Something was off. The usually silent (at this time in the morning) designers were all talking loudly much to the annoyance of the employee at the front desk. Tim and Heidi were deep in conversation with one of the producers and even the camera crew seemed to be participating in the gossip.

Blaine reappeared at his side and Kurt perked up. "Well?"

"Chantelle's left!" he exclaimed under his breath.

"She quit?" Kurt asked, eyes wide.

"No, well technically yes, but not really. Apparently somebody, a producer or something, came into her room last night and told her something and then she just got up and left."

"Oh," Kurt said, his voice subduing, "I hope nothing bad happened..." His father immediately came to mind and with it a burning worry. It had been weeks since he talked to him.

"You're right," Blaine said, his eyes shifting downward, "we shouldn't be talking about it like this."

They stood in silence, both in their own worlds, but only for a few minutes. Tim then motioned for everyone to follow him to Parsons. Kurt wondered if there would be an explanation, and if so when.

He didn't have to wait long.

"Attention designers, we have some unpleasant business to deal with this morning." Tim stood where he always did, in the doorway of the workroom, but his face was grim and his eyes serious. "Chantelle has left the competition. There was a family emergency and she decided her place right now was with them."

Tim paused to let the words sink in. The news made Kurt's heart seize up although it relaxed quickly. If something had happened to his dad, or anyone in his family, he would have been told. Burt's health had been better in the last few years but with a heart attack and cancer on his record, Kurt never stopped worrying.

"I know many of you have been missing your families, so today you will all have a chance to talk to them."

Smiles broke out, Kurt's one of the biggest, but it dimmed slightly as he took in Blaine. He was smiling too but it was forced.

"And now onto the challenge- and somebody will still be going home so you better listen up. The guest judge for this week is... Veronika Grekov!"

Kurt's face lit up and he clapped loudly along with everyone else. Why Veronika Grekov, the recently American-famous Russian pop star, was here was confusing but exciting.

"Hello designers," she said, her accent strong but understandable. When she sang, often half in American and half in Russian, her accent was much less pronounced.

"Hello Veronika," they echoed.

"Now as you all know, where I come from it's a bit colder than it is here." She waited until the laughter died down and then continued, "This year I've been invited to attend the MTV Russia Music Awards, and as it won't take place until November, it's going to be pretty chilly. Now I already have a dress picked out but what I need from you is a warm, but fashionable, jacket that I can wear on the red carpet."

Tim jumped in then giving them all the details and showing them a picture of Veronika's dress. It was simple but classic: a long, black, lightweight wool dress with only a few jewels along the deep neckline to give it any pizzazz. Obviously it was the jacket that would make the outfit stand out.

"One last word of advice designers," Tim began, "this is a winter-wear challenge. Veronika will be taking the jacket off once she's inside so don't pick fashion over function- do both! Alright, let's head to Mood."

&&&&&

All day was filled with anticipated that came to a point when Kurt's name was called. It was finally his turn. He hurried into the side room where the calls were taking place and headed to a table on the left that contained a MacBook. He spoke briefly with one of the producers who told him the rules (no getting ideas/help on anything fashion related) and then, with the click of a button, his dad's face was in front of him.

"Hey kiddo!"

"Hi dad." Kurt's voice was wet and tears threatened to flow.

"How's it going there?"

Kurt bit his lip and then, smiling through it, he said, "Good, really good. I'm- I'm doing well. I mean it's extremely exhausting and I miss you guys like crazy but... it's amazing."

"Of course you're doing well," Burt said, getting that proud look in his eyes.

"What about you, how are you feeling?"

"Fit as an ox!" he said while doing some obnoxious muscle poses. Then, before Kurt could complain about him not being serious, he said, "Seriously Kurt, I'm fine, stop worrying so much."

Kurt could have argued, wanted to argue, but it wasn't worth it with the little time they had. "And Carole and Finn?"

"Good as well. Missing you obviously. And bragging about you. Finn's new girlfriend is a huge fan of the show and I can't help but wonder how much he used you to pull that one off."

The laugh came from Kurt's mouth before he could stop it and he shook his head, sharing a look with his dad. It felt like Kurt spent half the time being annoyed or angry at Finn but blood aside, he was his brother, and he loved him.

"So who's that guy standing behind you that keeps looking over here?"

"Huh?" Kurt turned around and saw Blaine standing at one of the vending machines looking like a deer in the headlights.

"I- uh I'm sorry- I'll just go-" he stuttered but Kurt just waved him over.

"That's Blaine, my incredibly nosy roommate," Kurt said with an eyeroll.

"Hi sir," Blaine said, coming to stand next to Kurt, "It's nice to meet you. Kurt's told me a lot about you."

"Roommate eh?" Burt asked with a raised eyebrow.

Kurt's face colored and he looked over at the producer who was sitting nearby. She was half turned away from them and her entire posture screamed an apology; she was intruding in this personal conversation and she knew it. There wasn't a choice though, she had to be there to make sure no illegal information was passed. At least there were no cameras.

