Thank you everyone for all the comments! It makes me want to write more! :) And I am glad to see more Dan and Blair stories out there too! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or the Characters

Chapter Four: Thoughts and Reflections

Dan left Blair's in a good mood. He never thought he would see the day that he actually enjoyed Blair's company but the day had come. Once Blair had calmed down and actually listened to what he had to say they had really started to make progress on her paper. They didn't agree on everything but in a way that's why Dan liked hanging out with Blair. She had her different opinions and wasn't shy or hesitant when voicing them. In a way Blair was a harsher version of Vanessa. Dan laughed to himself knowing that Vanessa would not like hearing herself compared to Blair.

He missed Vanessa. She hadn't been around, deciding to stay home for a while, telling Dan that she missed her family and needed to be home for a while. Dan understood, but thought in some ways that was why his sudden friendship with Blair had lived for so long.

But then there were those moments with Blair that would feel a little more than friendship. Sure, Blair was attractive, but what got Dan the most was when she actually had him thinking. In spending all that time with Blair, he found her to be extremely intellectual and open minded. Something he never thought about Blair before. He smiled to himself thinking of how she would admit he might have a point but then end with a snarky remark. It was almost like a security thing with her. The moment she would feel they were getting too close or thought she was showing weakness, Blair would insult him. Over time her insults had calmed down and now had turned into smart remarks that Dan found to be more teasing than insulting. Serena had always tried to explain Blair to Dan, but he had never understood until now. The thought of Serena suddenly made Dan's good mood fade.

He understood that Serena was a free spirit. It was one of the things that he loved about her, but he also felt sad that she had not been as sure about him as he was about her. Dan wasn't going to lie to himself and say that he wasn't hurting. He had thought for a long time that he and Serena would always find a way back to one another. That they would spend the rest of their lives together, but lately he had found himself thinking that he and Serena might have had their time. In some ways he felt like he wasn't enough because Serena would always find someone else. Now he should move on and learn from his past. That thought hurt more than he cared to admit, but Dan knew if he wanted to heal properly he had to let Serena go. Besides if they were meant to be they would find their way back to one another right? Dan's phone went off distracting him from his thoughts.

He got angry at the sight of Chuck Bass practically making out with a blonde nobody on Gossip Girl. All Dan could think about was Blair and how it was making her feel. Okay well now she is definitely my friend if I care about how she feels. Dan's mind wandered back to the days previous events. He thought about the moments between them that didn't feel like friendship, but dare he think something more.

Dan's cab stopped in front of his loft and he paid the cabbie and got out to find Nate coming out of his building.

"Hey man! I was just gonna text you." Nate laughed walking down the stairs.

"Nate! What are you doing here? I thought you had plans with your dad tonight?"

Dan noticed Nate's frown at the word 'dad'.

"Nah, he isn't answering my texts or calls. This whole situation is stressing me out."

"What? Why?"

"Well he has to find a job and I don't think he is taking it seriously. I thought he really wanted to start over ya know, but lately I don't know. I was actually comin over to ask if you wanted to hang out."

"Sounds awesome. Come on up."

"Where were you coming from?" Nate asked Dan following him up the stairs.

"I have actually been at Blair's."

Nate laughed.

"At Blair's doing what?"

"Well I was helping her with her resume."

They reached Dan's loft door and Nate stared at Dan in disbelief.

"Blair asked you for help?"

Dan laughed opening his door.

"Yeah I know. She shocked me too. It actually wasn't that bad."

Nate shook his head.

"Man I never thought I would see the day that Dan Humphrey and Blair Waldolf could be friends." Nate smirked taking his coat off.

"I don't know if we're really defined as friends yet. I'm still getting use to the concept." Dan smirked grabbing himself a beer and throwing one at Nate. Nate took a seat at the counter and opened his.

"Dan. Did you not hangout with Blair over winter break and not have a bad time?"

"Umm…yes."

"Did you not then see movies and actually enjoy each other's company?"

"Yeah I guess."

"Then did you go over there tonight to help her with something that was important to her?"

"See when you say it like that it's so easy." Dan laughed.

"That's because it is. You are her friend and she is your friend. You two just haven't admitted it to yourselves yet."

Dan thought about that for a second and laughed.

"Yeah but Nate I don't think Blair sees me that way. She is always insulting me and bossing me around. It's annoying actually." Dan frowned before taking another drink.

Nate chuckled.

"Dan I dated Blair, and just believe me when I tell you that she is a chick that feels like she always has to be in control. If she isn't she freaks a little."

"So you're saying that every time Blair comes back with an insult it's her way of taking control?"

"Exactly." Nate smiled.

"But why would Blair feel like she had to control anything when it comes to me?" Dan asked puzzled.

"Maybe Blair can see you're becoming a friend but is too afraid of seeming weak to admit it. I'm telling ya man, she loves the control and power. Never would have worked out with us." Nate shook his head reflecting back.

"So what do you suggest I do?"

Nate thought for a moment looking at Dan carefully.

"Well, if I were in your shoes, I would find some way to have the control in the friendship. Something on your turf that she wouldn't feel in control and show her that she has nothing to worry about and that she can trust you. Show her what a good friend you are man and I'm sure she will start to let down some walls around ya."

"That's not a bad idea." Dan smiled.

"Thank you. Just don't tell her I gave you the idea. She might hunt me down."

Nate and Dan laughed.

"So Nate I really am sorry to hear about your dad. I'm sure he is out there looking for a job as we speak."

Nate shook his head his smile disappearing.

"I don't know Dan. He missed two interviews and his parole officer keeps calling me. I didn't think that when I would be helping my dad, I would be lying to his parole officer for him."

"Did you talk to him about it?"

"Yeah but he just keeps saying 'I will make you so proud son', 'everything will change you will see', oh and my favorite he said last night- 'I'm in an interview right now'."

They were silent for a moment.

"Unfortunately we can't change people and in the end they have to be the ones to turn their life around. And you never know, Nate, your dad could surprise you."

"I know. I just wish that my mom and I were enough, ya know." Nate barely got out. Dan noticed his friends struggle and walked closer to the counter.

"At least you will learn from your father's mistakes, and your children will have a father that they are proud of."

Nate looked up at Dan at that last statement and smiled firmly.

"You're right about that man. My kids won't know the pain I have known. I will do everything I can to shield them from that."

"Then all this pain you're going through means something." Dan finished.

Nate looked up and smiled taking a deep breath for the first time since he entered the loft.

"Thanks man."

"Anytime."

Thank you everyone for reading and commenting! I hope you enjoyed! Thoughts, ideas, and comments welcomed!