Chapter 7
Chuck and Blair had only been awake for a short time, but they were already showered and dressed. They were sitting on the couch in the penthouse of The Empire. Nate was pouring himself a cup of coffee, still in his gray t-shirt and blue pajama pants.
"Well Nathaniel," Chuck began, "Are you going to do the honors?"
"I will try," Nate responded.
"Just don't yell," Blair suggested, "or turn on the lights, or pull off the blankets."
"Blair," Nate said, "Believe me, I know how to handle this."
He walked towards his own bedroom and pushed open the door. Serena was still sound asleep in his bed. He gently sat down next to her and gave her a light shove.
"Serena," he said softly, "Serena, are you awake?"
She replied with a mumble and rolled over forcefully.
"No, no," Nate laughed, "I was talking a big game to Chuck and Blair, you can't embarrass me like this."
"Go away," she demanded.
"Well, don't say I didn't warn you," Nate shrugged.
He stood up so he could push his arms under Serena. He pulled her towards him and scooped her up, blanket and all.
Serena turned her face to glare at him.
"You cheated," she said.
Nate winked in reply as he carried her out of the bedroom. In spite of herself, Serena let a small smile creep onto her face. She dug her face into Nate's chest so that he wouldn't see it.
"Oh no," Nate said, "I saw that. I got you to smile!"
"Ah, sleeping beauty," Chuck smirked, "You've decided to join the living."
Serena scooted up in the chair that Nate ha set her in.
"What's this about?" she asked in reply.
"We thought it was time for another meeting," Blair said cryptically.
Serena looked around at her three friends, who were all staring right back at her. Suddenly, comprehension dawned on Serena's face.
"Oh come on guys," Serena urged, "There's no need for the Non Judging Breakfast Club!"
Grins spread on her friend's faces.
"You have to talk to us," Nate told her, "You know we'll support you."
"The amount of relationship problems the four of us have had is probably more than the rest of the Upper East Side combined," Blair stated.
"Hell," Chuck joined in, "The amount of relationship problems between the four of us outweighs the Upper East Side."
"We all love you, S," Blair continued.
"Fine," Serena gave in, "But you guys know I'm not good at this."
"Just tell us everything that happened," Nate suggested.
With that, Serena began recounting everything that had happened since she realized she was still in love with Dan.
Blair apologized as Serena described the part involving Blair. Chuck apologized for not knowing any of this was going on. Nate apologized for not realizing earlier and intervening.
Already, Serena felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders. Her whole world was brighter when she had her friends behind her. Eventually, she got to the part of the story that had happened the night before.
"Then let's go somewhere together, right now," Dan had said, "What do you say?"
"And I just stared," Serena told them, "I wanted to go with him so badly, but for once I decided not to only listen to my heart. That's what I've been doing since high school, and it hasn't worked out for me yet."
"What did you tell him?" Chuck asked.
"Well I went home with Nate, so obviously I didn't tell him what he wanted to hear."
"Serena, stop thinking what I know you're thinking," Nate demanded, "Dan knows he's not waiting around for you to choose him anymore."
"You've made up your mind and your heart," Blair said, "And he knows that as well as we do. What are you waiting for?"
"I'm still terrified!" Serena exclaimed before dropping her face into her hands.
"I'm being so ridiculous," she mumbled.
"No one is judging you," Chuck assured her.
Serena looked up at her friends slowly.
"What do I do?"
"Decide if you believe in him," Nate said simply.
Serena looked around, without saying a word. And then finally:
"Nate, how do you feel about a special edition of S by S?"
Nate studied her emotionless face.
"For you," he said eventually, "I'll allow it."
"I'll have it ready for 8:00," Serena told them, "And guys, thanks for this. I love you. But I have to get to work."
At 8:00 that night, Nate, Chuck, and Blair were gathered in Nate's office at the Spectator.
"She just emailed it to me," Nate was saying, "And she asked if I could make sure Dan sees it."
"What's the blog say?!" Blair questioned impatiently, "What did she decide?"
"I don't know," Nate told her, "I have to get it posted first."
"Then what?" Chuck asked, "Hope that Humphrey decides to check Spectator's blogs tonight? It's a special edition, which means even the loyal readers won't know to log on and read it."
"What do you suggest?"
