Author's Note: Sorry it's taken a while. Don't worry, Someone to watch over me is next peeps.

The In-Between Years

Chapter 6: Ghosts of Thanksgiving Past

Serena was applying the finishing touches of her make-up when Dan came behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You know you don't need any of that stuff,"he said as he nuzzled her neck.

"I like it."

"And I like the way you smell,"

Serena pushed him away and said, "We're headed down to my mother's for thanksgiving. Save that for later."

Dan let her go and leaned against the doorframe. "Do you really think this is a good idea. Thanksgiving really isn't our holiday. Something unpredictable and absolutely insane always happens."

"But, it's a family holiday Dan."

"Yes, exactly and our family is insane."

Serena placed her hand on her hips. "Well get used to their crazy. Plus this is our life now. We'll just have to grin and bear it while my mother gets drunk says something passive aggressive to your father while mine just chuckles maniacly."

"At least yours show up."

"At least we do Christmas with her,"Serena says as she wraps her arms around his neck. The strained nature of his relationship with his mother was something he rarely talked about. She just wanted to make things all better, but Alison and Dan were so much alike. They were two stubborn people who thought the other should be the first to break."

"You know you could just tell her."

"Oh that would go down really well. Hey, mom remember when you left when I was 16 and fucked up my life and nearly messed up Jenny's life. Well, I'm still mad."

"You can't keep holding it in,"Serena said as she kissed him lightly.

"But, repression and passive-aggression is the Humphrey way," Dan said as he played with the hem of her sweater.

Dan and Serena arrived to dinner hand-in-hand. Almost everyone was there. Blair and Chuck were chatting with Nate while Eric was sipping a glass of wine as he rolled his eyes at something his mother had said. They greeted Lily and Dan kept checking his watch wondering what was taking his father and Jenny so long. "Have you heard from them?"He asked Lily.

"They mentioned something about making a last minute stop before dinner,"Lily said. Serena hugged her father while Dan looked at him questioningly. He still didn't trust the man. The man really had no idea how lucky he was to have a daughter like Serena—one he took for granted. If they ever had kids, he'd make sure they were treasured especially if they had a girl. William headed over to Dan. "Daniel."

"William,"Dan responded. It was like a test of wills and Serena joined Dan's side and he relaxed. "Don't make a scene," she whispered in Dan's ear.

"I'm not doing anything."

"But, you will. You have that look in your eye,"she said. He wraps and around her waist and smiles down at her. She's right. This is not the place. Thanksgiving was so stressful and it was only bound to get worse.

Jenny and Rufus arrive with a surprise that not even Dan is prepared for. Alison is with them carrying what looks to be a store-bought pie.

"Is that?"Dan asks.

"From your favorite bakery. Yes, it is Dan. Remember that time I sent you out to pick up a pie and you came home empty-handed."

Dan smiles shyly and looks over at Serena.

"But, you had something or should I say someone else on your mind,"Alison said. All of the Humphreys looked at Serena and started laughing.

"Am I missing some kind of Humphrey inside joke."

Alison offered the pie to Serena and said, "You mean he still hasn't told you?"

Dan shrugged and said, "It was a long time ago."

"What?"

"Well one thanksgiving, I saw you and Blair outside of the pie shop. She'd just dragged you from some bar and you'd cross the street and nearly been grazed by a cab."

"And he saved you,"Jenny interjected, "But, the pumpkin pie wasn't so lucky."

Serena looked up at him and smiled. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

Dan simply shrugged and helped his mother out of her coat. He was still upset, but she was here and that was a start.