Blaine is just finishing a bowl of yogurt when Kurt wanders in, wrapped in a silk bathrobe. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Kurt smiles softly at him as he grabs one of the plates off of the cart and sits in his usual spot next to Blaine. "What are you thinking about, all by yourself in here?"

Blaine finally looks up and gives him a half smile. "About how tonight will be our last night together and then youll finally be rid of me."

"Well, you are a bit much to take," Kurt replies with a grin. He takes a bite of his fruit and watches Blaine look at something on his tablet for a second before he sets the computer to the side.

"My business here is almost over and then Ill be going back to New York."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Mm." Theres a moment of silence while Kurt eats and Blaine just watches him. "I would really like to see you again."

Kurts face instantly brightens as he looks up from his bowl. "Really?"

"Really. That is why I have arranged for you to have an apartment, a car, and a whole slew of designer shops ready to be at your beck and call any time you want to shop. Everything is done." Blaine looks pleased with himself but Kurt just sighs, pushing his bowl away and resting his forehead in his palm.

"What else?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you just going to leave some money beside the bed when you come through town?"

"Kurt, its not like that-"

"Then what is it like, Blaine?"

"Well, first off, it would get you off of the streets-"

But Kurt is shaking his head agitatedly. "No, you dont understand, thats just geography; theres so much more than that."

"Then what? I- I really dont understand what you want from me, Kurt." For the first time, theres frustration in Blaines voice and its aimed directly at him. Kurt stands, blinking back tears as he steps out onto the balcony and wraps his arms around his torso protectively. The sky is filled with fluffy grey clouds as he looks over the skyline of the city. He hears Blaine at the doorway. "What is it you see happening between us?"

"I dont know." Theres silence heavy in the air between them before Kurt lets out a dry little laugh. "When I was little," he begins, not looking back, "my mom would read me fairytales. Anything she could find, she would read to me and I would eat them up like candy. It was always my favorite time of the day, listening to stories about princesses being held captive and then their princes would come and rescue them from whatever evil was holding them. I dreamed about it, being locked away in a high tower and watching for my sweet prince to come. He would charge up the forest path and cut down whatever beast was there and climb up the castle to rescue me."

He stops, finally turning to look at Blaine. "But never, in all of my years of fantasy, did the prince tell me, Hey, baby, Ill put you up in a great condo. So, you asked me what I see happening between us and-"

The sound of Blaines phone blasts through the penthouse and Blaine finally breaks eye contact, his eyes automatically seeking out the noise. And thats when Kurt knows its done; hell never win against Blaines business. "Just go," Kurt whispers, tightening his arms around his waist.

Blaine hurries inside and picks up his phone. "What is it, Eli?" he snaps.

"Whoa, calm down. Look, I had to call. I just got off the phone with Sam Evans and, get this, he wants to set up a meeting today."

"What for?"

"I dont know, he wouldnt say, but I bet you its a done deal! Hes got nowhere left to go; you have him by the balls." Eli laughs and Blaine just wants to hit him. "Look, if hes really ready to sell, I want him to commit his stocks to us this afternoon, so-"

"No, if hes really caving in, I dont want to wait until this afternoon. Have Evans meet me downtown this morning. Goodbye." He hangs up before Eli can say anything else and sighs, looking out at where Kurt is still standing in the same spot he was when Blaine walked away, but facing out toward the city again. He grabs his suit jacket and pulls it on as he goes back to Kurt. "Look, I have to go right now, but I want you to understand." He reaches out and takes Kurts hands, silently pleading with him to look up. "I heard everything you said, I did, but this is all Im capable of right now. Its a huge leap for me."

"I know," Kurt sighs, taking his hand from Blaines and smoothing down his tie. "Its a really good deal for a guy like me." He tries to smile, but it never reaches his eyes.

"You know I have never treated you like a prostitute." When Kurt doesnt reply, Blaine walks away, grabbing his tablet and briefcase. The door closes firmly behind him and finally the tears begin falling from Kurts eyes.

"You just did." He drags himself to the bed and has a good cry over what could have been.

