Blaine had called his apartment two days earlier and they chatted amiably about Carrie's artwork and the main theme of dress. "Semi-casual. I'm planning on a sport coat, button down shirt and dark jeans. I think if I wore anything more formal Carrie would dump her wine on me and make me go and change," he joked, a loving tone to his voice. He obviously loved Carrie very much.

Thinking back, Kurt could remember a time when he'd once overheard Blaine speaking to Wes about him in that loving voice. It sent a thrill up his spine at that time and thinking about it now didn't help. Quickly, Kurt focused on checking his outfit once more. He'd chosen a luxuriously soft silk dark blue shirt and skin-hugging black pants that accentuated his legs. He wanted Blaine to appreciate that he was an awesome choice for a date and what better way to say it than by dressing up a little?

Blaine had promised to arrive at eight on the dot and knowing him, it was going to be precisely eight o'clock when he knocked on Kurt's door. That gave Kurt a few more minutes to check his hair. He'd grown out of his need for hairspray so lacquered that it created a helmet around his face a year or so out of high school. His style had changed some, and while his hair was still perfectly coiffed, he tried to make it so soft that his date would have more incentive to run his fingers through the strands that night. A man could hope, couldn't he?

Kurt did one more round in front of his mirror before perching precariously on the couch arm and waiting. He wanted this to go well, because maybe, just maybe, that might mean they would have a second chance.

His understudy had been thrilled to find out that Kurt needed him to perform on Wednesday. He was a good actor with a sweet heart and a love of acting that Kurt totally respected. With the success of "Worry Well," Kurt could see him going on to more shows on Broadway and maybe even headlining his own show.

That thought brought Kurt back to reality. He was going to need a new job soon — Kurt shook his head violently. Tonight was not the night to be thinking about things like this. He needed to be focused and in the game if this was all going to work.

At exactly eight o'clock, there was a soft and sturdy knock on Kurt's door and he jumped up, sprinting to open it. Blaine stood there, looking wonderful; his hair was tamed away from his face and very shiny and a pair of dark glasses sat on the edge of his nose. He'd dressed just the way that he had described and wore a dark, unbuttoned pea coat. Kurt looked Blaine up and down with an approving look.

When Kurt's eyes met Blaine's he saw a look in them, something very familiar and thrilling. "You look wonderful. I think I'm going to look like a slob next to you," Blaine joked sweetly, the corner of his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

"Never. You always look amazingly put together, tonight being no exception," Kurt flirted back, with what he hoped was a 'come hither' look to match it.

They stood in a companionable silence once more before Blaine asked, "Shall we go?"

"Oh! Yeah, just give me a second to grab my coat." Kurt hurried back into his couch and grabbed the black jacket he'd bought from Marc Jacobs just for this occasion. Blaine was waiting for him patiently and let Kurt walk ahead of him. Kurt made sure to put a slightly exaggerated sashay to his walk.

In the elevator, they smiled at one another shyly and didn't say much. Once outside and in the taxi, Kurt decided to break the silence. "So, what kind of art does Carrie do?"

"She's fairly eclectic in her style. She likes doing everything from landscapes to cubism. This one is mainly focused on the human form. I helped her put up a lot of her stuff and it's wonderful. I even have my eye on one of them, but if Carrie ever knew that I was thinking of buying any of her work, she would kill me."

Kurt raised a finely plucked eyebrow. "She doesn't want to sell her artwork?"

"No, she wants to sell it, just not to friends. Her opinion is that she shouldn't sell anything to her friends, it isn't right. I think that's unprofessional, but I dare you to try and tell her that." Blaine chuckled and Kurt joined in a moment later.

"I'll take your word for that."

They arrived not much later and Blaine paid the taxi before Kurt could say anything. They slid out and into the muggy street. The night was warm and Blaine really didn't need his jacket, but he didn't take it off until they were inside the gallery and he could hand it over to coat check. The gallery was set up in a two story, retro-style loft, with all the artwork settled on the second floor.

As Kurt handed over his coat Blaine placed his hand on the small of Kurt's back, causing the skin under the shirt to burn softly and alert him to Blaine's proximity. Blaine directed him up the stairs, smiling and addressing people that Kurt didn't know. At the top of the steps a handsome man stopped them, beaming at Blaine.

