Waldorf Penthouse, New York
18th October 2007
Slowly Dan and Blair made it to her bedroom where they continued discussing various carefree topics, when Blair changed direction.
"Dan" Blair started and she felt Dan tense beside her. "Dan, please, talk to me. You know I don't beg and here I am imploring you to confide in me. Let me know how you are really doing, I can't help you unless you tell me the truth."
"I will tell you, if you tell me how you are really dealing with Serena. Deal?" He stuck out his pinky in a childish gesture that had her pushing past her fears and joining her pinky with his.
"Deal" Upon hearing her words, Dan got up off the bed and started pacing.
"It's not fair, my parents gave up so much to give me the opportunity to go to Dartmouth, and Nate... well honestly Nate does no work and just gets the position handed to him on a silver platter. I may not agree with the way the world works but at least you work for what you want. I just... I sometimes wish my dad never sent me to St. Judes so I wouldn't have to deal with this, but then everyday I am grateful for it because I wouldn't even get half the opportunities that I get here at another school." Dan looked at Blair helplessly.
Blair latched onto Dan's hand and pulled him to the bed. Sitting him down she crawled into his lap knowing the only way she was going to make it through this conversation was to be in his arms.
"Serena and Nate are so similar in that way, for example Serena thinks she can just walk in like the last year hasn't happened. She acts like what she did to me way like taking a piece of candy, that it meant nothing. Like she didn't ignore my calls for months." By this point tears were streaming down Blair's face.
"Can I ask you a question?" Dan's eyes stared into Blair's, and when she nodded her head he continued. "What makes you think that hurting Serena is going to make your hurt go away? Look what happened today and all you got from it was a bruise."
"Inflicting pain on her is the only way I can get her to see even a fraction of the pain she caused me. It hurts so much to see her face and all she does is smile, and in her own way unintentionally drag the spotlight back to her. I do see your point though." Dan wiped away the remaining tears and attempted to cheer her up.
"That's all I was hoping for. Now about that bruise." Dan eyes gleamed with delight as he pulled her leg closer to him, kissing his way up to the bruise.
"No you don't" Blair stated dragging his head back up. "We haven't finished talking about you" Dan groaned as the talk shifted back to the problems he was trying hard to forget. "Here's the deal if I manage to get you into the party wether it is pouring drinks or as a foot stool, you will not be moody about it. At some point you will get to meet J.L Hall and he will be very impressed with you. However I will only attempt to do this if you promise you can put your elitist views aside for an afternoon and enjoy any time you may have with Hall. Can you do that?"
Dan stared in awe at the brunette in front of him, so small and petite yet had the power of a lion. "I can, I promise you that." Pulling her even closer than she already was he breathed in the smell of her lavender shampoo and immediately felt calmer. Titling her face up to his, Dan softly kissed her and attempted to pull back, but was locked in place by Blair's hands wound tightly in his hair. Finally the both pulled away breathless.
"What... was... that... for?" Dan's voice was raspy and he greedily sucked in oxygen.
Blair pushed Dan back down on the bed and moved into his awaiting arms, moving so that they were on their sides and she was tucked face first into his chest. Drawing shapes on his chest that caused a shiver of pleasure to run through him, Blair finally answered.
"For understanding me, like no one else does." She sighed contently and buried herself in Dan's shirt. Her breathing became shallower as the seconds passed, his heart beat pounding steadily in her ear would skip a beat every time she shifted and soon enough she had fallen asleep. With her rhythmic breathing lulling Dan into a sense of security he quickly joined her.
"Miss Blair, oh Miss Blair please wake up" Dorota shook Blair and Dan trying to get one of them to wake.
Finally Dan stirred and Dorota turned her hushed pleas to him. "Mr Dan, Mr Chuck is waiting downstairs and says he has news for Miss Blair, and I said I would go get her, that was five minutes ago and I can hear him getting restless he may come up and she won't wake up."
Dan took a deep breath, "Tell Chuck to come up in five minutes, tell him Blair was having a bath and will be ready in five minutes. Wait no don't say that, the perv will take any chance he gets to see a female naked. Just tell him Blair wants him to wait five more minutes while she gets everything ready, and knowing Chuck that should give us three. Do me a favour Dorota don't let him out of your sight till the three minutes are up. Okay?"
