A/N: Here's chapter 7! Sorry for my slight delay. I am trying to work on this weekly but life gets in the way. Just know I'm still here, thinking about this story and working on it a little bit every day. I actually mapped out the whole plot the other day and let's just say there's at least 15 more chapters I'm prepared to write. So strap in, it's going to be a wild ride for Mackenzie and Nate. Thank you to my two reviewers on the last chapter: Evenlight and one Guest reviewer! I appreciate these so much - yes I write this for myself but knowing I have an audience is so helpful. So thank you! I always appreciate your time spent writing me a message.

All that being said, I'm thinking of changing the rating to M because I have some... ideas. Is anyone entirely opposed to some smut? Not full on sex scenes, but a bit of something? Let me know! Just... Chace Crawford, damn.

Mackenzie slept so soundly, so comfortably. She wasn't sure if it was the company - the overwhelming sense of security having someone by her side all night - or the alcohol that caused her peaceful dreamstate. But it was nice.

She had stirred once in the middle of the night. The power had returned. She felt Nate slip out of bed to turn all the lights off in the living room and kitchen area. Mackenzie was half conscious for these few moments. She rolled onto her back as he returned to the bed beside her. She may have imagined it in her delirium, but as he was laying down beside her, she could have sworn he had kissed her forehead, ever so gently. As he got back into a comfortable sleeping position, halfway on his side and stomach, he threw his arm over her. In her sleep state, she clutched onto his arm with hers and they fell back asleep.

When Mackenzie finally woke up, there was light streaming through her window. No more rain clouds. A brand new day. She rolled over and reached out to see if Nate was still there, but she was alone in her bed. For a moment, Mackenzie worried she had dreamed the whole thing.

Her mind started to race. Maybe he had left. Okay, sure, maybe he did leave - so what? He didn't have to stay. He has his own life. Plus, it's Thanksgiving. Maybe he has brunch with his family or a work emergency.

Mackenzie sighed and sat up in her bed but quickly regretted the move. Her head was pounding, her stomach nauseous. Her mouth tasted awful and it was incredibly dry. A lesson learned in not overdoing it on bourbon and a variety of other liquors. She rubbed her eyes with her right hand and swung her legs off the side of the bed. She noticed her bedroom doors were closed and she could hear a cupboard closing in the kitchen.

She slowly pulled open the doors and found Nate leaning on the kitchen island, cell phone up to his ear.

"Hey Leo, let me call you back in a few minutes," Nate stood up and smiled when he saw Mackenzie walking from her room. He placed his phone down. "I hope I didn't wake you up trying to search for your French press and coffee mugs." He was still wearing the sweat pants and shirt, his hair was slightly tousled, a gentle form of bed head. The sun was filling the apartment, bouncing off the yellow walls of the kitchen. For a brief moment, things were temporarily domestic.

She smiled at his statement, "You didn't wake me up. This headache woke me up." She threw her hand up and she put up one finger, indicating a pause in their conversation. She ducked into the bathroom and threw open the medicine cabinet, grabbing a bottle of Advil. She closed the cabinet doors and let out a breath as she looked in the mirror. Her eyes were still slightly swollen from crying, leftover mascara staining her eyelids. She quickly wiped her face and threw her messy hair into a loose bun on the top of her head. She returned to the kitchen and walked around Nate to grab a glass for water.

"Parades starting soon. In case you're concerned about the turkey balloon," Nate smirked at her, crossed his arms as he leaned back against the counter. She rolled her eyes at him as she swallowed a few pills and sipped on the water.

Before she could quip back at him, his phone started to ring. She motioned for him to take it and made her way towards the couch, collapsing into the corner and pulling a throw blanket onto her lap. She half listened to Nate's side of the conversation as she turned on the TV, which sat across from the couch in the middle of the bookcase unit. She admittedly didn't spend much time watching TV and thought it was an unfortunate service for her dad to continue to pay but she was grateful to watch the annual Macy's parade as she nursed her hangover.

She glanced over at Nate as he talked and her brain ran over the last 24 hours.

Adam. Break up. Panic attack. Interview. Rain. Tears. Bourbon. Nate. Breakdown. Tears. Nate. Liquor. Power outage. Nate. Sleep. Flirting. Nate. Nate. Nate.

