Disclaimer: I don't anything apart from Lydia

A/N: Now for the die hard fans, you might call me out on some errors I may have made but it's been a while since I last saw the show. So Lydia and Nate, together- for now…

Chapter 08

Gossip Girl here, we spotted the Upper East sider's hottest new couple at Bow bridge in Central Park, and this wasn't a 'break up on the bridge' moment. But what's with this ring? Come on my followers, let's get to the bottom of this… and not just the bottom of the water, but Nate and Baby Bass' relationship… X-O X-O, Gossip Girl.

"You seriously want a pretzel now?" Nate laughed, sitting on the end of the bed. "But you're not even dressed."

"Well that can be changed – quite literally. And I believe congratulations are in order, Mr chief editor or something of the Spectator. You never said anything about that." I smiled at him and watched him look to the window at one side of the room that spanned the whole wall. "What's wrong?"

"I- I just don't know what to do about this story. I want to run it, but at the same time- there would be good traffic from the story."

"Let's hear the story…" I asked, leaning forwards and holding the duvet in my fingers. "Have you done some digging around it?"

"I've done some digging, but something is stopping me."

My lips pursed. "It's to do with your family, isn't it?" I squinted at him in a jokey kind of way – just trying to lighten the mood a bit, but when Nate avoided eye contact with me completely, I felt like it mightn't be the case. "I'm sure that you will do the right thing- be the best Nate you can be… Come on, I want to get you a bagel, my treat, please?"

"Alright, but I got to go to work now. I only wanted to make sure that I said goodbye to you before I left for work, so that I could get one more look at your face, and those beautiful eyes."

"Shut up…" I climbed out of bed and pull on a floral dress over my underwear and grabbed a pastel blue blazer with cropped sleeves. Because Nate was leaving right away, I didn't mind throwing random clothes on right away. "Ready when you are, Nate!" I stopped when I saw Chuck sitting on the sofa. "Hey big brother, are you okay? I thought we decided that you were going to be honest with Blair after you went for that counselling session together, because I'm crossing my fingers for you, I just hope she sees the Bass light."

He smiled at me and then nodded, going for the door.

"Bye Chuck," I added, purely seeing as he didn't say hello. "Nate- come on!" I started grinning as soon as I saw Nate step into the room wearing a dapper looking suit. "Very nice." I walked towards him and straightened his tie, tightening it a little. "Perfect."

"Just like you…" he murmured, kissing my cheek. "Bagels are calling."

"And I will answer that call." I pulled his hand, leading him towards the lift. "You know, I can't help but feel like there are way too many Gossip sites- and the fact you're now you're head of one of them- does that not seem a little bit weird? We spent all of our lives running from these sites, and now you are the head of one of them…"

"But that's all thanks to my grandfather."

"Oh- just the thought of meeting your family terrifies me."

Nate squeezed my hand. "You've met them all before- just not my grandfather. He'll love you, because I love you."

"Nate…" I mumbled, smiling before we locked lips one more time before leaving the lift. "Oh-"

Outside of the elevator was a small group of girls at the ready with their phones out in front of their faces. They laughed as I proceeded to push Nate through them, hovering close behind him.

"I'm never going to get used to this," I whispered, feeling the material of my boyfriend's jacket on my fingertips. "But I can endure it."

"Endure it- sorry that this is so tiring for you."

"That's not what I mean and you know it!" I bought two bagels from a little vendor at the end of the street and the aroma of Nate's cinnamon and raisin bagel was making my stomach grumble – the man only had one of them left, so I opted for a plain bagel instead.

It was clear that Nate had noticed the look on my face, pining for the bagel.

He held it out to me. "Go on, I know you want it."

"Nate- I do not!" I took a bite of my bagel. "This one's just fine – you enjoy it. That kind is your favourite."

We walked along the labyrinth of streets of New York, our hands interlocked on our way. Whilst a part of me wondered whether Gossip Girl and her watchers were watching us as I walked with him to work, the other part of me was so engrossed in the time I was spending with him to even think about worrying. This was like teenage Lydia's dream- to be walking hand in hand with Nate Archibald.

