New York, Friday Night

It was late Friday night when Puck and Finn were already fast asleep. Puck was snoring and Finn had his ear buds in his ears, listening to something on his Ipod while he slept. Zach was awake, unable to tune out Puck, the hum of the air conditioner, and Kurt's quiet sobs.

It was clear that Kurt was crying, but he was turned on his side, away from everyone else, assuming they were all asleep. He was trying to be as quiet as possible, not wanting to wake anyone, namely Zach, up.

There was a short time laps between beginning crying and Kurt's face being completely soaked with tears. He hated himself. He hated that he couldn't control his emotions long enough to allow himself to let Blaine get a word in edgewise. Who was he kidding? He couldn't stay away from Blaine any more than he could stay away from his scarf collection. He loved Blaine, even after what he did, even after knowing that he'd been with someone else, even after knowing that person was James. He couldn't forgive him, but he could give him a chance to explain. After everything Blaine did for him, from one person to another, he owed him that much: a chance.

This wasn't why he was crying though. Kurt was crying because he missed Blaine, not because he was upset at what he did. He missed falling asleep next to him; he missed waking up next to him; he missed their showers and secrets; he missed their jokes and Blaine's laughter; he missed being held close like he was a fragile doll that could brake. Kurt missed the feel of Blaine's breath on his neck when they cuddled; he missed the adoring way Blaine looked at him. Simply put, he missed Blaine; he missed everything about him and Kurt couldn't help, but think that it was partially his own fault for them not being together. He knew that Blaine was in the wrong because he was the one who cheated, who lied, and Kurt was the one who refused to listen. What do I do? he thought.

It was then that he felt an arm wrap itself around his shoulder, a hand grab his own and bring it across to rest on his side. He realized that Zach was awake and heard his sobbing. He turned himself around and faced Zach, a look of sympathy plastered on his face. Their hands remained entwined at the two lay in bed face to face and blinking at each other.

"Why do you keep doing that?" Kurt asked, wiping his face with his free hand.

"Because you need it. You need to know that you're not alone and that you're being supported by someone who cares."

"Straight guys don't hold hands."

"You're not straight so it cancels it out what you just said. And for the record, if both of us were straight, we'd be called bro-mantic." Zach chuckled with his eyes closed and smiled tiredly.

"You look at me like I'm a weepy girl don't you?"

Zach opened his eyes again. "No. I look at you like a person in pain who needs reassurance and support. You're not doing the wrong thing by letting yourself feel something. You're guarded; I've said that before, but letting yourself go through the motions is healthy. You'll be over this part in no time because you are being good to yourself and are surrounded by people who love and care about you."

Kurt's mood began to change. His breathing was steady and his voice, albeit a whisper, sounded normal. "Do you think I should talk to him?"

"It doesn't matter what I think. It's what you feel is best for you. No one can decide that but you."

Kurt squinted his eyes in curiosity. "You are a whole different kind of person."

"I know." Zach smiled and closed his eyes again.

"I'll let you go to sleep now."

"Thanks, but I think Puck might have me awake all night."

"Want to sleep on this side? You can use my Ipod to drown him out if you want."

"No. I'm comfy here, but thanks."

Kurt waited a minute before realizing that Zach was still holding Kurt's hand. He saw the slight intimacy of the act of laying in a bed with someone, holding their hand and facing one another closely. If he was being honest with himself, it felt good to be like this with someone again, even if the person wasn't Blaine and it was a strictly friend type person. While it felt nice for Kurt, he didn't want to make Zach uncomfortable or give him the wrong idea. He just made a friend who had been his rock through all of this mess and the last thing he wanted was for Zach to think that Kurt was transferring his missing feelings for Blaine onto him. "You can give me my hand back, if you want."

"No. I'm comfy. Don't move. By the way, your hands feel like a girl's hands. They're really soft."

"I use a lotion with duck fat in it."

"Gross."

"Says the straight guy holding the gay guy's hand and not wanting to let it go."

"Bro-mantic…remember that."

Kurt laughed silently. "Good night, Zach."

Zach smiled again, happy that he was able to lift up his fallen friend again. "Sweet dreams, Kurt."

