Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or its characters.
Chapter 26: Forgiven
"I can't take this anymore. I'm going to see Blair." Serena said grabbing for her coat and purse.
"I'll come with you." Ben said grabbing his coat.
"No. No Ben stay with Juliet. I've already took enough time away from you guys with all this drama."
"Serena…" Juliet started.
"No really. I just really feel like I should be with Blair right now and if she won't listen to Dan about all this then she will listen to me."
Ben nodded and seemed to understand. He leaned forward and gave Serena a kiss on the cheek.
"Be safe and call me if you need me."
Serena smiled and kissed his gently.
"Thank you."
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"Dorota!" Blair called exiting the elevator into her penthouse.
"Miss Blair!" Dorota came rushing into the foyer.
"Dorota?"
"Miss Blair! Mr. Dan came looking for you and…"
"You didn't tell him that I went to Chucks did you?"
Dorota looked nervously at Blair.
"Dorota! Do you know what you have done?"
"He left a little bit ago! I try calling you but…"
"I lost my cell phone Dorota!"
"Blair?"
Blair turned around to see Serena getting off the elevator.
"Oh thank God S!"
Blair hugged her best friend.
"You have to come with me!"
"What happened?"
Blair turned and glared at Dorota.
"Dorota told Dan I went to Chucks and he went over there looking for me!"
Serena's eyes widen.
"Oh my God B!" Serena gasped.
"I know I know, we have to go! Now!"
Blair grabbed Serena's hand and pulled her towards the elevator.
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Dan stepped off the elevator and into Chuck's Empire penthouse. Chuck stepped into the hallway wearing a glare.
"Unfortunately I was expecting you Humphrey."
"Where is Blair Chuck?"
Chuck laughed to himself and ignored Dan, walking into the living room, picking up his glass of scotch off the coffee table. Dan followed him.
"I needed a drink for this." Chuck joked turning towards Dan.
"Where is Blair?" Dan asked again losing his patience.
"Honestly Humphrey, you need to give her space. She is hurting right now."
"Don't pull that shit with me Chuck! I know everything! Juliet told me everything!"
Chucks eyes widened and his demeanor grew cold.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Whatever trouble Juliet got herself into is not my problem."
"Chuck I can see right through you. You're not going to win."
"Looks like I already have Humphrey. Blair wants nothing to do with you, and I couldn't be happier."
"So you admit it?"
"Admit what?"
"That you set all of this up? That you worked everyone against us!"
"I didn't make you choose Milo over Blair Dan, you did that all by yourself." Chuck smirked.
Without warning Dan swung at Chuck and punched him as hard as he could. Chuck stumbled back and ran his hand over his nose checking the damage, finding blood on his hand. Dan was ready for Chuck when he lunged, but it didn't cushion his back and head against the cement floor. Dan gave out a yell as his head slammed off the floor stunning him, giving Chuck the opportunity to bring another blow with his fist. Dan saw stars but fought and shook it off, rebounding fast; answering Chucks blow with his elbow right into Chuck's face.
"STOP!" Blair screamed running off the elevator, followed closely by Serena.
The first thing Blair saw was the blood on Chuck's face, and then the growing amount of blood on the floor coming from Dan's head.
Blair ran over to Dan, falling on her knees and checking the damage Chuck's fist did, while Chuck slowly stood up watching her disgusted. Serena noticed Chuck's focus and forced him over to the couch, away from Dan and Blair.
"Oh my God! Dan your head is bleeding really bad! Serena!" Blair sobbed.
Serena left Chuck and rushed over to Dan. She was pretty sure he had a concussion, but the bleeding worried her the most.
"Blair I'm going to call the ambulance. I think he has a concussion."
Serena grabbed her cell phone and grabbed a washcloth off the coffee table.
"Use this B. Try to stop the bleeding." Serena asked while hitting 911.
"Blair?" Dan said weakly.
"Yes? Dan?" Blair asked softly cradling his head in her lap.
"I'm so sorry I hurt you." He whispered.
Blair closed her eyes at his words and felt the tears stream down her face. She had wanted to hear him say that ever since she stormed out of the loft, but didn't realize until now just how badly she had needed it. She looked down finally to see his eyes fluttering.
"Dan no! Stay awake! Stay with me!" Blair yelled shaking him gently.
"Let him fall asleep. His body needs to rest after having the shit kicked out of it." Chuck snarled across from Blair. Blair looked up at him in anger.
