A/N: I thanked each reviewer individually, but I do not want to leave out my readers who aren't FF members (or those who haven't enabled PMs). Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! Glad you all liked the first chapter. I have much more planned for this story.

Since classes just started this week, I will have less time to write. However, I don't want to take forever between updates. Therefore I am thinking about doing shorter chapters, but try to update weekly (bi-weekly maybe?). I hope that's okay! And hopefully I stick to that.

As always, thanks to Sarabrowncolorado and Marlie. :) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl.

She really wanted to hate him. She really really did. Ever since she agreed to have him move in, she wanted to despise him. Have a little fun and make the move difficult.

But goddamnit he was attractive.

He and Nate showed up—as expected—later than their scheduled arrival time. They blamed the traffic, but after seeing the horribly, pathetically taped boxes that now sat on her guest room floor, she figured Dan had done some last minute packing.

The moment the elevator doors opened, she was expecting his jaw to drop at his new residence. Surely he had never been in a Penthouse before, right? But instead, he flashed a charming smile, took her hand, and gave a slight bow.

"You saved me," he said, winking. "I owe you."

And before she could even respond or rip her hand out of his grasp, he backed away to start moving boxes, never once glancing around the grandiose apartment. She didn't know what offended her more: him, for not commenting on how nice her penthouse was. Or her, for finding it endearing.

It didn't take long to notice that Dan was different. And attractive. The way he dressed was frustratingly fashionable; his jeans were the perfect fit and although his button-down looked nice, it was far too plaid for her taste. She could tell that the quality of his clothes were less than par, but only her eye would be able to figure that out. And his hair. She sort of wanted to rake her fingers through it.

He brought less stuff than she assumed he would, which made her relieved in a way. She didn't expect him to sparsely decorate the penthouse with his belongings, but it was a nice knowing it would still feel and look hers.

Dan moved efficiently and quietly, bringing the boxes up the elevator, from the car, then up the staircase. She couldn't help but notice how not out-of-breath he was—even after the many trips up and down the stairs—and the way his muscles worked when he lifted anything heavy. Nate, on the other hand, seemed to complain the entire time, huffing and groaning at how tired he was. When he asked for the tenth time, "Ugh, how many boxes are left?" Blair had to bite her tongue before she lost it on him.

Finally, after the last box was upstairs and placed neatly against the wall with the rest, Nate said goodbye. He was tired, sweaty, and on Blair's last nerve, so she happily waved him off. It was only when the elevator shut that she realized she was alone...with Dan. Nate's presence and groans had made the entire afternoon seem less awkward than it would have been if they were by themselves. And now that they were, reality set in that it was just them.

She heard rustling from upstairs, so she quietly made her way to Serena's—his—room. Blair stood in the doorway as she watched him tear open box and after box, as if looking for something.

"Forget something?" she asked, voice breaking the silence.

Dan looked up in surprise, not expecting her. Laughing, he said, "No. I'm just figuring out what the hell is in each box. And regretting asking Nate Archibald to help me pack."

He gave a boyish grin that made her heart jump a little, but when her eye caught the knocked over picture frame behind him, rage flooded through her. She raced over to the bedside table and picked it up, gasping at the broken glass that fell from it. It was a picture of her and Serena from the summer; Lily had taken it in the Hamptons while both girls were tanning on the porch. Adorning sunglasses and stylish one-pieces, both girls looked totally old-Hollywood glam. Serena had given it to her before she left, and Blair absolutely adored it. And now the frame was broken—because of him.

"The least you could do is be mindful of my things," she snapped, furious at the tears that prickled her eyes.

His face fell. "Oh my gosh," he said nervously. "I didn't realize—"

"Well maybe you should pay more attention." She knew she was being hard, after all, it was just the frame that had broken, not the picture. But this wouldn't have happened if he hadn't moved in.

"I'm...I'm really sorry Blair," he said sincerely.

"Just forget it," she said, placing the picture back in the pile of glass. He couldn't even apologize again before she was out the door. When he heard her door slam, he sighed. Five minutes later, a piece of paper slipped under his door. Completely curious, he picked it up and read it.

House Rules:

1. No parties or large groups unless approved by me prior to the event.

2. No overnight guests unless approved by me. (And yes, this includes drunken one-night-stands!)

3. My room, as well as the master bedroom, is absolutely off-limits.

You may use the kitchen and laundry room whenever you like, and you may borrow any movie or book in the house.

-BW

Smiling to himself, he placed the rules on the bed and began to unpack.

::

The next morning, Blair awoke early and in desperate need of tea. Without a glance in the mirror, she pulled on her robe and made her way downstairs. When she walked into the kitchen, she gasped. "Oh!"

Dan looked up from the paper he was reading. "Are you okay?"

She cleared her throat and nodded. "I...forgot you were here."

A smirk graced his lips. "Sorry. You're stuck with me." She didn't crack a smile. "For a few weeks, at least."

