The ground was shiny as they left the bar a little later but the streets were empty. Ben hailed a taxi easily.

"Grandmother's dinner now," Ben said quietly, looking between Kurt and Blaine who remained on the sidewalk.

"Yeah have fun," Kurt said, a little bitchy but Blaine didn't seem to notice as he kissed Ben goodbye and waved to him as his taxi sped away to a restaurant across town. Blaine looked at Kurt, suddenly unsure what to do with his time now Ben had gone.

"How about we eat?" Kurt suggested and as they walked the unease ended as they laughed about old times and spoke of memories that seemed an age ago now. They soon found a little restaurant Blaine knew that was quiet but homely.

"You were a little shocked when I told you?" Blaine asked as they ate.

"No, not shocked," Kurt said, then seeing Blaine's suspicious expression he laughed. "Ok, a little shocked... a lot shocked actually. I fell off the bed."

"Really?" Blaine said laughing, "That explains the thump! You like him though, don't you?" "Er yeah I do," Kurt said hesitating.

"That sounds enthusiastic," Blaine said laughing.

"No I do," Kurt said, determined to appear polite, "I mean he's great. Seriously can't sing a note," and Blaine's eyebrows rose in agreement, "But he's making quite a sacrifice," Kurt continued.

"What do you mean?" Blaine asked suddenly serious.

"I mean your job, you travel quite a bit and it's not really a grown up job Blaine."

"My job never used to bother you," Blaine said, suddenly worried.

"It doesn't bother me now, but I'm not Ben. I mean his dad owns the Yankees; I'm surprised it's not come up. Surely they want you to have a permanent Chicago address near mum and dad, a top floor office with a view and the suit to match...." Kurt left his words hanging, hoping he was planting seeds in Blaine's mind.

"No Ben's not like that, you don't know him," Blaine said shaking his head.

"Ok, then you've got yourself quite the catch," Kurt said with a tight smile and Blaine grinned.

"Yes I think I have."

Ben asked if Kurt and only Kurt could join him the following day for the final shopping trip on the pretence that Kurt knew so much about fashion and jewellery that his expert opinion was required but Kurt suspected it was just a ruse. Ben clearly wanted to keep Kurt close in the hopes that he wouldn't be able to spend too much time with Blaine before the big day. As best man Kurt didn't feel he could refuse and Blaine seemed to have less of a need to impress his own family. Kurt took the opportunity to plant new ideas in Ben's mind too and as they wandered around the department store, Kurt wondered when he had become so devious and cunning.

"I think Blaine is getting a little tired of his job," Kurt said as they perused the final stand of bracelets for the bridesmaids.

"But Blaine loves his job," Ben said.

"Oh of course, the difficult hours, the constant practice, the desperation to sound young and on trend as well as being constantly unique. The need to travel and the wonder of whether you're going to really make it or just be some hopeless penniless musician for the rest of your life. What's not to love?" Kurt said sarcastically. "I'm sure he'd trade it in a heartbeat for a secure job say in your father's office."

Ben stopped where he was in the shop and looked at Kurt carefully, his eyes wide.

"That's just what my father and I were discussing," Ben said.

"Well of course," Kurt said, moving onto plates for the kitchen.

"How do you think I should bring it up to Blaine?" Ben asked earnestly.

"You need to think carefully because Blaine would hate to be a pity case but maybe you could ask your father to help you in this. Maybe you need to suggest that your father needs help, someone powerful and with excellent leadership skills, someone just like Blaine to help him. Maybe he could suggest it would only be for six months to a year."

Ben thought about it for a while and he was soon making the call to his father and saying everything that Kurt had suggested down the phone. Kurt couldn't believe it had been that easy. They were soon planning a meal with Blaine that evening, Ben deciding that it would be best for Blaine to hear that kind of suggestion with Kurt, his best friend there for support. Kurt couldn't refuse.

Kurt entered the restaurant later on that evening, Blaine and Ben meeting him there. Kurt knew he had to dress to impress so pulling out all the stops, he arrived in the tightest pants he owned, with a tight shirt and waist coat with a fierce broach to top it off. It had the desired effect because as he entered, Blaine stood to kiss him on the cheek and smiled.

"Wow you look gorgeous," Blaine said, Ben remaining in his seat with a tight smile. Blaine started singing the first few lines to 'Come What May' – their song and they both laughed quietly. "Do you remember?" Blaine asked Kurt, who nodded. "Do you have a date later?"

"You never can tell," Kurt said winking mischievously.

