A/N: Here is the second chapter. I don't own Gossip Girl or the characters. Enjoy!
Spotted the two Queens of the Upper East Side shopping it out on 5th Avenue. By the looks of it, one of the two badly needed some shopping therapy. What's the reason S? Still not exclusive with your boyfriend? Or B? Does it have something to do with a certain new man your mother is being seen with?
-xoxo, Gossip Girl
Chuck and Nate were at the restaurant waiting for the girls to arrive. "You gonna head down to your mom for Thanksgiving?" Chuck asked.
"Uh... no. She is taking care of business. Trying to preserve whatever is left. I just... can't." Nate replied. Chuck simply nodded.
Outside, a limousine pulled up and Serena and Blair got out. They asked the chauffeur to carry Blair's packets to the other limo to prevent any confusion later on. They entered the restaurant and made their way to the table where their friends were sitting.
"Guess what?" Blair said. "My mother is dating her lawyer." She informed the group.
"B... relax about it. You've been going on and on since you got her call." Serena said, trying to calm her down. They were shopping at Saks when Eleanor called and asked her presence at a family dinner that evening.
"Relax about it? I'm supposed to be meeting her 'amazing boyfriend' in one hour." Blair said adamantly.
"Be thankful that you're meeting a boyfriend. Do you have any idea how many ladies I was introduced to. Lily was the first he actually settled down with." Chuck said. "And, if you're lucky, he might be hot." he smirked.
Blair just ignored him and Nate had successfully manage to change the topic of conversation. Soon, Blair had to leave and took the limo in which her bags were kept and headed to the Waldorf penthouse.
"Can I have a shot of Tequila." Serena asked the waiter, needing one badly.
"Make that three, Nathaniel for you?" Chuck asked, halting the waiter.
"Yeah, one for me too." Nate replied.
They quickly drained their shots, paid the bill and headed back home. As they were about to sit, Chuck and Nate were shocked with the number of bags in the car.
"Is there anything left at Saks for anyone else to buy?" Chuck asked sarcastically.
"S... seriously? This is too much even for you and Blair." Nate said.
"Honestly? Most of it we bought after Blair got the call from her mother. We don't even know what's in a few of these bags. We just bought stuff." Serena admitted. "It's been a while since I did this." She smiled. Nate just shook his head and smiled at her.
Suddenly, Serena pulled a particular bag from the pile and searched for something. She took out a case for a bow tie and one for a tie and passed the former to Chuck and the regular tie to Nate.
"Their color and pattern is similar and they go perfectly with both mine and Blair's dresses for our pre-Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow." Serena told them.
This was their tradition since the past few years., The day before the major festival the four friends would get together and just be with each other. No one from the outside world, away from the parents, media and annoying social obligations. The only year they missed was when Serena was in boarding school.
Their ride came to a stop and the door was opened. But when Serena saw outside she was confused as they weren't home yet. Chuck just smirked at informed them that he had another appointment to get to.
"Its just you and me now." Nate told her.
"I don't mind. It's been time since we have spent time alone." Serena smiled.
"Yeah..." Nate agreed.
They soon reached the Bass penthouse and they headed up to Serena's room after telling the butler that they wouldn't be joining the family for dinner. After they changed into their sleepwear and took and bottle of beer each, Serena demanded Nate tell her all that's happened to him te past months, both the good and the bad. Slowly sipping his beer and gathering the courage Nate started the story right from when he saw his dad take drugs. He told her what happened at the Bass wedding and then the FBI seizing their property.
"You should have told me." Serena told him moving to hug him tightly to her.
"I know... I've always been the problem solver, so..." Nate whispered. It felt good talking to her about it all. She did know some stuff in between but letting it all out at once, benefited him as well. "What's going on with you?" Nate asked her. She let go a little but was still holding him.
"I met a guy. Aaron. He is sweet." Serena smiled a little.
"That's great, S. But what's the problem?" Nat asked. He knew her too well.
"He wants an open relationship. Like where we see other people." Serena mumbled.
"Well..." Nate started.
