Serena had taken so much on this year. She had Georgina almost ruin her life, she was brought into a new family, almost lost her best friend, but was worst of all she didn't have Dan. She needed him to tell her everything was going to be alright and that he'd be there for her. Instead they broke up and she was left with nothing. Blair had left this summer to visit her dad and her mom and Bart were still on their honeymoon. She needed to get out of this place and clear her head, she decided to drive.

She didn't care where the road took her just that she got far away as she could. This place wasn't made for those who can't take it. She turned the radio up and drowned out the rest of the world. She heard the sound of an engine fading and saw smoke. Her car had died. She stood on the side of the road and waited for a car to pass by. She almost made it to California. She wanted to go on the beach and watch cute guys and relax a little bit.

Finally a car stopped in front of her.

"Serena?" a male voice said.

"You have got to be kidding me." Serena said as she took her sunglasses off.

"Your car break down?"

"This Prince Charming act is getting old Dan." Serena replied in a flirty way. "But yes my car broke down, can you help?"

Dan took a look at the car and saw there was nothing he could do. He called a tow truck and waited with Serena.

"So, what brings you here Dan?" Serena was twisting her bag. She was still nervous being around him. He still made her skin jump with every word he spoke.

"My dad had a concert last night and I was going to grab something to eat before heading back to Brooklyn, got a long drive ahead." Dan said putting his hand in front of his face to block the sun.

"I had to get out. There was no one there but just too much to think about." Serena looked right at Dan. You could tell they were both made uncomfortable by what Serena said. Sometimes the vague words are the ones that hurt the most.

The tow truck finally came and pulled Serena's car away.

"You want me to drop you off home?" Dan said watching the tow truck pull away.

"I guess so. So much for a road trip to clear my head." Serena said biting down on her lip.

Dan looked down at the ground, thinking of what he should say. "Well I have a few days before I need to be home, if you need a road trip, as your friend, I could help you out."

Friend? Serena wanted to say something. She thought it would be awkward after the way things ended, but maybe friends was the route to go for now. She nodded her head at Dan and they were off on their trip.
They didn't plan exactly where they were going which made it even more fun. They blasted the radio and sang along so off key they had to laugh.

They stopped in Maryland and cam across a board walk. They found arcades and little shops along they way First they hit the arcade and brought out their inner child. Serena whipped Dan in every game, showing that girls can do anything. Next they stopped in a few others states because Serena wanted to go to tourists shops and get some keepsakes. Finally when they got to California they hit the beach, where Dan showed Serena how to surf. He used it as an excuse just to touch her again. Things felt weird at times, but they were so happy to just be around each other without any drama.

"I know this might totally kill the mood, but do you ever think of us." Serena said as she held the ice cream Dan gave her.

"Your right, it did kill the mood." Dan replied as he got up. He didn't want to go to that place again. The place where talking lead to fighting and fighting lead to not seeing each other. Why couldn't Serena just enjoy this moment and they would work things out when the time was right. "We should get going, looks like its going to rain."

Serena sat with her head against the car window, regretting what she said earlier.

"I think I have a flat." Dan murmured. "Can you help me?"

"Just tell me what to do." Serena said gently.

"Hand me the spare tire out of the trunk."

Serena went to hand Dan the spare when a car came zooming by and soaked her. Serena was both grossed out that she had dirty water on her and mad that Dan just stood there. He let out a little laugh, but stopped when he saw Serena wasn't amused. He suggested they go back to the hotel he saw up the way and have her shower and dry off. They managed to get the new tire on and make it to the hotel before it started to rain badly.

"Dan where is my suitcase?" Serena said trying not to tear the room apart.

"I may have left it in the car. Just wear one of my shirts to bed and you'll change in the morning."

Dan didn't not get the sense that girls like to look nice anytime around company. Serena shrugged and picked a long sleeve shirt from the closet. Dan set himself up a place on the floor to sleep the night.

"Okay so I got pillows for you and I'll wake up early and get us breakfast." Dan said as he got blankets out of the closet.

"You're sleeping on the floor? Dan I won't bite just sleep with me in the bed."

Dan knew he wasn't wining this argument. He went into bed with Serena and he turned to face the wall. He couldn't look at her and be in the same bed and not do anything. If only he knew Serena felt the same way.

"I can't do this. I can't be in the bed with you and not be with you." Serena said shocking herself that she said it out loud.

"Maybe we can change that." Dan said as he pulled Serena in for a kiss and back on the bed.

Things hadn't changed in their brief time apart. They ripped their clothes off as if they only had a select amount of time. Dan felt Serena's breath on his neck and he whispered "Thank God for no interruptions..."

"And no dolls watching." Serena said butting in.

"Lets notbring Cedric in on this. Quiet is better"

In the morning Serena woke up to an empty bed. Thoughts ran across her mind till she saw Dan walk in with a bag full of food in his hand. She couldn't help but smile when she looked around the hotel room. They ate breakfast and were on their way. Serena looked at the scenery on the way home.

"Want to do this again next year?" Dan said as he took one hand off the wheel to hold Serena's hand.

"Definitely" Serena replied kissing Dan's hand.