Chapter 4
Author's Note: So, I've decided to throw a few twists into this story just to keep things interesting ;) I hope you enjoy and as always, I look forward to your detailed feedback!
As for everyone who reviewed, thank you so much for letting you what you think and what you like. They are much appreciated, please keep them coming!
Awakeningezgi – Thanks! Jealous Chuck is very fun to write.
TriGemini – Thank you so much for the detailed feedback! I know it was a low blow comparing Chuck to Jack but I wanted Serena to pull out the big guns so to speak. As much as Chuck hated the thought of becoming his father, Jack was the one who gave him reason to destroy his relationship with Blair so I thought that would hit closer to home. And I know S and C are generally selfish and would not have accepted defeat that easily but it isn't what it seems. I have some twists planned so let me know what you think.
Krazy4Spike – Thanks for the feedback! I'm really hoping that Chuck's character improves on the show because I don't like where the writers are taking his storyline. And I agree with you, it would serve him right to lose Bass Industries. Part of me was hoping Raina would double cross him but she seems to be too good for that (I so want to hate her but I can't).
QueenBee10 – Thanks so much!
Thorne47 – Thank you so much!
Skaylor95 – Thank you!
XOXOXO-G.O.s.s.I.P.g.i.R.L – Thank you! The jealous dynamics need to be incorporated back into the show.
A True Dreamer – Thank you! I do hope you continuing reading =)
Chaval – Merci beaucoup pour vos commentaires! Il n'y aura pas de réunion sexuelle entre Dan et Blair. Chair et Derena vont ensemble.
Marilynopen89 – Thank you so much! Glad you caught the reference, I was listening to the soundtrack and the line fit in with what I was writing ;) I'm so glad that you like how Blair has become friends with Dan while retaining her scheming ways. I hope you like what I have planned next.
Penp – Thank you! I'm impressed that you caught the Legally Blonde reference =p
Rid3 – Thank you so much! Don't worry, Dair will have plenty of fun ;)
Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl, or Ed Westwick – sigh.
XOXO
"Hey," Serena exclaimed happily when she saw Dan step off the elevator, "How are you? I've been trying to get a hold of you for weeks."
He hugged her awkwardly as she continued, "I really do want to catch up with you. It's been too long. You brought me coffee," she said when she saw what was in his hands.
"Yeah, I did," he told her as he handed her one of the three lattes he had while looking up the stairs, hoping to see Blair, "I'm actually here to see Blair."
"Oh," she said slowly, "So you two really are friends now?"
"We are, she's not as bad as I thought," he said with his crooked smile. "We actually bonded at Film Forum. Who knew she had good taste in films?"
"Are things between you two serious?" Serena asked.
"I thought I heard your voice," Blair said from the top of the stairs.
"I thought I'd surprise you by coming to hang out uptown for a change. I brought provisions," he told them as he raised the lattes and bag of croissants.
"Ooh," Blair said happily, "very nice. I'll be in my room when you're done. Hey, S."
With a smirk she was gone and Serena was standing there like she just saw pigs fly over Bendels.
"It was good seeing you, Serena," he said as he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before walking up the stairs. "You really do look good."
"Awkward," Dan said as he closed the door and stood against it.
"It's over with now," Blair told him as she took her latte. "Now you don't have to worry about what you'll say to her when you see her. It's done."
"That's not comforting at all," he said as he sat on her bed. "I just want you to know that."
"It's the truth, deal with it," she told him with a glint in her eye. "Are you enjoying your last weekend before classes and your internship begin?"
"I am," he said as she made herself comfortable against the pillows at the head of the bed. "I plan on working on my new story and getting a jumpstart on my reading for my classes."
"When are you going to let me read it?" she asked exasperatedly. "I keep hearing about it but you won't let me see it. I'll even go gentle on you if I can get a peek at it."
"It's not finished," he said plainly, "And we both know you won't go easy on it. When do you ever?"
"True," she smiled, "But I still want to be the first to read it. I mean, I am the one who gave you the push to focus on your writing again."
"That you did," he said as he took a sip of his latte, "And don't worry, you will be the first person to read it. If there's anyone who will be brutally honest it's you."
"Thank you. You and I are going to go shopping tomorrow, by the way," Blair stated as Dan looked at her like she grew a second head. "I need a new outfit and as your friend I can't let you can't be seen at the New Yorker in your normal clothes."