New York: Saturday

Saturday with the New Directions was spent in the Nederlander Theater performing their set list for the competition, and watching everyone else, mainly waiting for Vocal Adrenaline to perform, what was to be expected, an amazing show. Rachel and Kurt were acting like they were drunk with excitement all day because they had performed in the same theater that ran the show Rent for all those years and couldn't believe that they were allowed to roam behind the stage and check everything out.

Vocal Adrenaline, rather uncharacteristically, performed Savage Garden's Truly Madly Deeply as their Billboard top forty hit and followed it up with The Animal song. The New Direction members were positive that Vocal Adrenaline would choose someone current like Lady Gaga or be the one to slam dunk the competition with a Madonna or Michael Jackson tribute. But no. They went the route of one of the most famous pop bands of the 90's: Savage Garden.

There were three groups in total that did Madonna and six that did Michael Jackson. Mr. Shuester was sure that the repetition of Thriller would be the other groups downfall and Zach now saw what Kurt was talking about when he explained how everyone else would choose the most popular singer of all time.

By the end of the day, the top ten out of fifty groups were selected to perform a showcase for the following day. New Directions were elated that they placed eighth and would be performing a showcase that would decide the winner. Vocal Adrenaline was in second place at the moment behind a group called the Broadway Babes, a group from a performing arts school in New York City.

Rachel accused the judges of nepotism and Kurt insulted their name. "Broadway Babes, really? Why not call themselves what they really mean? Casting Couch Wannabees?"

"Kurt, that's mean," Tina said. "The name makes sense. They're a performing arts school from inner city New York."

"Who dressed slutty and sang Dirty Bit and then tried to sing Where's the Love to cover up the fact that they weren't really covered up at all."

"You're just bitter. They brought it hard," added Mercedes. "I wasn't looking at their clothes. Their dance moves were amazing and their lead guy singer… I want his number."

"Guys," Quinn interjected. "Can't we just be happy that we're in the top ten and Vocal Adrenaline isn't in first place? I'd like to win as much as all of you, but if we don't, I'd rather Vocal Adrenaline doesn't either."

Everyone laughed and they returned to the theater with the other top ten singers, to wait for their next instructions on what they were allowed to sing.

As the results were re-read and the top ten introduced to the room, they were told that the showcase was an open performance of one song and one song only no longer than four minutes. Anything was permissible, so long as it was show choir regulated. This meant that there could be no swears and must be presented as appropriately as expected.

They got back to their hotel and Mr. Sheuster held a meeting in his room.

"So what do you think?" he asked.

"I think our best bets would be to either go back to Original Songs because it will give us an edge or to resurrect our Journey songs because those are our hit numbers. We've won with those before and we're comfortable with them." Rachel, of course, was taking charge.

"What about that song you guys were working on before we got our Billboard top forty requirement? What was is called? Light up something?" Zach asked. He was truly getting into the show choir competitive spirit.

"Light Up the World. And it's not finished," Finn informed.

"But it can be. If a few of us work on the lyrics and a few of us work on choreography and the rest work on the arrangement, we can have this done by tomorrow. It's worth a shot. Besides, how many other groups will be doing this?"

"I agree with Zach," said Santana. "I wants tah win this. I'm tired of defending all of you when you get a slushy facial."

"As much as I hate saying this and will not make a habit of it, I'm with Santana on this one," added Rachel.

"Okay, all in favor of original songs?" All hands went up. Kurt grabbed Zach's hand and squeezed it.

Zach was happy to see that Kurt was smiling and bouncing slightly like he was giddy and trying to hold it inside. "This is so exciting," said Zach. "I didn't know how much of a rush show choir was."

"You're amazing for convincing everyone. I swear I could kiss you right now." He saw the look on Zach's face and laughed. "I'm not. Believe me I'm not. I meant I'm happy." Hey, what do you know? I'm happy!

New York: Sunday

The New Directions worked hard into the early morning hours and by four o'clock they had the song completely finished and arranged and had it decided that the best dancers would be featured again while the rest had basic choreography because that's what they were good at. All in all, it was a good night and by 4:15 AM, everyone was in their rooms and in bed. Mr. Sheuster had arranged a 10:00 AM meeting, promising breakfast, and more rehearsal until 11:00. They had to be out the door and on their bus by Noon.