"Tell him five minutes watch him for three, got it" Dorota turned to leave, but stopped as she saw Dan stroke Blair's face lovingly and watched as Blair's eyes immediately fluttered open as if she knew it would be Dan she would see. Smiling to herself Dorota turned and headed downstairs.
"Blair" Dan moaned as he pulled away from her. "As much as I'd love to continue this, Chuck is downstairs and should be up here in about 2 minutes though we are supposed to have another 4."
"What" Blair had completely forgot about Chuck and her plans. Dan watched her start to panic, and once again he got a stab of hurt that she felt ashamed of being seen with him. Yet his hurt was soothed instantly by her next words. "I don't want you to go, cant we just let him see us and be done with it." Despite his heart swelling at her words he knew she was still to integrated in her status amoung her peers and he did not want her resenting him for losing that as a result of them going public. As she said things that work for Serena don't work for everyone.
"I don't want to leave either, but I know you don't want to tell everyone about us just yet or send Chuck as the messenger for that matter so I promise I'll call you tonight and until then" Dan pulled Blair into a tight hug crushing his lips against hers until they were swollen. He placed a quick kiss to her forehead, fixed her headband and headed to the bathroom, where he would wait, go out the adjoining door and retreat to Brooklyn, hoping his dreams of going to Dartmouth weren't gone yet.
"Admit it; even for me this is good." Blair agreed with Chuck it was in fact good, but her newfound conscience a result of meeting Dan she supposed, wasn't allowing her to fully believe this was the full story. But she praised him anyway.
"If you weren't such a perv, I'm sure the CIA would hire you in a second."
"Defending my country, there's a future I never imagined."
"With good reason. What is she doing there?" Blair knew if she was going to take this shot, she would need all the information not just photos.
"Well what's anyone doing there? It's a facility for the disturbed and addicted."
"You must have your own wing."
"You don't get nearly enough credit for your wit." Blair smiled as she thought about the only person who gives her credit or matched her wit.
"So the question is what do you do now?" Chuck's voice brought her out of her musings about Dan.
"Oh, I was thinking total social destruction." Blair planned while Chuck walked around examining her bed.
"And here I thought you were getting soft." The comment was a good stroke to Blair's ego.
"So this is your bed, huh?" Blair shot Chuck a look of discontent, snatching her blanket that still held the traces of Dan's warmth on it out of his hands.
"Leaving now." Blair had officially reached her time limit with Chuck and needed to regroup her thoughts.
"You can repay me another time." Chucks voice was impatient as he walked briskly out of her room, frustrated that he did not get any compensation for his snooping.
St. Judes, School for Boys, New York
19th October 2007
Blair overheard Dan's dad trying to convince Lily to let Dan be part of the 'refreshment committee' and knew this was her chance to keep her promise to Dan. She had come hoping to convince one of the ushers that he didn't want to do it, but this opportunity was even better as it gave her the chance to find out more about Serena and the Ostroff Centre.
"Lil, please I'll even volunteer my services as Entertainment Committee chair" Rufus had a small smile on his face that he knew not even Lily could say no to.
"No." Apparently the smile wasn't as successful as he believed it was, but luckily Blair took that as her chance to chime in.
"Mr Humphrey, what a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Blair Waldorf a friend of Jenny's. Lily its been too long, how is the planning going?" Blair introduced herself as she shook Rufus' hand and turned to Lily.
"Everything is going according to plan, Blair. Why do you ask?"
"Well I was just thinking that some music would definitely make the party better, and why not give Mr Humphrey the opportunity and see where he goes with it, if he and I believe it's Dan are as strong willed and hard working as Jenny then everything should go smoothly."
"I agree" Rufus chimed in hoping a double team would make an impact. Lily desperately trying to get Rufus to leave, reluctantly agreed and introduced two new committees. Rufus knew not to push his luck and made a break for it. So Lily was surprised when she turned around and saw Blair still there.
"Anything else Blair?"
"Yes, I just wanted to say I'm here if you need me for anything, Serena told me about the situation at" Blair lowered her voice to a whisper, "the Ostroff Centre" Lily attempted to keep her shock in check, yet she knew if there was anyone Serena would have told it would have been Blair. Blair watched Lily's mind work keeping a concerned look on her face and knew she would need to keep her face blank to whatever Lily told her next as to not blow her cover.
