She woke up with a beam of light hitting her eyes. She swift in the bed trying to escape from it, only to find herself wrapped around a male body. It didn´t take her long to realize who that body belonged to, and an instant smile spread across her face as she nested against his chest. Her second round with Dan had been completely different from the first; he had been so gentle with her and even thought she had been already "good to go" from the beginning, he had taken his time to make sure that she would be as pleased as possible – and she had. Making love to Chuck was very good too, but the nature of their intimate moments were way more aggressive than passionate, a fight for dominance that had lost the romantic touch long ago; with Dan it had been so much more. Even though their first time had been rough and full of desperation, the second time had been what all the girls want, he had been gentle, caring, sweet, and passionate…it was just perfect. With the memory of their moment in mind, she started to caress his hair, enjoying every moment of his sleeping figure. As she examined his features, she couldn't help but to feel a tug in her heart – this was all that they could have, fleeting moments of passion with each other. Blair couldn't leave Chuck; she had a child with him and she did love him still and Dan, Dan would not leave Serena for her, she was sure of that. She had brought that to herself and with that knowledge a single tear escaped from the corner of her eye and as it rolled down her face, it was as if it marked her awareness of her fate – to love a man that she could not have. Even if they were to leave their current spouses, they would alienate themselves from the world since at the eyes of society Chuck and Serena would always be the victims of their wrong doings.

"I could wake up like this forever…" said Dan with a cracked by sleep voice. She replied with a smile and a soft kiss on his lips.

"Good morning!" she said softly repeat her movements from before and caressing his hair.

"Hmmm…I'm not so sure if it is still morning." He said, his face growing serious suddenly. "Blair as much as I would love to have you for myself the whole day, won't Chuck be worried by your absence?"

"I told him yesterday that I might pull an all-night at the office. We have an understanding…he won't call me at work, the same way I won't…unless, of course, it involves Henry!" Blair stated not being able to hide a certain concern and, dared Dan say, regret in her voice?

"Blair…" Dan said with a sigh. Blair knew him way too well to know what he had on his mind, and therefore, preventing whatever he might have to say next she quickly placed her index finger over his lips, followed by her own.

"Can I spend the day with you?" she asked almost child-like.

He looked at her intensively, looking for any trace of doubt in her eyes…but he found nothing. She was determinate to be with him, at least for now and he could not refuse what his heart had longed for so long. He kissed her fully on the lips, transmitting all the passion that he had for her in that one kiss…and also replying to her question.

"So…w-what do you want t-to do?" He asked her while he was still trying to gather his breath.

She buried her head against his chest like an embarrassed child and spoke from that position muffling her voice.

"Can we do what we used to do?"

"Do you want to go to the MET?" He asked teasing her. As soon as these words got out of his mouth he regretted them. They could not go to the MET has they used to, they could go as friends but not as lovers; their romance could only live confined between safe walls.

"No…"she said looking him straight, "I want to cuddle with you on the couch; I want to watch old movies…"

"Code for Breakfast at Tiffany´s?" he interrupted her.

"Maybe…I want to eat waffles; I want to discuss books…you know…the old usual us."

"Exactly in that order?"

"Not necessarily, we can see how it goes…maybe we can add some activities to the list." She said with a naughty smile and placed a quick kiss on his lips.

"Not enough…"he said in a very Cyrus manner, tightened his grip on her, bringing her naked body closer to his and kissing her deeply.

They stayed in bed for a little bit longer. They divided their bed time between kisses and heated discussions about literature; neither could tell which part had they enjoyed more if the intellectual stimulation or the other sort of stimuli. Blair hinted her disposition in engaging in yet another intimate moment, but Dan wanted to be with her in so many ways that he left that part a little bit neglected; funny enough, she was not even frustrated about it as she was enjoying her time with him as much.

"So you are telling me that, even though I managed to be on the New Yorkers Best Seller list a couple of times these past years…you never read one of my books?" Dan asked with his pride wounded.

