Sorry this chapter took me a little longer to post, but I really am trying to stay a chapter ahead of myself. It doesn't help that my sleeping schedule is a little messed up at the moment, but chapter 4 is now done and I will be starting on chapter 5 soon! Anyways I hope you like Ch. 3! Ch. 4 preview/teaser at the end!

Chapter 3 - You've Seen The Worst Of Me Now, I'm All Alone

When the elevator doors opened up in to Blair's apartment Dan was little confused as of what to do. Should he go in? Just say goodnight and leave? Or should he… "Hey you want to come in and watch a movie?" Blair asked. He wasn't expecting that.

"Depends. What are we watching?" Dan asked her already taking off his jacket and planning to stay.

"Well I was thinking maybe The Proposal. I know it's a little older, but I always thought it was funny." She smiled, but it quickly disappeared. "Although it being a romantic comedy I totally understand if its not your type of movie. I can find something else…" she trailed off.

"The Proposal sounds fine Blair." he said smiling at her. He could have sworn she was slightly blushing.

"Good. Then I will go make the popcorn and if you could go put the movie in? The living room is right over there." She pointed through to the next room and then scurried of towards the kitchen.

Seeing the living room and the few other parts of the house he had seen so far he must admit it surprised him. From Blair Waldorf he was expecting a place with a very rich feel and although yes it did have that, it was also surprisingly warm. Almost family like. Okay Dan its time to stop doing that he ordered himself. I think its now perfectly clear that Blair is not the same person she was in high school. Sure there were still parts that were the same, but she was also lot more mature. She was understanding and surprisingly vulnerable. A side he had only got a glimpse at seeing in high school. He went over to the Blu-ray player and put in The Proposal and then waited for Blair.

God what was she doing? She asked herself. Truth was she had no clue. The only thing she did know is she didn't want to be alone and that for some reason when she was around Dan her heart didn't seem to hurt nearly as much. Maybe it was because he was the only one that was nice to her tonight? Or maybe it was the look he got in his eyes when he looked at her? Blair questioned herself trying to find some sort of explanation for her sudden feelings towards him, but she couldn't think of any.

The microwave beeped signalling that the popcorn was done. Blair pushed the button to open it and grabbed the bag. Taking a bowl down from one of her cabinets she poured the bag of popcorn into it. One thing was for sure, she wanted to figure it out and she wanted to watch The Proposal. She went down the hall and grabbed a blanket out of one of the huge closets she used for her towels and linens. Before returning to the kitchen she decided to change into something more casual and comfortable for watching a movie. She chose a pair of jeans -god if the old Blair could see her now- and one of her favourite deep red blouse's with a big bow on the side. Taking the bowl that was filled with popcorn off the counter, she carried it and the blanket to her living room and to a waiting Dan Humphrey.

Not far in to the movie and Blair was already laughing. Dan was glad. Not only because it meant she wasn't crying, but because he realised just how much he liked to hear her laugh. He smiled to himself.

"You know, back in high school that would have been you trying to trade the puppy for your cell phone with the eagle." he commented.

"Hey! That puppy is adorable! No way would I let the eagle have it to get my cell phone back." she said jokingly, but she knew he was right. That so would have been her back in high school.

"Blair Waldorf without her cell phone!? That's something I'd have to see!" he teased her. Blair rolled her eyes and threw a piece of popcorn at him. Dan pretended to be in shock and she smirked at him.

"Wow. Looks like she's still got some fight in her ladies and gentlemen!" and with that he quickly reached across the couch and started tickling her. She started squirming and giggling immediately. Who knew Blair Waldorf was this ticklish? Dan thought to himself, amused.

"Dan! Stop! Stop it!" she said between giggles and trying to catch her breath. Satisfied, Dan halted his relentless tickle attack. Blair was still laughing, trying to catch her breath and her face was completely flushed. Dan marvelled at her beauty.

"Jackass," she managed in a humorous breathless tone "you nearly made me spill the popcorn!" she went to playfully slap him on the shoulder, but before she got the chance he brought a hand up to caress the side of her face and kissed her. He didn't know what he was expecting, but it definitely wasn't her wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back!

Blair's breath caught in her throat. Her mind was momentarily stunned, but it appeared her body had a mind of its own. She got a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach and a warmth spread through her body. Finally able to process what was happening and how she was feeling she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Kneeling on the couch she leaned into him. Dan's free hand gently ran down her side stirring heat and emotions in its wake. In this moment she felt loved. Tears stung at the back of her eyes. God what was wrong with her? She was such an emotional wreck! She started pulling away from Dan when he wrapped his arm around her waste and looked questionably at her.

"Blair?" Her eyes shone with unshed tears. She was clearly trying hard to hold them back. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked in a hushed voice, taking his hand and brushing her hair behind her ear. She shook her head and worried her bottom lip. "Blair," Dan spoke softly and opened his arms "come here." She didn't even hesitate. She went into his arms and lay beside him, cuddling up to his side. With her head on his chest she closed her eyes as Dan stroked her hair. He was warm and surprisingly comfortable. She was so relaxed in his arms that it wasn't long until she started to doze off.

Dan laid there on Blair's couch with her snuggled into his side. As he stroked her hair he couldn't help but think how unreal this all was. He had to give it to fate. It worked in some very mysterious ways. Had someone told him at the beginning of the day that by night he would be on Blair Waldorf's couch with her nestled into his side while he listened to her steady breathing and ran his hand over her hair, he would have probably laughed them out of New York, but he had to admit it to himself, he didn't regret this. He finally got to see Blair more for who she was. She was no longer some teenage girl hiding behind a bitchy facade, but a person -a woman- with real emotions. She let him see her at one of her weakest moments tonight, and if he was being honest with himself he knew that he wanted to be there for her.

Thinking Blair would be in a deep sleep by now he carefully reached for the remote and turned off the T.V and Blu-ray player. Luckily the light was already dim and didn't seem to be bothering her so he pulled the blanket over them both and placed a kiss on top of her head.

"I promise if you give me a chance with your heart Blair, that I'll do everything in my power to guard it and keep it safe." he whispered, more thinking out loud, but knowing that he meant it.

"I'm going to hold you to that Humphrey." Blair whispered back startling him and causing him to slightly jump. A sleepy smile broke across her face. As far as he knew, it stayed there all night.

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Ch. 4 Preview/Teaser

Need rushed over Dan as he tasted her. Her mouth tasted of strawberries and her skin like fresh peaches. He had completely lost his train of thought until he heard her hushed moan. At an attempt to try and regain control of himself he started to pull away from her.