A/N: Once again, thanks to SamQuinnSportyBee for the reviews. [thanks BASSchee] and here's Chapter 9. Once again, please, please, please review :D
Dylan and Nate had arrived at the building. "welcome back, Ms. Von Furstenburg, where's Marge?" the concierge asked. "uh, she's still at the Hamptons house, but she'll follow. Thanks, Ted" she said. "uh, this is Nate Archibald, he'll be staying with me, so let him in when he's here" she said. "understood, Ms. Von Furstenburg" Ted said, as the elevator doors closed. "I'm sorry about what happened when we got there" she said. "no, no, you don't need to apologize. I should've known they're onto him" Nate shook his head. They stepped out of the elevator revealing the living room of Dylan's condo. "it's not much, but you'll be staying in the guest room" Dylan said, as they put their bags down. "no, no, this is fine. Thanks for letting me stay" Nate said. "it's what friends do. You're my friend, and I love you" she said. "you and Chuck speak French a lot these days" Nate said to her. "well, he kind of prefers to speak to me in that language. I don't really know why, at least I talk to you straight on, right?" Dylan smiled. "well, you do have a point. I still can't believe you're going out with Chuck. I mean, I didn't know you had a thing for guys, like him" Nate said, bringing his bags in one room. "I know. Me too. I'm a little surprised at myself. I thought I could never have a thing for those kinds of guys, but then again, it happens. Sparks fly, and there you go" Dylan said.
The elevator doors opened, and Marge came in, with her bags as well. "welcome home, Marge" Dylan said. "hi Marge" Nate waved. "ah, Nate! You're staying here too?" she asked. "he is, he is. It's a long story" Dylan said. "I remember the day that Nate came to our house before. You two were four, and then you instantly became best friends, you play together in the sandbox, very cute" Marge looked at both of them. Nate and Dylan laughed. "oh yeah, ah, the good old days, when I didn't leave for Paris" she said. "and I vividly remember, we used to play in the park, even if it rained, we shared this little yellow umbrella, while we jumped on the puddles on the street" Nate said. "you still remember that?" Dylan said. "yeah. That's one of my favorite memories of us when we were kids" Nate said. "okay, after settling in, I shall make you two dinner, okay?" Marge said, smiling widely at both of them, then headed off to the kitchen. "she seems to remember a lot of what we did when we were kids, huh?" Nate said. "yeah, she tells me a lot about it when we were in Paris" Dylan said, sitting down in front of him. "wow, we did used to have fun when we were kids, huh? I mean, it was simpler back then" Nate said. "back when we were five? Nate, when we were five, we jumped on puddles in the street, we flew kites in the park, and our lives were less complicated back then" she said. "oh yeah. Then again, going back to the thing where I said, it was a simpler time" Nate argued.
Nate stood in his room. The artfully made guestroom, that was his, probably permanently. He put his clothes in the drawer, his shoes in one side, and collapsed on the bed. Dylan left to meet up with Serena, then with Chuck later on, so he knew it was just him and Marge in the apartment. "does Nate want anything to eat or drink?" Marge knocked on the door. "uh, no thanks, Marge, I'm not hungry" he said, staring at the ceiling. The night sky was full of stars, and he could not have it any other way. He started to think about when he was a kid, and he used to play with Dylan all the time, at Central Park. He smiled to himself, his arms behind his head. He loved those memories of his. When it rained, they shared a small yellow umbrella, and jumped on puddles together, sometimes, they'd jump on the same puddle, water splashing on their clothes, their parents were friends, perhaps one of the Archibalds' oldest friends aside from Blair and Chuck's parents. His thoughts now wandered to what happened when Dylan had arrived from Paris, and he had come to meet her. It felt like a sigh of relief, when she came back. It felt… familiar again. It was like he had a "best friend" best friend again, someone who he could talk to, and could listen to him. Someone who cheered him up, and that was that. He knew Chuck made her happy, to say the least. Chuck made her feel admired, and he had to think about it, alive. He stepped out of the room that night, the lights in the living room still on. "Marge?" he said, seeing her in the kitchen. "yes, Nate?" she asked. "can I ask you something?" "sure, go ahead" "is it possible for someone to fall in love with someone and not even know it?" he asked.
