Shattered

"I'll be right back," Vanessa said before retreating into her bedroom. The remaining 4 looked at each other.

"This is...awkward," Serena stated. Just like she had said, he thought. Though it wasn't quite the awkwardness he had expected.

"Should...we...talk to them?" Blair suggested.

"Which one?"

"I didn't know they were having problems. Did any of you?"

"No," They all replied.

"I'll go see Vanessa," Nate offered, standing up from the table.

"Yeah, she's probably closest to you out of all of us," Serena said truthfully, not knowing quite how 'close' they really were. Nate went into the bedroom whilst Blair, Chuck and Serena went into the kitchen.

"Daniel," Chuck began. "Care to explain?"

"After Christmas," Dan didn't turn from the sink.

"There's no point putting it off, Cabbage Patch," Blair said.

"Right," Dan turned around. "If it's so easy, why don't you tell us what's with your strange behaviour, huh?" Both Blair and Chuck remained silent. "See...take your own advice before you dish it out to me,"

"Dan," Serena asked. "What happened?"

"It doesn't matter." Dan dried his hands. "Where's V?"

"She went into the bedroom; Nate's talking to her,"

"I should go apologise,"

"What for?"

"I just...I should," Dan said, before leaving to go to the bedroom. The other 3 followed him. He didn't bother knocking. He hoped she wouldn't care. He stopped and just stared. His feet wouldn't move. He wanted to move. He wanted to shout. He wanted to punch him. He wanted to tell her to get out. To go away. To never see him again. But he couldn't. It was like his mind wasn't attached to his body.

"Serena," Nate stood up from the bed and walked towards her. "I..."

"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Serena shouted. "YOU'RE SICK!"

"Serena, I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry,"

"YOU CHEATER!"

"You...you did exactly the same thing with Carter,"

"HOW DARE YOU!?" Tears flooded out of her eyes. "I'M NOT GUILTY! I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU TURN THINGS AROUND! YOU...YOU..."

"We were going to wait until after Christmas. But...I..." They stood in silence, everyone unsure what to say.

"Dan...say something," Vanessa pleaded.

"What am I meant to say?"

"Anything...I'm so sorry." Vanessa was crying too.

"For doing it or for getting caught?"

"I...I love him..." She said. "I...we were going to tell both of you," She looked at Serena, who now stood glaring at Nate, whilst Blair had an arm around her. "After Christmas..."

"Because it hurts so much less being dumped when it's not the festive season," Dan said sarcastically.

"Dan...I didn't want it to be like this...I...I didn't want to hurt you this much..."

"Hurt me?" Dan scoffed. "You already hurt me when you said you had to think about my proposal...think about? Come on, what happily after couples have had to think about their answer? At least I know why now."

"Dan...I'm sorry mate," Nate said.

"Mate? You think we're mates still? I really, really want to hit you right now," Dan clenched his fist. "And I really, really," He looked at Vanessa. "Want to shout at you." He breathed deeply, trying to stay calm.

"I..." Vanessa didn't know what to say. "I'm...so sorry,"

"How long?" Dan asked.

"It doesn't matter,"

"I want to know how long,"

"2 years." Serena sobbed into Blair's shoulder.

"Did you ever think I was the one...?"

"I...I...when you started liking me as...as more than a friend...I had stopped feeling that way about you...but by then Nate liked Serena and...I...you, one guy, had chosen me over Serena...that was more than I expected...I wasn't naive enough to think that anyone else ever would..."

"But he has done. He's chosen you over me," Serena said, her words laced with venom. "Does that give you a sense of achievement? You've got two guys to love you more than they did van der Woodsen. Maybe we should give you an award,"

"Serena...I didn't mean it like that,"

"I'm...going on the roof. I'll be down in an hour and you will be gone and I will never see either of you again," Dan turned and Vanessa grabbed his arm.

"We've been friends forever...we can't leave it like this,"

"What did you expect me to do?!" Dan raised his voice for the first time. "Congratulate you on finally finding the right guy?! You chose this, not me!"

"Dan..." Nate began. Dan finally lost control and punched him in the stomach. He knelt on the floor, reeling in pain.

"If you ever hurt her I will break you. If you ever come near me ever again I will break you. If I hear your voice ever again I will make sure you won't be able to speak. Fuck giving you an hour. Get out now." Nate didn't move. Dan grabbed his collar and pulled him up. "Get out." He said though gritted teeth. "Vanessa, come back for your stuff when I'm not here."

"Serena...we need to talk...I..." Nate reached a hand out to place on Serena's shoulder, but Blair pushed him away.

"Can't you see that she doesn't want you anywhere near her?" Blair said viciously.

"Nathaniel, get out," Chuck said.

"Chuck...come on, we're best mates...you..."

"Not anymore. Don't make me call the cops,"

"Serena...I'll...call you," Nate said before leaving.

"Dan...I..." His eyes were staring at the floor so intently; it was as if he were trying to see through it. "Please look at me." She reached her hand out to pull his head up.

"I can't." Dan said simply.

"Goodbye," He could hear her sobs. All he wanted to do was hug her, tell her it was going to be ok. But it wasn't, he knew it wasn't going to be ok. They would never be ok. They could never be friends again. He should hate her...he couldn't...he couldn't bring himself to hate her. The door banged shut, signally their departure.

"Dan..." Chuck looked at his best friend.

"I've gotta do something." Dan left the room and frantically dashed about the apartment, picking up photo frames as he went.

"Dan...what are you doing?" He didn't reply to Chuck's question. Blair had sat Serena on the sofa and was making her a cup of tea. "Just stop it!" Chuck shouted. Dan looked at him, eyes red and bloodshot. He walked over to the window, opened it and dropped them all out, glass shattered on the pavement below. "What the hell?" Chuck said, staring at his friend.

"I just..."

"You know..." Chuck began cautiously. "I know a fool proof remedy for a broken heart,"

"What?"

"Victrola...I'll come with you...of course with Blair's permission and..."

"Chuck." Dan replied quietly. "I'm going for a walk,"

"Want some company?" Chuck said hopefully, unwilling to let Dan be alone in his current mood.

"No," Dan grabbed a coat from the stand and left, shutting the door carefully behind him.

"Serena...Victrola?" Chuck said. Blair shot a death glare at him. "It was a joke...a joke...lightening the mood...I'm getting more coffee," He said before quickly rushing into the kitchen.

So, my characterisation might not be quite right...it is my first Gossip Girl and I'm used to writing for OC.

Next chapter? No idea. Rough times at the moment. We'll see how things go.

Xoxo

Georgie