If this is the conversation, if the burlesque is winding down, is it possible to be honest enough? Tears well up in her eyes. And his. "But if it's not... Then please, Chuck. Just let me go." She nods, smiling, loving him too as a friend, giving him his room. What lies beyond love that costs nothing? Love that remains, after love is gone. We will stay a family. I see signs now, all the time, that you're not dead: you're sleeping. I'll believe in anything that brings you back home to me. There's no risk here, just acceptance. Just the request for an answer. She smiles at him, lovingly, tears dropping, willing him on. Giving him strength. His sister enters and Blair acknowledges her in the nod, begging him to come out. It looks like he's losing his religion. Blair has met her match in the battle for Chuck's soul, and it has nothing to do with her.

Behind him, Serena urges her on. Enough honesty, Eric always says, enough light and you can be strong enough for anything. Enough love. Look down deep. Has she taken off enough? Is this enough? He's Eustace and she's the lion, tearing at her own skin. Once the game was words: say I love you, and I'm yours. We're past that point now. No more telling, only showing.

You don't get burned because nothing gets through
It makes it easier on you
But that much more difficult for me to make you see

After a long silence she nods once more, searching his face, and he smiles.

I'm desperate to connect
And you can't live like this

"...It's just a game." S listening, feeling awful. "I hate to lose. You're free to go." She stands, and thanks him. Defiant, hurt beyond hurting, naked and bleeding. Free.

You have lost too much love to fear, doubt and distrust
It's not enough
You just threw away the key to your heart

She's gone. He can breathe. Serena joins him, almost touching him, honestly horrified. "Chuck. Why did you just ... do that?" Honestly curious. He looks at the bar. "Because I love her. And I can't make her happy."

It's not enough.

Sherilyn sits with Poppy Lifton, as a waiter spreads caviar on a cracker so slow as to be pornographic, limitless and decadent: "New York is full of people doing such amazing things. Who knew you could bring wireless to third world countries?" Even Poppy's having trouble pretending to care about that. "Yeah. It's really more of a passion than a job. I mean, it gives so much to the children." For example, Sherilyn (and Georgina) imagine, they can "look at faraway places and read Bible stories... Oh! And they can download Kirk Cameron movies!" Poppy gets a kick out of her, nodding, and Sherilyn makes the play. Poppy's hair looks the best it's ever looked as she jumps at it: "I mean, you're such a great girl... Look, if you can get me a payment today, I'll find a way to get you in." Classic creep talk.