In Plain Sight

by gift of the gabz

Season One Re-write: What if Blair and Dan had met each other before, and one week in Paris led to more than the two of them ever let on. Are 'Cabbage Patch' & 'one 95-pound package of girly evil' really terms of discontent or terms of endearment. Will they grow together and take the UES by storm?

20. Hi, Society Part 3

St Jude Courtyard, New York

6th December 2007

"Dan! Wait up!" Dan turned his head confused about who would be calling after him. Though smart he was not the one who jocks turned to when they needed their schoolwork done. He did not have really any friends among the boys at school and he hadn't lost any bets, threatened anyone or hit on anyone else's girlfriends today so he was sufficiently stumped, perhaps they had him confused with the other Dan in their grade. "Dan!" This time the voice was closer and when Dan turned back around he narrowly missed colliding with an out of breath Nate. Dan couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him, though Nate was one of the main players on the lacrosse team his morning and afternoon joints with Chuck were hindering his lung functioning. And the image of a puffing Golden Boy made him cackle.

"Hey Nate. What are you doing?" Dan figured the best way to deal with the situation was to pretend that this wasn't complete out of normal expectations and let Nate say whatever it was he needed to say. There was no way Nate knew about him and Blair but Dan still decided to play this close to the chest.

Nate sent a playful glare at Dan when the later was unable to contain his laughter. Standing to his full height Nate crossed his arms over his defined chest and waited for Dan to get it all out. Tapping his foot in annoyance Nate quirked an eyebrow, "whenever you're ready." Nate's voice dripped with sarcasm and Dan coughed twice trying to dispel the remaining chuckles knowing Nate's carefree attitude would only last so long.

"Okay, but seriously what do you need me for." Dan opened his bag fishing for his phone as he felt it vibrate again against his hip. While Nate was dressed in his sports uniform obviously having it last period, Dan had opted out of the class the minute it became an option. Instead he had taken up Art History which while being unbelievably boring thanks in large parts to their teacher was pass/fail and therefore it provided an hour of text time with Blair who had French at the same time. French came as easily to Blair as breathing does to the rest of the population so the teacher kindly ignored the tapping that accompanies her lesson long texting. Unfortunately today Dan's teacher had been ill and they'd had a substitute. Normally substitutes are a reason for cheer but today their sub had just broken up with her fiancé if two years and decided to take her pain out on the class therefore giving a pop quiz. And as such all phones had to be turned off and placed on the front desk until the end.

"Blair's text said she texted you that she would meet us here so you could help me prepare for the Cotillion." Nate's head was cocked to the side as he wondered if perhaps he had gotten the wrong person. But the only Dan he knew that would be able to help with dancing was the one before him. The other Dan was on the football team, weighed two hundred and fifty pounds and would most likely punch a guy if he mention the word dance.

Dan nodded distractedly as his screen snapped open he noticed five texts from Blair.

Madame Dubois, is droning on about

her husband's infidelity again.

- H

Her youngest son's been accepted to Yale,

lucky bastard. Her other son's new baby

girl's named Annie. Annie Dubois. I like it.

- H

Are you there? It's been twenty minutes and

you're not responding. Is everything okay?

- H

Fine, I'm asking E if you're both alright.

- H

Heard about the pop quiz, you'll do great.

Sorry about freaking out. Love you.

- H

Meet Nate and I outside in ten.

- BW

"Oh Blair wanted us to meet here. That explains the running, I wouldn't want to be late either." Nate looked at Dan as if he had grown another head before he wondered if anything he had said in the last few minutes while Dan had been looking at his phone had sunk in and people always said Dan could multitask it was good to know his just like all the others of his gender - one track minded brains.

Absentmindedly they both let their eyes roam the courtyard for the determined brunette. Dan could feel that she was nearby his body so attuned to her that knew when she had entered within a certain distance of him but it seemed to be failing him, he kept feeling she was right behind him but when he turned she was nowhere in sight. "Well you're both late anyway. Come on we've got work to do." All it took was the sound of heels clicking on the stone of the courtyard to have the two boys running after her. Dan turned to Nate and shook his head wondering just how they allowed Blair to have that much control over them. Well he knew why he did it but he had no idea why Nate continued to allow it, if he had to guess he'd say it was just a habit now.

Blair's phone sounded as turned the corner, instantly halting her stride and allowing the boys time to catch up with her as she read the Gossip Girl blast, the words instantly putting a smile on her face.

Spotted: Queen B, reinforcing her status leaving N and Lonely Boy running after her. But where may I ask is S? Has a new alliance been formed in my city. With the big night 3 days away who knows what drama will unfold. It seems B has a plan up her sleeve and it started with replacing the Prince with N as her escort. All's fair in love and war but whose side is B on?

XOXO Gossip Girl

"You know I haven't seen you this happy about a Gossip Girl blast since she told everyone that Penelope got her nose fixed over the 4th of July weekend, not that anyone couldn't tell anyway." Nate murmured from next to her ear. Blair's smile grew to a smirk as she remembered that weekend with fond memories, that definitely taught Penelope to think twice before crossing Blair again, what was even better was that Blair didn't even send the tip in everyone just assumed she did. Blair cast a sidelong glance at Dan as he silently read the blast over her shoulder.

He couldn't help but think Blair looked regal in the accompanying photo while Dan and Nate looked like buffoons madly chasing her. He understood that seeing in print that Nate was her official escort as opposed to the Prince, made her happy with her decision and he was glad that at least one of her dreams from childhood was coming true even if it was simply a friend date. "Where is Serena anyway?" Dan's question blew hot air across her exposed neck and she had to suppress a shudder, though she could almost see Dan's knowing smirk. Turning her head to face him, her own face was inches from his as she answered.

"She said something about returning to Prescott's to figure out the dance, turns out she wasn't actually paying attention Yesterday." Blair could tell that Nate's sigh of relief was simply a result of the fact that despite being just friends Serena's obvious and constant mission to be back as Nate's shining star was taking a toll on him. "Where's Vanessa?" Blair asked the question for Dan's sake, she understood that he was still angry at Vanessa but she knew he missed his best friend more than he was willing to admit and not seeing her or knowing where she was had dampened his mood a few times since she returned.

"She's gone up to Vermont for the weekend, her sister's playing a gig there and she'll get a chance to see her parents again." Dan gave Blair's hand a subtly squeeze in thanks before turning to Nate. His eyes gleaming with amusement.

"So Nate, what are you willing to do to perfect this dance?" Dan's slight smirk made Blair proud and she could almost see the cogs turning in Dan's mind.