"Right, here we are," I said when we reached the building I assumed Nate worked in – it had this metallic sign displaying the company's name. "You messy eater- you've got crumbs all over your suit…" My spare hand brushed the bagel crumbs from his tie and I went to walk away, but he pulled on my hand, bringing me close to him.

Our bodies touched as I leaned back to look at him. Even with the rushing bustle of business men and woman, I didn't care about the public display of affection. Normally, I would have, but not this time- solely because of who it was with.

"Come with me…" Nate mumbled.

"I'd love to, Nate- thought I don't think to would be a good idea. Well- what I mean is that I can't just interrupt your work- you may be the editor, but that doesn't mean I can distract you from your important hand."

"Then leave me with your hand, and your lips too… Your whole self whilst you're at it."

I couldn't help but laugh and grin. "That's so cheesy, Nate!"

He kissed me, and I kissed him back- overfilled with joy and happiness. "I really need to go and work."

"Go then!" I pushed him closer to the door and waved to him subtly as my boyfriend disappeared inside and out of sight. The smile on my face was so wide that it could have split my face. Heaving a small sigh, I turned away and started to walk down the stairs.

"Well, well, well… You must be her… You must be Lydia," a voice said from in front of me, at the bottom of the stairs. "You don't know who I am, but I'm certainly well aware of who you are."

She had gorgeous cascading loose curls that brushed past her shoulders and glowing tanned skin. Her eyes stood out beautifully under the smoky eyeshadow that had been applied around her eye. Her mature appearance made her look a little older and even more elegant.

"You're Diana, aren't you?" I asked, curiosity overcoming me, with a strong suspicion that it was Diana.

"Clever girl. Clever, clever little girl," she murmured calmly. "You and me need to have a chat I believe. Come along."

"I don't need to do anything with anyone- least of all with you." I began to walk away, in any direction that was away from her.

"Oh you will when you hear what I have to say… about your cheating boyfriend." Diana smiled at me, but not in a kind way – in a way that told me I would want to hear what she had to say. "You need to ask him about Lola."

"Lola?" I asked, looking over my shoulder. Damn, I've given in and now she has the upper hand. "You've five minutes to prove that you've something to say that's worth hearing. Seriously."

"Come with me then." Diana started to walk past me and hailed a cab. "Are you coming?" she called from inside, with the door still open.

I climbed in, just in time to miss the directions that Diana gave to the driver. "You're not over Nate, are you?"

"Oh- he's just a little puppy dog. He can't stop sleeping with me, and there was Charlie, but now there is Lola." Diana kept her gaze fixed on the road ahead. "You don't know him at all, do you Lydia?"

"I do- I do know him, and I know what you're like…" I said in the most unconvincing tone ever. "Nate isn't like that-"

"So he tells you he loves you, and then you immediately jump into a relationship. You're too easy. No wonder Gossip Girl calls you Baby Bass. Absolutely no maturity, you're a child caught in the adult's world. It's just a shame that Nate isn't as honest with you as Simon was."

"How- how do you know about Simon?" I asked, biting onto the bait that Diana was dangling over me.

"Well – because Nate told me about your first love in Montana. And then somebody went and retrieved this for me." She held out an open palm to me. "Recognise this?"

I bit the inside of my mouth and closed my eyes. "It's the promise ring that Simon gave me… How- how did you get it?"

"I told you- somebody retrieved it for me, but I'm going to hold onto it for a little while longing, until you've done what I ask of you." Diana was playing a dirty game- just like Nate warned me.

"No- I won't do anything for you…"

"Not even if it risked your story being plastered over Gossip Girl and even the Spectator?"

"Please don't make me choose between Nate and everyone knowing about Simon – that his parents blamed me for his death…"

"Oh darling – you are making this way too easy for me!" The cab stopped and money exchanged hands. Diana stepped out and waited for me to come out. "We're here – prepare yourself to meet Lola…"

"Why are you doing this to me?" I whimpered, looking at a small restaurant café that was right in front of me.

