( Part 2 :) Thanks for all the congrats on 50 chapters I didn't think it was going to end up this long but it turns out I can't keep this fic under 50, let's aim for 52 and an epilogue., so 53 Enjoy, don't forget to review. I think you'll really enjoy this chapter well maybe not at the end..., just know that I know what i'm doing. The epilogue will be happy DS so it's up to you guys, yes or no?)

(DECEMBER 12TH)

PART 2

It's hard to find relief and people can be so cold
When darkness is upon your door and you feel like you can't take anymore

Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone

Dan didn't hesitate, he knocked harshly and shoved his hands in his pockets. He spoke as soon as the door opened, answering her question. "Weather was bad, It rained the whole time" Serena looked at him shocked, a confused smile on her clean face, she must have been on her way to bed, or maybe she was crying, she smiled and made a sound that forced him to smile back.

"Come in" she offered a little reluctantly. It was already strange, they were acting like strangers.

"Is...he here?" Serena shook her head and Dan walked into her penthouse, the one they used to live in together. Most things looked the same, he was nostalgic for when they lived in a much more modest apartment. And why wouldn't he be?, they brought Julia home to this apartment, they brought Brooke home to it, he got the job at Bass industries while they were living in this apartment.

"Wow, they're beautiful" he commented on an arrangement of sunflowers on the table beside the glass bowl he used to put his keys in, his gaze fell to the flowers. He wondered if James gave them to her.

"Yeah" she glanced at them. She bought them for herself, something she had never done before.

"Take a seat" Serena offered. Dan sat on the parallel couch facing Serena, the same exact couch they cuddled on while watching old movies.

"So it's raining" he made small talk, he rubbed his hands together.

"Still? it rained all day you think it would have stopped by now" she turned and looked at the big windows, the New York city lights beaming brightly.

"Yeah,...it should be snowing today anyway" he said quietly, his eyes locked on hers. She took a breath and looked away finding it too intense, but nothing changed she still felt uncomfortable.

"Why are you here Dan?" she asked.

"I just wanted to see you" he spoke almost ashamed with himself. Serena fidgeted in her seat and focused on the silence that was filling the room.

"is he good to you?" Dan looked at her intently. Serena nodded slowly her eyes instantly stung, she knew he was trying to act like everything was cool, and it wasn't.

"That's good" he nodded, now playing with his hands, he didn't look up as he thought about it. He wondered what James was that he wasn't, what James did that he didn't.

"Kelly's good to you?" her eyes lifted up and looked into his.

"Umm," he nodded lightly. "she writes sweet little post it notes and puts them in my briefcase" he was now using his thumb to rub something off his hand that wasn't there.

"really?" she laughed softly for a second wondering if Kelly really did the little things that she used to do for him.

"no" he replied. Serena felt her throat tighten.

"Do you want something?...coffee?" she stood getting away from him so she could grab a tissue without him seeing.

"No thanks, it's too late, I have to take Brooke to choir tomorrow morning" Serena pressed the tissue into the corner of both eyes and went back to where he was sitting.

"Oh right, for the Christmas concert" she nodded. "She's amazing I could listen to her all day" Serena smiled.

"Me too" he agreed. "Her teacher told me she has perfect pitch" Dan said matter of factly with a funny face that made Serena laugh.

"Not when she was a baby. I remember her pitch but oddly enough I don't remember it being perfect" Dan laughed at Serena's comment.

"Yeah, there were nights when I contemplated taking her back to the hospital and telling them she was broken" Serena smiled knowing he was joking.

"You're awful" she laughed.

"Did you get the boxes that I sent?" Dan asked.

"I did" she nodded.

"I just...I figured you have more chance in using them then I do"

"...," she almost left it at that but couldn't. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"I just thought you might..."

"No" she cut him off. "No, I won't. I'll just give them to charity" she looked down at her knees.

"I uh...took the girls to see your mom yesterday" Dan filled the silence.

"..., how were they?" she waited.