Waldorf Penthouse, New York

6th December 2007

"You want me to do what?" Nate's voice was strained as he tried to understand how Dan expected him to do a pirouette then the splits. Blair's laugh split the silence and everyone else quickly followed suit.

"Chill man, I never expected you to do the splits. The pirouette however I wouldn't mind seeing." Dan's laugh was cut off by Alyssa's elbow to his ribs. It appeared the young girl had instantly become infatuated with Nate and was now wiling to go against Dan to stand up for Nate. "Aly your betrayal wounds me." Nate had easily accepted the coincidence of Dan and Vanessa's old babysitting kids being the children of Blair's chef and never even batted an eyelash at the camaraderie between the group. "Anyway one more round for the night and then we can all go."

Dan had quickly enlisted Alyssa's help once they returned to Blair's and she had picked up the routine after three repeats, though Nate was still stuck looking at their feet he managed to figure out all the moves and all that was left to work on was his confidence and the changeover between partners.

Alyssa had to admit she loved dancing with Dan. Every movement was so fluid and secure that she was willing to close her eyes and just allow him to fully lead. However even more than dancing with Dan she loved to watch him dance with Blair, there was just something so intimate and loving about it, it was as if Blair was the princess out of a disney movie.

As they changed over to Nate, Alyssa couldn't help but flinch, sure she had a bit of a crush on him, but the boy wouldn't be able to dance if his life depended on it. Luckily Dan managed to work the routine enough that every move appeared as if it was the original but was worked slightly to ensure Nate was able to complete the move. While his lack of awareness - a result of looking at his feet - was acceptable in the confines of the Waldorf Penthouse with only four people present. With the thirty or so on the ballroom floor at the Cotillion, Nate would be bumping into a lot of people.

Alyssa couldn't contain her sigh when she was safely back in Dan's arms and she could feel his laugh shake both their bodies. As the music came to a close Alyssa drifted to Blair's side as Nate managed to somewhat slide over to Dan and with a bow it was all over.

Blair wondered to Dan's side and gave him a quick hug that was easily termed as friendly. "Thank you for helping Dan, I may just survive Cotillion if this keeps moving forward as is. Nate I got to say you're doing better than I thought you would. Who knows maybe when Vanessa gets back you can impress her with your skills." Blair's words were a strange combination of mocking sincerity.

Nate nodded thoroughly agreeing with Blair, whose sarcasm had Dan in stitches. "Waldorf as always a pleasure seeing you." Dan's comment was extended by a mock tilt of his invisible hat. Small parts of his statement were said specifically to get a rise out of her.

"Please Humphrey the real pleasure comes when Dorota irradiates all traces of Brooklyn from my home." Blair fought a blush as she realised just how hard it would be to do that on just the physical stuff. There was not an inch of her room which did not smell of Dan, or held a memory of Dan touching it. It was as if he had integrated himself so completely into her life that his presence was always around her.

xoxoxoxo

"Why do you do that?" Nate's voice held only curiosity as he glanced between the two who were now a hair's breath away from each other. They had been shouting insults at each other for the last five minutes and Nate had tuned out when they started referencing people named Faulkner and Fitzgerald. The minute he unknowingly voiced his thoughts their heads snapped towards him, their chests heaving for breath.

"Do what?" Both Dan and Blair's replies came simultaneously and Nate couldn't help but smirk at the resulting blush adorning Blair's cheeks. Her hand raked through her chestnut curls mindlessly sweeping them into a bun. Her mind running through the various possibilities that end Nate's question as she focused on cooling her cheeks.

"You switch between managing each other's presence to completely destroying each other verbally without a second thought." Nate sighed in frustration trying to understand why neither of them seemed to understand that both getting along and arguing appeared to be easy as pie for them.

"It's fun riling her up." Dan's words were accompanied by a smirk that had Nate gaping in shock amazed that Dan would not only simply do that to get a rise out of Blair but admitted it to. Blair shot a look at Dan before turning to Nate with her own answer.

"He's Humphrey." Nate shook his head unwilling to believe that either of them had just given him those reasons for why they're constantly at each other's throats. Deciding it was time to get out before they started another round of insults and through previous experience he had begun to realise that he constantly felt that he was missing something.

"Well Blair I think Dan and I should head off now, we've taken up enough of your time, I'm sure Dorota's off somewhere waiting for your next command." Nate's comment slipped out without much thought and he instantly trained his hazel eyes on the petite brunette next to him anticipating his disembowelment.

Blair's reaction was enough to cause Nate to cower behind Dan. The light sound of her laughter made him realise just how much he and Blair had suffered by maintaining their relationship. This new Blair was filled with so much joy and light that Nate couldn't help the small smile that slid onto his face. As Blair neared them to say a final goodbye Nate opened his arms and was grateful when she willingly entered them. Though their relationship hadn't been the best Nate certainly missed having Blair as a friend and the hugs she gave.

With Nate's eyes still glazed over lost in a memory he missed the victorious gleam in Blair's eye that had Dan backing up a step. His train of thought was lost as a sharp throbbing began in his upper arm. Instinctively his other hand came up and prodded his newfound injury gently. Glancing over at Dan and Blair he was surprised to find Dan looking over Blair's slightly red hand. As his brain struggled to comprehend exactly what had happened, Nate couldn't hold the disbelief from his voice when it finally clicked. "You p-punched me?" Though he knew it to be true it still came out as a question only confirmed by Blair's slight smirk.

"Next time use that pretty brain of yours before you insult me." Blair's words though threatening and being backed up by the pain both Nate and Blair were currently feeling was softened by the apologetic smile she threw at him.

"But Dan just spent five minutes insulting you and he didn't get attacked." Nate pouted and was suddenly remembering an instant from pre-K when Blair kicked Chuck in the shins while Nate got to walk away scot-free. Back then it had been because Blair had liked Nate, but that couldn't be the case now. Could it?

"Please Archibald grow up. It wasn't that hard of a hit. Besides Dan just got his ass handed to him, I was clearly winning before you chose to interrupt." A side glance at Dan showed him simply shrugging and nodding begrudgingly to the statement, but Nate still couldn't figure out how Dan ended up with the 'short end of the stick'. As if reading his mind Blair immediately responded, a smile now firmly imprinted on her bow-shaped lips. "You see while you're 'injury' will leave no physical evidence, Dan's blow to his ego was substantial enough that it doesn't matter if anyone else knows or understands what just happened, he will have to carry that with him forever."

