Serena woke up in a small room. She recognized it all too well. She was at the Ostroff center. It all came back to her. She felt her stomach turn over, all the bad memories came rushing back.

Nate walked into the room. "You're awake." He smiled at her.

She turned her face the other way. She felt betrayed by him. She did need to be here before. And although recently she had been doing drugs she was moving past it until that party with Sam.

Nate reached for her hand. "Serena. We're doing this for your own good."

Serena quickly moved her hand out of reach. "I don't want to be here."

"I know you don't. But you need to get better."

"Get out."

Nate stood over her bed. "Talk to me. What happened? Why would Blair and Chuck think you belong here?"

"Look…I was doing it again okay? But I had it under control. I hadn't done anything in days and I was getting through the withdrawals. I don't know what else you want to hear. You believe that I'm not a drug addict right?"

"Yes of course I do. Why? Why did you resort to them in the first place?"

"Because!" She looked at the floor. "I get lonely sometimes…it just helps get my mind off it."

He shook his head. "I was there for you. We were very clear about that. We're friends no matter what."

"It's not enough! It's never going to be enough! I'd rather not have you at all."

"Stop."

She stood up and faced him. "Don't talk to me like I'm a child."

"I'm not. I just want to help."

"You're not helping me."

"Look I know if you had it your way I'd be on my knees begging you to take me back but that's not really going to help you get better."

"Is that what this is about? You're trying to show me that it's my turn to beg for you?"

"No of course not! This isn't about me." He was getting frustrated. "This is about you and the fact that you are a drug addict that needs to be held accountable for her actions."

She flinched. She knew what everyone else thought about her but hearing it from Nate made her heart hurt.

He brushed a strand of hair over her ear. "I don't know why I said that."

For the first time in a long time, Serena felt like she hated him. "Get out."

He searched in her eyes, trying to find that bright light he always saw but he couldn't. He grabbed her hand and when she pulled away he held it tightly. He was desperate to make a connection. He needed to see the Serena he knew somewhere in there.

After struggling to break free she gave up struck him hard on his cheek so that he finally let go. "I said get out!"

Even though his cheek burned he almost wanted to smile. That was something the Serena he knew would do.

A nurse walked in and told Nate that visiting hours were over. He looked helplessly at Serena. "I'll be back tomorrow."

…

Nate walked in her room silently. "I brought you a bagel."

She shook her head.

He sat on the seat next to him. "We just want to help. I'm here for you."

"You already said that." Serena looked at him. ""I don't want to be your fucking friend!"

He looked down.

She saw him giving in to her. "If you want to help then get me out of here."

"You have to be here for a 30 day minimum. It's been 3 days. Even if I wanted to I couldn't."

"Get me out of here."

"Serena. Please don't ask me to do that."

She sat up and looked him in the eye. "If you love me. Even a little bit then you'd believe me. And you'd get me the hell out of this place."

He saw the light in her eyes again and all he wanted to do was reach over and hug her forever. He sat perfectly still. "Don't tell me that. I love you more than anything."

She was relieved to hear him say it after so long. Her heart was melting but she didn't show him that. Instead she held his gaze. "Prove it."

…

Nate went to talk to Chuck the next day. Chuck and Blair wouldn't listen to him.

"Nate, can't you see that she's manipulating you? She knows you're the weakest link. All she has to do is pout and you always do whatever she wants."

"That place is doing her more harm than good!"

Blair stepped in front of Nate. "Chuck's right, Nate. Serena knows you'll give in to her."

He grabbed Blair's arm. "You guys don't understand! She says she's fine."

"She's said that before." She pulled away. "Let go."

Nate tightened his grip and looked in her eyes. "It's different this time. I can see it in her eyes."

Blair smacked his hand off. "If you really cared about her you'd want her to get better. Who cares if she's mad at us for a little bit? We're saving her life."

Nate slammed his fist on the table hard. "You're not listening to me!"

"You're the one who's not listening!"

Chuck looked away. "Nathaniel, we're not discussing this anymore."

"Fuck both of you." Nate kicked the door hard on his way out.

…

Nate walked into Serena's room the next day. He walked in right after he saw a nurse walk out. He knew they wouldn't go back to check on her for a while.

He looked around the room nervously. "Get up."

Serena looked at him.

"I'm getting you out of here."

She sat up excitedly. "How?"

He opened his briefcase. He pulled out a brunette wig and a change of clothes. "Stand in this angle so the camera won't get you." She changed into the clothes quickly and he helped her put on the wig. He handed her a baseball cap. "Keep your head down and walk behind me."

Nate walked down the hall quickly. He smiled and nodded at the receptionist. "I'll be back tomorrow."

The receptionist smiled back and him and got back to her phone call. He had a cab waiting outside. Serena sat next to him quietly and held his hand tightly. "Not to your apartment they'll find us there."

Nate tried to think of where to go. After a few minutes, Nate saw a hotel sign across the street. He handed he cab driver a bill. "Here's fine."

He grabbed his briefcase and a suitcase and walked across the street. He tried to think of a fake name at registration desk. "Wilson...Brady." He grabbed the room key and they headed upstairs.

"I brought some of your clothes."

Serena smiled at him. "Thank you. For doing this."

He nodded at her. "I have to get back before they suspect I'm behind anything. I'll be back in a few hours." He handed her his credit card. "Order room service. Don't leave this room. Okay?"

She nodded and hugged him tightly. "I'm so glad you believe me."

He walked out of the room. He hoped he made the right choice.

…