"Gossip Girl here, your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite." " Serena, where's Charles?" " Mom, what's wrong?" "Bart's been in an accident." "My father is dead because of your father." "My father met with you before he died." "I wanna know what you told him." " It's no one's fault." " Yes, it is." "It's your fault." "His blood is on your hands." "I want you to come to Buenos Aires." "I don't wanna say no, but I have to." " My family" " Sure it's family you don't wanna leave?" " I don't want you to go." " I told him I would." " Tell him you're not." " It's not about Aaron, it's our parents." " What about our parents?" " They're in love." "I asked my mom not to follow her heart once." "Not gonna do it again." "Come away with me." "Let's take that trip we didn't take." "Figure things out." " There's something you need to know." " Just tell me, is it a boy or a girl?" "I will stand by you through anything." " Why would you do that?" " Because I love you." "Well, that's too bad." "Where has she been?" "And who am I?" "That's one secret I'll never tell." "You know you love me." "XOXO Gossip Girl." "Gossip Girl here, welcoming you to the new year when Manhattanites who flew south for the sun return to their Park Avenue perches." "Which means I have a lot of catching up to do." "Word is, Serena van der Woodsen tangoed in the new year in the plazas of Buenos Aires." "Guess that means Lonely Boy was all alone when the clock tolled 12." " And what of Little J?" " There it is." "Thank God." "Rumor is, she's trading runways for hallways." "All right, go learn something." "So long, high fashion." "Hello, high school." "What'd your dad say when you told him you were coming back to Constance?" "Well, it wasn't so much words as a whoop." "He called Headmistress Queller at home at night on Christmas Eve." "I still don't understand your sudden flip." "I don't know." "I guess it was the Snowflake Ball." "I just felt 15 again for a second, and it felt kind of good." "I don't know." "Blair Waldorf has been spotted making inroads at the Colony Club." "With high school nearing its end has Queen B found a new social ladder to climb?" "So there's still no word from Chuck?" "MIA since the day after the funeral." "Uncle Jack went to go look for him." " You have an Uncle Jack?" " He's Bart's brother." "He does something for Bass Industries in Australia." "He landed and kind of took charge." "Somebody had to." "So the only real question remaining:" "Where in the world is Chuck Bass?" "And is he ever coming back?" "Dad." "I was e-mailing Vanessa." "Let me take that." "She up with her parents?" "I didn't expect you until this afternoon." "The search for my sculptor hit a dead end." "Thought it was a painter." "Sculptor." "Painter." "He's sort of into mixed media." "Or she, still not sure about that." "I can't believe you didn't find him." "Or her." "Hey, it's good to see you." " Where's your sister?" " She left for school already." "Yeah, sigh of relief all around." "In fact, I should get going myself." " Why don't I go with you?" " Because I'm not a third-grader?" "Come on, we can catch up." "First day of your last semester." " Allow me a trip down nostalgia lane." " All right, fine." "But no hugs." "Of course, the Colony Club is the oldest, most prestigious ladies' club in the city." "I'm honored just to be considered." "Oh, Miss Blair, they must take you as member." "They must do nothing, Dorota." "It's the Colony Club." "The most exclusive in New York, which means the world." "Now, when the selection committee comes over tomorrow things have to be perfect." "It's my first step to building the kind of life I want." "One without..." "Mr. Chuck?" "Shh..." "It's a new year, Dorota." "Time to focus on a new, unencumbered future." "Then again, to deny one's past is to deny oneself." "We'll discuss the party on our way." "So you really haven't thought about it?" " Jenny?" " Yeah?" "I asked if you're nervous about the mean girls?" "Please, Eric, really." "In the past four months, I've faced down Eleanor Waldorf I've hijacked a society gala had my collection torched and was homeless." "So I can handle high school." "Okay, I'm a little nervous." "Jenny, you're really here." "I was so happy when I heard you were coming back." "Wow." "Um, thanks, Nelly." "That's really nice." "Nelly." "I think you need your prescription checked." "Do you realize who you're talking to?" "And I don't see you holding my double tall, no-foam