do you know he said he fell in love with me the first time he ever saw me?"

"Oh, that is interesting, considering the fact that he was on vacation with his girlfriend," Sadie told her.

Serena changed into another dress. "Actually, the first time he saw me was a year ago when I was out with Georgina. He busted me on my fake southern accent."

"And what night was that?" Noe asked, standing. "Don't tell me it was that night. That night that you blacked out and don't remember anything?"

Serena didn't answer.

Brooklyn laughed sarcastically. "He fell in love with you while you were roofied. How romantic."

"No, no, no," Serena told them. "It wasn't like that." She walked out in the other dress. "He said I was completely lucid. It must've been before Georgina drugged me. I just don't happen to remember it."

Serena walked toward the mirror.

"Trust is the most important thing in a relationship," Zaya told her.

"And we have that," Serena told them, walking toward the dressing room again.

"The way you trusted James and he trusted you?" Sadie asked.

"Please don't compare my past relationship with the one that I have now," Serena told them.

"Why?" Zaya asked. "It's obvious that you're not over James."

Serena gave them a look.

"We're just saying, Gabriel is not gonna break up with Poppy," Brooklyn told her. Serena walked out of the dressing room in a new dress. "Why would he? He's having her cake and eating yours, too."

"Serena, we love you," Noe told her. "We just don't want to see you get hurt, okay?" Serena nodded barely. Noe, Serena, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie shared a hug for a moment before pulling away. Noe nodded to the dressing room. "Go put that back on. It was beautiful on you."

Serena smiled, walking into the dressing room. The other girls exchanged a look, still not trusting Gabriel.

(Song Ends)

X • O ° X • O

Gallery/Cafe

Rufus was irritated now, hanging up his phone. Vanessa walked closer with two cups of coffee.

Rufus looked up. "Oh, Vanessa. I--I thought you left with Dan and Jenny. Their, uh, sister went to meet with her other family."

"Yeah, I heard about that," Vanessa told him, putting the coffee down. "I can't believe it."

"I was just about to close up," Rufus told her. "You--you can go home now."

Vanessa looked around. "Figure I'll savor my moments here while I can. Gonna miss this place."

"Yeah, well, it, uh, looks like your job will be safe for quite a while," Rufus told her.

"What do you mean?" Vanessa asked.

"The real estate agent hasn't received one call about the place," Rufus answered. "She thinks it might be months before we find a buyer. It's the market."

"What about James?" Vanessa asked. "Dan said that he was willing to buy. Or keep the option open to buy."

Rufus shook his head. "No, I don't want... I don't want anything from that family. Least of all pity money, because no matter what James said, I knew that he was only willing to help because of my daughter."

"I somehow doubt that," Vanessa told him.

"Still," Rufus said. "I don't want to feel like I need to owe them anything. They're already taking my daughter."

Vanessa pursed her lips. "Is there a Plan B?"

Rufus nodded. "Yeah, last year, after the tour, a music publishing company offered to buy the Lincoln Hawk catalog."

"You're gonna sell your life's work?" Vanessa asked.

Rufus looked numb. "Yes. And apparently, now that we're not touring, it isn't even worth what it was last year. You know, I stopped touring to spend time with my family. It turns out it might've been the worst thing I could've done for them. I'm sorry. This isn't your burden. Hey, let's get out of here."

Rufus stood, walking out.

X • O ° X • O

Glass Apartment - Living Room

The apartment was mostly made of windows. Nate was showing the place to Alex.

"Nate, what are we doing here?" Alex asked. "This place is amazing, still."

Nate chuckled. "It's for me next year. I just figured I'd lease this so I could be close to Noe next year."

"And be out of reach of the control of Mom and Grandfather," Alex added. "Don't think I don't know that's what you're trying to do by moving out."

"Well, yeah," Nate agreed. "Especially after everything that went down with Grandfather and Hope, and everything else. And trying to get to Noe like that..."

"By using Zaya's dyslexia, Sadie's heart condition, and Noe's own mind state," Alex finished. "Yeah, it was twisted. At least Harry's one Vanderbilt we can count on though."

"Right," Nate stated. 

Alex looked around the apartment. "Well, I think Noe will like it. Lot of light. Window walls so she can see outside so she doesn't feel trapped or caged whenever she's here."

"Exactly," Nate agreed. "Noe can't stay inside for too long or she'll feel suffocated because she feels boxed in, and she doesn't like being outside too much because people start staring because they know who she is, and it gets overwhelming, but with this..."

Alex smiled. "You're really thinking of her in the place you're getting."

"Alex..." Nate trailed off.

"No, I think it's good," Alex told him. "I think Noe will love it."

Nate smiled, chuckling. "Enough to move in?" Alex raised his eyebrows. "With Lily and Rufus getting closer, and there's already been the suggestion that his family moves in, including Hope, the apartment there is gonna be so crowded. I mean, Noe, Serena, Eric, Brooklyn, Dylan, Chuck, Hope, Dan, Jenny, Lily, Rufus. Zaya, Sadie and Laureen are over there a lot of the time to stay away from Richard."

"I see your point," Alex agreed. "Noe's already feeling suffocated enough since Serena, Eric, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck living there with Lily. Hope, Dan, Jenny, Rufus, Zaya, Sadie and Laureen always coming and going. So you think that if you and Noe move here, that she wouldn't feel that way as much anymore. I like the idea. I'm pretty sure she'll love it, Nate."

Nate smiled in relief. "Thanks, Alex." Alex's phone rang. He took it out to look at the Caller ID. "Hope?"

"Yeah," Alex answered. "I'll take it outside."

Nate nodded. Alex walked away.

X • O ° X • O

Hallway

Alex walked out of the apartment into the hallway, answering his phone. "Hope?"

