Disclamer : I don't own Gossip Girl...
Author's note : This chapter is my last chapter. I hope you enjoy reading this story.
How is getting shot become a lucky thing? Ask it to Nate Archibald. The news said N was getting better. But why S hasn't leave the hospital? Is she plans to move to the hospital? Or she doesn't want to leave her prince charming alone. The latest news is they're officially together. He gets the girl. Congratulation is in order for our new couple. So for summary, N was shot and has a hole in his chest, but unscathed's lonely boy get a broken heart. Which is worst? Feel free to decide yourself.
You know you love me
XOXO, Gossip Girl
Since Nate admitted to the hospital, they all stayed with him. They practically moved into the hospital. They just went home for a few hours a day, except for Serena. She leave Nate's side since the first day.
" You can't do that, Chuck. That's cheating!" Nate pouting as he pushed the buttons on the PSP, that Chuck brought for him. Chuck is hold the same thing. They play against each other in the pool game.
" Come on, Nathaniel. You were wounded, doesn't mean that I'm going to threw a game for you." Chuck smirked at him.
" You smell. You should go home, S." Blair stood behind her when Serena was peeling an apple for Nate.
Serena turned to Blair. " I didn't smell that bad, right?" The guys stopped playing and watching the girls.
" Yes, you are. This is ridiculous, S. You should go home. Take a bath. At least changed your clothes."
" But – "
Blair took a knife and an apple from Serena. " Chuck will take you home. I'll take care of Nate here."
Nate smirked at Blair. " You'll take care of me? I prefer the nurse."
Blair ignored Nate. " Come on, S. Don't worry. I promise he'll still in one piece when you return."
Nate turned to Serena. " You should go home, Serena. I'm fine. You can leave me for a while."
She looked at Nate. Nate smiled sincerely at her. " Okay, then. B, don't forget he must take his medicine." Serena sat up from her chair and walked to the door as Chuck lazily sat up from the couch.
" I know, S. There is a nurse in here, you know." Blair stated the obvious.
" And give him a drink every half hour. He needed fluids."
Blair turned to Chuck. " Get her out of here."
Chuck obey Blair's order and wrapped his arm in Serena's shoulders. " Come on, sis. Blair is the boss of us all."
Chuck take Serena to his suite, because she practically live there at the moment. When Serena come out from the bathroom in her bathrobe, Chuck was sitting in her bed.
" I've taken all of the clothes that left by Nate here." Chuck said, pointing to one bag in the floor.
Serena saw a glimpse of the bag as she dried her wet hair with a towel. " He has a lot of clothes here. He didn't even live here"
" He is. At least this couple of weeks – since you live here."
Serena turned to Chuck. " You want to say something. Just say it."
Chuck raised his hands. " I didn't say a word."
" But you want to. Come on, Chuck. Just spill it." Serena stood in front of Chuck. Her eyes demanding an answer from him.
" Fine. You're asking me. It isn't me who wants to interfere in the problem between the two of you." Serena just stood still, stared at him. " Blair told me." Serena knew what Blair told Chuck about. " He just threw his life to save you. Are you still afraid that he'll hurt you?"
Serena sat next to Chuck. " I know that he won't hurt me. I don't know why I can think like that in the first place. He's Nate. He'll never hurt me. He was always put my interests above all, even his."
" So what's stopping you?"
" He's a wonderful guy, Chuck. I don't deserve him. I'm not good enough for him. He has done everything for me. But in the end, I'll hurt him. It was always like that. I don't want to, but I keep hurt him."
Chuck shifted Serena's body to face him. " Then, this is your turn to try. Try not to hurt him. He has done everything for you. The least that you can do is try. Prove it that you good enough for him. He has faith in you. That's why he loves you so much. You owe it to him to at least try."
Serena locked her gaze in Chuck's eyes. She had never seen Chuck like this before. He wasn't joking with her. He was serious about what he said.
" I'm Chuck Bass. You, Serena Van Der Woodsen won't lose to me in this, right?"
" Chuck – "
" I'm Chuck Bass, Serena. I'm not a good person. But for Blair, I try to be a better person. I love her. And I'll do whatever it takes to make her happy." Chuck grabbed Serena's hand. " Come with me." Chuck pulled Serena to the living room.