"Humphrey you should know that I am not one to follow the masses. Besides I always had an inclination towards the classics and I'm quite sure that your book does not fit my standards."

"Don't you think that Jane Austen was just a regular writer back in her time? The classical status is attributed with time. Who knows maybe one day Inside will be considered a classic, a Vanity Fair of its sorts?"

"Dream on Humphrey!"

"Could there be another reason why you haven't read any of my books?"

"Well if you must know…"Blair paused for a brief moment, evaluating the words that she was about to let out," I was not in the disposition of reading a love parade about Serena, to be honest. I could see it clearly every time I was around the two of you; there was no need for reading your eternal love declaration in the form of a novel!" Blair said with a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"The funny thing is, they were not entirely about Serena…well…at first yes, I was trying so hard not to describe you on my pages; not to have the main male character do the things that I wanted to do to you, to the character that you inspired. But with time I stopped fighting it…there was no point, you would always come rushing to my mind and I would find myself with yet another Clair-like character. You were always my biggest inspiration Blair…in the good or in the bad moments."

Blair had listened to his little speech with her heart heavy for him. This man had kept her in his mind for the duration of their break-up and even when he started a relationship with one of the most desirable women of New York's elite.

"Is this your new seduction technique?" Blair asked, as she neared his face with hers.

"Is it working?"

"Yes!" she replied seductively.

"Then…yes!" He said closing the space between them to give her a kiss.

They spent the rest of the day like the friends/lovers that they had been.

They cuddled on the old sofa while watching Gone with the Wind (Blair didn't want to be stereotyped with a forever watcher of Breakfast at Tiffany's so she decided to surprise him with another choice of movie – the fact that Gone with the Wind had a greater duration time had nothing to do with her choice). They traded their usual comments regarding the adaptation from the book into a movie; actors' performance and ultimately the underlines of each characters portrait and what that represented in the conjecture of the time frame of the story. Eventually they grew hungry and Dan hushed to make his famous waffles for Blair's delight.

They ate while they watched the rest of the movie, but as Blair grew bored also, her sexual appetite grew stronger. She started playing with the buttons of his shirt, drawing circles on his chest as a call for his attention, but it seemed that he was not getting the hint. Her mind started to grow restless as she pictured the worst case scenario…he was not that attracted to her anymore.

Dan felt her body stiff on top of his and he was more than sure to know the reason why. If she hadn't changed that much she would still be the same Blair from his memories, her brain would be in over-drive trying to figure out the reasons why he was not responding to her clear sexual call. Also knowing that she would be probably feeling a blow to her self-confidence, Dan decided that it was just too cruel to carry on with the teasing that he originally intended.

His hand moved to top hers for a brief second, earning him a curious stare from Blair. Taking the chance that she was so close to him and her face in an optimum position, he moved said hand to her chin to lift it slightly to align perfectly with his for a passionate kiss. Once again, Dan felt the result of his actions in her body weight. As a soft moan escaped from her lips, her body relaxed more into his. At the same time Dan's arousal grew and he felt the need to hold her body closer to his; he then pulled her totally on top of him allowing himself more space to let his hands room through her body.

All of the sudden the previous doubts that Blair had occupying her mind vanished, leaving only space for the burning desire that she felt for Dan. Knowing where this was going, she slowly started to unbutton his shirt. After she was done, Dan moved his hands to strip her but Blair denied him his wish. She sat on top of him and ever so slowly started to remove her own clothes. Eventually Dan grew tired of waiting for contact; he raised his upper body from the couch quickly to kiss the now exposed skin of the dream woman that he had on top of him. Feeling the hardness of his movement, Blair proceeded with removing his shirt furiously.

Once again they lost themselves in each other.

They didn't even have time to move their activity to the bedroom and they consummated the act on that exact couch where years ago they had kissed for the last time.

