AN: so no one reviewed my last update for DFTRTF. *cries* But I am going to go with the high road and believe you all were too busy to review. You have to read the AN of that chapter to see the good news. I'm not reposting it on this one. Enjoy & Review!

Dan woke up and reached for his phone. After many failed attempts he final managed to locate his phone. While in a half awake state he noticed Serena never came by that night. Normally she'd sneak into his bed in the middle of the night and he'd be woken up to a nice surprise, but not this time. In the back of his mind was that deep seeded reason that Serena was upset that he was taking the job in Detroit. Even though she basically made him say yes, she still had her reasons to worry. He frantically dialed her number about nine times before giving up. He propped himself out of bed and quickly threw on whatever her could find. He was in the bathroom when Serena was knocking on the door. He thought it was his mom and decided to ignore it. He finished getting dressed as Serena knocked harder. Annoyed, Dan threw the door open almost knocking her down.

"Bad morning?" Serena dangled coffee and bagels from her hand.

"Sorry, I thought it was my mom."

"She's still in town?" She replied placing everything on the counter.

"Mostly to tell me about all the mistakes I've been making."

"She's still at it."

"My mom lost the right to dictate any part of my life, long ago."

"Yeah, but I think it has to do with me."

"Serena, that was a long time ago."

"Your mother has never and will never get over the fact that I am Lily's daughter."

Dan grabbed her arms and pulled her in closer.

"My mom was hurt, but she did the same thing to my dad, so I don't see how any of this matters."

"Lets drop this topic, it's not why I'm here."

"I figured. When you didn't spend the night, I knew something was wrong."

"Not wrong. I was planning a going away party for you. Tonight."

"Eh, I'm not in the mood."

"Why not, all your closest friends and family."

"Oh yes you mean, Nate, Chuck, and Blair, your friends and our mixed family." Dan didn't see the point.

"Dan, don't be like this."

Dan retreated to the bed. "I'd rather just spend the night with you."

"There's no one you want to say goodbye to?"

"I video chatted with Vanessa already, and my dad and Jenny are taking me to the airport. I don't do goodbyes."

"Then do it for me."

"Why?"

"A room full of people all saying goodbye will make it less hard on me. If we're alone, I'll get emotional." She sighed.

"Fine." Dan rolled his eyes.

"So be there, at the loft for 8. Everyone will there, so look nice." She kissed his forehead and let herself out before he could respond.

Serena was right. Everyone was there before he arrived. The place was done up better than he had ever seen it. Not like one of those cheesy kid parties, but done up enough to be dignified. Blair and Chuck stood in the corner of the room judging everything and everyone. Nate sulked while trying to get girls numbers. Jenny and Erik were laughing in the kitchen and everyone else was mingling. This is how he wanted to remember everyone. In this moment when everyone was being themselves. The moment where everything wasn't changing. He saw Serena serving up drinks, a sight he never thought he'd see. He liked this kind of homemaker feel to her, it felt right. He went up to the counter and kissed her cheek.

"So no one has noticed I'm here."

"Wasn't it always that way, Lonely Boy?"

"I guess so."

"Hey Dan, how are you?"

"I'm good. Excited to be leaving."

"So how pumped are you to be going to California?" Erik said.

"He's going to Detroit." Serena butted in.

"Well Serena, the first week is in California. It's a workshop. Then they place me."

"When were you going to tell me?"

"Once I found out where exactly where I was going."

"I have to go...and fill something." Serena walked off.

Dan tried to stop her from going but Chuck and Blair blocked him.

"Humphrey, how long will you be gone?"

"Missing me already Blair."

"I just want to know how long I can celebrate." She gave a fake smile.

"We have a present for you."

"You're leaving so soon? Well thanks anyway."

"No, a real gift." Chuck pulled out a box.

Dan placed it on the counter and ripped at the bow. It was a pure brown leather briefcase. In the next bag was a kind of stationery kit. He knew it had to be real expensive for Chuck bass to put his name on the card. Chuck extended his hand towards Dan. They both shook on it and Blair ran off.

"I can't take this."

"Let it be a makeup for everything I've done, and will do."

"Thanks man."

"Hey fellas." Nate was starting to get buzzed.

"Hey Nate."

"Archibald."

"So I was thinking. I stole Chuck's black book and we all could ditch this lame ass party."

"Nate, you're shit faced."

"Dan, it's called fun."

"Well you'll have to take the fun somewhere else."

"Screw you guys." Nate stumbled.

"Look man we both have girlfriends. A night with Chuck Bass' book would screw us."

"Yeah you both have girlfriends, my girlfriends." Nate walked off.

"Let him cool down, he's drunk." Dan replied as Chuck ran off after his best friend.

He talked with his dad and Lily for awhile. They both wished him luck and gave him a sum of money to help him wherever he was headed. His mom didn't show. He really wasn't that surprised, but he was hurt. His mother claimed to make more of an effort when he first got engaged, but ever since he called off the wedding she stopped calling. He had the urge to call her and tell her off. Tell her that her only son is leaving town and she might not hear from him in awhile. He just couldn't do it. He could never tell his mom how he really felt. It was like this block in his mind, that told him not to. Not to anger her or that she would never come around. He moved outside towards a porch swing that Rufus had put in when Jenny was younger.

"What's on your mind?" Serena gave with beer.

"Nothing." He pushed the beer aside.

"I'm sorry I freaked about you changing locations." She hugged the lip of the bottle with her hand.

"I just didn't want you to worry."

"But what if I planned to surprise you? The real surprise would be you not being there."

"Don't do that. If you visit it will throw me off and I won't be able to concentrate."

"So this is goodbye?"

"No. This is I'll see you soon." He draped his arm around Serena and they sat on the swing.