Burning bridges that's what Nate Archibald did best. Blair, Chuck, his grandfather, Serena, Jenny. Pretty much everyone who had ever mattered to him had left him behind for bigger and better things. He lit a joint and laid back to stare at the ceiling. "Class Whore" had been his label and it was probably true. Who else had been with a Brooklyn Barista, a fledgling fashion designer, the It Girl, an adulteress Duchess, and Queen B? Chuck might have paid for whores but Nate was the one doing the whoring.

Perhaps it was time to try being alone for awhile. No more girls, no more hook ups, just Nate. The thought was appealing albeit a little Dan Humphrey for his taste. His phone rang and Nate grabbed it from the nightstand.

"Nathaniel." Chuck's familiar drawl came through the receiver. "Blair and I request your presence at a small dinner party tonight." Nate could hear Blair chiding him in the background. Something about mocking her party or shucking her panties.

"Sure, why not." Nate replied. He had nothing else going on except for an NCIS marathon and another joint or two. Why not join the UES's most mysterious new couple for a little dinner.

"Wonderful. My suite at seven. The dress is semi-formal." Chuck said in a robotic tone that Nate was sure was making Blair absolutely batty. "Waldorf, I am simply doing as you requested. Inviting Nathaniel to dinner if you wanted it done in a certain way you should have specified. You know I love to follow your orders." Nate knew that tone and it was his signal that it was time to hang up.

"I'll see you at seven dude." He said quickly before snapping the phone shut. He finished his joint and lit another. He'd probably need a good buzz to make it through this dinner.

Later

"Nathaniel, please do come in." Chuck said opening the door to his suite. "Refreshments are in the usual place. Blair's getting ready still. Apparently I'm somewhat distracting." Chuck smirked and Nate grabbed a beer from the fridge.

"So, things are good?" He asked.

"Blissful." Chuck replied a knock at the door interrupted his sentence and he went to open it. "I believe the rest of the guests have arrived."

"Who else is coming?" Nate asked taking a long drink of his beer.

"My siblings and their significant others." Chuck replied opening the door. Eric and Jonathan entered debating some poem or another, a debate that was definitely going over Nate's head. "Where's my dear sister?" Chuck asked. "If she's late my darling girlfriend will have her head."

"She's coming. Had to find the right shoes." Eric replied his mouth half full of the crab cakes that Blair had laid out for appetizers.

"Is she bringing someone?" Blair asked emerging from the bedroom looking impeccable. "Not Cabbage Patch I hope. We don't need anymore high school reruns. Hi Nate."

"Blair." He replied kissing her on the cheek. "Is Serena dating someone?"

"Well..." Eric started looking at his feet.

"I thought she went to Europe for the summer, don't tell me she got fake married again." Chuck interrupted rolling his eyes and wondering if he should call one of his lawyers.

"She went to Fiji actually and came home with someone but..." Eric trailed off again.

"She brought home a native!" Blair exclaimed in disgust.

"No, it's um..." They were interrupted by a knock on the door and Chuck moved to answer it. As the door opened a streak of blonde hair flew towards Chuck.

"Hi sis." He said wrapping his arms around her. "How was Fiji?"

"Eric! Natie! B!" Serena shrieked pulling them each into a tight hug. Chuck was about to close the door when a hand stopped it and a figure emerged in the doorway.

"Why the hell are you here?" Chuck asked as his eyes narrowed to slits. "I guess I have some people to fire for letting you in the building."

"No worries Bass Serena let me in." Carter said patting Chuck's shoulder. Chuck's eyes narrowed at the unwelcome contact.

"Chuck play nice." Serena warned with a warm smile as she leaned in and kissed Carter's cheek. Blair and Nate shared a stunned look and Eric shrugged at Chuck.

"Well, I guess your standards could only get lower after dating Humphrey." Chuck said closing the door.

"You mean our future step-brother?" Serena asked knowing how much it irked Chuck to be reminded of the soon-to-be additions to their little family.

"S, please we're going to eat soon." Blair said making a disgusted face. Serena laughed and Carter wrapped an arm around her shoulders. The others shared surprised glances at the gesture but decided it was best to move on to safer topics. Like Nate's European vacation and Chuck's new business proposal.

Later after dinner

Nate was standing on Chuck's balcony breathing in the night air when he felt someone come up behind. Expecting his best friend he turned smiling. The smile quickly faded into a frown when he realized who it was.

"Carter." He said coldly as the older boy moved to stand next to him.

"Archibald." He replied. "I have a favor to ask."

"And why would I want to do you a favor?" Nate replied icily.

"Because there are benefits to be had." Carter took a slow sip of his whiskey before continuing. "This thing with Serena is becoming something all together new to me and I need a little advice. Wooing I can do, it's the relationship part that I struggle with."

"What's in it for me?" Nate asked wondering what Carter had to offer that would even make him consider helping him with Serena.

"William Vanderbilt is a close, personal friend of my father. Rumor has it grandpa is less then pleased with little Nathaniel since he ran away to Europe with a boho barista. Perhaps I could put in a good word, arrange a chance encounter." Carter lifted the glass to his lips as Nate contemplated his offer.

"So, I give you some inside information on Serena and you help me get back into the good graces of the Vanderbilts?" Nate clarified. "What makes you think I want anything to do with them?"

Carter smirked. "Nathaniel, we both know how this world works. Money talks to be sure but nothing is more important then pedigree. Being a Vanderbilt and an Archibald is impressive but it can only get you so far if you're on the outs with the family patriarch. A Vanderbilt on the outs is like new money at a blue blood society party. Everyone smiles to your face but they have a lot to talk about behind your back."

Nate couldn't help but agree with Carter's assessment. He was right being a Vanderbilt meant nothing if the family chose to ignore you. "Alright say I agree to help you. What would I have to do?" Nate asked tentatively. Carter smiled.

"A little inside information on Serena. What she likes, what she doesn't." Carter said.

"Man, how do you not know? How many years have you known her?" Nate asked unsure what information he was being asked to share.

"I know her but there are some things that I still need to learn." Carter replied. "I want to make her happy. I want to try and make this thing between us work." Nate was surprised Carter actually seemed genuine, for once. "So, do we have a deal?" Carter extended his hand and Nate hesitated slightly before shaking it.

"Meet me tomorrow at Bergdorf's. I want to get her something perfect." Carter said and moved to leave. Nate took a long drink from his beer and wondered what could possibly have made the infamous Carter Baizen suddenly develop feelings. He was sure it had something to do with the charm of Serena van der Woodsen.