Author's Note: I know it's been years since I updated this, but since all my other fics (except for Adventures) are done, I wanted to finish this. It's a sort of alternative verse to S1. Jenny doesn't exist. Dan has a brother named Brad... Vanessa is somewhat likeable. There will be minimal doses of chuck bass and blair. I want to kind of write what I think they should have done with SB. Anyways, I'm blabbing now and I don't even know if anyone still cares about this fic. It's more so I can finish my incomplete GG fics.

The Lesser Humphrey

Chapter 5

Dan reached for Serena's hand as they exited the subway car and climbed up the steps to the exit. They were a few blocks from the loft and he was basking in the glow of having her near him. He had spent so long afraid to take action that it was sort of disconcerting how easy it all was. He wasn't the kind of guy that normally second-guessed himself, but there was something about her. She mattered. He looked back at her and smiled.

"We're here," he said as they rode in the elevator that took them up to his place. When they entered Brad was lounging in his pjs as Vanessa glared at him. Dan cringed inwardly. He liked Vanessa as a friend, but he really wished she wouldn't hope for more. He tried to be nice about it, but she was just so persistent.

"Dan, you're home,"she said over-enthusiastically Vanessa eyed Serena suspiciously. Brad rolled his eyes at Vanessa.

"Um hey, Vanessa. I wasn't, um expecting you," he said as he stumbled over his words.

"She's always here," mumbled Brad. He reached for the sandwiches and said, "took you long enough. The Cubans are probably cold by now."

"You're such a pig," Vanessa muttered.

He looked at her wearily and said, "and you are clearly delusional."

Dan and Serena sat at the island and ate their sandwhiches as Vanessa awkwardly gazed at them afar. She wanted to hang out with him, but he was clearly occupied. "I think I'm gonna go. Talk to you later, Dan."

"See ya" he said in between bites.

Serena nibbled at her sandwich and wondered if she should be worried. He hadn't even bothered to introduce her to his friend and she felt like the odd person out. "So, how come you didn't introduce me?"

"Oh, it's just, I don't know kinda awkward. We're just friends, but…."

"wants to be more. Do you, um, like her?"

Dan smiled at her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "No, I like you. Only you."

"Ugh you guys are disgustingly cute. I'm going to go play video games or something."

"Knock yourself out, but you're never going to beat my score."

"Is that a challenge bro?"

"Not a challenge, just a fact.

"Care to back up that fact, little brother."

Serena laughed as she watched the two of them battle it out on their play station. She cheered Dan every time he went up a level. Her presence seemed to only boost his confidence and he managed to beat his brother easily.

"It's not fair," Brad pouted.

"I beat your ass fair and square," Dan said cockily.

Brad crossed his arms across his chest, "You had your own little cheer squad. The odds were stacked against me."

"Still doesn't change the fact that I wiped the floor with you,"he said teasingly.

Brad was sitting in the living room flipping the channels when Vanessa came over and plopped down next to him. "What are you watching?"

"Nothing. If you're looking for Dan, he's out."

She simply shrugged and took the remote from him. Vanessa was kind of tired of chasing Dan around. She still liked him, but how was she going to compete with the Serena.

"Give me my remote back. Don't you know anything about guys?"he said as he snatched the remote away. Brad was taken aback by the hurt look on her face and instantly felt bad. Vanessa got up and headed towards the door.

"Come on, don't be like that. You know I was just kidding."

Vanessa turned for a second and said, "you know what fuck you. I came over to hang out with you. I shouldn't have bothered."

She left him standing there confused. Brad liked to tease Vanessa. He had no idea she'd be so sensitive. He sighed and went back to flipping the channels. Brad turned from station to station for a good half-hour before he got frustrated and left.

Dan and Serena were sitting in a café in Brooklyn, their hands locked. They weren't really saying anything. They'd been out and two kind of dates and she still wasn't sure what this was, but she knew she loved spending time with him. Dan just wanted to reach over and kiss her, but he wasn't sure if it was the right time.

Fuck it

He leaned over grazed her cheek with his thumb and kissed her until neither of them could breathe. Dan ran his hands through her hair and pulled her closer. Once they separated, he placed his forehead on hers. He was out of breath and completely captivated by this girl.

"You're pretty good at that Humphrey" Serena said. He smirked at her and reached for her again. They sat there totally lost in one another that the waitress had to cough to get their attention. Serena blushed as there food was placed in front of them.

"We're really giving the wait-staff an eyeful," Dan muttered. Serena smiled at him sheepishly as she dug into her meal. They ate their food in companionable silence. Serena had never felt this way before. There was just something about him that was so special.

"I'm glad we did this,"she said as they were getting ready to leave. Dan paid for the meal and wrapped his arm around her. "Well, if you think this is fabulous wait till we go on a real date."

"you mean this isn't a date?"

He ran his fingers through her hair and said, "This? Is small time, babe."

"Should I be scared?"Serena joked as she ran down the street. Dan hurried to catch up with her, but she was faster than he imagined. She turned the corner and crossed the road to the park. He finally caught up to her at the swing set.

"Have you ever thought of signing up for track? You're fast,"he said.

"Nah, you're just slow,"she said as she giggled. Dan closed his eyes and let her laugh wash over him. It was so childlike and so enticing at the same time.

"Has anyone told you, that you have an amazing laugh,"he said as he reached for her hand. Serena looked into his eyes and smiled softly. She reached across and kissed him softly. This boy made her feel things that were exciting and little bit freighting.