Hope was at the penthouse. "Hey, I just got off from the atelier and from seeing Thyra, Wyatt, Blair, James and Carter. Been super busy trying to find a balance with the families, and..."

"I can imagine that it's hard," Alex told her in amusement.

"Extremely," Hope answered. "But I was thinking, that since tonight, I do have a little bit of time... we should have that talk. You know, the talk that we've been talking about talking about, but we still haven't talked about it. That talk."

Alex smirked in amusement. "I think it's a little scary how I can interpret your Hope-speak, but yeah, I do know. Where can I meet you?"

"There is a business party tonight that we both promised to be at, but we can be a little late, right?" Hope asked. "Or a lot late, but, uh... Since Aurora's working at the office, and Cyrus and Eleanor are out, and Carter, Blair, Thyra, Wyatt and James are gonna be at the party soon, we can talk at the penthouse."

"Okay," Alex agreed. "I'll be there."

Hope nodded in agreement. "I'll see you soon."

"You too," Alex said.

They both hung up.

X • O ° X • O

 VDW/Bass Apartment - Hallway

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie were talking with Chuck and Dylan.

"There's no weird girls that you're just using for the night lingering around, is there, Chuck?" Sadie asked.

"No," Chuck answered. "I think you're safe."

"Great," Noe told them. "Good, because we have a proposition for both of you."

Dylan raised his eyebrows. "Interesting. You've got my attention."

"We thought if we proved the North Caro-liar was cheating with his ex, that would be it, but Serena fell for his business meeting excuse," Brooklyn explained. "Monkey business, more likely."

"With Serena and Poppy both fighting over the banana," Chuck stated.

Zaya sighed. "Chuck, Dylan, we're really worried. You know how Serena is. She gets in over her head. We need to expose this two timer for what he is. So what do you say?"

"I'm in," Dylan answered.

"You know I'm in," Chuck answered. They all smirked. "By any chance, do you have Poppy Lifton's phone number? I'm sure Blair, Thyra, Wyatt and James would be happy to help with this scheme."

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya, Sadie, Chuck and Dylan smirked small smiles as they all exchanged a look.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Nothing like Rhodes and Bass kings and queens on a mission to avenge one of their own. Someone should tell Noe, Zaya, Sadie, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck that if you end one story of tragedy, another is always ready to be told in its place."

X • O ° X • O

X • O ° X • O

VDW/Bass Apartment - Business Party

Lily and Laureen were hosting the business party.

"And that concludes our co-op business at this time," Lily told them.

"And now for the real reason you came," Laureen told them. "The refreshments."

There was laughter and applause.

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie walked up to Serena and Gabriel.

Noe took Gabriel's arm. "Gabriel, we simply have not had time to bond. Come, we'll walk."

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie led them down the hallway.

"Noe, where are we going?" Serena asked. "You, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie promised to stop."

"We're just giving a tour, Serena," Zaya told her.

"Of our house?" Serena asked.

"I've been here before," Gabriel told them.

"But you haven't seen everything, have you?" Brooklyn asked. 

Sadie smiled. "First, we'll start with Serena's room. Dylan and Chuck are meant to help."

They walked toward Serena's room.

X • O ° X • O

Outside

Blair, Thyra, Wyatt and James were helping the Rhodes-Basses with their scheme, leading Poppy from a limo toward the building.

"While I appreciate you playing the peacemakers, I'm not sure Serena will want to see me," Poppy told them.

Thyra smirked deviously. "Trust me, this should be exciting for everyone."

Blair chuckled. "I know it is for us."

Wyatt shrugged. "Well, there's never a dull moment in parties like these."

James smirked in amusement. "You can say that again. Come on. We'll walk you up."

They walked inside.

X • O ° X • O

Inside - Serena's Room

The girls, Dylan and Chuck were distracting Serena and Gabriel.

Dylan gestured to the dresser. "And this is Serena's dresser, where she keeps all of her pajamas and peignoirs."

Serena laughed.

Chuck gave Gabriel an amused smirk. "But maybe you've already been in there."

"Dylan, Chuck, what are you doing?" Serena asked.

Blair, Thyra, Wyatt and James led Poppy in.

"Poppy?" Gabriel asked.

"Gabriel," Poppy told him. Chuck smirked, sitting down on the bed. Poppy looked from Gabriel to Serena. "Oh, nice. I knew it."

"Poppy, I know," Serena told her. "We--we need to talk."

"What do you want to talk about?" Poppy asked. "The fact that you stole my boyfriend?"

"I didn't steal him," Serena told her. "You left."

"You know what?" Poppy asked. "Don't. 'Cause it's not even you I'm mad at. It's him." She looked at Gabriel. "You are a lying, cheating--" James walked closer to hold Poppy back from Gabriel. "I am gonna kill you!"

"No one's killing anyone," James told them. "It's a co-op cocktail party."

Poppy looked at Gabriel. "What an idiot I am! Using my connections for your company?"

"Poppy, it is not like that," Gabriel told her. "You know it's not."

"Then leave with me," Poppy told him. "Right now. And if you don't, I will call every investor and tell them to take their money back."

Gabriel looked at Serena. Serena looked down.

"Poppy, you and I are done," Gabriel told her. "Things haven't been good with us for a long time, and I'm sorry. Serena didn't steal me. She swept me away." Serena looked from Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya, Sadie, Dylan and Chuck to Blair, Thyra, Wyatt and James, who all had awkward looks. "You tell your investors whatever you want."

Poppy tried to keep from crying. "Fine. I'll tell them the truth. That you're ruined. Goodbye, Gabriel."

Poppy turned around, walking out, leaving.

Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya, Sadie, Dylan, Chuck, Blair, Thyra, Wyatt and James exchanged a look.

Serena stepped forward. "Gabriel..."

"I'm sorry," Gabriel said. "I just... need a minute to clear my head."

Gabriel walked out, leaving.

