Chapter 2: Jenny Humphrey

Blair Waldorf was bored. Her best friend, Serena Van Der Woodsen was with her boyfriend Ben Donovan at the loft, playing 'scrabble', or pretending to play. Since when did Serena play 'scrabble'? Blair chuckled to herself even at the thought. She had given Dorota the day off to spend time with her husband and son.

Blair had attended classes and even completed the assignments. Herself. She wasn't in the mood to watch a movie or read. Or even go shopping. Or plot a scheme, even for the fun of it.

Then she had a sudden thought. Where would Dan Humphrey be now? He obviously wasn't at the loft as Serena and Ben were there. And he couldn't escape them by coming to 'W' as she wasn't working there anymore. So what was he doing? Maybe he could be on a date. But no, gossip girl would report that. Anyways, she didn't like the thought of Dan Humphrey on a date.

Blair took her phone and scrolled to Dan's name in her contacts and hit dial. Dan picked up on the first ring itself. Blair was pleased. "Humphrey", she greeted Dan.

"Blair", he replied. "What are you doing?" she asked. "You mean, now?" asked Dan. "Yes", she answered. "I'm at the loft", he said. "Really?" Blair asked her tone all sugar-coated. "Yes. At least for now," he sounded resigned. "Ben and Serena?" enquired Blair. "Yeah. They are playing 'scrabble'", Dan was sounding upset. "Humphrey", Blair began. "Since when did Serena play 'scrabble'?" he interrupted. Blair laughed out loud at that. She and Dan had much similar thoughts. "I have an idea", she said to him. "What?" he asked. "Why don't you come over? We could watch a movie or something".

"That's a good idea. Except that I just thought of a better one", Dan said slowly. "Listening", she replied. "Why don't we go over to my mom's to give her the gift?" he suggested. "Dan, didn't you say our mother's birthday was next week?" she asked. "Yes. And it's almost next week. And my mom's at home. I know coz she texted me".

"Why would I go to give you're her gift?" Blair asked. "Because you helped me choose it. In fact, if not for you, I wouldn't even have a gift for her!" he said.

"Humphrey, I don't do public transport", she said, her nose in the air. "Then we wont go by public transport", Dan was smiling, she could tell. "But", she protested. "Wear jeans", he instructed. It sounded like he was about to hang up. "One minute" she shouted. "Jenny?" She asked carefully. "Will be in school", he answered. "See you soon". He hung up, leaving Blair to think about what had she just agreed upon doing.

She got up from the bed nevertheless, and walked over to her closet. She picked a dark blue pair of jeans and a floral-printed blouse to wear. She hurriedly slipped her feet in her favourite Prada stilettos, grabbed her purse and ran to the lift. She was just in time, as right then, the lift doors opened and Dan emerged. He looked her up and down, causing Blair to blush. She hoped he would pass that off as extra blusher on her cheeks.

"You'll do", he said nodding to himself. "c'mon", he continued, going back to the lift. Blair followed him, getting confused. If they were not going by public transport and he had told her to wear jeans, then how were they travelling?

"Vespa", he announced as they walked to a shiny scooter parked on the sidewalk outside her building. She was scared of scooters. There was no way she would sit on that thing. "Humphrey!" she exclaimed. She was going to make it clear for him. "Cool, right?" he asked, grinning. "Oh! I almost forgot. This is for you." He handed her a black helmet. She took it from him, staring at him open-mouthed. "Put it on", he said, putting his own helmet on his head and strapping it to hold it in place. When Blair hadn't moved, Dan took the helmet from her hands and strapped it on her head for her. He frowned. "I hope you hair wont be ruined". He was worried about her hair, when she was worried about her head.

"Dan", she said, shaking her head, which was feeling heavy because of the helmet. "I can't sit on that thing!"

"Have you ever ridden on a Vespa?" he enquired. In response, she looked at him with wide eyes. "I'll take that as a no", he chuckled. "There's always a first time", he continued, sitting on the scooter. "C'mon Blair", he said, patting the pillion seat. "It'll be fun!" he promised.

Blair was torn. Half of her wanted to run back to her room right away, while the other half wanted to let Dan surprise her. "I don't think 'Gossip Girl' will recognize you", Dan Said, reassuring her. Gossip Girl? Oh god! She hadn't even thought about 'Gossip Girl'? Now, she began to hyperventilate.

