Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or its characters.

Chapter 22: Walking the Line

Three days had flown by and Blair didn't feel like they were any closer to finding Juliet. Sure Georgina had the names of Milo's father and his brother, and maybe a possible address, but so far nothing had turned up from those leads. Ben, Serena, Dan, and she had decided to take turns staying at the loft with Georgina. The last couple of nights Dan and Blair had stayed at the loft at Georgina's constant request, claiming that she needed Dan. Milo had been running on and off fevers and Blair swore it was like Georgina had never taken care of her son by herself before. It made her sick to have to watch while Dan and Georgina played house with Milo!

It wasn't that Dan was constantly wrapped up in everything Georgina and Milo, it was just that Georgina had an annoying tendency to interrupt Blair and Dan constantly claiming that she needed Dan's help. Blair was starting to wonder how on earth Georgina lived without Dan before. It was obvious to Blair that Georgina still liked Dan and wanted him back, and it was not below G to use baby Milo to lure Dan in. She knew she was crazy for even being jealous in the first place, I mean I am Blair Waldorf, Blair thought, but she couldn't help but notice how happy Milo made Dan, and in some way it made her feel like she wasn't enough for him.

"Blair?" Dan asked worried. "You have been starting at the wall for like 10 minutes. You okay?"

Blair shook her head back to reality and looked up at Dan regaining her composure.

"It's not my fault I haven't been sleeping. That bundle of joy in your arms refuses to sleep and decides to scream his pretty little head off all night." Blair answered.

"You know if you want to go back to the penthouse…"

"And leave you with Georgina alone? No way. We all have to keep an eye on her. And where is Ben and Serena? It's their turn tonight." Blair got off the couch and walked up to Milo. "No offense baby, but Miss Blair needs her sleep tonight or she could end up having a nervous breakdown."

Dan laughed.

"And we wouldn't want that." Georgina laughed coming out of Jenny/Juliet's old room.

"Enjoy your nap G?" Blair smirked, hinting a glare.

"Yes I did! Thanks Dan for keeping him for me. I didn't get any sleep last night."

"Neither did we." Blair said to herself. Dan and Georgina looked her direction.

"I think he is teething. That's what his Doctor said it could be. His on and off fevers just have me worried." Georgina frowned taking Milo from Dan.

"Well he does feel warm. When was the last time you took his temperature?" Dan asked concerned feeling Milo's head.

"This morning. Do you think I should take it again?"

"I would. I would monitor it every hour. That's what the book says I think." Dan answered grabbing on of his old baby books out of the shelf. Blair rolled her eyes and walked into the kitchen. She needed a drink.

"Hey guys!" Serena smiled walking through the loft door.

"S! Would you like some wine?" Blair asked pulling a bottle out of the fridge. Serena looked at her a little confused.

"Umm it's like 2 in the afternoon B."

"Yes? And? Would you like some wine?" Blair repeated pulling the cork out of the bottle with a jolt.

"Umm no, I think I'll pass for now." Serena answered slowly. She turned and looked at Dan who seemed wrapped up with helping Georgina take Milo's temperature, and she instantly understood Blair's need to drink.

"Blair? Are you okay?" Serena asked cautiously. Blair looked up at her best friend, and watched her take a seat on one of the bar stools in front of her.

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I?" Blair smiled unconvincingly. Serena turned slightly and nodded her head back towards Dan and Georgina. Blair frowned and slouched her shoulders, taking a sip of her wine.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Serena asked quietly.

"No. I'd rather tie Georgina up and throw her into the Hudson." Blair glared. Serena's eyes widened and she laughed slightly, which made her best friend shoot her glare her way.

"Did you talk to Dan? Sometimes he doesn't even know what he is doing."

"What do you mean he doesn't know what he is doing? It seems obvious to me!" Blair whispered angrily.

"What I mean is that Dan is probably so caught up in Milo that he can't see that Georgina loves all the attention and is rubbing it successfully in your face."

"She is not being successful!"

"Who is the one drinking at 2 in the afternoon?" Serena smirked looking at Blair's glass of wine. Blair put the glass down instantly.

