Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl. Gossip Girl belongs to the CW Television Network and Josh Swartz. However, if I did own Gossip Girl...let's just say Vanessa and Georgina would accidentally-on-purpose fall of a cliff.

My friends wanted me to do a dedication cuz their idiots so here goes. To start off this challenge, I would like to dedicate this chapter to my friend Noel M.

"Serena, Eric, Charles. Please have a seat." Lily van der Woodsen gestured to the couch.

They all sat, looking confused as Bart Bass suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"Kids," He began. "We have decided to send you to California to go camping. Lily and I think that you need experience of the world outside New York."

Chuck's jaw dropped open as he comprehended what his father was saying. "C-Camping?"

"Yes, Charles. Camping. You three will be with Charles' Uncle Louie and his son, James, for two months. And before you ask, you will be outside – in tents. You have to make your own fire, and basically learn how to survive. You get supplies every two weeks. Oh and no phones."

Just then, Lily cut in. "Eric, you don't have to go if you do not wish to."

Lily, Bart and Serena all looked at Chuck's devastated face.

"Can we at least take people with us?" Asked Chuck meekly.

Bart nodded. "But no more than two guests per person."

For the first time, Serena spoke. "How old is James?"

"Apparently your age."

Lily and Bart turned their attention to Eric. "Do you wish to go, Eric?"

Eric gave an apologetic smile to Chuck and Serena and said,"Sorry, but I think I'll let you guys tough it out."

Lily looked at Serena. "I knew that you would want to invite Dan since you haven't seen him since the wedding, so Bart talked to Rufus about it today and Rufus said Dan could go."

At the mention of her ex-boyfriend, Serena's mouth went dry. "Sure," She managed to get out. "Thanks."

Chuck stood up. "I'm gonna call Nate." He mumbled.

"Oh and before you retire to your room, I wanted to let you know that you leave in two days so start packing!"

Chuck nodded and walked to his room.

"I'm gonna go call Blair." Said Serena as she walked into her room.

Two and A Half Days Later...

Serena, Dan, Chuck, Blair and Nate got off the plane and were greeted by a man around in his forties and a fit looking blonde haired guy around their age.

"Hi, I'm Chuck's Uncle Louie."

The blonde haired guy stood up. "I'm James."

"Now I know why I'm here,"whispered Blair to Serena.

"I thought you were here to get back together with Chuck. And because you were going to be all alone during the summer."

"Well, things change, don't they?"

Suddenly Uncle Louie interrupted. "Well, let's get going."

They all followed Uncle Louie to his motor home. Inside was something that looked like heaven compared to where they were going to live for the next two months.

"You see this place? You will only be in here to shower, cook, use the bathroom and get your clothes. Understand?"

Once everyone nodded, he started talking again. "James and I will be in the cabin. And don't try to come in here at night, unless you ask me first."

Blair, James, Chuck, and Nate sat on the long couch and since there was no room left, Dan and Serena sat on the smaller one.

"You're gonna live outside – I decide who's in who's tent. No complaining. I will be taking your cell phones on your parent's orders and you will be required to learn about the great outdoors. I hope you brought proper shoes."

At that, Blair gave a small gasp, but Serena sent her a reassuring glance.

"Now...sleeping arrangements, we'll decide that now. James take over the wheel."

James got up from next to Blair and went to drive.

Uncle Louie sat in the passenger seat and turned to look at them. "Now, let's see." He looked at Serena and Dan who were currently looking the opposite direction and then at Blair, Chuck and Nate who were all looking down at their shoes.

He pointed at Dan and Serena. "You two. In a tent. No questions." Then Uncle Louie turned to the remaining three. "You three. Tent. You wake me up, you get to hunt for food tomorrow."

Two hours, twenty-five minutes and five video games later...

"Finally, we're here!" Cried Nate who had lost all five video games to Chuck and James.

Everyone climbed off the motor home and onto the ground. Nate looked around and saw a cabin, woods and the beach.

"Um, what is that?" Asked Blair, pointing to the two lumps of fabric and poles on the ground.

"Oh, that's your tent!"

"Oh."

"I trust that you guys can put up a tent. James and I will go look for firewood. Those tents better be up by the time we're back."

As soon as Uncle Louie left, Chuck said,"He wasn't this loony a year ago."

Everyone turned to look at Chuck briefly and then started putting up the tents.

"Dan?" Asked Serena.

"Yeah?"

"You know how to put up a tent?"

Dan nodded and started arranging the poles. He directed Serena where to put the fabric and within a couple of minutes they had their 6 and a half foot tall tent.

"How did you do that?" Asked Nate.

Dan walked over and started to help them put up theirs.

Within a couple of minutes, Uncle Louie and James came back with their arms full of twigs and sticks. They dropped them on the ground and Uncle Louie surveyed their tents.

"Not bad, not bad at all."

Uncle Louie climbed back on the motor home and came out with five different colored sleeping bags.

He threw a plaid colored one at Chuck, a dark green one at Nate, a yellow one at Blair, and two blue ones at Dan and Serena.

"Go stick your luggage in your tent and your sleeping bags. And if you didn't put the carpet down in the tent, I suggest you do that now." Ordered Uncle Louie. "After that, you can take a break while James and I cook you dinner."

Blair, Chuck and Nate took their sleeping bags and went inside their tent. Meanwhile, Dan and Serena just stood there, not looking at each other.

"Er, should we take these in?" Asked Dan.

Serena nodded and reached for her sleeping bag, but Dan beat her to it.

"Thanks."

Dan flashed her a smile and carried the two into the tent.

Dan put his duffel bag on one side of the tent and Serena's on the other.

"So, what now?" Asked Serena.

Dan shrugged. He lay down on his sleeping bag. "We could talk?" He patted the sleeping bag next to him.

Serena nodded and laid down next to him. "So what's up?"

"Apparently the tent."

Serena giggled softly and suddenly became serious. "Dan?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we be friends? Cuz I really miss you."

"Sure. And for the record, I miss you too."

In Blair, Chuck and Nate's tent...

"What the hell are you doing?"

"What does it look like?"

"Do I look like I know?!"

Nate wearily looked up from his book and addressed the arguing pair.

"Chuck, I think Blair is arranging the sleeping bags. Blair, please stop yelling."

Chuck and Blair both stopped and turned to look at the brown haired boy who decided to start speaking.

Nate hastily returned to his book, looking away from the icy glares.

Chuck refrained from saying anything and walked over to Nate and bopped him with a pillow.

"Thanks for taking my side, pal."

"What?!"

Chuck merely strode out of the tent.

So...what'd you guys think? Please review.

Please.