"Why?" Dan asks indignantly, "The people there aren't like the insipid fashion drones at Vogue, they won't care what I'm wearing."
"While they aren't as fashionably astute as my soon-to-be colleagues, I'm choosing to ignore the drone comment, they do notice quality. And good taste," she added with a smirk the soon turned into a smile.
"Alright," he said reluctantly, "I'll let you play dress up with me again."
"Why thank you, Humphrey, you say the sweetest things," she said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.
"It's a good thing I like you, Waldorf," Dan told her as he shoved a piece of croissant in her mouth before she could retort.
XOXO
"I can't do this," Serena exclaimed as she stormed into Chuck's suite at the Empire. "I tried but if they want to play games then we'll just play one step ahead of them."
"What happened to being the bigger person?" Chuck asked as he leaned forward. "And that comment you made about me becoming Jack?"
"Lapse of judgment," she said flippantly. "Dan's at the penthouse and he totally ditched me for Blair."
"What happened to showing Brooklyn that you've matured?" Chuck asked, amused at how distressed Serena was.
"He need to know I won't roll over and tolerate being treated like that," she said tartly.
"What did you have in mind?" Chuck asked as he poured himself a drink and got one for Serena as their scheming began. He had to consciously push the gnawing feeling he felt in the pit of his stomach away in order to concentrate on what Serena was telling him.
XOXO
"Absolutely not," Blair exclaimed, "I will not allow you to be seen in a sweater vest, no. Step away, Humphrey, it's for your own good."
"Now this," she said as she held up a brown tweed blazer, "Is acceptable. Very recluse writer appeal."
"I like it," he said as he looked at the tag, "But not for this price."
He went to put it back when she took it, "You're getting this, my gift to you."
"Blair, I can't let you," he started.
"Nonsense, you'll look good in it and you must have it. It's the perfect vibe for the New Yorker," Blair said with a smile. "Try it on for good measure."
Dan tried it on very cautiously because he really liked it but couldn't afford it. Once he tried it on, he couldn't help but smile.
"See," she said victoriously, "You like it. Don't waste your breath arguing with me, you know I'll win."
She could see his internal struggle when she continued, "You are definitely wearing this tomorrow. It's your first day and you need to look good. Pair it with khakis and an off-white shirt and you're golden. Just don't wear those ugly loafers with the tassels. You want to look distinguished not like someone's grandfather."
"You really are an evil dictator of taste, Blair Waldorf," he said as he looked at himself in the mirror. "I'm glad you're on my side."
"Dictator of taste, I like that," she told him approvingly, "Now enough shopping for you, I need to find something for tomorrow and a male opinion never hurts."
After three hours, six outfits, two pairs of shoes, and a handbag later, they were finally back out on Madison.
"I really don't feel comfortable with this," Dan said as they walked down the avenue. "At least let me pay you back, eventually."
"No," she said with finality, "You were there for me when I needed someone to talk with. Now I'm here to prevent you from looking heinous. We're even, and you're welcome. Speed it up, I'm starving and you're buying me lunch."
"I can live with that," Dan said with a chuckle as they walked down the street, bantering all the way to the restaurant.
XOXO
It had been two weeks since their classes and internships began and Dan and Blair barely had time to see each other, let alone hang out. Tuesday night was the only time that they were both free so they decided to meet for drinks to catch up.
"Sorry I'm late," Blair exclaimed as she hugged Dan before sitting down, "I want to hear all about your internship but I need a drink first."
"Dirty martini, no olives," she told the passing waiter before turning her attention back to Dan.
"Rough day?" he asked with a grin.
"Oh my God, yes," she sighed. "But tell me about yours first."
"Well, I happen to be an expert in fetching coffee and pastries," he sighed. "Oh, and I can pick up dry cleaning."
"We're interns," she said, "That translates to slave labor. At least you got to go outside. I spent my day steam cleaning couture in a windowless room. Do you see any prospect of editing or writing in your future?"
"Not yet. But I did see David Remnick and he said 'Hello, Dan.' The other interns now think I'm a rock-star because the editor knows my name," he laughed.
"That's your in," she told him as she savored her first sip of the martini. "Make sure you're always around when he is. And make sure when he needs something done you're the one to do it."
"Is that what you plan to do?" he asked. "Or are you going to use sabotage as your weapon of choice?"
