Earth Angel

Author's Note: Originally I had only planned on this being a one-shot, but my take on post-canon NJ was begging for more. I hope you guys enjoy. For a great NJ fix, don't forget to check out Clair de Lune by Dr. Holland and Agree/Disagree by nese35

Chapter 2:

Oh God, what have I done?

Jenny didn't know what to do. Nate looked so peaceful, but the wheels in her head were turning. They'd rushed into this. What if he was with someone? What if he regrets this? She had so many thoughts milling through her brain that she did the one thing that came to her easily: she ran. She slipped out of his arms and started to put her clothes on. The sooner she made her way downstairs, the easier it would be to pretend like what had happened was no big deal, but it was. It was a very big deal.

A little while later, Nate is watching Jenny as she pulls her clothes back on and smiles. There is just something so ethereal about her that makes his heartbeat a little faster. She looks down at him and gives him a questioning look. "Aren't you going to get dressed?"

"Eventually. Right now, I'm enjoying the view," he said with a smirk. Jenny pushes her long blonde hair out of her face and rolled her eyes.

God she is beautiful

Sometimes Nate wonders why it took him so long. What he was afraid of? He remembers blaming Dan and then later trying to protect his relationship with Serena, but deep down he knew he was just scared. The funny thing was that there really was nothing to be afraid of.

"They're going to wonder where we went," Jenny says with a hint of fear in her voice.

"I'm pretty sure they'll figure it out," Nate says as he reaches for her arm and pulls her on to his lap. He runs his fingers along the nape of her neck and kisses her till she couldn't think anymore. His kisses are beyond intoxicating, they are mind altering. She pulls away from him. "I, I need to think."

"Thinking is overrated," Nate says as he pulls her in for another kiss.

A little over an hour later, Jenny made her way down the spiral staircase. She stopped at the mirror in the hall and attempted to fix her mussed hair. "It's a little early for the walk-of-shame. Dan and Serena haven't even cut the cake yet," Blair said.

Jenny nearly jumped out of her skin. "OMG you scared the crap out of me."

"It's my house. What exactly is surprising about my presence?"

Jenny looked at her friend and former boss with discomfort. She really didn't want to discuss Nate with her. Her feelings for him and had always been a bone of contention between the two of them. "I guess I should go find Dan. He's probably wonder where I took off too."

"I'm sure he doesn't want to think about what his baby sister is doing with Nate Archibald,"Blair said with laugh.

"I don't want to talk about this with you Blair."

The other girl furrowed her brow in confusion. She placed her hand on her hip and said, "Why not? What I'm suddenly not good enough to confide in Jenny Humphrey?"

"No, no. That's not it. It's just me and Nate has always been…"

Blair could see where Jenny was headed with this conversation. "Stop right there. That was a long time ago. He cares about you and you have never gotten over him. I'd rather see the two of you figure things out then have to sit through his parade of zombies and bimbettes."

Jenny smiled at Blair sheepishly and squeezed her shoulder and said, "Thanks, I appreciate it. I think."

"So, where is Romeo?"

"I'm right here,"Nate said as he came up behind Jenny and kissed her on the cheek. Blair rolled her eyes and muttered, "I hear congratulations are in order."

After Blair had left them alone, Jenny grabbed Nate and pulled him into the other room. "No one can know about what just happened."

"Too late, Blair already does which means Chuck, Serena and Dan will know before the nights over."

Jenny shut her eyes in frustration. This was exactly what she'd been hoping to avoid. She hated everyone knowing her business. She'd endured enough of that growing up. "Great this cannot be happening."

Nate touched her shoulder. "Jenny look at me?"

She turned around slowly and smiled softly at him. He could see the pain and uncertainty in his eyes. Nate knew what people thought of him. They assumed he didn't understand what was going on around him, but he found it easier to play dumb then to start a pointless argument. "Why are you really upset?"

She looked up at him with those big blue eyes of her, afraid to utter the truth. He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. "Don't be scared."

She pulled away from him and said, "What's happening here. For years I wanted you and you never felt the same and all of the sudden things start happening."

"I know, I've , I've been stupid. I let fear and confusion get in my way and I wasn't there for you when you needed me, but I've always wanted you Jenny. That has never changed."

She looked at him a little taken aback and a little flattered. She knew she was being a little over-the top, but she was a Humphrey. What would they be without their gross over-reactions and heated temper? "I want to believe you."

"Then give me the chance to prove it. Two weeks is all I'm asking for. Two weeks to show you this is what I want.

When Nate Archibald said that he was going to do something, he meant it. He knew that he wanted Jenny and that he wanted the chance to see where things could lead. He wasn't in love with her, but he has always wondered what being with her would be like. For years the timing never seemed right. She was too young, he was infatuated with Serena and didn't see what was right in front of him, but they were older and wiser now. They were two adults with bright futures before them. They also had a sizzling attraction and he was damned if he was going to chicken out and not see where things led. Nate had spent too many years afraid to take action, but he was done letting life just happen to him. So if Jenny wanted him to prove that he actually wanted her than proof is what she would get.

