Finn had told Kurt that morning at the coffee shop that Mercedes was coming on Saturday, so the shorter man was bouncing around excitedly all week, and when Kurt got excited he never really bothered to ask questions, so Finn had taken him into work every day without too much hassle.

But now Saturday had arrived, and Kurt was practically crazy, and was driving Finn and Rachel mad along with him.

"She's coming! She's coming, isn't she? Is she okay? Did something happen? Oh, what am I saying? I'm rambling, aren't I? What time is she supposed to get here?"

"Kurt! Shut up!" Finn finally yelled, making Kurt jump three feet into the air before flopping on the couch, looking down at his fingernails.

"I only asked one question."

"No, it was, like, a hundred. She's due to get here in about five minutes, but seriously, if you keep screeching and bouncing around like that, Finn and I will kill you. You're driving us freaking crazy." Rachel sighed.

"Am I not allowed to be excited?" Kurt asked, still deadly serious, when he heard three simple knocks on the front door. Before he could move, however, Finn hushed him and made a gesture telling his step-brother to stay put, as Rachel disappeared from sight to get the door.

Soon enough, Kurt heard the excited squeals of both Rachel and Mercedes as they greeted each other.

"Screw this." Kurt hissed, jumping up and sprinting to the door.

"Cedes!" he practically screamed, dragging Rachel at the way and throwing himself at the dark-skinned girl.

"Careful, Kurtsie, don't crush me." Mercedes said, hugging him back. "It's been forever. I've missed your bitching."

Kurt sighed happily, pulling Mercedes inside, not noticing Finn and Rachel moving out of the apartment and into the hallway with Mercedes' husband, Sam, and the other people in the hallway, the ones that Kurt didn't even know were coming: Puck, Quinn, Mike...

"How are you?" Kurt breathed, pulling out of the hug.

"I'm great. But come on, we're going to have a crazy movie-fest. I brought treats." Mercedes giggled, waltzing through the hallway into the living room.

"Oh, Mercedes, you know that it's bad for me." Kurt sighed, following her, before giving in. "Fine. Fine. But if I put on even a pound you are dead to me."

"You said that last time."

"And you were back in L.A before I knew."

"Still."

Kurt rolled his eyes, going to a cupboard and pulling out a pile of fleece blankets. He curled up on the sofa with Mercedes, who'd somehow produced a bag of toffee popcorn and a million chocolate bars. Just looking at all the junk made Kurt feel slightly sick, but he tucked the blankets around the pair of them and started to watch some old Disney movie with his one of his best friends.

"Wow. I honestly didn't expect so many of you to show." Finn smiled, pulling his car keys from his pocket as he, Rachel and the pretty large group of their friends made their way out to the parking lot.

"I know, right?" Puck grinned. "But come on, it's Blaine we're talking about here."

Puck, mohawk-less, was followed by his wife, AKA Quinn, who carried their daughter, Hayley, while in an animated conversation with their other daughter, Beth, whom they shared custody of with Rachel's birth mother, Shelby Corcoran. They were closely followed by Sam, Rachel, Mike and Sugar, the latter two missing their marital counterparts, Tina and Rory, as they were both busy, Tina in L.A, Rory in Ireland. Closely huddled behind them were Wes, Jeff, Nick and David, Blaine's old friends from in the Dalton Academy Warblers.

The groups huddled into their designated cars, as they obviously didn't fit into just one, and headed to the venue.

Blaine scanned the crowd, nervously running his palms together, his beautiful daughter gripping his shin. The poor girl was half asleep, but she really wanted to see her papa perform.

Finally, Blaine's eyes fell upon a car pulling into the parking lot. It was Rachel's, he knew.

He watched her slide out of the car, giggling at something someone with her had said. Said someone hopped out of the passenger's side, and Blaine felt winded for a second. He knew that dopey face, the same way he'd known Rachel when he first saw her. He almost clutched his chest, as though trying to catch his breath, but stopped himself when Rachel looked over, swallowed, and he knew the smile plastered on her face was fake for Blaine, as other people he recognised the same way he did the tall man stepped out of the cars that had just pulled into the lot.

And in that moment, he knew he'd been lied to.

Rachel wasn't single. She wasn't interested in him. She was dating, engaged, possibly even married.

She knew him before the accident. And when Blaine said knew, he didn't just mean 'met at a Show Choir competition'. He meant they'd really known each other.

But, in all fairness, he'd never been attracted to Rachel, either.

He didn't have a clue how he knew, he just did, but he didn't say a word about it, and he knew he wouldn't all night if he could help it.

"Blaine!" the short brunette called across the parking lot, followed by way too many people for Blaine's comfort.

