Chapter 12

Author's Note: This chapter jumps ahead to November, we last left them in May. I thought it was too awkward the way I was writing Dan and Serena and I felt I was getting far too sappy with Chuck and Blair. Please pardon the smut, I've been rewatching old Chair scenes and miss their innuendo laced banter and overall hotness ;) And I know the Derena part is short but that's because I feel I can't write it as well as I write Chair. I hope you enjoy =)

I also posted a new story called Of Course. It's set after 4x11 and is my take on all of Chair's hate-sex leading to a pregnancy. I'm including Dair friendship because I really like the two of them as friends. That and it's fun to see Chuck squirm a bit, LOL. I hope you check it out and let me know what you think with a review.

Thank you all so, so much for your continued support! I know a lot of you have story alerts and have favorited this story but have yet to review, please take the time to do so as it's the only way I know you like what you're reading. Thanks to those of you that always review, you're beyond awesome!

Krazy4Spike – Things definitely get shaken up in this chapter and aren't boring (at least I don't think so). Can't wait to read your comments on what happens.

Countessplaten – I'm so happy to hear you like this story. Chair is my absolute favorite couple on the show and I love the banter between Dan and Blair, too. Let me know your thoughts on this chapter.

Bloodyhell95 – 100th review! Thank you =) I'm looking forward to your comments on this chapter.

TriGemini – I totally get what you're saying about Blair and Chuck having to revisit their issues again. During the time jump they have but in this chapter they're finally able to move forward, in the only way we'd expect from them ;) Can't wait to hear what you think of this chapter.

LeftWriter224 – We see Dan and Serena talk more in this chapter as well as a lot of Chuck and Blair. There is more Chuck and Dan interaction as well. I can't wait to read your thoughts on what goes on in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl, or Ed Westwick – sigh.

XOXO

"Go to hell, Chuck," Blair screamed as she flew down the stairs with him quick on her heels. "Get out."

"Not a chance," he told her as he tried to grab her only to have her wrench away.

"You thought you'd make the perfect birthday present," she fumed, livid at what he tried to do. "Jewelry would have been better."

"I'll never win with you," he cried. "You don't want grand gestures in public, I get that. But this was private, between us and personal."

"And you still overstepped," she cried back.

"Do you know how long it's been since I've had sex?" Chuck asked raising his voice. "A year. I've never done that before. But I did for you. And now you have to overreact when I try to do something romantic. Is it so awful for me to want to make love with my girlfriend? What do you want from me, Blair?"

"To let me make the first move," she yelled, shaking she was so angry. "You said you would."

"So this is about control for you?" he asked seductively as he backed her against the wall. "Is that it?"

"It's about you keeping your word," she said through clenched teeth as she tried to keep her composure while his hands ran up and down her arms and he brought her body flush with his.

"I have done nothing but walk on eggshells with you," he said in a deathly low voice. "What more can I do to show you I've changed? I love you with all my heart but there's only so much I can do without losing who I am."

Blair sighed as she leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes as she took a deep, steadying breath.

"We should have done this a long time ago," she said gently as she pushed him back before taking his hand and leading him to sit on the stairs. "Talk."

"About what?" he asked uneasily.

"Why are you walking on eggshells with me?" she started. "I'm not as fragile as you think."

"I know that," he said. "But you're not how you were either. And I know it's because of what I did. You're a different person now and I don't want to lose you to, to Brooklyn." Now it was Chuck's turn not to mention someone's name.

"Dan was there when I needed him, like a brother," Blair assured him. "Someone to talk to when I was afraid of how you'd react. You are the only one I want to be with. The love I feel for you cannot be duplicated or traded in for someone else."

"I forgave you," she added. "And I've still held back from you, which hasn't been fair. But you're right, I'm not the same person I was when we were together before. I have changed and it's partially because of what you did."

"When we were together," she told him as she rested her hand on the side of his face, "I let my life revolve around you completely. It took me so long to recover from your betrayal but when I was finally coming to terms with it, you brought your French girlfriend back to the city."

He started to object but she stopped him, "I know I gave you back that engagement ring in Paris but a small part of me wanted you to fight for me, which you didn't do until you thought I moved on with Dan. We can call Saints and Sinners a draw because that was mostly me."

Chuck didn't know what to say so he just pulled Blair into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. "I don't know what to say other than I love you and only want to be with you," he said. "Can we ever get back to what we had?"

She leaned into his chest before answering, "We will."

"So I didn't blow my last chance?" he asked.

"No," she told him with a soft laugh, "Nothing short of you stepping out on me will ruin this."

"I'm not that stupid," he scoffed.

"You're learning, Bass," she said as she stood up. "And I'm absolutely exhausted. Can we meet up in the morning to continue this?"

"I still have to give you your present," he said. "It's in your bedroom."

"Okay," she agreed, knowing where this would lead and secretly wanting it now. He swept her up in his arms to carry her the rest of the way. "Chuck, what are you doing?"

"Humor me, okay?" he asked as he held her close. She nodded as they entered her bedroom.

"Look under your pillow," he told her as he laid her on the bed and reached for her gift.