"Exaggerating a bit, don't you think Waldorf." Dan's sarcastic remark cut the remaining silence and was met by an uniquely Blair scoff, as he turned towards the elevator Dan called over his shoulder toward Nate knowing he needed to get them out of there before Blair and he started another round of verbal sparring or worse. "She is right though, she has no mercy and no need to nurture a man's precious ego. Anyway, you coming?" Nate obediently scurried after Dan who threw one last look at Blair, his eyes burning into hers with an intensity that made her knees go week. Once her hand reached for the table to provide support Dan faced forward a smug smile on his face thrilled he could cause such an intense reaction simply be locking eyes. "See you tomorrow Waldorf."

Nate turned on the tailor's stand holding in a wince when he brushed against one of the pins still in his legs. His eyes sought out Kalista Lane the tailor's twenty-two year old daughter who quickly came and helped him out of the suit. Mr Lane wondered up to the platform and walked once around critiquing the grey fabric that now hung from his daughter's hand.

Kalista became mesmerized at the way the grey colour brought out the bright blue of his eyes. Though grateful she never had to be a debutant, Kalista couldn't help but picture herself on his arm, in one of the grand dresses she had altered over the last week, walking down the prestigious stairs of the Palace Ballroom.

"Everything all right, Mr. Archibald?" Mr Lane's rough voice flooded the room and brought both the other occupants out of their thoughts. Nate shook his head trying to clear it of pictures of dance steps and worries about Blair.

Aiming for nonchalance Nate glanced at the grandfather clock at the side of the room before speaking. "Oh, yes, everything's fine. It's just my..." Nate's words cut off as he realised that though he had never actually called Blair his girlfriend in years it had always been implied, but now he fumbled for an adequate description of what they were. "My date- she's never late, and, uh, she likes to have final approval." Nate sighed at the common term, Blair was anything but common and she was so much more than his date. She was his rock, the one who stayed with him no matter how far he'd strayed, but now, now she was his best friend often understanding him better than Chuck did and he could only feel the guilt that flooded him at his obvious lack of understanding of her.

"Sorry!" Kalista looked up as a bright bubbly voice carried down the hallway, the sound was followed by a petite brunette on to die for red heels. The smile on her face was radiant and she simply beamed, her happiness was so palpable that Kalista frowned in envy. Every other deb to enter the glass walled corner office would have been able to give a bride-to-be a run for their money in terms of who turned into the bigger monster. This one however seemed so relaxed that it was almost an unnatural sight.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry." Blair nodded briefly at Nate's suit, taking in the tails that ended at the appropriate length and the detailing along the cuffs and pockets that would match her dress perfectly. "My cappuccino was decaf, and I couldn't find my phone. It took forever to get a cab." Blair paused for a breath as she perched on the alcove along the window.

"But you live up the street." Nate's statement was laced with suspicion and confusion, the former filled him with the need to pry and perhaps find out the identity of Blair's mystery man. He was happy that Blair was happy but not knowing who she was seeing was driving her insane.

Her hair flipped behind her shoulder as she replied with a distracted "I wasn't home." Her phone buzzed to life in her lap and Blair grinned as Dan's text appeared on screen. Her mind instantly replaying the events that led to her late arrival.

Alison had disappeared for the morning and Jenny had raced out of the loft without saying anything other than her scream of Bendel's. So not being one to waste chances Dan had invited Blair over at eight and they had spent the whole morning cooking some of the most mouthwatering blueberry muffins Blair had ever had, while they watched Audrey Hepburn in 'Sabrina'. Cocooned in Dan's arms Blair had easily drifted into a mid morning nap and had awoken to him peppering her face with kisses as he tried to coax her from the dream world. As they ran around the loft trying to locate her phone which for some unknown reason was on vibrate and trapped in the couch cushions, Dan had noticed a small problem, apparently his mother had decided to take a stand against caffeine and only stocked decaf. After futile attempts at convincing each other that the world wasn't ending they had rushed to the Italian coffee shop and received their caffeine fix.

"Well, everything's taken care of." Kalista's soft voice was like music to Nate's ears as he stepped down off the platform and took a step towards the mirror. Turning slightly he was thankful for the non-constrictive material and waited to hear Blair's opinion as ever since they were children it was Blair that would pick out his clothes. Never his mother or his various nannies it was only ever Blair's job.

"I'll pick you up at 5:00 in the car. I got that Laurent-Perrier you like." Blair faintly heard the mention of her favourite champagne but was immediately drawn into the digital world that Dan created with his texts. It seemed he had deemed himself her entertainment for the outing and currently he was adapting The Princess Bride to a modern day New York, the result of which was interesting to say the least. "I also thought we'd stop by the Modern afterwards for dessert, 'cause that's your favorite." when silence met his statement, Nate frowned over his shoulder and cast a glance at her. "Blair." Her curls were masking her face but he could clearly tell by her stance that she was smiling at whatever she was reading.

Glancing up at Nate the boy she had once envisioned as her white knight, Blair couldn't help the words that escaped her knowing there was only one person that she wanted to be with when desert came around. "Oh, um, we don't have to go anywhere afterwards. It's fine. Besides what would Vanessa think?" She knew it was low playing the girlfriend card but it was an excellent way of deflecting the conversation. As she slid off the alcove her heel caught and her phone crashed to the floor.

Luckily Nate still held some of that White Knight persona and his hand caught her by the elbow preventing a painful encounter with the marble. "Sorry, you're probably right." Nate sighed as Blair's phone once again chimed and quickly swept it off the floor intending to figure out if this was the unknown persona. "Who's texting you so much?" Blair's manicured hands wrapped around his wrist in a death grab and she twisted in opposite direction giving him a poorly named Chinese burn. "Ow!" Nate nursed his wrist while shooting Blair an incredulous look. "Who the hell taught you that?"

"You can thank Alyssa for that one. Besides I know your mother taught you better manners than to go through a woman's phone but if you must know it was Serena." Blair twisted her hair into a loose bun and secured it with a bobby pin allowing a few wisps that were previously collected as a result of said pin to frame her face. Nate took a moment to study her, for once her face was free of all makeup save for a slight sheen of lipgloss, her pants were jeans - designer, but jeans no less. The heels while tall were no where near as outrageous as they could have been though the colour more than made up for that. In fact the only thing that struck him as the same as the Blair he knew was the cherry red headband perched across her hair like a crown.

Blair glanced down at her phone Dan had just gotten to the point where Buttercup and Wesley reunite and he had taken it upon himself to write a steamier reunion. Blair could feel her face flush as she tore her eyes away from the screen the line 'as you wish' and all the various ways it could be incorporated into a sex scene running through her mind. Barely able to look Nate in the eye, she cleared her throat and tried to put a reasonable excuse together. "Uh, I gotta go back to my house. My Mum was supposed to throw this tea for Serena's grandmother, and she had to jet to Paris at the last minute, so it's all on me."