"..maybe you'll consider flirting with me instead."

She hated to admit her mixed feelings about her break up with Adam: shame, after being lead on for so long; a strange melancholy for believing he would change or things would be different if he showed up; and lastly, relief, knowing now she was free to explore her feelings for Nate without guilt. But maybe it was too soon to even consider those things.

Maybe it was naive to even think he would have feelings for her, too.

He stayed over last night. In your bed! And he's still here making coffee. And maybe you dreamed it, but he kissed your forehead and wrapped his arms around you.

She was conflicted. Maybe he just wanted to be her friend. And maybe that's okay. Maybe that was all she needed. Even if she had been thinking about kissing him since the moment he had come by the loft for that crate of records weeks ago.

Nate hung up his follow up phone call with Leo. He was grateful to run a successful business that gave his staff two days off for the Thanksgiving holiday, but the power outage that temporarily swept through the city had thrown things for a loop. Leo managed to reset the server remotely and their news schedule was in the clear. One of his junior reporters took the task of writing up about the storm and repercussions and Nate made a note to ensure overtime and holiday pay was given accordingly.

He watched Mackenzie for a moment after the call, she was lost in thought curled up in the blanket, closing her eyes every few seconds. He wouldn't admit it but he found her disheveled, hungover appearance appealing - the natural sunlight shone down on her messy bun and washed across her tired face. The not-even-close to put together look screamed comfort and vulnerability, and Nate felt he was getting a very real side of her. He liked it. He wanted to get to know her more.

He knew she was in an uncertain state, having only parted ways with her boyfriend less than 24 hours ago. But he was excited about the possibility and guilt free opportunity to talk with her, flirt with her, be close to her. If she wanted. At her pace. If the right moment presented itself.

He smiled to himself as her eyes darted towards the TV. The parade. He poured some cream into a cup of coffee for her and a splash into his, plus a spoonful of sugar off the counter sugar bowl, and sat down on the couch beside her, extending the coffee towards her.

"Thank youuuu," she drew out her words, giving Nate a smile as she took a sip of the coffee.

"For both the coffee and the company. I realize you probably wanted to go home last night and maybe you would have preferred your own bed but, I just.. I was really happy you stayed."

He opened up his mouth to reply, then stopped himself.

"What?" Mackenzie put her cup of coffee down and shifted her body to face Nate at the opposite end of the couch. She watched his face carefully, he moved his jaw and closed his eyes for a quick moment.

"Oh my god, Nate, just say whatever it is you're thinking." She started to breathe a bit heavier than she intended, suddenly worried about what he wanted to reveal. She was right. He didn't even want to be friends. He wants to just go home now. He's trying to figure out how to say he regretted his entire evening and -

"Mackenzie, I took that meeting in DUMBO yesterday because I was hoping I would run into you. That rainstorm and call from Dan was the perfect opportunity for me to just...see you again."

"But.. that conversation I heard. With Chuck...you said you're hardly even friends with me and.."

"Mack, I promise you heard that wrong."

"I definitely heard Chuck Bass say I'm a bit thick but I have an exquisite face, apparently." Mackenzie was annoyed recalling the overheard conversation.

"Did you hear Nate Archibald call you attractive and smart and specifically mention your incredible body?"

Mackenzie shook her head. "Nate, these last 24 hours have been a mess. I don't want you just saying these things…"

Nate stood up. He hated to feel frustrated by this but he took a few steps away from the couch and finally turned back, "Mack, I think about you all the time. I know you have a boyfriend, or you had a boyfriend but.. And this is terrible timing. I promise I'm not trying to play with your feelings right now..." He paced around the coffee table. "Oh, god, that morning you were at the office in your Yankees hat… I just... " He paused. "This is so silly." He stopped in front of her. "Mackenzie Humphrey, I have a crush on you."

Mackenzie opened her mouth to respond, then closed her mouth. Her mind was racing. Her heart was pounding. She felt an overwhelming heat cross her chest. She swallowed then brought her hand up to her face, rubbing her temples.

"You have a crush on me?" Her voice came out like a whisper. She shut her eyes for a moment.

"Yes."

