Nate couldn't sleep that night. He tore the box and put what was inside in his pocket. It was a photo, a disposable phone and a card, the card specified that he would receive a call and that he should answer it. It was 8 in the morning and Nate sat on the couch, hoping Serena wouldn't wake up soon. The phone vibrated.

He opened the phone and held it up to his ear. "I'm working on it. Okay? I can't get it all by tomorrow! It's not possible."

He listened carefully to the voice on the other end. "Don't threaten me. You have no idea who you're dealing with."

He gripped the phone hard in one hand while he buried his face in the other. He tried to keep his voice calm. "I'll be there!" He heard the line click.

He threw the phone hard against the wall and watched in break into pieces then punched the couch cushion a few times. He took deep breaths to control his anger. He turned around to walk back to the bedroom when he saw Serena watching him from the doorway.

Serena was concerned. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen Nate so pissed off, probably never. "What's going on?"

Nate shook his head. "It's nothing. Go back to bed."

She frowned. "You looked pretty pissed to me. Come on, you can tell me."

"It's just stress. Work stuff. I don't want to talk about it, okay?"

She walked over and grabbed his hand. "Okay." She kissed it softly. "We're getting married tomorrow."

He wrapped his arms around her tightly. "I know. I can't wait."

Serena knew something was wrong with him by the way he hugged her, like he was afraid to lose her. She hugged him back just as tightly. "Let's go back to bed."

Nate lay on his bed and immediately felt exhausted. He wrapped his body around Serena's and closed his eyes. He couldn't seem to fall asleep, he couldn't stop thinking about the phone call.

Serena lay in bed watching Nate next to her. She was still amazed by how much he resembled a Greek God. She traced her finger up and down his back softly. She thought about everything they had been through and getting to wake up next to him every morning.

Nate rolled over and opened his eyes.

"Hey baby. I'm going over to Blair's soon. We need to go over some last minute details oh and I'm spending the night so I won't see you until tomorrow."

He looked at the clock, it was past noon. "You're sleeping there? Why?" He tried not to sound too relieved.

"We're not supposed to sleep together the night before our wedding!"

"Oh right."

"It's tradition. My point is I won't be here to wake you up." She lowered her voice. "If you're late tomorrow I'm going to kill you."

He smiled at her. "You're so hot when you threaten me."

"Nate! I'm serious."

"I will not be late." He kissed her forehead. Serena giggled. " Serena, that guy who delivered the package…what exactly did he say to you?"

Serena shrugged. "He asked me to sign for it. And then handed me a confirmation receipt. I threw it on the coffee table. Why?"

He shook his head. "Just wondering. I have to make a quick call."

…

Chuck placed a hand on his bestfriend's shoulder. "Who would do this Nathaniel?"

He shrugged. "I got a phone call this morning. I got a location and an amount to pay….$500,000."

"What? Is there something you're not telling me..."

"My dad owes them money. They're adding interests."

"So what does that have to do with you? Tough shit but it's not your concern."

"They're holding him hostage." He pulled out the photograph he got of his dad tied up.

"So what are you going to do?"

"I'm gonna give them the money. And then it'll be over."

"Does Serena know about all this?"

"No. Are you kidding me? Our wedding is tomorrow."

"Okay. Whatever I can do to help. Let me know."

…

Blair looked at Serena. Her blonde hair was perfectly wavy and fell down her back. A blue diamond-encrusted hairpin held back a braid that framed her head like a crown. "Gorgeous! Now sit. We still need to do your make-up!"

Serena turned to the mirror and smiled. "Thanks, B."

Blair changed the subject. "Here. Hold your hair like this so it doesn't get ruined while your make-up is done."

Lily walked in the room. She looked at both of the girls and shook her head. "He's not here yet. I'm sure he's stuck in traffic."

Serena looked down. Nate was nowhere to be found. "He promised he wouldn't be late! Our ceremony starts in an hour!" She was going to have a panic attack.

Blair tried to calm her friend down. "Don't worry. That's plenty of time. He'll get ready in 5 minutes, all he has to do is put his suit on." She grabbed Serena's phone. "I'll be back."

Blair ran down the hall and into the room where the men were getting ready. Chuck and Erik stood in the room. "Where the hell is he?"

They both shrugged and shook their heads. Chuck gave her a look. "I've called and called. It just keeps ringing."

"Get your PI on him!" She dialed Nate's number. "Just find him. Now!" She walked out of the room and held Serena's phone to her ear. It rang and rang and rang and…then there was someone on the other line. "Nate!"

Nate's voice was hushed. "Baby. I am so sorry I'm not there…"

"Nate! Where the hell are you! And why are you whispering?"

"Blair? Look, there's something I need to take care of."

"Nate! I swear to God…if you're not here in 30 minutes I am going to murder you. Murder."

"Blair I have to go. Sorry."

"What! You're coming right! If you leave her at the altar I will…" There was a dial tone.

Blair ran back to Serena's room. "He just got here! Don't worry."

Serena's felt her body relax and a smile spread across her face. "Oh thank God."

Blair felt guilty for lying to her best friend but she really didn't know how else to keep her from freaking out. "Sit still. You don't want to ruin your make-up."

Blair looked at her watch. Serena would be getting married in 20 minutes and Nate was nowhere to be found. She ran back to the groom's room. Chuck had gone out looking for Nate and Erik had stayed behind incase Nate arrived. Erik shook his head at Blair, there was no news.

Blair called Nate from Serena's phone again. No answer. She wanted to bang her head against the wall. She desperately pleaded to his voicemail. "Nathaniel. Where are you? Please just call me back and let me know where you are."

She walked into the room. There were only 5 minutes left. When Blair saw Serena in her dress and veil, her heart nearly stopped. "Serena you look flawless." She looked like a goddess. "I have to tell you something…."

Serena's smile faded. She set her bouquet down carefully and walked over to Blair. "What's wrong?"

"Nate is nowhere to be found…I'm sorry I lied to you before. I just didn't want to worry you. I'm so sorry. I've called him and Chuck's out looking for him and he's still MIA."

Serena's face dropped. She was about to open the door when Chuck burst in. "We're all ready. Serena, ready to walk down the aisle?"

Serena walked down the aisle slowly, all she could focus on was Nate waiting for her. She got to him and smiled. "You're late."

He took her hand. "I am so sorry" He froze when he saw how beautiful she looked. "Uh..Wow..you look…wow…words cannot even begin to describe…"

Serena blushed. "Thanks."

…