"Shut the fuck up Chuck! I don't want to hear anything from you! Serena told me everything on the way over here! Really Chuck? Georgina and Juliet?"
Chuck looked over at Serena on the phone, and then back at Blair.
"Serena doesn't have the full story." He answered quietly, trying to reason with Blair.
"You are unbelievable Chuck! Why can't you just let me be happy? Why can't you let me go?"
Suddenly Dan groaned and Blair looked down at him concerned.
Serena came back over.
"They're coming."
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Blair's back and neck ached badly. She shifted her position in the hospital chair for the hundredth time and stretched, trying to alleviate some stiffness.
"Blair?"
Blair looked up to see Lily and Rufus at the door. She smiled and crawled out of the chair.
"Lily! Rufus!" She smiled.
"I'm sorry it took us so long Blair, how is he?" Lily asked, while Rufus went over and examined his son, taking his hand.
"He suffered a concussion, and lost quite a bit of blood from the head wound that needed 6 stitches, but he's stable, and they expect him to wake up soon. It's only been a couple hours."
"He got into a fight?" Rufus asked.
"Yes." Blair answered hesitantly looking guilty. "And you should blame me for that. It was with Chuck. They were fighting about me."
Lily put her arm around Blair.
"Sweet heart, we have all had our own rounds with Chuck Bass, and to be honest Rufus and I expected tempers to flare when Dan told us he was dating you." Lily comforted.
"All that matter is that everyone is alright." Rufus smiled looking from Blair down at Dan.
"I don't know what I would have done if…" Blair started. Lily pulled her into a hug which Blair accepted gladly.
"It's really late. Would you like to go home and shower? Get some sleep?" Lily asked Blair. "You must be exhausted. Rufus and I can stay for a while."
"Thank you but no, Serena already tried, but I'm not leaving Dan until he wakes up." Blair smiled.
"I had to try." Lily laughed.
"Listen Blair, Jenny will probably get here in a little and…" Rufus started
"You don't have to worry Rufus. The past is the past."
"Yes, but Jenny sometimes doesn't let go as fast."
"I will keep that in mind." Blair smiled.
Blair said goodbye to Rufus and Lily, then climbed back into her ugly hospital chair, shifting it closer to Dan's bed, taking his hand.
"I knew I would find you here." Chuck said walking into Dan's room. Blair shot up out of her chair and pushed Chuck out of the room into the hallway.
"Leave Chuck! I don't want you here! "
"I know you don't but…"
"You really pushed it too far this time Chuck." Blair half cried, half whispered.
"I know." Chuck swallowed. "I was just so focused on us, on what we had before, that…"
"Yes. What we had before was great, but that is in the past now, and before Dan."
"I will never let you go Blair. You're a part of me." Chuck said sadly.
Blair looked back up at Chuck for a moment before she spoke.
"You made me question so much Chuck. You made me question myself, Dan, Serena, you…but it all didn't make sense to me until now."
Chuck laughed to himself.
"And what is that?"
"What we had was special Chuck, and powerful. I won't stand here and deny that, but it was dangerous." Blair paused searching for the right words. "I loved you to the point of self-destruction. I lost myself, my identity. Then, I wanted to blame everything on you, but really it was both of us…" Blair started quietly.
"Blair…" Chuck whispered comfortingly.
"Let me finish Bass!" Blair glared. Chuck took a step back annoyed. "I know you think you love me, but really you don't know what love really is."
"And you do?" Chuck snapped.
"I do now." Blair smiled looking back at Dan.
"Because of Humphrey?" Chuck asked in disbelief.
"I don't expect you to understand." Blair glared.
"Blair…" Chuck whispered again taking a step towards Blair. She backed away and shook her head.
"I came over to your penthouse today because I was going to choose you." Blair whispered.
"What?" Chuck gasped taking a step closer to her. To which she held up her hand, stopping him from trying to embracing her again.
"I figured a life with you might be somewhat safer. I know you Chuck and I know that you will probably hurt me again, but if I'm prepared for that, then I can protect my heart."
"I don't want you to settle for me Blair…" Chuck sighed regretfully, but Blair continued.
"But with Dan, he makes all my walls come down, and I feel completed vulnerable, but in a good way."
"I think that's what love is supposed to be Blair—letting your walls down." Chuck answered sadly.
"When I arrived at your penthouse I found Georgina's phone in my purse."
Chuck's eyes widened.
"How did you…" He started to ask, but Blair ignored him.