She smiled when she saw the box, Harry Winston. It was the Lattice Bracelet and it was gorgeous.

He took the bracelet out and clasped it around her wrist and held her hand to his lips, kissing her palm. "Happy birthday, beautiful," he told her quietly as he looked at her like she was the only woman in the world, the only one he wanted to be with.

Blair could feel the sexual tension between them and knew that Chuck meant no harm with his surprise. He really had been on his best behavior and it wasn't fair that she snapped at him. Looking around the room she saw the effort he made to make their first time back together special. She also missed being with him and the way he was looking at her was too much for her to resist him any longer.

"Oh, who am I kidding?" she breathed as she pulled him to her. Their kissing intensified as they lay back while their hands feverishly undressed each other.

Her leg was around his waist as his knees were on either side of her other leg. She buried her hands in his hair while his lips ravaged her neck, causing her to moan with pleasure. She groaned when he pulled back from her.

"You sure about this?" he asked as he looked in her eyes. He hadn't been this unsure since their first time together in the limo. Just like back then, he needed to know she was certain about continuing.

"Absolutely," she smiled as she pulled him back to her. "I love you. And I know you love me."

"I do love you," he rasped as his lips captured her neck once more. No more words were exchanged as Chuck spent what felt like forever just getting reacquainted with her body. He still knew every inch of her and took his time satisfying all of her sweet spots. Their first time making love again was absolutely magical; it wasn't as electrical as their hate-sex was, it was even better.

After going without each other for almost a year, their need for one another was insatiable. They clung to each other as they fought for control, loving each other into the early hours of the morning. When they collapsed next to each other it took them quite a few minutes to catch their breath again.

"Who put the rose petals here?" she asked as she rolled over to face him as she peeled a few petals off of her skin before doing the same on him.

"I did," he told her defensively. "I had Serena distract you while I got the room set up. There's a reason you got ready in her room. The candles would have been lit if you didn't freak out on me."

"Thank you for this," she said as she maintained eye contact with him. "I've missed you."

"I know the feeling," he said as he touched her face.

"This feels really real now, you and me," Blair confessed. "That's why I freaked out before, because I was afraid to let you in again. And don't make the obvious dirty comment, you'll ruin the mood."

He smirked, "Why didn't you tell me that to begin with? I never would have done any of this if I had known."

"I know," she said, "But I'm glad you did. We feel more on track now."

"Really?" he questioned. Never in a million years did he think making love to her would help fix their problems.

"Yes," she let him know. "Sex was always a big part of our relationship. But this time we started without it, and I think that's made us stronger. It's a good feeling knowing we took the time to build that foundation."

He responded by pulling her to him and kissing her. "Did you have a good birthday?" he asked with a smirk.

"I did," she smiled. "Will you still be here in the morning?"

"Why? Are you kicking me out?" he asked as he ran his hand down her arm.

"No," she said with a soft laugh, "I just want to know if you'll be here when I wake up."

"I'm not going anywhere," he told her sincerely.

"Good," she smiled as she leaned over to kiss him, "Because I really liked my presents."

"I'm glad. But your birthday isn't over yet, Waldorf," he smirked as he flipped her underneath him and started kissing his way down her body, disappearing under the covers as she gasped and rolled her head back as he brought her to bliss once more.

XOXO

"How do you think they're doing?" Serena asked Dan as her head rested in his lap.

"Either really good or really bad," he told her as he stroked her hair.

"Why do you say that?" she asked.

"I get that Chuck's trying to be romantic but Blair's a control freak, you know that," he said as she nodded. "She might see it the wrong way. I hope it works out for them though."

"Me too," Serena said, "They deserve to be happy after all that's happened."

"They'll work it out," he said. "Blair is nothing if not determined and Chuck is determined to make things work with her this time. Hopefully he won't do something stupid again."

"He won't," she told him. "While you were getting to know Blair better, Chuck and I got closer as well. He really is trying. Who would have thought Chuck Bass could become a good person?"

"Not me," Dan laughed. "But he has a good reason for doing so."

"Just like I had a good reason for changing," Serena said as she sat up to face him. "I'll never know why you love me like you do but I'm so happy you do."

"I've been in love with you since I was fifteen," he said with a smile. "You don't choose who you love, it chooses you."

"That's a really cheesy line," she giggled. "But I like it."

"Then it worked," he smiled as he leaned over to kiss her.

"What do you say I show you just how much it worked?" she said as she straddled his waist and started kissing his neck.

"I'd say yes," he said with his crooked smile as he wrapped his arms around her, standing up as she squealed while he brought them back to his room.

XOXO

It was about noon when Serena and Dan made their way back to the penthouse.

"Nothing seems to be broken," she stated as she looked around the living room. "And no trails of clothing. Good signs I hope."

She then heard laughter coming from the kitchen so she motioned for Dan to follow her. The sight before them was unlike anything they'd ever imagine. Blair and Chuck were sitting at the table, her legs were in his lap as they ate breakfast. She was wearing his dress shirt from the night before and her new bracelet was on her wrist while he was in only his silk boxers and they were laughing like they didn't have a care in the world, stealing kisses and touches from each other.

"I take it you two had a good night," Serena said, finally making their presence known.