"Yeah, roommate," Kurt said, and whether Burt fully understood Kurt's reasoning, he dropped it.

After a few seconds Blaine said, "Well I'll just leave now, let you guys have some privacy, I just wanted to say hello..."

Kurt realized Blaine was still embarrassed being caught in the room so he gave him a warm smile before he left. As he did the producer gave Kurt the sign that it was time to wrap it up.

"I have to go dad, but I really do miss you so much."

"I miss you too buddy, but we'll see you in just a few weeks. Me and Carole are flying out to visit once this thing is over, remember?"

Of course he remembered but it didn't change the fact that he wanted to see him now. And talk to him, really talk to him.

"I love you dad."

"Love you too Kurt. And break a leg!"

Kurt smiled but didn't say anything, and a second later the screen was blank.

&&&&&

Blaine honestly didn't know what to expect when Tim announced they'd be talking to their loved ones. During the application process they'd been told to give the numbers of a few people they'd want to talk to during the competition. After much deliberation, he'd written down only Cooper's. He was afraid if he put down his parents that they (i.e. his dad) wouldn't want to talk to him, and knowing that would be worse than not talking to anyone at all.

And not having anyone to talk to was what Blaine expected. Cooper wasn't the most reliable person, and with him always being on the go, it was hard to get him to sit still long enough to Skype.

So that was the reason he hesitated when Kurt asked if he could meet his brother. Blaine was afraid there would be no brother to meet.

"Hey squirt!"

Blaine blinked in surprise; Cooper had answered on the first ring.

"Hi Coop," he returned, a smile slowly appearing. "How are things?"

"Oh they're going pretty well," he said breezily, "I have an audition tomorrow. It's big, huge really. Can't say what for but I will tell you this, I have a really good feeling about it."

The familiarity of Cooper's voice and incessant talking about his career was comforting. But then Cooper surprised him for a second time by directing the conversation away from himself. "But what about you? How's the show going? I still can't believe you didn't tell me, that you let me find out from mom and dad!"

"Sorry," he apologized, "but I didn't tell anyone. Except mom that is."

"Oh I know," Cooper said, "Dad was so pissed!"

Blaine cringed but let a little hope seep in. "Was?"

"Eh, you know how he is, he gets mad quick but then he cools down."

For you maybe. His dad might cool down fast, but he was an expert at holding a grudge. Maybe he didn't do that for Cooper, or maybe Cooper just didn't notice, but that's the way he was with him. Blaine knew this little digression, plus his refusal to go to law school, wouldn't be easily forgotten.

"But Blaine," Cooper started, turning serious, "listen up. I know it's a fashion competition but what makes it important is that it's a fashion competition on television. Make sure they film you from your good side- the left- and I know it's a reality show-" Blaine rolled his eyes at the use of his brother's air quotes "but you're still an actor of sorts so I have a couple suggest-"

"Hey Cooper, there's someone I want you to meet," Blaine interrupted him. He quickly got up and motioned for Kurt, who was standing right outside, to come in.

"Cooper, this is my roommate Kurt and Kurt, this is my brother Cooper."

After Blaine had unceremoniously dropped in on Kurt's call, Kurt had insisted he get to do the same. Honestly Blaine had just wanted to get a glimpse of the man Kurt always talked about- the one who was a mechanic in rural Ohio and who accepted his son from the moment he came out.

"You- you're the guy from those credit commercials!"

"Yeah- wait what?" Blaine asked as he took in the tone of Kurt's voice. It was weirdly breathy and as he turned to look at him he closed his eyes and cursed softly.

"You're a fan?" Cooper asked, his excitement rising. "Blaine why didn't you tell me your friend was a fan!"

Cooper spent the next few minutes talking in depth about his roles after the credit commercials (mostly small but frequent enough to live comfortably) and Kurt hung on every word. The producer eventually had to get up and come over to the computer because Cooper refused to hang up.

"Cooper, seriously I have to go now, but I'll call you in a few weeks okay? I love you."

"I love you too B. And remember what I said early about being an actor! The two most-"

Blaine ended the call and gave the harried women an apologetic smile that soon had her relaxing. Kurt was quiet as they walked out before he said, "I can't believe your brother is the Cooper Anderson... Oh my god." Kurt suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to Blaine with anguish on his face.

"What? What is it?" Blaine asked.

"I'm so sorry," Kurt whispered. "I just- I just monopolized your entire call with your brother when it was the only contact with him in weeks."

Before Kurt could continue to apologize Blaine waved him off. "Kurt, honestly, it's fine. He would have spent the entire time talking about himself anyway. And seeing the look at your face as you saw him was pretty much worth it."

Kurt laughed and a blush rose on his cheeks. "I'm sure I looked like a total idiot, mouth hanging open and all that."

Blaine sighed, "I remember when you used to look at me like that," he said in mock wistfulness.

"I still do," Kurt said, dropping the teasing tone.

But then they had to walk back into the workroom, under the camera's watchful eye, and pretend they were nothing more than, at the very most, friends.