The phone ringing pulls him out of a light doze an hour later and he fumbles to pick it up. "Hello?"

"Yes, its Quinn Fabray here, Kurt. I have a young lady here who says she knows you. A Miss Tina Co-" Theres a brief moment of mumbling before a different voice picks up the line.

"Yo, Kurt, babe, its me. Can you get down here before this toolbox blows a gasket?"

Kurt laughs in relief at hearing Tinas voice for the first time in almost a week. "Yeah, sure, Ill be down in a minute."

"Thanks, babe."

He fluffs his hair quickly and pulls on a pair of tight jeans and a pressed purple shirt, leaving the top three buttons undone. He calls the elevator and rushes over to the front desk the minute the doors open. Theres Tina, looking thin but here and alive and the relief is short lived because as soon as theyre out in the back area of the hotel, he scolds her. "Jesus, Tina, couldnt you have at least sent me a text?! Ive been trying to get ahold of you!"

"Yeah, I know, they told me at the Banana that youd been looking for me."

"I left the money for you on Tuesday."

"I know, but I was hiding from Dustin."

"Well, if you would have come up here, you wouldnt have had to-"

"Hey, I have a life, you know! And Dustin was watching the apartment, so I couldnt do much, plus Tito was jumped and I had to visit him in the hospital, Angel got arrested, everything was a mess. But thank you very much for this," Tina waves the white envelope around. "Now hopefully Dustin will get off my ass."

"I still dont know why hes so pissed about twenty fucking minutes," Kurt grumbles.

"Because hes a moron, but a moron Id rather not have pissed at me right now. You know, he was talking about you the other night, said you clean up real good." She bumps their shoulders together the best she can, despite their height difference. "I told him I already knew that."

Kurt laughs, shaking his head and pointing to a table where they could sit. "Is there okay?"

"No, somewhere in the shade; I feel like Im baking."

They find a good spot and settle down. Kurt flags down a waiter and insists that Tina order something to eat; he hates when she get too skinny. Once their food is ordered and the waiter is gone, they both sit down and just watch each other for a moment.

"So, when does he leave?"

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow…"

"Yeah. I mean, Blaine told me he wants to see me again, but I think- I think definitely no."

"Definitely no, huh?" Tina leans forward, squinting at him suspiciously.

"Is there an echo in here? And, anyway, its just another week, right?"

"Jesus, Hummel," she groans, flopping back in her chair.

"What?"

"I know that weepy look on your face."

"Weepy look? I dont have a weepy look!"

"Yes, you do, and its plastered all over you right now. You fell in love with him."

Kurt glares at her. "Dont be stupid; hes just a trick." His heart pounds in his chest at the lie and memories of the night before and those three little words, whispered in the dark.

"Kurt!"

"Tina!"

"Lunch?" They look up to find the waiter pushing a cart with two covered plates and looking worried.

"Yes, thank you," Kurt says, happy with the distraction. Once everything is settled, Tina barrels on and he knows that she wont let up until she hears the truth.

"Did you kiss him on the mouth?"

Kurts jaw clenches. "Yes, okay? I did. I kissed him on the mouth, and it was great."

"Oh my god, Kurt!" Tina looks way too pleased before her face falls. "Wait, so whats so wrong with him getting you an apartment? I mean, you love this guy, right? So why would that be so bad?"

"Because I want more than a week here and there," Kurt admits, his arms finding his torso once again. "I want… I want everything; I deserve everything, and Blaine has told me, to my face, that this is all he can give me."

"Isnt it better just to have a little than none of it at all?" Tina presses, but Kurt shakes his head.

"No, not for me."

"Oh, honey." Tina reaches for his hand across the table and he clutches at it, desperate for an anchor. "Sometimes I think you aim too high, but after all youve been through? I think, yeah, you do deserve better than some guy who only wants you as a plaything."

"I dont think its like that, T; I think hes honestly trying, but he just cant open himself up that much."

"If he cant give you what you want, then pfft on him." She squeezes his hand and smiles sadly at him. "Youve always got me."

Kurt laughs. "Isnt that a scary thought for me?"