Dan worked her with mastery. He touched all the right places, preparing her for what was coming next. When he reached her womanhood she was clearly already ready for receiving his, however he wanted to see her face twitch with pleasure before his vision got clouded by his own. He massaged her folds for a little bit before sliding his fingers inside of her without any warning; with this surprise ministration Blair let a velvety moan escape from her lips driving Dan even more over the edge. He started to move his fingers in and out of her while he kissed her shoulder blade…he was determinate in making her beg for more of him. Blair let out soft moans as soundtrack for each of his movements, she was starting to feel her mind going blank; she tried to place some kisses on him but to no avail.

"Dan…oh God Dan…" he responded with a grunt, "p-please Dan…OHHH….I want you…I ne-need you…"

Divided between his plan and his own desire, Dan gave in and removed his fingers from her to grab his member and position it, readying himself for penetration. He took a second to kiss her fully on the lips savouring every taste of her. Without any warning Dan tilted his waist up, entering her; at the same time, as a response from the sensations that were crossing her body, Blair let yet another moan escape from her lips, breaking Dan's kiss. He sought the opportunity to nibble on her lower lip while she recovered from the surprise. As she did, she rested her head for a moment on Dan's shoulder while he kept on moving in and out of her.

This session endured for longer than the previous two.

They were enjoying themselves to the fullest, in certain ways similar to the first time they had had sex. The difference was that this time Dan didn't have to "throw the first pancake" since the first time they had gave into their urges after all those years had been as pleasurable (maybe more) as the time they did it on the lift.

By the time they had experienced a great orgasm, their bodies were covered in sweat and the evening was starting to announce its arrival.

"That…"Dan tried to say still recovering both his breath and his mind, "..that was….amazing!" Blair replied by letting out a soft agreeable chuckle and burying her head on the crook of his neck.

They stayed like that for a little bit longer until Blair had to burst their little bubble. "It's getting late…I have to go!"

"I know!" Dan replied softly, not wanting to part away from her, but aware that it was a must. They had managed to escape from their world for a day and in that day that had found their way back to each other; however reality was calling and they both had lives to go back to. Blair started to pull herself together and trying to make herself presentable for her family, meanwhile Dan just put his boxers back on and leaned back on the couch watching her every move. The thought that she would return to Chuck's arms after what they had just shared made him sick…the old sickness of the jealous.

Quicker than what he had wished, Blair was ready to leave. She looked like nothing had happened but the smile that she had plastered on her face said otherwise. Dan walked her to the door but they didn't touch or shared a word, by the time she was almost out (in a certain awkward fashion) Dan had the urge to speak, "So…" the always babbling Daniel Humphrey didn't know what to say. He feared that the wrong questions or statements would drive her away like his ultimatum, all those years ago had. Somehow being around her was like walking on thin ice; Dan knew what it was to lose her and this time he had history to help in not to commit the same mistakes of the past. Blair just stood where she had been when he first spoke, her too not knowing what to say next.

"So…er…this was great!" Dan continued non-chalently.

"Yes, it was." Blair replied shyly hiding a small smile.

"But…", that word had Blair's attention and in an instant the awkwardness of the situation grew stronger,"…I-I don't know Blair. We are not like we were before. We have different lives…we have families…I mean…you have a son!"

There it was…the moment that they both dreaded. Blair stood there listening to Dan's words and accepting every one of it. Henry. She had not thought of him when she started to walk the path that lead to Dan, did that make her a bad mother? She was looking for her own happiness at the cost of her son's familiar stability. That thought landed hard on her heart. He was right, it had been wonderful to have all those feelings and sensations back again, but they were not the same people anymore. They had responsibilities that were placed above their own desires. She couldn't talk; she just stared at him trying to figure out how she was feeling about all of this and how certain of his own words was he.

"You are right…" Blair managed to say. Her voice might have sounded strong and assertive, but inside she was fighting as hard as she could the lump that was growing on her throat. "…I have to go now. Bye Dan!" Blair said ever so sweetly. She placed a soft, quick and final kiss on Dan's cheek and she left the loft without another word.

Dan was left paralyzed by the door.