"I am trying to be a good girlfriend! I know that after this Georgina is going to take Milo away from Dan again and it's going to break his heart. I just want to let him spend time with Milo. I don't want him to have to worry about Georgina and Blair drama." Blair whispered with a frown. Serena reached out her hands and Blair took them.

"Even if it means watching Georgina enjoy every moment of Dan's attention?" Serena asked turning and looking at Georgina laughing at Dan.

"Unfortunately yes." Blair sighed heavily taking another sip of wine. "I know Dan loves me, and at the end of the day, that's all I need."

Serena turned and smiled at her best friend.

"That was very grown up of you B." Serena smiled with a smirk. "But can I make a suggestion?"

"Yes of course."

"You and Dan need a night out. I mean you don't even have to go out, if you know what I mean, but you need to get away from this loft and Georgina."

Blair's eye's widened.

"Your right S. Dan and I should get out of here. We have been here the past 2 days in Georgina hell."

"Yeah and that might be why there is a little tension if you know what I mean." Serena laughed.

"Well, Dan and I made plans originally to go out tomorrow night, but with everything that has happened…"

"Don't cancel! I can stay here with G and Milo."

Blair smiled and Serena for the first time.

"I'll talk to Dan. Thanks S."

"No problem."

"Serena!" Georgina laughed walking over to the kitchen. "Where is Ben? Did he get a hold of Milo's father?"

"Yes. He set a meeting up with Dimitri for tomorrow night. Did you know that Dimitri and Ben served together last year in prison?" Serena asked Georgina.

Georgina shook her head in sudden surprise.

"What? No? Really? What a small world!" Georgina laughed nervously. Blair and Serena looked at her carefully, as G quickly fled back over to Dan and Milo in the living room.

"Did you catch that?" Blair grinned.

"Yes. She knows something. I'm not sure exactly what, but she is definitely hiding something."

"Finally motive!" Blair smiled mischievously.

"B no, not yet. Let's get one scheme done before we start another please? Especially when it involves Georgina Sparks?" Serena begged.

"Fine."

"Thank you."

"So Ben served with Milo's Dad? That is kinda weird." Blair laughed.

"Yeah, well that's not the half of it. Don't freak out okay?" Serena said bending forward in a whisper.

Blair leaned closer to Serena.

"Okay? About what?"

"Well Ben thinks that it was Dimitri in the van that night." Serena whispered.

"The van that took Juliet!" Blair yelled. Dan and Georgina looked over confused at the two best friends.

"SHHHHH! Blair!" Serena whispered fiercely.

"Sorry." Blair whispered back. "He isn't really going to go by himself is he? To meet Dimitri?"

"No. A couple guys from the half-way house are going with him. One of them is actually a dealer for Dimitri, so Ben is pretty confident it should go well. If it's money they want then that's not a problem. I have plenty of it."

"S! You can't put up all the money!" Blair argued.

"Why not? And besides, Ben doesn't have any. It's the least I can do." Serena frowned.

"S, when is it going to be enough? Yeah it's horrible what happened, but you can't keep punishing yourself. It's in the past. You need to move on. Both of you."

"And we will." Serena sighed as if trying to convince herself as well as Blair.

Dan walked into the kitchen and gave Blair a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Hey! How did the contact go? Did Ben make the meeting?" Dan asked Serena.

"Yeah. I'll let Blair fill you in. I gotta go ask G a couple more questions for Ben." Serena answered hopping off her stool. "Where is she?"

"She just took Milo back for his nap." Dan answered grabbing a bottle of water out of the fridge.

Dan waited until Serena was out of site, then took the glass of wine out of Blair's hand and set it down gently in front of her.

"Dan what…."

Dan cut Blair off with his lips. She felt his hands move down her side's then grip her hips and jerked her around to face him. Blair gasped in surprise and Dan didn't waste any time and took advantage, deepening the kiss eagerly. Blair answered hungrily, her hands explored his chest, shoulders, and finally tangling into his black hair. She gripped his hair and tugged gently, making Dan moan into her mouth. He knees weakened at the sound. Dan pulled her tighter against him and ran a free hand up her side, brushing lightly against her breast. She moaned in return. Dan broke away first, and let then both catch their breath.

