Author's Note: Thanks for all of the reviews! Here's the second part of the Winter Formal! Eeeeeek! Allow the immense drama to ensue!

Chapter Twenty-Two
"Give me back my point of view
'cause I just can't think for you
I can hardly hear you say
What should I do, well you choose
Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone
Oh well, it seems like such fun
Until you lose what you had won."
-Jet

On the rooftop terrace, overlooking her familiar city skyline, Blair shivered violently, trying to concentrate solely on her broken breathing.

The December night was unforgiving and dark. The sky was sharp, with each star seeming to be a stab-wound of light in the pitch-blueness of the atmosphere. A relentless wind, cold and constant, pushed her wrap around her, allowing it to provide little protection. The lights of the city and its traffic were bright and clear from where she stood, but she couldn't appreciate the beauty of it. Goosebumps were covering her skin, and she was shaking almost painfully. Not only did she think about freezing physically, but she thought about the coldness in what Dan had said and done in front of Serena and Nate at dinner, and she nearly collapsed in a frozen, sobbing heap.

"Blair."

Freezing, with a slick dread lining her stomach, Blair turned slowly, as if the longer it took to turn around, the more likely Dan would disappear. But he wasn't going to vanish. He saw how violently she was shaking in the cold, and how delicately beautiful she looked, and he found himself walking towards her, unable to maintain his actions. And she just stared at him, hardly believing he was drawing nearer to her. Feeling her breath catch in her throat, Blair squared her jaw and rose her chin defiantly.

"I can't believe you'd actually even consider talking to me," Blair said icily.

Dan sighed, regretting his outburst in full, and he said, "Look, we need to talk-"

'Talk? We need to talk?" Blair took a step toward him, her voice raw with anger. "About what? About the fact that you pretty much said 'fuck you' in front of everyone?" When Dan tried to speak, she barreled onward, "Why didn't you just come right out and tell Serena and Nate that we're together!" She laughed, disgusted, and rolled her eyes, saying, "No Dan, we have nothing to talk about," she started to walk toward the door to leave the terrace.

Dan, however, would not allow her to leave, and he grabbed her wrist. Pulling her around so she was looking at him, he said, "Blair, I'm sorry- okay? I was mad and I wasn't thinking-"

"Mad about what?" she ripped her hand out of his grasp.

With slumped shoulders, he shook his head and said, "I don't know- I saw you walk in with Nate and I was just..." he looked at her pleadingly, as if begging her to understand. "I'm sick of being your secret."

Blair felt as if she had been slapped across the face, and her mouth dropped open in horror. "Dan, in case you forgot, you're here with Serena- The same Serena who everyone saw you kissing on GossipGirl!"

"Blair, don't-"

"No! You don't!" she all but shrieked, pointing her finger close to his face. "How dare you dole me all of this crap about how you love me and about how you care about me- then turn around and hook up with her!"

Dan's anger was rising, but he kept his fists clenched and his breath even through his nose. He stared down at Blair, his eyes blazing violently, "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I saw the GossipGirl post! Don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about!" she shouted, all the hurt of being betrayed by him and then snubbed was turning into a blind fury that she couldn't control.

Dan shook his head, "Blair, please let me explain-"

"Don't talk to me!" she shouted over him. "I can't believe you-"

"BLAIR!" his words were so sharp and loud that they stopped her. Instead of saying anything, she glared at him and crossed her arms. "I didn't kiss Serena. We were talking in the park and she kissed me- that picture was taken right before I pushed her away," he told her, speaking softly and calmly now.

She stared at him, hardly willing to believe him, but wanting to, more than she ever had before.

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" she managed to choke out, the tears burning behind her eyes.

Dan sighed and looked down, when he looked back up, he stared into Blair's eyes deeply, saying, "Blair, I love you- more than anyone I've ever loved before. You piss me off and stress me out, but I love you, I do, and I wouldn't hurt you that way."

Blair just stared at him, feeling a dry lump forming in her throat.

Reaching out and rubbing her shawl-wrapped arm in the chilly night, he whispered, "You have to know that."

Staring into his deep eyes, Blair realized that he wasn't lying, and nearly all of her anger melted away, leaving behind adoration and weakness. She could only nod.

"I'm sorry about the Audrey Hepburn comment," he said with a little smile.

Blair couldn't help but smirk in return, "Don't you dare accuse her of playing a bitchy control-freak ever again, Humphrey."

Dan laughed a little and cupped Blair's face gently in his hand. She leaned into his touch and he said, "I've really missed you."