"They were alright, Brooke got a little teary eyed but she promised them she was going to be fine"

"she promised me the same thing" Serena's face looked down at the floor.

"she is... you know, she's going to be fine" he reassured her. He watched her turn away and hold her nose keeping the tears from running down her face.

"Hey, hey" he got up and hugged her tightly. "Your mom is one strong lady, she beat it once, she'll beat it again" he rubbed up her back.

"Uh...I just..." she shook her head and wiped her eyes. "I don't know what to think" she turned away from him sniffling.

"Have some faith, there's no doubt in my mind she's going to walk away from this unscathed. Better than ever and ready to meddle with your life" Serena laughed at him feeling so much better.

"She'll be making you go to tea parties, and setting you up on blind dates in no time" he said seriously, it bothered Serena.

"Well, not if you're with James,...you know, I just..." it wasn't the reason she was bothered.

"Yeah" she just nodded wiping her eyes.

"You'll see" he smiled at her, her brushed her face with his thumb, getting the last drop she missed from her chin.

"Come here" Serena hugged him. "Thank you" she said holding on to his shoulder blades tightly. Dan stood up and noticed the office door was open. His old swivel chair still hadn't been replaced. He wondered if James complained about it as much as he did. He wondered if James knew the reason it was broken. He laughed at the thought knowing Serena would never tell him that story.

"Dan...?" Serena watched him staring at the room.

"I better get going" he hugged her again. "Umm, Happy last anniversary" he made an awkward face as he attempted a joke.

"ha..." she laughed but felt like crying as she pulled away from their hug.

"Don't cry, everything will be just fine" he smiled again.

"Yeah,...have a good night" she crossed her arms slightly watching him walk out of the apartment.

"you too. Bye" he smiled before walking out.

James walked in so quickly after Dan left she was sure they crossed paths.

"You're really late" Serena commented. "I thought we were going to have dinner" she sighed seeing it was now 9:00.

"Yeah well I'm really busy okay?" he put up his defence. "I called here about three hours ago and the line was busy, why?" he began to raid the fridge.

"I was talking to my mom, she started chemo today" Serena explained.

"yeah but we have call waiting" he said.

"I'm sorry if I didn't want to put my sick mother on hold" she pursed her lips together. James didn't say anything else, he continued to putter around the kitchen. Finally he looked up to her see her sitting in the chair just staring at him. Waiting for him to say something, to comfort her. Serena got up and began to walk into her bedroom, James followed to her displease.

"You wanna...cuddle" he put his hand around her waist and pulled her towards him.

"I told you i'm not ready for that" she pulled away, his mouth centimetres away from hers.

"we've been together a long time now" he stared at her holding her hands and looking in her eyes.

"Well what do you want me to do? she smiled slightly "I'm not ready" she pushed his hands away from hers and walked to the livingroom, knowing she didn't want him near her in the bedroom.

"come on" he tilted his head Serena shook her head no.

"I'm starting to see why Dan wants out..." he said under his breath.

"Pardon?" Serena said offended. That definitely had nothing to do with it.

"Nothing, come on" he touched her waist.

"James..." she felt violated by the way he was looking at her, she pushed her hair behind her ears and went into the kitchen to get away from him.

"okay, okay" he saw the look on her face and back tracked. "we can cuddle, actually cuddle, no funny business, I know much you hate that" he snuck up behind her and put his head on her shoulder something Dan used to do. Her eyes snapped shut, she held them closed even tighter when she felt him kiss the nape of her neck. All Serena could think about was how wrong it felt. She thought about all the things James did that bothered her, when he grabbed her and pulled her on to his lap, when he picked her up, when he kissed her without notice, things that were only comfortable with Dan. Every kiss pressed against her skin felt like a burn, they felt like sins. Serena winced with every single one James placed on her.

"Stop" she pulled away from him. "Stop it" she repeated.