"Not that I am not thankful, but where did that come from?" Blair laughed circling her arms around Dan's waist.

"I have wanted to do that all morning and now afternoon." Dan smiled.

"What stopped you?"

"Well you have been kinda glaring all morning and frowning, so I wasn't sure if it was safe, but Serena seemed to cheer you up a bit, so I figured it was safe."

Blair laughed again.

"I just don't like Georgina, really I'm okay, and I really am starting to think a lot of it is sleep deprivation."

"I'm sorry, that's my fault. I should have never promised Georgina we would stay another night. You can go back…"

"Dan Humphrey. If I hear you say 'go back to the penthouse' one more time…" Blair warned.

"Okay, okay!" Dan laughed. "Never again will it leave my lips."

Blair smiled and hugged Dan.

"Good because I am not leaving you."

XXXXX

Ben took a deep breath before knocking on the door in front of him. He knew after this there would be no turning back. Slowly he lifted his hand and pounded 3 times. The door opened a crack at first.

"What do you want?" A rough voice barked.

"My name is Ben. I'm here to see Jimmy."

The door slammed shut making Ben jump, but then he heard the chain being removed. The door opened fast and in front of him was another familiar face.

"Bruce?"

"Ben." He replied in greeting. "Jimmy's expecting you."

Bruce nodded him in and Ben followed closing the door behind him. Ben turned around to see a group of rough men at the kitchen table, playing cards with a half full bottle of tequila. He smiled nervously at them, and turned to follow Bruce up the stairs.

"Straight down the hall." Bruce pointed.

Ben thanked him and walked down the hall to the last door and knocked.

"Come in."

Ben opened the door slowly.

"Benjamin! Come in!" Jimmy laughed getting up from his desk. He walked around and shook Ben's hand putting him at ease some. Jimmy was a tall tan man in his late 50's who had really looked out for Ben during the years they served together. If there was any one Ben felt he could trust in this situation, it was Jimmy. "Please sit! Sit! Would you like a drink? Scotch?"

"No I'm fine really." Ben protested sitting down.

"Don't mind if I do then?" Jimmy grinned pouring himself a heaping glass.

"No not at all." Ben smiled.

"So how did you get yourself into this one Benjie?" Jimmy laughed taking a seat at his desk once again.

"Really I have no idea. I think my sister Juliet has some gambling debt."

"See the boys and I checked into that and we didn't find any evidence of that in the city. Are you sure?"

"No. I just know that she is gone. I heard from a couple other guys at the half way house that they might contact me but…"

"They did."

Ben looked up at Jimmy in surprise.

"What? How do you know?"

"It's just better not to ask." Jimmy joked. "They sent a message to you yesterday."

"I didn't get a message."

"No you didn't because it went to the halfway house."

"What do they want." Ben asked, but he already knew the answer.

"Money of course." Jimmy laughed. "I have no problem going with you to this meeting, but I have to ask you one question."

"What?"

"How did you know to contact Dimitri?"

Ben paused for a moment wondering how much information he should share with Jimmy.

"I recognized him that night when they took her. I figured he was involved."

"Do you know why Dimitri is in the business for quick money these days Ben?" Jimmy laughed.

"No. I remember in prison he had a lot of death threats, but…"

"They were all coming from the outside. Dimitri turned himself in."

"What? Why?" Ben asked confused.

"Well about a little more than a year ago, he was involved in a pretty big cash drop, and he bolted with the money. And if there is one thing the Russian's hate…"

"So he turned himself in to protect himself from his family?"

"Exactly, but he only got a year. Not enough time for wounds to heal if ya know what I mean." Jimmy hinted.

"So he gave the money back?"

"Something like that, but now he owes money for jobs he lost them out on while he was in prison. Dimitri was pretty high up before all that went down, and apparently they lost some clients."

"So why not just make money the old way?" Ben questioned.

"Not fast enough. Then you're pretty little rich girl friend shows up at your half way house looking for you weeks ago, and the word spread."

"Are you saying that Dimitri took Juliet, because he was counting on Serena to pay?"

