Hello, fan fiction aficionados. This is my first time to post my story here…been writing stories as early as a toddler. Anyway, was caught up with Gossip Girl wave and SereNate just simply swoop me off my feet! Fell in love with them since the pilot epi. The on-screen chemistry is naturally over-flowing! Kudos to GG writers for giving them a decent storyline (especially Serena) this Season 3. Well…it's about time!

Here's my fanfic take on Episode 1 of Season 3. I divided it into scenes which I will be posting in chapters. So Chapter 1 holds Scene 1 to 3, Chapter 2 shall be Scene 4 to 6, and so on. Hope you like it. Reviews are loved.

Gossip Girl 3 x 01 "It's now or never"

Chapter 1

Scene 1 – Nate/Chuck

"Carter!? Carter Baizen? What about him?"

Chuck Bass turns around to see the frowning face of best friend, Nate Archibald. Darting a short glance to his friend, Chuck diverts his attention back to the girl he loves and to whom he's been talking to for so long over the phone. "Hey, darling. Nathaniel's here. He overheard us talking about Carter. Yeah, I know…talk to you later ok? Ciao…"

As soon as he puts down the phone, he looks at Nate. "Carter's back in town. As Blair told me earlier, he's helping out Serena in finding her father."

"What!? Since when did Carter start having this compassionate heart to people?" Nate shakes his head vigorously, "And what's his purpose?"

Before Chuck can hold his tongue, it's too late. He already blurts out what he has been thinking for so long. "To get the girl, of course. Well, can't blame Baizen though. We have to admit. My step sister is so damn hot. Serena simply sizzles wherever ---" He suddenly cuts his statement short as he sees Nate quickly turns around and making his way out of his posh apartment.

"Hey, Archibald! Where the hell are you going? If you're thinking of confronting Carter, don't. Stay away, Nathaniel. You're not her boyfriend."

Nate stops on his tracks, looks at Chuck with serious eyes. "But I'm still…a friend. Serena needs our help. I have to do something…this time. I'm tired, Chuck. Just sitting around the corner…doing nothing. I had it. I'm not going to just stand by the sideline and watch Carter making a fool out of her. Not this time…not again."

Nate opens the door and walks out with conviction of doing his noble mission, leaving behind a dumbfounded Chuck. Since when did his best friend become this assertive? Just thinking of it makes Chuck's head ache.

~~~~~oOo~~~~~

Scene 2 – Nate

While walking fast along the streets of Upper Eastside Manhattan, Nathaniel Archibald finds himself lost in thoughts. A lot has been playing around his mind right now. But it all boils down to the main priority – Serena Van Der Woodsen. Nate shakes his head. Chuck is right. He is not Serena's boyfriend. He has no right to meddle in her private affairs.

Then why the heck he is still outside in the street, in the middle of the night? Carrying two Starbucks Ice Coffee Mocha Tall and a bag of chocolate-coated croissants. What is he thinking? That he could just barge in to her place without even asking her permission first…just like that? They're not even close friends, for goodness' sake. Well, not that close for now. Both of them sort of drifted apart from each other for the past three years.

Before that fateful night at the Sheppard's wedding, they were inseparable…him, Serena and Blair, of course. And Chuck from time to time, whenever he's in the mood of pissing off Blair. But even way back in their childhood, Nate already knew what he wanted…who he liked the most. That little blonde girl with bright blue eyes, infectious laugh and cheerful demeanor. That carefree girl whom he described as liked a sunshine and the one who gave him his nickname, Natie.

But that was before. All is different now. There were changes. Situations are more complicated. Nate sighs…long and deep. The last time he and Serena talked was the night after their graduation. The night they all waited for Gossip Girl to show up and bare her true identity but to no avail. After that, no more communication between them. No calls, no chats, no emails, no meet-ups…nothing at all.

Then all of a sudden, he will show up one day, in front of her doorstep, asking questions about Carter. How lame is that? Then what will he tell her? Exasperated, Nate lets out a deep breath and shrugs his shoulders. Well, this is better than to keep his mouth shut and doing nothing at all. It's now or never. As if asking help from heaven, he thoughtfully looks up then proceeds walking towards Serena's place.

~~~~~oOo~~~~~

Scene 3 – Nate, Carter and Serena

As Nathaniel nears the Palace Hotel where Serena has been staying, a sleek black limousine suddenly pulls over and stops in front of the hotel. Seconds later, a young, blonde and beautiful woman emerges from the limo. Nate's face brightens up as he recognizes the ever gorgeous Serena. But his smile disappears when he sees Carter steps down the vehicle and stands dangerously close to her.

Both of them didn't go inside the hotel right away. Instead, they stay at the sidewalk, talking. Throughout their conversation, Nate notices the closeness. From time to time, Serena would touch Carter's shoulder. On the other hand, Carter's hands linger either on her lower back or on her hour-glass-shaped waist. Nate is not the jealous type yet he feels a pang of jealousy creeping inside of him. When it comes to Serena, there will always be an exception.

Moments later, Serena says goodbye to Carter and begins to move away from him. But before she could walk away further, he quickly reaches out for her, pulls her towards him, and whispers something in her ear. She laughs and stares at him momentarily. From the corner where he is hiding, Nate can sense what Carter has been trying to do. He seems convincing the sexy blonde into something. Nate looks hard at Serena as if trying to communicate with her through mental telepathy – Serena, no, please. Don't invite him in. I'm begging you…Serena, don't. It seems like she hears him as she shakes her head and speaks to Carter with an apologetic face. Before the man in front of her reacts, she gives him a friendly peck on the cheek and flees away from him as fast as a lightning bolt.

At the entrance of the hotel, Serena turns around and waves goodbye to Carter, blowing kisses before she finally goes inside until she's out of sight. Carter is left behind the street pavement, standing still beside the limo. All alone, still trying to figure out on what just hit him.

Seeing all these scenarios from where he is standing, Nate can't help himself but to smile triumphantly and thank the heavens above. He must have done something good in the past to deserve this kind of reward, he ponders on as he continuously smiles.

~~~~~oOo~~~~~