Author's Note: In case there was any doubt, Dan is the hero in this story…but for all the CB fans out there...I have a little more for you guys :D

Chapter 10: Speak to me

Serena could feel her tears soaking through his shirt. She clung to him tightly hoping that his nearness would make all the pain and fear dissipate. A part of her was surprised that he was standing here holding her like this. It felt like she'd been holding on to this secret for a good part of her life, but what she'd really been doing was hiding. She was seeking an escape from the feeling of never being good enough. There was still so much that Dan needed to know before she could let him face Catherine. He was determined to go with her.

"Shh, its okay. Let it out, baby. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere," he cooed as he gently rocked her. It struck him that this was the second time in less than a year that he stood in the middle of a Manhattan street comforting Serena. For the longest time, she had been his dream girl, but now she was so much more than the girl that he'd admired from a far. He was in love with the real Serena. The girl, who was afraid that she'd never feel love, but gave it freely anyway. He loved the vulnerability and the way she could make his day brighter with a simple smile. He just hated that he made her feel like he wouldn't accept her for who she really was.

Dan lifted her head so that she was looking into his eyes. "You know, you can tell me anything. I love you, Serena. There isn't anything that you can say that would change that."

Serena looked up at him and wiped the remaining tears from her eyes and smiled shyly at him. She knew that he must feel hurt that she hadn't told him, but it was so hard to explain her actions.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was, um, afraid you'd leave. That you wouldn't want me if you knew the truth. It's not you, but me. I mean look at me. I have such a shady past and you're so good; so noble. Why would you want someone like me if you knew the truth?"

It broke Dan's heart to hear her speak like this. He gripped her by the shoulders and said, "Don't talk like that. Don't you know how wonderful you are? Nobody's perfect. So, you have past. Its not like I didn't know that you partied. We all mess up and my reaction when we first met didn't help, but I've learned a lot since then. Serena you can trust me. Trust that I will love you not for who you think you want me to know, but for who you really are. You're an amazing person. Now, I think I've used up my cheese quota for the day," he replied with more than a hint of sarcasm.

Serena smiled at him and said, "I love you Dan. I know this isn't the best time to say or even like this, but God I just love you." She wrapped her arms about him and started feathering him with kisses. She'd held back from telling him so many things, but now she started to wonder why she'd done it. A part of her still felt like this was all too good to be true, but right now she didn't care. Dan pulled her to him tightly. He had wanted to hear her say those words so badly that it was hard for him to believe that it was actually happening.

"Come on, let's go meet your psycho bitch."

Serena giggled at the way he said that, "that's mean Dan."

"Well, I think it's an apt description for her. Considering what she's trying to do to you."

Meanwhile Chuck and Blair where engaged in a silent face off with the Catherine and her nefarious cousin. Chuck could see right through Catherine; he'd seen her type before. She was your typical nouveau rich girl out for revenge at any cost. But, he it was the cousin that worried him the most. He was not like his cousin. He was not born into money, but he definitely was the sort to enjoy it whenever he got his grimy hands on some. There was something else about him that irked Chuck; something sinister.

He took a sip of his martini and eyed him suspiciously. Blair was too busy cutting Catherine down to size.

"Serena's late. I'm assuming she's gonna show or did she send the two of you to do her dirty work."

"I believe you have the market cornered on dirty," Blair said with more than a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

"Well, it really is impolite to be this late."

"hmm, somebody's a little impatient. What you couldn't buy any other friends, Cath?"

"It's Catherine."

"I prefer Catherine. Its rather feline if I may say so."

Chuck placed his hand on Blair's arm in a signal to take it slow. They had this unspoken method of communication. He loved her conniving side. It kept things interesting and Chuck bass was a man who detested boredom.

Kevin glared at Chuck. He didn't like the guy and he knew that his cousin was simply a pampered socialite that provided him with the perfect opportunity to make some easy cash. He found the rich to be rather gullible or atleast their parents were. They would do anything to keep scandal at bay. He was sure this latest bit of gossip would send this small incestuous group reeling.

"Really Catherine. You better let S know that the jig is up," Kevin said as he got up.

Serena and Dan entered the restaurant, as he was about to exit.

"You're leaving already and I was looking so forward to meeting the two morons who are blackmailing my girlfriend," Dan muttered.

Chuck raised his glass and said, "Humphrey. Always a pleasure."