"No. No." She knew what he would say. That he wasn't worth it. "Let's just promise each other that we won't have any more secrets. Okay?" She half-ordered him. Nate nodded and smiled. Serena kissed his cheek and then moved so that he could lie down. Then she just out her head on his chest and Nate draped an arm across her waist.
News is that our dear S and Nate went home alone. Well, do they need anyone else when they have each other? Been some time since they've been spotted alone. Wonder what will this lead to?
The next morning, Nate and the Bass- Van der Woodsen family were sitting on the dining table for breakfast when Nate's phone. he excused himself from the table and went to answer it. When he returned, Serena saw the he was a bit confused.
"What's wrong?" She asked him.
"It was my mom. She wants to meet me at an address I've never been too." He replied.
"It's Thanksgiving tomorrow, she'd want to meet you, Natie."Serena told him, not wanting him to worry just yet. "Come on, I'm on my way to meet Aaron. I'll drop you." She said pulling him along with her into the elevator.
Serena had dropped him at a townhouse not far from the Archibald residence. His mom opened the door and greeted him, and pulled him inside. He was confused as to why he was there, because his mother was being secretive and not answering any of his questions. But when the back door opened at in came his father, his mother's behaviour was explained.
"Dad, what are you doing here?" Nate asked.
His father sighed and made him sit next to him. He told Nate that he wanted him and his mother to join him in the Dominican. He explained to him his life there and the house he lived in and how it would finally be a 'home' if the two joined him. Nate did not know what to say. Yes, missed his dad but uprooting his entire life? Was he prepared for that.
"Dad, I need time to think." Nate mumbled and left the house in a hurry.
Serena was with Aaron, posing in different styles while Aaron clicked her pictures, when her phone rang. She heard Nate's anxious voice asking him to meet her in Central Park.
"I need to leave, I'm sorry." She told Aaron, while she collected her things.
"Now? Fine..can we meet tonight?" Aaron asked.
"Uh... no. I have plans tonight." She said apologetically and left. She called Blair and Chuck and also asked them to meet her and Nate. She had a feeling he would need them there too.
When she reached by the pond in Central Park, she saw Nate deep in thought. She went and grabbed in elbow and asked him what was wrong. He was about to answer when one of Blair's rants was heard.
"He is old... old Chuck. When my mom said she was dating a lawyer I expected a handsome man. He is shorter than me! And entertainment... what kind of a lawyer is an entertainment lawyer?" Blair rambled. "Now what's going on here?" She asked after a minute.
"My dasd is in town." The other three immediately looked at him, their individual problems forgotten.
"When?"
"Today morning. That's why my mom called me there." Nate sighed. "He wants me to go to the Dominican with him." He further said.
"For how long?' Serena asked.
Nate shrugged, they knew what that meant. "You have school." Blair said.
"I don't know what to do," He said irritated at the situation. "My mom is in full support of whatever dad says. God! This is..." Nate exclaimed.
"Hey..." Serena patted in shoulder trying to calm him down. "Calm down. Clear your head and think about it. Do what you want to do, Natie." She said.
Just then two men in black suits came to the group. "Nathaniel Archibald?" They asked.
"Yes."
"We are from the FBI. Anywhere we can talk?" They asked. Nate groaned, knowing full well why they were there and led them to a table by the pond and the entire group sat down. "Maybe we can talk in private?" One of them asked.
"You can talk to me in fornt of them. Think of them as my lawyers." Nate replied.
"Your wish. We know your father is in New York." the agent said.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Nate replied.
"We thought you might say that. According to out sources the only why he wants you and your mother to leave with him is to get money from the van der Bilt family."
"That's not true." Nate said. below the table, Serena gently held in hand, preparing him for the worse.
"Here, phone records showing numerous calls between your father and grand father." The other agent said, sliding a piece of paper across the table. Nate saw the the highlighted rows and the Chuck took it form him to verify.
"I...I don't know what you want from me." He said honestly.
"Do the right thing... turn your father in." The agent said, Nate almost laughed at the way the agent made it sound so simple. "What he is about to do is worse. It's extortion." He elaborated.
"My dad has money." Nate said adamantly.