"Okay, hey, uh, w- I'll stop by and help you out." Blair knew that Nate's offer was genuine and even though he was still avoiding Serena, he was willing to risk it for her. Looking in his eyes Blair knew Nate still held various regrets to do with how he acted throughout the course of their relationship but the last thing she wanted right now was Nate around while she dealt with her sexual frustration.

Instead her reply was simple and straight to the point. "It's all right. I got it, thanks." Turning her back and heading down the long carpeted corridor she could feel Nate's eyes burrowing a hole into the back of her head but she remained face forward.

"Who are you, and what did you do with Blair Waldorf?" The statement resonated with the one he had made two days ago about her ordering Dorota, and Nate couldn't help but realise just how little he knew about the woman she had become. Quite honestly he wasn't sure how much he knew about her when they were growing up either, to him Blair was always simply Blair, nothing more nothing less.

Blair paused for a moment trying to decipher which response was the best but taking in the light, joking tone it had been asked in Blair knew a subtle flirt and knockdown would work. "Not bad, Archibald. I almost forgot how handsome you are."

As she disappeared down the hallway her swaying hips more pronounced thanks to the heels, Nate tried to figure out how he had been complemented and insulted in the same sentence. However realising that Blair had just given him her seal of approval, he quickly called Kalista over. "I'll take this one as is."

Kalista nodded though she was exceptionally confused, it had become rather apparent that his date whoever she was, was not his girlfriend, seemed immune to his charms and ultimately had a better offer. But somehow even with all of that Nate took her word as if it was a message from God himself.

Spotted - B phone in hand leaving Lane and Co. tailors, solo. Though her smile speaks for itself. Looking down at the Queen, her ex-prince Nate Archibald learning you don't know a good thing till it's gone and found someone else.

XOXO Gossip Girl

Bendel's 5th Avenue, New York

8th December 2007

"So your Mum really didn't mind your coming to, um, our ball with... me?" Lily's words were pulled from her throat almost of her own violation and Jenny paused to look at a pair of gorgeous Manolo's knowing that if she looked into Lily's eyes she would see the uncertainty her voice unknowingly reflected.

"No, not at all." Jenny's lie slipped from her lips, her justification being what her mother didn't know couldn't hurt her. But she all but forgot about herself at the next words that left Lily's glossed lips.

"And your father is okay..." Lily silently cursed herself for not preparing the next half of the statement. Jenny could feel her heart beating painfully and a betraying tear collecting in her eye knowing how much her father meant to Lily simply by the way the words seemed to be ripped from her heart without permission. Tactlessly Lily added the final few words hoping Jenny wouldn't read too much into her momentary lapse, "...with you volunteering of course?"

Jenny began to nod her agreement, attempting to subtly answer both questions but froze as her name was said by the last person she wanted or expected to see. And in Bendel's of all places. Nervously placing a blonde strand behind her ear to give herself time to regroup Jenny turned her head towards her name.

"Jenny." The betrayal and pain was palpable and Jenny shook her head in apology as Lily spluttered out a somewhat coherent statement convinced the universe was punishing her for thinking about another woman's husband in any way other than purely platonic.

"Alison. Ah. Didn't expect to see you... here." Lily's snub was enough to light a fire in Alison's eye and Jenny knew it wasn't going to end well especially when her mother laughed a slightly deranged chuckle, her eyes wide and angry.

"That's me, unexpected." Alison's smile was as fake as the cashier's tan but though Jenny and Lily pretended not to notice it, Jenny knew that if she didn't get this under control and fast she would be screwed when she got home. And without her dad there no one would be able to act as a reasonable buffer between Alison and her war path.

"Um, Mum, can I talk to you for a minute?" Jenny's smile was hesitant knowing that one word from her mother and everything would be ruined. Blair's tests, her 'friends' among the top of Constance's social ladder, but what would be even more insufferable is Dan getting to remain within the 'it' group when all the while he'd achieved it without even meaning to. It was simply a matter of correct timing. And Jenny had no such luck in that aspect, this whole meeting proof enough.

Alison's eyes narrowed on her daughter and another wave of betrayal stabbed at her heart. "Uh, no, sweetie, we'll have plenty of time to talk later." Alison knew her facade was close to cracking and needed to get out without whatever jibe she knew Lily had prepared.

"You know what? It is so nice of you to let Jenny come to our little event. You know, cotillions really are instructive. They teach young girls good social graces..." Lily smiled condescendingly at Alison, nodding her head ever so slightly knowing the whole thing would be killing Alison, especially if it meant that Jenny got to experience something only Lily could show her. While not normally that much of a vindictive person - anymore at least - there was something about Alison that inspired that flame of retribution inside Lily and caused her to push things to the extreme. If she was being honest Lily knew a small part of it was to do with the fact that Alison had Rufus - but mainly it revolved around the fact that despite painting Lily in a self-centered, self-absorbed, conceited and snobbish light that she didn't even realise that she was continually emphasising the fact that she was better than Lily, more down to earth, less corrupted by society and hard-working.

"Well, then I'm sure she'll learn a lot. I'm gonna go." Alison cut off Lily's rant not wanting to hear any more bullshit to do with some pretentious event that she was almost positive not only did Lily not actually like or enjoy but odds are she hadn't even attended her own when she was at the right age.

"Um, I'll come with you." Alison could not only see the falseness of Jenny's watering eyes but also the regret shining through them. However she knew that Jenny's regrets had nothing to do with lying and everything to do with simply getting caught.

"No need. I'll see you later." With that being said Alison turned and fled the building, leaving Jenny and a pair of the very same Manolo's Jenny had been admiring behind.

Lily walked up behind Jenny and could feel the young girl's stress over the whole situation. "I'm sorry." Jenny's head snapped up to look the older blonde in the eye, her own eyes shining with confusion as to what Lily could possibly be apologising for, she had been nothing but nice the whole afternoon, if there was anyone who should be apologizing it was herself. "I really do wish your mother and I could get along even if it is just in front of our children, but there is so much bad blood already that it seems near impossible." Lily's voice was sincere she could see the toll it took on the kids not to mention the toll it took on herself but it was one of those things she didn't think they'd ever fix.