dry cap with two Splendas." "We'll have to punish her." "Is that always how they treat you?" "Why would you put up with that?" "She's been gone a while." "If I even dreamed of defecting, Penelope would make my life hell." "Or more hell." "I'd better go." " I'm glad you're back." " Thanks." "So Nelly Yuki is the new old Jenny Humphrey." "Hey, you can't get involved." "I know, it's..." "I know." "Blair." " You came to greet us." " Not you." "Chuck." "You said you found him." "In Bangkok." "He was staying at our hotel there." " You hear the term "den of iniquity"" " Do you have him or not?" "Nephew mine." "Tell his teachers he'll be taking a personal day." "Why are you following me?" "Go home and get ready for my party." "Yes, Miss Blair." "You got me here, safe and sound." "Yeah, let's make a plan for tonight." "I missed you Christmas and New Year's" " Hold on." " All right." "Rufus Humphrey." "Mr. Humphrey, this is Beth from Child Services in Dorchester." "Thanks for calling me back." "In response to your query, we don't have any record of such an adoption." "I spent two weeks striking out at every adoption agency in Boston so I'm not surprised." "Most likely this was a private adoption." "Your only avenue is to check with the mother the one who gave up the child." "Yeah, I know, I was actually about to do that." "Guess I was just hoping there was another way." "Hey." " Hey, you're back." " Yeah." "Just." "I literally drove here from the airport." "Well, you look tan." "Well, it is summer in Buenos Aires." "Right, the Southern Hemisphere" "I broke up with Aaron." "Oh." "When?" "About three hours after we left New York which was maybe not the brightest idea on a 15-hour flight." "When I landed, I got an e-mail from Mom saying that she and your dad weren't gonna be together now or ever." "I know." "I tried calling you before you left." "If you knew, I mean, you know, you could have called or e-mailed." " Of course, unless you didn't want to" " No." "I needed to make sure that when the dust settled, we still felt the same." "And do you?" "Yes." "Do you?" "Spotted:" "S and Lonely Boy kicking off the new year like it's last year." "Who knows?" "Maybe third time's a charm." "But let's not break out the bubbly just yet." " B, oh, I missed you so much." " Not as much as I missed you." " Hey, did Jack ever find Chuck?" " Yeah, what was left of him." "Surprised they made it through customs." "Chuck's body odor could've given a high to half of Manhattan." "S, I have to tell you something." "I did something so stupid." "B, what is it?" "I told Chuck I loved him." " Oh, my gosh, that's great." " Great?" "No." "It's awful." "Not only did he not say it back, but he disappeared for a month." "If I could just go back and strangle myself as the words come out..." "No, I'm sure Chuck will say it back." "He was probably thinking about you." "Not unless I was a Thai hooker named Bo." "There's something else." "Hey." "Oh." "Hey, this is my news." " When I was in Buenos Aires" " A postcard would've been fine." "I'm happy for you." "I'm gonna go vomit now." " Happy New Year." " She just needs time." "Listen, I have an idea." "Your last class today, is it incredibly, unmissably fascinating?" "Why?" "Do you have something in mind?" "Hello, Rufus." "Lily." " How was your--?" " I wanna know where my child is." "We already talked about that." "I had to say "my child." I don't know if it's a boy or girl." "I shouldn't have come." "I spent the last two weeks knocking on the door of every adoption agency hoping to avoid this conversation." "They all told me to ask the mother, so I'm asking." " I told you, when I gave him up" " So it's a boy." "That's something, I guess." "I gave up the right to go looking for him." "And I'm not gonna allow you to bulldoze into his life." "It's not fair." "How is that fair to me?" "When was I asked if I was okay with it?" "This is just you not wanting anyone to find out." "Oh, no, I've given up on that." "Charles knows." "I believe he won't say anything." "I have a right to know my son." "And he has the right to his own life." "Just like you've had yours." "I was gonna be a rock star, remember?" "Instead I had two kids." "And I was there to take them to school and talk about their days at night." "And if someone came to me and said I could trade that for the life I wanted when I was 19, I wouldn't." "Being a father is who I am." "Don't take that away." "I'm sorry." "I can't." "Then I'll find him