Yes, he had tried to be the voice of reason. To be the adult and responsible one. To save them from the pending disaster that they were together. To be the good guy at Henry's eyes. To be noble. But deep inside he wanted her to shush his worries and assure him that nothing else mattered. He had dreamt too much and in a way he was still that boy that wanted desperately to be loved by the one and only Blair Waldorf who would never put up a fight for his love. However she had just agreed to what he had said…and she had left him. Remorse galloped through his body, and that uneasy feeling that normally follows a broken heart felt upon him. He had brought that upon himself, and even though he could not feel anything else at the moment besides the feeling of loss he truly hoped that one day he would look back and would see that that had been the right thing to do…to step away while he still could. In fairness he had tried to look back before and reach the conclusion that Blair leaving him for Chuck had been the greatest thing that could have ever happened to him, but all of that had lead where he was now. Making the same mistakes all over again.

The coldness of the pending night touched her skin like blades. Mere minutes ago, she had been on the embrace of her heart's desire and now she had been left alone to face the cold. Her head was spinning and she felt her chest crush slowly, all the more agonizing. She felt like she couldn't breathe, like nothing made sense. She had to get out of that place, Brooklyn was Dan and he had just ditched her after the wonderful day that they had shared. By the time she flagged a taxi sneaky tears were already rolling down her cheeks.

She didn't know where to go. She didn't want to go home, but she could not go anywhere else. Besides that, being far away from home for so long would just raise unwanted questions.

The ride home would be one that she would never forget. It had been enlightening in so many ways and yet, she would not be able to recall all the thoughts that passed through her mind. Most of them were about Dan and a few others about her family. But the main discovery of the night was how unhappy she actually was…how heavy the ghost of her mistake, from all those years ago was.

Days passed without a single sign of the others' existence.

Dan had merged himself on his novel and on his wife. He loved her, and there was no denying about it. He had just to learn how to love her more than he loved Blair. He had to learn how to want her like he wanted her before, but if that day in the loft with the vixen brunette had taught him something was that there was no possible substitution. He had simply forgotten that over the years; but now her scent was still trapped on his nostrils, her touch engraved on his skin, her flavour on his mouth and her pleased expression stuck on his mind. It was driving him insane.

However he had to be strong and shake those images, those illusions, out of his brain. He made love to his wife more often than before, and no matter how pleasurable that was for him, it could just not compare. He would find himself thinking that on another part of the city, Blair could be participating on the same sort of activities with her spouse, and the thought of it made him sick in a way he could not describe exactly. It was that could green monster that crept on the pitch of one's stomach causing a never ending torment. He tried to write but it would always lead him to a scene that he had before experienced with Blair; even if that would not happen, he would find himself describing a feeling that he could easily connect to one that he had experienced while in her company.

She was everywhere.

But for Blair it hadn't been easy either. Dan could be suffering from the doubts that he might have for her, or hiding a plausible fear of having and losing again; but Blair felt like she had been rejected. She thought that it served her right for what she had done to him in the past. She could never really forgive herself for putting him through that heartache; especially that she had a little bit more insight on how that felt.

After all the things that she had been through with her best friend Serena, and all the amends that they had done for all the wrong doings in the past; Blair was again a teenager version of herself, under the shadow of Serena, wanting what she had and what she could not have. She wanted Dan, and she knew it more clearly than ever, but what was done was done. She knew that she would be forever missing him and she knew she was the one who had brought that upon herself.

A/n: to all of you who will keep on reading my story even after the long break that I took…thank you and you deserve an explanation.

I don't like to enter in details about my personal life, but I don't feel it is right when someone sort of gets us used to a certain rhythm and all of the sudden breaks that veiled promise for so long. Unfortunately for me, I became the Serena from my story…so as you can possibly imagine it has been quite hard to write this story; and trust me I tried. I wrote a very dark chapter and then I admitted that that was not the path that I wanted to go so I settled for this way instead.

So thank you so much for keep on reading. You have been great…seriously; words cannot describe how much I appreciate your kind words and your opinion.

I hope you like this chapter.

Xoxo

-patricia