"That's the cutest thing I have ever heard," she finally said, quietly, meeting Nate's gaze as he looked down at her. He smiled, his body relaxed.

"Well, thanks. Here I am, leaving it all on the table and you call me cute."

"Technically, I didn't call you cute, actually. I said your choice of words were cute."

Nate sighed and fell back onto the couch beside her. "Ouch."

"Nate," Mackenzie turned on the couch, letting the blanket fall onto the floor. She sat on her knees, facing him. "Sorry. Nathaniel Archibald, I have a crush on you, too." She reached her hands out, inviting his. He shifted his weight and extended his hands to meet hers. "You've just gotta know that this," she released one hand and pointed to her heart, "is a mess right now. So, whatever this," she motioned her hand between herself and Nate, "could be...it has to move at a snail's pace. Tiny, baby steps.."

Nate just smiled and pulled her in towards him, her head resting on his chest, "Let's just watch the parade, okay?"

Mackenzie stepped out of the taxi at the Van Der Woodsen apartment, feeling recovered enough and put together to face what she could only imagine to be an over the top Thanksgiving dinner. She paused for a minute on the sidewalk, mentally preparing herself for the extravaganza.

She had texted Serena earlier that day, explaining that she would no longer have a plus one and to apologize for screwing up the seating plan. Serena was incredibly understanding and told her not to worry. She said there would be plenty of time to lament Mackenzie's stupid exboyfriend and wine to wash him away.

Mackenzie had also texted Dan to apologize for her immaturity in handling their fight. He said he wanted to talk about it later and even offered to take her out for breakfast Friday. She was agreeable but hoping to move on from their tiff quickly.

She had spent the entire morning curled up on the couch with Nate, nodding on and off in his arms as they watched the parade. Well, Mackenzie watched the parade and Nate did some work things, apologizing to her every time he checked his email or took a phone call. He left the apartment just after noon rolled around, having to get home and ready himself for his own family Thanksgiving dinner.

He stood at the door before he left, just gazing at her. "Can I kiss you goodbye?"

Mackenzie sighed at him but shook her head, "Baby steps, okay? I'm just not ready for that. If I kiss you, I might never want to leave your lips."

"Is that so bad?" he leaned on the door frame, a charming smirk crossing his face. She leaned in and kissed his cheek and finally let him leave. She couldn't believe the overwhelming sense of comfort he gave her. She just wanted to spend the rest of the day with him, the rest of the week. All her hours. But she knew she had to pace herself. They discussed tentatively getting together again this weekend for dinner or a movie or a night in but nothing concrete.

Despite spending the morning together, they messaged all afternoon.

'Nate, can we agree that whatever this is stays between us for right now?'

'Of course.'

'I don't want people to get the wrong idea, especially when I don't even know how I feel. Well, I know how I feel. But, you know what I mean.'

'Keeping it a secret sounds pretty fun actually ;)'

'Agreed. I wish you were coming to dinner - then i could make flirty eye contact with you across the room ;)'

'Is it too forward to say I already miss you?'

Mackenzie was smitten.

Now, hours later she was getting into the elevator and heading to the Van Der Woodsen penthouse, trying to get Nate out of her mind for a few hours.

As she made her way upstairs, she self consciously ran her hands through her hair, making sure her high ponytail was still in tact. She had pulled out an old emerald dress from her closet, with a modest halter neckline, black overlay lace bodice and hemline that fell near the knee. She covered her legs with black leggings and had short cognac Louboutin boots on her feet. She didn't wear them often but they were a gift from her sister and fitting for her outfit and occasion.

She stepped off the elevator and heard a great amount of chatter in the apartment. She turned towards the living room and saw a gathering of people mingling, drinks in hand. The room was decorated with autumnal coloured florals and soft music filled the atmosphere.

She could see Dan across the room chatting with Eric and her eyes scanned the crowd for more familiar faces. Lily and William, Chuck and Blair, Blair's mother and husband, and a quite a few faces she didn't recognize. The grand leather sofas had been moved to the outside of the room and replaced by a long dining table, beautifully decorated for the evening.

Serena spotted her from across the room and met her near the coat room, "I'm so glad you're finally here. Let me get you some wine!" Serena grabbed her coat and hung it up quickly, then came back out.