"You have all your followers contact information," Chuck stated, "Send it out to them."
"Like, gossip girl status?" Nate questioned.
"He's right Nate," Blair said, "And it's not like you're sending out a blast. Serena wants whatever she wrote to be read, tonight."
Meanwhile, Dan was alone in the loft. He had ordered take out for one and was lounging on the couch, flipping aimlessly through channels on the TV. He was thinking about where he was 24 hours ago, and how differently things should have turned out when he felt his phone buzz.
"I don't care!" he said aloud, before realizing he was probably slowly becoming insane.
"On the other hand," he continued talking to himself, "It can't be worse than sitting her alone. Talking to myself."
He pulled out his phone and saw the message was from the Spectator.
"What the hell, Nate?" he questioned opening the message.
A one time only special edition for all of you loyal S by S readers out there, it read.
Dan scrolled down and began to read the blog.
A big event. A small encounter. A complete stranger. These are all things that can, and have changed lives.
We have all experienced something that changes our lives, but few are lucky enough to know exactly what it was that changed us. Fewer still are ever able to pinpoint the exact date when everything began to change. I'm now one of those lucky few.
I was in ninth grade. My first year at Constance Billiard and with Gossip Girl. We were at a party, I don't remember whose birthday it was, where the party was held, or who I partied with. I remember the dress I wore, but only because Nate and Blair and I all matched. We took this adorable picture with the birthday cake that I had on my old phone. Blair was posing with a perfect smile, Nate was staring at her, and I was about to put an icing covered finger in my mouth.
The party was like all of our others. Hot tubs, booze, caterers, music, dancing. Wild and amazing. Same activities, same elite crowd from Constance and St. Judes.
The important part of that night was the Caleb Adler encounter. He was one of the hottie sophomores that year. To this day, I'm not sure if I had really been playing spin the bottle with him, or if he was just a lying asshole who wanted to make out with me.
Anyway, I told him I would but only out on the dance floor where everyone was watching. I allowed one kiss then he followed me through the crowd. I managed to lose him between the mosh pit and the crowd chanting "chug!". That's how I ended up in the quieter room of the party.
The music from the other room was faint, but still audible, and the lights were dim. There were a few girls huddled together on a couch, whispering fiercely. On the far side of the room a boy and girl were lying on the floor making out.
Then there was this other boy, I didn't know him at the time but later I learned that his name was Dan Humphrey. He was walking around, observing the décor of the room. He sent a look of judgment to the couple on the floor then stepped over them, dramatically.
The girl pulled herself off her boy just enough to whip her head around to glare at Dan.
"Hey pervert, do you mind!?" she demanded.
I chuckled, realizing it was my best friend Blair.
"Oh you're right," Dan replied, "What was I thinking, walking through this extremely public room?"
Blair rolled her eyes at the boy's sarcasm, and rolled back onto Nate.
"After awhile you'll get used to it and learn to ignore them when they're like this," I said to Dan, "I love your hair!"
At the point I figured it was safe to go back to the party. Dan hadn't responded so I turned and headed back for a drink.
And that was it.
Of course, I hadn't thought anything of it until years later, but Dan had. And that's what changed everything. In that moment I was lucky enough to have Dan Humphrey set his sights on me. And, well…you guys know the rest.
Some people know when this is happening to them. They can see their life changing right in front of their eyes. It took me seven years to realize that that night is when it all began. Seven years, he's been waiting for me to realize what he's known since October 8, 2005.
Dan continued to stare in disbelief at the screen of his phone, after he finished reading. After a few minutes, he sprung into action and raced for the front door.
"Shit!" he exclaimed, realizing a plaid shirt and boxers wasn't the best thing to wear when going for your girl.
He ran back into his room, replacing the plaid shirt with a clean v-neck. As he pulled on a pair of jeans he heard a light tapping noise. He looked around quickly, not sure what he was looking for. He ran a hand through his hair and shrugged. Just as he was about to exit the room, he heard the tap again. He whipped around to face his window, to see if the noise was coming from outside. This time he saw the small stone strike against the glass and he rushed to the window.
His breath caught in his throat.
"Serena," he said weakly.
"You're always the Knight in Shining Armor," she called to him, "I thought it was your turn to be treated like a prince."
