"So wait, you're forced to marry this guy that's totally hot and looks like someone good in bed, but you hate him?" Blair asked, slightly confused.

"He's not hot." Serena muttered, looking down at the picture of him on the table. "He's okay. Why are you talking about him like that anyway, you have a boyfriend."

"Doesn't mean I can't look and let me tell you, he's hot. So what if you're going to get married to him? You could end up with a lot worse! Like...Asher!"

"B, he's gay." Serena rolled her eyes, finishing the rest of her drink. "You know that I was dating Anthony when my parents told me about this, it isn't fair!"

"Okay, why don't we list the pros and cons about each guy and we'll see who's better for you." Blair pulled out a pad of paper and a pen. "Anthony first."

Serena rolled her eyes, stabbing a piece of strawberry. "Okay, he's funny, he's older than me, he.."

"Is a self absorbed asshole. Okay, now Dan."

"Okay, um, he's nice and........"

"Totally hot and possibly good in bed. In fact, I don't see any cons about him."

"I wonder how Nate would feel if he was here right now."

Blair laughed, putting the pad down. "Nate knows I love him and besides, I'm not the one getting married to a guy who is perfect for you."

--

"Her name is Serena van der Woodsen. She's the most perfect person. She's beautiful and sweet when she's not being a bitch to me." Dan muttered, kicking the soccer back towards Nate. He had decided to catch up with one of his friends that he used to play soccer with when they were both in Nantucket.

"Serena. I think I know a Serena. She's blonde right? Drop dead gorgeous?"

Dan laughed, watching Nate kick the ball into the water. "That's my fiancée you're talking about and you, Nathaniel, have a girlfriend if I remember correctly."

"Dude, I think I know why Serena's so pissed at you." He retrieved the ball, plopping down onto the towel he had put out next to Dan's. "A week ago, she was dating this guy, Anthony. He's, like, a little taller than me, older and from London or wherever. She was, like, in love with him, at least that's what Blair said. He treated her like shit, but she kept going back to him. Her parents made her dump him and she's been pissed ever since."

"At least I broke up a bad relationship. How'd he treat her?"

Nate stared out at the ocean, taking his time to answer. "He seemed alright at first, but then two weeks into their relationship, he started abusing her. We knew he was a little strange, and we started suspecting it when we would go swimming and she was covered in bruises and cuts but we didn't really know until we walked in on them." His voice trembled as he continued. "She was on the floor crying and he was beating her. Serena wouldn't let us call the cops and then, she went back to him. That was two weeks ago and I'm really glad you're here man. She needs to understand that Anthony doesn't love her. He just uses her."

Dan sucked in a breath, feeling his face grow hotter as his temper rose. "Did he ever...did they?"

"Nah, she's a virgin." Nate traced the stone he had grabbed and suddenly threw it out into the sea. "If she wasn't, believe me, Anthony wouldn't be breathing right now."

"So should I talk to Serena about this?"

"I think its best if you let her come to you. I know her and most likely, she'll be so pissed, she might stab you during your honeymoon. Hey, you never told me why you're marrying her."

"Well, when I was five, I lived here so we were neighbors and our parents thought it would be good to give us both a good future. They told me about this two days ago and the wedding is later today. In fact, I'm supposed to be ready in two hours."

"Well let's go. You do need your best man there."

--

"Stupid dress, stupid fucking husband." Serena muttered, as Blair tied the corset.

"Serena! Watch your language!" Lily called, glaring at Serena.

She rolled her eyes, checking herself in the mirror. "B, do you want to help me escape and make this yours and Nate's wedding?"

"As tempting as that sounds, no thanks." She hugged Serena tightly, trying to reassure her. "Don't worry S, Dan will be so much better than Anthony."

Serena's eyes flared at the mention of her old love. "Don't talk about Anthony like you fucking know him. He loves me." She hissed.

"Last time I checked, love doesn't hurt." Blair snapped back. Her tone softened as she continued. "Serena, believe me when I say that Anthony was the most selfish, cheating bastard I've ever met. You are better off with Dan."