She quietly sat on the couch, as Chuck looking for something in the drawer. He took out a scroll of paper and sat next to Serena. He opened the scroll and show it to Serena.
" Right here it's a plan for a new hotel that I've been intend to open. My hotel. The palace is my father's hotel. I want to starts from the beginning."
" That's really good, Chuck."
" Don't tell Blair. I haven't tell her yet. I wanted it to be a surprise."
" You did this for Blair?"
" No. I did it for myself. To be better for Blair. A person that worth of Blair." Chuck turned to Serena. " If I can do it, you can."
Serena smiled at him. She shifted closer to him as she leaning at him. She kissed his cheek. She can feel that Chuck is changed. He's not the same Chuck Bass that she knows when they were little. And she can feel that he really did cared for her. " Thank you, Chuck."
" Anytime, sis." He said as he caressed Serena's back.
Blair is chasing the same thing with the other side. She stood on the egde of Nate's bed facing him. " Anything you want to tell me?"
" Yes. Give me something to drink?"
" I mean about Serena!" Nate smirked at her. " You both say I love you. At the middle of the night. Chuck and I slept on the couch. Ringing any bells?"
" Appparently not sleeping if you heard that."
Blair ignored Nate's comment. " So, you already talked to Serena'? What she said?" Nate just stared at Blair. She knew what he meant, so she hit Nate's leg.
" Ouch! I'm the patient here. Gunshot wound."
" Don't be such a baby. It's on your shoulder." Blair walked to Nate's side and sat on the chair. " You know how Serena is. If you're not talk about this soon, she would pretend that it never happened."
Nate just smiled at her. " I know."
" So why you haven't talked to her about that?"
Nate sighed. " We're in a good place right now, Blair. When I decided to tell my feeling to her, I haven't really thought about it. I don't know what I want from this. This is the end of the road. One way or the other. Either she'll accept me. Or I'm going to lose her. I'm not ready for that, Blair. I'm afraid."
" You'll never lose her, Nate." Blair said, almost sound like a whisper, but Nate heard that.
Nate turned to Blair. " No matter what happen, we'll have each other's back. So stop worried so much. Just talk to her."
Nate nodded to her in a smile. " You're right. What am I thinking? This is just us." Nate thinking about all that happened to them. He had sex with Serena when he still Blair's boyfriend. Blair and Chuck sneaked around behind Nate's back. But they are still together until now. They're still best friends. Because of that, Nate have a faith that they can get through anything.
" Am I interrupting something?" Dan suddenly showed up. He stood in the doorway. Blair and Nate turned to him.
" You always interrupting, Humphrey." Blair exchanged glance with Nate. Then she gets up from her chair and grabbed the jug from the bedside table. " I'll refill the water." She walked toward the door and stepped out of the room.
Dan just move one step from the door. " How are you?"
" I've been better." An awkward silence for a moment. " Thanks for helping me."
" No problem."
Silence again. " I tried to call you several times." Hear that makes Dan moved closer to Nate. " But I didn't. I don't know if you want to take my calls."
" It's good that you don't called. I don't know whether I want to answer it or not. I don't even know why I come here right now." Dan walked again closer to Nate.
" I'm so sorry, Dan. You've become a good friend to me. You accepted me in your house when I need a place to stay. When I was too proud to tell my friends about that. I shouldn't hide my feeling for Serena from you."
" I never asked." Dan leaned againts the wall, but his eyes looked at Nate. " It's not entirely your fault. I never really understand your relationship with Serena." Dan laughed bitterly. " No. Not just between you and Serena. But all of you. There's always all of you between me and Serena." Dan rubbed his head. " Vanessa and I also been friends since childhood. But we don't depend on each other like you are."
" We come from the upper east side. Everyone thinks that we have it all. And we almost are. But there's one thing we didn't have. We don't have a perfect family like you are. We just have each other. Serena, Chuck and Blair. They're my family." Nate lifted his face and looked at Dan. " They aren't just my friend. I'm not try to justify what I do. I know it doesn't make it okay. But I'm not trying to hurt you. I really love her."
