A collection of movies were given as an option and a blind vote done so no one would feel embarrassed by their choice. The sudden decrease of straight men led the vote, Moulin Rouge won and Kurt cheered and settled down next to Blaine to watch it with the rest. The housemates were offered popcorn and extra soda to truly welcome Sebastian to the house.

"I'd love to sing this at my wedding," Kurt whispered to Blaine as 'Come What May' came on, the rest of the housemates deadly silent and concentrating on the film. Blaine turned to him and smiled sweetly.

"I've always loved this song," he said, his eyes twinkling and he kissed Kurt's cheek gently causing the other man to blush slightly. Blaine was right in assuming that most people were looking at the large screen but Sebastian looked at the two boys quite carefully. They snuggled closer, losing themselves in each other and as the film finished and everyone said they were off to bed, Blaine hesitated a little, too comfortable and warm to want to leave Kurt's side. Sebastian stood up and smiled slightly.

"Right love birds, see you tomorrow," he quipped and he winked at Blaine as he continued to stare at those brown eyes which only widened slightly in surprise. Blaine checked that Kurt hadn't seen and decided to bury himself in that gloriously warm space between Kurt's neck and shoulder and forget about the lecherous look on Sebastian's face.

It seemed the producers had decided to allow them their peace for one night only. The change of situation with the entrance of Sebastian had shocked the housemates slightly but they had no idea that their task that week would rock them a little more.

As they were eating breakfast and showering, the screen in the living area blinked to life revealing the purple and yellow eye. They were instructed in the usual cold and monotonous voice to assemble on the sofas.

"Hello housemates," it said, "Your new task will now be set. We will light a fire in the garden, enclosed for safety and you will need to guard the fire for the following 48 hours. The fire must have two people guarding it at all times. If you fail to comply there will be a consequence that will be revealed later on this week. Please remain in the house and draw the curtains until instructed to open them, while we light the fire."

Michael got up to draw the curtains as he looked outside at the garden space.

"Surely they don't have enough space to light a fire," he said suspiciously, "What do you think the consequence will be if we fail?"

"Probably just limited food allowance or something similar," Claire said, looking nonplussed, "There's not much else they can do."

"I don't really like fires," Faye said looking slightly worried at the closed curtains. "What does looking after a fire entail exactly?"

"Probably just watching it doesn't go out," El said, "I guess if it starts to flicker and look like it's dying you wave it a bit to make sure more oxygen goes that way, but not too much otherwise it blows out."

Faye looked more worried by this but Kurt smiled reassuringly.

"We'll look after it together," he said, "You'll never be left alone with it so don't worry."

She looked happier at this but there was a slight noise outside which was obviously the people creating the fire.

"I wonder what those people look like." Anisa said, "I mean I'm guessing the guys that are making the fire are also the people that watch footage of us 24/7. It's a bit creepy if you think about it."

"Men in locked rooms with sweaty T-shirts?" Sebastian said looking like he had just smelt something rancid. "I should think they are creepy and disgusting," he finished.

After a while they were instructed to open the curtains and they could see the fire, quite a blaze but it looked under control.

"We should set up a rota," Claire said, "Make sure no one gets left out and that no one is left on their own." She grabbed a spare piece of paper and started drawing up a list. "Does anyone have a preference about the time slot they have?"

"I need my sleep," Nicola said, "I don't look this good without some effort." Blaine smirked at Kurt slightly as he thought she obviously needed more sleep. Everyone else said they didn't mind the slot they had but maybe it should be a maximum of two hours so no one got too tired. The rota was created while El and Ed did the first slot, never leaving it alone as they had a cigarette.

"Do you think I could get a slot with Kurt?" Blaine asked Claire quietly as he sidled over and spoke near her ear.

"Sure," Claire said smiling knowingly and she adjusted the rota. They had only to wait so dinner was started and the day continued.

Blaine and Kurt had the 1-3am slot and Kurt was looking forward to it. It felt strange to be in charge of a fire like it was a baby and as they walked over to relieve Nicola and Anisa, they sat and watched its flicker and flame for a while.

"This should be interesting," Blaine said laughing as they sat on the wooden bench in the alcove together. "Fires look a little scary up close," he said.

