Riot In My Heart: Chapter 6
Title: Riot In My Heart
Author: isisizabel
Fandom: Gossip Girl
Pairing: Nate/Jenny; Chuck/Blair
Rating: PG-13
Author's Note: This is the next, and final, installment of the Can't Stay Away series. If you haven't read any of those fics, I recommend it so you don't get lost. The other's are:
1.) Can't Stay Away
2.) Ashes & Ice
3.) This Love, This Hate
4.) Adventures In Summerland
This fic will have multiple NC-17 chapters. If you haven't read my fics before, I members only lock my NC-17 chapters. To be able to read them you must join evening_ground .
Thanks to evening_ground for this. Susan, I swear, you never give up on me. Thanks, sweetie!
Previous Chapters
Riot In My Heart
By: IsisIzabel
Chapter 6
“Did I do something to make you angry?” Scott finally asked after Jenny walked by him for the fifth time that night and studiously avoided eye contact with him.
Jenny froze and lifted her wide blue eyes. “I don’t-”
Scott tossed the towel he was using to wipe down the last of the counters before closing as he turned to spear her with his gaze. Any protest died on her lips and she snapped her mouth shut, mentally ticking over the way she had barely spoken to him all night. In fact, she had gone out of her way to avoid him all costs.
Scott’s gaze softened and he sighed. “Look, forget it. I thought we were friends, that’s all.” He picked up the rag and started wiping again, this time putting more muscle than needed behind the action.
Now she felt like a total bitch. She flipped a chair over, setting it on top of the table. “It’s not you, OK? It’s … me. I’m just having some problems, and I guess I sort of took it out on you.”
He hesitated, his blue eyes starting to smile again. “Is that an official apology?”
“I’m sorry for being so weird tonight,” she said finally as she gave herself a mental shake. Just because she didn’t want to date Scott didn’t mean she needed to be a brat all night. Especially not if he was going to be working with her.
He waved it off with a smile. “No sweat.”
Jenny kept moving across the room, stacking chairs on top of tables.
“So what’s the problem?”
She froze, her eyes flickering up to see Scott now standing a foot away from her. He took the chair from her hands and placed it on top the table.
She took a reflexive step back. “It’s … It doesn’t matter.”
Scott made a face. “Boyfriend troubles, huh?”
Jenny moved around the table, glancing at him over her shoulder. “Um, sort of.”
“This doesn’t have anything to do with the way your boyfriend was glaring at me earlier, does it?”
Jenny froze and turned slowly on her heels, trying desperately to keep any guilt off her face. “Scott, it’s not you.”
He laughed and held up his hands. “Relax, I get it. I can totally understand where he’s coming from.”
She frowned. “You can?”
“Oh, sure,” he said with a nod. “It’s the first time you guys have been apart, right? He’s off at college and you’re here?”
She nodded slowly. “It’s just … different. We’re still adjusting.”
“Can’t be easy,” Scott said with a shrug. He folded his arms across his broad chest. “I mean, if I had a girlfriend who looked as beautiful as you are, I’d be worried about guys always coming around asking her out.”
She blushed at the compliment. “It’s not like that. I love Nate, and I’d never cheat on him.” She tried to dismiss his comment by not acknowledging it.
“Oh, of course you wouldn’t,” he replied immediately. “But from a guy’s perspective … I’m just saying I can see why he was jealous.”
She couldn’t help the astonished laugh that came out. “Of you?”
Scott’s eyes went wide and he clutched his chest. “Ouch.”
Her mouth fell open and she tried to back-track. “Oh, no. Scott, I didn’t mean-”
“Relax,” he cut her off with a smirk. He waved it off. “I know what you meant.”
She smiled gratefully and tucked a stray blonde lock behind one ear. Sighing, she glanced up at the clock on the far wall, knowing it was nearing midnight and not at all enjoying the thought of going back to the apartment for another sleepless night. The weight of the cell phone pressed inside her pocket was a constant reminder. She knew, no matter how angry he might be, he wouldn’t ignore her if she called. All she needed to push were two buttons: number one of her speed dial and the send button.
But the idea of just his voice wasn’t enough. She needed him. Needed to know they were OK. Needed him to understand that no random guy could come between them.
“You’re a million miles away, aren’t you?” Scott teased. Sighing, he came towards her and settled his hands on her shoulders as he looked in her eyes. “Or maybe only a few dozen miles away?”
