A/N: I wanted to thank everyone for the reviews and apologize for the confusion. Unfortunately, the reviews were deleted, but I got to read the reviews through my email so thank you. Also, since this story was deleted, the people who decided to follow this story will have to follow it again to be alerted. I still have a good amount of chapters left to post.

Lastly, I wanted to point out that this story doesn't follow the season 1 timeline.

Hey beautiful

Dan spun his heels and found the suave Carter Baizen holding peonies in a white dress shirt tucked into his ash grey slim fit pants.

"Dan Humphrey," Carter said with a smirk

"You two know each other," Blair asked furrowing her brows in confusion

He recalled meeting Carter while playing basketball with Chuck and Nate. He later discovered Nate had spent the night playing high stakes poker with Carter only to learn that he had been set up.

"Nate's going to be upset your here," Dan told Carter

"I'm sure he will be, he got played," Carter said. "But that doesn't mean you should be. Me and you have a lot more in common than you think."

He's heard stories of how Carter Baizen didn't accept his parent's trust fund and went hunting for treasure. Some said he left the UES to backpack in Europe to discover himself. All of those rumors were fictitious and gave him too much credit. In reality, Carter was in a shit load of trouble and had a large gambling debt.

"Because we're both outsiders," Dan concluded leading Carter to smile. Dan turned his head to Blair. "I'd make sure to keep your jewelry in a safe, other than that, have fun."

Dan then headed out of Blair's penthouse wondering what the hell Blair was thinking.

XOXOXOXO

Dan spent the next few weeks surprisingly gloomy. He told Nate about Carter which made Nate furious. Chuck sent a P.I. to investigate Carter's past while Serena was telling him about how Carter was just using Blair and she was setting herself up to get hurt. It seemed Blair didn't care, as long as she expected to get hurt, she was fine with it.

He tried to ignore the drama and spent most of his time in the loft writing. His schedule consisted of school, working at the coffee shop, soccer, classwork, and writing. All of his feelings were written onto his notebook. His father began to worry while Nate and Serena kept calling, but he continually ignored them. He didn't want to go out and get wasted so he could escape his emotions. He needed to figure out what these feelings meant, and in the end, it only led him to one conclusion.

He had feelings for Blair.

As he sat in his room writing on his study desk, his phone vibrated. For the first time in weeks, he received a text message from Blair.

Blair: Having people over at my place ;)

He groaned in annoyance and rolled his head back as he ran his hands through his hair. Partying was the last thing he wanted to do. He had just came back from a soccer game and his whole body was sore. He could just ignore her like he had been doing with everyone else, but for some reason he had trouble saying no to Blair.

XOXOXOXO

Entering the Blair's foyer, the guys were wearing loafers with button downs or sweaters that cost more than his bed. He himself went with a simple grey long sleeve Henley and black pants. As he entered the living room, he found Blair chatting with Carter leading him to feel a sting course through his heart. His solution for being able to get through the night was alcohol and finding someone to take his mind off Blair.

Stepping into the dining room, he found Nate mixing hard liquor with some fruity drink into a large red plastic cup. Nate was wearing a blue blazer with a yellow button down underneath. It was still amazing to see how overdressed these people were. Sometimes he just wished he went to a regular school with normal people so he wouldn't feel so out of place.

"Dan, you're actually here," Nate said looking surprised. He then handed Dan the liquor bottle leading Dan to take a swig from it. "Whoa!" Nate's eye's widened in amusement. "You alright there buddy."

"I'm fine," Dan replied pouring himself a drink in a red plastic cup on the side. "Where's Serena?"

Nate frowned. "She's out with a friend."

Dan glanced over to Nate who seemed a bit distressed. "Is everything alright?"

"Serena's becoming distant and my parent's marriage is waning, not much is looking up for me," Nate said looking more brooding then Dan had ever seen him.

"I'm sorry man."

Nate looked up and shrugged his shoulders. "My dad's been pressuring me to get back together with Blair. He desperately needs the business deal with the Waldorf's to work out."

Dan leaned his back against the dining room table while taking a sip from his cup. "Wow," Dan stated in disbelief. "Have you told Serena?"

Nate shook his head. "What's the point when I can feel her drifting away?"

He had no idea Nate's relationship with Serena was in trouble. He was so consumed with himself that he wasn't paying attention to the people around him.

"I miss Blair," Nate admitted quietly

Fuck my life

"I made a mistake," Nate added

"That's completely understandable, you guys had been together forever. I'm sure she misses you to. She has to be," Dan reassured Nate after clearing his throat.