Serena's phone began to ring. "hey Nate," she said. "is Dylan there?" he asked, sitting down on the couch. "no, she's with Chuck at his suite, why?" she asked. "nothing, nothing. Hey, can I ask you something?" he said. "go ahead" Serena nodded. "is it possible for someone to fall in love with someone and not even know it?" he asked. "okay, Nate, why the sudden sentimental question?" she said, her brow raised. "nothing, nothing, I'm just asking that's all" he said. "it's you, isn't it? Who are you in love with?" she said, fixing things on the table. "nobody. It's not me. I'm just curious" Nate said, rolling his eyes. "whatever you say, Nate. But I should tell you, that it is. Love's surprising like that. It comes when you don't expect it to, it's just there" Serena said. "okay, okay, thanks a lot Serena" and Nate put down the phone. "he is one very tortured guy" she said, shaking her head, while fixing some more stuff on her table. It was just then that she realized who it was.
Dylan was at Chuck's suite later that night. Dylan was lying down, while Chuck was on top of her, stroking her cheek, and kissing her. It wasn't really a time for them to talk, as they were both preoccupied. "I think I may have underestimated you, Dylan Von Furstenburg" he said, as Dylan shifted on top of him this time, removing her shirt, revealing her black bra. "I think you just did" she said, kissing him. Her phone suddenly rang. "you can ignore that. That's probably Nate calling" Chuck said, kissing her neck. "I can't. It's probably my mom" Dylan got off him, and picked up her phone on the table. "oh look it is my mom" she said, coming to the bed, and giving him a peck on the lips. "hi mom" she said. "how are you, Dylan darling?" she said. "I'm fine, absolutely fine" she said, while Chuck started to kiss her on her shoulder, upwards to her neck. "that's great. How is Nate? Is he alright in there with you?" she asked. "Nate's fine, and actually I'm not at home right now" she said, with slight hesitance. "then where are you?" she asked. "I'm at a friend's suite right now" she said. "okay, okay, I'll be calling you from time to time, I'll see you darling" she said, and Dylan put down her phone. "now, where were we?" he said, grinning. "ah, I think I know" and Dylan pushed him down on the bed.
Nate came out of the room, in his sleepwear, the next morning. "good morning, Nate, how did you sleep?" Marge asked him, bringing in the breakfast trolley, with trays on top and underneath it. "like a baby, actually, thanks Marge" he said. "why did you ask me that question last night?" she asked. "oh, that. Nothing, nothing, I was just curious" Nate shook his head, suddenly remembering what happened last night, while he was reflecting in his room. "oh, does this have to do with a certain person that you know?" she said. "no, no, I was just asking" Nate said. "if that girl knew you liked her, then I'm sure she'll change her mind towards the other guy" she suddenly said. "I told you it's not me" he said. "whatever you say, Nate, whatever you say" she said, placing the other tray on the table. The elevator doors opened, and Dylan came out. "where were you last night?" Nate asked, as she gave Marge her coat, and bag. "and a good morning to you too, Nate" she said, sitting down in front of him. "I was at Chuck's. You know, I think he's really serious about this. About us" Dylan said, pouring coffee on the cup. "really? he's not much the type to take relationships seriously, if you know what I mean" he said. "well, yeah, from what you and Serena told me" Dylan said, drinking it. "you two had sex, huh?" he said. Dylan suddenly swallowed hot coffee. "how did you know?" she asked. "do you have any idea who you're going out with? It's Chuck Bass" he said. "oh well. It was amazing though" she said, dreamily. "so, what are you going to do today?" she asked him. "me? I think I'll go around for a walk" he said. "I'll come with you. It's about time we had another best friend bonding thing. But do you mind if Serena comes along?" she said. "no, not at all" Nate shook his head, smiling as she stood up. "great. I'll just shower" she said, going to her room.
"so, what happened yesterday?" Serena said. "a lot, sis" Chuck said, drinking his glass of scotch. "nothing happened since the three of you got back from the Hamptons?" she asked, sitting on the counter. "nothing. Else" he said. "so, what did you do last night when you came back?" she asked. "I hate to brag, but Dylan came over to my suite last night" he said. Serena looked at him. "okay, I don't want to know what happened anymore" she said, backing off. "what's wrong, sis? Humphrey-dumpty not available these days?" he asked. "don't change the subject, Chuck. Look, I'm going to meet up with Dylan, I'll see you later, but don't think I'm counting on it" she got off the counter, and grabbed her purse.