"How about this one?" Eric shouldered his way through a group of shoppers until he was in front of his mother. "I fought off three girls for that. It also already cost me twenty dollars and my phone number." Eric's shudder at the memory made a grateful smile cross Jenny's face. He had this ability to make her smile even in the saddest situations, in a way he was like her sun. Always bright and shining. Jenny circled the garment in Eric's arms before beaming at her companion. Disappearing in a blur of blonde hair and excited squeals Jenny rushed towards the nearest change room to try it on. The delicate and soft material was loose in nature but clung to her chest emphasising her smaller bust. Twirling around in delight she wiggled her bare toes already sorting the array of pink nail polish tucked into her dresser for the best colour.

"It's perfect Eric, thank you." Jenny's excited voice carried over the top of the stall to where the two Van der Woodsens were standing. Lily sighed grateful to have someone like Jenny around, someone who does not take dresses and events of this calibre to be just another standard Sunday night. The only other girl she knew who was truly thrilled was Blair but Lily would have been suicidal if she'd wanted to latch onto a pre-cotillion Blair Waldorf. She still remembered the first day Blair had brought over the 'Cotillion Book' to show Serena when they were just children. Blair had the whole thing planned down to the last curl placement. Yep only a crazy person would volunteer to help Blair Waldorf.

"Wait!" Eric's desperate scream caused Jenny to take a step back from the door she was slowly opening leaving her trapped in the change room a single stocking clad leg stuck between the door, her wriggling toes giving away her nervousness and making Eric chuckle slightly. "You mean we don't even get to see it on?" Her light laugh in response was enough to bring Lily out of her musings as she began to watch the two with growing amusement.

"Of course not. You can see it if you also attend tomorrow's ball." The had managed to cross back over to the desk where they had initially bumped into Alison and Jenny couldn't help but wince remembering her mother's reaction, she turned to the cashier whose unflattering frown was discouraging to all parties placing the folded dress on the shiny counter. As she reached into her bag to fetch her purse, Jenny felt Lily's warm hand enclose her own.

"This one's on me consider it a thank you for helping out tomorrow, not to mention being a good friend for Eric." LIly handed over her platinum card not noticing the way Jenny's face tightened, guilt pouring from every inch of her being as she thought about the falseness of the statement with the way her own issues had taken precedence over Eric in the last few weeks. As if reading her mind, Eric placed a firm and comforting hand on her shoulder. "We'll take these too." Lily pushed the Manolo's Alison had forgotten about toward the haggard employee, hoping the shoes provided a good enough apology for what Jenny had to witness.

As the total was rung up and paid for Lily handed both bags to Jenny and looked the young girl in the eyes, a knowing smile stretched across her face. "Now Jenny these are a gift so I expect to see cut off tags in my hands and a smile on that pretty face and I most certainly do not want to see either item back here tomorrow." Jenny nodded her head frantically, swiping her eyes to catch any tears of gratitude that spilt. "Well I only have a few more hours without my mother so Jenny I'll see you tomorrow. Eric I expect to see you at dinner, your grandmother requested we all eat together."

Eric head moved in a motion stuck somewhere between a nod and a shake, though still seething at his grandmother's actions to ensure her family did things the way she wanted, and despite his recent discovery Eric still loved his grandmother and often enjoyed her company. Sighing dejectedly and settling on a nod Eric's tired voice floated up to his mother's ears. "Yeah sure."

Waldorf Penthouse, New York

8th December 2007

The lift finally opened to her floor and Blair bolted out acting like it was about to explode. Spotting a mop of brown hair on the lounge Blair flew into his lap, her arms instantly securing around his neck as her head burrowed into his chest.

Dan made a small sound of contentment and closed his eyes enjoying the feel of Blair pressed against him. His pen was paused mid-air and the rest of the word he was in the middle of spelling flew out of his mind. "Hello Love, I'm guessing Wesley and Buttercup got to you if this is the welcome I got." Blair's only response to his teasing jibe was shifting on his lap hoping to gain the friction she was craving. Dan pulled back momentarily taking in her onyx eyes and half open blouse that he didn't remember undoing, the empowering moment of Blair Waldorf needing him like a fish needs water filled his veins with pride. Blair's lips attached to his collarbone and he wondered how he too had ended up shirtless without his notice.

The feel of Dan's skin on her own was helping abate her hunger but it was not quite gone. "I-I have a tea for Cece in half an hour." Dan simply hummed as he moved a section of Blair's silky hair exposing her neck and gently pressed his lips against the cool column. His free hand rested comfortably on her hip and he gently nudged her reminding Blair of her previous train of thought. "Really Dan we- should probably... um, stop. Yeah, we really need to stop." Dan knowing he needed him to do what she wouldn't, slowly pulled away and picked his shirt off the couch next to him. Blair placed a kiss along the lobe of his ear, before pulling away and helping button up his crisp white shirt, her fingers momentarily stilling on the still exposed chest muscles.

"Hello to you too." Dan's cheery but breathy voice made Blair laugh momentarily as she located his black tie on the coffee table. As he moved his neck to accommodate her nimble fingers a slight grimace crossed his face at the feel of the scratchy material. "Not sure I can get used to Dan Humphrey clothes again. You've spoilt me."

Blair snorted as she slapped his chest playfully, her eyes rolling in false exasperation. "Yes my dear, you've been ruined by my Upper East Side ways that you'll never be able to return home to the mothership you call Brooklyn. How will you ever survive?" Blair stopped and pressed a blistering kiss against his lips before she pulled away, a new spark in her eyes. "Perhaps I'll just have to keep you here forever." Dan's lips pulled up in a slight smile as Blair returned her eyes to the tie knot moving it from her perfection to an adequately done loop.

Blair slid off his lap and lay her head on his shoulder listening to his steady breathing, her mind racing through a last minute check list of anything that she may have forgotten for Cece. As if reading her mind, Dan's low voice floated to her ears as he twirled a piece of her hair, that had come loose sometime since she had initially pounced on Dan. "Do you need me to get anything. Any last minute additions that need to be made. Anything at all you let me know and I'll be there." Blair smiled up at him serenely grateful to have him. Nate wouldn't be caught anywhere near Blair when she was planning a party let alone offering his services. Today had obviously been an exception and it pleased her to see Nate was growing up. But even with that change she knew it was all dependent on his plan and mood, whereas Dan would drop everything he was doing if she really needed him, he had proved as much time and time again.

"I think I have everything, but I may need a hand getting ready." Her hand latched onto his and she pulled him up from the couch, frowning as a book fell to the floor with a thud. "Madame Bovary. Why are you reading Flaubert today?" Dan quickly picked up the volume and placed the bookmark Blair had made for him almost a year ago a few pages back from where he was, knowing the five minutes before Blair had shown up was now a complete blur.