Noe looked at Serena, smiling sheepishly. "Well, I guess he really likes you."

Serena gave them a look.

"At least now we know," Zaya told her.

"I'll deal with all of you later," Serena told them, walking out, leaving.

Sadie looked at the older teens, making a face. "Oops."

The others chuckled. "Hmm."

X • O ° X • O

Waldorf Penthouse - Living Room

Hope was sitting, dressed for the business party though she was waiting for Alex. Her dress was black and white, and dangly. She had a glass of wine in hand, looking up when she heard the elevator open.

Alex walked in, wearing a simple but nice suit like the other boys wore for the party. His suit was black with a white under shirt, matching Hope's black and white dangly dress. "So is the penthouse your home of choice now?"

"I'm honestly not sure," Hope admitted. "But Vanessa and my brother are at the loft, so there's no way we're talking there, and like I said on the phone, no one's here."

"Right," Alex agreed. "So how do you want to do this? Talk about everything."

Hope set out two bottles of wine. "Well, I got Dorota to break these out. We could just sit here and drink and blow off the business party if you want, play a little 'I never'."

Alex smiled, sitting down. "That sounds more fun than some co-op cocktail party."

Hope smiled. "I kind of already started."

Alex nodded in amusement. "I can see that."

Hope was very nervous about telling him this. "I'll go first." Alex nodded. "I never slept with Chuck Bass." Hope drank rapidly. Alex was not surprised, looking away, not knowing how to react, biting his lip. "That's one of the reasons I was avoiding you. Besides the obvious. I'm sorry. You warned me not to let him talk me into something I would regret when I was spiraling, my mind was in a bad place, and I was drunk, but..."

"That's all there's to it," Alex told her. 

"You're not surprised?" Hope asked.

"After I saw you at Jenny's party, the way you were completely spiraling, and the way Chuck kissed you, and you were pretty self-destructive..." Alex trailed off. "No. I'm not surprised."

"Are you mad?" Hope asked.

"We were broken up," Alex reminded her. "And you had to because of my grandfather threatening you, me, your entire adoptive family's futures. And everything going on with you finding out that you are a Diamond. Aurora's daughter. Thyra's cousin. From Jack Bass of all people."

"Yeah," Hope agreed. "There's more than that, believe it or not."

Alex nodded. "So no, I'm not mad. I don't like it, but I get it. You were going through a lot, the whole looking up while looking down thing. You get no judgement from me. Everyone makes a mistake at least once."

Hope closed her eyes, sighing in complete relief. "Oh, my God."

Alex looked at Hope. "And in any case, you're not the only 'good one' around here that's slept with a devil, remember?" He went along with the game. "I never slept with Georgina Sparks. Lost my virginity to her in the sixth grade. And the reason why she was so spiteful in getting us to break up last year."

Alex took a drink.

"That's true," Hope agreed. "But at least back then, you didn't need an STD panel like I did."

They both managed to laugh lightly.

Alex nodded. "Yeah, there's that."

"Still, I'm sorry either way," Hope told him. "I mean, even given everything, Chuck's still one of your best friends, and... I don't know what I was thinking, I barely remember that night as it is, especially since something a lot more serious came after that, but, um... "

"What do you mean?" Alex asked. "After that?"

Hope looked at Alex, sighing heavily, biting her lip, not knowing exactly how to explain everything, and how.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Sometimes a queen has to make a choice, to live the easy life, or take the hard path. What'll it be, White Diamond? Netflix and catchup with Alex, or more truth and battling beasts when this king knows the real danger his maiden is in?"

X • O ° X • O

X • O ° X • O

The Palace - Boardman Penthouse - Living Room

Beck walked into his home, seeing Emma doing her schoolwork. "Where's Mom? I need to talk to her."

"I don't know, but, uh, Dad locked himself in the study," Emma explained. "What happened this time?"

"That's what I want to talk to Mom about," Beck told her.

Emma tilted her head. "Let me guess, you guys had another fight."

"Yeah," Beck answered. "Big one."

"Oh, like the course he took you to yesterday?" Emma asked.

"Well, you know, it was just a total joke, Emma," Beck told her. "He didn't take me on some bonding expedition. No, he took me for a photo op."

"Beck, you only look on the worst side of things," Emma told him. "Dad cares about you and you care about him."

Beck shook his head, pacing. "No, I don't."

"So why do you spend all of your time trying to get his attention?" Emma asked.

"Okay, are you living in some alternate universe here?" Beck asked. "Dad is always yelling at me."

"Yeah, and most of the time, you're yelling back," Emma replied. Beck knew that she was right but didn't want to admit it. "Or you started it. You two are pretty much exactly alike."

Beck looked like that was a slap to the face, shaking his head, pointing at his sister. "I am nothing like him."

Emma looked guilty for her choice of words. "Beck, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

Beck sighed. "I need to talk to Mom."

Beck walked away.

X • O ° X • O

Street

Rufus and Jenny were walking together.

"So, you going to Lily's now?" Jenny asked.

Rufus nodded. "Yeah, the co-op meeting should be done by now. And there's a party after. You should come."

Jenny chuckled. "No offense, but that sounds really boring, especially with Eric hanging out with either Beck or Jonathan tonight, I'm not sure which. So, uh, you kinda haven't been yourself tonight. All day, actually. I mean, is everything all right?"

Rufus nodded. "I'm just a little tired, but I'm fine."

Jenny shook her head. "You're not. And I know why."

Rufus sighed. "Jenny, whatever you think you know--"

Rufus turned to face her.

"I know that you want to propose to Lily," Jenny told him. "And I want you to know that Hope, Dan and I are totally okay with it. But you have to let your daughters make the bridesmaid dresses, okay?"

Rufus smiled. "I think those bridesmaid dresses are a bit premature."

"Why?" Jenny asked. "Dan saw you looking at that ring yesterday."