At 10:00, Kurt woke up, lying on his stomach, clutching Zach's hand in his own, holding it to himself and tucking it under his right shoulder. The alarm that was set, didn't wake up Zach and couldn't overpower the sound of Puck's snoring and Finn's Ipod. Thankfully, Kurt woke up from a dreamless sleep and didn't miss the wake up call. He released Zach's hand, not knowing when in the night that happened and Zach woke up the second Kurt got out of bed.

Kurt was surprised at how much of a comfort it was having Zach around, always holding his hand and making him laugh. He wondered if Zach was beginning to be a security blanket for him. He enjoyed having him around and Kurt didn't know how he felt about that because it was only a few weeks ago where he thought he was nothing more than an annoyance. Now he was becoming Kurt's closest confidant. Bro-mantic, as Zach had called them the other night.

He liked the attention he got from Zach. It was comforting and non pressuring. Kurt felt that he didn't have to be anything, but himself and whatever he was feeling he was encouraged to express it. The more Kurt thought about it, being around Zach was like a breath of fresh air. Even around Blaine, as comfortable as he always was, he felt that he had to be perfect, just to match how perfect Blaine was. This was dangerous territory because now he was in a stage in a brake-up when he could go a period of time without thinking of Blaine and now he was comparing how he felt around Zach to how he felt around Blaine and Zach was coming out on top. This is wrong. Don't think like that. You love Blaine, despite the fact you're not with him anymore and he's a cheating liar. Zach is just a friend; a straight friend at that. Comparing the two are like comparing carrots and jasmine rice. They're both really good for you, but one is good for your eyes and the other is good for the heart. In truth, Zach was very nice to look at. If there were any New Directions members to wake up next to or holding his hand, he couldn't do better than Zach, but Blaine was jasmine rice, good for Kurt's heart through and through.

What a difference a couple days of not talking about Blaine and distracting myself makes, he thought. He hadn't cried since Friday night, he'd been laughing and enjoying himself, he performed on a Broadway stage, he flew in a plane for the first time in his life, he was in freaking NYC and loving it. Kurt felt that he was seeing clearer now and knew that he really did, at some point, have to let Blaine explain himself.

If he was being honest with himself, he knew that he'd want an explanation one day. What happened to his first love? What went wrong with his Romeo and Juliet affair? He would never truly be able to move on if he didn't know. But this revelation was easier said than done. To do so, would actually involve sitting with Blaine… alone. This was something that he didn't think he was ready for. Not yet anyway.

Kurt turned the alarm off and shook the other two boys awake. "Hey, get up," he said groggily. "Meeting in Mr. Shoo's room. Rehearsal. Breakfast. All that. Come on."

Zach was already in the bathroom when Kurt turned around. He emerged quickly and started undressing while Puck raced Finn to the bathroom. Puck won and Finn decided to use the bathroom in Mr. Sheuster's room down the hall. Kurt picked out his clothes and Puck left when he was done in the bathroom, still in his pajama bottoms and t-shirt, leaving Kurt and Zach alone to get ready.

Zach had stripped down to his underwear, he wore tight fitting briefs. Kurt couldn't help stealing a glance as he looked at his own reflection in the mirror. Zach had the body of swimmer, like Blaine, except more defined. He reminded Kurt of Sam's body, but with a shorter torso. He didn't look at all like a male cheerleader should. Of course he has to have a model's body and the underwear to go with it. He blushed when he realized he was inadvertently checking out his friend and quickly averted his eyes.

"Normally, I'd say that it's rude to stare, but I've seen you naked, so it's only fair if you look too."

"I wasn't looking at you. And both times you saw me naked, it was you intruding on my territory, so," Kurt quickly defended.

"Uh-huh," Zach smiled. "Technically I've only seen you naked once. In my defense, the other time, you were completely covered up… does a mouth count as being covered up?"

Kurt blushed and turned around giving him a look. "Oh my God!" he said with a smile and threw a pillow at him.

"You mind turning around? I have to change my Calvin's."

As a joke, Kurt decided to play. "I thought you said it was only fair that I look?"

Zach saw the look on Kurt's face and cheshired, knowing that Kurt would brake and he would win this game. So, he walked over to Kurt, holding a self assured expression. "Okay," he said, raising and dropping his eyebrows quickly once. He dropped his briefs to the floor, standing completely naked in front of Kurt.

