Quinn stared up in awe at the Van der Bilt house it was beautiful. She felt intimidated just standing at the front door never mind going inside and meeting Nate's family.

"Stop being nervous" He said squeezing her hand.

"I'm not" She lied.

"You've fixed your dress five times since we got out of the car" He pointed out.

The front door opened before she could respond. A man around Nate's height only a few years older opened the door.

"Nate!" He exclaimed "Good to see you"

"Tripp, this is my girlfriend Quinn" Nate said introducing them.

"It's great to finally meet you, you've had a great influence on Nate" Tripp said shaking her hand

"I have?" She asked

"He's taken more of an interest in the family and been a lot happier" Tripp replied leading them into the house.

Quinn grinned and Nate rolled his eyes squeezing her hand.

The back garden was huge. All of Nate's cousin were playing a game of football. Tripp ran down to join them and Quinn was introduced to Nate's Mother, Grandfather and Tripp's wife. His family seemed nice enough but Quinn felt on edge around them. There was a lot of forced politeness between them all. But Nate looked really happy running around playing football with his cousins and being in his Grandfathers Company.

Quinn was stood watching the boys play when Anne Archibald, Nate's mother came to join her.

"You know I wasn't sure about you when Nate first told me about you" She admitted "But Nate has been so much more interested in his family since he's been with you, and he's told me how supportive you are of his work"

"Well I want him to be happy" Quinn replied not sure how to take Anne's comments.

"People like Nate's Grandfather feel they know what's best for Nate and they try and push him into the family ways like they did with me, But you really listen to him I'm glad he has you" Anne continued.

Quinn smiled at her. She had a feeling Anne Archibald had the same relationship with her father that Quinn had with her own. A family that expected perfection and for you to live the life they had planned for you was a difficult family to grow up in. She knew that first hand. She respected that Anne wanted Nate to have his own life as well as being a part of the family. She also took note of the warning about Nate's Grandfather. Quinn hoped for Nate's sake that all his Grandfather wanted was a relationship with his Grandson and not to push Nate in a direction he wasn't happy with.

Nate had told Quinn his mother had made a lot of mistakes over the years. But as a mother herself she knew every parent just tries their best to make the right decisions but at the end of the day they were all only human and made mistakes. Anne Archibald was no different but she really did love her Son.

She looked back down to the backyard in time to see Tripp knock Nate to the ground. Quinn winced seeing the force he had been hit with. The game was looking less friendly. Nate just got up and shook it off good naturedly. Nate's family were reminding her more and more of his friends. But that wasn't something she was going to share.

Later when they were in the guest bedroom Quinn spotted the nasty bruise on Nate's shoulder where Tripp had smacked into him.

"Are you ok?" She asked cuddling him from behind.

"I'm fine" he replied pulling her round to face him. "I saw you talking to my Mom"

"She's really nice" Quinn told him with a smile.

"I'm glad you like everyone, they all love you" He continued kissing the top of her head.

"Did you really not speak to them much before?" She asked

"My Grandfather hated my Dad, and he was always trying to push me into politics" He explained.

"What changed your mind?"

"You did, family is so important to you I thought I should give mine a chance" He replied squeezing her tighter.

"I guess we should head down for dinner" She said pulling away.

She put on a black skirt with white trim and a white sleeveless blouse. She pinned her hair up leaving a few strands down to frame her face.

"Serena and Blair will be here" He told her before they headed down.

"Oh" She replied unsure what else to say.

Sure enough Serena, Blair and Chuck were sat at the far end of the table next to the only two empty seats. Quinn put her practised polite smile on her face and took her place at the table.

"Quinn you look lovely as always" Chuck said with a smirk as she took the seat next to him.

"Nice to see you too Chuck" She replied with a genuine smile.

She still liked Chuck it was just a shame about his girlfriend.

"We never see you anymore" He said "You and Nate should come by more my door is always open"

"I'm sure we will Nate's just been very busy" Quinn replied.

"I know" Blair interrupted" I hardly see Serena these days she's always out with Nate half the night"

Quinn tried to shake off the uncomfortable feeling she got thinking about Nate and Serena alone together half the night. Blair had made sure to point out on more than one occasion that Serena had been Nate's first and what had happened at some wedding. Quinn tried not to think about that because they had both been kids at the time but Serena was beautiful and to the people she was friends with a fun bubbly person to be around.

"It must be hard hardly seeing him" Blair continued.

"Quinn is very supportive on Nate's career" Anne replied smiling at Quinn making her feel a little better.

Quinn took a sip of her water.

"That's right" She agreed "But Nate bought us an apartment so we'll be together all the time"

Quinn hated that she was defending her relationship to someone like Blair but she wasn't going to let her make comments all night. Plus the smile leaving her face on hearing their news was worth it.

"You got an apartment already?" Serena asked Nate choking on her wine.

"We picked it out a few weeks ago" Chuck told them with a smirk.

"You knew?" Blair asked in disbelief.

"Nate's my best friend and Quinn makes him happy" Chuck told her almost as a warning.

Blair quickly recovered herself fixing her socialite smile back on her annoyingly pretty face.

"Congratulations Quinn" She said sweetly "Does it have a spare room for your Daughter to visit?"

Quinn felt sick.

"Blair!" Chuck exclaimed.

"Your Daughter?" Nate's Grandfather questioned.

"Nate takes the time to see the best in everyone no matter how troubled their past you must be so proud" Blair continued.

"Shut up Blair" Chuck warned.