"Hey, Chance," Blaine greeted the man warmly.

"Blaine." He took Blaine's hand in a strong grasp. "Glad you made it. Carrie's been looking for you." His attention slid from Blaine's face to Kurt's and immediately the warm expression turned dark. "Who's this?"

Blaine didn't notice the change in Chance's attitude but Kurt sure did. "Ah, yes. Chance, I would like you to meet my date; Kurt Hummel. Kurt, this is Carrie's boyfriend, Chance Blaise."

"It's a pleasure," Kurt said sweetly, extending his hand. Chance glanced at it with what could only be described as derision, but shook Kurt's hand all the same.

"Likewise. Blaine, you should go and track down Carrie. She's farther into the back of the gallery talking with a reporter."

Blaine thanked Chance and steered Kurt around him. Once out of earshot Kurt leaned over to Blaine and whispered, "I don't think Chance liked me."

Blaine laughed and leaned closer so Kurt could hear him over the loud chatter of the room. "He's always like that. Chance is a businessman, so he's trained himself to be fairly businesslike when he's around people he doesn't really know."

Kurt really didn't think the right description of Chance was 'businesslike' but didn't correct his date. He was more focused on how he could feel Blaine's body heat radiating next to him. The gallery was busy with people milling about and chatting with one another, some of them holding drinks lightly in their hands.

Kurt was impressed at the turn out and mentioned that to Blaine. "Carrie's fairly well known in the art circles. She was well-liked in Yale and that helped her notoriety from there. Some people don't like how eclectic she can be but others say that it represents her widespread abilities as an artist."

Blaine steered them through the crowd to a figure that Kurt immediately recognized. Carrie was talking to a tall, thin man with graying hair and brown eyes. Her eyes were darting around, obviously looking for an escape. When she spotted them her eyes widened and she sent a silent message to Blaine, asking for help.

"Carrie!" Blaine called cheerfully, waving a little with his free hand. Kurt put on his best 'I'm freakin' thrilled to see you' expression and hurried forward. Carrie grasped their hands like they were her lifeline.

"I'm so glad you two could make it! Really." Carrie sighed, beaming at them. She was thrilled seeing Kurt standing with Blaine. They looked wonderful together. "Blaine, Kurt, this is Jason Weathers. He's a writer for Art Magazine. He's covering the opening."

Blaine shook hands with the man, followed by Kurt. "It's a lovely show, isn't is?" Jason commented in an oily, smooth voice that made Kurt shudder a little.

"We haven't been able to see much of it yet," Blaine replied sweetly. "Carrie said she'd give us the V.I.P. tour."

Jason's eyes glittered them and he nodded. "Then don't let me keep you. I'm going to do another round and I will come find you again in a little while; is that alright, Carrie?"

Carrie nodded, a grin slathered on her face. "Of course." She hooked her hands around Kurt and Blaine's arms and slipped between them, propelling them away. Once Jason had disappeared into the background, Carrie let out a breath she'd been holding for a while. "Thank God you boys showed up when you did. I was about to go nuts. His writing is wonderful but the way he talks is so bland. I was so bored!"

"Glad we could be of service," Kurt joked.

Carrie shook Kurt's arm slightly. "And I'm glad you came! You look wonderful! You're just too good for Blaine, care to run away with me to Tahiti?"

Kurt laughed and hugged her softly. "I would love to, but I think Chance would be upset. I already think I'm on his disliked people of the year."

Carrie rolled her eyes. "Ignore him. He's in a constant state of moodiness. Now, let me give you boys that V.I.P. tour I apparently promised." Blaine smiled to himself, glad that Carrie and Kurt were getting along. He'd had the sneaking suspicion that they probably would.

Carrie maneuvered them around the room, showing off her paintings proudly, like they were her own children. Most of them were portraits of people in everyday scenes but some of them were kind of surreal and others were beautiful. There was one that caught Kurt's attention and wouldn't let go. It was of a ballerina balancing on the tip of her toes in a pair of burgundy shoes and silk dress. He wondered if Carrie had used a model for her.

The main tour took half an hour and by the time they'd made the rounds, more people had filtered in. Carrie finished the drink in her hand and handed it to Blaine. "Would you like another?" he asked but she shook her head violently.

"No, I'm fine."

