𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 // 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘱 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵

𝒮𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃𝓉𝑒𝑒𝓃

"Hello?" Talia answered. Everyone was gathered around the kitchen, worrying what the conversation was about. She paced back and forth as everyone looked at her for an answer or update. "Fine, I'll be home" Talia said before hanging up. "He filed a restraining order against Chuck until the hearing in a few days. I have to go home so I don't violate anything and fuck up the guardianship"

"You are not going home" Aki said all concerned.

"I agree. It's not safe" Obie said. Max stood towards the back, he then stepped forward "I'll take you home" he offered.

"I have to. I'll be fine. What's the worst that will happen?" Talia said calmly. She placed the phone and charger into her bag. "I love you all and will text you when I'm 'home'. Okay?" Talia asked trying to ease everyone's mind. She exited the apartment and hailed cab to Jack's. As she walked into the lobby she let out a big sigh trying to shake her nerves out.

"Miss Bass, welcome" the door man said. He held open the elevator for her as she stepped inside. Her phone notifications going off in a crazy manner just as the door opened. She stepped inside the penthouse to find her mother had broken her silence. She also saw Gossip Girl had blasted Talia for supporting Jack and not her mother.

"Was this a ploy? You got me here for the paparazzi to pin me with you and not mom?" Talia asked harshly. She knew Jack had no good intentions and could careless about her these days.

"Come on Talia. A restraining order. I thought I taught you better but I guess not" Jack said grinning. Talia rolled her eyes at Jack and began to walk out. "Don't forget. You aren't a saint either!"

"My past can't be held against me. Not by you"

"Killing someone, the media just might want that tip"

"It was self-defense"

"Ask your brother about self-defense. He'll tell you a story too. You never came clean about what happened that night over the summer. You cried to me asking for my help. Well, be careful what you wished for" Jack said. Talia tried holding in her tears before storming out of the apartment.

As she hailed a cab she pulled up the gossip girl post that everyone was bothering her about.

Spotted:
Talia Bass back at the Jack Bass Penthouse. What happened T, I thought mommy knows best? Can we assume Talia stands with her father.

Frustrated she called Chuck asking for a lawyer of her own. "Chuck. I need a lawyer. I killed someone and Jack's threatening me now" Talia cried.

———

"So, let me guess this straight. Your father- I mean Jack is threatening you with this secret" The lawyer asked. She scribbled down a few notes before looking up at Talia. Chuck stood in the doorway keeping his distance while also listening in.

"Yes. It was over the summer and it was self-defense. I was alone and-"

"Okay. I'm going to need more details for the record. What exactly took place?" The lawyer asked. Talia took a deep breath trying to calm herself down.

"It was July 6, 5 am. I was leaving um, someone's house in the West Village and I stupidly decided to take the subway. Paparazzi were down the street and I didn't want to be seen making the walk of shame home when I had left the brownstone"

"Okay, so where were you heading. Were you going to the place you were residing in?" The lawyer asked.

"I was on and off residing at 90 Morton Street in the West Village during the beginning of the pandemic and over the summer. I should have just stayed the night. I instead headed to Jack Bass's apartment on 973 Fifth Ave" Talia said, her head falling into her hands.

"So what happened? In the subway?" The lawyer asked.

"I took the five minute walk to the L. I then got off and waited to catch the six up to the apartment. It was while waiting for the six that a man creepily approached me. He tried stealing my bag and I would have let him have it but it was a gift from my mom and Jack for my tenth birthday. A one of a kind. So I pushed the guy off me. He feel into the train tracks and a few moments later the train came. I haven't been able to take the train since" Talia explained. She was wiping the tears as they fell from her puffy eyes.

"Okay, I see. And-"

"I think that's enough" Chuck said stepping in. "We have the guardianship case tomorrow. Will you be able to represent her?" Chuck asked.

"Yes. I have enough information"

"Great" Chuck said. He ushered Talia out of the office and outside of the building were numerous paparazzi were waiting. Their new bodyguard pushed past the crowds of people for them before opening the door to the limo.

Talia and Chuck slid inside.

"It was self-defense. Right?" Talia questioned. Chuck looked at her with pain in his own eyes.

"Yes. I know how you feel though. Something similar happened to me"