"I missed you too," she whispered back.

Slowly, but wonderfully, Dan leaned in, and Blair followed his lead. Their lips met in a gentle kiss, filled with hesitation and wariness. It felt as if it had been so long since they had been together on good terms- had kissed or even touched- and they didn't want it to turn sour by rushed actions or false moves. But once the familiarity of the other person came into realization, the kiss deepened slightly. Blair wrapped her arms around Dan's neck and pulled him tight, relishing the feel of his body and his scent as she allowed his tongue free range of her mouth. For the first time, in what felt like forever, she felt weak and shaky, but in a delicious kind of way. Dan pulled Blair closer to him as well, wrapping his arms around her waist, trying to provide her some warmth as her thin body shivered in the frigid night air. She nearly sighed in contentment at the feel of his arms around her, wanting to cry she was so happy.

When Blair pulled away she looked at Dan fiercely, he smiled down at her crookedly.

That was when Dan realized he needed to give Blair his ultimatum now, before he lost his nerve. He loved her, and he wanted to give her this chance.

"I have to tell you something, Dan," she said though, ready to tell him everything.

He stopped her, "No, Blair, please- let me talk first."

She smiled, too happy to mind, "Okay."

Staring down at Blair, who was looking up at him with shining, hopeful eyes, Dan felt his resolve slipping. He was suddenly nervous. How could he give her such a scalding ultimatum when she was so happy? How could he stick her in that difficult position? But he knew that he would never forgive himself if he left the Winter Formal without resurrecting his dignity. In order to do that, he needed to give her his deal.

With his voice shaking slightly and his heart speeding up, Dan caressed Blair's cheek with his thumb, saying, "Blair, I want you to know that I love you- no matter what." He gave her a sad smile and continued, "I really hate to do this, but... Blair, I can't be your secret anymore, and I refuse to stay with Serena- or allow you to be with Nate- if we're going to be together."

Blair began, "Dan-"

"No," he cut her off, afraid he was going to stop himself from continuing further. "We're either Dan and Blair- public- or we're... nothing at all."

Blair stared at him, with his hands grasping her arms gently. For some reason she felt as if she had been punched in the stomach. It didn't make sense, because she had been planning on telling everyone about them and being exclusive. But for some reason she felt winded and breathless. She could agree with everything he said, and tell him that 'yes, of course she wanted to be with only him and have everyone know!' but there was more to the the situation. She had to tell him the truth about her initial plan. She had to tell him that she had been using him in the beginning, but that she loved him now and that everything was different. If she didn't tell him the truth, nothing could be perfect for them- and that was all that she wanted.

Taking a deep breath, Blair said, "Dan, I understand what you're saying to me, but," she hesitated. "I have something to tell you too."

He waited.

"That day- at the Archibald's anniversary party- when I kissed you and pushed you into the taxi and took you to my house," her voice was shaking, and she found that she couldn't look him in the eye. "I told you it was because I had some kind of crush on you... I wasn't telling you the truth."

Dan stiffened, dropping his hands from Blair's arm to hang at his side. Whatever she was going to say, he wasn't sure he was going to like it.

Blair continued quickly, "I told you that because I wanted you to agree to see me. I-I wanted to have an affair with you, so I could tell Serena and Nate about it tonight and hurt them both th-the way they hurt me."

Every inch of Dan's body went cold. His anger was returning very quickly, but now it was combined with a deep aching in his chest. What was Blair saying exactly? That she never really liked him? that she made out with him, had sex with him, told him she loved him, spent so much time with him, and she never even liked him? She was just using him? He felt destroyed and upset, but all he could do was stare at her, beginning to shake, on-edge. And he watched as the fear clouded her eyes, and she rushed to speak again.

"Dan, please- Let me explain before you say anything-"

"Explain?" he said, his voice rough and low. "How do you explain that, Blair? That you used me to hurt two people who supposedly mean so much to you?"

Blair moved to take hold of his jacket but he backed away quickly, "It started out that way but, it's different now- Dan, please, let me explain!" she begged.

"You know, Blair, I thought I loved you," he said, his voice wobbling, "but now I'm sure I don't even know you," he shook his head. "I thought you were a different Blair Waldorf, but it's clear that you're still the same, manipulative scheming bitch you've always been. And you just played me."

She shook her head fiercely, trying to make a grab for him again, "Dan, please-"

"Don't touch me," he backed away again, inching closer to the door. "I- I have to go," he turned abruptly and hurried toward the door.