without your help." " They treat her like their servant." " And it is none of your business." "It's a new year, remember?" "New leaf." "New Jenny Humphrey." "Yeah." "Um, Nelly." "Okay, no." "That's not okay." "And here we go." "Hi." "Penelope, can I talk to you for a second?" "So I don't mean to intrude on your authority or whatever but could you maybe be a little nicer to Nelly?" "Sure, why not?" " Really?" " We're not monsters, J." "Nelly is our friend." "Oh, look at that." "Nelly, can you help me?" "As a friend?" "Oh, not the napkin, it smudges." "Use your finger." "Okay, no, that's enough." "Nelly, let's go." "Do you know what you're doing, Little J?" " I'm not Little J anymore." " Thank you." "Just keep walking." "Hazel, clean my shoe." "You wanna get kicked out?" "Hello to you too, lover." " Long time no see." " Put that out." "You didn't say the magic word." "What are you even doing here?" "You should be passed out." "Or hooked up to an IV." "I didn't wanna miss the first day of school." "Though looks like I already did." "That's the reason you came?" " Not something to tell me?" " Like what?" "You know like what." "Look at me." "Who are you?" "Chuck Bass." "Please tell me that's not what I think it is." "Oh, uh..." "Hey, Dad." "You know, Serena was-- She was" "We're busted." "Hi, Mr. Humphrey." "Happy New Year." "Serena." "So you two are back together?" "Yeah, right?" "I mean, yeah, we are." "We're back together." "I think Serena should be getting home." "What?" "No" "I don't like the two of you being here alone when I'm not." "Are you kidding?" "Dan, this is my home." "I'd appreciate if you'd respect that." "Yeah, I should go." "It's a school night, and I haven't seen my mom yet, so I'm gonna go." "Okay, yeah, I'll get you a cab." "Good night, Mr. Humphrey." "I'm telling you, this is a mistake." "Miss Waldorf, this is not normal." "Headmistress Queller, Charles is in no state to represent himself..." " ...and as Mrs. Bass" " Van der Woodsen." "My father's dead." "Is indisposed with grief, someone has to be here." "So I am." "Sorry I'm late." "Jack Bass, Chuck's uncle." "How are you?" "Uncle Jack, what a surprise." "How've you been?" "So you don't remember our rickshaw ride?" "The 15-hour flight?" " That was you?" " Yeah, that was me." "Thank you, Jack, but I've got this covered." "I figured principal's office, boy needs a parent or a guardian." "Parents being dead-- Sorry, Chuck." "I'm the closest thing." "So, what seems to be the problem?" "I found Charles smoking marijuana on school property." "It was hash, actually." "I find it gives a softer high." "Right." " The evidence seems questionable." " Would you stop?" "I think we can all agree that Charles has been through an ordeal." "He's clearly out of his right mind and can't be held responsible for his actions." "It's temporary insanity." "Headmistress, no court of law could find him guilty of a crime." "How can we?" "Mr. Bass has been through a lot." "Do you promise me that nothing like this will ever happen again?" "Pop quiz:" "What do you get when you cross Chuck Bass a billion dollars and Bart cold in the ground?" "For you, headmistress, anything." "Freefall." "Everyone, it has been a pleasure." "So, what kind of suspension are we looking at?" "Hey, Dan." "Good morning, Jen." "Okay, what's with the cold front?" " Eat your breakfast." " Doesn't want me dating Serena." "You guys are back together?" "How did I not know?" "I'd rather we didn't discuss this now." "Serena's the best thing ever to happen to Dan." "She's smart, she's funny, and she's, like, nine levels hotter than him." " Thank you." "But she's right." " Come on, get on board." "Dan and Serena, Dan and Serena!" "Whoo!" "Okay." "Dad is not into cheering." "Am I really supposed to pretend this has nothing to do with you and Lily?" "What happened with him and Lily?" "What happened between you and Lily?" "None of your business." "You can tell me not to date Serena, but I can't say anything?" " Him and Lily what?" "Somebody, please?" " You need to leave for school." "Oh, you're not gonna walk me today?" "I'm heartbroken." " Okay, Dad, seriously" " You're gonna be late." "No, I'm not." "Yes, I am." "Dan, wait up." "Nelly has put in a year of loyal service." "She should be allowed to leave without reprisals." "For example, people breaking into her locker and smashing her glasses." "I see." "Rebuttal?" "There has been a long tradition of newer members being subjected to attention." "Some