Blaine turned to look at Kurt. "What about you?"

Kurt glanced at a woman passing by. "Wine sounds wonderful." Blaine nodded once and wandered off to find a server. Immediately, Carrie's arms were wrapped around Kurt's.

"It's about time he left. I've been dying to be alone with you since he left." Her brilliant eyes sparkled at him and Kurt laughed musically.

"Why? So you could have your wicked way with me?"

"How could you think that of me?" She mock-gasped, pressing her hand to her chest and feigning insult. "I am a woman of virtue."

Kurt wrapped his arm around her waist. "Says the woman who has come onto me at least five times in the last five minutes."

Carrie shrugged and pulled him away to a scene of two people dancing. She obviously liked painting how movement affected clothing. "But seriously, sweetie, I'm glad he invited you. I know Chance was gunning for Blaine to ask Mark but from what I heard Mark is a bit of a pig." Kurt's eyebrow lifted, this was the first he was hearing of a Mark. "I think Chance ended up inviting him but I'm dearly hoping he decided not to show up."

Kurt knew it wasn't his place to pry, but he so wanted to. "And who is Mark?"

"A guy that Chance set him up with. A librarian. Chance was hoping they'd hit it off because they both run in the literary circles."

"And, they didn't?" Kurt pressed. Carrie gave him a side-long look, her lips tweaked up at the corner.

"Well, Blaine's here with you and him, so that should tell you something." She chuckled. "Don't tell Blaine I said this, because I promised to remain neutral. I really am rooting for you, sweetheart. He was so happy with you during Yale and the way he looks tonight is like that look he would have when he got off the computer with you."

Kurt was surprised by her words. "You were around then?"

"I met him the first day he moved into the dorms. His roomie tried to hit on my roomie and it didn't work out so he came after me," Carrie said tiredly, with a flick of her wrist.

Kurt stared at her out of surprise. "I remember that story. So, you were with him after the, um, break up?"

Carrie smiled at him sadly and touched his arm in a kind gesture. "Yes, but I don't hold it against you. I agree that you both were just too young to hold that kind of relationship together. Meeting again like you did is definitely kismet! When occurrences like that happen they're one in a million and I think you need to take them and not let go unless the fates tell you that you need to."

Kurt laughed at the brilliant gleam in Carrie's eyes. "So you believe in fate and all that?"

"Of course!" Carrie exclaimed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Blaine watched them walk away, apprehension in his chest. The idea of Kurt and Carrie alone together was rather frightening. He shook his head and turned to find a waiter and a moment later ran into the last person he'd wanted to see. He threw on a fake smile. "Hello, Mark. I thought you weren't very interested in Carrie's artwork."

Mark wasn't looking at Blaine as Blaine spoke. "I thought you said you weren't coming with a date." Mark's face was polite but Blaine could hear the venom dripping from Mark's voice.

"Plans changed," Blaine said simply, not seeing the need to explain further.

"He looks familiar," Mark continued.

"He's an actor," Blaine answered succinctly, eyes darting around. Blaine knew his social graces and how he needed to behave, but he wanted nothing more than to push past Mark and go back to Carrie and Kurt.

Mark nodded once and appeared to be thinking something over. Finally, his eyes moved to Blaine's face and he smiled, though his smile reminded Blaine a little of a shark. "Well, now that you're here we could maybe make plans to do another dinner. And next time we could even try for dessert."

Blaine realized that being painfully blunt would be the only way he was going to get through to Mark, "I'm sorry, I'm just not interested. It was an enjoyable dinner but I don't think we have the same interests. Now, if you'll excuse me." Blaine tried to side step around Mark, but the bigger man moved in the way.

"I thought we hit it off quite well," Mark pushed. "After all, we didn't get to see how well our bodies connect."

Blaine stopped himself from rolling his eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm not interested," he said bluntly, but adding the apology to try and keep the conversation civil.

"You know, I'm a fairly tenacious man. I don't give up easily." Apparently, they were fighting bluntness with bluntness. "You'll be hearing from me."

Blaine clenched his jaw and watched Mark saunter away cheekily. He shuddered a little and moved on; what the hell had Chance been thinking when he introduced them?

A moment later, Blaine found a waiter and snagged two glasses of wine. He moved back through the crowd, moving in the direction he'd spotted the other two going when he'd left. Blaine found them near the back wall of the gallery. They were chatting and laughing.