"Actually I need your assistance quickly!" Mackenzie grabbed her hand and quickly cut through the crowd, pulling Serena into the study with her. "This is terribly embarrassing but I couldn't get my dress zipped up at home. I usually had a roommate or my mom or Adam to help and.." Mackenzie stopped in her tracks and let go of Serena's hand once they got to the room at the end of the hall when she saw who was in there. Nate, looking out the window with who Mackenzie assumed was Henry in his arms.

"Nate, hi." Mackenzie said to him, eyes wide, a smile crossed her face.

"Turn around," Serena instructed her and she obliged, breaking her eye contact with Nate. Serena pulled up the gold zipper on her dress and patted her shoulder. "Don't you know the trick with the paperclip? Also, how many tattoos do you actually have?"

Mackenzie smiled at her, "You are a lifesaver, Serena."

"Okay, you need wine. I will be back." Serena smiled at her and turned to leave the room, "White?"

"White. Dry."

As the blonde departed, Mackenzie turned her attention over to Nate. She met him at the window with Henry and stood as they watched the view of the city.

"What happened to your dinner?" she asked Nate, waving her hand at the little guy in his arms. "Hi Henry."

"My grandfather is recovering from the flu, so it's turned into brunch tomorrow instead," he replied to her. He lowered his voice and cocked his head as he continued, "That dress looks incredible on you."

"Nate," she warned, holding back her smile, "You can't do that. I blush easily."

"I like making you blush," he said smoothly, smirking at her and gently biting his lip.

Serena popped back into the room a few moments later, a glass of white wine in her hands, "For you, Mack. To wash away the bad energy of a bad boyfriend. Although Nate said the bourbon had it's way with you last night." She winked at her.

"Let's just say I'll take it slow tonight," Mackenzie laughed, turning her eyes from Nate and heading out of the room with Serena.

Serena hurried ahead while Nate and Mackenzie were intercepted by Blair in the hallway.

"There you are," Blair said to Nate, reaching out to grab Henry from his arms, "It's time to say goodbye to grand-mere and grand-pere and head home to bed, my baby boy."

"Uncle Nate was just showing him the city lights," Nate smiled at Henry as Blair smiled meekly and turned away from them, presumably to turn Henry over to his nanny to take home for the rest of the evening.

Nate grabbed Mackenzie's hand for a moment to stop her in the hallway, "Can I take you out for a drink after dinner tonight?" Mackenzie smiled as she looked down at their hands intertwined, even for a few moments. He brushed his thumb across the back of her hand before letting go.

She pursed her lips to hold in her smile and elation, "Yes, I would love that."

After an eventful dinner, Nate's initial plan of taking Mackenzie out for a drink was thwarted by Chuck. He suggested the younger crowd disappear quickly to the bar at the Empire instead, on his dime.

After Serena continued to replenish Mackenzie's glass of wine all night, she was happy to be getting fresh air as they waited for their cars outside.

Eric, who was also reeling from his three glasses of red wine, announced he would like to walk instead, so Mackenzie opted to join him.

"It's 40 degrees out, you people are insane," Dan laughed as he opened a cab door for Serena, following behind Chuck and Blair who insisted they take their own ride for personal reasons.

"It's only 10 blocks," Eric protested, shrugging.

"You coming Nate?" Dan said to him, pausing to close the cab door. Nate looked from his friends in the cab over to Mackenzie and Eric, who were starting their journey to the Empire.

"I think I'll supervise these two," Nate laughed, waving Serena and Dan to go ahead.

He rushed up ahead to meet them and walked beside Eric on the left, as Mackenzie had linked her arm with his on the right.

"I think I made the wrong shoe choice for hiking across town," Mackenzie whined playfully.

"You know, there's still time to wave down a cab instead," Nate joked, motioning to the vehicles on the street.

"No, we are not quitters, Archibald," Eric said sternly, a determined smile on his face.

"I had forgotten about the inevitable drama that circled at big family dinners," Mackenzie said to Eric, reflecting on the dinner they had all just escaped from.

Eric just shrugged, "Oh, my mother is notorious for big announcements that come out of nowhere and go nowhere. Her dramatic tale about how her and my dad want to adopt a child from the other side of the world will be forgotten about by Christmas."