"So, what did you want to say?" Blaine asked Ben, "What was the big favour?"

"Well, it's really my father that needs the favour," Ben said, after coughing slightly, "He's restructuring the company and he could really use some help with some departments." Blaine seemed to understand immediately and he suddenly looked like he had swallowed something bitter.

"It would only be six months maybe," Ben continued, though he knew he was already struggling and he looked to Kurt for help. Blaine noticed.

"And you knew about this?" Blaine said to Kurt, hurt evident in his voice.

"Well I think you should listen to him Blaine," Kurt said.

"Well let's start with being honest Ben," Blaine said, sounding angry and hurt, "Your father's idea? Really? Why don't you just say it? I'm not good enough for you, my job isn't good enough."

"I never said that Blaine," Ben said, getting heated, "I never said that."

"You didn't have to. I'm not a sell out, I know my job doesn't always pay that well but I happen to love it and this you spring on me two days before our wedding." Blaine seemed to have forgotten that Kurt was there and stood to go, until Ben suddenly pleaded for him to stay and held his wrist.

"I never meant that Blaine," he said, "You are good enough, I love that you love your job. You can do whatever you want to do I promise. I love you," he said getting a little louder and more desperate as he went on. "Please stay, please forgive me," he said his voice starting to shake with repressed tears. Kurt's eyes went to Blaine who was looking carefully at Ben and Kurt could see his face softening as Ben nearly broke down. Kurt couldn't believe it. This was supposed to be the row that broke them up, how was this getting resolved so quickly?

"I love you too," Blaine said as he sat down again and they hugged quickly, Ben wiping hastily at his eyes. Kurt could only give a weak smile as Blaine turned to him. They ordered food and after a comfortable silence, wedding plans were discussed again and the argument forgotten. Kurt couldn't wait to leave.

"George isn't here to take your message. Speak after the beep."

"George! Answer the phone dammit!" Kurt shouted into the machine as George was eating with friends. Busy conversation soon petered out as Kurt got louder. "I'm having a meltdown here! He double-crossed me. The little twerp grovelled. He's so wrong for him; Blaine and I are the same person. We belong together, he even sang 'Come What May' tonight! I'm running out of time and I'm completely out of sneaky ideas. I have come to the end of my rapidly fraying rope. George you have got to think of something!" Kurt finally shouted and ended the call and George was greeted with curious gazes and silence as he looked around his dining table.

"Coffee anyone?"

Kurt awoke the following morning to a loud and consistent banging, which at first he thought belonged inside his head. He realised the television was still on showing an old black and white movie and as he stood up by his bed, his feet trod on melting chocolate and little bottles from the mini-bar in his hotel room. Last night had been a glorious pity party for one.

He gingerly walked to open his door to find George standing by the door frame.

"George!" Kurt exclaimed, "I can't believe you're here!"

"Well that looks very Marcel Marceau of you," George said, indicating Kurt's face which was encased in a purple mask that was hardened and cracking.

"Ahhh!" Kurt screamed as he realised and he was swiftly led into the bathroom to remove it.

"You don't understand," Kurt started babbling as George helped him remove his mask with a face cloth, "He's perfect and it might be annoying to be that perfect but it's not. He's just endearing and funny and so clever and gorgeous."

"Blaine was in love with me for nine years, I'm better for him, I understand him, I know what he needs, what he likes. I may break Ben's heart in the long run but it will be better for him in the end, I'm doing him a favour. My every happiness depends on this wedding not going ahead." He sat down on his bed suddenly looking a little defeated and George sat in sympathy next to him.

"Do you really love him Kurt?" he asked, "Or is this just about winning?"

"In the beginning I guess it was a little bit about that. I have this prior claim, he belongs to me," he said adamantly then his face softened, "But now when I'm with him," he suddenly crumbled and fell back on the bed with a soft moan. "He's just so wonderful," he moaned as if in pain. "I mean how come I never knew that when I could have had him?" George lay back on the bed too, joining Kurt.

"It's amazing the clarity that comes with psychotic jealously," George said starting to laugh and Kurt joined in until his laughter seemed to turn to tears.

"George believe me," Kurt said, still manically laughing though tears appeared in his eyes, "If he was feeling what I'm feeling, then he would know how I feel. It's horrible."

"Just tell him you love him," George said, facing Kurt slightly on the bed, who made a slight face. "Tell him you've loved him for nine years but you were afraid of love. Tell him this is the worst possible time to do this to him but he has to choose, there it is."

"Tell him the actual truth?"

"Exactly. What have you got to lose?"