Blaine sidled up to Kurt's side, standing close enough to smell his enticing cologne. "Planning your honeymoon?" Blaine asked, his voice light — masking any of his earlier annoyance at Mark.

"We're thinking about Asia, but Carrie also really wants to go to Disney World," Kurt said, accepting the wine with a sweet smile that Blaine couldn't help but return.

"Disney World, really, Carrie?" Blaine asked and she grinned giddily.

"I've never been, but I've always wanted to go. Where's your perfect honeymoon spot?" she asked a challenge in her eyes.

Blaine took a moment to think, "I loved Europe last time I went, but I wasn't able to stay long in Paris. So I think if I had a choice I would have my honeymoon in Paris." Kurt beamed a little at Blaine; he loved Paris. In the back of his mind, Kurt wondered what it would be like to travel to Europe with Blaine. Blaine had been crap as French in high school, so he wondered if Blaine wandered around with his nose stuck in a French to English translation book.

"Okay. I've been monopolized by Kurt long enough. I need to make the rounds again. When you two decide to leave, make sure you find me and say good bye. I'll never forgive you if you don't." She waved at them and wandered away, her soft white skirts twirling around her legs as she went.

"Is she drunk?" Kurt asked, a little worried.

"No, just a little tipsy from the energy. Carrie's a little cosmic and believes that the energy in the room can affect a person's emotions."

Kurt's mouth made a little 'O' and he nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Blaine led them over to a padded bench facing a long painting of a man blowing a kiss. It was beautiful and hauntingly realistic. Kurt sat nervously and crossed his legs, holding his hands over his knees. He glanced over at the expression on Blaine's face and asked, "Is this the one that you want?" Blaine nodded slightly, his lips quirked into a sad smile.

"I don't really know why, but there's something about it that I like. But if Carrie ever saw my name on the receipt she would immediately void the check and give it to me for free. Chance is the one who runs the business side of her artwork and he would alert her immediately if I tried to buy anything," Blaine said softly, tearing his eyes away to look at Kurt's face. Kurt felt the color in his cheeks rise a little and tried to duck away. "Thank you."

"For what?" Kurt asked innocently, soaking in the looks Blaine gave him.

"For agreeing to come with me to this. I'm glad I had such wonderful company."

Kurt shrugged his shoulders slightly, "I'm sure that you would have been fine if it was only you and Carrie, and, um, Chance." Blaine rolled his eyes a little.

"I probably would have. But I had a better time with you. Thank you." Blaine took Kurt's free hand and held it in his, looking back at the painting. Kurt laced their fingers together and looked to the painting also. They didn't say anything for a while longer and the people milling around left them alone, obviously sensing that they were sharing an intimate moment.

Finally, Blaine glanced at his watch. "Have you had dinner?"

"I ate something just before you came to get me."

"But did you have dessert?" Kurt blushed at the idea and Blaine laughed, squeezing Kurt's hand. "I don't think I'm ready for that with you quite yet. I was actually thinking of something along the lines of ice cream and don't give me that excuse of your figure. I think you look wonderful and one little container of ice cream won't hurt you. Please?"

Kurt tried to hold up against the hopeful look on Blaine's face, but couldn't. Finally, with a sigh, he smiled and nodded and let Blaine pull him to his feet. They found Carrie standing by Chance. Chance was looking charming and Carrie chattered away excitedly with the couple standing in front of one of her paintings.

Blaine placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered, "We're heading out. I'll see you tomorrow. This is absolutely wonderful."

Carrie immediately excused herself from the group to hug both Blaine and Kurt. "I'm glad you boys came. Kurt, I plan to see more of you from now on," she warned and Kurt nodded.

"I don't think I could stay away from you if I wanted to."

Blaine laughed and patted her arm. "Now go back to your group." She laughed brightly and waved. Blaine started to move towards the stairs but Kurt caught him,

"Would you grab my coat? I wanted to ask Carrie about something."

Blaine nodded obligingly and said, "I'll wait for you at the doors." Kurt grinned and moved back to the crowd. He found who he was looking for and touched them on the arm.

Chance turned to look at Kurt with a raised eyebrow. "I wanted to talk to you about purchasing one of Carrie's paintings."