"Because I just need a way back into the Spectator, and you are that way."

"So you aim to destroy my relationship with Nate so- so what? You can sit back on the throne, because I think we both know there is more to it than that, wouldn't you agree?" I tried to intimidate the woman who was clearly successfully doing so to me.

"I've defeated one cub, it won't take me long to destroy you." Diana squared up to me, so that in her heels, she was taller than I was. "You and Nate can say things like you won't let things come between you, but that's only because you're so scared of losing him. He's a man, and you're just a girl."

"If I'm just a child, then I'll take this as my opportunity to leave…" My feet began to tap the pavement as I strolled slowly away, putting the ball in my side of the court.

"He's in love with Lola… He's playing both you and her."

"Just because Nate played you against Charlie, doesn't mean he's doing the same to me and you know that's true."

Not that I knew if it was true.

I carried on through the lump in my throat. "Thanks anyway for the heads up, Diana."

Diana was clearly jealous – she had to be.

A month and a bit passed – thirty nine days exactly – and nearly every day, the only things I could think about was Nate (and our relationship,) but also about what Diana said about Lola. Not that I ever met this so-called Lola, but I never confronted him about it, and I didn't want to, because deep down, I was terrified of losing him. Terrified that Nate was still sleeping with Diana, and Lola for that matter.

To celebrate one month together, Nate and I took a little getaway for the weekend, where we went to a beach house in the Hamptons. It was blissful, and I experienced that typical kissing in the summer rain on the first morning we were there. Nate and I were so happy whenever we were together – like nothing else mattered. I told Serena all of the little details of what happened the moment I got back. It was great to not have to worry about Gossip Girl in the Hamptons.

When we did get back to the Upper East Side, there was a letter waiting for me on the floor of the apartment. A letter that changed everything. It was an interview invitation from a small walk in clinic in Philadelphia to give me some experience – it turned out that Chuck had orchestrated the whole thing. Inside, I think he felt bad that the coma set me back a year and the universities that had originally offered me a place had retracted them. He told me that if I agreed to go, that he was going to sponsor me and make sure I got the best support and guidance. It truly was one of the most thoughtful things that he had ever done, and it meant so much to me.

Breaking this news to Nate was so difficult, but he was incredibly supportive and insisted that I take up the offer. So whilst I was counting the days that Nate and I had been together, I was forced to count the days until I would leave and go to Philadelphia.

Our relationship reached a peak moment- the night before I left. Chuck was out and the apartment was all to me and Nate- we grabbed the opportunity and lost ourselves in the moment, aided by a glass of champagne.

I woke up the morning after Nate and I's first time and my first thought was that I had lost my virginity… No more classic virgin, eh Gossip Girl? But then, the next thought I had was about leaving him behind for Philly. It was later than I had thought, but I thankfully didn't have a train or plane to catch.

"Morning beautiful," Nate whispered in my ear, snuggling closer. "First time for everything, right?" His laugh echoed in my ear.

"Stop it." I gently hit his chest. "Worth the wait?"

"Definitely worth every minute." He stopped and kissed my cheek. "You truly are amazing…the best I've ever had- but I got you something."

"Really?" I rolled towards him and noticed how pale I looked in comparison to him- at least my freckles darkened my skin a tiny bit. "You didn't have to get me anything – you know that. Just a visit once in a while is enough."

"I wanted to, Lydia," Nate said, smiling still. "It's just something small." He leant over the other side of the bed and I edged closer to his bare back to see what he was picking up. His hand was in his jean pocket and he pulled out a small box.

At that moment, I was partly glad that it was too big to be a ring box – because I would have died inside. Easily too soon to see an engagement ring no matter how long ago our first kiss was. Not just yet, Nate Archibald. Inside the box was this bracelet that I had seen in a shop window in the Hamptons on our weekend away, but when I went back to buy the next day, it was gone.

"You bought it?" I sought out confirmation.

"Of course I did. I had my ways before you ask me how I managed to buy it without you noticing… Right. I better go get us breakfast."