"He just had enough to get himself set up. But, instead of getting a job, he continued with his old lifestyle. We don't think he has much to support himself, let alone a family of three adults." the other agent replied.
"Why come to me here?" Nate asked.
"We wanted to make sure that you weren't in on it. But when you called Ms. Van der Woodsen hear distressed, we knew you didn't know the truth?" They replied.
"You have my phone hacked?" Nate asked.
"Your mom did help him escape, Nate." The agent said.
Nate thought deeply for sometime. He looked at his friends and they all nodded, showing him it was the correct thing to do. "You leave me and my mom out of it. No looking into our lives anymore. No mentions of us aiding and abetting our dad," Nate demanded.
"You got it." The agent said.
"Give it to me in writing." Nate said. He knew that much about the world they lived in to know that nothing is guaranteed unless its on a legal document.
"We knew you would ask that from us. So, here." They passed on an immunity agreement signed by the judge. "As an added incentive, as the town house was both in your mom and dad's name, we will remove it form FBI seizure." The agent added. All four friends went through the document, learning at a yound age how to read them.
Nate nodded and wrote the address of the place they were living in for the agents. "Do not touch my mom." He ordered.
Spotted- The Non-Judging breakfast Club deep in conversation with two mysterious gentlemen. Does this have something to do with our Golden Boy and his entering of a strange house this morning? Looking distressed, wonder what Archibald will do next?
Nate went with before the agents to the house to be with his mom. As the agents arrested his dad, he held and consoled his mom as bets he could. He hoped she would forgive him one day.
She was crying and said after sometime, "I'm going to the Hamptons. I can't be here." Nate nodded and bid her good bye.
As Nate made his way back to Serena's place, he was wondering about his decision. He needed to think about something else, badly. When he opened the door to Serena's room, he was glad to see his friends, waiting for him. Serena patted the empty space beside her while Chuck passed him a glass of Scotch. He gulped the entire thing in one go, relishing the bitter liquid.
"We have decided that we are going to order in here, and get drunk." Blair said, knowing that Nate wouldn't be in the mood to celebrate.
"No." Nate said. "Please lets go out. I just need something good happening today." He requested. They all nodded at his request. Blair and Chuck got up to head to his room to change when Serena stopped them.
"Are you two a couple?" She asked smiling.
"No. Why would you think that? Just the stupid staff kept my bags in his room. Anyway you two are here. It'll be a crowd." She said, denying everything. Nate and Serena just laughed at her while Chuck smirked. All of them knowing the truth. that the two were working on their relationship.
They four were at their table at Kellari, drinking and gossiping when Aaron came over. Nate and Serena sat on one side of the table while Chuck and Blair on the other, both men having an arm draped over the girl's chair.
"Serena, I thought you said you were busy tonight." Aaron confronted her.
"Yes. I am. We had a dinner planned." She asked, not getting his point.
"You walked out this morning too, I'm guessing to be with them." Aaron accused.
"What's going on, Aaron. You didn't want to be exclusive. What's with this possessiveness? I can meet them whenever and for however long I want." Serena said.
"This Aaron?" Nate asked. Serena nodded. "Hi Nate Archibald." Nate introduced himself trying to diffuse the situation. Chuck and Blair followed.
"You hang out with them? God! you people are the definition of spoilt rich kids," Aaron scoffed. "Have a nice life." he said to Serena and walked off.
Serena was totally confused. "He didn't even want to be monogamous. Now he has an opinion about my friends." She asked.
"Just get drunk." Nate said, ordering them all shots.
"Only your boyfriends, S." Blair rolled her eyes.
"I wanna forget this day." Serena said, drowning two shots one after the other.
"Right there with you." Nate said and clicked glasses with her before they gulped down another. Chuck and Blair looked at each other and decided to limit their alcohol consumption, as they would probably need to escort the two blondes back home safely.
Are our golden Boy and Girl blowing off some steam? Well, Upper East Siders rumours are that S is once again single. Will Lonely Boy realise his mistake and get back with her or will Archibald finally get the girl of dreams? And is Vanessa's knew agreement with the Constance Academy going to put a damper in their plans? Wait and find out. You know you love me.
-xoxo, Gossip Girl.