"You can't tell anyone, you know a nuclear war would occur if Serena found out," Nate said

"Of course, this stays between us."

Nate leaned his back against the table as well and took a sip from his red plastic cup. "I think Chuck has feelings for her as well," Nate confided in him leading him to perk up and raise his brows. "He's been in my ear about loving Serena for the past 2 years."

"Maybe Chuck's just trying to be a good friend."

"He was the one who ratted me out to Blair about sleeping with Serena," Nate said with his jaw beginning to clench. "He was apparently watching us having sex at the Shepherd's party." Nate shook his head. "Blair finally told me how she found out last night."

"I don't know what's worse, Blair dating Carter, or dating Chuck," Dan replied. "Have you talked to Blair about Carter?"

"I've been trying to, but she says I have no right to speak to her about who she dates," Nate explained.

Carter was clearly up to something because he was running low on cash and he had already stolen Chuck's watch and autographed baseball.

"I'll talk to her man."

Nate nodded before Dan headed out of the dining room.

After talking to Nate, he walked away thinking he needed to move on with someone else so he could get over Blair and not become involved in this strange love pentagon.

Chatting with Emma in the kitchen was helping him keep his mind off Blair. Her black hair shined and her amazing long tan legs stood out. She was of course as well put together as the rest of the girls in Constance were. They had nothing in common other than the fact they both played soccer and it was how they met, they would talk at times in between soccer practice.

"So I heard you scored today," Emma said

"Yup, first and probably last time," Dan replied before licking his lips and smiling.

Emma giggled. "You're not that bad."

"Humphrey! What a surprise," Blair said leading Dan to turn around and find her standing by the doorway of the kitchen. "What are you wearing?" Blair scrunched her nose and then looked at Emma. "By the way, Leslie was looking for you, she said something about meeting her in the guest bedroom."

Dan's tilted his head and knitted his brows together. "Really, so this girl conveniently told you that we were planning to meet in your guest bedroom."

Blair just shrugged her shoulders batted her eyelashes looking as innocent as possible. "I suppose she's very drunk."

"I don't even know a Leslie," Dan exclaimed getting annoyed

Blair was glaring at Emma leading her to become fearful. "I should go, it was nice talking to you Dan," Emma said and scurried out of the kitchen like a deer hearing footsteps, leaving Dan with Blair.

He watched her step closer while pursing her lips and smiling like she was victorious. "What the hell was that," Dan asked

"I was just saving you from making a mistake. I heard she's pretty hairy down there," Blair said pointing to down with her finger.

Everything came back to sex to these people. They don't understand that he was just trying to get to know her, and if they kissed, it would only be considered a plus for him.

"Why do you care," Dan inquired

"And I heard it smelled like tuna," Blair added ignoring his question while wrinkling her nose in distaste.

Dan shook his head. "Now you're just being mean," Dan said leading Blair to giggle. "Are you drunk?"

"Just a little," Blair replied demonstrating how small with her fingers. She then slowly pressed her back against the counter and he could notice her trying to lift herself up onto the counter but was having difficulty with it. He gently grabbed her waist and hoisted her up to place her onto the countertop. "Thank you."

"Shouldn't you be with Carter instead of trying to ruin my life," Dan asked

"But I like torturing you more," Blair teased and began playing with the buttons on his Henley. "You've been distant," Blair said quietly

"I've been busy," Dan told her as he noticed her yellow headband matching her yellow half sleeved blouse and contrasting perfectly with her white skirt.

"You don't seem happy with me dating Carter."

"That's because I don't think he deserves you," Dan explained meeting her eyes

"No," Blair asked softly

"No," Dan confirmed softly

As he met her eyes, all could think about was leaning in to meet her glistening pink lips, wanting to memorize the flavor of her lip gloss. But instead, he chose to touch her cheek with his hand and stroke it with his thumb.

"Do you know how special you are," Dan asked leading Blair to intake a sharp breath and look down as she melted into to his touch. "If you could only see what I see."

Blair's head tilted up to meet his eyes. Her eyes were softening and her full lips were beginning to quiver. He slowly slid his hand away and sluggishly stepped back towards the foyer while taking in the image of Blair with her guard down.

Walking into the foyer, he was planning on leaving. He decided it was a waste of his time to come to the party. It only made him fall harder for Blair and the only solution he could think of was distance. If Nate was being honest about his feelings for Blair, then Dan knew he didn't stand a chance with her. Nate was her prince, her fairytale. They were supposed to get married, it was set in stone.