"Shut up and eat, you lovesick jerk."

888

Blaine walks up the stairs to the building where hes meeting Evans and his group, lost in thought. He just doesnt know why Kurt turned him down like that, and, if he doesnt figure it out, hes pretty sure hes going to lose Kurt forever. Hes pulled out of his study by the laughter of an older man being chased by a kid.

"If you want that piggy back ride, youre going to have to be quicker than that!" the man jokes, dodging the giggling kids swipe.

"Dad!"

He watches as they play around until, finally, the kid catches his fathers arm, shouting victoriously. The man laughs and obediently turns around. "All right, winner, hop on." The boy does and the man picks up his briefcase from where he had set it down when they started playing. He does a terrible impression of a horse, but the kid is still giggling, his arms around the mans neck as he takes off in a half trot.

For the first time in his life, Blaine Anderson realizes that he wants that. He wants a house in the suburbs and a husband to come home to after a long day at the office and maybe a dog or a cat for their kid to play with. A kid with dark, curly hair and bright blue eyes, with pale skin and musical hands.

But he cant. Not now. Maybe not ever.

He has to finish what hes started and that means a jog up the stairs and into the building to get the meeting started. Everyone is already there, and, as soon as he walks in, they all get seated, save for him. He slowly paces at the head of the table. He doesnt want this, not any more, but he also doesnt know what else he can do; theyve already come this far.

"Mr. Evans, you said you wanted to have a meeting with Mr. Anderson," Eli starts, folding his hands in front of him and leaning forward, staring at Evans. "Mr. Anderson is now listening."

"You know, Ive spent the last few days reconsidering your offer to acquire my company," Evans says slowly, as though hes reluctant to get out this speech. "But theres one condition." Blaine nods towards him. "Im not concerned with whats going to happen to me, but what about the people who are working for me? I dont want them to be left out in the cold."

"Dont worry about them," Eli cuts in. "Well make sure theyre well taken care of." When no one says anything, he continues, "If theres nothing else, I would like to direct your attention to the contracts in front of you. On page one, youll fi-"

He cant let this happen. "Excuse me, Eli," he interrupts. Eli is looking at him like hes crazy, but he plunges forward, taking a deep breath. "I would like to speak to Mr. Evans alone, if you dont mind. Thank you."

When no one moves, Eli speaks up. "Well, you heard the man. If youll please wait out-"

"You, too, Eli." He knows that if Eli remains in here, hell fight this tooth and nail.

"Why does he get to stay?" Eli argues, pointing at Luke, still seated next to his father. Sam doesnt say anything, just looks at his son and nods towards the door where the rest of the group is filing out, a clear signal to leave. Blaine hears him check to make sure his dad will be fine alone before leaving.

"Please," he says firmly, staring his attorney down when he looks like hes going to keep arguing. Eli finally gives in after a brief stare down, grumbling mutinously and shutting the door behind him.

"Coffee?"

"Uh, no thanks, but Ill take some water if you have some."

"Sure." Blaine digs into the mini fridge in the room and pulls out a bottle, popping open the lid and handing it to the other man before leaning against the window sill. He takes a deep breath and plunges right in. "Mr. Evans, my interests in your company have changed."

"Is that right? So what are you after now, Mr. Anderson?"

"Well, I no longer wish to buy your company and take it apart." Evans looks shocked. "But I dont want anyone else to, either. However, it is still extremely vulnerable. So I find myself in a position I am not often in - unfamiliar territory." When Evans just stares at him, unsure, he continues, "I want to help you."

"Why?" Now hes wary and Blaine understands why, but that doesnt stop him from doing what he knows is right.

"I dont know, but I know this is the right course of action. Maybe… Maybe Im just sick of destroying everything I touch. I want to build, to know that I can do more than what Ive been doing for the past sixteen years. I think we can do something really special with your company."

"What about our Navy contracts?"

"They were never dead, just, ah, buried a bit. Its easy enough to unbury them, Mr. Evans-"

"Sam. If were going to be partners, then you should call me by my name." Sam looks giddy. "You- Youre something else, Anderson."

