A/N: This is long overdue, and I'm sorry for that you guys. I just hope all of my fans haven't disappeared on me! I am going to try and update more often, so that you guys get your fill of Gossip Girl from me! Sorry again for the late update. However, please do ENJOY!

Serena was ready about half an hour before Dan was, and she would have been just on time had it not been for her boyfriend. While Serena had planned her attire for Chuck's party the moment she'd found out about it, Dan hadn't realized he was invited. Perhaps it was because - at that time - Blair didn't want him around, or maybe he just didn't realize that he was invited to all the parties now. He was one of the Upper East Side - at last. Even when Serena told him this, Dan hadn't seemed reassured.

"I don't think so, Serena. Chuck may not hate me, but I wouldn't call us 'friends'."

"Chuck told me that you're a good guy. So, I think that puts you on his good list," Serena argued, she had been clearing off the table as she told him this.

"I know, but the whole Blair thing last year, and just me being from Brooklyn-"

"You have come so far from being the Lonely Boy from Brooklyn, Dan," Serena sighed, pulling him up from his chair and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Everyone accepts you now. You are one of us!"

"That's great," Dan muttered, removing himself from her arms and disappearing into the bedroom.

Now, Serena was sitting on the edge of their bed as Dan rummaged around in his closet for something nice to wear. All of the options he'd shown her so far had been perfect, but he was frazzled. Being formally invited to a Chuck Bass party - and not just having to show up as Serena's guest - had taken its toll on him. A few days before the party, the invitations had arrived. One addressed to Ms. Serena van der Woodsen and another addressed to Mr. Daniel Humphrey.

"What about this one?" Dan asked, showing Serena a black tux with a white tie.

"Ditch the tie, but the rest is great!"

"I need a tie, Serena, and there isn't any other tie that works-" Serena grabbed his hand before he could throw that outfit to the side.

"Wear this tux, and let me find you a tie, got it?"

"Serena-"

"I'm not asking, I'm telling. We're already going to be late, and I'm not letting you get worked up over something that isn't even important. You've been to dozens of Chuck's parties. Don't let this one get you overwhelmed." She insisted, pushing him away from the closet as she went through it for a decent tie.

The one she produced and helped him get on was black with the thinnest of grey stripes. He looked great for the party, and at last they could go. Without letting him make another complaint or pit stop as they left the apartment, Serena practically dragged him downstairs to where the limo was awaiting them. It only took about ten minutes to make it to the party site - the lobby of the Empire, of course - and it seemed they were one of the first to arrive. Though it was fifteen minutes after the party's begin, there were only about six people there, including Serena and Dan.

"Where is everyone?" Serena questioned once they'd found Blair, who looked very worried.

"We don't know," the girl fretted. "Chuck's in a mess. He thinks it's because of that whole scandal with his father. Why can't everyone just show up!"
"Calm down, Blair," Dan soothed, putting a hand on her shoulder. Blair gave him a grateful look, then she spotted Chuck and dashed over to speak with him.

"This isn't good. Is there any way we can make an announcement or something?" Dan asked, but Serena had no clue.

"I have an idea," someone said from behind them, and Serena spun around to see that Nate and Jenny had arrived. They were standing close together, but Jenny's arm through Nate's, and both of them looked relaxed and happy. Serena smiled at their comfortableness, glad they finally figured it out.

"What is it? We have to help Chuck," Serena asked, looking hopeful. Dan was rigid next to her, his eyes trained on Nate, who shifted uneasily under the man's glare. Serena elbowed Dan sharply, giving him a pointed look, and he rolled his eyes, but forced himself to look at Jenny instead.

"We can blast a story on the Spectator's website, that's the most obvious answer," Jenny said, looking briefly at Nate, as it was his newspaper. "but we'll need more than that. Chuck has a lot of influence over Manhattan, so people must already know about the party. What we need is a popular face to bring people here. Someone that makes people want to come, maybe not for Chuck's party, but it will get people here."

"This party has the most popular families in Manhattan here already! I mean, the Waldorf's are here, and the President of Waldorf Designs-"

"Yeah, the most famous families in Manhattan. We need a worldly famous person here," Jenny argued, pulling her phone out of her bag, she dialed a number. "And I happen to know one," she smiled.

"Who could you know that we don't?" Nate asked incredulously, looking at Jenny in disbelief. She flashed him a winning smile before taking a few steps away for privacy.

"Is she not good enough to know people?" Dan demanded of Nate, stubbornly ignoring the second jab Serena sent into his side.

"That's not what I meant, Dan-"

"Then what did you mean, Nate? What could you possibly mean by askin-"

"Cut it out!" Serena snapped, moving to stand between the two men. "Dan, come here," she insisted, pulling her boyfriend out of earshot of Nate.

"What was that-"

"You need to stop," Serena scolded. "You are being ridiculous!"

"I can't believe you're taking his side, Serena! He slept with my sister and then decided she wasn't worth anything but a one-"

"Look over there," Serena pointed over to where Nate was still standing, but Jenny had joined him again. They were talking to each other, both smiling, and Jenny even laughed once. It didn't seem like anything bad had happened between them in all the years they'd known each other. In fact, it seemed they'd been together for years, as they were so familiar with one another. Dan frowned and looked away, refusing to admit it. "Does that look like he's disrespecting her? Does that look like he doesn't think she's worth something?"

"But he said-"

"He only said that because he didn't want to make you mad. He was stupid and thought telling you it was a one time thing would make it better. Obviously, it didn't, but he realized he was wrong. Can't you see how happy they make each other? And they've only been dating a few days!"

"I-" Dan sighed in defeat. "I guess you're right…"

"Alright. Now, let's go hear Jenny's plan," Serena took his hand and led him back over to the other couple. Nate gave Dan an uneasy look, but didn't speak.

"I called Dad. He'll be here in a few minutes."

"Jen, I don't think Dad is worldly famous enough to make this party packed," Dan said skeptically, furrowing his eyebrows together.

"It's not Dad that's going to bring the crowd, it's his guest." Jenny smiled.

"Wait," Dan suddenly laughed. "she's here? Why?"

"Well, she and Dad really hit it off, and she's been visiting a lot in the last couple of weeks," Jenny explained, sharing the laugh with Dan.

"Who? Who is it?" Serena demanded, exchanging a confused look with Nate.

"Only the talented Lisa Loeb," Jenny announced, offering a little simper and looking around for Blair. "I'm going to find Chuck and Blair to let them know. We'll save this party,"

"Good work Jen," Dan called. Serena shifted in her heels and then looked between Nate and Dan.

"I'll go with Jenny, you two talk," she insisted and then hurried to catch up with Jenny. She glanced back once to see that Dan and Nate were disappearing into the lobby, both looking grim.