She watched as his eyes made his way down her body and a blush rose to her cheeks. It was only now that she became aware her robe was undone, and she was wearing a very revealing baby-doll slip underneath. She realized in horror that she was practically half-naked in front of a stranger. The last man who had seen this much of her was Chuck—and he was her boyfriend.

"Eyes on the paper, Humphrey," she snapped, tightening the robe across her body. However nice it was to see a man appreciating her body again—because it was clear that he liked what he saw—she was still embarrassed. He quickly looked down, puzzled by her sudden nickname for him.

Once she put on the pot of tea, she faced him again. "I'm going to change, but would you mind turning this off if it whistles?"

"Sure," he said, not looking up from the article he was reading. She smirked; he learned his lesson.

Once she made it upstairs, she nearly shrieked when she saw her appearance in the mirror. Her curls were messy—but in the un-sexiest way possible—her cheeks had faint pillow marks, and she still looked utterly exhausted. Sighing, she showered, changed, and spent more time than normal on her hair and makeup. Once she was satisfied with her appearance, she waltzed downstairs to find Dan putting the kettle back on the stove.

"What are you doing?" she asked, slightly out of breath.

He laughed, then took in her appearance. "You took so long the water got cold again."

She looked at the clock; her eyes widened when she saw she had taken an hour. "Oh," she said quietly, blushing for the second time that day. "Thanks."

He nodded wordlessly and walked to the sink to wash the plate he had used. She watched as he carefully dried and placed it back in the cabinet.

He turned and noticed her staring; she quickly spun around and took off the teapot, even though it hadn't whistled, and fixed her tea. Once she was done, she sat down at the counter and watched him gather his things.

"Hey, um...after class I'm going to grocery store. Would you like me to pick up anything for you?"

She was taken back slightly, surprised by the offer. "Dorota usually does my grocery shopping."

He looked confused. "Oh, does Dorota live here too? I thought it was only me—"

Blair rolled her eyes. "No, she's the housekeeper."

He raised his eyebrows. "Housekeeper?"

Suddenly realizing how bad it sounded, she softened. "She's also sort of like a fashion assistant and...a really good friend."

At this, Dan remembered what Nate had said the other day. Her best girl friend lives in Providence, so her current best friend is her housekeeper...

She continued, "You'll see her one of these days. She has two young kids, so she doesn't work full-time anymore, but she'll be around.

"So I shouldn't call the police if I see someone dusting my bookcase?" he teased.

A smile played on her lips. "No, you shouldn't."

"Okay." He smiled back. "Well, I'm off for the day. Are you sure you don't need anything from the store?"

Taking a sip of her tea, she shook her head. "I'm sure. But thanks for offering."

"No problem. See you later."

"Bye," she said, before turning her attention back to her tea.

::

After a long day of classes, Blair was immensely grateful to be home. The second the elevator doors opened, the most glorious smell wafted over her and she was automatically drawn to the kitchen.

Sitting at the counter was Dan, holding a fork in one hand and a book in the other.

"Hey," he said, noticing her presence right away.

"Hi."

After a beat, he asked, "Did you eat? I have plenty left."

It smelled too good to pass up. "What did you make?"

Grinning, he replied, "Spaghetti bolognese. Secret family recipe."

Taking a step closer to him, Blair couldn't help herself. "What's so special about it?" It came out more flirty than she had planned.

"If I told you, I'd have to kill ya," he teased back.

She laughed easily and nodded her head. "I'd love to try it."

Looking happy and a tad proud, Dan got up and fixed her a plate, then poured her a glass of wine. "Enjoy," he said, before taking his seat again.

Once she took a bite, she vowed to find out the secret recipe; whether it be letting him live there forever, a date, or, god, even sex—it was the most delectable meal she had ever tasted. "I'm impressed," she admitted. "It's delicious."

Dan smiled. "Thanks." Then, pushing back his chair, he reached into his bag and pulled out a wrapped gift. "This is for you," he said, handing it to her.

She took it cautiously, both confused and completely curious.

She gasped once she opened it. He had put the picture of her and Serena in a brand new frame.

"Oh," she said, not knowing what else to say. "Thank you so much." Suddenly, she felt extremely guilty at the way she had yelled at him. "Sorry about last night. It was a long day and—"

"I deserved it," he said. "And I'm the one who should be sorry; I should have been more careful." It was quiet for a moment before he asked, "Who's in the picture with you?"

Blair bit her lip and looked at the photo again. "My best friend Serena; she goes to Brown. She'll be visiting in a few weeks."

"It'll be nice to meet her," he said honestly, and Blair couldn't help but felt a pang of jealously. Not wanting to go there tonight, she brushed the thought from her mind. "Anyway, thanks for dinner."

After helping him with the dishes, she said goodnight and made her way upstairs. Once in her room, she set the picture on her bedside table and studied it once more. The frame was beautiful and actually much better than the one it had been in before. Wanting to see where it was from, she picked it up turned it around. Instead of finding the source, she instead found a note. It had one word:

Sorry.

Yes. She was going to like Dan Humphrey very much.

A/N: How was that? :) Review please!