"Blaine." He offers his hand and Sam clasps it gratefully. "Now, I think we can leave the rest of the details to the others, dont you?"

Sam laughs, nodding. "I know this might not mean much, but I just wanted to say…" he reaches up, resting his hand on Blaines shoulder and squeezing lightly, "Im proud of you. Youre doing the right thing."

Blaine tries to smile, because he cant remember the last time anyone said they were proud of him. His father certainly hadnt. "Um, thank you." Sam drops his hand and Blaine takes a step to the door, grabbing his briefcase. "I think we can let in the other suits, dont you?"

"Yeah, that sounds like a plan."

Blaine opens the door and pokes his head out at the assembled group. "Lets continue this meeting." Stepping back to allow them to enter, he sees Eli sigh in relief, rolling his eyes a bit as he enters the room.

"Come in, everyone, sit down," Sam calls, hardly able to keep the smile off of his face.

"Blaine, what is going on here?" Eli whispers, crowding into his space.

He doesnt bother keeping the smile off of his face. "Its all yours, Eli, finish it up." He slaps his arm and leaves, closing the door behind him and immediately pressing his ear to it.

"Hold on, hold on, these arent signed!" Blaine suppresses a snort and shakes his head. "Why arent these signed? Will someone please tell me what the fuck is going on here?!" Blaine walks away, knowing that, despite the fallout this deal will cause, its going to be completely worth it, especially when he hears the pure joy in Sams voice when he starts explaining to them that theyre going to build ships together.

He doesnt really really remember the elevator ride down or leaving the building, but Finn is out there waiting in front of his limo. Hes still flying high on everything and doesnt think hell be able to sit still just yet. "I think Im going to go for a walk," he says when hes standing in front of Finn, handing him his briefcase. "Just wait for me here, please?"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Anderson," Finn says with a nod, holding it tightly and leaning against the car while Blaine wanders away. A few blocks over is a small park with a few kids running around in the lush green grass. It looks perfect, he thinks, sitting down on a bench and removing his socks and shoes. Holding them in one hand, he shuffles over to a patch of grass that no one is playing in and just walks for a second, feeling the coolness on the bottom of his feet and between his toes.

Sometimes, its the little things.

888

Kurts getting all of his clothes together, preparing for the next day, when hell be leaving this place, when theres a knock at the door. He panics for a moment, because no one but room service has ever shown up at the penthouse, but remembers that sometimes Blaine gets important documents sent up. He pads over and opens the door to reveal that creep, Eli.

"Oh, well, well, look who it is. Hello, again. Im looking for Blaine."

Kurts brow creases because Blaine had said that he was going to be in a meeting this morning. "Hes not here; I thought he was with you."

"Oh, hes definitely not with me," Eli says, his eyes suddenly hard. He steps in without being asked, heading straight for the bar and loosening his tie while Kurt glares at his back, shutting the door hard in his irritation. "If Blaine were with me- When, I should say, when Blaine was with me, he didnt botch six billion dollar deals." He grabs a glass and a decanter of amber liquid. "No, I think Blaines with you. Mind if I have a drink?"

"Doesnt look like I really have a say in the matter," Kurt snaps, feeling uneasy. Theres something about him today, more than just the creepy vibes he gave out at the polo match.

"No, but you seem to have a say in some other matters," Eli snaps back. Kurt rolls his eyes, because seriously, whats this guy talking about? He moves around the sofa and grabs the sketch pad Blaine had bought him, anxious to get away from this man and needing something to do with his hands.

"You know, Blaine is going to be home any minute," he bluffs, hoping to deter Eli. In all actuality, he has no clue when Blaine will be back.

"Home? This isnt your home and it isnt his." He can hear Eli moving behind him and his whole body tenses, fiddling nervously with his pencil. "This is a hotel room. You are not his little house husband." He chuckles dryly as he sits uncomfortably close to Kurt, putting his drink down on the coffee table in front of them. "You are a hooker."

"You think I dont know that?"