"I think we can protect each other," Kurt said, winking as he came a little closer to Blaine, who slipped an arm around Kurt's waist. "Do you think we'll win the task?"

"Yeah," Blaine said, "How hard can it be to watch a fire?"

They watched its sparks and embers for a while, the fire continuing to burn bright. The others were slipping to bed or hovering in the kitchen and chatting. They could see Sebastian talking to Nicola through the big French windows and Kurt looked at him carefully, still not trusting him and wondering what he was discussing with Nicola. Blaine noticed the direction of his gaze and stroked along Kurt's waist.

"What are you thinking?" Blaine asked quietly.

"I don't like that guy," Kurt said, still looking at Sebastian through the window, "I don't trust him."

"Oh he's harmless," Blaine said waving his other hand to indicate his feeling, "Don't worry about him."

"I don't like how he's all over you," Kurt said quietly, looking worried that his comment would sound possessive and jealous. Blaine had noticed Sebastian's attentive behaviour but was surprised that Kurt had noticed too.

"Don't worry, he can't faze me," Blaine said, squeezing Kurt's waist slightly.

"It's strange how they put him in the house after a week isn't it?" Blaine said after a while. "Do you think they're trying something? The producers I mean?"

"I don't know," Kurt said looking a little worried, "Why would they do that?"

"Oh I don't know," Blaine said shrugging so as not to worry Kurt further, "Just something I was thinking about."

"I wonder what our families think about all of this," Blaine said after a few minutes of silence, the only sound the crackle of the fire. "I suppose it consumes me sometimes, the cameras, what people see, it worries me."

"I guess it's no different from how we would act with our families anyway," Kurt said, not looking worried at all, "Just as long as you don't do anything silly I think your parents and family will be proud of how you act in here."

"Thanks Kurt," Blaine said smiling, "Do you miss your dad while you've been in here?"

"Yeah a lot," Kurt said, thinking of Burt at home knowing he would be watching every episode. "I owe him a lot and he's always been there for me. Even after he had a heart attack and I had to look after him, he still made time to talk to me about my insecurities."

"That must have been a terrible time," Blaine said rubbing Kurt's side.

"Yeah it was," Kurt said, "I mean to see him needing so many machines to do something as simple as breathe well it was heartbreaking. I honestly thought he would die and I would be alone." He swallowed fiercely against the lump in his throat threatening to expose his emotion.

"But he got better," Blaine said, "Right?"

"Yeah, yeah," Kurt said finally gaining some semblance of control, "He has to eat right but his heart is better definitely. Just now, he has a stage 1 cancer diagnosis though and I worry about him every day."

"Oh gosh Kurt, I didn't know," Blaine said, moving back slightly.

"Yeah I found out just before I went into the house and I knew there was nothing I could do but I don't know how his treatments will go and what will happen. By the time I get out of the house he should know if it's made a difference."

"But stage 1, the success rate must be high, right?"

"Yeah and he caught it early which is the only good thing about the regular checkups on his heart."

"Well when you leave you'll be able to make him proud and be there for him when he hears his results. You're really strong Kurt," Blaine said, snuggling closer, "I really admire how you can keep such a brave face with it all and make a success of all you do."

"Oh I don't know," Kurt said modestly.

"No I mean it Kurt," Blaine said earnestly, "Your dad will be really proud of you in here, I think you're amazing." His eyes twinkled as they faced each other, Kurt searching his face for insincerity but only finding adoration and honesty. He could seriously fall for this guy and his gorgeous eyes.

"Thanks," Kurt whispered. He snuggled closer and placed his head on Blaine's shoulder as they continued to watch the fire twist and curl, its flames working their way up and down.

The following 24 hours went successfully, everyone watching the fire when it was their turn. The only hiccup came when Heidi and Michael watched the fire in the early hours of the following morning.

"I really need to pee," Michael said, standing up and jiggling on the spot. "It won't make a difference if you watch the fire on your own will it? They won't even notice and I really need to pee." He didn't give Heidi a chance to say anything before he dashed into the house to go to the bathroom. Heidi opened her mouth to speak but closed it again, looking nervously at the camera in the hope that no one had noticed. Michael came back in a minute and Heidi looked suspiciously at his hands.