The elevator door opened to find Serena walking in with her arm draped around the neck of a blue-eyed, pale skinned, dark haired brunette. They were laughing hard and both girls seemed to be tipsy.

Serena beamed once she saw him standing in the foyer. "Dan! You're here!"

"Well it's not everyday you get invited to a party thrown by Blair," Dan said with a smirk as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his pants.

The brunette was wearing heavy duty jewelry and the ring on her finger was unnecessary large. Her eyes were big and she could pull off the innocent act, but after watching her walk into the foyer in Serena's arms, innocent was the last thing he would call her.

"Who's this lug of meat," the brunette asked leading Dan to raise his brows

Serena giggled. "My future stepbrother."

"Well this night just got interesting," the brunette said. He watched her scan over his body and he started to become slightly uncomfortable. "Where's the alcohol," the brunette asked

"In the dining room," Dan replied

As he watched her head out of the foyer and into the dining room, he realized there was one thing for sure, this night just got interesting. He wasn't planning on leaving after witnessing that.

"What's her name," Dan asked

"Georgina."

Leaning his shoulder against the doorway of the living room with Nate by his side, he watched Georgina dance with Serena. The girl was insane, she already pulled Nelly Yuki in for a kiss while her eyes were on him. She then chugged a half a bottle of Blair's ancient wine, which led Blair to be furious since the wine was over 60 years old. The best part of the night was Georgina and Blair bickering at each other. It's always amusing to watch two bitches verbally sparring.

"What is that," Dan questioned as he was watching Georgina's legs wrapped around Serena's waist while her both her hands were on the carpeted floor and her back was arched with Serena dancing against her.

Nate laughed. "She's crazy man. You know she took Chuck's virginity in the sixth grade." Dan looked over at Nate with a look of incredulity. "Explains a lot, doesn't it."

Dan glanced over and found Blair glaring at Georgina. She then noticed him staring at her and met his eyes leading her features to soften. He was pleased and surprised to have that effect on her. After taking a sip from her wine, she stared at him intently as though she was absorbing every ounce of him. His chest began to tighten and he felt his cock twitch when she licked around her lips while staying on his eyes.

Dan turned to Nate. "I think I'm going to head out."

"What? Dan, it's only 11:30."

"Humphrey. Surprised to see you come out of your shell," Chuck said as he walked up to Nate and Dan from the foyer. "You've probably heard Nathaniel is quite upset with me."

"Yes, he told me about your obsession with Blair," Dan replied wryly

Chuck stared at Blair. "She's a rare breed Humphrey, I imagine her tasting like honey." Chuck turned to Nate. "It's sad Nathaniel wouldn't be able to confirm that for us."

Nate's jaw clenched as his eyes began to resonate with rage. "I'd shut up if I were you."

"You had her and you lost her, she's fair game. Besides, you could never satisfy her in the way I can." Chuck then leaned in towards Nate. "I would have her screaming all night."

Nate then shoved Chuck to the ground of the marble floored foyer. "What's your problem man," Nate yelled leading everyone's attention to fall on him.

Nate's a fool. This was exactly what Chuck wanted. From spending time with Chuck, he's learned everything was a mind game. Being physical wouldn't do anything.

"Nate!" Blair scolded as she walked across the living room into the foyer. "Are you out of your mind?"

"I'm outta here," Nate murmured to himself bitterly once he stepped over Chuck to head towards the elevator with Dan following his every step.

After they left the Waldorf penthouse, Nate took him back to his townhouse where they tried to play Call of Duty but the yelling and screaming of the Captain and Anne Archibald was heard through the walls. Nate looked ashamed while he felt uncomfortable. It was then where Dan realized there was so much more to Nate then people realized. He was a natural leader and felt a burden of responsibility to keep this family together. Eventually, the clock struck past one and they both decided to get some sleep. Nate slept on his bed while Dan slept on the couch in his room dreaming of a chestnut haired brunette.

XOXOXOXO

A week had passed since Blair's party. He was sitting on the bed with his back pressed against the brick wall, staring at the invitation to the Masquerade Ball. His plan of avoiding Blair was an epic failure so far. Much to the class's protest, he was paired off with Blair for their English project. Everyone was upset they would ruin the grading curve while he was feeling woozy just thinking about spending time alone with Blair.

"Dan?"

Dan looked up to his fire escape and found Vanessa stepping into his room through the window. She was even more gorgeous then he remembered. He slid off his bed and stood in front of the dark haired brunette.