WARNING

"I dont know, maybe youre just really good at being a whore," Eli continues, talking over him. Kurt sets his notebook down and tries to scoot over. "Maybe if I fuck you, I wouldnt care about losing billions of dollars, either." He reaches over, squeezing Kurts thigh. "Would you like that, you slut?" Kurt slaps his hand away, but Eli just presses closer, his grip turning painful. "Because I have to tell you, right now, Im angry as fuck and I think a nice fuck would help me out." Hes crowding Kurts space now and Kurt tries vainly to push him off.

"Get off of me," he yells, shoving at Elis shoulders, but the man is much bigger than Kurts lithe 140 pounds and he has the advantage of being on top of Kurt, his hands rough as he starts tearing at Kurts shirt and the loose pants he had changed into after Tina had left.

"How much, Kurt, huh? What are you, a twenty dollar whore? Thirty? Come on, you know you want it," Eli hisses, his grip bruising as he forces Kurt onto his stomach and shoves the back of his pants down. "Disgusting sluts like you always want a nice cock in their ass."

Kurt bucks wildly, trying to throw him off, but Eli has at least a hundred pounds on Kurt and hes using it all to press him down.

"Get off! Help! Somebody, please help me!" he screams desperately, using his shoulders to push Eli off as much as possible so he can breathe.

"Scream all you want, whore, no one can hear you." Kurt gags as the smell of Elis breath invades his nose. "Mm, yeah, keep fighting. I like it when they put up a fight."

"Ill show you a fight. Get off of him!" The weight is suddenly pulled off of him and Kurt quickly turns over, pulling up his pants as he watches Blaine shove Eli, making him trip over the steps that lead up the the door. "Get out!"

Eli glares at Blaine, wiping his bleeding nose. "What, now youre choosing that slut over me? Twelve years, Blaine! Twelve years of my life that Ive dedicated to you and this is how you repay me?"

Blaine glares back, breathing hard. "Dont act like youve done it all for me, Eli. Its the kill that you love, all the money Ive made you, not me. And dont think I dont know about the money youve stolen, either."

Now Eli looks shocked, taking a step away. "Money- what, I dont-"

"Stop, just stop it. Dont lie. Ive got three years of investigation into it; I know it was you."

"No, this whore has twisted your mind-"

"Three years, Eli! Long before I ever met Kurt! And dont fucking call him that, I swear-"

Elis look turns vicious when he realizes hes been cornered. "Thats all he is, a disgusting, used up, comebuck-"

Blaine swings, his blow landing at Elis temple and knocking the man out cold. Without a second look at the crumpled figure, he hurries over to Kurt, whos curled up on the couch. "Kurt, are you okay?" He reaches out, only to retract his hand when Kurt recoils. "Hey, hes not going to hurt you again, okay? I called hotel security and theyre going to be calling the police; I swear, he wont ever be allowed near you again."

When Kurt just nods, Blaine sighs and stands, intending on going to get a blanket out of the room, since Kurts obviously in shock and shivering violently. Hes shocked when Kurt darts forward, grabbing Blaines hand.

"Wait! Please dont leave me in here with him," Kurt pleads, his eyes darting to where Eli is lying on the floor.

"Okay, hey, shhh, I wont, okay? I promise," Blaine whispers soothingly, sitting on the couch and allowing Kurt to crawl into his lap. His arms are tight around Blaines neck and its only after Blaine starts rocking him that he begins to cry. His tears soak the collar of Blaines shirt and he clings tighter. Blaine kisses wherever he can, mostly Kurts hair and forehead, trying to calm him down until security arrives a minute later. He holds onto Kurt as he explains the situation and they get the call that the police are getting on the elevator. Once they enter the apartment and get the basics from the security guys, one of the cops, a young lady with a round face and thick blonde hair twisted into a bun low at the base of her skull, kneels down to Kurts level.

"Hey, sweetie," she murmurs, slowly reaching out to touch Kurts arm and get his attention. She patiently coaxes him to look at her. "Hey, there. My name is Officer Wilde. I need you to come with me so I can get your statement, okay?"

