Title - Not Flesh and Bone (3-10)

Author - TSAM

Spoilers - Up to 2X13, and possible references to those thereafter

Pairings (Not necessarily romantic) - The Non-Judging Breakfast Club, The Van der Bass Children, C/S, C/B, light L/R N/V

Chapter notes: "A brother is a friend God gave you; a friend is a brother your heart chose for you." ~Proverb

Disclaimer: Puh-lease. Dont even joke about it.

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Knock. Knock. Knock. Pause. Two beats. Knock, knock.

Without waiting for a response Nate opened the door. He's met with an unexpected and unwelcome foul odour. It rushed him like hot air and he could feel it on his body.

Suppressing a shudder, he made his way into the room. Only to find his best friend passed out, face down in the couch.

Well, that would just not do.

Nate pulled Chuck on his side, lightly tapping his face a few times.

"Hey, Chuck. Wake up, Chuck." When he got no response, his heart started pounding a little harder. He did a double check and…yes. He was still breathing. Well, that was a start.

Steadying himself against the side table, Nate pulled Chucks lifeless body onto his shoulder. The weight was a little more than he expected causing him to nearly fall over. Chuck groaned as Nate steadied himself.

"Alrighty then…"

He slowly made their way into the bathroom, swinging Chuck around to hold him in one arm while he turned on water.. He settled Chuck against the side of the tub, waiting for the water to reach the right temperature.

Once it was right, Nate looked between the shower handle and Chuck. God, this was so much easier with two people. Not that there was anyone he could have called. Serena was, well… Blair out of town plus not exactly on the Chuck fan list as of right now. And- the real reason he hadn't asked anyone for help (anyone being Vanessa in this scenario because, really, how else was there?) was the simple fact that no one knew where he was. Chuck had successfully hidden himself away from the watchful eyes of the Gossip Girl crowd, which was even harder than it sounded. The only person who had know of Chuck whereabouts was Nate himself.

Set to his task, he pulled off Chuck jacket before pulling him halfway into the tub. Grabbing the hose he stood back, took aim, and sprayed.

It didn't take very long to sober Chuck up.

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"You really should let someone come in here and clean up after you."

As suspected, he was met with a silent stare. Nathaniel met his best friends eyes, not backing down this time. He could usually let Chuck have his victories over him, his alpha-male moments, but not today. He wasn't in the mood to mess around.

It wasn't long before Chuck blinked. Nate let out the breathe he had been holding. If he hadn't won this battle, there was no way he would have been able to make it through the war.

Nate took a moment to take in his surroundings. He wasn't kidding when he said somebody aught to clean up the place. Unwashed dishes were everywhere. Empty alcohol bottles neatly lined all around the room.

Yes, if he was going to have to fight a war, he defiantly had a battle ground.

"I've got to get you out of here."

"I'm perfectly fine. Thanks."

"So I can tell." Nate nudged a pile of clothes with his foot. This is why they had been born with maids… "But I've let you rot in your own personal hell for quite long enough."

Nate reached out to grab Chucks arm, and pull him up. Having faster reflexes than Nate had anticipated Chuck twisted out of reach, standing on his own.

Damn he and Serena had a lot in common when they were drunk.

"I said I'm fine."

And Nate was tired.

"I'm glad your fine Chuck, really, I am. But at this point in the story, it doesn't really matter how fine you are."

Chuck just gave a slow blink. "Whatever are you prattling on about Nathaniel?"

"We…" Nate let out a sigh. "We need to get you to the hospital."

Chuck looked down at himself quickly, just to see if he had done some sort of damage to himself he was unaware of. No…He looked fine. No blood. He looked back up confused.

"I think I'm-"

"Fine. I know." Nate bit his lip, this was harder than he thought. "But Erik's not."

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It had become instantly clear to the nurse on Erik's floor that his sister wasn't going anywhere. She had a cot brought in and sat it near the bed.

The young girl never spoke but spared a brief smile for the nurse.

Serena yawned, laying down on the cot. She stared up at the bed. From her point of view she couldn't see him. It bothered her more than it should have. She needed to see his face. See that he was still breathing. Still with her.

She sat up. There was no way she was going to be able to sleep down here.

Careful of his cords and entanglements, she slid herself on to his bed beside him. She turned to her side, watching him. Even now, she wasn't sure she would be able to sleep. She brushed his hair off his forehead.

When the door opened a short time later, she refused to look up. Chances were it was a nurse, who would tell her this was 'against hospital policy'.

On her shoulder she felt a quick reassuring squeeze. The contact didn't last long. Serena looked up in curiosity, to see Chucks deep brown eyes staring back at her.

"Hey." She spoke softly, as if not to wake Erik. Chuck just nodded before sitting down onto the cot Serena had just recently vacated. He let out a yawn. "You should get some sleep."

Serena pulled one of the blankets she had been using off, passing it to him.

Without words, he curled up on to the bed, the blanket over top of him. Serena turned her head and the two watched each other closely. As comfortably as she could, she removed her arm out from underneath herself, hanging it over the side of the bed.

Chuck grasped her out stretched fingers, and her other hand tucked it's way behind Erik's head. Her eyes began to feel heavy, her muscles worn out.

The only sound to be heard was the soft breathing against the piercing sound of the heart monitor, lulling the two in to slumber.

Next Time - "Not For Keeps"

Chuck and Serena weren't quiet people by nature. Should now be any different?

A/N - Alright. Maybe I lied, because here's another pretty fast update *sigh* Also, I now know this fic will be 10 chapters...

I just needed to let everyone know that every chapter title come from a quote that I feel in some way connects to the chapter/the cahracters in the chapter. Its always in the "Chapter Notes" at the top....just wanna make sure no ones missing it. THNX

More reviews makes me write more...fyi. In case you wanted to know.

Ciao

~T.S.A.M