"We did," Blair said with a smile as Chuck ran his hand up Blair's bare leg. Chuck could see Dan was getting uncomfortable so he decided to have some fun with him, get even a bit.

"Relax, Humphrey," Chuck said as Dan's blush intensified, "I'm not going to jump you."

"Now he gets a sense of humor," Dan exclaimed as he crossed his arms.

"He just got laid," Serena said with a smirk. "He's in a very good mood."

"Don't talk about us like that," Blair said huffily. "We're right here."

"Like you mind," Dan said with a grin. "You two were practically having sex when we walked in."

"Trust me," Chuck said with a smirk, "If we were, you would have heard us as soon as you got off the elevator."

"Chuck," Blair said slyly as he raised his eyebrows at her, "They would have been able to hear us before they got off the elevator."

"Enough," Serena cried, "No more talk of sex. I take it you two are good now?"

"Better than good," Blair said as she pushed a piece of Chuck's hair off his face.

"Check out that bracelet, B," Serena exclaimed as she reached for Blair's hand. "You did good, Chuck."

"I always do," he said smugly.

"So," Dan said flatly, "What are we doing today?"

"Let's go somewhere," Serena said in a bubbly voice. "We should have another double date."

"We should," Blair said as the blonde's enthusiasm transferred to her. "What do you say?" she asked Chuck as she sat in his lap.

"Alright," he said as he looked across at his stepsister and stepbrother as it were. "But I suggest we stay here. I'm in no mood to go outside today."

"Yay," Serena exclaimed, "Dan and I can cook." They all looked at her with horrified looks on her face when she said sheepishly, "Fine, I'll supervise."

"That's probably best," Dan said as he pulled her to him and kissed her temple. "None of us want to die in a kitchen fire."

Chuck snickered and said, "I second that. There's no way I'm letting you near anything that could catch on fire."

"You two," Blair said as she glared at Chuck and Dan, "Lay off. And you," she said to Chuck, "We need to get dressed."

"No funny business," Serena called after them, "Dan and I don't what to be subjected to that."

"What are you complaining about?" Blair asked as she raised her eyebrows. "If I remember correctly you two were the ones who were loud."

"Hey," Serena exclaimed, "That was one time. And we didn't think you were home."

"If that helps you sleep at night, sis," Chuck yelled back as he caught Blair around the waist when they were out of sight of the other two, causing her to shriek with delight as he carried her up the stairs.

"Ugh," Serena sighed as she hopped up on the counter while Dan looked around to see what he had to cook with. "They'll probably be a while. What are you cooking?"

"Well," he started, "The only food I can find in this refrigerator is a carton of eggs and vegetables. Other than milk and yogurt, that's it. So, I'm thinking a frittata."

"Mmm," Serena said as she pulled her to him with her legs, "I like frittatas."

"And you commented about us," Blair said as she and Chuck entered the kitchen once more to find Dan and Serena making out against the counter. "It looks like you two are the ones that can't control yourselves."

"Dan's making a frittata," Serena announced, choosing to ignore her friend's comment as she went to put on the coffee maker. "Don't say anything, I know how to make coffee."

"If you say so, S," Chuck smirked as he sat down and pulled Blair into his lap. "And Cabbage Patch, don't burn our food."

Dan rolled his eyes as he continued cooking while Blair and Serena just laughed.

XOXO

With their love lives back on track, the only time Blair and Dan spent with each other was with Chuck and Serena as well. While they loved their other halves, they missed spending time just the two of them. They decided to go for a walk in the Park before meeting up with Chuck and Serena at the Russian Tea Room.

"You're story is amazing," she told him. "Now you've been published twice. I like to think it's because of me."

Dan raised his eyebrows as she continued, "Not only did I encourage you to get back to your writing, I also introduced you to David Remnick and provided you with your inspiration."

"You really like taking credit for things, don't you, Waldorf?" Dan asked with a grin.

"Only when it's warranted," she said as she gently elbowed him. "Which is always."

"What part did you like best?" Dan asked like a kid in a candy store. "I know you already critiqued it but I love hearing good things about it."

"The introduction of the witty brunette was excellent," Blair told him. "Your protagonist really needed a swift kick in the ass. And she was just the one to do it."

"In addition," she continued, "She needed him as well."

"Go on," Dan prodded as he smiled. His friendship with Blair was unlike any he'd ever had with a girl. There were no romantic feelings to complicate matters, just a mutual respect that grew over years and a genuine concern to see the other happy.

"Both characters were at a impasse in their romantic relationships and were able to help each other find their way back to their respective others," Blair said with a small smirk. "Very art imitating life."

"What can I say?" Dan told her as he looped his arm through hers. "I'm inspired by real events."

Please review if you'd like me to continue. I'm debating having this be the last chapter before I post an epilogue or continuing with a few more chapters first. If you want a few more chapters please let me know with a review – they're the only way for me to know what you think =) And for the epilogue, how far in the future should I go? Dan and Blair's senior year, five years, ten years? Let me know.

And remember, more reviews = more love = faster update.

I've also updated the poll on my profile page about future story ideas. Please vote for your favorite =)