The group ate their lunch and made there way back to the hotel. The band locked themselves in the boys room to practice the song while Kurt and Rachel were sitting in the girls room.

Kurt was lying down on his stomach while flipping through the channels and Rachel was reading a book by the top of the bed. "There is nothing on TV," he groaned as he rolled over onto his back.

"Then dont watch TV," Rachel suggested to him.

Kurt sighed and let the remote fall next to him, the sounds of the Golden Girls fill the room.

Rachel laid her book in her lap, "If you are going to act mopey then tell me whats wrong, otherwise you can leave."

Leaning over he picked up his laptop and turned it on. Kurt started to look on his favorite fashion sites.

Rachel eventually went on her own computer and was looking with Kurt. "Oh my god!" she let out a squeal.

"What is it?" Kurt asked looking over at her.

"Oh my god!" Rachel yelled again. She got off her bed and opened the door, "Blaine!"

"What?" Blaine looked over at her.

Rachel shoved her computer in his face, "What the hell is that?"

The group squinted at the screen, "Dude, what is that?"

Blaine groaned and grabbed the computer shutting it closed. "The song, we are working on the song."

"What is your boyfriend doing on Facebook saying you arent dating anymore," Maddie said to him.

"Doesnt matter," Blaine shrugged it off, "Now about this chord."

Derby stood up, "You broke up with lame Matt?"

"Just drop it," Blaine said to them, "Its none of your business anyways."

"None of our business?" Kyle asked him, "Dude, all of your business is our business."

Blaine gripped his guitar tighter, "Fine, its true. Lets drop it now."

A door slammed shut and they all looked around. Rachel looked in the other room, "I think Kurt left." She set the computer down next to her brother and ran out to follow her friend.

Kurt was pacing up and down the hallway.

"Whats wrong?" Rachel asked him.

Kurt shakily handed Rachel his phone. Rachel took the phone and looked at the text message Finn had sent him. Burt in hospital. Ill call with an update soon.

"Oh Kurt," Rachel said and pulled Kurt into her arms.

Kurt tried not to let himself cry. He couldnt cry, mostly because he didnt want to cry. Wrapping his arms around Rachel tighter, he realized he was shaking.

"Its going to be alright," Rachel whispered to him.

The door opened and everyone was now looking at them. "Hey whats going on?" Blaine asked in a soft voice.

Rachel passed Kurts phone to him, "Come on sweetie," she said pulling Kurt, "I think you could a use a nap."

"Cant," Kurt shook his head, "Have to wait for the call."

"I know," Rachel said taking Kurt back into their room. "Well turn the ringer on and as soon as Finn or Carole calls well wake you up."

Kurt was breathing heavily. He felt his whole body still shaking and he felt like his throat was closing.

Rachel tucked him into bed and kissed his forehead, "Just calm down. Im going to try and find out whats wrong alright." Kurt just nodded his head.

Rachel walked into the room and took Kurts phone from Blaine. "Stupid Finn. Just sending a stupid text message."

"Hey, Rachel calm down," Blaine said touching her arm.

"I am calm, this is me being calm," Rachel said taking out her own phone and dialing Finns cell number.

"Dude, whats going on?" Derby asked Blaine.

"Kurts dad has a history of heart problems," Blaine explained, "He had a heart attack two years ago and went into a coma for a week."

Maddies hand reached up to cover her mouth, "Oh my god. Is he alright now?"

Blaine pointed to his sister, "Kurts stepbrother just sent a message telling him he is in the hospital."

"Well thats a nice way to tell someone," Kyle said rolling his eyes.

Rachel waved her hand, "Shhh. Finn, hi. Whats going on?" They all waited as Rachel talked to Finn. "Okay, Finn call us if you know anything else." She hung up the phone.

"Whats going on?" Blaine asked her.

"Burt is fine," Rachel walked back into the room. "Hey Kurt, I talked to Finn."

Kurt was sitting up and hugged his knees, "Is he alright?" He honestly couldnt sleep.

Rachel gave him a smile, "Yeah, hes fine. He was just having a faster heart beat and Carole thought it would be important to get checked out."

"Okay," Kurt said, "Okay."

"Are you alright?" Rachel asked him.

"Its just…" Kurt groaned and pulled at his hair, "What if this happens next year while Im at school. I would be just as lost as I am right now. I cant just hop on a plane or drive all the way to Ohio at a moments notice."

Rachel pulled down Kurts arm, "Look at me Kurt."

Kurt looked over at Rachel and he had tears in his eyes.

"Your dad is going to be fine," Rachel said to him.