"Not this time," Blair said, "My supervisor let it slip that the last batch of interns gave her hell because their backstabbing and conniving ways got nothing done well. My plan is to look better than the rest of them. It helps that I've had many years of experience dealing with Eleanor's fashion related breakdowns. Vogue is a cakewalk compared to living under the same roof as my mother."
They easily slipped into their friendly banter as they enjoyed their meals. They were about ready to order dessert when they spotted Chuck and Serena walk in, with dates on their arms.
The stepsiblings locked eyes with their respective exes and smirked.
"We'll take that table," Chuck told the waiter smoothly, referencing the booth directly across from where Blair and Dan were sitting.
"Smile and laugh," Dan said with a nervous chuckle as he saw Blair tense, "Don't let him see that it bothers you."
"Are you going to let them get away with this?" she said with a fake smile as he reached for her hand.
"They just want to get a rise out of us," he said. "Don't give them what they want."
"Do you really want Serena to have sex with that guy?" she asked. "Because that is what she does, she gets drunk and sleeps with random strangers. I've seen it happen many times before."
"Relax," Dan said, "Let's order dessert."
"The only thing I want is to scalp Malibu Barbie over there," she told him venomously.
"You don't want to do that," he said as he took her hand. "My dad always told us that no one misses a bitch. Why do you think I don't tell Serena off once and for all?"
He kissed her hand and watched as her expression softened. "You're right, I know you're right," she said as she looked at him, "But I also know that we have to leave now. I can't watch them any longer." She caught the waiter's attention and reached for her credit card.
"Then we leave," he told her as he walked around to pull out her chair.
"Hold on," she said, "I have to do one thing."
Blair made her way over to their table as Chuck ran his hand up his date's leg. Serena just stared daggers at Blair while her date ran his hands up her side.
"This, Chuck," she told him quietly in reference to the sight before her, "Is why we never work."
The hurt showed on her face for only a second before she masked it with disgust but he saw it. And no matter how hard he tried that image would not leave him.
He stared blankly in front of him as his date did all she could to get his attention.
"Where to, Waldorf?" Dan asked as he hailed them a cab.
"Home," she said quietly, "I have work tomorrow and a stack of reading to get done. I'll see you soon."
"I'll ride uptown with you, make sure you get home safe," he told her as he opened the cab door for her.
"Thank you," she said with a smile as the cab made its way uptown. "I'm done with the games. "
"Because of what you saw inside?" he asked.
"Not just that. The games we play usually lead to someone losing. I don't want to lose anyone, do you?" she asked.
"I guess not. I'm just following your lead, Waldorf. Tell me the next step and I'll take it with you," he said.
"If they try to talk to us, we listen, see what they have to say," Blair said as she rested her head on Dan's shoulder. "We don't have to forgive them but I do want to hear what Chuck has to say for himself."
"It has been hard avoiding Serena," Dan said as he snaked his arm around Blair's shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "Let's just see what tomorrow brings."
XOXO
They were on their fourth bottle of champagne as the limo made its way to an exclusive after-hours club in Chelsea. His date was all over him when Chuck called to Arthur to stop the limo.
"I can't do this," he said, mostly to himself. He pushed the woman off of him before opening the door and getting out.
"Wait," Serena called as she got out after him. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to walk back to the Empire," he said dejectedly. "I can't go through with this. I thought I could but I can't. Take the limo, enjoy your night."
"Chuck," Serena cried as she grabbed his arm, "It's freezing. Besides, it's like forty blocks back to the Empire. You're insane, just get in the limo."
"No," he said, "I need to clear my head." He put his hands in his pockets and started what would be the longest walk of shame he ever had to do.
'What is wrong with me?' Chuck asked himself as he walked in the freezing cold. 'Am I ever going to change?'
He started walking up 8th Avenue from 24th Street. It was another 39 blocks and one avenue change before he would be home.
'I can't let Blair move on with Humphrey,' he thought. 'But what if he really does make her happy, could I even compete with that?'
'Of course I can, what we have is magnetic, once in a lifetime,' he reasoned. 'I need to show her that I am willing to be that man for her.'
He stopped when he reached Columbus Circle to contemplate walking across town and up 5th to Blair's penthouse.
Despite hearing Serena's voice in his head discouraging him, he made his way uptown.
Please review to let me know if you want me to continue and what you would like to see next.