"Serena, I was thinking that maybe it's commitment you're having an issue with, so on the way home from work I picked this up" he pulled a box out of his pocket. "Cynthia picked it out, she thought you'd like it" Serena stared at the box, her heart slowed down. "I was going to wait but it seems like a good time" Serena's eyes bulged, how on earth could he think this was a good time for anything but a slap in the face.

"It's what you think it is" he smiled. "I want you to know I'm serious, Marry me?" he handed the box to her. Serena pulled away from him and looked at him like he was insane.

"I can't believe you just..." she thought for a moment.

"You look nervous" he smiled at her wide eyes. As he rubbed her back she felt dirty and wrong. James lifted her finger and tried slide the ring on.

"Oh no" she looked scared and made a fist so there was no way he could get it on her. "No" she put her hand behind her back to keep it away from him.

"Serena, I didn't mean to upset you" Serena took a deep breath and stood. "here" he put it in the palm of her hand and Serena shook her head repeatedly.

"I don't want this" Serena placed the gigantic ring on the counter. "Did you think if you asked me to marry you i'd sleep with you?" she asked saddened and disgusted at the same time.

"...Serena!" James started, anger was building in him as he scolded her like a child. "I don't understand"

"I'm still married!" she yelled.

"You don't want the ring?"

"NO!" she yelled, James looked at her baffled. All she could think about was how he was a stranger.

"I don't,..." she took a deep breath. "I don't want it because you didn't use your student loans and three credit cards to buy it" her mind started to wander.

"What are you talking about?" James shook his head.

"I don't want it because someone else picked it out for you" she stared at him solemnly.

"You're acting crazy" James told her.

"I dont want it because you didn't propose in a baseball cap and I didn't have paint on my elbow, I don't want it because we aren't in an empty Brooklyn loft with the smell of paint fumes and take out chinese food" she laughed looking around.

"Because i'm wearing Versace" she looked down saddened as she touched the black satin of her dress.

"You're acting like a psycho Serena" he rolled his eyes.

"I don't want it because you didn't get down on one knee...and you know what?...I didn't cry" her gaze hit the ceiling and she thought.

"I don't want it because I don't see a happy future with you" her eyes were red and she had a hard time seeing.

"What are you saying?"

"I don't want it because you aren't my husband and you'll never be my husband. I'm saying I'm done" she walked to the door.

"Yeah because Dan really knew how to hold on you. New money" he turned his nose up. "You know a guy like him was never meant for someone of your pedigree. He's a lucky mutt that's all" he didn't mask his distaste for Dan.

"You have no idea...no idea what you're talking about." she shook her head.

"Serena I know guys like him"

"You don't know anything about him. That guy,...he loved me everyday, rain or shine, I'm glad he's nothing like you"

"Oh and that's why you're getting divorced?" he said sarcastically. "because he loved you everyday?, yeah tell yourself that" his lips curled at the corners and she decided right then that she hated him, maybe she always did.

"Please, just go, I'll send your things to you...or you can collect them from the terrace" she threatened to throw them out the window.

"Fucking psycho" James muttered to himself as he walked out the door.

Serena didn't know what do with herself once James was gone, She went to the closet and ripped every item of clothing that was his down from the rack, and threw it into the hallway, this part of the closet used to be Dan's and James' things didn't belong in there, not his shirts, not his ties, nothing. She looked down at the pile on the floor and quickly picked up the one shirt she knew used to belong to Dan, she folded it neatly while tears dripped on to the bed before curling up on to a pillow. When she finally felt calm she sat up, the box Julia brought by was still sitting on the top shelf in the closet. She stared at it for a moment and decided to open it. She was confused to find folded up pieces of paper, there must have been a hundred. A piece of paper on top was dated Christmas Day a year ago. She fell down on the bed as she began to read it.

Serena, I'm sorry. I truly am. I didn't think the watch was going to upset you. I had a hard time finding something I thought you would like and it just reminded me of you, I guess I know why now. I never meant to upset you, I've always wanted to give you everything you never had and I get carried away sometimes and forget you want the simpler things. I hope you like this present because it's over seventeen years in the making, make sure you take a look at the very last letter, it'll make you laugh. I love you, Merry Christmas -xoxo Dan.