"I saw a text message to Georgina about a certain amount of money being obtained, and I knew instantly that Georgina was involved with Juliet's kidnapping. The only thing I could think of then was Dan. The thought of Dan getting hurt instantly tore at my heart and then I realized where I was standing and what I was about to do...
"You love him."
It was more of a statement than a question but Blair nodded anyway, and saw Chuck stiffen.
"Yes."
"More than you love me?" Chuck asked. Blair could see the emotion in his eyes as they met hers, and feared his imminent reaction.
"Chuck." Blair sighed not wanting to answer.
"Do you?" Chuck pushed.
"Yes."
Chuck closed his eyes and turned away from Blair. She understood and gave him a moment, but when he looked back up at her his gaze was cold.
"I will laugh when he leaves you for Serena."
His tone was cold and hateful but Blair was just sick of hearing about Serena and Dan.
"Enough!" Blair yelled. "I'm not going to hold it against Dan for having a past! Especially since you and I have one!"
Chuck ignored her comment about them and pushed more.
"You know it will happen. It's only a matter of time." Chuck continued.
Blair recognized Chuck's denial and decided to cut right to the chase.
"I'm not leaving him for you Chuck."
Blair knew her words stung him by his hardening glare, but she knew he needed to hear them.
"If that's your decision." Chuck said between his teeth.
"It is. Oh and I would appreciate if you would leave us alone Chuck. No I am telling you. If you try to manipulate, scheme, or interfere with Dan and I again I won't want anything to do with you—ever again."
Chuck stiffened his posture and straightened his tie.
"We're done here." He responded.
Blair let him brush by her, and rolled her eyes at his childish behavior. She turned around to see him brush past Jenny Humphrey too, who was looking at Blair with a huge grin. Blair swallowed nervously at the sight of Dan's little sister. Little J.
"Jenny!" Blair yelled nervously. "How long were you there?"
Jenny smirked and walked over to Blair, looking her up and down before stopping in front of her.
"Long enough." She smiled.
"Please don't tell Dan that Chuck was here. He would…"
"Blair." Jenny laughed. "Don't worry. I won't."
Blair sighed relief, but looked up at Jenny with a suspicious glare.
"Why are you being nice to me?"
Jenny smiled and shook her head.
"Well let's just say, that I was preparing myself to ring you out when I got here for dating my brother, but after over hearing you and Chuck…I don't know…I guess I've had a change of heart."
Blair let a smile slowly form on her lips, and then did something totally out of her character. Something she knew would mean the world to Dan.
"I really am sorry for everything Jenny, and for any hurt I caused you."
Jenny slapped her hand to her chest dramatically in shock and laughed.
"Oh my God! You must love my brother! I never thought I would hear those words come out your mouth!" Jenny laughed.
Blair glared rolling her eyes but then laughed too.
"Well soak it in now Little J, cuz it won't happen again. And yes, I do love your brother. Very much." Blair added matter of factly.
"Well, I am sorry too. I know I could have made better choices and I hurt you too."
Blair smiled again and pulled a surprise Jenny into a quick hug. It felt incredibly awkward, but Blair wanted to make sure she made things right with Jenny, especially for Dan.
"How is he?" Jenny asked after she and Blair pulled apart.
"He is stable." Blair smiled leading Jenny into Dan's hospital room. "And they think he will wake up in a couple hours."
Jenny threw her coat across the bottom of Dan's bed and sat down next to him, clasping her hand in his.
"It scares me to think that he loves you enough to do this." Jenny nodded at Dan.
Blair walked up to the other side of Dan's bed and brushed a loose curl off his forehead.
"Believe me, when I saw them, it scared the shit out of me, but it made me realize so much more. How much I do love your brother." Blair smiled at Jenny. "In that moment, I wasn't concerned about anyone but Dan."
"You can go home Blair. Get some sleep? I'll stay." Jenny smiled.
"No. I'm not going anywhere. Don't push either. Lily already tried." Blair glared in warning, taking her seat next to Dan and scooting her chair closer to his bed.
Jenny laughed and held up her hands in surrender.
"Alright! Alright! I was just putting it out there." She laughed.
Blair rolled her eyes again and took Dan's hand, while Jenny followed her example, scooting another chair closer to Dan's bed for her. It was only a half hour before Blair noticed light snores coming from the youngest Humphrey, making Blair smile, but sleep eventually claimed her as well, as her eyes became too heavy to keep open, giving in to sleep finally while still grasping Dan's hand.