She shrugged under his grip. “I have to see him.” She had already made the decision to go up to Columbia tonight before the words left her lips.
“Figured as much,” Scott replied and let her go. “Come on.”
“Wait-what?”
“I’m not letting you hail a cab at this hour to go across the city,” he frowned. “I think even Nate can understand why I’d be with you.”
“Scott, you don’t have to-”
“Hey, we’re friends,” he reminded her pointedly. “What kind of friend would I be if I let you wander the dark street of New York?”
Her eyes narrowed. “You do realize I’m a native New Yorker and you’re the guy who mixed up Brooklyn with NYU, right?”
He winced and ducked his head. “Fine. Then just indulge my manly pride and let me help you out for a change?”
Jenny clamped a hand over her mouth to keep the bubble of laughter from slipping out. Her blue eyes were brimming with laughter. “Your manly pride?”
“Yes,” he replied calmly with an arched brow. “Are you coming or not?”
Sighing loudly, Jenny nodded and followed him out into the night.
***
New York was the city that never slept and Columbia University was no exception. Carman Hall was brimming with social activity past midnight. Students lingered in the lobby in clumps and lights were on in over half the windows on the upper levels.
Standing outside the dorm, Jenny suddenly saw the flaw in her plan.
“I guess you don’t have a key, do you?” Scott asked from beside her as they both stared the locked glass doors.
She rolled her eyes, amazed she hadn’t thought of this. “No, I don’t have a key,” she finally answered.
He nodded beside her, his shoulder brushing against hers as they silently stared.
She fished her phone out her pocket.
Scott’s hand closed over hers. “What are you doing?”
“Calling Nate. I don’t think my aim is good enough to hit his window with a rock. He’s on the tenth floor.” Her eyes narrowed as she scowled up at him.
“And if he’s asleep?”
She dismissed that thought with a wave of her hand. “He won’t care.”
“Are you sure he won’t mind?” Scott looked pointedly down at her. “What if he has some huge exam in the morning?”
“He’d rather I woke him up if I was here,” she replied, annoyance beginning to seep into her tone.
“Really? How can you be so sure?”
“Because that’s who he is. That’s who we are. It won’t be the first time I’ve woken him up in the middle of the night,” she answered, thinking back to the brief time Nate lived with her family in Brooklyn. She smiled, remembering the times she had snuck out of her room in the middle of the night and they would stay up watching old movies, praying her father or Dan wouldn’t come out and see them cuddled together on the couch.
She tried to pull her hand away, her eyes meeting his with confusion when he didn’t immediately let her go.
He let her hand go after a beat and held up his hands, surrendering. “If you’re sure.”
“I am.” She hit the send button and waited as his phone started to ring. She glanced at Scott. “You can go now, Scott. Thanks.”
“Maybe I should stay. You know, in case he isn’t here or something. Take you home?” He flashed a smile full of dimples and white teeth.
“I’ll be fine,” she answered, shifting her weight as his phone rang for the fourth time.
“Jenny?” Nate’s voice was rough from sleep.
“Hey, you,” she greeted, unable to help from smiling into the phone.
“It’s after midnight. Everything OK?” He was more alert now, concern flooding his voice.
“Not really. I need to talk to you.”
“OK,” he said after a second and she heard movement as he started to pull clothes on. “Are you at the Palace or in Brooklyn? I can be there-”
Relief washed over her. “Actually, I’m here. Downstairs.”
“Downstairs?” he repeated.
“Outside. I don’t have a key to this place,” she reminded him, thinking of the key he gave her to his apartment on the Upper East Side.
He chuckled, the rumbling sound making her stomach muscles clench in anticipation. “I’m on my way.”
She hung up her phone, still grinning. She turned and saw Scott had backed off, but was still there. “He’s coming down.”
“You want me to stay?” he offered. “I can tell him that you’re interested in nothing but friendship from me. Hold him down, if need be.”
“No, I think I’m good,” she replied. “But thank you for coming with me. You OK to get back to NYU alone?”
Scott smiled, his blue eyes dark. “I’ll be fine. Have a good night, Jenny. I’ll see you later.” He gave her a small wave and started to back away. After a second he hailed a cab and climbed inside.
Jenny turned back to the doors of Carman Hall to see Nate stepping off the elevator in sweat pants and a thin white t-shirt. He pushed open the door, shaking his head.