"It's not a good time," Rufus told her. "There are some, uh... complicated things happening right now. I mean, with your sister, her family, all the changes that have already happened."

"She is fine with this type of change, and you know it," Jenny told him. "And whatever else, we can fix them. You just have to want it bad enough. Dad, my whole life, you said that I could do anything if I was willing to risk falling flat on my face. So, why doesn't that same advice apply to you? Right?"

Rufus considered that, putting an arm around Jenny's shoulders to lead her down the street. "Good point."

Jenny smiled. "You know I'm right."

X • O ° X • O

VDW/Bass Apartment - Business Party

Sadie was trying to get close enough to Gabriel to hear what he was saying on the phone without him seeing her. Gabriel hung up.

Serena walked toward Gabriel. "Hey." Sadie ducked behind a column before Serena saw her so she wouldn't get more busted by her cousin. "So I'm really glad you chose me over money."

Serena and Gabriel walked past the column Sadie was hiding behind. Sadie snuck her way around the column so she could see Serena and Gabriel walking away on the other side so she could still eavesdrop.

"Like I had a choice," Gabriel said. "I'm just glad everything's out in the open. I'll go back to North Carolina and work with my father. And maybe he'll let me design a public service campaign."

Serena sighed. "Oh, I'm sorry. I know how hard you've been working."

"Well, you shouldn't be," Gabriel told her. "I 100% brought this on myself." Sadie nodded expressively in agreement from her hiding spot. "I could have really made a difference with this company, and I have to admit, I wanted to rub that money in my father's face."

Serena smiled a small smile. "It was that good of a deal, huh?"

"Poppy's investors would have tripled their money by the end of summer," Gabriel told her.

"Well, then you have to still do it," Serena told him. "Come on. Without you, how else will all of the African teenagers send in posts to Gossip Girl?"

Gabriel chuckled. Serena giggled.

Sadie was still listening from her hiding spot by the column. A partier walked by, noticing Sadie, looking at her in confusion, about to ask what she was doing. Sadie, annoyed that the partier was about to blow her cover, glared at them intimidatingly though she looked cute doing so all the same. The partier was brought to silence by the intense glare before they could say a word, and Sadie continued to glare until the partier walked away. Sadie rolled her eyes, continuing to listen to Serena and Gabriel, like nothing happened.

"Poppy was serious about calling off her investors," Gabriel told her.

"Well, then, find new ones," Serena told him. "Look around. These are residents of one of the wealthiest co-ops in Manhattan, and the smartest. Our board rejected Bernie Madoff five years in a row."

"I thought we found out today was a mistake," Gabriel told her. "Mixing business with pleasure."

"Please," Serena said. "I would be so proud to help you."

"Really?" Gabriel asked. "You sure?"

Serena smiled, nodding. "Yes, of course. Let me go find my mom and Laureen."

"Okay," Gabriel told her.

Serena walked away, leaving. 

Sadie stepped out of hiding, walking up to Gabriel. "Gabriel. I wanted to apologize for earlier. All of us are just overprotective over each other in the Crew." Gabriel looked amused. "You don't know what we'll do if one of us gets hurt." Gabriel looked nervous. "So, I heard you, uh, first met Serena on one of her infamous nights with her old frenemy Georgina. You know, me and Zaya weren't in the city that night. What happened? It must be quite the story."

X • O ° X • O

Elsewhere

Noe was standing alone, when felt someone touch her arm, jumping, turning to face Nate. Nate chuckled at the reaction.

Noe sighed. "Nate, what are you doing here? I thought there was a Mets game. I saw Eric wearing his hat when he walked out, when he went on a date with Jonathan."

"Yeah, I can just catch the highlights on 'SportsCenter'," Nate told her. "I wanted to surprise you. Is the rest of the Crew here?"

"Somewhere," Noe answered. "I can't believe Operation: Gone with the Weasel fell through. It's a long story, and unimportant. What matters is how glad I am you surprised me."

"Good," Nate told her. "I'm not done. I was trying to find a place to move into next year for college, close to Columbia, but not too far away from here, so that I could get away from my mom, grandfather." Noe nodded in understanding. "I got something." Nate held up a set of keys. "It's an apartment in Murray Hill."

Noe smiled in shock. "Oh, my God."

"Will you move in with me?" Nate asked.

Noe laughed in excitement, nodding. "Yes."

"Yeah?" Nate asked.

"Yes, of course I will," Noe answered.

Noe and Nate embraced, pulling away, still in the other's arms, kissing excitedly for a long moment, Nate lifting Noe off the floor briefly before turning and putting her down behind him, pulling away. Noe laughed, smiling.

"I can take you there after the party," Nate told her.

Brooklyn, Thyra, Dylan, Wyatt, James, Zaya, Sadie, Blair and Chuck walked closer, having overheard.

"You guys are moving in together?" Dylan asked.

"Yeah," Nate answered.

"That's great," Brooklyn told them.

Noe smiled.

"Well, before you birds fly off to your love nest, there's something we need to talk about," Chuck told them.

"Gabriel says he met Serena the night before the SATs," Sadie explained. "He said they were at Butter."

"But Brooklyn, Thyra, Dylan, Wyatt and I know for a fact, that that's not possible," Blair told them.

"We were working on a scheme together that night," Wyatt explained.

"Come on, we can explain in Noe's room," Thyra told them.

"We just need to find and tell Serena," James told them.

Zaya walked away. "I'll find Serena."

Nate nodded. "Okay."

X • O ° X • O

The Palace - Outside

Beck walked outside to see his mother standing by a car. "Can we talk?"

Elizabeth stopped him. "First, what happened at the golf course yesterday?"

"What always happens," Beck answered. "We fought."

"He said you made a scene in front of the press," Elizabeth told him. Malchus walked outside. "At the very least, you need to apologize to your father."