"He never hurt me, B. He just got angry sometimes." Serena murmured, closing the subject. "Where's my bouquet?"

Blair sighed, handing over the arrangement of flowers. "Here we go."

--

"You ready for this, man?" Nate clapped Dan on the back, watching as the doors opened and Blair came out.

"I dunno. We'll see." He whispered back, hearing the wedding march. He straightened, feeling his sense leave him as she started down the aisle with her father. She was more beautiful than he had ever imagined. He already thought she was beautiful when he saw her on the beach, but seeing her dressed up in a white dress and walking to him, it was almost surreal.

Her cheeks were flushed pink, from anger or embarrassment he wasn't too sure. Her gown clung to her, accentuating her every curve. He smiled at her, knowing that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. The ceremony passed quickly, the reception even shorter.

Dan and Serena took a town car back to their house while everyone else left for the night. He stared out the window for a few minutes before turning to her, her appearance startling him. She sat, arms crossed tightly against her chest, tears slipping down her cheeks. He slid towards her, wiping the tears away. "Hey, don't cry. I'm not that bad, am I?"

"Get the fuck away from me. You don't know anything, Daniel." She pushed him away roughly, not caring if she hurt him.

He played with the ring on his finger before responding. "I'm sorry for ruining your life. I didn't know you had a boyfriend, I didn't know you were in love with him and I didn't know my life would end up like this. I had no part in this, I'm only grateful that my parents chose such a beautiful, intelligent girl."

"Who told you about Anthony?" She demanded, ignoring his compliment.

"Nate." He admitted, already thinking of ways to make it up to his friend. "I wanted to know and made him tell me."

"How much do you know?"

"Just that." He muttered, hoping she wouldn't hear the tremble in his voice that gave away his lie. "Is there something I should know?"

"Besides that I hate you? No."

--

Serena walked up the staircase, Daniel right behind her. Despite already hating the house, she had to admit, it was beautiful. "So which room am I staying in?"

"Um, we have to share the master." Dan muttered, opening the door and putting her suitcase on the ground.

"So this is it?" She asked, walking so that she stood across from him. "We just have a kid and divorce."

"If thats what you want, then yes."

She turned, her back facing him and moved her hair out of the way so that he could reach the zipper on her back. Dan exhaled, walking towards her, pretending not feeling her tremble when his fingers touched her back. He slid the zipper down, leaving her in her silk chemise. She turned, and just the look on her face made Dan want to stop this.

He never got a chance as she brought her lips to his, stunning him. He was surprised, even more so when she started unbuttoning his shirt. He had thought she just wanted to get it over with. Before he knew it, she had pushed his shirt and jacket to the ground, leaving his torso bare.

He undid his zipper, leaving his dress pants around his ankles. Kicking off his pants, shoes and shoes, he stood in front of her half naked. "Now we're even."

She nodded, letting him push her gently onto the bed. This was it, she thought, she's going to lose her virginity to this guy who probably didn't even like her. That was when he pulled the covers up on both of them, retreating to one side. "What are you doing?"

"Going to sleep? We've had a long day."

"I thought.."

He grunted, turning so that he faced her. "I am not going to be a heartless jackass and rape you, Serena. I'll only do it if you want to."

"But our parents.."

"I don't care about our parents. I care about you."

They laid there for a few moments, both quiet. Finally Dan spoke up, "I saw a bruise on your shoulder a few minutes ago. Did someone hit you?"

"I bumped my shoulder on something. Goodnight."

He touched her face before she could turn around completely. "I know you hate me, but you can talk to me, okay?"

She nodded, her breath catching in her throat. There was something so sensual, so wonderful about Dan. Despite her feelings toward him, he still treated her as if she were a princess. She didn't want to admit it, but Blair was right; Dan is better than Anthony. She leaned forward, touching her lips with his, pulling away quickly.

"Thank you." she whispered.

"No problem." He murmured, voice hoarse. "No problem at all."