“Jenny, what are you doing here? It’s late.” He came to her and pulled her into his arms without another word, kissing the top of her head. His body was still warm from sleep.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted out against his chest, blinking back tears. She pulled back to look him in the eye. “I didn’t realize … I mean, if you think I have anything other than platonic feelings for Scott-”
He put his finger against her lips, silencing her. “I’m sorry.”
She blinked. “What?”
“I shouldn’t take my insecurities out on you. It’s just different. I’m so used to being with you all the time and now…” He sighed and trailed off. “I was a jerk last night, and I’m sorry.”
“You know I love you, right? Not Scott?” Her lips started to curve into a smile.
“I know,” he answered, dipping his head to kiss her slowly. He teased her mouth open, sliding his tongue against hers languidly as his hand tangled in her hair, freeing it from the messy knot she wore while working. Her hair tumbled around her shoulders, tickling his neck.
“I can’t believe you came here,” he said after a moment, leaning his forehead against hers. “I mean, it’s late.”
“I needed to see you,” she replied, looking at his eyes. The look of complete love and adoration stole her breath away. She wrapped her arms tighter around him, wishing desperately they were back in his apartment and not standing outside his dorm.
“I’m glad you came.” He kissed her again, his hand sliding up her back. He broke away with a groan. “You should go. I have an early class.”
“Yeah,” she agreed, tracing his jaw with her fingertips.
“I wish I didn’t have classes all day,” he said, reluctant to let her go. “I’d come back up and have dinner with you.”
“We can make it a late dinner,” she teased, nuzzling his neck and kissing the pulse point she found.
“Not a bad idea,” he murmured. “I don’t have class until noon the day after that. I can crash at the apartment tomorrow night.”
“Isn’t your mom still out of town?” Jenny reminded him innocently, looking up at him with wide eyes.
“I think she is,” he said slowly, starting to smile. “I guess I’ll spend the night all by myself.”
She shrugged. “If you insist. I can drop you off at home after dinner.” She started to step away. But he hauled her roughly against his chest, his arms tightening like a vise around her body.
“I’m thinking we’ll order in,” he replied firmly.
A full blown grin blossomed on her face. “Sounds fun.”
Nate laughed and kissed her once more. He held her hand in his and walked to the street, hailing a cab in no time and opening the door for her.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Jenny promised, hugging him tight. “I love you.”
“I know,” he answered sincerely as he let her go. “I love you, too.”
Author: isisizabel
Fandom: Gossip Girl
Pairing: Nate/Jenny; Chuck/Blair
Rating: PG-13
Author's Note: This is the next, and final, installment of the Can't Stay Away series. If you haven't read any of those fics, I recommend it so you don't get lost. The other's are:
1.) Can't Stay Away
2.) Ashes & Ice
3.) This Love, This Hate
4.) Adventures In Summerland
This fic will have multiple NC-17 chapters. If you haven't read my fics before, I members only lock my NC-17 chapters. To be able to read them you must join evening_ground .
Thanks to evening_ground for this. Susan, I swear, you never give up on me. Thanks, sweetie!
Previous Chapters
Riot In My Heart
By: IsisIzabel
Chapter 6
“Did I do something to make you angry?” Scott finally asked after Jenny walked by him for the fifth time that night and studiously avoided eye contact with him.
Jenny froze and lifted her wide blue eyes. “I don’t-”
Scott tossed the towel he was using to wipe down the last of the counters before closing as he turned to spear her with his gaze. Any protest died on her lips and she snapped her mouth shut, mentally ticking over the way she had barely spoken to him all night. In fact, she had gone out of her way to avoid him all costs.
Scott’s gaze softened and he sighed. “Look, forget it. I thought we were friends, that’s all.” He picked up the rag and started wiping again, this time putting more muscle than needed behind the action.
Now she felt like a total bitch. She flipped a chair over, setting it on top of the table. “It’s not you, OK? It’s … me. I’m just having some problems, and I guess I sort of took it out on you.”
He hesitated, his blue eyes starting to smile again. “Is that an official apology?”
“I’m sorry for being so weird tonight,” she said finally as she gave herself a mental shake. Just because she didn’t want to date Scott didn’t mean she needed to be a brat all night. Especially not if he was going to be working with her.
He waved it off with a smile. “No sweat.”
Jenny kept moving across the room, stacking chairs on top of tables.
“So what’s the problem?”
She froze, her eyes flickering up to see Scott now standing a foot away from her. He took the chair from her hands and placed it on top the table.
She took a reflexive step back. “It’s … It doesn’t matter.”
Scott made a face. “Boyfriend troubles, huh?”