"Hey, Rach," Blaine faked a smile in response as he shook Cassie from his leg, pulling Rachel into a hug. The tiny blond girl groaned and clawed at Blaine's thigh.

"Daddy!" she wailed. Blaine sighed and looked down at her, before lifting her into his arms.

"Alright, Cass. Rachel and co, this is my daughter, Cassie." Blaine chuckled, pecking her cheek.

"Hello, beautiful." said a blond girl, who was stood behind Rachel and quite simple looked like an older, green eyed version of the angel in Blaine's arms. "I'm Quinn Puckerman-Fabray, and these are my daughters, Hayley and Beth."

Quinn held a pretty, dark haired girl in her arms, while an older, blond child stood by her side.

"Hello." Cassie said, shyly.

"No need to be shy, sweetheart." Blaine smiled, practically staring at Quinn, trying to place her in his fuzzy memory. "I swear she's normally crazy twenty-four seven, but she's a little sleepy." Blaine turned to the adults, before kissing his little girl's forehead and looking her in the eyes. "Past your bedtime, huh?"

The child simply nodded and buried her face in Blaine's shoulder, and Blaine chuckled.

"Anyway, welcome. This your boyfriend, Rach?" Blaine said, simply, making Rachel's jaw drop.

"Look, Blaine, I-I..." Rachel started, face turning red.

"It's cool. We're friends. But that's it, friends, nothing more. I don't mind. In the words of Springsteen, 'you can't start a fire without a spark', and there just wasn't a spark."

"'Kay. Sorry if I led you on."

"Naa, nothing a drink won't fix." Blaine winked.

"And Finn's my husband, by the way."

"Oh?" Blaine silently congratulated himself. He knew it. Somehow, he knew it.

"Anyway..." Finn started. "Aren't you doing a gig tonight? Is that not why we're here?" His voice was cold, unwelcoming, like he was pissed at Blaine for whatever reason.

"Yeah. Would somebody mind taking Cassie while I'm up there? It's only a short show, and she'll be asleep by the second song anyway." Blaine smirked as Cassie pounded her tiny, pale fist against her father's chest once, before yawning and returning to her previous position.

"I'll take her. Well, Puck'll carry her. I'll look after her." Quinn offered.

"Thanks." Blaine handed Cassie to the man that stepped forward from behind Finn. Their fingers brushed for half a millisecond, but that was enough to spark Blaine's memories; Puck and Blaine laughing in the choir room at some public school, Puck and Blaine drunk together at a party, Puck telling Blaine to get a room with whoever he was kissing.

Wait, Blaine kissing? In high school? His parents had told him he'd been single throughout his high school career. Hell to the no.

He squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his jaw, wrapping his arms around himself.

"Man, are you okay?" Finn asked.

"Yeah, I'm good. Let's head on in, then? It's freezing out here." Blaine nodded to the entrance.

He was met with a chorus of 'yeahs' as everyone shuffled inside for the performance.

Blaine's head was pounding long before it was time to go on. He couldn't breathe, his mind overrun with thoughts of who the hell the mystery partner in his newly found memories was. What did they look like? What did they enjoy doing? Did Blaine ever love them? Did they ever love Blaine? Were they everything he ever wanted?

More importantly, were they a guy or a girl?

Because Blaine knew the truth about himself, he just didn't want his father to kill him.

But Blaine didn't really have time to stop and think, as the organiser of the night was stood at the front of the stage, introducing him.

"Please welcome rising star, Blaine Anderson!"

Blaine clutched the neck of his guitar tightly as he made his way to the centre of the stage, knuckles white, the spotlights blinding him. He sat on the stool in front of the microphone, plugging his guitar in, letting his gaze slowly drift over the applauding crowd. The room was completely packed, and there wasn't a single seat free.

"Wow. There's a lot of people here tonight."

Way to state the obvious.

"So, um, I'm Blaine, I'm twenty-two years old, and I've had a pretty crazy life."

The room was silent. You could have heard a feather hit the floor.

"I was in a serious accident when I was eighteen years old, summer 2012, not long before I was due to start my senior year at high school. As a result, I lost every memory I had between the ages of about twelve and eighteen. It was pretty horrific, learning about myself. But there was a song I heard on the radio not long afterwards which really helped to get me through, I have no idea why. It seemed to spark some sort of memory, and I often had little daydreams that I was in this perfect school, with the perfect friends, singing it to a kid I knew I would fall for. So this is it. Teenage Dream."

Blaine started the song just as his eyes fell on Finn and Rachel in the crowd, both of their faces masks of pure shock.