"Hey Blair" Dan said, taking one of her hands in his. "Look at me", he asked. She did. "Do you trust me?" he asked looking deep in her eyes. She nodded, surprising herself with the knowledge that she, Blair waldorf, trusted Dan Humphrey. "Then please", Dan motioned to the seat behind him with his eyes. "I won't let anything happen to you", he said solemnly. She believed him. She let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding and moved to sit on the scooter. "Thank you" Dan whispered, squeezing her hand. A jolt of electricity passed through her at his action and the smart retort she had planned to give was forgotten in her mind. Now a new worry formed in her head. How was she going to sit so close to him when his mere touch was having this effect on her? An effect she hadn't expected?

"Blair?" Dan was still whispering. She trusted him. So she was going to do this, she decided. She settled herself on the scooter and snuggled close to Dan liking the feel of his leather jacket.

"Ready?" he asked. She managed to nod her head. "Okay. Here we go", he said. And they were flying. Dan could drive well. He was weaving in and out of traffic with expertise.

Blair liked the rush of wind on her face. She slowly began to relax. She found herself smiling and enjoying the ride. Even the traffic seemed interesting. She noticed a young girl fighting with her older brother in the backseat of the car beside them, and the driver in the front seat ignoring the children's fighting. She heard Dan chuckle. He, too, was watching the scene with her. Blair had a sudden inspiration. "Hold on", she whispered to Dan. Leaning towards the car window, she rapped smartly with her knuckles. The children stopped fighting and stared at her. Blair motioned them to open the window. The boy did so. "What happened?" Blair asked the young girl. "He took my doll!" the girl cried. "I did not!" the boy replied hotly. "You did!" the girl shouted. "Did not!" Her brother yelled. "Hey! Hey! Stop fighting!" Dan joined in. "now", Blair began, when both the children stared at them, their faces grim. "Who saw the doll last and where?"

"It was with me in the car. But he took my doll and hid her," the girl pointed at her brother. "I did not take you stupid doll!" he shouted. "My doll is not stupid!" She cried in response. Before the boy could reply however, Blair held up her hand. "I think", she said, "There has been a major misunderstanding. Does your doll have blue eyes?"She asked of the girl. She nodded. "It's on the front seat!" Blair exclaimed. "Maybe you forgot you kept it there".

"The young girl excitedly checked the front seat and exclaimed in happiness when she found her doll there. "You should say sorry to your brother" Dan suggested. The girl looked at Dan and her brother and said in a small voice, "I'm sorry Tommy". She hugged her doll tight. The boy glared at his sister and said, "Its okay. I'm glad you found your doll!" "Me too", his sister said smiling.

The light changed then and they had to move forward. As they moved, the girl said, "thank you!" to Blair and Dan. Even her brother cracked a little smile.

"Good work, waldorf!" Dan said as they raced after the car. "Thank you Humphrey", she replied. "I had an inkling the doll would ne the reason". "What I don't understand is that the driver was completely oblivious to the situation!" Dan exclaimed. "Oh, drivers are", Blair stated. As Dan raised his eyebrows, Blair continued, "I would know". Dan shook his head and looked forward.

"Here we are", Dan announced as they stopped at a modest looking two-storey house. Blair was surprised. How had they arrived so early? And she was nervous. What was she going to talk to Allison? What would she think of her accompanying Dan?

Dan parked the Vespa and collected his mother's gift bag which he had hooked under his seat. "My mom is going o be surprised!" he exclaimed as he walked towards the front door. "I'm sure", Blair said slowly. "Surprised to see the both of us with this fabulous gift for her!" Dan said, ringing the doorbell and holding up the gift bag. As Blair was about to reply to Dan, the door opened and Jenny Humphrey stood in the doorway.

"Dan!" she screamed and launched herself at her brother. "Jenny!" Dan exclaimed and hugged his sister. "You're at home?" he asked. "Yep! School left early today!" she answered. Then she turned towards, "Blair", she said, her mouth hanging open. "Who is it Jenny?" called a voice from inside, most probably Allison.

"Mom, its Dan", jenny yelled. "With a friend", she continued, looking at Blair. "Dan!" Allison came up behind Jenny. She hugged him. "What a lovely surprise!" she continued as she led them in the house. "Yeah. Lovely", Jenny commented, still looking at Blair and then Dan.

"Jenny, can I have a word with you", Dan asked his sister. "Sure", jenny replied. Dan looked at Blair and flashed a brief reassuring smile. Then he and Jenny disappeared.

"Please sit", Allison said to Blair as they settled in comfortable sofas. "Haven't I seen you before?" she enquired. "Yes", Blair nodded. "At thanksgiving in Mr. Humphrey's house. I'm Blair waldorf".

