Nate's car
"Hey Dan" Nate interrupted his mind.
"Hey man" Dan said happily.
"Sorry I'm late, the traffic is pretty bad here"
Nate picked up Dan from the airport, they have become really good friends. It's been four months since Dan left New York.
"So you haven't been home for a very long time?" Nate asked, looking at Dan. He knows Dan well enough to know that he is avoiding everyone he knows in the city.
"Yah, I've been busy" Dan answered. "By the way, do you know any place that I can rent for a month?" he asked.
"Why? You can just stay here with your family?" Nate asked bluntly.
"I am staying with them for couple of days, that's long enough" he said "help me in searching?" he begged.
"Is it because of Serena?" Nate asked.
"No, it's not because of her. I just don't feel comfortable staying there, that's it!" he said smiling.
Dan reclined his sit, so relax a bit before seeing everyone. It has been four months, and he keep on asking himself if everyone change? And the image of Serena just lingers since he got on the plane to New York. Something about New York, that he can't separate it from her. Is he ready to meet her? The last time, she was engaged.
Midtown Apartment
"Son, you're back!" Rufus greeted Dan happily.
"Dad!" he replied.
"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!" Jenny screamed from across the room and hugged him.
"And I miss you too" he said smiling. "Lily, hi!" he said softly looking at Lily, who is looking at the two siblings.
"You're staying here? Right? Right? Jenny asked excitedly.
"I am for a couple of days, I'm renting an apartment outside for a few months" Dan said.
"What? No, don't be ridiculous. You're staying here!"
"There's too much of people staying here, anyway. I'm going to rent an apartment nearby. How's that sound?" Dan insisted that he want to move out in a couple of days.
"At least he's staying here tonight" Jenny said sadly.
"C'mon Jen, I'm back. Right?"
"Not sleeping?" Dan asked Serena, who came out from her room to the kitchen where Dan is sitting in the dark.
"You're in the dark?" Serena asked shocked and switched the lights on.
"Thank you, I was searching for it" he said with an awkward smile.
"So, can't sleep too?" Serena asked, sitting opposite Dan at the kitchen counter. She doesn't know what else to ask, it's awkward seeing him again. He looks different now.
"Yah, I need to get use to the time difference" he smiled.
"Wonder what the emergency is all about?" Serena said and Dan nodded. "Well, it brought you back to the city" she smiled.
"Yah, I've been gone for a couple of months" Dan replied smiling. "The last time I saw you was somewhere" said laughing and Serena nodded smiling. "I can't remember where!" he said embarrassed.
"Why didn't you come for all the family gathering?" Serena asked as she was staring at Dan and saw he was not comfortable about the question. "Forget it!."
"I did, but most of it when you're not around. Don't ask me why? But it has been awhile since the last family gathering" he answered "bad timing"
"Bad timing" she repeated what Dan has just said. All the memories of Dan has been haunting her since he left.
"How's Blair?" Dan asked.
"Wow, you didn't ask me about me and you're asking about Blair?" she said disappointed. "She's good."
Sorry, she emailed me while I was away and I didn't get the chance to reply her yet but how you doing?" Dan asked, not wanting to know more about Carter.
"I'm doing good, how are you?"
"I'm good, been working" Serena replied awkwardly.
"And your fiancé, how is he?"
"He's... He's... busy most of the time" she said honestly.
"I'm sorry, he'll come around. It's you we're talking about here. He's a loser if he let you go" he said with a sad eye.
"I'm going to bed" Serena said leaving Dan but turn back "good night" and smiled.
Dean and Delluca, Mid town
"You want to tell me why you didn't reply my emails?" Blair asked Dan with a smile.
"I've been busy Blair, I'm sorry" Dan answered "I make it up to you, I promise!" Dan smirked.
"Right, Humphrey!" Blair rolled her eyes. "Did you talk to Serena yet?" she said embarrassed. Obviously they met, they're staying in the same apartment.
"Yes, last night... In the kitchen" Dan said not paying attention to Blair and he smiled. "It's awkward"
"I bet! And please don't get yourself into any trouble again Humphrey!"
"I won't, not anymore... especially here. I'm a good boy!" Dan smirked.
"Do it for Serena at least and what's the emergency?" she said "you're smiling" Blair said happy. "Oh by the way, someone we know is approaching" said panic.
"Dan, why are you here with Blair?" Serena said surprised.
"We're friends!" Blair answered.
"Since?" Serena asked confused.
"Since NYU, why?"
"And it's early for you to wake up B? Why are you up so early with Dan?"
"Just for breakfast" Dan replied, looking at Blair. "Want to join us?"
"Sure!" Carter replied.
"Hi Carter!"
"Hi there, step brother in law" Carter replied with a smirk.
"This is going to be interesting" Blair whispered looking at Serena.
Til next time, it's short but the next update will be longer. Enjoy. Please review, I want to know the feedback.