The 4 times Dan Punched Chuck and the 1 Time He Punched Back

Disclaimer: Not even Blair's master plotting could get me Gossip Girl

Summary: For every time Dan punched Chuck and for the one time he retaliated. The first three chapters will cover the three canon punches while the fourth will be my try on episode 4x18. This will end in Dair. Anything directly quoted from an episode will be in bold.

4th Punch: The fourth time there is no doubt, it's all about Blair. Almost a full year has passed since the last time which is weird considering how much everything has changed. It's funny though, in a not-so-funny way, that the only time it happens on Dan's own turf, in his loft even, it's also the only time Chuck retaliates.

Dan hurries over to the door of the loft to answer the persistent knocking. When Dan pulls the door open, he can't stop his mouth from dropping open in surprise, horror, anger, disbelief, all of the above. It's Chuck. Chuck Bass, the dark prince of the Upper East Side, is in Brooklyn. Dan has confirmation now: the world really is coming to an end.

The moment of shock wears off quickly though and Dan feels red hot anger flood his veins. Over the past four months of their growing friendship, Dan and Blair have talked a lot. But it's not until one very drunk night that they spill some serious secrets like her being traded for a hotel.

If it weren't for the fact that he had been way past tipsy and Blair had begged him not to do anything stupid, Dan would've marched straight to that stupid hotel and burned it down with Chuck still inside. How could he do that to Blair, the girl who loved him unconditionally? He handed her over to Jack Bass like she was some worthless prostitute for a hotel. Everytime Dan thinks of it he feels like vomiting.

"What do you want Bass?" Dan asks threateningly. He stands steadfastly in the door refusing to allow Chuck in. The horror of the hotel scandal is still fresh in his mind and he can't stand even looking at him right now.

"I know you kissed Blair," Chuck growls. He obviously has no idea of what thin ice he's on with Dan. The way he talks about it her, it's like he considers Blair a possession.

But Dan has been in the Upper East Side long enough to learn a few tricks. He smirks, toying with Bass, who smells heavily of scotch, and tells him the truth, "Actually she kissed me first. And then I kissed her. And then… you know what I've lost count of how many times we've kissed."

Chuck stares at him homicidally. "Go ahead Humphrey," Chuck spit out with derision, "Have your fun. But know that she'll be mine when it's all over. Her and I, we're inevitable. I'm the only one she can ever love."

As Chuck's voice grew in volume, Dan peers back into the loft anxiously. He suddenly regrets egging him on. He just needs to get Chuck out of here, quick.

Scoffing at Chuck's tirade, Dan prays this will end their discussion. "Chuck, just calm down. It's her life, her choices. She deserves someone who makes her happy."

He doesn't quit though. Chuck clearly has no idea how furious Dan is. He has no idea that Dan is seconds away from losing his cool exterior. He has no idea how protective Dan's become of Blair, how much he cares about her.

He has no idea about any of this so he roars impulsively, "I won't let her be happy with anyone else! She belongs with me!"

And there it is Dan's breaking point. With a practiced swing Dan drives his fist into Chuck's face drawing satisfaction from the sickly crunch of his nose.

"Dan?" a sleepy voice asks. Dan turns around to see Blair Waldorf getting up off the couch. She walks over, hair mussed from her nap on his couch, one of his t-shirts on, curious about who's on the other side of the door. Dan waits with baited breath as she comes into view. And there she is. The other thing Chuck has no idea about, the reason Dan tried to keep Chuck calm.

In the moment that Chuck sees Blair, Dan knows he must be thinking the worst. "Blair's here! With you!" Chuck thunders, releasing his nose in exchange for punching Dan. Blair screams in shock, very awake now.

The heavy handed punch lands straight on Dan's right eye. Chuck clearly wants to leave visible bruising. Dan doesn't miss a beat though and immediately begins to forcefully shove Chuck out the door.

He remains resolutely just in the door and looks over at Blair. His face is a cold, hard mask as he demands that Blair leave with him. She moves forward slowly and Dan is terrified that she's going to walk out that door with Chuck. She doesn't do that though.

"Chuck. I'm sorry," she says softly coming up beside Dan. She shakes her head at him. She's not following him this time. Chuck backs up finally eyes locked with hers until he turns around and walks away without a word.

She shuts the door and turns to Dan, courage in her eyes that Dan hasn't seen in a long time. She reaches up and strokes his cheek, surveying the damage. Next she takes his hand in hers and brushes her fingers over his knuckles. Blair, an endless stream sarcastic barbs and witty remarks, says nothing.

She leads him into the kitchen where she opens the medicine cabinet pulling out things he didn't even know were in there. He finds it kind of amazing how she already knows where everything is in the loft. He finds it kind of amazing that she's even still here.

She gently binds his hand with gauze and presses a bag of ice she's wrapped in a towel to his hand. He can't remember the last time someone took care of him like this, so tenderly, as if he was breakable.

"Use the ice on your eye too," Blair advises, breaking the silence. She seems to be shaking herself out of her thoughts.

"Blair?" He asks causing her look back up at him. He sees the fear in her eyes though and knows she's not ready to talk about what just happened. If she even understood what happened. So he settles for, "Thank you."

She grins. Her words don't quite carry her usual tone but she tries, "Humphrey, please try to be more careful. I don't want to always be bandaging you up."

It's not exactly a promise and it's not exactly a forever. But Blair said the word "always" and she's with him right now, not Chuck. He knows that eventually they will have to talk about Chuck but not now, not tonight.

"I'll do my best," Dan promises, grinning back at her.

"Come on. I want to see the end of the movie," Blair tugged him behind her. His face and hand hurt like hell but Dan feels like has finally won. Dan's not alone this time as sinks into the cushions of the couch.

To Anyone Who Cares: I hope everyone likes it! Please review! Victory, made it just in time before the episode! I rushed this so I'm not sure how it is. So, sadly, we already know from the promos that this doesn't happen but a girl can dream. I really don't hate Chuck as much as this chapter makes it seem but it worked for what I wanted. Anyway this is the last chapter unless I get really crazy or Dan decides to punch Chuck again. Thank you so much Jess, Kat, AugustaRose, and nuevaviva, Kate2008, cathedrals, laurasicas, Lozza the Lolly for reviewing!