"Oh yes!" Allison exclaimed. "Aren't you Serena's friend?" before Blair could reply, however Jenny and Dan re-emerged and Jenny said, "and Eleanor waldorf's daughter". Allison looked at Blair and beamed. "Jenny is forever going on about you and your mother". "About me?" Blair looked at Jenny. "Yes", she said. "You have impeccable taste. And your mother is a fabulous designer", she continued.

Dan chuckled. Everyone looked at him. "A dictator of taste", he said looking at Blair. She smiled. "How about some Apple pie?" Allison asked of everyone. She smiled and rose from the sofa, headed to the kitchen. There was an uncomfortable silence till she returned and placed delicious Apple pie on the coffee table near the sofa.

"Mom", Dan said, "happy Birthday!" he handed her the gift bag. "Dan!" she exclaimed. "Open it!" he said. Allison traced her fingers over the elegantly patterned 'EW' on the bag, making Jenny gasp. She took the box out of the bag and unwrapped it carefully. Opening the lid of the dress box, she gasped when she saw the wine-coloured gown. She held it up in her hands and felt the soft material of the gown. "Oh Dan!" she exclaimed, "It's so beautiful!"

"It's exquisite!" Jenny said, staring at the gown. "Blair helped me pick it out. In fact, if not for her, I wouldn't have been able to choose a gift for you", Dan said. "Thank you Blair", Allison said, looking at Blair, smiling widely. And then she got up and hugged Dan. "Mom, those new earrings will match your gown perfectly!" Jenny said. "Yes, they will", Allison said, still admiring the gown.

"Why don't you go try it on", Blair suggested. Dan's mother looked at her and then nodded thoughtfully. "Go mom", Dan encouraged. "Wear those earrings as well" Jenny commanded as Allison headed to the stairs. She nodded, smiling at Jenny.

Just as Allison disappeared in her room, Dan's phone rang. He looked at it, and then muttered, "I've to take this". He excused himself and went in the kitchen.

"So Blair", Jenny began. Blair looked at her. "Why don't you have some pie?" Blair said, "Jenny, get to the point". "Dan told me that you're his friend", she sighed.

"I'm", Blair stated. "Are you really?" Jenny asked, raising her eyebrows. "What do you mean?" Blair asked. Jenny sat on the far end of the sofa, picked up a plate of pie and said, "You know what I mean Blair. Is this some new scheme of yours?"

"No", Blair said quietly. "Dan is my friend. And a very good friend at that".

"That's what Dan said", Jenny looked at her. "It is true", she answered. "How come? You never even talked to Dan before. And now suddenly you are friends?"

As Blair was about to answer, Jenny interrupted her, "all I'm saying is that Dan is my brother. He is a fantastic brother. Furthermore, he is genuinely a nice guy. I don't want him to get hurt".

"I won't hurt him!" Blair exclaimed. "Or at least I don't want to hurt him. This is not part of any scheme. We are actually, unbelievably friends. And I know Dan is a nice guy. You don't have anything to worry about", she finished.

Jenny listened patiently. "I believe you", she said. "But Dan's got me if something does happen". Blair nodded her head.

Allison came in the room then. "Mom!" Jenny exclaimed. "You look wonderful" Dan said, emerging from the kitchen, placing his phone inside his jacket. Allison was looking fabulous in the gown, it complimented her complexion well. The earrings Jenny spoke about were long and wine-coloured, matching the gown perfectly. She beamed at all of them and hugged Dan and Jenny. She came over to hug Blair and said, "thank you" with such genuineness that Blair blushed. Nobody had thanked her with such sincerity.

Now she knew where Dan inherited his niceness from. Jenny had it too. Only it had got lost in the 'Upper east side'. So she was stuck here, with her mom. But she seemed happy enough.

"Why hasn't anyone eaten?" Allison asked in a dismayed voice. Blair and Dan picked up plates of pie, Dan settling besides her on the sofa.

"Do you know where Dan went before calling me?" Blair asked Jenny. Her eyes widened even before Blair mentioned the name of the store and she whacked Dan on his arm. "Dan!" she screamed. He looked at her. "You're on 'Gossip Girl'! Being in that store is social suicide!"

"It's the closest to the loft!" Dan defended himself. "Exactly", Blair smiled. "Thank god Blair helped you out! Who knows what you would've got mom for her birthday!"

"Nothing. Because everything looked the same to him", Blair stated. "Yeah. It did", Dan admitted sheepishly. "Anyways, I'm really glad both of you came here", Allison smiled at Dan and Blair. "Me too", they said in unison and then looked at each other.

"Me three", Jenny said, raising her eyebrows and looking at her brother and Blair Waldorf.