"Thank you…" I murmured, watching my boyfriend pull up his pants and slip out my room. A cheerful giggle escaped my mouth as I grabbed my phone off the bedside table, and messaged Serena.

She replied almost instantly. Baby Bass no more – I'm so pleased for you! You and Nate are too cute together. But aren't you going to Philly now? Risky move Lydia… You don't waste your time S x

Like teenage girl at a sleepover, our conversation of texts continued back and forth, and she wished me all the best in Philly and told me that she would tell me everything that happened in the Upper East side, but only if I get in touch with her about Philly.

"Breakfast is served," Nate said, entering the room with a tray that was complete with toast and a little jar of jam. "Just the kind you like."

"Cherry jam from the little organic supermarket?" I smiled.

His mouth moved slowly as he tried to piece a sentence together. "Well I obviously don't know you as well as I think I do…" Nate looked so downhearted that I had to give in.

"I'm just kidding!" I squeaked, taking the tray from Nate as he sat on the sheets beside me. "Thank you, Nate. This really is nice, and also a little unexpected."

"Because you deserve it and I'm so proud of you. After the accident set you back a bit, I didn't know if you'd be able to become a doctor. It surprised even me when you said what Chuck did for you. But after he sent off an application in your name, you had to work your cute little butt off and it got you to Philadelphia."

"Oh, so you like my butt now? Because yours is way better than mine by the way…"

Breakfast was delicious- shared toast and jam. It was the events after breakfast that were not so good. I was wearing a pair of unripped jeans and one of the hoodies that I had 'borrowed' from Nate on a permanent basis. We were standing near the lift to go down to the reception.

Saying goodbye to Nate was going to be tricky, more so because I had to be honest with him – I had to know the truth about Lola and Diana, even if my timing couldn't have been worse.

"Nate. I- I have to ask you something. We said we'd be honest, and we said we wouldn't let anything get in between us. But I need to-"

Right on cue, my brother entered the apartment. "Lydia, the car is waiting for you." He smiled in a crooked but affectionate way, like he was only telling me half of the story. "As much as I hate to say this, I'm going to miss you. You know that Dad would be very proud of you."

"Chuck… If I can say it so plainly, I think that I love this new you." I threw my arms around him, hugging my twin brother tightly, then whispering. "I hope Blair does too…" Heaving a sigh, I pulled away. "I don't know what I'm going to do without you there to bail me out for the first time."

"Oh- okay. Let's go down now- my driver will be waiting for you and will not like to be kept waiting. Go on, the name Doctor Bass awaits." Chuck stood by the lift doors as both me and Nate stepped inside.

"What am I going to do without my two favourite guys?" I took each of their hands. "Please don't kill each other without me there to keep the peace." A lump was protruding out from my threat that I thought it must have looked like an Adam's apple. "My twin brother, and my boyfriend. You two really are the best two guys that a girl could ever have in her life."

Stepping out the lift and walking towards the car that was waiting on me was like nothing I had ever experienced before. It was this looming feeling of dread, mixed in with the desire to go to Philadelphia and train as a doctor. Or at least gain experience to later do that. But I had to say goodbye to everyone for a while. A while in which I was not looking forward to.

"Serena- what are you doing here?" I squealed when I saw her outside on the sidewalk. "I can't believe you're here! You said good luck to me already…"

"Chuck asked me, Blair and even Dan to come see you off- it was the least that I could do. Lyds, you're going to be amazing in Philadelphia, and what you are doing is fantastic. I hope you stay in touch, I want to hear all about it. And I want to hear all about the cute male nurses…" Serena squeezed me tightly – as did I – it was just like when we were kids. "But most importantly, please take care of yourself."

"Serena, I am one of the most cautious and careful people that has ever walked the Upper East side. You should know that I'll be fine." I turned towards Dan. "You make sure everyone's okay over here, won't you? Because I'm not going to come back just so that I can tidy up- you're the next best person…" Moving forwards, I hugged him and listened to the gentle buzz of the street beside us. "Thanks for coming Dan." My body turned towards Blair, who was sporting a slightly less than flattering blue dress – most probably to hide the pregnant tummy that was blossoming underneath it. "Blair- I can't believe that this is the first time I've seen you since I woke up. So much has changed but I hope that we're still friends."