of the things I had to do?" "Disgusting." "Oh, I remember." "I made you do them." "But more importantly, once people find out you can quit the girls of the steps will be finished." "Come on, Blair, what's your decision?" "Tonight, I'm hosting the selection committee of the Colony Club." "You're getting in?" "They never take girls from high school." "I know, I was surprised too." "That's not entirely true." "The point is, enough of this high-school nonsense." "Nelly or no Nelly." "Who cares?" "I have enough going on already." "God!" "Blair's leaving us behind." "It's like the end of an era." "We're more than any one member." "And the only way Nelly is leaving is in a body bag." "God, P, tone down the crazy." "When I left for Argentina my mom acted like she and your dad were riding into the sunset together." "Then three hours later, he tells you it's over." "We were so happy for ourselves, we never asked what happened." "So, what do we do?" "I don't know, but we have to do something, Dan." "I need to talk to you." "And I'm-- I'll see you later." " Have you seen Chuck today?" " No, why?" " Did he come home last night?" " Blair, I don't know." "What's wrong?" "Yesterday Queller caught him smoking hash at school." "There was a meeting, and to say it went badly would be an understatement." " I'm worried." " Blair, it's Chuck." "He's blowing off steam." "It's what he does." "He'll show up in days minus a few million brain cells and some liver tissue." "It's true." "He always disappeared." "Marrakesh, Prague." "And he always came back." "Tie perfectly knotted." "But this time, when I looked in his eyes I couldn't see him anymore." "You're really worried?" "Okay." "Okay, just give it till tonight and if he hasn't shown up, I'll help you." "I gotta get to class." "I'm sorry." "Dorota, is everything ready for the Colony ladies?" "No, not yet." "I have somewhere to go first." " Ow." "Watch it!" " Sorry." " Oh, my God." " They've got our table." " Here they come." " Just let me do the talking." " I think I'm gonna be sick." " Yeah, try not to do that." "Isabel is going to count to three." "If you have not vanished by then, I will not be responsible." "One..." "Actually, I'd grab a table." "Filling up pretty fast." "Sit anywhere, guys." "Tables belong to everyone." "...two?" "You're gonna pay for this, Jenny Humphrey." "I promise." "You will pay." " So should I keep counting?" " Oh, shut up, Is." "Daddy?" "I need you to call Headmistress Queller." "There's a girl bullying me." "Hello, Chuck." "I thought I'd find you here." "Blair." "Ladies, would you give us a moment?" " I thought you sold this place." " I bought it back last night." "Owner took me to the cleaners, but some things are worth the price." "You should go home." " Lily, Serena, Eric" " That is not my home." " Or my family." " Fine." "Go to the Palace." "Just get out of here." "Well, that would be rude since I'm throwing a party here tonight." "I just posted it on Gossip Girl." "Maybe you'll grace us with a dance." "Chuck, stop." "All this doesn't help." "It isn't you." "Wrong." "Bart may have been a bastard, but he saw me better than anyone." "I'm simply living up to my potential." "It's time to let go of your fantasies." "I don't believe you." "That's your business." "Now, was that it, or were you going to tell me you love me again?" "Why did you even come back?" "Dad?" "Dad?" "So, what are we looking for again?" "Notes, messages." "Anything that seems tied to my mom." "I don't see why I had to come." "He doesn't want me here." "He's less likely to murder me with witnesses." "Yeah, that makes sense." "Oh, my God." "He asked my mom to marry him, and she said no." "That's why he's angry." "That's my mom's ring." "She gave it back to him." "It was a good theory, though." "Oh." "It's Blair." "She needs me." "I have to go." "Call me if you find something." "And what if he tries to kill me?" "South Boston Adoption Agency." "New year, but same old story." "The darkest secrets are always the ones that hit closest to home." "Hello?" "Miss Blair, where have you been?" "The Colony Club ladies will be here." "I just need 10 minutes." "What happened?" "Penelope and the girls got their parents to call Queller." "They say I'm bullying them." "Wow." "Oh, my God." "That is kind of genius." "She wants me to handle it by myself, which means roll over and take it." "I don't understand." "Why won't Penelope just let you quit?" "She's afraid I'll tell people she's sleeping