"You must be Dan," said Kevin. He didn't like this. He was not supposed to be here. Rich kids were something he understood, but this Humphrey kid was not a part of his plan. He mingled with the rich, but he wasn't one of them. What he'd learnt about him didn't put him at ease. He was depending on Serena not telling him anything, but obviously she'd spilt the beans. He wondered exactly how much she'd told him. He smiled at the young man who had the potential to bring this whole charade down.

Serena glared at Catherine. She had a good two inches on the girl without heels. She couldn't believe that she'd let this stupid girl have so much power over her. "Its over Catherine. I'm done."

"Really Serena, do you really want them to all know the truth."

"It's not going to work. You have nothing on me. Tell them if you want." Serena motioned to Chuck and Blair, "come on let's get out of here."

Chuck dumped a few bills on the table and followed the three of them out the door.

The four them walked along the street in silence. Chuck managed to catch up to Blair and wrapped a possessive arm around her shoulders. "Get off of me,"she muttered.

"You know you love me," he said.

Dan and Serena turned back and laughed. They could both sense that something was brewing between these two. "When do you think she's going to admit to liking him?" Serena asked.

"If she knows what's good for her…never," Dan muttered.

"Ha, I see someone still has some Chuck issues."

He simply shrugged. The last thing that Dan wanted to talk about was Chuck Bass. Granted he wasn't nearly as big of an ass as he had once thought, but that didn't mean that he actually liked the guy. But, he'd really started to like Blair. She was definitely what his father would call a quality gal. He could even tolerate her snarky little barbs because he knew when it came down to it, she had Serena's back and to Dan that was the most important thing. He was just happy that he had his girlfriend back. There were definitely things that they needed to work on, but he felt confident that things were gonna work out.

"I'm going home," Blair said. She glanced pointedly at Chuck and added, "Alone."

"Okay B. Thanks for being there. I love you," Serena said as she enveloped her friend in a hug.

"Take care of yourself S. Remember you can tell me anything," Blair replied before getting in a cab.

Chuck watched the cab carry her away before turning back to the happy couple with a sinister look on his face. He walked between them and wrapped his arms around them and said, "Let's go home."

"I see this is going to be a long ride home," Dan muttered.

"Sorry Humphrey, I'm all about the ladies," Chuck said with a wink.

Later that evening, Dan was sitting on Serena's bed with her wrapped in his arms. They lay there enjoying the comfort of each other's arms. It was like the distance between them had finally closed and they could once again be themselves. Dan was so content and he was in love. He didn't think there could be any greater feeling. Serena turned to face him and realized that holding back the truth was slowly killing her and straining their relationship. It was such a relief just to be happy. She looked into his eyes and rolled on top of him. "You sir have too many clothes on," she said as she slowly unbuttoned his shirt.

"What if Chuck comes in," Dan asked hesitantly

"I locked the door."

He smiled and deepened the kiss as she removed his shirt. He pulled at the top she was wearing and pulled it upwards. He glided his hands along her abdomen till he reached the edge of her bra. Dan broke the kiss so he could pull her top all the way off. He threw it aside and undid the clasp on her bra. He massaged her left breast with his hand, which made Serena throw her head back from the sensation. He loved the way she reacted to him. He captured her nipple between his teeth and gently nipped at the bud. He licked and nibbled on her breast until her hips were pressing against his own. Dan could feel himself harden as he fondled her other breast. He didn't even want to bother taking the rest of her clothes off. He slipped her skirt up and pulled down her panties. "God, I want you so bad."

"Me too,"she said as she gasped for breath.

Dan took out a condom from his back pocket and quickly tore it open. He watched as Serena unbuckled his belt and slid the zipper of his fly down. She slipped on the condom and positioned herself above him. Dan entered her in one swift motion. She met him thrust for thrust. She left him absolutely breathless. He lost all semblance of control. Before he knew it she had shattered around him both of them were climaxing simultaneously. He pushed the hair from her face and simply held her.

The next morning Chuck Bass walked out of the hotel and into a town car. His father had the limo so he had called for a town car. He got in and instructed the driver to go to the Waldorf residence. Little did he know that Kevin was driving it. He smiled and drove past the address Chuck had given him and headed on to the highway. It took Chuck about ten minutes to realize that the driver was taking him somewhere else.

"Listen, I don't know what curbside they got you from, but I said to go to 10th street," Chuck snarled.

Kevin said nothing, but kept driving. Chuck was starting to get anxious. He hated not being in control. He quickly texted Blair.

B,

I think I need help.

C

"Listen, you idiot. I demand you let me out right now."

Kevin lowered the glass and coldly said, "Bass, this is what you get for getting in my fucking way. So, I suggest you sit down and shut up."

TBC