"She told you about Eric?" Lily asked needing reassurance.
"She did, and I just want to help you in any way I can." Blair's demeanor was calm but inside her mind was racing. The boy she considered her own little brother was in the Ostroff Centre and no one told her about it.
"Well thank you Blair, at the moment I'm just taking this one step at a time, but I'll call if I need anything." Blair reached out and gave Lily a genuine hug surprising Lily but she accepted it happily.
Constance Billard, School for Girls, New York
19th October 2007
"My father would never forgive me if I didn't introduce myself. He said that you two used to be CRU together." Blair was talking to the Yale Rep when Serena interrupted.
"CRU? Oh hi, I'm Serena Van Der Woodsen." Serena flashes her killer smile and shakes the rep's hand as Blair instantly recognized what Serena is doing. "Blair, I didn't know that you are interested in joining CRU." Blair glared at Serena quickly.
"I'm not! I was just saying that there's a family connection because of my father-" Blair was swiftly cut off by Serena.
"Because I didn't think you were interested in athletics at all. Well especially ones where you might get your hair wet." Serena condescendingly stroked Blair's arm as she continued to belittle her to the Rep and attempt to destroy Blair's lifelong dream. Really if she wanted forgiveness she was going the wrong way around it. "She's really more of an indoors type of girl. Oh my goodness your glass is nearly empty. Let's get you a drink." Blair and Serena had a mini-showdown leaving Serena temporary winner.
Chuck swiftly diffused the situation by moving onto the next stage of the plan.
"Dr Ostroff! Blair, Doctor Donald Ostroff."
"It's such a pleasure; I've heard such wonderful things-" Blair leads Dr. Ostroff away, explaining what he will need to talk about when she calls him up.
"Hi! You're Eric, right?"
"You're Jenny, Dan's sister."
"Yeah! We met at-"
"-Bendels. Yeah I remember." Neither notice Howie Archibald walking up behind them or Blair standing just behind the archway listening intently to the whole conversation.
"Cool!" Jenny's response is a reminder to Blair of just how young the both Eric and Jenny are.
"Eric! Good to see you. You enjoy Miami?" Howie Archibald asks politely on his way through.
"Ah… yeah! Save the manatees!" Eric is quickly running out of animals to pretend as the Miami mascot.
"Manatees?"
"It's a long story." Eric says exhausted already from the social interactions.
"I've got time."
"It's a little dark." He feels like he should warn her as everything about her screams innocent.
"I can handle it." Something about her take no prisoner's attitude causes Eric to divulge his story.
"So, we moved into a hotel and it was just the two of us and I was really lonely." Eric voice shakes a little as Jenny gives him a sympathetic smile.
"So, that's when you?" All Eric can bring himself to do is not his head.
"So I ended up at the Ostroff centre and my mom says that they're the best councillors but what they really get paid for is to keep their mouth's shut." Blair overhearing the whole conversation nods in agreement as silent tears fall.
"Look, I won't say anything. I promise." Jenny says firmly, though her mind reminds her she will inevitably tell Dan as she needs someone to help her through this and it's not like Dan is going to tell anyone.
"So… do you wanna go back in?" Jenny asks hopefully
"Yeah and answer more questions about Florida?"
"I have a grandma that lives in Fort Myers. I can help think of some material." They both stand when a voice stops them in their steps.
"Don't you dare move Eric Van Der Woodsen!" Blair's voice is livid and Jenny quickly moved out of the way and retreated to the wall where Blair had been, too worried about Eric's safety to go any further. Eric is still standing shocked that he has been caught. "How come did you not come to me at all during any of this?"
"Serena left and I was there when you called in the morning asking where she was and I knew seeing me would just have been a reminder that she abandoned you. Hell she abandoned me too. I couldn't manage and I figured with everything going on in your family the last thing you would want was the annoying little brother of the friend who left."
Eric looked at Blair's face unsure how to act as he watched tears pool in her eyes. Eric finally gave in and wrapped his arms around the girl he had truly idolized as a child. Serena was lucky, Blair worked for what she got and cherished what she had and that was what Eric wanted.