Malchus walked closer. "No, he doesn't."

"We have to deal with this situation," Elizabeth told him.

Malchus patted Beck on the shoulder. "The stress of this campaign is just really taking its toll. We need to find a way to start fresh. Can we find a way to do that, Beck?"

"I don't know," Beck admitted.

Malchus nodded. "Okay, okay. Easier question, then." He led Beck over to two cars. "Black or silver?"

"What?" Beck asked.

Malchus chuckled, pointing from the black car to the silver car. "Black or silver? I don't think your mother would let you have both, so just pick one to take on your road test."

Beck considered for a long moment, knowing that Malchus was trying to bribe him, but was just relieved that it was a better moment than before.

X • O ° X • O

VDW/Bass Apartment - Business Party

Serena, Lily, Laureen, Rufus and Gabriel were talking in the party.

"The governments, the ISPs, and the big companies need to use these satellites," Gabriel told them. "We could be the only game in town."

"And it has a charitable component, too," Serena told them. "Free wireless access for all local schools and community groups."

"Well, this is just the sort of thing that some of us at Bass Industries have been pushing for," Lily stated.

"Doing well by doing good," Laureen mused.

Gabriel nodded. "Yes, but the only thing is there's a ticking clock. Some of the major Internet corporations are pushing to do a similar thing. If we act now, we block them completely and we make at least triple our investment."

"Well, Gabriel, why don't you send a prospectus to my assistant?" Lily asked. "Of course I have to look at it, but, um, you can tell your backers I'm in."

Laureen shrugged. "Why not?"

Lily, Laureen and Rufus walked away.

Serena looked at Gabriel, laughing. "Hmm? You were great. Now all you have to do is tell the rest of the co-op members that they invested, and with my mom and Laureen's approval, you are golden."

Zaya walked up to them. "Serena, the Crew, minus Alex and Hope and Carter, needs to see you in Noe's room."

Serena sighed. "Another tour?"

Zaya led Serena past Laureen.

Laureen walked by with a wine glass, turning her head after her daughter. "Zaya, where's Sadie? We need to go soon."

"Be back in a few, Mom," Zaya told her.

Serena chuckled as Zaya led her out of the room.

Laureen raised her eyebrows, tilting her head, shrugging slightly, taking a sip.

X • O ° X • O

Noe's Room

Zaya led Serena into Noe's room where the others were waiting.

"He's lying to you," Nate told her.

Serena looked at Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya, Sadie, Chuck and Dylan. "Seriously, you guys already brought in Blair, Wyatt, James and Thyra, now you brought in Nate? The only ones of the Crew that are missing are Carter, Hope and Alex. Surprised you didn't make this a full fledged deal."

"It might needs to be," Noe replied.

"He told Sadie that he met you at Butter, but we know for a fact that Butter was closed that night, because Blair, Thyra, Brooklyn, Dylan and Wyatt used their bartender for the Nelly Yuki SAT sabotage party," James told her.

"Not that I need to explain this to any of you, but I was with Georgina that night, and she knows the manager, so it was probably a private party, or he just misremembered," Serena told them.

"But I saw him making a secretive phone call," Sadie told her.

"Oh, wow," Serena said sarcastically. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the smoking gun. A secretive phone call. Why can't you guys just support me? Gabriel is a good guy. He's trustworthy. Even Mom and Laureen trust him, or they wouldn't have invested in his project just now. Just face it. You lost this one. Try to lose with some dignity. I'm going back to my boyfriend now. Butter? Really?"

"Serena..." Zaya trailed off.

Serena scoffed, leaving.

Brooklyn nodded, tilting her head. "It does sound kinda stupid when you say it out loud."

Blair shook her head, looking at Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie. "No, you guys were right about this all along. I can feel it."

"We just have to prove that to Serena," Dylan told them.

"Yeah, but how?" Wyatt asked.

"There's only one person who knows what really happened that night  Gabriel supposedly met Serena," Chuck told them.

Thyra sighed. "Georgina Sparks."

X • O ° X • O

Waldorf Penthouse - Living Room

(Song:) Your Way - Xu Xu Fang

After a lot of drinking, Hope and Alex were sitting on the couch facing each other.

Alex was stunned after everything she told him. "Oh, wow. No wonder Aurora had to give you up. Why Victoria and Matthew left Thyra with me, Nate and our parents, or Harry, or Blair, Wyatt and their parents. Before they became family with James, Carter and Cyrus. You really had to fight someone the night of Jenny's party... you had to defend yourself. That wasn't your fault, Hope."

"I know," Hope agreed. "And God, I wanted to tell you. Everything. But your grandfather..."

"I know," Alex sighed. "I know why you didn't say anything. But did you really believe that my grandfather was right about us?"

"I don't know," Hope admitted. "He manipulated me at a time when I wasn't thinking right. And this was always my biggest fear, you know? I always thought that I would be holding everyone back, and I don't want to feel like I'm holding you back."

"You are definitely not holding me back," Alex told her. "Miss Diamond."

Hope couldn't help a smile. "I'm not sure how I am with all of that. Aurora and Thyra and being a Diamond of it all. And being extended family with Waldorf-Baizens. Blair, Wyatt, James and Carter have been surprisingly welcoming. And of course Eleanor and Cyrus. And now with my dad wanting to propose to Lily... now Noe, Serena, Eric, Zaya, Sadie, Laureen, Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck could end up being our family too. Rhodes... Basses..." Alex nodded in understanding. "And then everything with the kidnapping happened, and Chuck, and I--I... I thought you wouldn't want me."

"Of course I want you, Hope," Alex told her. "I'll always want you. Because I love you. How can I not? There's only one of you in the world." Hope managed a small smile, but was close to crying after everything she explained. Alex slid closer so they could embrace. "None of what happened was your fault. You know that, right?"

Hope nodded. "I know."