"I'm sorry I have to go" Quinn said standing cheeks burning from embarrassment and anger. She wanted to cry but she wouldn't do that in front of Blair. She left trying not to listen to the argument breaking out behind her.

It wasn't how she had pictured her first dinner with her boyfriend's family going. But she felt bad for leaving Nate to face the music alone. She dried her eyes and walked back down to the dining room.

"What are you thinking about getting mixed up with a girl like that?" His grandfather demanded.

"So everything good you said about her doesn't count now you know she's not perfect?" Nate retorted "I love Quinn and she's going to keep being a part of my life no matter what you think"

"And if this kid turns up wanting money?" His grandfather continued.

"Beth is always welcome in our lives, she's a part of Quinn and she's important to me too' Nate continued.

"Beth has a loving family and like me has no need to go after anyone's money" Quinn said taking a seat by Nate.

"It was just a shock for him dear" Anne said kindly "Everyone here can see how good you are for Nate unlike some people in his past"

Quinn was surprised but grateful to find a friend in Anne Archibald.

Nate's grandfather cleared his throat.

"Yes I'm sorry it was just a shock" He said "Now if we can continue with this dinner without any more arguments"

It was clear that Blair and Chuck were no longer on speaking terms and Quinn had lost her appetite. It seemed like the longest meal of her life.

Quinn and Nate went for a walk in the garden after dinner.

"I'm sorry about in there" He said as she sat on a swing hanging from a tree.

"I don't know what Blair's problem is but someone needs to do something" She said looking up at him.

"Blair's just Blair" He said with a sigh.

"Why do you do that?" She demanded suddenly feeling angry.

"Do what?" He asked feeling confused.

"You defend them all the time, Blair's just Blair like that excuses what she does" She explained.

"She's one of my oldest friends and some of the things she does are wrong but it's just her what can I do?" He asked "You heard what I said to my Grandfather I stood up to him"

"Yes but you won't to Blair or Serena you make excuses for them all the time, It's me you're meant to want to be with"

"I do want to be with you"

Quinn stood up and started to walk back to the house.

"Look I would never make you choose between me and your friends but when they do something to intentionally hurt me I would like to know you're on my side"

She walked back to the house without looking back. She really didn't want to fight with Nate but it wasn't ok for him to always make excuses for Blair. Even Chuck and Anne had stood up to Blair but Nate never did. She didn't want to go back to the room and see Nate so instead she went into the lounge.

She picked up the guitar from the corner of the room and began to play determined not to cry again.

Staring at the bottom of your glass
Hoping one day you'll make a dream last
But dreams come slow and they go so fast

You see her when you close your eyes
Maybe one day you'll understand why
Everything you touch surely dies

But you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go

Staring at the ceiling in the dark
same old empty feeling in your heart
'Cause love comes slow and it goes so fast

well you see her when you fall asleep
but never to touch and never to keep
'Cause you loved her too much
and you dived too deep

"I'm sorry about Blair" Chuck said taking a seat next to her.

Quinn stopped playing and put the guitar back in the corner by the old piano.

"Do you think any of them play these?" She asked changing the subject.

"Probably not William Van der bilt does everything for show" Chuck smirked. "I didn't know you played though"

"Puck taught me guitar a few years ago" She replied.

"Thinking about Beth or Nate?" He asked

"Both I guess" She replied.

"It's hard for him to be in the middle" He explained "I'm not saying he's right in how he handles things but Nate's never been good at confrontation"

"I'm not good at having my whole life story told every time she's in a bad mood" Quinn retorted.

"I know which is why Blair and I are no longer together, she can be a bitch and it's not ok"

"You can see that and you say something to her Nate does nothing every time he just says its Blair being Blair"

"He really does love you don't let Blair and Serena come between you, there's always going to be lies and gossip and bitchiness it's a part of our world but don't let it ruin what you have"

"Right but it's not a part of mine and I don't want it to be"

"But you want Nate to be?"

"Why are you so sweet and smart sometimes?" She asked with a small smile.

"Because I like you but don't tell anyone" He replied giving her a friendly hug "If anyone asks I was just trying to get into your pants while you're vulnerable"

Quinn laughed and smacked his arm playfully.

"I guess I should go see Nate"

"He's upstairs"

Quinn walked up the stairs feeling grateful that she had a friend like Chuck in her life. She went to open the door but heard another voice in the room.

"She doesn't understand you Natie" Serena said softly "She doesn't understand our world she's not part of the group, you haven't done anything wrong and she shouldn't make you feel like you have"

"She's right though I should have stood up to Blair more, I love Quinn and Blair was completely out of line" He said with a sigh.

"Blair was just being Blair we all know how she gets yes it's wrong but we know how to deal with it" Serena continued.

"Quinn shouldn't have to deal with it"

"No she shouldn't, but she also doesn't belong in our world if she can't handle it. You need someone who can be there for you who isn't going to be scared away. We both know the damage that can happen where we come from and you need someone who knows what you've been through and how things are"

Quinn opened the door not wanting to hear anymore.

"Actually Serena I understand Nate perfectly and he knows I'm here for him always, So right now It would be great if you could give us some time alone" She said coldly.

Serena had the good grace to look a little embarrassed as she got up to leave. Quinn glared at her as she passed her.

"Quinn I'm so sorry I didn't say something to Blair" Nate started.

"Don't worry about it" Quinn said putting a finger to his lips "You mean too much to me for us to fight like this"

Nate pulled her down onto his lap.

"I don't want to lose you" He said.

"You won't" she said kissing him "I'm not going to let anyone scare me away"