XXXXX
Blair woke suddenly, feeling the bed shift under her head. She looked up quickly to see Dan smiling down at her.
"Dan?" She whispered in disbelief.
Dan smiled at her and brought her hand up, kissing it. Blair couldn't help but start crying and lunged forward, throwing her arms around him.
"Shhhh." Dan whispered. "I'm fine."
"Fine? Dan you lost a lot of blood! You scared the shit out of me!" Blair whispered frantically, remembering little J still asleep in her chair.
Dan just chuckled lightly and nodded for Blair to join him. She complied and slowly climbed onto the bed to lie next to him, after he shifted slowly, trying not to wake his baby sister.
"When did Jenny get here?" Dan asked.
"Not long ago. Don't worry we are on speaking terms." Blair smiled.
"You made up?" Dan asked surprised.
"You could say that." Blair smirked.
Dan pulled Blair closer, wrapping his arms around her, and Blair rested her head on his chest.
"Blair?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm so sorry…" Dan started.
"Dan…"
"No Blair, I need to tell you how sorry I am for not handling the situation with Milo and Georgina right. I should have let you in more, but I stupidly let my insecurities and doubts get the better of me, and then I doubted that you even wanted a future with me…"
"Dan…"
"And I should have run after you the moment that you rushed out of the loft…"
"Dan…"
"When you were gone, I felt empty and dead inside. But through everything I realized that I love you Blair. You are a part of me. It might have taken losing you to realize just how much but I truly and completely love you. And then there is this whole thing with Chuck scheming. I seriously don't know what I would…"
"I love you too," Blair finally interrupted looking up at Dan. "… and I'm sorry I ran out of the loft. I shouldn't have run like that. I should have talked to you and let you know what was bothering me, but I let my insecurities and doubts get in the way too." Blair smiled sadly. "And as far as Chuck goes, I don't think he will be bothering us anymore or at least for a while."
Dan looked down and laughed lightly.
"Oh no…do I even want to know?" He joked.
"I told him I loved you, that I choose you, and that he was not to mess with us anymore."
Dan looked at her in wonder for a moment and then laughed lightly pulling her tighter against him.
"Well I might have helped with the convincing today. Did you see his bloody nose?" Dan smirked.
"Daniel Humphrey!" Blair whispered violently shifting to make eye contact. "You are never ever again to do anything that stupid! You could have died!"
"I can't promise that, because honestly Blair, I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant getting you back. Seeing you running towards me—I can't even begin to describe the relief I felt."
Blair reached up lovingly and brushed his cheek with the back of her hand.
"I'm not going anywhere." She smiled.
"Good because neither am I." Dan smiled back.
Blair leaned up and brushed her lips against his, and immediately felt home.
"Hmm!"
Blair and Dan broke apart suddenly at the sound of Jenny clearing her throat.
"Jenny!" Dan yelled nervously.
Jenny laughed and hugged Dan, while Blair started to retreat off the bed.
"No Blair! It's okay. Stay." Jenny smiled awkwardly. "Although just witnessing that little smooch was a little weird."
"Well get used to it sis." Dan smirked before he pulled Blair into another kiss. Blair laughed against his lips and pushed away.
"I'm so sorry Jenny!" Blair said trying to get off the bed again; struggling against Dan's protesting arms.
"No seriously. Stay." Jenny begged seeing Dan's protests. "I'm gonna go call Dad anyway. Let the family know Dan's awake."
Blair watched Jenny rush out of the room before slapping Dan's chest.
"Oww! What was that for? I'm the one in the hospital, remember?" Dan laughed.
"Your sister is going to be scarred!" Blair scolded dramatically. "We can't just…"
Blair's protests were cut off again but Dan crushing his lips against hers. She couldn't help but lose herself in his tightening embrace and sigh as he deepened the kiss, sending her head spinning. She had missed this. Missed it terribly. Regretfully she pulled away but just looked at him in wonder.
"God, I love you." Dan sighed tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She felt herself blush.
"I love you." She whispered softly leaning forward, resting her forehead against his for a moment, before letting him kiss her again.
Yes, Dan Humphrey was her future, and she had an incredibly good feeling about that fact.
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So much more Dan and Blair to come in the next chapter! Hope you guys enjoyed! I'm not sure how many more chapters I will need but we are close to the end! Is there anything you would like to see or think should happen? Let me know! Thank you too for all the favorites and reviews! You guys are awesome and drive me to write more! Thank you!