They remained in each other's arms.

"Where does this leave us now?" Alex asked.

"I don't know," Hope admitted.

"Well, I'll tell you one thing," Alex told her. "No one's gonna have an easy time coming for you again. I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you again."

Hope managed a small smile. "You're probably better off far away from me."

Alex shook his head. "You can stop that right now. Because you know sure as hell... that I'm not going anywhere."

"But you don't know how to defend yourself against these people," Hope told him. "I don't either."

"Thyra, Aurora, Carter and Harry are preparing to teach you, James and Brooklyn, right?" Alex asked. "I've learned a few things from Harry over the years. Nothing special, but something that I can work on so that we can handle whatever comes our way. Okay? You don't have to go through this alone anymore."

Hope chuckled through her tears, relieved to hear him say that, though she was still worried about taking care of everyone, while Alex was worried about making sure she took care of herself, wiping her tears away. They leaned their heads together, but didn't kiss, just needing to be there together without actually being officially together romantically.

X • O ° X • O

Humphrey Loft - Living Room

Vanessa and Dan were talking after some drinks.

Dan was stunned. "Wow. I'm not going to Yale."

"I'm so sorry I let it out like that," Vanessa told him. "But maybe this way, it'll be a little easier on Rufus. Having to tell you would have killed him."

"Yeah, I know," Dan agreed.

"I tried to get him to consider James's offer again," Vanessa admitted. "I don't get why he's being so stubborn."

"Forget about it," Dan told her. "He's got a lot of pride. He's never gonna take money from that family since it's like they're taking Hope from us."

"You don't blame your dad, do you?" Vanessa asked.

Dan sighed. "No, I--I blame the financial aid office and... the recession and... and a certain imbecile former president. My dad has gotta be the only person in the world who's more upset about this news than me. Man, he was so excited about... selling the gallery and moving on."

(Song Ends)

X • O ° X • O

VDW/Bass Apartment - Living Room

A man was investing with Gabriel. "I'll write you a check right now. I look forward to working with you, Gabriel."

Gabriel shook his hand. "Absolutely."

Rufus walked closer. "Gabriel, can I speak to you for a moment?"

"Yeah, of course," Gabriel answered. "Excuse me."

Rufus and Gabriel walked away to talk alone.

"I'd like to invest as well," Rufus told him.

Gabriel put a hand on Rufus's shoulder. "And as much as I appreciate your support, there are other investments better suited for someone in your situation. Municipal bonds, mutual funds. I'd be happy to show you how to set something--"

"I know how to open a mutual fund," Rufus told him. "I don't appreciate being patronized."

Gabriel shook his head. "Oh, no, that wasn't my intention. I apologize."

"My money is just as good as anyone else's," Rufus pointed out. "It's how the game works, isn't it? Opportunity arises in the private rooms of restaurants and on exclusive gold courses, and the rich get richer and the guys in the middle are never there. Well, I'm right here. I want in."

X • O ° X • O

Outside

The Crew (minus Carter, Serena, Hope and Alex) were gathered.

"The limo's waiting," Chuck told them. "Who's going?"

Noe scoffed. "Yeah, well, I'm not going. Whatever was in the drink Georgina gave me the last time I saw her before we exiled her hurt like a bitch."

"And could have caused more serious damage since that was so soon after the accident," Nate added.

"I'm not letting Sadie anywhere near that psycho," Zaya told them. "I remember Georgina."

Sadie frowned. "All I know is that Georgina was the crazy girl Serena and Noe used to party with."

"If I go to see Georgina, I'm gonna end up killing the bitch, so..." Brooklyn trailed off. "Hurting Noe and Serena and outing Eric at the dinner table? Twisting Alex and Hope up last year? Uh-uh."

Thyra smiled, patting Brooklyn's shoulder. "Yeah, best you don't go."

James smirked, shaking his head. "Georgina never really liked me anyway, so there's no way in hell she's talking to me."

"Same with me," Wyatt told them.

"And me," Dylan added. "Pretty sure I'd pull a Brooklyn and end up killing Georgina before she could help anyway."

"Not saying Georgina doesn't deserve it," Wyatt told them.

Chuck looked at Blair, smirking. "Then it looks like it's just you and me."

"Oh, goodie," Blair replied.

"Wyatt, Thyra and James will fill Hope, Carter and the rest of your family in," Chuck told her. "We won't be back tonight."

"Wait, what?" Noe asked. "I thought she was back home in Connecticut."

Chuck pulled out his phone, making a call. "You thought wrong." He spoke into the phone. "Yes, hello? What time are your visiting hours? We're coming to see Georgina Sparks."

Chuck and Blair got into the limo, driving away as the others watched them go.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Get out your brooms, kids. We're off to see the Wicked Witch of the Upper East Side."

X • O ° X • O

X • O ° X • O

Nate/Noe's Apartment - Living Room

Nate led Noe inside, having her eyes covered. 

"Can I open my eyes yet?" Noe asked.

Nate smiled. "Not yet. But I promise, in a sec." He took his hands away, moving around her to stand in front of her, arms stretched out. "Open them." Noe opened her eyes, seeing the many windows that let them see the night sky with a couple of stars visible, and candlelight also lighting the room. She was stunned speechless for a moment, looking around. "Noe?"

"This--this is amazing," Noe told him. "The sky, and..." Nate smiled at her speechlessness, both laughing lightly. "Oh, my God. It feels... so free in here. Like..."

"You're not trapped," Nate finished. Noe looked at him, realizing why he got this one like this. "Like you can breathe."

"You got this, this one, because of me?" Noe asked. "Because..."

Nate smiled. "Of course I did, Noe. You can stay inside without feeling like you're suffocating, since I know outside can be overwhelming sometimes. And..."

Noe smiled, laughing lightly. "Nate... this is amazing. Thank you." They both laughed, embraced. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you."