Dan sighed. " I know you are a good guy. And I know how serious you are to Serena. Maybe my feelings to Serena won't be comparable with your feelings to her. You've loved her all your life. How can I compete with that? But I still wouldn't let her go. Because I also loved her. I didn't lose to you for that matter."
" Me too, Dan. When it comes to Serena, I also can't let go."
Oddly, Dan smiled when he heard Nate's words. " Let us compete fairly, then."
Nate also smiled and he nodded. He hands out his hand to Dan. " Whoever chosen by Serena, it will not affect our friendship. I really value a friend like you."
Dan shook Nate's hand. " Deal." After that they both laughed together. That's when Serena came back with Chuck.
They both stood in the doorway, watching Dan and Nate. " What have I missed?" Serena asked with a puzzled look in her face. Just was yesterday Dan hitting Nate in front of the Palace. And now they laugh together.
" Where is Blair?" Chuck ignores their conversation. He felt uncomfortable being in between them.
" She went to fill the water." Nate said to Chuck. Chuck promptly left them. Serena walked into the room. She watched them both. They know she wants an answer.
" We simply decided that whatever happened between us, we'll stay friend." Nate is the one that explained to Serena.
Dan turned to Serena. " Can we talk now?"
Serena saw Nate at a glance, then looked Dan. " Could you do a rain check? There's something I have to say to Nate."
Dan nodded and walked up to Serena. " Call me." Dan kiss Serena on the cheek, then he walked out from the room.
Serena closed the door and locked it. " Before Blair and Chuck come back here." Then she sat on the chair beside Nate's bed.
" Am I need to feel nervous with what you want to say?" Serena could see the concern in Nate's eyes. It made her smile. But see her smiled, making Nate more anxious. " Could I say something first?"
" No." Serena hurriedly replied. " You've said many things before. Now is my turn to say something."
Nate justify his seat and looking Serena in the eyes. " Okay. I'm ready. Just say it."
Now it Serena's turn to feel nervous. She took a deep breath. " I love you." Because he was too surprised by Serena's words, Nate couldn't even say anything. He just stared at Serena in silence. " It feels good to say it." Serena smiled at him.
" Actually I've always felt that I love you. But I never did anything about it. I'm afraid you'll hurt me." Nate was going to say something, but Serena doesn't let him. " I know you won't. But that's what I thought that time. When my dad left, he hurt me very deeply. I don't know if I can survive it if I got hurt again."
" But now you'll already know that I'll never hurt you, right?" Serena nodded with a little smile.
" Now I'm afraid I'll hurt you. I'm me. I'm not a good girl. But you are a good man. I'm not worthy of you."
" Serena." Nate raised his hand to reach Serena's hand.
" I'm afraid if you know the real me, you won't want me anymore." Serena looked at Nate. " But you know me. Even more than I know myself. And you still love me."
Nate gently pulled Serena's hand, headed to his bed. When Serena was sitting on his bed, Nate slowly put his arm around her waist. " Yes, I still love you. And you too underestimate yourself." Nate gently stroked Serena's cheek. " You are the most beautiful, amazing, alive person I ever known. It's so easy for me to fall in love with you."
Serena put her arm in Nate's neck. She was careful not to touch the wound. " Only you who think like that about me." Serena slowly leaned on Nate. " I'll try to become a better person for you. I'm very scared to want you. But I also want to be honest with myself and to you. I want you."
Serena snuggled closer to Nate. Serena kissed him at the edge of his lips. Nate closer his eyes and hugged her. They hugged each other in silence for a while. Then Serena pulled away. She looked at Nate with smile in her face.
" Let's try this. You and me."
" Are you sure? You don't have to force yourself. I'm not going anywhere."
Serena just smiled. She lay in his bed, then pulling him with her. She put her head in his shoulder and buried her fingers in his hair with gently caress. " I've never been so sure. I never had the courage to admit my feelings like this before. I love you, Nate. I'll give my best shot to make you happy."
Nate's hand slipped up and down in her back with slow caress. " I'm already happy." Nate kissed her nose. " You love me."
Serena looked Nate straight in the eyes. Her heart is overflowing with happiness. She shifted closer to Nate and kissed him with a passionate kiss. Nate slowly pulled back after the kiss. He breathed heavily. She could see his eyes was full of desire. Serena smiled softly at him, then pulled him back for another kiss. Serena could feel that he smile when he kissed her.