Serena soon realized that every single letter was in order of when he gave them to her. The bottom ones being the oldest, she also noticed that as the years went on they became fewer and fewer. The years before they were married had the most, the year before the separated had the least. But there were letters from every year they spent together. Some she remembered, some she didn't. She dug down to read the one Dan assumed would make her laugh. It wasn't a piece of paper, it was a napkin. Serena turned it over to see little calculations of how much their dinner would cost. She bit her lip and read the post-it note he stuck to it.

It's not really a note but I've kept this for seventeen years, I didn't think i'd ever tell you.

The tip and tax calculation done in blue ink sent a wave of emotion that hit her like a ton of bricks, all she could think of was him planning the perfect date for her, and kissing him for the first time on cobblestone streets in the meatpacking district. She had never been on a date with anyone so charming.

Serena opened letter after letter until they were all splayed across her bed. She dug into the box and pulled out another, this time she held the thin paper in her hands gently, it was so old, she wanted it to stay intact, she wanted to keep this letter forever, before she even began reading she felt her throat tighten, everytime she read it she was brought to tears. His way with words was so beautiful, she knew it didn't take him long to write, he just took out a pen and wrote what he was feeling, he gave it to her a couple nights before Julia was born, tears streamed down her face as she read it over and over, she knew he didn't expect or hope for that kind of reaction but she couldn't help it, it was beautiful when she read it then and it was beautiful now.

Serena reached out for his shirt and held one of the sleeves up to her cheek, it was soft, plaid flannel, she knew he wore it when they first moved in to the penthouse, she wiped her eyes with it, then hugged it before reading the rest of the letters. It didn't smell like him anymore but she wanted to be close to him and this was the only way she could do so.

'Cause there has always been heartache and pain
And when it's over you'll breathe again
You'll breath again

XOXOXOXOXOX

Dan was going over a speech in his office when the doorbell rang. "coming!" he called out.

"Hey, What are you doing here?" he said once he realized it was Serena, he was happy to see her, he walked deeper into the house and she followed behind him as he turned off the light in his office. The clock struck ten.

"How dare you!" she was angry and he knew it, the door slammed behind her.

"What?" he held his hands out oblivious to what she wanted.

"You can't make me feel bad because I want a kiss or a...napkin for Christmas!, because it would be easier to just buy something, well you know what I want a letter for christmas and I'm sorry if that's too hard for you but I won't except anything else" she wasn't sure why she was yelling at him, but it felt safer this way. She hadn't planned on it while she was in the cab, but now seeing him here standing in front of her it's all she wanted to do.

"Did you open the box?" he asked stoically.

"Yes! and I just spent four hours reading every last one and crying my eyes out" she looked at him as if he was the most despicable person she's ever met.

"You're mad?" he asked, "You're mad!" he couldn't believe her, his eyes widened with anger.

"Yeah I kind of hate you right now" she said bluntly, her jaw tightened as she waited for him to retort.

"Why?" he asked angrily, "that's exactly what you wanted and I did it!, you wanted a letter I wrote you a letter!"

"it was hard for you!...it was hard for you to sit down and write three sentences!" she shook her head infuriated but at the same time she looked heartbroken.

"You're mad that I didn't write you a paragraph? a novel, on how sorry I am?" he shook his head and walked further into the house.

"No i'm mad because I never read the damn letter, you didn't even make me open it" she said sadly. "Why didn't you make me open it?" she cried.

"You're saying that if you read it... you would have stayed?...you would have forgiven me? It has nothing to do with the letter Serena" she said quietly.

"What does it have to do with?" she asked.

"You want me to be who I used to be, and I can't be him anymore, I've spent all this time giving you everything you never had growing up and you don't want it, you want a love letter...and I don't know how to write them anymore" he said sadly. "I wouldn't even know where to begin"

"That's bullshit" Serena's eyes widened.