As they reached the end of the block, they paused and waited to cross at the crosswalk. Just as the light changed, Mackenzie tripped and braced onto Eric to stop herself from falling.

"That is the wine, I swear. I am usually very graceful," she giggled.

"Nate, you need to anchor her on the other side," Eric said, directing Nate to the opposite side of their trio. He happily obliged and placed himself on Mackenzie's right side, slipping his hand into hers. She looked over at him for a brief moment and smiled, squeezing his hand.

"Speaking of Christmas, Jen said you and your mom are visiting this year?" Eric continued on, oblivious to the hand holding happening on the other side of the sidewalk.

The three continued to talk and laugh as they made their way to the Empire. Nate held onto Mackenzie's hand until the moment they walked in, and followed behind after checking their coats.

"Drinks?" Nate said to her and Eric as they found their way to the rest of the group awaiting at a big booth in the corner.

"Merlot." Eric said definitively. "And maybe a glass of water."

"Something with whiskey, to warm me up," Mackenzie said to Nate, a playful smirk on her face. He let out a breath and gave her a look that said 'C'mon, you're killing me'.

Nate met them at the booth a few moments later, followed by a waiter with drinks in hand. He placed a glass of wine in front of Eric and handed a cocktail to Mackenzie. She thanked him then turned to Serena to continue their conversation.

"I have to be honest, at this point, I can't answer that. I don't know if I remember him having any redeeming qualities now," Mackenzie was discussing her break up with Adam to Serena, "And I do not want to hear your I Told You So Speech, Daniel."

"Oh, I hate when you Daniel me," Dan rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his beer.

Serena put her arm on Mackenzie's, "I'm sure he wasn't that bad."

"I swear, he probably didn't even remember my middle name. For my birthday in April, he got me a gift card from a gas station," Mackenzie paused, rolling her own eyes remembering her indiscretions. "He couldn't even pick me up flowers." She paused again to sip her drink, "I actually don't think any of my boyfriends have ever bought me flowers."

"Oh, that is not right. We need to get this girl flowers!" Serena laughed, then paused, "Honestly Mack, you'll find the right person. Dan and I found each other after a long hard road." She leaned back into Dan and he gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"I find it continuously offensive when happy couples give the 'you'll find the right person' speech," Eric said, sipping on his glass of wine.

"Agreed," Mackenzie laughed, "I'm off dating for a while, I think." Eric escaped the booth a few moments later and Nate slid closer to Mackenzie.

"So Nate, ready for the Vanderbilts tomorrow?" Serena asked.

"Not even a bit ready, Tripp specifically told me he wanted to pick me up and drive together to brunch so we have time to 'chat'," Nate rolled his eyes, then took a sip of his drink, "I know family is family but,"

"Forgiveness is not always easy," Serena finished his thought, nodding. Serena and Dan moved out of the booth next, heading for another drink and to see if they could track down Blair and Chuck who still hadn't appeared, but likely had found their way to Chuck's old penthouse instead.

Nate turned his head around to scan the room quickly to see if Eric was coming back, then shifted his body towards Mackenzie, "I hope you were joking about being off dating for a while," he said to her quietly, a worried look on his face. "Not that I want to rush you into something you don't want or anything. I know you're fresh off your break up.."

"All I want is to figure this out, you and me, slow and steady," she responded, smiling. "I'm just trying to play the part if this is going to be secret. I think I like secret." She placed her hand on his knee, then moved it very briefly to his thigh, "Liquid courage." She finished the last of her drink and moved her hands back to the table, playing with the condensation of the glass.

He let out a breath and leaned back in the booth, "You're killing me, Humphrey." He paused, trying to gain some self control, "Come over tomorrow night?"

She shrugged, then playfully asked, "What's in it for me?"

"Dinner? Hot tub?"

"I don't even think I have a swimsuit."

"Who says you need one?"

"Woah, I said slow and steady, Mr. Archibald."

"Okay, just dinner?"

"Yes, I'm in."

"It's a date."

xoxoxo

coming up next: So dear readers, are you up for some sauciness? A visit to Nate's apartment and his hot tub? Mackenzie searches for another internship and perhaps a certain Mr. Bass is going to help her out. It's going to be a wild ride.