" You're so beautiful." He whispered as he kissed her. She just smiled, and snuggled closer to Nate as they keep kissing each other. They felt never been happier. They could feel at this time that they were finally in the same place with the same feeling toward each other.
Serena has just opened the door, Blair immediately burst into the room. Chuck is trailed behind her. Blair stood watching Nate and Serena. Nate's hair looked a mess. Serena's face flushed. They seems to be careful in looking each other.
" Do you think you two are being discreet? The hospital walls aren't too thick. And you both sounded very loud. The nurses are very curious."
" Well done. I'm so proud of you, Nathaniel." Chuck also added, as he smirked at his best friend.
They didn't say anything. They didn't confirm or deny it. Nate silent in his bed. Serena also stood silently. But their faces is getting red.
Blair closed the door behind her and approached Nate. " Just out of curiosity. How exactly you did that? The bed is very small. And you were wounded."
" Blair!" Serena shouted at her.
" You said there's no secret between us."
" It doesn't include our sex life. That was obviously confidential." Serena shouted at Blair. Nate coughed nervously.
" So you two really have a sex life." Blair sound pleased.
Serena face's getting more blushed. " Fine. We had sex. Are you happy now?" Nate is the one that admits it all.
Chuck smirked and walked closer to them. " We already know that you two had sex. We can all hear it. That's not the question."
" Yes. Are we become a foursome now?" Blair asked the question.
" Please don't call us that." Serena shook her head.
" Fine. I'll just be blunt. Are you two a couple now?" Blair asked again.
Serena and Nate looked at each other silently then smiled. Serena walked to Nate. They didn't say anything, instead Nate's hand reached for Serena's and their fingers intertwined. Blair and Chuck also don't need answer anymore.
Suddenly the door opened. " What happened in here?" Lily and Rufus come into the room.
" Mom."
" We haven't had a chance to see Nate." Lily stepped in from the door. Rufus followed next to her.
" Why are you all doing here?" Rufus asked. Nate placed in VIP room that is big enough. But right now this room seemed cramped because of the crowd.
" He is our best friend. And Serena's new boyfriend." Blair volunteered to tell them the latest news.
Lily and Rufus seemed surprised to hear the news. Lily turned to Serena. " Is that true, Serena? You and Nate together?" But they also don't need answer for their own question. They get their answer when they see Serena and Nate hold each other hand.
" What about you and Dan?" This time is Rufus who asked the question.
Serena turned to Rufus. " I understand that you're concerned with our problems. But after what happened, I think it's too complicated. We're shared a sibling. That's way too much."
Lily and Rufus changed glance with each other. " But he was dead. He isn't in this world anymore."
Now it's Serena and Nate's turn to changed glance with each other. Nate knows the only reason Serena break up with Dan is because they shared a brother. But if that brother doesn't exist anymore, there is no reason for them to break up.
Serena quietly flipped the page from the magazine as she kept looking at her watch. Nate was playing the PSP. But he also saw how uncomfortable Serena is. So he put down the PSP and turned to Serena.
" You better go home."
Serena raised her head and looked at Nate. " What?"
" You have appointment with Dan right?"
" It isn't within a few hours."
" But your mind isn't here anymore. You should use this time to think about it carefully. Figure things out with Dan."
" Nate." Serena sat up and walked to Nate.
" I can see through you, Serena. You don't have to hide anything from me." Nate reached Serena's hand.
" I don't want to hurt you. We've just agreed to start a relationship. A real one. And this."
Nate gently pulled Serena's hand, so she sat in his bed. " I said it before. Don't worry, because I'm not going anywhere. I'll always be here whenever you need me." Nate smiled at her. " As a boyfriend is okay. But as a friend is also okay." He wrapped his hand around her. " I'll always be your friend, Serena. My shoulder is always available for you to leaned on."
Serena hugged Nate, carefully not to touch his wound. " Thank you. I don't know what to say other than that."
Nate caressed her cheek as he smiled at her. " Go." Nate gently said to her.
Serena kissed his cheek lightly before she pulled away. " I'll see you later." Nate just nodded. Then she walked out from his room.