Jimmy took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry kid. Life sucks. If I were you, I would come tomorrow with at least 100 grand."

XXXXX

"Dan hey! Can I talk to you for a second?" Serena said interrupting Dan and Blair's conversation. Blair looked at Serena questioningly.

"Ah sure." Dan smiled confused.

Dan followed Serena back to his bedroom. Serena shut the door as soon as he came through and faced him, hands on hips. A pose that Dan knew, meant he was in trouble.

"What did I do?" He asked confused.

"Do you really have to ask? What is up with you and G?"

"What do you mean?"

"I forgot how dense you can be Dan." Serena sighed. Dan just stared in shook his head in confusment. "Have you noticed Blair being different lately, especially the last couple days?"

"Yeah, but I mean were all sleep deprived with Milo and…" Dan started.

"Dan! It's not the baby." Serena cut him off.

"What? What are you…"

"You're playing house with Georgina."

"No I'm…"

"Yes you are. Georgina has had you constantly helping her with Milo for the past couple of days. You even took Ben and my turn last night to stay here at the loft because Georgina said she needed you. But God love Blair, she actually loves you enough not to say anything, even though she living in hell right now. She knows how much Milo means to you, but Dan please be careful that you don't lose Blair in the process."

Dan looked at Serena in shock for a moment.

"I guess I just got caught up. It has been nice to have him around again, and Georgina really seems to need me."

"Yeah, well keep in mind that Georgina is Georgina and she can probably see how much it hurts Blair. I mean seriously Dan, Georgina knows how to take her baby's temperature—she doesn't need you to help her. I don't want her to use you to hurt Blair, but so far it's working."

He sat down on his bed and ran his hands threw his hair in frustration.

"She is upset? I know she doesn't like Georgina, but she told me she was okay."

"Dan. She is drinking at 2 in the afternoon. She has been probably wearing a constant glare and staring into space too. She is not alright, and she just needs to know that Georgina doesn't have any power over you."

"What? Of course she doesn't."

Serena threw her hands up in defense.

"Milo. He is a soft spot for you, and Georgina knows that."

Dan sighed heavily.

"I see what you're saying. Thanks for giving me the heads up. I feel like an idiot." Dan frowned.

Serena walked over and sat next to him.

"You just have a huge heart, but unfortunately it keeps you from seeing when people are really using you." Serena answered. Dan nodded in thanks.

"I did have plans made for Blair and me tomorrow night but…"

"That's what Blair mentioned too! You should keep them! I will take care of G and Milo."

Dan and Serena emerged from the bedroom to find Blair pouring herself another cup of wine while Georgina watched with slight humor on her face. Dan felt like an even bigger idiot. He made his way back into the kitchen and warmed at the smile Blair flashed when she saw him.

"Blair?" Dan started. She looked him up and down and took another sip of her wine.

"Yes?"

"I think we should keep our night out tomorrow."

Blair smiled knowingly at Serena behind Dan, a small smile hinting around the corner of her lips.

"I guess that would be okay." She answered with a smirk. Dan reached up, and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I'm so sorry Blair. I'm an idiot." Dan whispered.

Blair looked up at him at first confused, but then realization hit. She glared at Serena behind Dan. Serena, sensing she had been busted, quickly retreated over to Georgina and Milo for cover.

"What did S say?" Blair asked quietly.

"That I have been playing house with Milo, and she is right. I'm horrible for…"

Blair leaned up and gave him a gentle kiss.

"You have a heart Humphrey. One of the many things I'm sad to say that I am starting to love about you." Blair sighed. "But thank you. You have been an idiot."

XXXXX

Ah! I am so sorry it took me longer to post this time. Work has been a little crazier than I had originally thought! So what do you guys think? Probably have no idea what is going on I'm sure! But you will! Just bear with me! I wish I could have posted sooner but I unfortunately don't get a spring break and get to work the entire week So I am so sorry that it has taken me so long! How is everyone doing with the GG break? I don't know about you but my Monday night felt a little empty haha! I love seeing all these other Dair stories starting to pop up! Fan Fiction will pull us through huh? Thank you so much for all the comments and follows/favorites! I hope you guys enjoy!