Jenny moved around the table, glancing at him over her shoulder. “Um, sort of.”
“This doesn’t have anything to do with the way your boyfriend was glaring at me earlier, does it?”
Jenny froze and turned slowly on her heels, trying desperately to keep any guilt off her face. “Scott, it’s not you.”
He laughed and held up his hands. “Relax, I get it. I can totally understand where he’s coming from.”
She frowned. “You can?”
“Oh, sure,” he said with a nod. “It’s the first time you guys have been apart, right? He’s off at college and you’re here?”
She nodded slowly. “It’s just … different. We’re still adjusting.”
“Can’t be easy,” Scott said with a shrug. He folded his arms across his broad chest. “I mean, if I had a girlfriend who looked as beautiful as you are, I’d be worried about guys always coming around asking her out.”
She blushed at the compliment. “It’s not like that. I love Nate, and I’d never cheat on him.” She tried to dismiss his comment by not acknowledging it.
“Oh, of course you wouldn’t,” he replied immediately. “But from a guy’s perspective … I’m just saying I can see why he was jealous.”
She couldn’t help the astonished laugh that came out. “Of you?”
Scott’s eyes went wide and he clutched his chest. “Ouch.”
Her mouth fell open and she tried to back-track. “Oh, no. Scott, I didn’t mean-”
“Relax,” he cut her off with a smirk. He waved it off. “I know what you meant.”
She smiled gratefully and tucked a stray blonde lock behind one ear. Sighing, she glanced up at the clock on the far wall, knowing it was nearing midnight and not at all enjoying the thought of going back to the apartment for another sleepless night. The weight of the cell phone pressed inside her pocket was a constant reminder. She knew, no matter how angry he might be, he wouldn’t ignore her if she called. All she needed to push were two buttons: number one of her speed dial and the send button.
But the idea of just his voice wasn’t enough. She needed him. Needed to know they were OK. Needed him to understand that no random guy could come between them.
“You’re a million miles away, aren’t you?” Scott teased. Sighing, he came towards her and settled his hands on her shoulders as he looked in her eyes. “Or maybe only a few dozen miles away?”
She shrugged under his grip. “I have to see him.” She had already made the decision to go up to Columbia tonight before the words left her lips.
“Figured as much,” Scott replied and let her go. “Come on.”
“Wait-what?”
“I’m not letting you hail a cab at this hour to go across the city,” he frowned. “I think even Nate can understand why I’d be with you.”
“Scott, you don’t have to-”
“Hey, we’re friends,” he reminded her pointedly. “What kind of friend would I be if I let you wander the dark street of New York?”
Her eyes narrowed. “You do realize I’m a native New Yorker and you’re the guy who mixed up Brooklyn with NYU, right?”
He winced and ducked his head. “Fine. Then just indulge my manly pride and let me help you out for a change?”
Jenny clamped a hand over her mouth to keep the bubble of laughter from slipping out. Her blue eyes were brimming with laughter. “Your manly pride?”
“Yes,” he replied calmly with an arched brow. “Are you coming or not?”
Sighing loudly, Jenny nodded and followed him out into the night.
***
New York was the city that never slept and Columbia University was no exception. Carman Hall was brimming with social activity past midnight. Students lingered in the lobby in clumps and lights were on in over half the windows on the upper levels.
Standing outside the dorm, Jenny suddenly saw the flaw in her plan.
“I guess you don’t have a key, do you?” Scott asked from beside her as they both stared the locked glass doors.
She rolled her eyes, amazed she hadn’t thought of this. “No, I don’t have a key,” she finally answered.
He nodded beside her, his shoulder brushing against hers as they silently stared.
She fished her phone out her pocket.
Scott’s hand closed over hers. “What are you doing?”
“Calling Nate. I don’t think my aim is good enough to hit his window with a rock. He’s on the tenth floor.” Her eyes narrowed as she scowled up at him.
“And if he’s asleep?”
She dismissed that thought with a wave of her hand. “He won’t care.”
“Are you sure he won’t mind?” Scott looked pointedly down at her. “What if he has some huge exam in the morning?”
“He’d rather I woke him up if I was here,” she replied, annoyance beginning to seep into her tone.
“Really? How can you be so sure?”
“Because that’s who he is. That’s who we are. It won’t be the first time I’ve woken him up in the middle of the night,” she answered, thinking back to the brief time Nate lived with her family in Brooklyn. She smiled, remembering the times she had snuck out of her room in the middle of the night and they would stay up watching old movies, praying her father or Dan wouldn’t come out and see them cuddled together on the couch.