You think I'm pretty
Without any makeup on
You think I'm funny
When I tell the punchline wrong
I know you get me
So I let my walls come down, down

Before you met me
I was alright but things
Were kinda heavy
You brought me to life
Now every February
You'll be my Valentine, Valentine

Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever

You make me feel
Like I'm livin' a
Teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep
Let's run away and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back

My heart stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This is real
So take a chance and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back

I'm a get your heart racing
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight

You-You make me feel
Like I'm livin' a
Teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep
Let's run away and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back
No

My heart stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This is real
So take a chance and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back

I'm a get your heart racing
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight

Blaine let the song drift to a finish, brushing his fingers over the strings as he plucked the last few notes, while the audience erupted into applause.

"Okay, so you liked that?" Blaine tried to smile, but most of the members of Rachel's group looked like they were going to be sick.

"So, I have a few more songs for you guys..." Blaine sighed, preparing the first chord.

"I have a daydream every now and then that I'd sing this one in the car with my partner, and it really means a lot to me."

As Blaine started the next song, solo, rather than as a duet as he would've liked it, Rachel started to cry, and stood from her chair, walking outside, followed by Finn, who was obviously asking her to stop. They both disappeared out of the door.

Made a wrong turn
Once or twice
Dug my way out
Blood and fire
Bad decisions
That's alright
Welcome to my silly life
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss "no way it's all good"
It didn't slow me down
Mistaken
Always second guessing
Underestimated
Look, I'm still around…

Pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever, ever feel
Like your less than
Less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
You are perfect to me

The world stares while I swallow the fear
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in lying and I tried tried
But we try too hard, it's a waste of my time
Done looking for the critics, cuz they're everywhere
They don't like my jeans, they don't get my hair
Strange ourselves and we do it all the time
Why do we do that?
Why do I do that?

Pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever, ever feel
Like your less than
Less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
You are perfect to me

Blaine had finished his section when Rachel was ready to go back inside, after his renditions of 'Man In The Mirror', and acoustic mash-up of Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance' with Britney Spears' 'Circus', and a selection of his own original songs.

She didn't go inside yet, however. Instead she stood still in Finn's arms, as though they were protecting her from everything in the world.

Across the lot, a car pulled up. A really expensive, coal coloured, sports car. Rachel and Finn both watched it, suspicious. This wasn't even a particularly nice place. If somebody had money like that, why would they come here?

Then somebody stepped out the back. Of course, they had their own driver. Rachel could see who it was, now.

"Cooper Anderson. How freaking amazing to see you." Rachel called out as the tall, dark haired man walked across the lot, looking down. He obviously hadn't seen her when he got out the car, as his head snapped up and his eyes widened.

"Rachel." Cooper said slowly. "Rachel-Rachel." His voice escalated, stood dead still about two feet in front of her, hands raised a little. Honestly, Rachel had a little de ja vu moment, remembering how it was when she'd gone with Finn to get Sam from Kentucky, finding him in a strip club.

"Fancy seeing you here. Supporting your little brother? You missed him, you know. He's already finished." Finn said.

"Finn." Cooper replied, nodding, regaining composure. "Why are you two here? Planning on filling me in?"

Rachel turned her head to look at her husband, who shrugged.

"Join us for a drink?"

Soon, Rachel, Finn, Cooper, Sam, Puck, Wes and Nick were sat around a table, drinks in their hands. The others in the group were with Blaine somewhere, probably making a fuss of all the children.

The group had already explained the happenings of the past week to the elder of the Anderson brothers, and in reply he simply nodded, before sighing, realising they all expected an answer to whatever question Puck had just asked; Cooper hadn't really been paying attention to the last bit, knowing it was coming and wording the answer in advance.

"Sorry, care to repeat?" Cooper glanced at Puck, sipping his drink.

"Dude, listen. I said that you were always so supportive, right? So why didn't you tell him about his life? His true life, not the lie he seems to believe. The guy was as gay as the fourth of July. Still is, in my eyes." Puck almost sneered.

"Look, guys." Cooper leaned his elbows on the table, pressing his palms together, pointing his fingers straight ahead. "I tried to explain to him. I did, honestly. When the kid was in the hospital I was there every day. When they said there was a stupidly high chance he'd have severe amnesia if he ever woke from the coma, I put a picture of Kurt on the table by his bedside. Before he woke, our parents burnt it. They burnt it. They watched me like a hawk whenever I was with him. They brainwashed him. I told them it was wrong. I distanced myself. I didn't talk to them unless I needed to see Blaine was doing okay. Squirt wasn't himself. They've lied to him. They've practically destroyed the life he lived. It had nothing to do with me. I swear, I've been dropping hints whenever I get the chance." Cooper set his jaw, and looked over at Rachel. "Did he tell you what kind of accident he was in? The other night, at the restaurant, did he tell you what kind of accident it was? Think about it."