"I want to give you everything and I can't give you the thing you want. I write you letters and they're not enough, I buy you things but no, now you'd rather have the letter, I can't give you want you want" he sighed.

"It has nothing to do with that! I have everything, look around Dan. Everything I've ever wanted you've given me and you still have the audacity to say it's not enough, I didn't want you to buy my love!, why don't you get that?"

"You don't have everything" he shook his head.

"What do I not have?" she held her hands out still furious with him. "because...until about a year ago I had it all" she crossed her arms now.

"...the one thing you've wanted all along" he said.

"and that would be?...," she suddenly knew what he meant. "That's not...," she trailed off knowing he meant a son, her shoulders fell. "Dan if you could, I know you would've in a heartbeat, but that's not something you can choose and I've never blamed you for that"

"No, I know...I just wanted that to be clear" he walked around to the kitchen.

"That's not what we're fighting about, we've never fought about that. What is it about us that makes us want to fight all the time?..., I just want to be able to talk you and..." she followed him into his office, it was as if he was avoiding her. "Is it about Owen?"

"No" Dan shook his head.

"Then what?, Why are we like this, we just keep..."

"You should probably leave" Dan said interrupting and shocking Serena with his bluntness.

"Why?" she watched his gaze move to the floor, she felt her back tense up with anger, they truly had some kind of chemical reaction around each other. She never felt more like screaming then when she was around him.

"You shouldn't be here right now, because there are a lot of things that I..." she watched him turn away from her. "want to say to you" he finally said.

"Say them" she put her hands on her hips and waited for the worst. "I'm not afraid Dan, I can take a little verbal abuse" she stood in the door way.

"I uh..." he took a deep breath. "Well, I miss you" he looked up from the desk he was standing beside. Serena was stunned. "and you should leave before I say something I shouldn't"

"Like what?" she approached him slowly.

"Like," he turned to face her.

"What?" she urged, her face the closet it's ever been to him in the last eight months.

"Like,...I love you," he swallowed instantly knowing he shouldn't have said that.

"I have to go" Serena stepped back away from him, she felt too weak to stand there, there was too much tension and she knew she'd do something she'd regret. They weren't getting back together, they knew if they went there they would just continue in their pattern, this was unhealthy for both of them. "I have to go" she said again still standing there.

"Yeah you do" Dan nodded.

XOXOXOXOXOX

Dan only just slipped into bed when feverish knocking made him rise up. He walked down to the door and looked into the peep hole, he saw blonde hair it was 10:30. She hadn't left, only sat on the steps.

"Yes" he opened the door.

"I forgot something...and I don't have a key" she stood, Dan stood there bare chested and confused, Serena knew she shouldn't have come.

"I didn't want to wake you up but I don't have a key" she repeated why she was there while staring at his bare chest. All that she could think of was 'Kelly's property'.

"What do you want?" he asked deeply.

"I don't know" she frowned, her bottom lip started to tremble, Dan looked away from her, he hated that face.

"What did you forget?" he looked around the foyer, it took all he had not to wipe away those tears and kiss away everything that was bothering her.

"are the girls home?" she changed the subject confusing him.

"No, Julia is at the Archibald's and Brooke is at Stephanie's,...Serena, why are you here? what do you want?" he asked looking concerned.

"This" she put her hand on his face and moved herself closer to him, when her lips hit his he tensed up and pulled away. It was a wince and it made her feel like crying. She was sure he'd want to kiss her once he felt her lips on his but she was wrong. He pulled away immediately, she was humiliated.

"So, you got what you came for..." Dan pushed her away from him gently with his lips pressed firmly together hoping he could keep that feeling. Serena felt dumb, how could she do that, he wasn't her man to kiss, she was ashamed.

"Not exactly" she turned away and started down the steps, Dan looked up at the ceiling fighting with his own thoughts. Serena steadied her breathing and promised herself she wouldn't cry when Dan grabbed her waist and pulled her back into him. Their lips crashed together before Serena knew what was happening. Both not caring about anything other than that very moment. Serena's nails lightly scratched his back as she melted into him, she remembered he had a girlfriend and that this was unfair to her but as far as Serena was concerned Dan was still her property, legal documents said so. Dan shut the door, his lips never leaving hers.