Jenny was working on her latest sketch when the first batch of flowers arrived. They were lavender and she knew that this was no coincidence. She didn't really have a favorite flowers. She loved the beauty of flowers and so long as they were colorful and smelled nice, she had appreciation for them. But, there was something about roses that just made her smile. They were romantic and whimsical. An hour later another bouquet arrived, but this time they were hydrangeas. By the time the afternoon was over, she couldn't find space for all the flowers that Nate had delivered. He was charming and she had a feeling she was just getting started. She took out her phone and dialled.

"Archibald"

"You certainly are persistent,"Jenny said.

Nate leaned back in his chair, he was still at the spectator. He was going over a few pieces before he sent the issue off to the printers. "So do you like them?"

"That's beside the point. How am I supposed to work when the place is covered in flowers?"

"You like them,"he said proudly.

Jenny bit her lip, trying to hold back a smile. "I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

"You think you know me so well Nate Archibald," Jenny replied. She loved the gesture, but that didn't mean he had to know that. He got up from his chair and looked out the window at the city. "But, I do Jenny. More than you even realize. I hope you didn't make any plans this evening and if you did cancel them."

She didn't know what to make of this Nate. She wasn't used to him being so take-charge, but she liked it. They'd skyped a few times over the few years, but mostly they didn't know much about the other. The Nate she remembered was the boy she loved as a girl, but they weren't children anymore. They were adults and they really didn't know much about one another.

"Fine pick me up at 8."

Nate arrived ten minutes early. He was leaning against a car that was parked outside of her building waiting for her. Jenny had insisted that she wasn't ready so she made him wait downstairs. She walked up to him looking gorgeous as usual. She was wearing a metallic purple dress with cut-out sleeves that fell just above her knees. The material clung to her like a second-skin. The combination of the dress, her delicious curves, and those endless legs left Nate feeling winded. She wore her hair in a sleek ponytail and her make-up brought out the depth of blue. She smiled radiantly at Nate. She had taken her time and he had given her pricely the reaction that she wanted: a combination of awestruck and lust. He held out his hand out to her and she took it with ease. They walked along the street until they reached an old Rolls Royce. "You're chariot awaits," Nate said as he held the door open for her.

"You're pulling out all the stops," Jenny stated matter-of-factly.

"And I'm just getting started. You look beautiful."

Jenny smiled at him brazenly and winked. She had put effort into this look and she was damned if she was going to play coy. A few minutes later the car came to a stop and Nate climbed out. Jenny got out of the car and was confused. They were at the entrance of central park. "What's going on Nate?"

"Patience. We're almost there."

He lead her into the park and he knew that she had no idea what he was planning. "So, how are things going? I know it can be rough starting a new business."

"I'm trying to finish up my sketches for the line, but I've also been on the line with a couple of department stores. I also had to make several runs to pick up material because my assistant is useless. But, I rather things be done right. I can't afford to have my name attached to something badly made."

Nate smirks knowingly. She was always so driven. Jenny Humphrey was a born perfectionist, but rather than getting a legion of minions to do her bidding, she knew the only way to get things done was to do it herself. "You'll do great Jenny. You are talented."

"Thanks."

Nate stopped and turned to face her. Right in the middle of central park, he had set up a small table. She was half-expecting waiters to show up, but the food was already laid out as was the wine. "A candlight dinner in the park?"

He held out her chair and she was laughing as she sat down. Nate really was something. He was determined to prove something. She admired this side of him. "You certainly have changed. When did you become so, so proactive?"

"There comes a time when you have to stop letting life slip through your fingers. I think once I accepted who I was, the rest came naturally."

She reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "I knew you could whatever you set your mind on."

Nate smiled. "You were one of the few people who believed in me. I don't think I ever thanked you."

"You don't have to thank me Nate."

During Dinner they caught up on the last few years. Nate talked about what he'd accomplished with Spectator and Jenny told him what it was like to work with Blair, but how she always wanted to strike out on her own. The years seemed to have float away and they were chatting like old friends. "I'm surprised she didn't ask for your head on a platter when you resigned."

"Blair knows me well enough to know that I can only work for someone else for so long. It's something we have in common. We aren't really followers. But, look at you Mr. Editor-in-chief. Are you actually going to run for mayor?"

"Not yet. It's not my time yet. I like where I am."

Jenny looked at him a beat. "I know what you're thinking, politics is in my blood and you're probably right, but I want to do it on my own timetable," he said.

"What I can't believe is Nate, the prince of the city is single."

"I'm not planning to stay single for very long," he says as he looks at her intensely. Jenny lowers her head. His meaning is more than clear, but she wants to take this slow make sure it's what they both want. The truth is she isn't sure she can handle all this. She'd spent half her life in love with him, but that was the boy he was, but the man was even more tempting.