with her dad's junior partner." "I mean, the things I know..." " No." "Penelope would kill me." "Literally." " Yeah." "We'll see." "How much do you know?" " If you're here to argue" " What were you looking for in Boston?" "I know it's not a painter, and I know it's not a sculptor or whatever story it was you couldn't keep straight." "Hold on." "How do you--?" "Did, uh, Chuck Bass say something to you?" "Chuck--?" "What?" "So wait, you're telling me that Chuck Bass knows something about our life, and I don't know?" " I can't talk to you about this right now." " You know, if it was just your life I would say, "Fine." But it's not." "It's mine and Serena's." " We have a right to know." " I agree." " But there are other people involved." " Let me take a wild guess and say Lily." "Just give me a day." "There's a right way for all of us to talk about this." "We're past that." "B, is everything okay?" "I came as fast as I could." " Fine." "False alarm." " Wait, what happened?" "Chuck." "He's holed up at Victrola in some Jim Morrison downward spiral." "Sad, in a way." "Luckily, it's not my concern." "Thank you for coming." "Dorota." "I think my guests from the Colony Club are here." "If Chuck is really in trouble, then we need to help him." "He doesn't have brothers and sisters." "We're all he has." " You are all he has." " He doesn't want my help." "So that's just it?" "You're gonna abandon him for a bunch of society matrons?" "Those matrons, as you call them, are helping me build a life." "All Chuck can do is destroy one." "I'm not abandoning Chuck." "I'm just saving myself." "Now, if you'll excuse me." "Hi, ladies." "Glad you could make it." "Come on in." "Hey." "That's the problem with an open invitation." "You can't keep out the hoi polloi." "What do you know about my dad and Lily?" "So the cat's out of the bag." "I found some numbers." "My dad was supposed to be in Boston looking for an artist." "He was, apparently, visiting some orphanages." "How Dickensian." "Chuck, I need to know this." "You know, the funny thing is, I was going to keep Lily's secret." "You buried the arson story on my dad." "This makes us even." "You're not the first-born Humphrey." "So if you were planning on inheriting the family estate I'd make other arrangements." "Um, that's not possible." "I mean, my dad" "Lily and her mother kept it a secret." "Gave the kid away." "I imagine your dad just found out." "And now there's only one more person to tell." "Of course, as soon as you do, it's over between you, isn't it?" "Sharing a sibling?" "It's a bit much, even for me." "Spotted at Victrola, Lonely Boy and Chuck Bass having a heart-to-heart." "What or who do they have to talk about?" "And will Serena be the last to know?" "I've always felt the Colony Club exemplified the highest ideals of character." "Public service." "I frequently feed the ducks in Central Park." " And read to blind children." " Impressive." "However, for better or worse we are known by the company we keep." "Tell me was that Serena van der Woodsen who came earlier?" " Yes." "She's an old friend." " I see her quite a bit on Page Six." "And quite a bit of her." "Well, when I said she was an old friend, it was habit." "I don't" " Can't approve of how she lives her life." "And her mother married Bart Bass." "The man was all new money and models." "If you ask me, that car hitting him was a mercy killing." "I hear Bass Jr." "Is a piece of work." "You wouldn't have anything to do with him, would you?" " Well, I" " Blair, the answer is no." "Yes." "I mean, no." "I have to go." "That piece of work, Chuck Bass, needs me." "And Serena and her mother are wonderful, kind people." "Blair, do you know what you're doing?" "I thought I was leaving high school behind." "I guess you never do." "Dorota will get your coats." "Welcome back." "How was Thailand?" "I honestly don't remember." "You should come home, Chuck." "I think I'll take the view from above." "It was nice having you as my little brother." "Eric, where's Little J?" "I imagine busy cleaning out her locker." "Actually I just got done writing a Gossip Girl post, saying how, for six months you've been having an affair with your dad's junior partner." "And, Hazel, you got drunk and hooked up with your cousin, twice." "Oh, my God." " And, Isabel, do I even have to say?" " No." "Those things were told to you in confidence." "More like stupidity." "Unless your parents back off and you start leaving Nelly alone, I hit "send."" "Duh, you win." "I know." "What do you wanna do about the collegiate party?" " What are you talking about?" " Don't play the innocent." " You wanted queen, you've got it." " Wait." "That's what you think I did all this for?" " Didn't you?" " No." "No, not at all." "You're telling me this was just a good deed?" "Oh, my God." "I'm so bored." "Okay." "Big miscalculation." "See, I kind of thought, coming back to school you did wanna be queen." " Oh, that's not good." "I was never gonna move past Hazel and Is but I thought if there was a new regime" "You played me?" "You, Nelly Yuki?" "And now she wants to go to the collegiate party." "I'm sorry, Jenny." "Penelope." "Really, though?" "Wow." "So everything is exactly the same." "Nothing changed." "Everything but you." " Okay." "Hot chocolate?" " I'm gonna get my coat." "Yeah." "Rufus, your message said it was urgent." "Has something happened?" "Dan knows, or he doesn't yet, but I think he will soon." "And then I imagine he'll tell Serena." "And I thought you should know." "Rufus, wait." " What will they think of me?" " Who?" "Serena and Eric?" "Well, it's not my problem." "We're each on our own, remember?" "Look, you already hate me." "What if they hate me too?" "I gave away their brother." "I wasn't ready." "I was young and scared, heartbroken over you." "And CeCe kept pressuring me." "And the truth is, I wasn't ready to have a baby." "And it's been a hole in my life ever since." "I understand why you gave him up." " But it's that you didn't tell me." " Rufus, please." "I don't hate you, Lil." "As much as I want to." "Neither will your kids." "But you've had 20 years to make peace with this." "It's gonna take me some time." "What do you wanna know?" " Hey." " Hey." "What are you doing here?" " Weirdly enough, I came to see Chuck." " Me too." "Is everything okay?" " Did you find something in the loft?" " Kind of." "Can we go somewhere to talk privately, without all of this?" "Okay." "Blair." "Aren't you a little old to be here?" "I heard my nephew was throwing the first big party of the year." "And I have to say, he does the Bass name proud." "I can see you'll be a wonderful influence on him." "Oh, hey, Eric." "Have you seen Chuck?" "A while ago." "He said something about wanting to take in the view from above." " He probably meant upstairs." " Clearly, you don't know Chuck." "He has a thing for rooftops." "Here." "Enjoy." "One thing about being on top of the world:" "It gives you a long, long way to fall." "Oops." "Chuck." "No!" "You idiot." "You don't surprise someone standing off the edge of a building." "Chuck, come away from there." "Let's go down and join the party." "I was at the party." "Not really that into it." "Your father wouldn't have wanted this." "Dear old Dad." "Unfortunately, all I know is what he didn't want." "Which is me." "I'm Chuck Bass!" "No one cares." "I do." "Don't you understand?" "I'll always be here." "I don't want you going anywhere." "I couldn't bear it." "So whatever you wanna do to yourself please don't do that to me." "Please." "Please." " I'm sorry." " It's okay." " Hey, whatever it is, you can tell me." " No, I know." "But it's..." "It's our parents." "They" "Hold on." " Yeah, Dad, what's going on?" " Do you know?" " Yeah, I do." " Have you told Serena?" "Yeah, well, I was about to." "I'm with Lily." "We're about to go look for our child." " Dad, that" " Lily wants to tell Serena and Eric." "Dad, no." "I" " You can't ask me to hide this from Serena." " This is too big to keep secret." " This isn't your secret to share." "This is between mother and daughter." "I know it's hard, but you have to respect that." "Yeah." "Okay." "Thanks, son." "I'll call you soon." "You should go back to Lily's." "He'll take off again." "I've got a better chance keeping an eye on him." " So you know, I don't trust you." " I want what's best for my nephew." "And as for trusting me, do you really have a choice?" "He can't know what happened on New Year's." "Good night, Blair." "The year scarcely turned, and already the secrets have begun." "Where will it end this time?" "What is it?" "It's..." "That was my dad." "He and Lily are going away for a couple days." "And you're worried what'll happen to us?" "Hey." "It's fine." "We're gonna be okay." "The new year isn't about what happened." "It's about what's to come." "But the past is always with us, just waiting to mess with the present." "And when it does, I'll be watching." "XOXO, Gossip Girl."