"Extra credit. Apparently there's this beautiful, radiant, sexy, breath-taking, genius young woman in the class who is destroying my ranking, her argument about Tolstoy's War and Peace and it's practical application to high school moved me down to third place." Blair smirked as he threw a playful glare her way. His eyebrows wagging, taunting her into a response.

"Well clearly her superior brain knew that Tolstoy understood what he was talking about and honestly dealing with minions is a lot harder than I make it look. Besides you should be grateful there's someone there to drive you to maintain your second place ranking." Blair tossed a look over her shoulder and saw him gulp even though he had not let his eyes stray from her own. Moving to her closet she bent over knowing that the black lace underwear she was sporting covered less than nothing, but then again Dan could probably use his mind to supplement the black garments with the real flesh underneath it.

Dan kept his eyes firmly locked on hers to keep his mind clear and present in the conversation though he knew his heart and lower organs were not in it. "Yes well Blair, without you the world would go into chaos, I should be forever grateful for your generosity." Dan stretched lazily across her bed, breathing in her scent as he finally allowed his eyes to rake over her glorious body. "If Cece's pretentiousness is a great influence to what you're going to wear why am I not dressed to impress."

Blair sighed as she turned back to him holding up a tailored black dress and woven but elegant cream coloured sleeveless top. Dan nodded his head towards the cream one, knowing how well it looked on her. As she slipped it on her smooth skin protested against the slightly irritating fabric but as she turned to the mirror she knew he'd picked the right one. Dan lifted his arm long enough to fasten the button at the neck as she lent over him and collected her engraved hairbrush from the bedside table. "You can't dress up because firstly it's not in the budget, secondly your Dan Humphrey from Brooklyn who by all accounts shouldn't care what some stuffy, old society lady thinks and thirdly why do you even care?"

Dan twisted his arm around her waist and wrestled her down next to him, his breath fanning across her check as he reached for the brush. "I only care because I know how much this means to you and I don't want my attire to cause a scene." Blair smiled as he heart swelled with love for the man whose side she was pressed against and she leaned further into his toned body enjoying the relaxing brush strokes as she finally allowed her eyes to close. Feeling the tension leaving her body, Dan knew that he had addressed whatever insecurity had taken over her mind momentarily. He felt her soft lips against his cheek and released his hold on her allowing the her to return to her preparing though he pouted slightly as she pulled her tight black pencil skirt over her hips, hiding her intoxicating lower half from his lust-filled eyes. Somewhere downstairs they heard Dorota shouting that Miss Serena was calling on Dan's phone and with one last kiss he was out the door promising to return with Serena as soon as possible.

As he descended the stairs he couldn't help but chuckle that apparently impromptu teas for her grandmother required a date. What was even more perplexing was that Dan was the one she had chosen for her date, though he couldn't figure out if it was to spite Cece or not.

xoxoxoxo

"Thank you so much for being so understanding." Serena's voice was rushed as if expecting Dan to change his mind as the elevator ascended past another floor. Dan was still trying to figure out why Serena seemed to be seeking his approval regarding the whole Cotillion, apart from Jenny mentioning their mother's art opening a few days ago and Serena saying she'd love to go - then canceling because of her change in plans - he was certain she had nothing to be apologising for. Looking towards the blonde next to him in the elevator he knew that she had as many insecurities as Blair it was simply that her radiant personality tended to hide most of them, though he was slightly proud that he knew a few. Mainly her fear of loosing Nate. However as he saw her eyes slightly cloud at the lack of Dan's immediate answer he felt a pang of guilt wishing he could be there for her when she needed him, but he was unwilling to force her to accept fears that were so highly protected by jail worthy walls, she could figure it out on her own when she was ready and since he was no longer her boyfriend - fake or not - it was not his job anymore.

"Oh, come on. I would do anything for an ill grandparent, and besides, my mum has her art opening, so we're both doing things for our families." Dan watched as a smile adorned her face when she remembered just who she was doing this for, why she was being forced to suffer though all this, and despite the somewhat cruel nature of the thought Dan hoped Cece was actually ill and not going to shatter Serena's illusion anytime soon. Her idiotic innocence in regards to the old woman being something many liked about her.

"Well, my thing isn't without conditions, believe me. I had a long talk with my mum, and I said if I'm gonna do this, then I'm gonna be myself in every possible way." Serena tilted her head upwards in an unintentional sign of rebellion and Dan couldn't help the fleeting smile that escaped him as he recognised a young woman fighting for what she believes. Though used to seeing the look on Serena's brunette counterpart it was rare to see Serena doing something like this, she was much more move with the breeze and cause as little stir as possible.

"Well, then can you promise me that when your up there being yourself as they auction you off, that you won't go for anything less than a million dollars?" Dan laughed quietly grateful he was able to release some of his pent up sarcasm on Serena. It wasn't that Blair wasn't an acceptable outlet but he knew how seriously she took Cotillion and the last thing he wanted to do was ruin that for her. Serena's light laugh filled the elevator and she playful squeezed Dan on the arm thankfully too distracted to realise that he had pulled away a fraction of a second after she had laid her manicured fingers on his striped jacket.

"Okay. Did you get that out of your system?" Serena's voice though taunting was laced with a ring of seriousness, encouraging him to leave the judgmental comments in the elevator. That was one of the many things the two best friends unintentionally agreed on, they loved Dan's opinionated personality and his ability to stand up for what he believed in, but in the presence of Celia Rhodes... well his presence alone was going to be hard enough.

"Yeah, I think I'm good." Dan sighed as he ran his fingers over the unfamiliar wood of Blair's front elevator, in this week he'd been in it more times than he had ever before and it was like learning something new about Blair. The regal dark wood interior, though he doubts she had much influence over still reminded him of her eyes, while the small carving of the initials B.W seemed not only worn with age but at home amongst the smooth walls. He could almost picture a smiling gap-toothed Blair slowly making a new line whenever her Mother or Dorota's back was turned. He unconsciously smiled at the image his mind stuck between wanting Blair to confirm it and not wanting to tell her in case it was created in a different way. With one final look at the mirror mounted on the back wall, Dan steeled himself and prepared to walk into the lions den.

Dan was amazed at how much the caterers had completed in half an hour. All the tables and the decorations had been completed by Dorota while he was calmly reading, but the food on display seemed like it should have taken more than the time allowed. His eyes instantly locked on Blair and he couldn't help but take a small breath at the sheer magnitude of her beauty.

"Grandma." Dan watched as Cece turned towards her granddaughter with far more grace than a sickly old woman should be capable of. Her grey blonde hair was half curled in a swirled up-do while the other half hung loose around her shoulders, her tailored red suit fit in perfectly with the other attire but had it's own fire about it - as if reminding everyone who the whole event was actually about.