"Wow, you've grown," Vanessa said with shock resonating in her voice

"Me? Look at you, you look great," Dan replied gesturing with both his hands. "What are you doing here anyway?" Dan smiled

"I'm moving in with my sister," Vanessa explained tilting her head. "This isn't awkward right? Me springing up on you?"

"Of course not," Dan said smiling and shaking his head. "You have no idea how much I missed you."

"Really," Vanessa asked sounding hopeful

"Vanessa," Jenny shouted ecstatically

He watched his sister run into his room leading them both to hug and squeal. His father on the other hand remained calm and gave her a warm greeting.

Sitting on the stools by the kitchen counter, they sat on a Saturday morning enjoying his father's waffles. The Masquerade Ball was still on the back of his mind. Since Vanessa was here, he was leaning towards not attending. It would be a good way of avoiding drama for the night. Nate had broken up with Serena and he didn't want to have to witness Nate making a move on Blair with Serena watching. It was one of the things he missed most about Vanessa, there wasn't any drama.

His phone vibrated and a text message appeared from Nate.

Nate: Can I come over? My father's in trouble

Dan: Yeah, the loft door is unlocked, come straight to my room

"Nate's coming over," Dan stated as everyone was enjoying their waffles.

"Who's Nate," Vanessa asked

"Only the best looking guy attending St. Judes," Jenny explained. "He has these dreamy blue eyes and perfect blonde hair."

"Which takes him hours to maintain," Dan added

"Nate? That's Serena's boyfriend right," Rufus inquired

"Ex actually. They broke up a couple of days ago. There are rumors flying around about Serena being a lesbian with Georgina," Jenny told them leading Rufus's eyes to widen

Dan stuck his hand out to stop the madness from continuing. "Okay, stop freaking Dad out with these senseless rumors. The truth is that their relationship was based more on physical attraction than anything else, and it just fizzled out."

They heard a soft knock on the loft door and Dan went to see who it was. He opened the door to find Blair on the other side standing in her Burberry London Wool Kimono-Sleeve Cape jacket.

"Humphrey," Blair stated simply while stepping in without an invitation. Her eyes glossed over to the counter where everyone was eating. "Hi."

Dan followed her eyes to Vanessa and a fake smile began to creep up on her lips. "That's Vanessa," Dan pointed out.

"Nice to finally meet you, although Humphrey has never spoken a word of you," Blair said scanning over Vanessa. "You must not be that important," Blair said indifferently and Vanessa's jaw dropped as Blair went into Dan's room with her chin high.

Dan smiled uncomfortably. "That was Blair."

Following Blair into his room, he made sure to close the door to his room since he knew how nosy Jenny could be.

"You didn't have to go all Blair on Vanessa," Dan said trying to sound mad, but he just sounded weak. He couldn't be mad at her, especially since it gave him hope that she was being territorial.

Blair rolled her eyes. "What are you wearing tonight," Blair asked ignoring his comment. She looked around and began studying his room.

"You came here to ask me what I was wearing for the Masquerade Ball," Dan inquired with a smirk. "There is a thing called cellphones Waldorf." Dan stepped closer, invading her space and noticing her recoil slightly. He hated how her heels would keep them on the same height level. "To answer your lame question, I'm leaning towards not attending."

"But you have to attend."

"I don't have to do anything. Besides, I recall you saying I wasn't worth wasting posh paper on. So why does it matter," Dan said.

"I was wrong for saying that."

Dan tilted his head playfully and gave her a smug grin. "You were wrong because….."

It was amusing to watch her struggle. It was as though her admitting they were friends was like him having to tell someone they had cancer.

"Because….Because." Blair drew a deep breath. "Because we are…Friends," Blair murmured quietly

"Geez, try not to have a stroke Waldorf," Dan said with a smile. "Now that you're being honest, tell me why you're really here." He could see her still having trouble with her attempt to avoid his eyes. Dan lifted her chin with his fingertips and met her eyes. "You can tell me anything. I'm not like the others. There's no motive with me."

Blair slipped away from his fingertips and stepped back. She looked frightened and timid. "I have to go. Come to the masked ball or I'll have your head," Blair said tersely as she scurried out of his room and the loft while he was left scratching his head.

After they finished eating, Vanessa sat on his bed crossing her ankles while Dan was sitting on his desk chair facing her.

"So have you dated anyone since…"

"Since I told you I loved you," Dan interrupted Vanessa leading her to nod shyly. "No. You?"

"Yes, but nothing serious," Vanessa said looking down and playing with the hole on his blanket. "Couldn't get over me," Vanessa teased leading Dan to raise his brows. "Too soon?"

"There is someone that's been on my mind."