They were sober, they had no excuses but they didn't care, they'd decide that after. There was no talking, they had done enough talking. Serena closed her eyes and moaned lightly from all the soft kisses he was placing on her neck. Not one felt like a burn, not a sin just warm, soft sensations that felt completely pure and comfortable. Dan pinned her up against the wall, one of his hands held her arms above her head as his mouth worked it's way down her neck. His other undid her blouse. She shivered as he kissed along her breasts and up to her collarbone. Putting both hands on her neck, he moved to her lips, Serena couldn't get enough of him, her lips were swollen from all their kisses and her face was flushed from the heat.

Dan grabbed the leg Serena had hooked around his waist and picked her up off the ground. The couldn't make it half way up the stairs without stopping to strip eachother. When Serena was free of her dress and was left in tights he picked her up and they continued to the bedroom where he laid her down on the bed and proceeded to remove her leggings one by one. She smiled impishly as he took control and removed every last item of clothing off her body.

Every inch of her he knew by heart, He knew just where to touch her and just what to do. Serena closed her eyes as he nuzzled her neck and that's when everything slowed down. They knew it was going to happen, they didn't need to be quick. Serena looked up and his eyes locked hers she was suddenly more aware of his rapid heartbeat and how hers was meeting it beat for beat. Nobody ever looked her that way and it was more apparent than ever that nobody else ever would. Dan's hand found it's way to Serena's, they intwined, Serena's had grasping on to Dan's tightly as if he'd let go. Her lips found their way back on to his, her tongue touched his softly, then pleaded to feel it again with more force.

Serena ran her hands softly along the back of his neck and down his back, remembering every muscle while he played with her hair. She didn't want to wait, she needed him, she wanted him to show her that he wasn't worried about anything but her in that moment. Those lips pressed against hers felt like home, those eyes looking at her felt like home, everything about this felt like home, there was no other way to describe it. Serena took it upon herself to get what she wanted, she found the one part of Dan that hadn't been reunited with her, Dan quickly helped her and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

He filled her, every void. She closed her eyes not believing it had been so long since they had done this. Still no words, they managed to get into a rhythm, Their hearts picked up their pace and their body's following suit. Dan slowed down to Serena's disappointment, he slid his hand under her leg and back and moved her so she was now on top. She smiled lightly looking down at him. Serena's hair fell in her face and Dan immediately moved it away so he could see her, just like he always did, the way he looked at her caused a tear to glide down her cheek. Without a word, Dan reached up and got rid of it.

Serena pulled on his shoulders so he was now sitting up with her, she ran her hands all through his hair as she lifted herself off him and back down again. The steady up and down was starting to really affect Serena, she shivered, her breathing was loud and panty. Dan knew she was nearing an end, he smiled at her just as she felt the intense release of waves, her hands were still tangled in his hair when she leaned her face against his pressed her lips on the bridge of his nose. She smiled blissfully before she started up again, lifting herself up and steadying herself back down, to Dan's please each time she lifted up, her breasts found their way closer to his face. Serena's hands rested on his shoulders, his rested on her hips, she lifted up one last time before Dan's hands immediately locked her in place not allowing her to move a muscle while it was his turn to feel the waves. He leaned in and kissed her lightly.

"Happy Anniversary" Dan smiled just before the clock stuck midnight.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

"Dan..., Dan?" she whispered in his ear.

"Mmm?" he groaned as Serena laid herself on his chest. Her hands drew circles lightly along his chest. Serena didn't say anything she simply began kissing him, moving down to his neck.

"You're going to kill me" Dan yawned seeing the alarm clock said 3:00 am. She hadn't be able to get enough of him all night.

"Please?" she played with his ear, rubbing the lobe and folding it back. He lifted his head up and kissed her.

