They both stood there, speechless, searching for the right words to say. It had been so long since they seen each other last. Dan stood there gazing into Serena's sparkling sapphire blue eyes. Something was different about her, he couldn't figure it out. Her long silky blonde hair was tied back into a messy bun. How he had loved to run his fingers through her hair, playing with her golden locks while they cuddled up together. He glanced at her plump pink lips. How he yearned to have his lips around hers, to feel the sensation of her tongue on his, to taste her hot breath while they kissed. It was like a drug to him. He needed her. Every last part of her. She was beautiful. Always has been, always will be. She could feel him staring at her. It made her feel uncomfortable but she couldn't keep her eyes off him. His deep brown eyes, framed with thick black eyelashes scorching into her own eyes. The feeling he gave her when she looked deep into his eyes was overwhelming. It felt as if they were connected, she could see straight into his soul. As if she knew everything about him in their one piece eye contact. She noticed how his hair had grown into a wild jungle of dark brown curls. He looked adorable. She stared at his jaw. She thought it was his best feature. It was as if was chiselled by god himself. The amount of times she had kissed his jaw were countless. She wished she could have the chance to kiss him again. To feel his skin on hers she would do anything. But she knew it was too late, she had blown her chance. He was probably going to hate her more than he already did now. She sighed knowing how much she had lost, yet also gained.

" Dan, what…um are you doing here? " she mumbled the first thing that she could think of.

" oh…um…Eleanor is hosting a lunch downstairs " he said glancing down at his feet.

" Yeah I know what's happening downstairs, I'm just wondering why you're here? "

" Eleanor invited my dad and he made me and Jenny come with him. I wasn't really up for um coming here. Well um out really. It just isn't my scene. Well its not a Humphrey scene really. Well maybe Jenny's scene. I…I…um." He trailed off realising he was doing his nervous rambling.

Serena chuckled quietly at his rambling. It was the first time in months she had laughed and he was the one that had made her feel alive again.

" I'm surprised to see you here though. Lily told my dad you was in the Hampton's still. I wouldn't have come if I knew you was going to be here "

Her heart sank. He obviously hated her.

" Well I was in the Hampton's but I came back last week. I needed to sort things out in the city. My mom doesn't know I'm back yet. I've been staying with Blair "

" Oh right. I'm sure the Hampton's is boring. Why breathe in the fresh sea air when you can breathe in the stale polluted air of the city"

" Yeah, yeah sure. Well its good to see you. You umm look well." She lied. It was awful seeing him, every millisecond she fought against the urges to grab him and place her lips on his. He looked pretty bad. She thought he lost weight. His eyes were red and a bit puffy. She didn't know if it was because he was upset or tired from sleeping with countless different women. She choked a little at the last thought.

" Yeah its um nice seeing you too, you look different though. I can't figure it out. You are sort of glowing " He put two and two together.

" Oh umm you must being seeing someone. Well um congratulations " Dan turned and walked away from Serena.

All she could do was stand there shocked. It was if her mind couldn't control her mouth or legs. She needed to stop him walking away again. She still loved him. She couldn't let him go twice.

She ran along the hallway and flew down the stairs. She was searching for him in a room full of high class socialites. She couldn't see him anywhere. She spotted Jenny and Eric standing against a wall, laughing and joking. Everything in their lives seemed so easy, so uncomplicated. They seemed so happy where as her life was falling into pieces.

" Eric, Jenny have you seen Dan?"

" Yeah sure he just got the elevator down. He seemed upset Serena what happened?" Her little brother asked her but she didn't have time to speak with him. She had already turned and made her way towards the elevator.

The elevator took ages to make its way up to the penthouse and back down to the foyer again. She felt that every second going by was an hour. Every second that went she was getting further and further away from Dan. She needed him.

The elevator door clicked and the doors opened. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her across the foyer. She pushed open the heavy glass doors and stepped onto the busy new York street. She knew where he would go. He would sit in central park with his notebook, writing about what just happened.

She hailed down the first taxi she could see and hopped in. She told the taxi driver where to go and to be quick.

Dan sat there on a bench opposite central park fountain staring aimlessly into the park. There were kids playing football on the hill, a mother pushing her child near the fountain, a man walking his dog, a young couple hand in hand sneaking in kisses at every chance they could. It made him feel sick. He and Serena used to be like that. They were so in love they couldn't keep their hands off each other. She would quickly peck his lips with her own when he wasn't expecting it. He would grab Serena around the waist and lift her up and kiss her neck when she was walking in front of him. They loved each other so much, so how could she have moved on? He thought of the way he felt everyday. Waking up and realising she wasn't his anymore. Seeing things that reminded him of her. Hugging the cardigan she had left at his. His heartaches everyday, not getting easier. Only harder. Each day he was apart from her, not hearing her voice, made it unbearable. He couldn't live a day without thinking of her. She was in his mind constantly. Everything he did, thought, it always came back to her. His heart was in a million pieces that all belonged to her. He didn't want his heart if he didn't have her. It was hers and would always would be. His eyes had formed tears but he thought them back. He didn't want to shed another tear for her. He had given everything of himself to her and now he was finally spent.

He hadn't realised a leggy blonde walking towards him until she whispered his name.

" Dan " She had tears running down her cheeks which were red. Her hair was windswept from running.

" What are you doing here Serena? " It came out harsher than he had meant but he didn't want to apologise for it. She had hurt him so much.

" I..umm… I couldn't let you go again Dan. I'm sorry for everything I've done to you. I'm scared Dan. I've never had a real boyfriend before I don't know how to be a good girlfriend. You are my first love. I'm never ever going to love someone as much as I love you. You mean everything to me. I know I've screwed up big time. But I will let you have all the time you need to think about this as long as you promise to take me back. I am nothing without you. I need you. I love you with all my heart Daniel Humphrey " She looked up at him hopeful through her tear filled eyes.

" I..S-Serena. What about your new boyfriend does he not mean anything at all to you? "

" I was never with anyone else Dan. You got the wrong end of the stick. I couldn't even think to look at another boy. I haven't stopped loving you. I haven't been able to think about anything else but you for the past 2 months. You don't know how much I depend on you Dan. Please tell me if you don't feel the same. Look me in the eye and tell me and if you don't feel the same Dan. I will be gone. I will leave you to live your life without me. Just tell me Dan "

Dan looked at Serena lovingly. Of course he still loved her, how could he not. She was the one for him. He didn't ever want anyone else apart from her. He was shocked that she felt the same way. He wanted her to move on, so at least one of them could have a happy life. But to know she was as upset and torn up about this as he was broke his heart. To know the tears she cried were for him made him want to punch himself. Why hadn't he gotten her back ages ago? Why had he let her go in the first place.

Dan wiped a tear off Serena's cheek and cupped her face in his hand. He looked deep into her eyes and saw the same love he had for her reflected into her eyes.

" I love you Serena " he bent down and placed his lips onto hers.

" Its going to be forever this time. I promise I will never let you go again. Your mine and will always have my heart" He murmured against her lips.

" You wont ever be able to escape me again. I'm never letting you out my sight. Serena and Dan forever and ever " She smiled and kissed him passionately.