Blair rushed after him, calling his name. She was desperate for him to understand, for him to see how she felt, but he wouldn't slow down or listen. He managed to descend the stairs far more quickly than she could (which wasn't hard since she was in stilettos) and was halfway across the dancefloor before she was even in the eventspace again. And as she hurried after him, calling for him to slow down, for him to listen, she didn't even notice all the people staring and whispering around them, pointing conspiratorially, huddled around cell phones and Blueberrys.

Dan was headed-off by Serena and Nate, standing, looking furious, at their table again.

"Dan," Serena began, her voice shaking with anger. "When were you going to tell me?"

All he wanted to do was leave, but he managed to impatiently reply, "Tell you what?"

"Dan," Blair said, once she had reached their table. She grabbed hold of his arm, "You have to listen to me-"

"And you!" Serena snapped. "I thought you were my best friend. What is this, an eye for an eye?"

Blair glanced at Dan, who was staring at Serena, looking impatient and restless. She looked back to Serena and shook her head, confused.

Nate spoke up, "Blair, did that night in France mean nothing to you?"

A prickly panic was rising up Blair's throat, as an idea of what they could be talking about set in.

Carefully, she said, "What are you guys talking about?"

"Check GossipGirl," was all Serena said.

With shaking hands, Blair dipped her hand into her clutch and took out her phone. It took her a moment to get to GossipGirl's web site, and when she got there she saw the most recent post of the night:

Lonely Boy and Queen B

Hello, my little chickadees! I have an interesting piece of gossip for you all today. Truthfully, I would have posted this sooner, but some part of me didn't want to believe that our B would stoop so low in her own opinion. But there is too much proof to avoid this anymore. The pictures being sent in, the sightings- it's all too much to bear!

So, you've heard it here first: B and D are having an affair.

Is it to get back at S and N for what they did to B last summer? Or are these two suffering from Romeo and Juliet syndrome? If that's the case, I hope they stay away from poison and 'happy daggers.' Poor little star-crossed lovers.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what comes out of this.

You know you love me XOXO,
GossipGirl

And underneath the post was an array of pictures of Dan and Blair. One was of Dan walking into Blair's building, looking guilty. Another one was of Blair leaving the loft early in the morning. There was one of Dan and Blair embracing outside of her apartment. And there was even one of them leaving the Met and getting into a cab the night after Blair's birthday.

Blair looked up, feeling as if she was being strangled.

This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. It wasn't supposed to end up this way.

"Nate, Serena-"

"Blair, how could you do this to us?" Nate demanded.

Blair's mouth dropped open, and her panic turned to fury, "How could I do this to you? Have you maybe forgotten that you both screwed me over last summer? That you were my boyfriend and you slept with my best friend?!"

Nate shook his head, "Blair, don't bring that up-"

"Why?!" she shrieked, oblivious to the crowd that was forming around them. "That's why I did this whole thing- That's why I was seeing Dan!" all of her anger and loss of control was spouting out before she could stop it. "I wanted to show you both what it felt like to be totally screwed over," she gave them a sickly smile. "It's not all that fun, huh?!"

Everyone was silent around them.

Serena was staring at her best friend, looking as if she was about to cry. Nate looked just about livid. And Dan looked from Blair, to Nate, to Serena, as if he was watching an infuriating car-wreck unfold before his eyes. So, Blair was finally telling everyone the truth. The lies were all out in the open, but he didn't feel any lighter. Instead, he felt heavier and worried. His stomach turned over anxiously and he tried to ignore the emptiness seeping into his heart.

As soon as Blair looked over at Dan, realizing what she had just admitted in front of a vast majority of the students attending Constance Billard and St. Jude's, she winced, swallowing hard. She couldn't take it back now, and maybe that was a good thing. Everyone knew the truth, and she felt less guilty for that, but when she looked over at Dan she saw the hurt in his eyes, and she felt her heart ache. There was a sharp edge to the sword of what she said. Sure, everyone knew the truth, and Serena and Nate had gotten what was coming to them, but the whole school now knew that she had only used Dan, and soon it would be up on GossipGirl. The two schools would think that she didn't really like him- that he wasn't really good enough for her. She wanted to apologize to him and tell everyone that everything had changed, right then, but she was cut off before she could.

"So, when you slept with me in France- that was just for, what, shits and giggles?" Nate asked maliciously.

Dan looked at Blair, his mouth dropping open, "You slept with him?" he didn't understand why he was so surprised- after all, she had been using him- but this new piece of knowledge felt like a slap to the face.

"Dan, no- I didn't want to-"

"But you did, Blair. You had sex with him," Dan shook his head.