"He is all I have left," Kurt said now crying harder, "What am I going to do if I lose him too?"

"Kurt Hummel you are not alone do you hear me," Rachel said with a stern voice. "Not only do you have your dad, but you have Carole and Finn. You have me and Mercedes too. Plus the rest of the Glee club." She said and let Kurt cry in her arms, "Please dont say you are alone. You are never alone."

Kurt fell asleep in her arms and Rachel laid him down. She wasnt sure when their friends left, but she turned off the lights and went into the boys room.

"How is he doing?" Maddie asked concerned.

"Hes fine," Rachel said, "I think it just scared him." She sat down on the floor beside her brother.

Blaine reached over and hugged his sister, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Rachel nodded into his chest, "Its just that its Burt."

"I know," Blaine said kissing the top of her head, "You should get some sleep yourself."

"Not right now," Rachel shook her head, "I couldnt even sleep if I wanted too. This is all too much."

"Um, I hate to ask, but what did he mean when he was alone?" Derby asked her.

"Kurts always been like that," Rachel shrugged, "Not in a bad way, but he and his father were pretty much alone for so long until Kurt set him up with Carole."

Kyles eyebrows scrunched together, "He lost his mom or did she leave?"

"She died when he was eight," Rachel said, "What was that song you guys were working on earlier."

Blaine let his sister go and grabbed his guitar, "Lets sing it to her."

They were singing the song when the door opened quietly. Kurt sat down beside Rachel and laid his head on her shoulder. No one asked anymore questions, they all just sat up telling stories and playing music.

The next morning someones alarm went off. Blaine grabbed the phone and hit the snooze button. He looked around and saw Kyle sleeping with Maddie on one of the beds on top of the comforter. Derby was sleeping with two chairs pushed together.

Feeling someone shift next to him, Blaine looked down and saw Kurt sandwiched between him and Rachel. He was surprised the three of them fit on the bed.

Kurt opened an eye, "Is it morning already?"

Blaine let out a small laugh, "Yeah it seems it is."

"You have a competition today," Kurt said with a sigh.

"We do," Blaine nodded his head, "You think well win?"

"I do," Kurt said to him and smiled.

Blaine couldnt help but laugh again, "You my friend need some more sleep." He sat up, "Ill get some food for breakfast and let everyone sleep."

"M-kay," Kurt said closing his eyes and snuggling closer to Rachel.

Blaine smiled as he got out of bed. He quickly changed into a new shirt and pants, leaving the hotel room to get breakfast for everyone. When he got back he had a carrier full of hot drinks and two boxes of doughnuts. He kicked on the door and waited for someone to answer.

The door opened and Maddie grabbed one of the coffees, "Thank god!"

"Well Im not really a god, but I think Im pretty close," Blaine teased as he walked in the rest of the way, "Food!"

Derby shot up from his spot, "I smell doughnuts."

Kurt and Rachel were sitting on the bed watching television. "Here you go," Blaine said handing each of them a coffee cup.

"Thanks," Kurt said taking his and giving Blaine a smile. Rachel just took the cup and started drinking immediately.

"Whats wrong with you?" Blaine asked her.

Kyle laughed, "She accidentally saw Derbys junk."

"What?" Blaine said loudly.

"It was on accident," Kurt said to him, "She walked into the bathroom expecting him to just be washing his hands."

Blaine picked up a pillow and hit Derby on the head, "Idiot."

"Shes fine," Derby groaned, "Now give me a doughnut."

"Come and get your own," Maddie said taking a box over to the second bed.

Kurt looked over at the doughnuts with a small look on his face. Blaine knew why he was giving that look. He pulled a bag out from his pocket and placed it in Kurts lap with out saying a word. "I call the chocolate one!"

Kurt looked down at the bag and opened it, inside was a cinnamon bagel. Those were his favorite. He wondered how Blaine knew.

Rachel sighed and leaned back in the pillows, "Hand me anything with lots of sugar I am going to need it."

Kyle gave Rachel a doughnut, "Want one Kurt?"

"No, Im fine," Kurt said to him and turned back towards the television. He picked off a piece of the bagel and ate it.

"Suit yourself," Kyle said and shoved half of a doughnut in his mouth.

"Gross," Maddie said hitting his arm.

Blaine let a laugh and glanced over at Kurt. He had a small smile on his face, which made Blaine smile.

"We are so totally getting through to the next round tonight," Derby said punching the air.

"Oh," Rachel stood up from the bed, "Blaine, our dads left a message on my phone and I need your help with something."

Blaine looked at her, "Just tell me now."