"Serena, darling, this is Carter Baizen, your escort for tomorrow night." Cece waved her hand and a man who looked like every other Tom, Dick and Harry of the Upper East Side appeared. However there was something about him that rubbed Dan up the wrong way, he just had a feel about him that screamed 'stay away'. The way he smiled at Serena made Dan want to push her away, it was first a leer than a smile and for the first time Dan was actually glad for Jenny's crush on Chuck. In this instance he was the much safer choice.

"Do you two already know each other?" Cece appeared to be much more attentive when it came to her granddaughter than she let one. Understanding flittered across her face as she observed the look passed between the two teenagers.

"Actually, we used to go to school together. Just a couple years apart." Carter explained with a bored look that seemed to be his staple expression. Serena unconsciously leant into Dan and relaxed as his arm wrapped around her side. Pulling her closer to him her attempted to place himself slightly in front of Cater not entirely sure where the protectiveness was coming from but not willing to go against it.

Cece's "oh" was a response to Dan and Serena's newest body language, but easily flowed into an appropriate response reinforcing the lie that she was unaware of Serena and Carter's previous school connection.

"Hi. I'm Carter." His judgmental gaze drifted over Dan, waiting for him to make his introduction. The boy's attire clearly showing that he was not one of them. Though he understood Serena's statement to the authoritative people in her life, he did not quite understand the draw she felt to the one standing in front of him.

Cece cleared her throat seeing that it wasn't going anywhere and stepped in. "This is Daniel Humphrey." Though she may have had a moment of respect for the boy at the dance studio the other day it did not mean that she deemed him an acceptable match for her granddaughter - especially if these were the kind of rebellious acts he encouraged. Not going to the Cotillion, did he not understand the gravity of what he had been influencing her to do.

"Dan, actually." Dan knew the only reason she had reverted to calling him Dan was in her eyes he was responsible for Serena's current rebellion against the restrictive views of society. Though he mostly agreed with what Serena was standing up to fight against, he understood that it was not the brightest decision to forgo the event altogether.

Cece continued on as if Dan had never spoken and dismissed him as simply "Serena's friend." Serena threw a quick pleading glance at Dan and corrected her grandma. Her eyes glaring at Carter.

"No, my- my boyfriend." Cece arched an eyebrow in disbelief and eyed her granddaughter with suspicion. Serena simply leaned into Dan 'lovingly' grateful he didn't push her away and simply went along with the whole thing. She knew he was the kind of person who would do that without asking why or what was going on, but it was a gamble especially since she wasn't sure how far he would be willing to go.

"Oh, nice to meet you, man." Carter couldn't stop the stroke of jealousy that cut through him but he was quickly reassured when he realised that despite being her boyfriend Dan was not escorting Serena tomorrow.

"Nice to meet you." Dan shook Carter's hand and enjoyed the look of disbelief that flickered across Carter's face as he realised how easily Dan assimilated and accommodated whatever was thrown at him. Though his smile and attitude appeared that of an unsure outsider, Dan was easily able to fake his unease around all the others, but Carter had conned the majority of the people in this room and gotten away with it, so he was more tuned to the deceptive nature of others and Dan was more at ease in this room that even Carter himself. The realisation of which unnerved him.

"I'm sorry. You're not- you're not escorting her or..." Carter cursed himself for his newfound uncertainty among the younger man. He quickly blocked out the section of his sight that was aware of Serena clinging off Dan despite his obvious disregard, and instead focused his attention on the reasons as to why he would not be attending the ball, and confused as to why Carter was even there especially when Cece had called a week ago, expecting Serena's complete cooperation and it was apparent things were not going quite as Cece had predicted.

"No, well, actually, I'm-" Dan's excuse was swiftly cut off by Cece who was not in the mood for another rant on his beliefs. If he was anything like his father than she had no doubt his list of opinions were long and vast.

"Unavailable. Familial obligation." Cece glanced at Dan daring him to contradict her. She watched as the muscle in his jaw twitched showing his annoyance but he appeared to be keeping his mouth shut.

Dan took a breath and let his eyes linger on Blair for a moment and once she began to move toward them he answered. "Yeah." The simple word conveyed the message perfectly Carter couldn't help but be fascinated by the way Dan handled Cece by playing her own game, all the words were laced with double meanings but the perfectly serene smiles on their faces gave nothing away. Though he was supposed to be an outsider Dan Humphrey seemed to have caught onto this game faster than anyone else on the upper east side.

Blair had easily read the call for help in Dan's eyes and wondered over to the group not happy about the easy way Serena was draped around him. "There you are. Are you ready for tea?" Blair's lips were pressed into a tight smile and Dan was the only one who could read the threat flying in her eyes and the slight waver at the start of her sentence. Giving her a small shrug in apology, he sighed as her eyes hardened before she turned to the others. Though he understood that Serena needed his help it was killing him not to simply move her off him and sweep Blair into his arms. He knew she knew he loved her but he also knew she would always have insecurities where Serena was concerned and this was not in anyway helpful.

"Serena's boyfriend was just informing us of his familial obligations that led to my return as Serena's escort." Dan watched as Blair tensed slightly at the reference to his newest title and he desperately hoped that she understood the want to keep Serena away from Carter. They may not be in the best position but he still considered her one of his friends and he was not going to let Carter have his way with Serena whether the creepy bastard wanted to or not.

They swiftly followed Blair to the seating area and watched as other guests took a seat around the main five. Blair minions immediately flanked her side and she made sure she was seating opposite Dan so if she leant just right he was able to see straight down her blouse. However Carter's seat meant the same could be said about where his eyes were drawn to. Dan fought the urge to punch Carter knowing it would ultimately only hurt his cause but that didn't mean he wouldn't glare at the prick when no one was looking.

Lily sat on the single seat next to the couch which Dan and Serena were perched on and ignored their change in attitude knowing her mother had likely taken it a step too far and Dan was probably trying to protect Serena in that very Humphrey way of his. As the caterers flittered around the room, ensuring all the guests had at least one drink at their disposal, Lily took a moment to observe the other women seated around her - Serena, Blair, Kati and Isabel. The four of them had been together since Pre-K and Lily couldn't help but feel proud at how much they had grown, at times she had often felt like Blair was her daughter given how often she had been around over the years and that bond was hard to remove regardless of the many instances that had resulted Serena and Blair falling out.

"I don't like my ice to get lonely, dear." Cece's condescending statement dragged everyone out of their own thoughts. Lily suppressed an eye-roll at her mothers attitude and struggled to hide her snicker in her drink as Dan did what she was unable to.

