...

"It's been fun but I miss you. I've been looking forward to getting to talk to you all day." Serena sat in her hotel room in Paris talking on the phone with Nate. She had been gone for 4 days and wasn't going to be back in the city for another week. "How was the party last night?"

Nate smiled. "I miss you too. It was great. He kept introducing me as the guy to look out for. I went with Blair. She fit in perfectly."

"She always does. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Did you just get back from work?"

"Yeah it's 8 here. That means it's 2 am there, right? You should get to bed. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow."

He was right. She was exhausted. "Okay. I'll talk to you later. Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight."

When he hung up he got a text from Chuck saying he was on his way to his house. Nate was having some guys over, they all sat around and drank beer and played poker.

He cleaned up a little and set up their usual table when Chuck got there. "Blair won't shut up about that party. She's asking me why I don't take her to work functions. Thanks a lot."

Nate laughed. "My bad. Want a scotch?"

Chuck took the glass from Nate. "How are you and Serena?"

Nate smiled. "We're great. I mean, she calls me and tells me she misses me and that she loves me. But you know Serena, one moment everything is perfect and the next it's over. I'm not really sure what's going to happen next. Or if there even is a next. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up one day and she's just going to be gone. I think I'm paranoid."

Chuck took a sip of his drink. "Well you have a right to be. Your breakups keep getting worse and worse. Remember the last one?"

Nate flinched at the memory. He nodded and looked down.

"Blair is worried."

"I know. She tells me all the time. I just…what am I supposed to do? Being with her for a little is better than not being with her at all. I can't help myself."

"Well you just have to figure out if she's worth you getting hurt again."

"I'm just going with the flow…I keep telling myself it's not going to last. Wait, are you worried about me?" He closed his eyes.

Chuck was confused. "What are you doing? Why are your eyes closed?"

"Shhh…I'm just enjoying this. This must be what it feels like to have a good friend." He laughed.

Chuck smirked and pushed him lightly. "Being a good friend is your job."

"Well one of us has to be. Anyway, help me set up the chairs."

…

The first thing Serena did when she got to her apartment was to call Nate. It was 5 pm and he was at work but she was still disappointed when he didn't pick up.

She decided to visit Blair while she waited to hear from him. Blair gave her best friend a big hug. "Serena! I thought you'd go straight to bed. How'd it go?"

"It was amazing! But I missed you guys. I called Nate but he didn't pick up."

"He's probably in a meeting. How are you and Nate doing?"

"We're good! Everything is perfect. We have so much fun together. I just feel like I have to try a little harder than he does. I call him more than he calls me. Maybe I'm just overanalyzing."

"Maybe he's just keeping his guard up a little. Can you blame him? He probably expects you to disappear again."

"I'm not going to."

"That's what you always say."

"Look I know that I've screwed up but I love Nate more than anyone. Besides you and Chuck have the most screwed up relationship ever. How could you even try to judge me?"

Blair shot her a dirty look.

"I'm sorry, B. I didn't mean that. I'm just tired."

"Let's not get into this. Tell me about Paris."

Serena was in the middle of her story when Nate called her. When he heard she was at Blair's he said he was coming right over. Blair invited Chuck so it could be the four of them.

Nate walked in a little bit later. He smiled at Blair and wrapped Serena in a hug. "Welcome back." He was so relieved she was home. He was worried she'd decide to stay.

Serena pulled away and kissed him. He kissed her back softly. She pulled away after a couple of seconds, "I missed you Natie."

Chuck walked in. "Hey Serena."

"Hey Chuck." She gave her friend a hug. She was glad to be home. "I got you all presents!"

She got Blair a necklace, Chuck a handkerchief, and Nate a tie. They all sat in Blair's dining table for dinner.

Serena went back to Nate's apartment and he poured her a drink. She had been picturing their life together more and more. She sat on the coffee table and took his shoes off for him. She pictured doing this every night after he came home from work.

"Nate."

He was distracted by ESPN. "Yeah?"

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Okay, yeah. You know you can spend the night whenever you want."

"No, that's not what I mean. Nate."

He paused the tv and looked at her. "What do you mean?"

She leaned forward. "I'm not going to run away anymore. I want to be with you."

He couldn't help but doubt her. "I know you may think that now but…" He looked down. "I know I've been a little distant this time but I just don't want to get my hopes up."

"I'm not leaving, Natie. I'm in love with you. I always will be." She put her hand over his.

He squeezed her hand and shook his head. "Sometimes that's not enough. You taught me that. You said. 'Natie, I'm always going to love you but I'm leaving.' Remember?"

She remembered. She looked down. "I'm trying to tell you that I won't do that this time but you've built a wall around yourself. No matter what I do, you're not going to let me in, are you?"

He let her hand go. "It's called self-preservation."

She shook her head. "So where does this leave us now?"

"I don't know." He assumed the more times they broke up the easier it would be but it was just as hard as ever.

"I want to be with you." He didn't say anything. He just looked down at the floor. Serena felt the tears stinging her eyes and felt her throat close. She looked at him. "Kiss me."

He looked at her and she saw that his eyes were watery as well. He leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. She closed her eyes and kissed him back softly, the tears now falling down her face.

...

Sorry guys! Couldn't have S&N truly together just yet. I really want to thank everyone who reviews, messages me, and/or adds my story to their favorites. It makes my day when I get an email telling me that someone likes my story! Thanks for that. Anyway, hope you enjoy. Also, any name ideas for new characters (male & female)? I'm the worst at coming up with names. xoxo