&&&&&

Comparing himself to others was a bad habit of Kurt's. In middle school especially, he did it constantly, and it was much of the reason he distanced himself so much in high school. He figured if he couldn't be like the other kids his age then he should try and be as different as possible. That wasn't healthy either, and it earned him a not entirely unfair reputation as a conceited bitch.

The tendency hadn't given him trouble in quite some time, but it was today. As he looked around the room Kurt saw that most of the other jackets were not like his in the least. With Tim's emphasis on winter-wear he was literally creating a winter coat. It was chic and fashion forward but definitely not a traditional red carpet piece.

Strangely, Kurt took comfort in the fact that it was too late to change his jacket. He wouldn't have to deal with making the decision, or coming up with a new design, because the runway show was only a few hours away.

&&&&&

Kurt and Blaine took their seats, next to one another as usual, and Blaine latched on to Kurt's hand for support. Last night, in the comfort of their bed (after that first night they never slept apart), Blaine shared a not so well kept secret: he was a huge Veronika Grekov fan. Blaine loved most pop music, but Veronika was a giant among giants. The only person who rivaled her was Katy Perry.

The other day Blaine had been so shocked he wasn't able to react properly (or perhaps improperly) but today was another story. He sat frozen, staring with his mouth half open, as she talked with the other judges. Not only would he get to meet her, but she'd judge his clothing, and if he was lucky, she might even wear it.

Blaine always worked hard at challenges, but this one took it to a whole new level. Besides the quick phone call with his brother, he hardly took a break the entire time. The jacket he envisioned was complicated but he would settle for nothing less with this challenge. Blaine knew Veronika's style- traditionally more feminine stuff. This surprised a lot of people who only listened to her music because it was often about female empowerment and equality. Blaine couldn't count how many times he had to explain to somebody (guys and girls alike) that just because she was a feminist didn't mean she didn't like to dress "girly".

Basically, this challenge catered to all Blaine's strengths. His style (as he'd discovered through the competition) was cute, wearable things, and that's exactly what Veronika would want. Plus, although he'd never made a coat from scratch, he'd mended countless ones before. Winter jackets were one of the things that most often came to his mom to be fixed. Then, finding the pastel-pink colored wool in Mood had been the icing on the cake.

Blaine's piece was the first to walk the runway and he craned his neck, practically getting out of his seat to try and get a glimpse of Veronika's face. But the lights were too bright and he was too far away to see anything so he slumped back down.

"It looks amazing, Blaine," Kurt said, and the other designers echoed his sentiment. Blaine's lips turned up into a smile and he relaxed a little.

The relaxation didn't last long though. The runway show was soon over and the judging began.

"Since there are only seven of you, we've decided to keep you all up here for the judging. And, despite Chantelle's unexpected leave, someone will still go home today," Heidi said.

Blaine nodded along, silently urging her to go faster, his entire body thrumming with anticipation. Finally the models were brought out and the judges started talking. As people were given feedback it seemed to Blaine like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Kurt's was too wintery, Harry's was too lightweight; Emmy's was too flashy, Stephan's was too boring; Alice's was too short, Mary Jane's was too long. Blaine just hoped he could be just right.

"Okay Blaine, tell us about your piece," Heidi said as she turned to focus on him.

"Okay well first, I just have to say that Veronika, I am a huge fan." Blaine knew it made him sound like a total fanboy, but he couldn't help it. "And I know what kind of stuff you like to wear- wow I sound like a stalker-" he said, getting everyone to laugh, "and I just thought this fit your style."

"You're right on that account," Veronika said,"I absolutely love it."

After that Blaine was on cloud nine. The judges positive comments floated over him but nothing touched what Veronika had said. She didn't offer much more, and she hadn't for the others either, because she wasn't a fashion expert. But she was the one who would have to wear the jacket, so her support in conjunction with that of Heidi's, Michael's, and Nina's made him golden.

"Blaine, I think you're going to win," Kurt said excitedly once they were in the waiting room.

"I know!" he responded, unable to keep his hopes from rising.

Blaine waited in the waiting room, and then waited in the walk to the runway, and then waited for the cameras to get set up, and by the time it was all said and done Blaine felt like he was going to explode.

Then Heidi was doing the introduction and suddenly, "Blaine, congratulations."

Choking on his own breath, Blaine managed to thank the judges and Veronika and she even got out of her chair to come up and hug him. It was unbelievable, Veronika would be wearing his jacket.

Blaine rode the high for the rest of the day and, by his estimation, he would continue to for the rest of his life. The mood was dampened a bit when Mary Jane went home, but they'd all seen it coming for a while. Things were coming down to the wire and with immunity not being granted to challenge winners anymore, people had to bring their A-game everyday.

"Veronika Grekov," he muttered into Kurt's hair later that evening.

"You know, if you weren't gay, I'd be extremely worried," Kurt said, a chuckle on his lips.

Blaine smiled and kissed the top of Kurt's head before succumbing to sleeps' lure.