Blaine was waiting for Kurt impatiently by the door, Kurt's luxurious coat over his arm. After about ten minutes, Blaine was about to go and look for Kurt, wondering if Kurt had slipped out the back but just as he was gathering himself to head back into the fray, Kurt came sauntering down the stairs. There was a look on his face that resembled the cat who ate the canary.

Kurt smiled at Blaine sweetly, not offering any explanation except for, "Sorry that took so long. Ready to go?" He accepted his coat, but didn't slide it on; it was too warm outside of a coat. They walked out into the street and Blaine directed them down to an ice cream shoppe tucked in between two large and fancy restaurants. Blaine convinced Kurt to get something that wasn't made with Splenda and they left a few minutes later clutching large cones in their hands and giggling like teenagers.

They walked back to the apartment because it really wasn't that far away and ate their ice cream in a peaceful silence. Blaine held the door open for Kurt and followed him into the elevators, ignoring the raised eyebrows at the half-eaten cones in their hands. Kurt insisted upon walking Blaine to his apartment since his was the first stop.

At the door, Blaine opened the door and turned to Kurt, smiling up at him. "I really had a great time. I'm glad you agreed to come with me."

"I'm glad you asked," Kurt breathed, feeling anxious. He had no clue what the next step was going to be for them but he was excited nonetheless. If Blaine's actions towards him tonight had been any indication, Kurt was sure that it was going to be good.

Silence fell on them and Blaine looked awkwardly at his hands. Kurt finally forced himself to speak. "About that coffee. I was wondering if we could and get some, sometime."

Blaine looked up at him, his expression hard to decipher, "Yeah, I'd like that. Give me your cell number and I'll call you to make plans." Kurt immediately complied and Blaine tapped the number into his phone. As he slid the tiny machine into his back pocket, Pachelbel wound around his legs. "Thank you again. I'll call you later." He leaned up a little and wrapped his arms around Kurt's neck, reveling in the feel of a familiar body against his. Kurt returned the hug heartily and they stayed that way for a few moments until Pachelbel pawed Blaine's pants leg and he broke away. He bent down to grab his cat and smiled at Kurt. "Good night."

"Night, Blaine," Kurt murmured, a little stunned. He hadn't expected that. Kurt moved like a zombie to the lift and waited until the doors closed to give an exultant cheer.

In his apartment, Kurt flung his jacket onto his couch and fell onto the mattress of his bed, grinning from ear to ear. This was better than he'd ever expected. He rolled onto his side and on one of the shelves across the room from him, he spotted a box, yellowed with age. Quickly, Kurt crawled off the bed and grabbed the box in his hands, staring at it. Blaine's present from all those years ago. His heart beat fast and he slowly pulled open the cover.

Inside lay a beautiful silver bracelet, delicate and intricate. Settled in the middle of the chain was a miniature silver version of the Eiffel tower. Immediately Kurt was brought back to Blaine's room at Dalton Academy, where the two of them had sat together on Blaine's bed.

"Someday, I'm going to travel to Europe." Kurt sighed, looking at the pictures on Blaine's wall. His family was rich and had taken Blaine to Europe when he was younger. He kept all the pictures of the places he'd been in plain sight so he could always look have them around.

"I'll be your personal guide if you want me to," Blaine offered, running his fingers through Kurt's hair.

Kurt turned to look up at him, his ear resting over Blaine's heart. "You'd show me all around Europe?" Blaine nodded. "And you'd dance with me on the Eiffel tower?"

"Is that something you've always wanted to do?" Blaine asked and Kurt nodded, blushing softly. "Then yes, of course, without a single hesitation." Kurt snuggled his nose into the fabric of Blaine's shirt and smiled and in his heart he knew that someday they would stand together on the Eiffel tower and kiss under the starry sky.

Kurt smiled to himself and held the bracelet in his hand carefully, almost as if he were afraid it was going to break. It brought tears to his eyes to think about how he had never opened it until this night, but he decided to use this as a marker. This present had come at the end of their relationship and now, Kurt was determined to wear it as a symbol to mark the start (hopefully) of a new relationship between the two of them.

Without a single hesitation Kurt wrapped the bracelet around his wrist and smile down at the little silver Eiffel tower resting serenely against his skin.