"You should have come. What ever happens between Serena and I is between Serena and I, you're my little brother and I would have never forgiven you if you had of been successful." Blair was finally understanding just how fragile Eric was, she wasn't about to lose to Serena but she wasn't going to drag Eric into it.
"Jenny come here please" Blair called out, and watched as Jenny guiltily walked in, amazed that Blair had said please. She had just seen, well heard, a whole new side to Blair. "Good, now I need you to take Eric and go get something to eat, here is some money, I'll tell Serena and Lily you went home and I'll tell Dan and Rufus that you were hanging out with Eric, but after dinner I need you to get straight back the Centre and get better. Promise?" Blair stuck out her pinky the way Dan had earlier.
"Promise" Eric linked his finger with Blair as Jenny burst out laughing.
"It's so funny, that is exactly what Dan does when he wants a promise to be extra important." Blair simply turned to face Jenny and stuck her pinky out again. "I promise too" Jenny linked her fingers understanding just how much Eric's health and safety mattered to Blair.
As Blair watched the two of them walk away she couldn't help but laugh that she had managed to make a good impression on all of the Humphrey's today.
Dan stood pouring punch only complying as a result of his promise to Blair, Rufus hadn't said anything about Blair's help, but Dan knew the only person who could have talked Lily Van Der Woodsen into two new committees would have been Blair Waldorf. He was brought out of his musings by the appearance of Serena, whom he had noticed had taken the Yale Rep's attention from Blair.
"You wanna go to Yale then?" He couldn't help himself, he had a white night complex and he had to protect his princess.
"No, Brown. It's just this thing with Blair."
"I get it, since you don't actually have to worry about getting into college, why not make the entire evening about screwing over Blair." Dan doing his job regardless of his emotions, hands a glass of punch to Serena.
"No thanks." Serena was no longer in the mood for punch. Nate walked over and picked up a cup.
"Hey." Serena's bubbly voice was avoided by Nate and he looked straight ahead, he was serious in his proposal to Blair, he would work on them and avoid Serena. Turns out being rejected time and time again is enough to make him committed to his girlfriend.
"Wait, you're seriously not going to talk to me? Like literally not speak?" Nate sighs at Serena's dramatics and turns towards her.
"Hey" With that he turned back to the table.
"Oh! Much better. Thanks guys." Both Nate and Dan barely react at Serena's reaction.
"So what's he like?"
"Like a Dartmouth English lit professor that I have nothing in common with." So why the hell did he get the position? Oh right he's an Archibald. Dan thought to himself, but remembered his promise so put up a brave face.
"I guess I could tell him how everything I have, I got because I'm an Archibald." This caused both to smile, Dan thinking how true it was but could understand he may have been a little harsh.
"You should mention Dr. Seuss. Theo Giselle was his real name, he went to Dartmouth. Hall says he got the idea for "The Petting Zoo" from the Lorex." Nate being Nate and not the smartest tool in the shed looked utterly confused, his next words only emphasised this point.
"The what?"
"Umm… you know what never mind. Just mention how his prose style is influenced by early Faulkner and you'll be alright. Ah," Dan reexamined Nate, " or not."
"I was actually going to get some fresh air, how about you take these over to him?" Nate actually had a smart idea and judging by Dan's expression Nate knew he had stumped the second smartest kid in the class.
"Alright, yeah I guess he can read my post essay for 'Petting Zoo'" Dan walked away with new found determination, silently thanking Nate with a nod of his head.
"Can I please have everyone's attention?" Sure enough everyone's attention snapped to the petite brunette, expressions curious and expectant on what she is going to say. "Welcome again to the Constance Billard/ St. Jude's Ivy mixer. I'm Blair Waldorf, chair of the community outreach committee." Everyone claps politely yet she knows the only person who is really commending her is Dan.
"Every year our schools choose to support one local institution that we feel benefits our community. This year our schools have chosen to honour the Ostroff Centre." Blair revels in Serena's actions as she immediately looks for Eric only to find him missing, panicking she heads over to her mother. "This year's choice is a very personal one because the centre has helped one of our own."
Lily and Serena are muttering amoung themselves, Chuck is looking expectant, half the teenagers have there phones out getting ready to send this newest information to Gossip Girl, and the other half are searching to see if Gossip Girl already knows who it is.