"Please?" she asked again hovering over him, her hair making a tent over his face. She missed him even when he was lying beside her, she wanted to be closer to him. Dan pushed some of the hair out of the way so he could see that beautiful face he used to wake up next to every morning.

"Oh Serena..." he yawned rubbing up her bare arms.

"I just want to feel you" she whispered. Dan finally complied to her, he couldn't stand to see her unsatisfied.

When they woke up the rain had stopped, the sun was shining and they were left to realize the night before was not a dream.

"Hey" Dan noticed she was wide awake.

"Morning" Serena smiled staring at him.

"Good morning" he smiled back. Serena laid her head on his chest.

"That was..." he smiled rubbing up her bare back.

"Right,...it was just right" she closed her eyes.

"Yeah it was" he kissed her forehead.

"Do you feel guilty?" he asked her thinking about James and Kelly. Serena giggled.

"You know what?, I don't at all…you're my husband" she giggled, snuggling closer to him.

"Do you?" she asked.

"...um, Nope" Serena giggled.

"I miss that laugh so much"

"I miss everything" she looked at him now.

"I have to get going" Serena stood up and Dan watched her put her bra back on.

"No peeking" she teased.

"There's nothing to hide" she smirked. "Can you sleep here tonight?" he asked her while rubbing his eyes.

"Dan,...what will Kelly think?" she stuffed her dress in her oversized purse, deciding she didn't want to put her tights back on.

"It doesn't matter what she thinks, we're married and if we need to figure things out then that's our business"

"and the girls?, we cant go back and fourth like this, what if they think we're getting back together and then we don't? we cant do that to them, they got dragged through the mud with our separation Dan"

"Ok" he nodded understanding.

"We will always love each other and that is why this is really hard, it's just not healthy for us to fight like we are and im not sure we are ready to get back together"

"This is a familiar conversation, are you going to tell me that we will see each other fully dressed with lots of people around and then we'll talk?" he made Serena giggle again.

"I wasn't going to, sounds like a plan though, we need to keep our clothes on, we should have learned by now that nothing gets solved like this" she glanced at the rumpled sheets and Dan gave her a cheeky grin.

"We have a problem" she laughed trying to be serious but failing.

"Let's do this again sometime" Dan kissed her as she leaned into him. Serena laughed heartily and Dan smiled at her, he really missed that laugh.

"..., Can I take this?" she asked holding his dress shirt.

"Of course" he agreed.

"We'll talk, I have to go see my mom, but we'll talk okay?"

"Okay" he nodded.

With one last kiss, Serena quietly crept out of the bedroom wearing one of Dan's oversized dress shirts to see Brooke and Julia walking up the stairs. Both stopped talking when they saw a blonde woman shutting their dad's bedroom door closed behind her. Both tried to avert their eyes seeing that it wasn't Kelly and becoming incredibly uncomfortable. The woman turned to walk away, Julia noticed her long legs, much like her own.

"Mom?" Julia said in a shocked but pleased way. "Hi" she smiled, turning towards them, busted. Brooke's jaw dropped."Umm, shouldn't you be at school?" They could see she was really embarrassed.

"It's Saturday" Brooke smiled widely.

"Oh, well then, I have to go. I'll see you guys later" she said embarrassed, quickly ran down the stairs and left. Brooke and Julia held hands and screamed for joy when Serena exited.

"AHHHH!"

"oh my GOD!"

"What is happening?" she giggled. After a few minutes of giggles Dan surfaced from his room.

"What are we celebrating?" he asked, pulling his robe on.

"Nothing" Julia's face had a smile that she tried to conceal.

"You look tired Dad, we're you up all night?" Brooke said quickly before Julia and her ran into her bedroom so they could giggle some more.

xoxox

( So? was it okay? Review and let me know. If you're confused about the chair being broken and you want a refresher, just go to chapter 19, that will clear it up for you. Don't get your knickers in a bunch, I have a plan...Dan dumps Kelly as soon as she comes back from her mother's. James is not coming back, Kelly will only be back briefly in the next chapter)

-Faryn xoxox