"Oh," Vanessa replied looking disappointed

Dan knitted his brows together. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, tell me about her." Vanessa looked up to meet his eyes, attempting to mask her disappointment.

Dan bit his lower lip thinking before speaking. "I have feelings for Blair, the girl who was just here."

"The elitist who said I was insignificant and then ran off acting as though she had just been infected with some disease," Vanessa said looking at Dan incredulously. "You sure know how to choose them Dan."

"Vanessa," Dan groaned rolling his head back

He felt a bit worried sharing his feelings for Blair to Vanessa. Vanessa was judgmental and hated everything about the Upper East Side, but there wasn't anyone else he could to speak to about it. With Vanessa, there was no way their conversation would get out in school or in his social circle.

"I just think you're setting yourself to get hurt, you don't belong in their world," Vanessa reasoned softly.

"You think I want to feel this way? You don't think I understand that we're from different worlds," Dan asked looking at Vanessa in disbelief. "These feelings are killing me. I'm in agony here. My best friend is in love with her and I'm going to have to watch him sweep her off her feet."

"Wow, I'm sorry Dan, I didn't know how much you liked her."

Dan slide off his chair and stood up. He reached out for a box in his dresser and tossed it on the bed. Vanessa arched a brow and opened the tiffany's box to find a sterling silver oval lock pendant. Vanessa looked pulled out the eighteen inch chain necklace and found the words Always in my heart, together or apart inscribed on the back of the locket.

Vanessa glanced over to Dan. "How much was this?"

"550 dollars," Dan said running his hand through his hair nervously.

"Dan!" Vanessa scolded Dan. "How could you even afford this?

"I've been working at the coffee shop down the street and had been trying saving money for a laptop," Dan explained standing at the edge of his bed. "Blair's birthday's next week so I spent it on the necklace instead."

"Are you insane," Vanessa yelled. "This isn't even something you would do. The Dan Humphrey I know doesn't give jewelry as a gift. He's more sentimental."

Dan sighed in defeat. "I know, I'm pathetic." Dan plopped back down of his chair.

XOXOXOXO

It was everywhere he looked. The Captain was being charged with embezzlement and fraud. The previous night, Nate had came over to the loft and began telling him of his father's troubles. It felt like he was listening to Nate drop everything off his chest. He was shocked listening to Nate's revelations. The Archibald's, considered royalty to some, were having money problems. It was even more surprising to learn of his father's drug issues. Nate had just recently found a plastic druggie bag of cocaine in his father's cabinet.

Nate pleaded with him to attend the Masquerade Ball, stating that he didn't want to be alone. Dan decided against it, explaining that he was planning on attending a concert with Vanessa. Once he woke up the next day, he discovered Nate's father had been arrested.

For the rest of the week, Nate began sleeping over at his place. Nate couldn't stand to watch the bank and the feds take his family's possessions. It led his mother to be in tears and his father to become overwhelmed with guilt.

As the days passed and they inched closer to Blair's birthday, Nate started becoming more and more anxious. The Archibald's didn't have any money to spend and Nate couldn't give Blair his family ring. It was a symbol of the business deal. Dan thought Blair would understand and he could've given her something more sentimental, but Nate wanted to give her something that would help him win her back. Nate told him Blair valued jewelry more than anything. He disagreed, he always found Blair to be more of a romantic, but how could he argue with someone who dated her for his entire life.

The night before Blair's birthday, Dan made a decision to help his friend.

"You should give this to Blair," Dan said standing in his room while handing Nate a Tiffany's box.

Nate opened the box and reached for the necklace. "Always in my heart, together or apart." Nate read the inscription.

"I knew you wanted to give something special to Blair, so I bought this necklace for you to give her," Dan explained

Nate tilted his head up. "I can't accept this."

"You can. I know you're good for the money," Dan told Nate. "Besides, you would do the same for me."

Nate smiled in disbelief. "I don't know what to say."

Dan reached out to touch Nate's shoulder with his hand. "Tell her you love her and that Serena was a mistake."

Nate was a good guy who would treat Blair right if he had been given another chance. They seemed to be in love before Nate's mistakes and he could see how much Nate regretted his decisions. Unlike him, Nate could fulfill all of her dreams. Nate was everything she wanted.

I know it might be surprising that N/S didn't last but they didn't last on the show either. They seemed to have fizzled out so I was staying true to that. I do think it's plausible for them to be endgame, but I didn't think it would make sense in this story because they're so young right now and Serena likes to date around, her character doesn't seem like the settling down type. Besides, I always felt Nate loved Blair more.

R&R are always welcomed