You've carried on so long; you couldn't stop if you tried it. You've built your wall so high; that no one could climb it. But I'm gonna try.

It was around the time of a certain call that Kate began to see Blaire begin to break.

The call was important, something that Blaire had been looking forward to for weeks. Her hands were constantly clutched around her cell phone, her eyes constantly staring at the darkened screen just waiting it to light up with that one number.

It was huge for both of them really, but so much more for Blaire. This was her big break, the moment to be in the spotlight and show everyone how amazing she could be. That's really the reason Kate was excited.

She had been practicing all year to try out for the upcoming Broadway season for Wicked. She had every Elphaba song down, every line, everything. She was ready, she was perfect, and Kate knew she had it in the bag, how couldn't she? Blaire even rocked her audition, few people in the room 'o' faced and clapping loudly after a moment as she stood bright faced, chest heaving in front of them.

The phone rings, and Kate bolts up from where she was laying on the couch, leaning over the back to see her girlfriend jump away from the counter. Her half-baked cookies were left on the counter as she looks up at Kate with wide, glossy eyes, her hands shaking. "It's them."

Kate grins, her smile big as she waves her hand towards her. "Answer it! Answer it!"

Blaire nods, seeming to square her shoulders and calm herself down before answering the voice with a cool, "Hello?" She listens for a moment, her eyes meeting Kate's. "This is her."

There's silence as Blaire listens and Kate waits, anticipation building up in her bones as she watches Blaire for any sign of news.

Then she catches it, the sign that she never really wanted to see. The slight widening of the already big hazel eyes, the gentle frown in the corner of her full lips. She watches those pink lips twitch, her chin wobbles as she nods and clears her throat. "Of course."

Kate is already getting off the couch, moving around to have easier access when Blaire thanks the other person on the phone and lowers the phone slowly. Her eyes have glassed over and she's looking straight ahead, and Kate knows that her fears have come true and she's hurrying forward.

Blaire let's out a quiet sound as Kate's arms wrap around her and pull her close, a gentle sniffle. "I—I didn't get the part. They thought I was good, just not good enough."

"Baby...," Kate murmurs, pressing a kiss to her temple as she just stands limp in Kate's arms.

"It's fine," Blaire mumbles, "I don't know what I expected, really."

"Hey, no." Kate's voice is quietly scolding as she pulls back and gives her a hard look. "You did amazing, you deserved that part and every part after that. Those people are just...ridiculous. They obviously don't know a perfect Elphaba when they see one."

Blaire shrugs, Kate's arms falling from around her as she pulls away. "Thanks, Kate. I just...thanks. I—I'm going to take a bath." Blaire makes to move away and Kate reaches out to grab at Blaire's wrist.

She watches Blaire's eyes; sees the walls go up, the walls that Kate knows far too well. The ones that block out everyone and everything, that holds her up for a little while longer so she can get on with her life. They build inside, trapping the tears and disappoint so that she doesn't have to let them out because for her, those mean weakness. And weakness is something that Blaire Anderson does not have, or at least that's what she tries to get her family and half the world to believe. But even if Kate knows the truth, she also knows that just like everyone else she can't get past those walls either. No matter how hard she tries, they're built too thick and too tall for her to get around them until Blaire calms down.

Kate softens, ghosting her thumb across the inside of Blaire's wrist. "Do you want me to join you?" She asks softly, knowing that she'll probably get turned down anyway.

Blaire blinks, biting her lip before she shakes her head. "No, I just want to be alone right now." A worried look crosses Kate's face and Blaire steps up to kiss her cheek. "I'm okay, I promise."

With a nod from Kate, Blaire finally walks away to the bathroom, Kate still watching after her.

And it's only a few minutes later over the volume of the TV that Kate hears the unmistakable sounds of crying.