Kurt gasped and turned quickly only to see Zach's reflection in the mirror and he yelped, catching a glimpse of Zach's full body and covered his eyes. "Why did you do that?" Kurt exclaimed.

Zach laughed really hard and walked back over to his bag and grabbed a new pair of briefs. He slipped them on. "You started it. I'm covered now."

Kurt turned around and opened his eyes. "You're an ass."

Zach laughed harder. "And you're blushing!"

"Stop!" Kurt said, raising his voice, not liking Zach picking on him.

"But it's so funny. You're so innocent that it's funny to make you squirm. I like the way you act when you're uncomfortable. I can't help laughing." He pulled a pair of jeans on and fastened the button fly.

"You are sooo weird! Straight guys don't act this way. Straight guys don't randomly take their clothes off for gay guys."

"Some do. It's called Gay for Pay."

"You're not getting paid."

"I'm not?" Zach laughed at his own sarcasm and pulled a shirt over his head. "Look, I don't understand you. You want to punch every person who calls you a stereotype, but you keep trying to pigeon hold me in a straight guys stereotype because I'm not gay. Why can't I just be me?"

"The kind of guy who holds other guys hands all night and strips in front of the same guy for no reason. Who enjoys cheerleading, designer clothes, gardens, and show choir."

"I know. I'm once in a lifetime awesome," Zach joked. "I also like art and soccer and rowing and hiking." He wasn't sure if he was saying all this for Kurt's benefit or his own. He changed his tone to serious. "Aren't you happy that you have another guy around who likes the same things you do? And I'm not the one who held your hand last night. You grabbed mine in your sleep. I was just nice enough to let you keep it." Zach wasn't sure why he was getting aggravated, but couldn't stop the words coming out of his mouth. "You're so spoiled, Kurt. You get whatever you want. Between, Finn, your dad, Mercedes, and Blaine, they've all played into anything and everything. You have a family that is so accepting. Do you know how rare that is? You're brother lets you get away with everything. He hasn't told on you once for all the things he knows about you. Mercedes adores you and gets her confidence because of you, and Blaine- oh my god, where do I start? I'm sure he's done the same things I've been doing the past week and so much more. He showered you with gifts: took you shopping, gave you roses, and, oh yeah, gave you that Tiffany's bracelet that you still have yet to take off, despite the fact you've done nothing but scream at him."

Kurt was in shock, Where was this coming from? He fingered the white gold metal on his wrist. He didn't know what to say. There was truth to what Zach said. In fact, it was all true, 100% true. He didn't say anything and headed for the door.

"Kurt. No, wait. I'm sorry," Zach rushed over to Kurt and caught him as he was turning the door handle. He grabbed him and turned him around, wrapping his hands around Kurt's waist and pulling him in tightly. "I just don't like being labeled. I get it a lot at home and by some people at school. I'm sorry. I really am. I just can't take it from you too. I'm sorry. It wasn't right for me to say those things."

Kurt took a moment to think and then returned the hug. "I'm sorry I keep bringing it up," he said. "I deserved all that. I set you off and you were right on all counts. I am spoiled and everyone gives me that I want, whether I work for it or not. So I'm sorry too. Please don't be mad at me. I don't want to have to find a new guy to be bro-mantic with."

Zach chuckled lightly. "Okay. I won't be mad at you if you won't be mad at me. And I won't talk to you like that again."

"I didn't like it, but I do like that you're so honest with me. No one else is. I need that in my life."

He released Kurt and smiled, his mood changing back to it's normal. "Aww. You need me."

"I do. This past week, I don't know where I'd be without you."

Finn walked back in the room and told Zach and Kurt that rehearsal was starting and they were late. Zach and Kurt walked out of their room, but not before Zach saw the tension in Kurt's posture. He grabbed Kurt's hand and held it tight, knowing it comforted him. "Thank you," he whispered as they walked down the hall.

"You're still a spoiled brat," Zach whispered back, smiling.

"You're still an annoying ass."

"Just as long as we're clear."

"As glass." Kurt smiled and Zach let go of his hand when they reached Mr. Sheuster's door.