She tried to pull her hand away, her eyes meeting his with confusion when he didn’t immediately let her go.
He let her hand go after a beat and held up his hands, surrendering. “If you’re sure.”
“I am.” She hit the send button and waited as his phone started to ring. She glanced at Scott. “You can go now, Scott. Thanks.”
“Maybe I should stay. You know, in case he isn’t here or something. Take you home?” He flashed a smile full of dimples and white teeth.
“I’ll be fine,” she answered, shifting her weight as his phone rang for the fourth time.
“Jenny?” Nate’s voice was rough from sleep.
“Hey, you,” she greeted, unable to help from smiling into the phone.
“It’s after midnight. Everything OK?” He was more alert now, concern flooding his voice.
“Not really. I need to talk to you.”
“OK,” he said after a second and she heard movement as he started to pull clothes on. “Are you at the Palace or in Brooklyn? I can be there-”
Relief washed over her. “Actually, I’m here. Downstairs.”
“Downstairs?” he repeated.
“Outside. I don’t have a key to this place,” she reminded him, thinking of the key he gave her to his apartment on the Upper East Side.
He chuckled, the rumbling sound making her stomach muscles clench in anticipation. “I’m on my way.”
She hung up her phone, still grinning. She turned and saw Scott had backed off, but was still there. “He’s coming down.”
“You want me to stay?” he offered. “I can tell him that you’re interested in nothing but friendship from me. Hold him down, if need be.”
“No, I think I’m good,” she replied. “But thank you for coming with me. You OK to get back to NYU alone?”
Scott smiled, his blue eyes dark. “I’ll be fine. Have a good night, Jenny. I’ll see you later.” He gave her a small wave and started to back away. After a second he hailed a cab and climbed inside.
Jenny turned back to the doors of Carman Hall to see Nate stepping off the elevator in sweat pants and a thin white t-shirt. He pushed open the door, shaking his head.
“Jenny, what are you doing here? It’s late.” He came to her and pulled her into his arms without another word, kissing the top of her head. His body was still warm from sleep.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted out against his chest, blinking back tears. She pulled back to look him in the eye. “I didn’t realize … I mean, if you think I have anything other than platonic feelings for Scott-”
He put his finger against her lips, silencing her. “I’m sorry.”
She blinked. “What?”
“I shouldn’t take my insecurities out on you. It’s just different. I’m so used to being with you all the time and now…” He sighed and trailed off. “I was a jerk last night, and I’m sorry.”
“You know I love you, right? Not Scott?” Her lips started to curve into a smile.
“I know,” he answered, dipping his head to kiss her slowly. He teased her mouth open, sliding his tongue against hers languidly as his hand tangled in her hair, freeing it from the messy knot she wore while working. Her hair tumbled around her shoulders, tickling his neck.
“I can’t believe you came here,” he said after a moment, leaning his forehead against hers. “I mean, it’s late.”
“I needed to see you,” she replied, looking at his eyes. The look of complete love and adoration stole her breath away. She wrapped her arms tighter around him, wishing desperately they were back in his apartment and not standing outside his dorm.
“I’m glad you came.” He kissed her again, his hand sliding up her back. He broke away with a groan. “You should go. I have an early class.”
“Yeah,” she agreed, tracing his jaw with her fingertips.
“I wish I didn’t have classes all day,” he said, reluctant to let her go. “I’d come back up and have dinner with you.”
“We can make it a late dinner,” she teased, nuzzling his neck and kissing the pulse point she found.
“Not a bad idea,” he murmured. “I don’t have class until noon the day after that. I can crash at the apartment tomorrow night.”
“Isn’t your mom still out of town?” Jenny reminded him innocently, looking up at him with wide eyes.
“I think she is,” he said slowly, starting to smile. “I guess I’ll spend the night all by myself.”
She shrugged. “If you insist. I can drop you off at home after dinner.” She started to step away. But he hauled her roughly against his chest, his arms tightening like a vise around her body.
“I’m thinking we’ll order in,” he replied firmly.
A full blown grin blossomed on her face. “Sounds fun.”
Nate laughed and kissed her once more. He held her hand in his and walked to the street, hailing a cab in no time and opening the door for her.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Jenny promised, hugging him tight. “I love you.”
“I know,” he answered sincerely as he let her go. “I love you, too.”