(A/N: I'm actually almost completing the third part of my extended chapter for Finding Our Love To Restart It All, but I felt I should write a one-shot to S04E08. It was one of the most amazing episodes in a long time, it was hilarious for the first bit, but the second half was bittersweet. This is sort of an alternative ending, for Derena, but on the whole, I actually liked the way it turned out, the Chair bit reminded me of Hi, Society, the DS part was just so romantic, and Chair's today was too. Hope you guys like it.)
"Nate, I'm not here because of you. I've not been here waiting for you to realise that Juliet was just a manipulative, scheming bitch that was trying to turn you against the people who have always been around you. I'm standing here, right now, because of him." Serena broke Nate's light grasp of the small of her back, and walked towards Dan, slowly, yet surely.
"Your timing has been out of it today. First Colin, now Nate?" Serena smiled, she couldn't help herself, she always had the urge to smile whenever she saw Dan's face, even if it carried that disappointed expression he wore right now. He still wore that suit he had on outside the theatre, the same expression on his face as when she saw him after that kiss with Colin.
"I don't want to be the back-up plan forever, Serena. I love you. You know that. I've always been here for you. I don't want to be the guy that you turn to only when you realise that the person you were with wasn't the best fit." Dan looked away, knowing that making eye contact with her would be his downfall, she was his weakness.
"I didn't call you just because I broke up with Colin. I told him, just now, that when I met him, I was running away from you. I was afraid to be with you because I was scared that it would have turned out like the times before." Serena pushed her hair behind her ear, looking down, she couldn't keep running away from the truth, it was time to face up to it. "Nate, I'm sorry. You and I, we were best as friends. But I need to be with Dan."
Nate looked at them, he knew she was right. Turning away, he walked in the other direction, he couldn't really have regrets, he had only a half chance to begin with.
"We've always been running in circles. We shouldn't be denying this. Nothing matters to me as much as you, Serena. I just wish that you would see that, and stop pushing yourself away from me."
"Never again."
(A/N: It's a little on the delusional side, I know. But then again, Derena is my OTP.)