"I knew it was you" Serena said to Nate as they were going back to the apartment later that day. "what? I just said last night it wasn't me" Nate said. "don't deny. I know it's you. Who are you in love with?" she asked. "Katherine, okay? I'm in love with Katherine" he said. Serena gave him a look. "I know it's not her, Nate. I think you know exactly who I'm talking about" she said. Nate returned the look she gave him. "Dylan? Please" he scoffed, as they crossed the street. "you totally like her. I haven't seen you smile so wide these days. Whenever she's around you, you sort of light up" Serena said. Nate couldn't say anything. "so you do like her" she said. "no! I mean, I like her in a sisterly way. I told you, she's like my sister" he said. "there you go you just said you like her" Serena said. "you're twisting my words here" Nate laughed. "ah, good day, Mr. Archibald" Ted said to him. "hey Ted" Nate waved, and they stepped inside the elevator. "you so completely like her. You always have" she said. "can we stop that now? please, I don't want to talk about that anymore" Nate said, leaning on the side. "okay, okay, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have. I knew you would be so sensitive right now, because you like Dylan" she teased again. The elevator opened up, and they saw Dylan standing in front of them. "hey!" Serena said, then looking at Nate. "hey guys, I was just going out to meet up with you and Nate, but, you're already here" she said, going back to the living room, Serena and Nate nudging each other behind her. "good thing this place is air conditioned" Nate stretched his arms, as they sat down on the couch. "yeah. It's hot outside, and I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time here, thanks D" Serena said. "ah, Serena is here" Marge appeared. "hi Marge" they all said. "shall I make you all something to eat?" she asked. "you two hungry?" Dylan looked at both of them. "yeah, I'm starving" Nate said. "yes please" Dylan looked at Marge. Her phone suddenly rang. "hey, I'll just uh, take this call" she said, going to one side.
Serena looked at Nate. "why can't you admit it? You're in love with her" she whispered, tilting her head in Dylan's direction. "no I am not!" he said. "would you just stop denying it?!" she said. They sat there, bickering quietly, while Dylan was in a room, taking a call. "you know, I won't be surprised if you finally admit that you do like her" she said. "I will definitely be surprised if I end up liking her" Nate sat back, shooting Serena a look. "what did I miss?" Dylan came back. "nothing, Nate just has a problem" Serena said. "like a love problem?" Dylan asked, trying not to laugh, upon seeing Nate's expression. "yeah. Totally a love problem" Serena said. "okay, walk me through it" Dylan looked at her and Nate. "while you and Chuck were doing something last night, he called me up, and asked me something" she said, grinning. Nate groaned, then buried his face in his hands. "is it possible for someone to fall in love with someone and not even know it?" Serena asked. "love's surprising like that. It's just there" Dylan said. "that's exactly what I said" she looked at Nate. "you're in love with someone?" Dylan turned to Nate this time. "I'm in love with Katherine, okay?" he said. "yeah right. You haven't talked about her since we got back here" Dylan said. "it is her! I can't stop thinking about her" he said. Serena and Dylan gave him a look. "whatever Nate, can't you tell us who she is?" Dylan grabbed him by his wrists. Serena suddenly smiled. "what?" Dylan asked. "nothing, nothing. I just thought of something" Serena shook her head, trying not to let anything slip. "who called you earlier?" Nate asked. "my mom. They're arriving in a few days, and they want to wish me a good luck on my first day of school" she said. "wait, you'll be studying in Constance now?" Serena said. "yeah, my mom talked to the Headmistress, and apparently, they're happy to have me here, to finish my senior year" Dylan said. "and you have your uniform and everything?" Serena asked. "yeah. Already part of my closet" Dylan said. "but what about Princeton?" Nate asked. "I got in early admission for next school year, so I don't have to go all school crazy with the rest of my fellow senior classmates" Dylan said. "that's great!" Nate smiled. Serena looked at both of them. "we can hang out together now!" she said. "let's break out the bubbly then!" Dylan stood up, as the three of them went to the kitchen.