"Well hopefully we always will be…" she responded, gripping my hand and actually not letting go at all.

"You never were good with goodbyes," I replied, smiling all the more. As I hugged her tightly, I whispered, "Shotgun godmother…" and heard her laugh for a moment, before I turned to Chuck. "I- I don't know what to say."

"Well you could say th-"

"Chuck- thank you so much. For everything. Everything that you've done for me. For letting me stay with you and Nate- for helping me to settle in at Constance, and letting me back in to our family. Your sponsorship for this opportunity means everything to me and I'm so eternally grateful."

"You always were the better linguist – you have a way with words as Dad always said"

"Still…"

Rather than endure another spout of grateful nothingness' to my brother, he shook his head and hugged me tight. My favourite kind of goodbye was a hug- and everyone knew that.

"Let me know when you get there," Chuck added, stepping back towards Blair a little. He looked between our friends and over to Nate. "We better leave Archibald to say his goodbye."

The others nodded and disappeared down the street.

Suddenly, I was crying at the thought of saying goodbye to Nate. The tears were streaming down my face as I started blubbing vulnerably. I didn't care – with anyone else, I would have hated showing this sensitive and more vulnerable side.

"Lydia, you don't have to cry, you don't have to say anything." Nate's head dipped so that our foreheads touched. "I feel the closest that I have ever felt to anyone else before. You are the only one for me."

Lies.

My arms snaked around his neck slowly as his wrapped around my waist.

"I – I hope so…" was all that I could mumble as a response.

Nate tilted his head, and in turn, mine did slowly. The kiss was long, and passionate. My nose felt itself being bent a little to one side in the playful roughness of the kiss. At least I didn't have a cold or a runny nose. It was a kiss that felt like it was the last one that we would both ever experience – so long, passionate and loving. My eyes closed as I pulled away.

"It's not the end for us, is it?" I gasped, sniffing.

"Not today."

What? Is that a warning that it'll be soon. No.

"I wish I didn't have to go."

"Come on Lydia, it's only Philadelphia – let's just say that it isn't as far as Montana… Listen, you've said that I can catch a train down to you and we can spend the weekend together. Once you're settled." On the ridges of Nate's eyes, I could see water building. "No matter what happens, or what you hear- anything anyone tells you, promise me that you won't listen. Talk to me first, okay? Too many people believe everything they hear." Nate stopped and wiped his hand over his face. "What am I going to do without you to keep me together?"

"You will be fine," I sniffed violently, laughing with a smile on my face. "We can text, email, call and even write to each other every day if we need to." I lurched forwards, embracing him with my chin over his shoulder and feeling myself toes grazing the ground as I went on tiptoes. "I love you so much."

"I'd love that, and I love you…" Nate whispered, pulling me a little away and tucking my head under his chin. "I'll visit you once you are settled, and you can show me all that Philadelphia has to offer?"

Whenever he's ready to visit – I don't care about settling in Philadelphia, he could visit tomorrow morning for all I care…

"Yeah, of course…" I reached behind me for the door handle. "I need to go Nate," I added when he didn't let go. "Nate, come on. Don't make me feel bad or make this harder on me. Okay, you have to look after my brother and everyone else, but most of all, yourself. Don't let what your grandfather, or anyone else does affect your feelings and actions. Promise?"

"I promise."

"One last kiss before I go?" I asked, smiling gently.

One last kiss- the last?

Thoughts from AspiringWriterGirl = Ooooh, I love pulling the strings in this story Hope you're still enjoying it!

A snippet from the next chapter (just because you didn't hear from Gossip Girl in this chapter) – Gossip Girl here, is that a tear in Archibald's eyes as he watched Baby Bass disappear into the distance, but don't worry Nate, I've still got sources in Philadelphia. Baby Bass is getting close to this Doctor in the hospital- is this all for business, or is it all for pleasure…