" That is the dumbest thing you've ever done." Suddenly Chuck appeared. He just stood in the door. " After all that had happened, you'll let her back to Humphrey just like that?"
" I didn't let her to do anything. She is free to make her own choice. I won't force her to do anything."
" So you will be okay if she chose him?"
" Of course I won't be okay. But if she's happy, I will be happy for her."
Chuck shook his head. " That is a serious disease that you have there, Nathaniel." Chuck walked into the room. " I've told you, you don't have to be the good guy all the time. This is the time for you not to be the good guy." Chuck walked closer to Nate. " Serena isn't like other girls. She has her issues. We all know that. You have to work hard for her. And you did. Don't stop now."
" Chuck –" Nate just wanted to say something, but Chuck raised his hand to prevent him from it.
" I'm Chuck Bass. I don't do touchy feely. But you are my best friend. And you make a huge mistake. This is your shot. You probably won't get a chance like this again. And you've waited this moment your whole life."
Nate just silently absorb what was Chuck said to him. Before he can think about it, his hand had pulled the wires in his other hand. Nate turned to Chuck. " Help me."
Serena just walked into the apartement when the doorbell rang. She hadn't even had time to put her bag. She opened the door. Dan stood in front of the door.
" Dan?" Serena looked at her watch at reflexes. " We have appointment at six." Serena points a clock behind her which is still showing 3 o'clock.
" You are here. What's the difference." Serena steps aside to let Dan come in. " Why we have to meet in Chuck's suite?"
" Because I live here now." Serena closed the door. " Do you want anything to drink?"
" I didn't come here to drink." Dan turned to Serena.
Serena knew she couldn't put it off again. She sighed. " There is no easy way to say this. Our brother. He was dead."
" Wow."
" Yeah."
Dan sat on the couch. Dan was silent for a while. Then he looked at Serena. " This should make me happy. Because that's meant there is no reason for us to break up anymore."
Dan turned to Serena. "I believe you that when you decide to break up with me, it has nothing to do with Nate. But now – is all about Nate." Serena sat next to Dan.
" I'm so sorry, Dan. I shouldn't had sex with him when I'm still in relationship with you no matter how drunk we were."
" This was also my fault." Serena looked at Dan. " I knew. Your relationship with Nate are different. I can see it. But I just ignore it. You chose me."
" I really did love you."
" But you love Nate more."
" I never know what I feel for Nate. I always kept it buried. Because I was afraid if our relationship doesn't work out, I will lose him. I can't lose him. He's – " Serena stopped to think of Nate. " He's not just my best friend. He's Nate. He's the guy that always stood beside me through anything. My dad left. My mom married five times. It's not easy. But it doesn't matter. Because I have him. He's just – "
" There." Serena turned to Dan. " You used to. He was there. You used to leaned on him. That how important he is to you."
Dan see Serena deeply. " You've loved him for your whole life." Serena didn't say anything. She doesn't know how to respond to Dan's words.
But even if Serena doesn't say anything, Dan already understand. He could see how important Nate to Serena and vice versa. He smiled sincerely. " I understand." Now his smile looked sad. " I've come too late."
Hearing it brought tears welled in Serena's eyes. She felt very guilty to Dan. " I'm really sorry, Dan. I never meant to hurt you."
Dan raised his hand and brushed Serena's hand. " I know."
" But I hurt you. I'm sorry."
Dan shook his head. " Don't apologize, Serena. You love Nate. That is the reality. And you aren't guilty because of love." Dan pulling his hand again. " I just hope you choose other guy, not Nate." Serena looked at Dan. " Nate was a good guy. And I liked him. Would be difficult for me to hate him. " Dan said with a smile.
Dan stood up. " I'd better go now." Serena was stand too. " Don't worry. I'll be fine.." Dan seeing how Serena felt so guilty at him. " Someday I'll be able to see you as a family. As my sister."
That words make Serena's tears fell down to her cheeks. Dan smiled softly at her, and wiped the tears on her cheeks. " It's OK, Serena. I already told you. Don't feel guilty for loving Nate. Love him bravely. He sacrificed everything for you, even his own life. I feel proud to ever beat a guy like that once."
