First of all, only four reviews on that first chapter but that is awesome, because each one made me so happy! It's good to know others feel the same way I do about some things that went down in the show!
Secondly, I know you're ready for some Derena, but it's not time yet. This chapter is a lot more with Nate, because I love their friendship and I wish she turned to him more! Enjoy and please keep reviewing!
Serena awoke suddenly in the same clothes she had been wearing the night before. In an instant, all the memories from the previous night came rushing into her mind and she could feel the dried tears on her face. Waking up after a night of crying yourself to sleep always felt the same.
Serena thought of Nate and knew he must still be in the penthouse somewhere. He promised her a day of distraction and cliché "moving on" methods. A smile crossed her face as she got out of the bed and swept her hair away from her face.
She peeled off the dress she was wearing and threw it on the ground. Feeling free at last, she pulled on one of Nate's t-shirts and a pair of his sweats.
This feels extremely familiar, she thought, remembering when she used to wake up in this bed every morning and pull on whatever clothes Nate had shed the night before.
She decided she needed to talk to someone soon, to keep her mind off traveling back any further.
"Nate?" she called stepping out of his room.
"Hey!" his cheerful voice responded as Serena stepped into the kitchen.
There was Nate, standing at the counter, trying to put together breakfast.
"Hey," Serena responded, "Nate, are you trying to cook again?"
"What?" he replied, pretending to be offended, "I've gotten really good at setting out strawberries (he gestured to the plate of fruit), making toast (he pulled the butter out of the fridge), and even pouring juice."
"Wow," Serena smiled, "I'm impressed. Two years ago the food didn't even make it on to a plate."
"Yeah well that wasn't entirely my fault," he smirked, "You never left me alone long enough to show off my full talents."
"Oh, no," she responded, "You definitely showed a lot of your talents right here."
They both laughed as they remembered their times together. Now that they were best friends again, they could talk about the whole situation.
"Oh how I've missed the sound of you kids giggling and the need to decontaminate my counter once a week," Chuck drawled stepping into the kitchen.
"What man," Nate responded, "We just really like breakfast."
This caused the two of them to chuckle again, but Chuck merely stared.
"Breakfast?" he asked, "It's 1:00."
"Oh my gosh!" Serena exclaimed, "I can't believe we slept that long."
"You slept that long," Nate told her, "I've been preparing for our "girls" day."
"As intriguing as the thought of the two of you ordering room service and playing strip poker all day is," Chuck said, "I have a meeting. Nathaniel, a word."
Serena picked up a strawberry, pretending she couldn't hear Chuck question Nate about her.
"Yeah dude, don't worry," Nate said, "I'll take care of her."
Serena moved on to a piece of toast as Chuck left the penthouse.
"So," Nate said walking back over and leaning on the counter next to Serena, "As great as you look in my clothes, what do you say we head over to your place, pick up some clothes, see a movie, then come back here for our BFF night in."
"Don't do that," Serena said with a smile, "Don't turn your charm on and expect me to do whatever you say. Especially not here in our weak spot."
"Oh I'm sorry," Nate replied, pretending to be serious, "This is just me, I can't turn the charm off."
"Oh shut up," Serena laughed, "You're going to have to do more than flirt with me to keep my mind off things."
"Oh believe me," Nate said, "I have this covered. Come on lets go."
The two followed Nate's plan exactly. After the movie Serena dragged Nate into a store so she could buy the boots in the window, then Nate forced her into getting corn dogs from a vendor. It was 8:00 before they headed back to the penthouse. Chuck still wasn't there, but Nate's party supplies were. There were boxes of chocolates on the kitchen counter next to The Hangover, Crazy, Stupid, Love, and a couple seasons of Friends .
"You ready for our sleepover or what?" Nate questioned.
"Oh my gosh Nate," Serena replied, "It kind of scares me how good you are at this."
"Come on, you don't think we ever spied one of your 'girls only' nights in high school? Now go ahead and change in my room, and take that stuff, I'll bring the rest."
Serena took the movies and all the candy and tossed them onto Nate's bed. Then she pulled out some silk pajamas and changed before sitting down in the midst of the bed.
A few minutes later Nate came in carrying a tub of ice cream, two spoons, a bottle of liquor and a change of clothes.
"What are you wearing?"
"It's one of Chuck's silk pajama suits," Nate explained, "I figured this fit the theme more than my usual t-shirt and boxer shorts."
Serena laughed loudly at the sight of Nate as he sat down on the bed next to her. Nate handed her a spoon, but suddenly she wasn't laughing.
"Is the silk too much?" he asked, "I can go back to my usual if you want."
"No Nate, it's not that," she answered, "It's just you're so amazing. Maybe we didn't work together Nate, but I'm so glad I have you. I really don't understand how someone else hasn't come along for you yet."
"Well let's be honest," Nate replied, "My relationship history should make you feel amazing. If you think you've made bad decisions…"
"It hasn't been your fault," Serena said, "It makes me sick how many girls have treated you like shit."
"Yeah, what can I say? I attract some winners."
"The problem is," Serena stated, "You attract everyone. We just have the same problem of picking the wrong ones."
"Seriously," he agreed, "Juliet, Diana, Lady Katherine. Since this is a girl's sleepover we're having, I don't even feel ashamed to say I'm sick of being used for sex."
"Oh Nate," Serena pitied, stifling a smile, "Maybe you need to try being a girl and waiting a little longer. You know, weed out the users."
"Oh come on. No way that works. I'm a guy. We don't give up after one date. And besides, you know I'm worth the wait," he joked.
"Shut up," she laughed, shoving his shoulder, "Or I'll break my promise to help you find the perfect girl."
"Hey, I know I'm not supposed to bring it up, but are you doing ok?"
