A/N: The angst train is pullin' away, guys. Good things happen here.

Nate could hear Blair on the other end of the phone, shrill and commanding, as per her usual demeanor. He was starting to feel a little lightheaded; this probably had something to do with the sheer multitude of water-induced wrinkles in his skin at the moment.

It probably wasn't healthy to spend that much time partially submerged in water. It also probably wasn't healthy to fall in love with someone who loved someone else, but Nate had apparently gone and done that as well. This made the subject of his health a bit of a moot point.

Although Chuck still seemed concerned. He paced back and forth in front of the couch, cell phone glued to his ear. He seemed visibly relieved when Blair answered the phone. Nate wasn't quite sure why.

"Back begging so soon? I insulted your manhood just this morning." Blair's voice rang loudly throughout the kitchen. Chuck smirked. Nate was certain that Blair would be able to feel the smolder of that smirk through the speaker. He knew he always could.

"It's about Nate," he said, "not your ego." Nate looked up quizzically.

"Okay," Blair reasoned, "I'll be there in about ten." Nate briefly wondered if they were speaking in some sort of code, because as far as he was concerned, things hadn't been explained at all. Chuck smiled triumphantly.

"You'd better bring your swimsuit, sweetheart." Nate thought this was an unfair generalization.

"Hey," he said indignantly, from his spot on the beige leather couch. "That's not fair. I got out of the pool." Chuck, having hung up the phone, sat down beside Nate, a semi-awkward hand resting on his shoulder.

"Do you want dinner? We can play Xbox or something." Nate rolled his eyes and shrugged away from Chuck's grip. This was getting ridiculous.

"This is stupid," he said. "I'm going home." Chuck moved as if to protest this. "Seriously. I'm not made of glass, Chuck. I'll be fine."

But just as Nate opened the front door to leave, he met Serena on her way in. His heart skipped about three beats in a row.

"Nate!" she exclaimed, grabbing his arms in surprise. "You're here!" She then threw her arms around him in a sort of friendly bear hug. Nate, honestly, could not think of a single thing to say. (In his defense, this may have partially related to the fact that his brain went sort-of, "fthgjake frejiogerho29483djrs," around Serena. But he wasn't sure he would have been able to conceive niceties barring that mental reduction) "I've been calling you all day."

She released Nate. He took the opportunity to push the hair away from his eyes. It really was getting too long for practicality.

"Oh yeah," he said, suddenly remembering. "I left my phone at home when I went running this morning. 'S still there." Serena looked as excited as Nate had felt the first time he'd been tall enough for all the rollercoasters at Six Flags.

Nate was more confused than ever before.

"What are you doing here?" Chuck asked menacingly. Serena rolled her eyes.

"I live here, Chuck." Nate laughed.

"She does," he said.

"Nate!" Serena shrieked again, with more emphasis. "I'm so sorry." Chuck growled protectively from the couch.

"As you'd better be, sister." Serena shot him a glare.

"Sorry for what?" Nate asked. Honestly, everyone was overreacting. She hadn't even officially dumped him yet.

"For being so distant this week," she explained, running her fingers through his hair. Nate glanced at Chuck, who looked just as if not more surprised than Nate felt. Good. He never liked being the only one out of the loop. "And I ruined your special night for us! But it's okay now, I'll make it up to you, I promise!"

"Where's Dan?" Chuck's voice echoed menacingly from the corner. Serena glared at him again.

"He went home," she said, doubt crossing her face for the first time since entering the room. Nate carefully held her wrist, gently moving it away from his face.

"When are you leaving?" he asked, quietly. Serena looked up and smiled.

"Whenever you are, I guess." She leaned in and kissed him. Nate dropped her wrist. Chuck looked at Serena. Serena looked at Nate. Nate looked at the ceiling. Serena looked at Chuck. Chuck looked at Nate. Nate looked at Serena.

"Wait," he said, "what?"