For Dan it wasn't the fact that Cece required more ice it was simply that she was incapable of asking for it straight up and had to resort to putting the woman down, the one who more than likely was about to go back to the kitchen and spit in Cece's food. The woman who could do nothing else than answer with a simple "Of course, ma'am" since she was nothing more than 'the help' to Celia. Dan fought the urge to move away from Serena as her hand stroked his thigh possessively. He understood the basic concepts of 'sticking it to the man' in terms of Cece and 'creepy guy, stay away' for Carter's sake but he did not understand why they had to touch every second. Especially since if anything Serena was laying it on a little thick.

"Carter, it is such a pleasure to have you back with us. True gentlemen are a rare breed." This time it was Lily who rolled her eyes at the comment and was proud of Dan as she watched him continue sipping his tea as if he had never even heard the snark. From the corner of his eye he noticed Cece purse her lips when no visible reaction came forth, his lips quirked of their own accord at the annoyance it was causing her.

"So it is true that you're back." Blair delicate voice caused Dan to raise his eyes and register her paying attention to Carter. Despite his attempt to quash the jealousy bubbling in him he raised his own eyes to the jackass and asked a question of his own struggling to keep the hostility from his tone, thereby deciding to make it overly curious.

"Back? Um, where- where were you?" Blair smirked slightly as she knew she had gotten to Dan. Unfortunately he was as tuned to her as she was to him and she could tell the minute he realised what she was doing as his own hand sneaked around the couch, rested on Serena's shoulder and stroked it slightly though his eyes never left Blair's own.

"Oh, where wasn't he?" Kati's admiring tone had Blair choking on her tea amazed at how quickly her minions fell for the Baizen facade and charm, one minute Chuck and Nate are the centre of their world, but the minute a new but gossip worthy face appears they are on it like spots in a dalmatian. She could feel Dan's eyes on her and shuffled almost imperceptibly since she could almost guarantee he was feeling the same heated anger and jealousy that she was, all of which had a somewhat arousing affect on her.

"He disowned his parents and took off around the world. Everyone was talking about it, Gossip Girl even had a dedicated Carter Baizen map on spotted." Izabel quickly took over the explanation though her admiration was just as evident as Kati's. Her thin brown hand came up as she rested her cheek against it, using the arm rest as leverage and her eyes remained glued to the new 'mysterious' Carter sitting across the table.

"Whoa. A map, huh?" Blair felt her smile despite herself at the familiarity of Dan's sarcasm reinforcing how much stock he but in Gossip Girl, but quickly schooled her face still determined to win their twisted little game. So with a flutter of her eyes she turned to Carter ensuring adoration leaked from her pours. Twirling a strand of hair absentmindedly, she placed her full attention on Carter eagerly anticipating his reply.

"In all honesty, I did go a little out of bounds." Cece laughed primly and Carter just gave a awkward chuckle his eyes drifting over the various eyes of the three girls to his right, it wasn't that he wasn't used to having women fall all over him it was just these three had never given him the time of day thereby making them more interesting. The only one who now had any real potential in regards to his want was Blair and he was more than confused as to why she suddenly changed her opinion of him. Seeing her eyes trail on Serena and Dan, Carter quickly assumed it was a matter of Blair wanting to piss off Serena or at least beat her for something or another. Feeling Cece's eyes on him, encouraging him to continue he trued to remember where he left off, already thinking of his next plan of action if things didn't go the way Cece had planned. "I'm just grateful my parents are giving me a second chance."

"Carter saw the error of his wayward ways, and he rose like a phoenix from the ashes, Serena." Dan couldn't understand why Cece was acting like Carter was the poster-boy for good citizens and was so tempted to have Serena see that. Shaking his head at her obvious disregard of his entire person, Dan momentarily wondered if it had anything to do with his dad as opposed to himself.

"Yes, I see that, Grandma." Serena moved in closer to Dan and was glad when her grandmother's eyes narrowed slightly. Blair caught the movement and leaned even further forward when reaching for her cup of tea. She heard Dan mutter silently to himself and the corners of her lips tilted in amusement.

"I mean, they weren't all errors, but..." Carter tried to defend himself from Cece's statement, though he understood she meant it as a complement he had only agreed to come for two reasons. One a chance to bed Serena and secondly Cece was paying him, nowhere in their agreement did it state that she would get to pass judgment on how he spent the better portion of two years.

Lily however wasn't in the mood to listen to his defence and if it annoyed her mother that was even better. "Well, your mother did tell me that you got into a bit of a..." Lily paused and cleared her throat for affect - a small nod the only sign of her acknowledging the thankful look Dan had sent her. Finally when all eyes were on her she continued, "a scrape in Dubai." Lily took a unashamed bite of the cake allowing her eyes to flicker closed at the explosion of tastes and could feel her mother's eyes boring into her causing a smug smile to grace her delicate face.

"Oh, I love Dubai. Did you stay at the Burj Al Arab?" Blair's smiled up at Carter as if the sun shone out of his ass and felt rather than saw Dan shift uncomfortably. Tucking a loose strand behind her ears she allowed her eyes to flick in his direction and found him looking squarely at her, his eyes baring his true feelings for only a second before he looked away again. She knew she was pushing it too far when the flicker of hurt swelled in his brown eyes and she looked down ashamed at her competitiveness. Angrily blaming Serena for her part and in conjunction Carter, Blair made a mental reminder to ensure Dan understood how sorry she was and how much she truly loved him. Feeling herself getting worked up again she tuned out the rest of Carter's dribble and focused on calming herself enough to make it through the tea.

"No, I stayed on Palm Island." Carter's sense of self-entitlement mixed with the do-gooder on a mission had Serena scoffing in disagreement, they may not have spent a lot of time together outside of Santorini, but she was with him enough to see the true Carter Baizen and the person sitting in the chair across from her grandmother was not him. Despite what everyone else seemed to believe.

"I think Dubai is overrated." Serena stretched and leaned back into Dan making sure he was pressed firmly into her side, pressing a small kiss to the column of his neck making the true meaning of her statement clear. Carter was overrated and nothing her grandmother did was going to change that.

"You know what isn't, though? The, uh, Prince's Crown Bombardier and I also went pheasant hunting with the Sheikh while I was there." While finishing his statement by taking a sip of the heavenly and ridiculously expensive not to mention unnameable tea, Carter hid the momentary hurt that he felt watching Serena move about in Dan's arms after dismissing him so carelessly. Instead focused on the questions he was fielding from the others, trying to stay as present as possible.