Rachel rubbed the back of her neck. "I don't see what that has to do with anything, but no. He never mentioned what kind of attack it was."

"He doesn't know, Rachel. He thinks he was in a car accident. He doesn't know it was an attack. He's so different. They really did brainwash him. He's not the guy you used to know. I want him to remember. Honestly, I do, but it's not that easy. I can only think of one thing that might spark a memory. And it's probably exactly what you're thinking of."

As though everyone else had disappeared, Rachel leaned across the table. "Coop, seriously? We have to think of Kurt here, too."

"It's the only way I can think of that even has a slight chance of making a difference. Kurt doesn't have to see Blaine, but Blaine has to see Kurt."

"Fine." Rachel buried her face in her hands as Cooper slid a card across the table, before standing and slipping on his coat. Finn inspected it for her, reading Cooper's full name, cell number, email address and home address.

"Keep me informed, 'kay? I want to know. I have to go now, but I will help any way I can. This'll probably get pretty messy."

And with that, he was gone.

It was pretty late when Finn and Rachel got home that night, accompanied by Sam, who'd be sleeping with Mercedes on the pull-out sofa-bed. Rachel had promised Blaine she'd call him to organise their next get together, but she wanted to talk to Finn first.

Kurt and Mercedes were tangled into each other on the couch, Kurt's head on Mercedes' shoulder, some old Disney movie playing quietly on the screen.

Sam leaned over the back of the couch, giggling as Rachel and Finn both looked on.

"Boo!"

Two sets of eyes flew open, Kurt yelping and falling to the floor, Mercedes being sprung what seemed like three feet into the air, before landing back in her seat, hand over her heart. Kurt pulled himself up, rubbing his butt, glaring at Sam. Meanwhile, Sam, Finn and Rachel were on the floor, laughing hard.

"Oh, god. You sir are a genius." Finn bowed down to Sam, trying to control his laughter, while Mercedes and Kurt both started to see the funnier side of things.

"Don't thank me. Oh god. Thank their reactions." Sam said, breathily, hand on his chest.

"That must've been pretty good." Mercedes said, standing, her face an expression of pure amusement, and a little pain. "How did it go?"

"S'alright." Finn replied, glancing at Kurt as everybody's laughter subsided. "We all had fun."

"Good, good. You all ready for bed? Save the chit chat for the morning." Kurt piped up, heading for his room.

"See you tomorrow, Kurt!" Mercedes called as he shut the door.

Mercedes and Sam exchanges looks before the pair both started speaking quickly, at the same time.

"It's him. It was actually him. They weren't kidding. Baby, it's so strange. He gave us some really weird looks like he knew us, but he didn't make any sign that he actually knew who we were." Sam said, all the words coming out in one breath.

"What did he say? What did he do? What did he sing? What did he look like? Oh, hell to the no. If it's really him we definitely can't tell Kurt." Mercedes' voice rose an octave or two.

"Okay, okay. Calm down." Finn almost had to yell over the noise, raising his hands. They both shut up immediately and looked straight at the tall man.

"We need to talk about this sensibly." Rachel nodded.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Sam plopped down on the couch, pulling Mercedes with him. Finn and Rachel sat opposite them, on another couch.

"So, we got there and Quinn and Puck took Cassie, Blaine's daughter. He gave Puck this weird look, and sort of hugged himself but blamed it on the cold. It was really, really strange." Finn explained, hands together. "When we got inside he had to go for his slot, and then he performed Teenage Dream and Perfect."

"Oh my god." Mercedes said, hand over her heart as she snuggled into Sam. "But he sang Teenage Dream when he first met Kurt and Perfect was, like, their song."

"I know. Then Cooper showed up, saying how he wanted to tell Blaine the truth. It was mental. Like, seriously crazy." Finn continued, shaking his head. "He gave us his number and told us to 'keep him informed' because he wants to help us introduce the pair again. I don't know how to do it. Introduce them that is. I don't know how Kurt'll react, and I don't know how Blaine'll react."

"Let's worry about that in the morning. This is messing with my head." Mercedes groaned. "But thank god Kurt doesn't know about all this yet."

The others nodded in agreement, before heading to bed.

Little did they know a certain glasz-eyed boy with light brown hair was pressed against his door, tears streaming down his face at the realisation that everybody he trusted had been lying to him, hand clamped over his mouth.

And little did they know that Kurt had just listened to the whole conversation.