She was wearing simple, tight jeans and one of her loose sweaters that complimented her perfectly. She had curled her hair in to loose, flowing curls. Dan could see every perfect feature on her face even from where he was.
Without saying anything else, Dan climbed onto the fire escape and only stopped moving when he was standing, face to face, a couple feet away from Serena.
"Serena," Dan started, "What you wrote - "
"You went out on a limb in front of everyone for me," Serena cut him off, "So I figured it was the least I could do. Dan, I'm sorry if -"
"Serena don't apologize," Dan said, "All I was going to say, was that maybe you should consider switching professions and joining me as a writer."
Serena smiled at his ability to make jokes and just be himself, no matter the situation.
"Look, I know I'm not good at talking about what I feeling face to face," Serena said, "It has never been our strong suit, but through the blog it was so easy. I just wanted you to know exactly how I felt. So what you'd think?"
"Are you kidding me?" Dan asked, "I was about to sprint out of here to come find you."
"I know."
"What?" Dan asked, looking confused, "How did you know that?"
"You're fly's down."
Serena's apologetic look turned to a huge smile as they both started laughing.
"But really," Dan said, "I want you to be sure about this. I know how bad I hurt you and how stupid I was."
"Dan stop," Serena demanded, taking a step towards him, "I don't want to talk about any of that. I love you. And I all need is for you to love me too."
"I love you," Dan said, staring right into her eyes, "I love you Serena."
And then they ware kissing. Months of pent up emotion came pouring out onto the streets of Brooklyn.
"Nate is going to be so happy," Serena said, taking a breath, "He's been trying to get us back together this whole time."
"But is he gonna be ok with losing his cuddle buddy?"
He had barley finished the question, and his lips were on hers again.
Serena pulled back.
"You mean I can't stay over in his bed anymore?"
There was a long pause.
"I'm kidding!" she laughed hysterically.
Dan shook his head back and forth once, and she was kissing him again.
"Not funny," he mumbled against her.
Slowly, they made their way back onto the fire escape and through the window.
"Mm," Dan said through the kisses, "This is definitely going in my list of life changing nights."
"Well in that case," Serena whispered back, "I better give you something to remember it by."
Dan groaned with pleasure and pulled her down onto the bed, on top of him.
Their shirts had just hit the floor when -
"Congratulations!"
"What was that?" Dan asked.
"Oh my God," Serena said closing her eyes and rolling off of him, "Blair. And Nate and Chuck from the sounds of it."
"Let's just ignore them," Dan suggested pulling her back over.
"We can't," Serena laughed, "Will you grab my shirt."
Reluctantly, Dan rolled off the bed and tossed Serena her shirt.
"Maybe if we leave our shirts off they'll get the hint," Dan whispered.
"I don't think the shirts will make a difference," she replied as the door opened slowly.
"Is it safe?" Blair asked.
"Come in."
Blair, Nate, and Chuck all stepped into Dan's bedroom.
"Hey guys," Serena said, "It is great to see you."
Blair ran over to hug her best friend and to compliment the blog.
"Now that all is right again, I guess I can forgive Humphrey," Blair told her, "And after reading your blog, I know this is right."
"Are you guys kidding me?" Dan asked, walking over to the guys, as Serena and Blair continued to whisper to each other.
"Sorry man," Nate grinned, "We were just in the mood to celebrate."
"I opted for just sending over some strippers," Chuck drawled, "But they thought you'd prefer this kind of celebration."
"Actually I was pretty pleased with our celebration," Dan said with a smile.
"Champagne and chocolate for all," Serena said standing up and walking over to Dan.
She wrapped her arms around his chest from behind and planted a kiss just below his ear.
"Can't you wait two more hours," she whispered, only for him to hear.
Dan cleared his throat.
"Uh, let's open the bottle!"
Blair led the way back to the living room.
"I hate them," Dan said, when he and Serena were alone again.
"No you don't," she smiled, "It's been too long since we've all been friends."
"I know," Dan said, "And I do want us all to hang out, but now really wouldn't have been my first choice."
"Me either," Serena whispered, giving him another kiss "But come on, it'll be fun. We'll see who cracks first."
She held onto his hand and stared back at him while pulling him out the bedroom.
"Shit," Dan mumbled, "They're trying to torture me."
Thank you to all who read and reviewed.
Unfortunately, I planned for this to be The End.