"Do I have to leave Blaine?" Kurt whispers back, his arms growing even tighter around Blaine.

"Afraid so, honey. Come on, why dont we go to the bedroom? It will be nice and quiet in there." It takes a few more minutes and encouragement from Blaine, but eventually Kurt agrees, standing on shaky legs and allowing Officer Wilde to lead him away, doing her best to shield Eli from Kurts view, despite their height difference.

Once hes gone, Blaine turns to the two other officers talking softly. "Officers?"

"Yes, Mr. Anderson," the older one says, stepping over to talk to him. "Were going to need your information and a statement from you about what happened."

Blaine nods, rattling off his full name, address, everything they need, and then taking a deep breath when they ask what happened.

He had arrived back at the penthouse and was about to enter when he heard a scuffle. Thinking it was a robbery, he had dialed the security office. It was then that he heard Kurt yelling and had entered penthouse. Security had caught the yelling on tape before Blaine hung up and pulled Eli off of him. There was a confrontation, which led to Eli being knocked out.

What was his relationship to Mr. Collins? To Kurt? Did the two of them know each other prior? Had Kurt been sexually assaulted?

Here, Blaine stutters, unsure. He doesnt think so, since Elis pants had still been done up, but Kurts had been pulled down.

"Well, I think thats all well need, but well call you if we need anything else," the man says.

"Im going to be leaving tomorrow for New York, will that be a problem?"

"Possibly, but we have your number. If you want, we can get with the PI you have and have our team work with her to finish out your internal investigation." The officer hands him a card with the name of a detective on it. "Youll probably have to come back to testify if this goes to court."

"Thats fine. Listen, thank you," Blaine says, reaching out to shake the officers hand. Eli had been hauled away while Blaine was giving his statement and now he is at a loss as to what to do. Kurt is still holed away in the bedroom with Officer Wilde, and, with his part done, Blaines at a bit of a loss.

He starts picking up the stuff that had been tossed around in the scuffle, straightening cushions and picking up the drink that Eli had poured himself. He glares at the glass and, in a fit of rage, throws it against the wall. The shattering of the glass is strangely therapeutic, but it brings Officer Wilde out of the bedroom, her hand on her holster.

"What is going on out here?"

"Sorry, it slipped," Blaine says, looking past her at Kurt, whos standing in the doorway, his eyes red from crying. "Kurt, are you okay?"

"Im- Ill be okay," Kurt replies, his voice so quiet that Blaine only barely hears him. "Is there anything else, officer?" he asks the woman politely.

"No, I think that will be it," she says, still looking at Blaine suspiciously. "You have my card, Kurt, just give me a call and think about what I said, okay?"

"Yes, maam."

Blaine shows her to the door, thanking her for taking care of Kurt, and then hurrying to his side the moment the door closes. He takes care not to touch him, but cant help the way his eyes rake over Kurts body, searching for any injuries. There are bruises starting to form on his arms, but other than that, hes seems mostly physically okay. "Kurt-"

"So where did you learn to hit like that?" Kurt asks, his arms folded around his torso protectively.

"Ive been boxing since I was thirteen. Kurt, is there- what can I do to help you?" Blaine pleads. He wants to help, to do anything that will ease the pain that Kurts going through right now, but he needs Kurt to make that first step and actually tell him.

"I- I just need someone to hold me right now, is that okay?" A tear falls, clinging to Kurts eyelashes for a moment before it falls and Blaine rushes to his side.

"Anything, sweetie, anything."

Kurt leads him the short distance to the bed. Once Blaine is down to his undershirt and no shoes, he lies on the bed, his arms open for Kurt to curl up into. He doesnt know how long they stay like that, his hand carding through Kurts soft hair, but he dozes off after the adrenaline high of the day finally wears off. The bed is cold and empty in the dying sunlight, but he catches sight of the white slip of paper placed neatly on the side of the bed where Kurt had always slept.

Blaine,

Im sorry I left while you were asleep, but goodbyes are always painful for me, and this one more so than most.

