Now that the brief euphoria born of sheer relief had dissipated, Dan found himself at loose ends. Once Nate had left him, he faced a hotel of strangers, with no idea of what his next step should be. His dad's phone seemed to not be ringing at all. He's finally, reluctantly given up all thought of trying to make it to Brooklyn.
He had made up his mind to go to the bar in search of Serena when he heard a familiar voice calling his name. He stopped abruptly, scanning the crowd anxiously, worried that his hearing had betrayed him. All at once, the crowd parted and the girl herself was walking towards him. She was still in her evening gown and the vestiges of the night's adventures hung around her, but Dan thought he had never seen anyone so beautiful.
"Serena!" he cried, grabbing her upper-arms in his hands. He pulled her into a tight embrace, allowing himself a moment to luxuriate in the fact that she was here and alive. "I was so worried... I got your text but..." he shook his head to one side, as if dashing out a dozen horrible imaginings. "But you're safe now, right?"