"No one saw did they?" Michael asked and Heidi shook her head but she wasn't convinced. "Well we can keep the secret." Heidi didn't think anything could be kept a secret here but she nodded her head in agreement.

The faceless monitor didn't reveal if they had won or not, just assured them they could stop watching the fire. It was put out safely while the housemates waited behind the curtains and life resumed. Meals were looked forward to; food and sleep being the only regular things in the house. Like the other housemates, Kurt and Blaine started to feel very restless, itchy hands eager to get out and do things.

"This is what prison is like I guess," Ed said sagely and everyone nodded.

It was soon nomination time again and people went in when instructed to complete their nominations. It seemed that in place of voting for Ian, people chose Claire or Heidi claiming they were annoying or liked to be in control of the house. Most people nominated Michael who was still showing his boxers and refusing to pull his pants up as well as generally being unclean. Michael and Claire received the most nominations and it was time for everyone to hear the announcement.

"Hello housemates," the blinking eye said, "We will now announce who received the most nominations and who would normally be under the public vote."

"Normally?" El asked raising an eyebrow, "What does that mean?"

A few shrugged their shoulders, not understanding either but the voice continued.

"The two people that received the most nominations are Michael and...." A dramatic pause ensued while everyone nodded their head. Everyone knew Michael was disliked but it was quite reassuring to see everyone had voted the same way. "... Claire."

Everyone looked at Claire as if worried how she would take the nomination. She looked visibly shocked but soon nodded, schooling her face as she accepted the knowledge. Everyone suddenly gushed in surprise and said how they couldn't believe it, Claire knowing full well that some of those people had nominated her and stabbed her in the back.

"We will now reveal the outcome of your task this week," the blinking eye continued. "We asked the housemates to watch the fire for 48 hours with at least two people constantly watching. As Michael left his post to visit the bathroom, you have forfeited the task and there will be a consequence."

There was a gasp of annoyance and everyone looked to Michael so he could give an explanation.

"I really needed to pee," he whined, "I couldn't help it, it's a basic human right," he said, getting up and practically shouting at the eye, "You can't deny me, I needed to pee!"

"Oh shut up," Nicola said clearly annoyed, "Just sit down you idiot and let's hear what the consequence is."

As if on cue the blinking eye responded.

"Because you failed the task the people up for eviction will be evicted tonight. You will have an hour to prepare but there will be no welcome or press. Michael and Claire will leave the house through the back door and never return."

The housemates looked around at each other, wondering when 'big brother' had become so mean and evil. Even Nicola looked at Claire with sympathy. Claire got up calmly preparing to pack and Faye and Anisa walked out with her to help. Michael still looked stunned. No one said the remarks they had planned in their heads, already thinking that Michael would be punished enough and actually feeling sorry for the guy who simply needed to pee.

Blaine looked to Kurt who was worrying his lip under his teeth and rubbed his knee to break him from his reverie.

"You ok?" Blaine whispered.

"Yeah, I just feel terrible for Claire and Michael," Kurt said, "That could have happened to any of us, no fanfare, no welcome home. It's terrible." Blaine said nothing, just continued to reassure him by rubbing his leg.

"It's to be completely expected," Sebastian said, leaning back on the sofa as if he had expected it all along. "These producers can't be trusted, they want a drama, they crave ratings. That's all this is."

"But it's still terrible," Kurt said indignantly, "They shouldn't be able to do this."

"Why did you come on the show Hummel?" Sebastian asked, clearly laughing at his naivety. "Did you think it was going to be all sweetness and light? They know you want a career after all of this, they just help you along. You need them much more than they need you."

Kurt knew he was right, which irked him even more and not having a biting retort he got up to help Claire pack. Blaine looked his way with wide eyes, at a loss as to what to say to make it better and he tried to smile. He remained seated though which caused Kurt's eyes to flit from his to Sebastian's. The implication was clear and Kurt just wanted to disappear.

After a while, Kurt was folding Claire's clothes the correct way and listening to the girls' conversations while remaining silent himself. As he came closer to the bedroom door he could hear Blaine laugh at something Sebastian was saying and he felt something stir in his stomach and it settled for quite a while. When Claire and Michael were ushered out the back door an hour later, with their suitcases and no cheering, Kurt looked to Blaine who smiled sweetly, completely confused at the sad expression gracing Kurt's face.