"No," Serena replied honestly, "Today has been amazing, but we can't stay shacked up in here until I fall out of love with Dan. I'm gonna have to face it and when Blair comes back, it will be even harder. But you were right. We all are forced to wait for the person we love and until that happens I have you. Which means I'll be completely focused on approving or rejecting every girl you go on a date with, until we find the one who wants you for more that her private sex toy."
"That," he said, "Sounds amazing."
"Ok now come on, ice cream."
"Yes," he agreed, "Ice cream."
"And truth or dare."
"Whoa, what?"
"You said you wanted to have a true girl's sleepover," Serena smirked, "This was tradition at all of our annual events."
Nate ripped open the chocolates and the two started a feast on the junk food in front of them.
"Ok I got one," Serena said taking the first sip out of the bottle, "Have you and Chuck ever slept in the same bed."
"What?" Nate laughed, "What kind of question is that. No, we haven't."
He grabbed the bottle off of her and asked for a description of her worst dance partner ever. She demanded his worst date story then he dared her to scream Nate is sexy out the window.
"Typical," she said rolling her eyes, and taking the now half empty bottle with her to the window.
"Now I have a truth for you," she grinned, flopping down on the bed, "Your kinkiest booty call."
"Whoa!" Nate exclaimed, "This got real dirty real quick."
"What's wrong Natey?" Serena mocked, the alcohol going to her head, "Does that make you uncomfortable?"
Nate shoved her lightly and grabbed the bottle.
"Oh no, we'll go there if you want to," Nate said, "but it's eye for an eye. Every question I answer, you answer."
"Ooh, now it's interesting," Serena grinned, "But first, I need you to change back into your t-shirt and shorts!"
"Are you saying I can't pull off silk," Nate joked, "I'm offended."
Serena knew he'd be glad to get back to his own clothes and she needed a second alone. She laid back in the bed with the ice cream, sorting out her feelings. Nate pulled off the silk shirt and exchanged it for his t-shirt that he had left on the couch. He was pulling it on when the elevator slid open.
"Hey Chuck is that – "
"Hey man."
It was Dan who responded as the stepped out of the elevator.
"Dan," Nate said, staring in shock, "What are you doing here?"
"I just need a beer and a distraction," Dan replied, "This whole thing with Blair has me so confused. I don't even know what I'm thinking and then Ser-"
"Look man, I'm sorry," Nate replied quietly, "But now's really not a good time."
"Oh dude, are you with someone?" Dan rambled on, "I should have thought of that I just really needed to get out of my house and you know figure out what the hell is going on and – "
"Nate!" a voice called from the bedroom, "Hurry up and change, I'm ready!"
"Is, is that Serena?" Dan asked staring at the door.
"Dan come one, you gotta go," Nate urged stepping towards his room, "It's not a good time."
Dan stepped up to Nate and pushed open the door.
There was Serena, sitting like a queen in the middle of Nate's bed with chocolate laid around her, a bottle in her hand, and her silk pajamas askew.
"What the hell's going on?"
"Dan just go, this has nothing to do with you," Nate demanded.
"Dan?" Serena questioned, "Nate, what is he doing here."
"He just came to see me Serena, I'm sorry. He's leaving."
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to interrupt this slumber party, "Dan judged, "Looks like things are about to get interesting."
"Can you please go away," Serena said quietly.
"You're best friend was sent away with a pyscho and you're spending the night with your mutual ex-boyfriend?"
"I tried to keep Blair from marrying Louis yesterday and she wouldn't listen," Serena responded, "And I talked to Chuck, Blair has made up her own mind about all of this."
"You didn't try hard enough," Dan replied, "You had information that could end it and you didn't act on it."
"What are you talking about?" Serena demanded, "I told Chuck and Blair both what they needed to hear and – "
She cut off as a look of realization washed across her face.
"It was you," she said, "You sent the video. That's what you consider "doing whatever it takes"? Dan, do you have any idea what Blair would do if she knew you had humiliated her in front of everyone she cares about?"
"I was trying to help her," Dan admitted, "Anyone could see Blair didn't want to go through with that wedding."
"So you decided for her."
"Alright Dan," Nate stepped in, "Time to go. Now is not a good time to discuss this."
He lightly shoved his friend out of the room and back towards the elevator.
"Serena is in pain right now man," Nate explained, "You have to leave her alone."
"I do, but you can take advantage of her?" Dan replied, "What the hell is going on here?"
"Serena needs a friend and I've been one to her," Nate told him, "Not that it concerns you, but I'm being her girl BFF for the day."
"You know she told me she loves me last night," Dan told him, "Now she's here with you."
"Dan," Nate said shortly, "I know you have some issues right now too, but seriously what the hell is going on. Nothing is happening here tonight. I'm just trying to keep her mind off you. Come on man, I thought you knew her better than that. But maybe she's right about you."
"Right about me, about what?" Dan asked, "Nate what are you talking about?"
"Look Dan, I'll talk to you tomorrow, but she needs me right now. I'm not exactly sure how this all works, but I don't think I'm supposed to go to the guy and tell him everything the girl said."
"This is all very confusing," Dan said plainly.
"Yeah you're telling me. You're in love with Blair who loves Chuck but is married to Louis and I'm having a slumber party. And Serena came here last night and actually wanted to talk about what she feeling. Nothing is right man!"
Dan shook his head and the two stood in silence for a minute.
They departed with a weird understanding between them.
Nate walked back to his room and leaned in the doorway.
"I'm ok Nate," Serena assured him, "I'm ready for more ice cream, movies, and cuddling."
Nate grinned and went to lie down next to her.
"He's a mess right now too Serena," Nate told her, "Don't let him bother you."
"He was distraught over Blair."
"But he also hated the thought of us sleeping together."
"Thank you, Nate."