"It's because of their excellent programme which aids so many young addicts and alcoholics, that a student here with us today is clean and sober… at least for now." Blair looks pointedly at Serena and other students turn to look where she is and start texting Gossip Girl. Blair smiles and Dan turns to look at Serena, he had already got a text from Jenny telling Dan what was going on and that Blair had made Jenny take Eric away. Dan understood that this was for Blair's psyche and her last bit of revenge. He caught her eye and nodded in understanding. Serena could deal with rumors as long as they are not confirmed and Eric stays out of it. He was proud of her, her methods would get her point across and the old Blair Waldorf wouldn't have thought about the consequences of outing Serena as a druggie.
"I'm not going to tell you who it is, but we can be grateful that he or she is better now thanks to the wonderful work at the Ostroff Center. Can I now have Dr. Ostroff join me on stage?" Blair finishes smiling and clapping in anticipation. Loving the ripple of shock that had raced through the crowd. As Blair made her way off stage her phone vibrated in her pocket.
Honesty may the best policy in some zip codes but not in this one and not this week cos "I Was a Teenage Drug Addict" is not exactly a winning college essay. But why the secrecy B? Perhaps someone else will have the confirmation we need, a certain Bass was looking way too smug to not have answers.
XOXO Gossip Girl
"Blair, what the hell was that?" Serena's voice shrieked
"Will you excuse us please?" Blair glanced at the Yale Rep apologetically.
"Sure" The Rep looks confused as to what is going on but allows them to move anyway.
"So we good now? We square?"
"No! Because nothing I do can ever be as bad as what you did to me." Blair snaps at Serena. Serena's eyes began to water and Blair couldn't believe Serena was actually pulling the tears.
"Look, I'm asking you please, I'll stop if you will." The defeat in her voice nearly made Blair laugh, after all these years of breezing through, when things get rough Serena just gives up.
"You're just saying that because you lost and you're gonna keep losing. Now if you'll excuse me." Blair turned on her heels and returned to the party. Catching Dan's eye as she left Blair gave him a small nod, making sure he understood that this was the chance they had been waiting for. Blair watched solemnly as Dan followed Serena outside.
"Serena! Serena!" Dan was annoyed that he had to put up with Serena's dramatics, but he would do anything to be with Blair without costing her everything she worked for.
"What?" Dan barely contained rolling his eyes, he was unsure of how he had ever been bewitched by her, Blair hadn't even outed her or her brother, yet she was acting as if she had no future. She was Serena Van Der Woodsen, all she had to do was show interest in going to a college and they would do anything they could to have her.
"No. I just wanted to ask if you are okay, and if Eric is okay."
"Wait, how did you know that it was my brother?"
"It's okay; really no one will ever hear it from me. But if you ever need somebody to talk to or not talk to. I'd be happy to go out with you." For Blair, you're doing this for Blair. It wasn't that Dan couldn't see that at one point he would have been beside himself to go out with Serena, but after being in the presence of someone as witty, beautiful and smart as Blair all Serena really had was an elusive nature, but once you caught her she was self-absorbed and while she would do most things for her family her loyalty was only dependent on the day.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"And I know I said some things about you and your world and I'm sorry. Obviously I don't know anything about your life."
"Thank you but I really need to get out of here."
"Yeah. Sure. Sure."
"But maybe I can take you up on that getting together and not talking thing sometime."
"Will you call me?"
"Yeah"
Dan watched as she walked away, a huge smile on his face as his brain swirled around various thoughts. He could now see a lot more of Blair without it being obvious or questionable. Their banter to keep up the charade of distaste, would allow them to challenge each other. Hell if he got really good at this he could possibly take up a career as a actor or maybe a spy, only if his plans of writing didn't work out of course.
The Humphrey Loft, New York
19th October 2007
"To Dan. Hope to see you in two years
- Jed Hall"
" So you really impressed the guy, huh? Must be the way you poured those sodas."
"Yeah about that, uh, I know I may have been a little light with the gratitude."
"Yeah, a touch." Rufus nursed his cup of coffee like it was his lifeline but he was never one to be above teaching his children lessons.
"But I appreciate it, all of it. Even if I sometimes don't show it." Rufus understood Dan's statement and gave him a small smile.