Blair wheeled around, "What the fuck do you care?" she snapped at Nate. "The only reason you visited me in France was because your dad's been telling you to stay with me! I know all about your problem with him- about how he's forcing you to date me because of the deal with my mom," she practically snarled at him. "So stop pretending like you give a damn!"

"I do care about you-"

"But you care about Serena more," Blair cut him off.

Serena looked bashful all of a sudden- like her anger had been overcome by embarrassment.

Nate hesitated, "Yes, I do. But Blair, I still love you-"

"Nate, you're about two months too late," she growled, putting a hand up as if to stop him. "Save your breath, please."

He closed his mouth and just stared at her.

Shaking her head, as if she was giving up, Blair shrugged, saying, "It's over, Nate. I don't want to be with you anymore."

There was a collective gasp from the group watching, as if they hadn't seen this coming. But Dan didn't hear them. He was still reeling from the revealing of what Nate and Blair had done in France. Not only did he feel empty from being used, but he felt as if the shell of his body had been beaten as well. He loved Blair- regardless of what she had done- and now this. Now he was suffering through the confession of this heinous falsity he had been living. Had she been lying when she said she loved him? Had their night on the roof of the Met been an act? Why would she have gone that far to prove something to Serena and Nate? And had she been lying on the roof just now, when they had made up? He couldn't figure it out, and he felt as if the room was spinning around him, way too fast for him to catch anything, or for him to comprehend what was going on.

The silence that fell around them was heavy- but also empty, waiting to be filled. What would happen next? Who was going to speak? The crowd that surrounded them watched in heated interest, waiting. Everyone had fingers poised over their cell phone keypads, ready to pound out the verdict to GossipGirl, once it was given. But none of the main four said anything. Blair and Nate stared at each other, and Serena and Dan stared at them.

Finally Dan, feeling as if he couldn't take much more of the drama that was unfolding, shook his head and said, "I'm done," and he put his hands up in the air, as if surrendering, while he navigated his way through bodies, toward the main exit.

"No! Dan, wait-" but the bodies were too close-knit for her to get through them the way he had.

The onlookers erupted in whispers and comments, like a buzzing behind Blair's ears.

Nate shook his head, "Even if I did do what my dad asked- I never meant to deliberately hurt you," he looked disgusted. Turning to Serena, he said, "Come on Serena, let's get out of her," and he took her hand in his, leading her out and away from the crowd.

Blair was left standing on her own, in the middle of the circling crowd of people. She looked around, watching as people typed the scene into their phones, whispering and pointing, talking behind hands and turning their eyes toward her. She was used to being the center of attention, but not like this- and she hated it.

"You can all go now!" she shouted. "The show's over- Get your own lives!" and she managed to plow through the crowd, and out of the building.

The moment she got into a cab and gave the driver her address, she sagged into the seat of the limo and felt her whole body droop.

What would happen next? she wondered. Everyone knew the truth- Serena, Nate, and Dan. She had done what she had intended to do, without even wanting to do it, and now she felt worse than before. Because, along with losing her forced-boyfriend and sort-of best friend, she had lost the boy she loved. And would Dan ever forgive her? Would he ever give her a chance to explain? It seemed highly unlikely, and she knew she shouldn't hope for it, as the memory of the hurt in his eyes came back to her. She wanted to scream and inflict pain on someone. It wasn't supposed to happen this way! She was supposed to be in complete control of the situation- it had been her plan! But now, this, with everything unraveling, falling apart, and working out in way she had only hoped would not occur. Was anything safe from GossipGirl, she'd have liked to know.

I'll kill that gossip whore, she thought miserably, weakly, as she sank further into the leather seats of the cab.

But all plots of revenge were forgotten, as her heart grew heavy and her chest constricted painfully. It was one thing to live without Serena and Nate for some time, but she couldn't bear the idea of losing Dan- for any length of time.

And as the Tribeca disappeared from view, the tears filled her eyes. She felt pitiful and weak as the hot water dribbled from her eyes, falling down her face, lingering at the corners of her mouth. The sobs came quickly- fierce and almost painful- and she didn't hold them back. The cab driver asked if she was okay, and all she could do was sob harder. As much as she wanted an ally to comfort her, she felt like she didn't deserve anyone's sympathy.

What would happen next? she wondered again, feeling the anguish rip through her chest at the uncertainty of tomorrow.

Author's Note: The silly putty has officially hit the fan! Oh, angst and drama and woe and craziness! Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter! Reviewing is always greatly appreciated!