"I love you too," Nate told her.

Nate spun Noe around, as both were laughing and holding each other close. Noe couldn't take her eyes off the windows, loving the feeling of just being free with him here. They looked at each other, smiling happily, starting to kiss passionately.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Eventually a queen finds what may be her happily ever after with her king, but one never knows when a happy tale might end and begin a tale of sorrow."

X • O ° X • O

Day Three

Morning - Bible Camp

Chuck's limo was parked there. Blair and Chuck had fallen asleep in the limo, with Blair's head on Chuck's shoulder, and holding his hand.

A man knocked on the window, waking them up. "Mr. Bass. Visiting hours have started."

Blair quickly pulled herself away from Chuck. "Oh!" Blair and Chuck both lowered compartments on the limo ceiling so they could check their reflections in the small mirrors. "I can't believe I have to see our sworn enemy with Nancy Pelosi hair."

Blair pulled out a mirror from her bag to try to fix herself.

"Now that you mention it, maybe it's best I go in alone," Chuck told her.

"What?" Blair asked.

"You just said it," Chuck told her. "You're enemies. That's why none of the other Crew came because she would never help them, or you. Why would she?"

"Because I'm gonna threaten to send her back to boot camp if she doesn't," Blair told him.

Chuck smirked, rinsing his mouth out with mouth wash, spitting it out into a wine glass. "Blair, Georgina and I go way back. We have a special bond. I'll handle this one."

Blair shook her head. "You didn't even need me here. You just wanted to get me alone. I can't believe I came here with you even after knowing you slept with Hope when you were trying to make me jealous when she needed help because of William Vanderbilt."

Chuck was surprised she knew. "Hope told you?"

"Thyra and Wyatt did, and Hope was ready to come clean because she wanted to make amends, yes," Blair answered. "She said that you two were trying to make amends, and while I believe she would, what could you do to make amends? She didn't tell me because she said it was a surprise."

Chuck smirked. "You'd be surprised then. You chose to spend a night in a car with me despite after finding that out. But then again, we all know your weakness for limos."

"I came here for my best friend," Blair told him.

Chuck leaned in. "Is that the only reason?" Blair was completely fed up already after dealing with this, after they just woke up. Chuck got out of the limo, walking away. Blair looked out the window. Chuck walked through the park, seeing religious people all building and making things. "What is this place?"

"Welcome," a woman told him. "Are you a wayward soul in sense of direction?"

"I think I'm in the wrong place," Chuck told her.

Georgina walked toward him. "Chuck Bass?" She smiled, walking up to Chuck, hugging him. "Have you been saved too?"

Chuck looked at her weirdly.

X • O ° X • O

Gabriel's Hotel Room

Serena was laying in bed with Gabriel. "Noe, Brooklyn, Zaya and Sadie were so wrong about you."

"What do you mean?" Gabriel asked.

"I didn't want to make you feel bad, but they, Chuck, Dylan, Blair, Thyra, Wyatt and James have this weird vendetta against you," Serena told him. "Some nonsense about Butter being closed that night."

Gabriel trailed a hand through her hair. "That's ridiculous. If they would have heard Savannah's terrible southern accent that night, they'd have a vendetta against you instead of me."

Serena laughed. "So--so what'd you think of Georgina anyway?"

"She didn't make that much of an impression," Gabriel told her.

Serena was doubting Gabriel finally, biting her lip, testing him. "Not even her hair? That flaming red? I swear her colorist is masochistic. I mean, they should've gone with a natural red like Sadie's, or a strawberry blonde like Zaya."

Gabriel chuckled. "I mean, of course I remember that." Serena knew now he was lying. "But who cares? If you'd met you that night, you'd forget everything else too."

Serena was disappointed that she fell for his act and that she doubted her family and friends, sitting up. "Um... I should go home before my mom wakes up."

Serena kissed Gabriel's cheek, standing, walking away to get dressed.

X • O ° X • O

Bible Camp

Georgina led Chuck through the park. "It's a 7 day session all about forgiveness, and at the end of it, we put on a passion play. You're more than welcome to come with me. I have to supervise the kids making paper mache apostles for the set."

"It's, um, brilliant," Chuck told her.

"Oh, it's not that hard," Georgina told him. "It's just some flour and paste."

"Getting these Jesus freaks to believe you're one of them so you don't have to go back to boot camp?" Chuck asked.

Georgina chuckled. "Still the same old Chuck. Why can't you believe that people can change?"

"Oh, people can change, but you?" Chuck asked.

"You're wrong, Chuck," Georgina told him. "You know, as--as bad as boot camp was, it really gave me time to think about the person I'd become. Scheming, manipulative. It sickened me. So, one day, I decided to do something about it. I went to church, found Jesus and I told him all my sins."

"Well, I bet that was a long talk," Chuck quipped.

Georgina nodded, tilting her head. "He forgave me. Look, I know it seems crazy, but for the first time in my life, I--I'm happy. But if I know Chuck Bass, you're not here to be reformed."

"I came to ask if you know a man named Gabriel Edwards," Chuck told her.

"I don't think so," Georgina answered. "Why?"

"He claims he met you at Butter that night you roofied Serena," Chuck answered.

Georgina winced. "Ooh. Yeah, I've been praying overtime for that one." She chuckled. "But... that's impossible. We never went to Butter. We were back in my hotel by midnight, watching 'The Hills' as Serena drooled on my shoulder."

Chuck nodded, knowing that he got what the Crew needed to know, or at least that Gabriel was in fact lying.

X • O ° X • O

Gabriel's Hotel Room

Gabriel went to answer the knock on his door. "Did you forget something?"

Gabriel opened the door.

Poppy launched in to hook herself on Gabriel. "Yes. To thank you for your amazing performance last night."

They smiled, kissing.

"I think we're a good team," Gabriel told her.