"We're real men son; we don't like to share our feelings." Dan couldn't help but smile at Rufus' words, it was true in a sense, but when he was around Blair all he could do was share his feelings. "But I know what you're capable of and nothing; my last name, my bank account, is going to stop you from getting what you deserve. Not if I can help it. And I see that Dartmouth has an electro acoustic music programme, what do you think of me applying?"
"What?" Dan couldn't comprehend what his dad was saying, if it was a joke it was not even close to funny.
"And Jenny's smart; we can get her early admission and maybe we'll all go."
"So not remotely funny."
Central Park, New York
19th October 2007
The rain poured heavily, some people believe it is signifying a change in the atmosphere. Serena is hidden under a huge floppy hat, reading. When Blair see's her ex-best friend she almost can't believe it is the same girl who left her a year ago. Only once she made that statement did Blair realise she wasn't the only one to change, everyone changed, well except maybe Kati and Is. For better or worse, well only time will tell.
" Whenever something's bothering you, I can always find you here." Serena put her book down and stood up her carefree nature missing for once, showing Blair just how much this fight was taking out on both of them.
"You here for another catfight?" Serena's voice was defensive and weak, showing that she knew she would lose if that was Blair's intensions, but despite that she tried to put on a brave face. Serena's thoughts were cut short by Blair reaching into her purse and pulling out an unsealed envelope, but with all the postage and Serena's name on it.
"What's that?" Serena was unable to reign in her curiosity, she knew everything Blair did was for a purpose.
"A letter; I wrote it to you when you were away at boarding school." Serena's face conveyed impatience, making Blair curl one of her small fists into a ball and release it again. Your doing this for Dan, to make things easier. "I never sent it."
As Blair begins reading the letter, Serena's face changes to one of sympathy unable to keep up her cool pretenses. There was a strange sense of relief and closure that rushed over Blair, and she wasn't sure she wanted to continue with the next part of her plan and risk getting hurt again by her supposed best friend. But as Blair looked down she saw a flash of glitter on her hand that had transferred from her brush and immediately remembered why she was doing this.
"Dear Serena,
My world is falling apart and you're the only one who would understand. My father left my mother for a 31 year old model; a male model. I feel like screaming because I don't have anyone to talk to. You're gone. My dad's gone. Nate's acting weird. Where are you? Why don't you call? Why did you leave without saying goodbye? You're supposed to be my best friend. I miss you so much.
Love Blair."
"Why didn't you send it? I could've-"
"You could've what!" Blair's voice cracked as she pushed past the bubble that had formed in her throat because of her unshed tears, she was all raw emotions now. A state Blair was not comfortable in, put knew she needed to deal with these unresolved issues. "You knew Serena and you didn't even call."
"I didn't know what to say to you. I didn't know how to be your friend after what I did. I'm so sorry." Serena's voice mimicked Blair's as the truth poured out between both girls.
"After everything with Eric; I guess your family's been going through a hard time too." Blair looked at Serena and Serena knew she was not apologizing for her earlier actions, she also knew she was not forgiven but she knew for now Blair would cease trying to harm her emotionally or physically. Blair wasn't sure she was ready for the possible consequences so she quickly but her walls back up, turning to leave she felt her phone buzz.
Spotted in Central Park: Two white flags waving. Could an Upper East Side peace accord be far off? So what will it be? Truce or consequences? We all know one nation can't have two queens. What happens next? Only time will tell.
XOXO Gossip Girl
Proud of you, see you in an hour.
- CP
Blair smiled at the idea of seeing Dan later, the Gossip Girl blast made her weary about what she had just agreed to but it was worth it if it meant she didn't have to be on guard and conscious of where Serena was at all times.
Serena watched Blair's face transform as she looked at her phone, Serena had gotten the Gossip Girl blast and knew it couldn't be the blast that made her that happy. Serena knew that look was one of love, leading her to believe it was from Nate. Serena felt a pang in her chest, she loved Nate, she truly did but he was Blair's and she wouldn't do that to Blair again. Besides she has a chance with Dan now. That thought put a smile on her face. Both girls went their separate ways, both with smiles, both thinking about the same boy. Yet only one truly holds his heart and she knows it.