Dan hugged Serena. Serena was hugging her back. " Good-bye, Serena." Serena knows what is Dan meant is goodbye to their relationship. Their relationship has really ended up here.
Dan pulling himself. He thrust his face on Serena's face and kissed her lips softly. Dan stroked Serena's face at glance before he turned and walked out of Chuck's suite.
Serena sat down again on the couch after Dan leave. She allowed herself to cry. Getting out everything in her heart. However, he ever loved Dan.
Once Serena wiped her tears, the doorbell rang again. She quickly cleaned her face. Then open the door. Nate stood in the doorway.
" Nate!" Serena's face looked surprised to see Nate standing in front of her. " What are you doing here?" Serena rushed up to him. Nate's face looks wet with sweat.
" I –" Nate is so difficult to speak because he was still panting. It's very visible that Nate's been running.
Serena leads Nate to went in and told him to sit on the couch, while Serena fetching drinks for him. After drinking, Nate's breath began sound regularly again.
" Wow. I just realized how far away the hospital from here."
Serena stared at Nate with shocked faces. " You ran from the hospital to here?"
" I can't find where Finn is." Finn is the driver of Chuck's limousin. " I'm afraid too late."
" Too late for what?" Serena sat next to Nate.
Nate turned around and face Serena. " Serena, I'm trying to be a better person. Heartened to let you choose without having to bother about me. But I can't." Serena looked at Nate." Since little I already sure you are the girl of my dreams. I don't want to let you go just like that. I don't want to give up on you yet." Nate grabbed Serena's hand and hold it tightly. " I love you, Serena. I've loved you since little. And will always love you. I will never change forever."
Serena smiled and hugged Nate. " I admit when mom and Rufus told me about our brother, I hesitated." Serena pulled away and looked at Nate deeply in the eyes. " But not about my feelings to you. Now I know clearly who I loved. I love you, Nate. And I'm not afraid anymore to admit it." Serena stroked Nate's cheek. "I just feel guilty at Dan."
Serena smiled at Nate. " It will be difficult. But we'll get through it."
" So everything is already finished? Between you and Dan?" Nate asked. Serena nodded.
" Just you and me now."
Nate smiled at Serena. Nate shifted closer to Serena. Their eyes stared at each other. Their lips stay an inch away from each other. But Serena suddenly withdrew herself.
" What about Vanessa?"
" I've talked to her. I've explained everything." Nate stroked Serena's cheek. " It's you. It's always been you." Serena smiled and leaned her head close to his. Their forehead touched.
" You too, Nate. It's always been you." Serena said, before to kiss him. " You like an air to me, Nate. I can't do anything without you."
The kiss wasn't start like the soft one. Serena wanted him for so long and now she couldn't release him so easily. Nate pressed her body closer to him. He tried to calm her down and she finally gave up. Her lips became softer and her fingers in his hair more gentle. They pulled back without any air, but giggling at each other.
Suddenly the doorbell rang again. Serena pulled herself from Nate annoyed and stood up. " Who else is this?" Nate just giggled, amused.
Serena opened the door. She saw the Chuck and Blair stood in the doorway. " Sis, this is my home. You lock me from my own home?"
" We're kind of having a private activity here." Serena said, pointing at Nate who waved his hand.
" You must hurry to find your own place. I'm not going to rent out my suite to be a brothel." Chuck said, as he stepped into the suite. Blair trailed behind him.
" What are you doing here?" Serena asked, as she closed the door.
" Where else we can be. Nate out of the hospital. And you're here." Blair saw Serena and Nate carefully. " I guess Dan's things are finished?"
Serena smiled happily and sat back in Nate's side. She grabbed Nate's hand and they were holding hands. " We're okay now." Serena said as she exchanged smiles with Nate.
Blair was throwing his hand on Chuck's arm. " Don't worry. The hard part was passed."
Serena looked up and stared at Blair. " What do you mean?"
Blair exchanged smiles with Chuck. " Everything will be easy for us. We've known them our whole lives." Serena also exchanged gaze with Nate. They smiled at each other. At this moment they feel there is nothing they can't get through because they are together. It supposed to be like this since the beginning. The four of them. The Non Judging Breakfast Club.
Fin.