Poppy nodded. "Mm-hmm."

They continued to make out.

X • O ° X • O

VDW/Bass Apartment - Noe's Room

Noe, Zaya and Sadie were sitting on Noe's bed. Noe was packing up a suitcase.

"Nate really went all out for the apartment, huh, Noe?" Zaya asked.

Sadie smiled. "Nate got the perfect apartment for you two so you didn't have to feel trapped inside, Noe."

Noe smiled. "I know. It was so amazingly sweet."

Serena walked in. "Hey, where's Brooklyn, Dylan and Chuck?"

"Chuck's with Blair, Brooklyn's with Thyra, and Dylan's with Wyatt," Sadie answered. "Why?"

"You guys were right about Gabriel," Serena answered. "He's lying about meeting me that night. I--I don't know why."

Sadie gave her a look. "We told you! Let me say it louder for all the times you didn't listen to us." She cupped her hands around her lips to speak louder, emphasizing each word very slowly to get her point across. "We.... told.... you!"

Serena sighed, nodding. "I know, I know. I'm sorry."

"Look, hang on," Noe told her. "We need to find him, now."

Zaya nodded in agreement. "Let's go, let's go."

X • O ° X • O

Bible Camp

Chuck was on his way back to the limo, only to find that it was gone.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "And eventually, a queen realizes that a king like this only has one thing on his mind, and it ain't slaying dragons. So she takes her pumpkin carriage and goes back to the kingdom."

X • O ° X • O

X • O ° X • O

Gabriel's Hotel Room

Poppy was sitting at the laptop. "With all these investments from the party, we should have everything we need by the end of the month. You know, I thought we were screwed when James Baizen called me, but you found a way to make it work. And when you chose being poor and being with Serena..."

Gabriel checked his phone. "She left me a message."

"She's awfully needy, isn't she?" Poppy asked.

Gabriel played the voicemail.

Serena: (voicemail) "Hey, Gabriel, it's me. Listen, I'm coming back to your hotel. We have to talk. Don't go anywhere. I'll see you soon."

"She sounds nervous," Poppy told him.

"Yeah, she does," Gabriel agreed, annoyed.

"Well, why would she be?" Poppy asked. "Did something happen?"

Gabriel paced around the desk toward Poppy. "No, it's more like something that didn't happen. You doing your research properly. She told me this morning that Butter was closed the night that I allegedly met her there. And what the hell is Butter?"

Poppy stood. "We gotta get outta here, fast." They both started to clear out. There was a knock on the door. "Just don't answer it."

"Okay, it's fine," Gabriel told her. "I can handle this." Poppy went to hide. Gabriel walked toward the door, opening it, surprised to see Rufus outside. "Rufus?"

"I, uh, just wanted to bring you my check in person," Rufus explained.

Gabriel looked slightly guilty.

X • O ° X • O

Humphrey Loft - Dan's Room

Dan was sleeping, hung over in bed.

Rufus knocked on the door before walking in. "Hey, Dan."

Dan held his head. "Mm." He saw the coffee cup in Rufus's hand. "Oh. Oh, coffee. Thank you, Dad." He sat up to drink. "You know, uh, if you're here to deliver the bad news, it's okay. I already know about Yale."

Rufus sat down. "Actually, that's, uh..."

"I don't know why I was--was so set on going there anyway," Dan told him. "I mean, it's basically a big version of St. Jude's. We all know how I fit in there."

"Well, Dan--" Rufus started.

"I got accepted into a lot of other great schools," Dan told him. "A couple--a couple of great schools. NYU. They offer financial aid." Hope and Jenny walked in. "I can always live at home."

"Or at our new home," Jenny told them.

Rufus looked from Dan to Hope and Jenny in confusion. "New--new home?"

"Yeah, we, uh, got you a little something," Hope told him.

Jenny handed a small box to Rufus. "The three of us pooled our savings."

Hope and Jenny sat down next to them.

"Fortunately, your tastes are very modest," Dan told him.

Rufus opened the box to see the engagement ring he had been looking at the other day, in shock by the gesture from the three of them, as the three of them smiled at him. "This is an amazing gesture."

"Well, we want you to be happy," Hope told him. "And whatever you and Lily means for us, I mean, you know, we--we'll figure it out."

Rufus smiled. "You kids are an inspiration. But I insist on, uh, writing you a check 'cause there are certain things a man has to do on his own."

Hope, Jenny and Dan all smiled in relief, all saying hilariously, "Oh, thank God."

Jenny nodded. "Yeah, we were hoping that you would say that."

"The reason I came here was not to deliver bad news, but good," Rufus told them. "And if things work out the way I think they will, Yale will be happening. And a lot of other good stuff for this family."

They all smiled.

X • O ° X • O

Gabriel's Hotel Room

Serena, Noe, Zaya and Sadie found the room empty.

Zaya sighed. "We're too late."

Noe checked around the room. "The drawers and closets are empty."

"He's gone," Sadie stated.

Poppy walked in, playing a victim. "What do you mean, gone?"

"Poppy?" Serena asked.

"He can't be gone," Poppy told them. "I need to talk to him. I gave him half a million dollars."

Noe, Serena, Zaya and Sadie exchanged a look.

X • O ° X • O

Bible Camp

Georgina walked up to Chuck, who was getting a cab. "What happened to your limo?"

"Arthur won't answer his phone, but I'm guessing Blair took it," Chuck answered.

"Blair?" Georgina asked. "You came here with Blair?" For a second, she looked scared, before she smiled. "You know what, it's actually my day off, and I really miss the city."

(Song:) URA Fever - The Killers

Chuck smirked, opening the cab door. Georgina got in, and then Chuck. The cab drove away.

Gossip Girl: (voice over) "Oh, dear queen, heed the words of a king. Look like an angel, talk like an angel. The devil in disguise. XOXO, Gossip Girl."