Im sorry I couldnt stay with you, but things like what Collins tried to do? That will always happen. There will always be some friend of yours that thinks he can do what he wants to just because of what I do. I cant live like that, not when the people are going to be close to someone I truly care about. You cant beat up everyone, Blaine.

This week has been amazing and more than what I could ever wish for. I dont know if Ill ever thank you enough. I really wanted everything you offered and, at one point, I might have accepted that, but now? I want more than just a business deal. I want the fairytale, and I wanted it with you. I cant have it, and thats okay, but I also cant stay around and let my heart continue to break.

He mentioned what you did with Evans. Im so proud of you for making the right decision about that. Dont let anyone let you think you did wrong.

I took the envelope where you kept the money; I didnt think you would mind, since you told me yesterday where it was. If theres a problem, well, Im sure you can find me.

Thank you for everything.

All my love,

Kurt

The words All my love had been scribbled out, but Blaine is able to make them out after studying the letter under his bedside lap.

Kurt is gone and he apparently doesnt want Blaine to find him.

The penthouse seems bigger than ever before, and the ache that had started in Blaines chest when he first woke up and realized he was alone grows until its all he can think about.

888

The next day, he checks out of the hotel. There are damages in his hotel room that he speaks to Ms. Fabray about, and he promises her that hes more than happy to pay for them.

"You dont have any messages for me, do you?"

"No, Im afraid not, sir," she says, her face going slightly downcast.

"Ah." He goes through the charge sheet, barely glancing over most of it before signing off on it. "Ill also need a car to take me to the airport, please."

"Yes, sir, Mr. Anderson." She calls out to Finn and requests that he pull the limo out front as Blaine pushes the paperwork back over to her. "Thank you, sir."

"Thank you." Hes about to walk away when Ms. Fabray mentions casually, "You know, Finn took the young Mr. Hummel home last night."

"Is that so?" He feels his heart rise in his chest but he shoves it back down.

"Yes, sir."

"Hm." His mind is racing with possibilities. "Oh, there is one last thing you could do for me, if you would."

"Of course, sir."

Blaine pulls a small box containing the brooch he had borrowed for Kurt out of his pocket and places it on the counter. "Will you return this to Freds for me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you."

"Intriguing young man, Kurt." Ms. Fabrays voice stops him as he turns to leave.

"Yes, maam, that he is." He gives her a tight smile. "Goodbye, Ms. Fabray."

"Goodbye, Mr. Anderson."

He cant stop thinking as he climbs in the backseat of the car. There are so many ways this could happen; he just has to choose and hope whichever one it is ends up being correct.

He feels regret before the plane has even taken off, but its too late now. The letter Kurt had written him is grows heavier with every mile put between him and California.

888

It takes a week before Kurt is able to drag himself out of bed. Between the attack and leaving Blaine, he finds that he doesnt have much in the way of energy to do more than force a little of whatever Tina cooks in his mouth. Even when he does finally get up to move around, its more for Tinas benefit than his own, walking down to the corner store to pick up a bottle of her favorite drink as a thank you for taking care of him.

"Thank you," Tina tells him, lighting up when she sees it. She pours them each a glass before shoving it in their fridge. She forces him to sit up and curl into his side. "Im sorry, sweetie."

"For what?"

"Because you got your heart broken and that sucks."

He shrugs, her head moving with his shoulder. "It was bound to happen; now I just need to move on."

"I know what you mean."

They sit in silence for a little while, sipping on their drinks.

"You know what we should do?"

"Hm?"

"We should move."

Tina sits up, staring at him. "What?"

"We should move. I mean, we have that money from the job and some extra saved up, we could totally do it!" The more Kurt talks, the more excited he becomes. Tina is partly relieved because he finally looks more than half-dead, and partly worried, because where the hell did this come from?

"I dont know, K…"

Kurt sets his drink aside and turns fully to her. "Come on, T, we need this! We have an opportunity for something more, something bigger than this shitty town thats full of bad memories," he presses, looking at her earnestly, and, really, how can she say no? "Plus, the theatre scene in San Francisco is almost par to Broadway."

Tina leans in and kisses him square on the mouth. "You had me at theatre."