Author's Note: I know this is short, but its sort of a filler chapter that sets things up for later.

Chapter 8: Take it slow

Dan sat on her couch looking at her earnestly. He'd said his piece and was waiting for a sign any sign that she was ready to take a risk on him; on them. He leaned in closer and tucked a stray hair behind her ear and said, "Don't make me beg, S."

She smiled lightly, "You don't have to its just…"

"Overwhelming, scary. I know. But, I also know that I miss you and we'd be stupid not to give this one last try."

She closed her eyes and let his words wash over her. She didn't know why she was so afraid. Wasn't this what she had been waiting for? For ten years all she'd ever wanted was for him to come and tell her he wanted her again. But, was it too late. Had her heart really moved on from him. No, it hadn't, but something stopped her from jumping gleefully into his arms.

"Obviously you need more time to let this sick in," he said as he got up to go. Serena reached out and grabbed his hand, "don't go," she implored him. Dan stood frozen in place as she motioned for him to join her on the couch. He did as she asked and looked around the room reluctantly. He didn't know what to make of her simple request, but he knew he'd walk over hot coals if she asked him too. Serena patted the spot next to her and asked him to sit.

"This is awkward."

"It doesn't have to be. I just, I need you to understand that this isn't a no. It's a not now. It's been years, Dan."

"I know, I just….I miss you," he said frankly. Serena smiled and laid her head on his shoulder.

"I missed you too," she said as she held his hand in hers.

Nate dug his hands deep into his pockets as he paced the sidewalk outside of Casey's apartment building. It had been two weeks since their night together and he'd been unable to stop thinking about him. He'd never felt as comfortable as he had with Casey. There was something sweet about him. But, this whole discovering your sexuality thing was just so new and bizarre to him. He had no problem with homosexuality, but he never thought that was his thing. Was this just phase? Did he simply have a curiosity to experiment and try something he'd never tried before or was he really gay? Did he even like girls? Nate had so many questions and he didn't know if talking to Casey was fair. But, he knew that he had enjoyed his company. So, he sucked in a breath and climbed the stairs and opened the door before pressing the button.

"Hey, its Nate. Can I come up?"

"Nate? Come on up," he said as he buzzed him up. He was having a lazy Sunday lounging around reading the style section of the NY Times. He checked his reflection in the hall mirror before opening the door to Nate. He was once again blown away by exactly how beautiful Nate was. He was more than a little bit surprised to see him. He had chocked him up to another one night stand.

"Come in."

Nate smiled at him and took a seat on an old chaise that was in the corner of the room. Now that he was here he had no idea what to say. He looked up at Casey and his heartbeat started to speed up.

"Okay so you definitely want him," he said to himself.

"So, what's up?"Casey asked. He wasn't much for patience or playing a game of lets stare at each other awkwardly while we avoid the real issue.

"I wanted to apologize about leaving the way I did. I guess. Well, I've never done anything like that before,"he said.

"What had sex or had sex with a man?"he said playfully.

Nate blushed and said, "I guess I had that one coming."

"Look, its okay. We all have one night stands. No need to feel guilty. These things happen."

"What if it was more than that,"Nate asked?

Casey looked at him sincerely trying to assess what he was suggesting. Nate felt like he had no control over his words. He just started to say all these things, but none of it was premeditated. Before he realize what he'd done he was standing in the middle of Casey's bedroom kissing him passionately as he pushed him on to the bed. It didn't feel weird or awkward, but it just felt right.

Blair sat at her boudoir brushing her long brown tresses when a familiar figure came up and nuzzled her neck. She leaned into him as she smiled brightly. For the first time in a long time she felt content, but she wasn't going to let Carter know that. Life had taught her a girl could not afford to reveal all her cards to early. It was a lesson she received courtesy of one Chuck Bass, but that was years ago. But, ten years later he was nothing but a dim memory that she hoped to keep in her past.

"Carter, I'll be there in a moment."

"I like you mussed. Plus its only going to get messed up when I'm through with you,"he said with a mischievous grin on his face.

"And what exactly do you have planned Mr. Baizen."

"You'll have to wait and see Mrs. Baizen."

Carter led her to bed and she let him lift her as he placed her gently on the luxurious sheets. They had gotten married a few hours ago on a whim. This was not something Blair Waldorf did and it certainly wasn't something she'd ever imagine that Carter would do, but her head was still swimming from the champagne. She looked up at him and said, "Are we crazy?"

"A little, but I things crazy," he said as he kissed her softly. Blair grabbed him by his collars and pulled him closer aggressively. She flipped over and straddled him as she slowly undid one button after the other. Finally she managed to slip the material from his shoulders.

"That's more like it,"Blair said.

"Someone's an eager beaver tonight."

Blair got off of him and headed back towards the boudoir when she felt a hand on her. Carter pulled her back towards him and said, "no more games, B."

"What games?"

"Stop, I know what you're doing. I'm the master. I practically invented the game. Obviously something more than sex is building between us or we wouldn't have done what we just said."

"What do you mean, I get married on the whim all the time,"she said sarcastically.

He wrapped his arms around her, "We can go back to the games later. Let's be real for a second. What do we do?"

Blair looked at him and knew her heart was in serious danger of being lost. She had no idea what they were going to do. She managed to marry her boyfriend of two months without much consideration for the consequences. It just wasn't very her and she hated that loss of control.

"Carter, not tonight. We can deal with this in the morning," she said.