"I said I need your help with something," Rachel crossed her arms over his chest.

"Fine," Blaine stood up and followed his sister into the room.

Rachel closed the door behind her, "Now sit."

"Wait, neither one of our dads called did they?" Blaine asked her.

"I said sit," Rachel pointed to the bed.

"Fine," Blaine sighed as he sat down on the bed, "What is this all about?"

Rachel looked at her older brother, "When exactly did you and Matt break up?"

"Why does it matter?" Blaine asked her, "It was going no where fast and I think we were both being stupid about it all."

"Blaine," Rachel reached over and took his hand, "I know you two were already feeling separated, but its still a break up and those hurt."

"Im fine," Blaine said giving her a smile, "I think we were mostly dating because it was nice. And in the end I dont want nice. I want love."

Rachel hugged her brother, "I know you do. I want that too."

"I think everyone does Rach," Blaine said letting out a laugh as he hugged his sister back.

Rachel pulled back, "Are you sure youre fine?"
"Yeah, I am," Blaine said giving her a smile, "I feel a lot better since we did break it off, like this weight is off my shoulders."

"When did it happen?" Rachel asked him.

"Before you checked in to the hotel," Blaine shrugged, "He just wasnt happy and he saw that picture you posted of Kurt and I. He sort of freaked out with jealously."

"He was jealous of Kurt?" Rachel said excitedly.

Blaine stared at his sister and shrugged his shoulders, "Well he is a handsome guy."

Rachel elbowed her brother, "No. Dont you dare."

"What?" Blaine asked her confused.

"Kurt is my best friend," Rachel said pointing a finger in her brothers face, "And I will not have you screw up our friendship because you cant keep it in your pants."

Blaine lifted an eyebrow, "I think I have a bit more class than that Rachel. And I am allowed to appreciate a handsome guy when I see one. The same with a beautiful woman."

"Fine," Rachel smiled, "But you know if you ever need to talk I am here."

"Im good, but thanks sis," Blaine smiled at her.

There was a knock on the door and Kurt poked his head inside, "Hey Rachel, we all know you obviously arent talking to your dads since both of your phones are out here. So I need your advice on a color scheme for Stereo Outcasts new webpage."
Rachel ran over to him, "Oh I have to go with this one," she pointed to computer screen.

"I like that one too," Kurt nodded his head, "What about you Blaine?"

She walked back into the room, "I want another doughnut."

Kurt took Rachels side beside Blaine, "I have it narrowed down to three, but I just wanted some opinions."

"Wow," Blaine looked at his options, "You have no idea how amazing these are. Are you sure you dont want to do this for a living."

"Who knows," Kurt laughed, "I mean its quite similar to fashion design right?"

Blaine looked at the choices, "Ill have to go with this one, like I said. I like the color blue."

"Me too," Kurt said excitedly, "I know this is going to turn out amazing."

"How is your dad?" Blaine asked him.

Kurt turned to him, "Doing much better than last night. He went home this morning."

"Thats good," Blaine said with a smile.

"I know," Kurt smiled back, "He really scared me. I realized I cant really be there for everything, so Ill try and be there for him as often as I can when Im at home."

Blaine looked down at his hands, "Thats how I feel about Rachel and my dads quite often when Im at New York."
"Really?" Kurt asked him surprised.

Blaine laughed when he saw Kurts face, "Yeah, its not really strange that you feel like youre missing things. I remember the first night I was in New York. I was so homesick and I literally just hid under my blanket the entire weekend."

"You did that?" Kurt was surprised about this. Blaine seemed like such a laid back person and he said how he loved living in New York.

"Sure," Blaine shrugged, "I was scared living in a new place where I knew absolutely no one, but I did it. I may have gone in a different route than I intended, but I got to where I am now and Im pretty happy."

Kurt looked over at Blaine and sighed, "I need that attitude, but I think first I need to know if I can even find it."

"You will," Blaine said as he bumped their shoulders together, "And remember you have Rachel and us to help you out when you get there."

"Thanks," Kurt said quietly, "I know I have my family, and Rachel, but it will be nice to know I have you guys too."

Blaine lifted his hand to rest on Kurts shoulder, "Trust me, once you rope us in, there is no getting rid of us." Kurt started laughing and Blaine couldnt help but notice the adorable way Kurts face crinkled when he did.

There was a knock on the door, "Dude, we have like three hours until we have to be there," Kyle said to him.

"Damn," Blaine stood up from his seat on the bed, "Do you think we got the song down enough?"

"We wont know until we win," Kyle rolled his eyes as Blaine walked past him. "I swear," he looked over at Kurt, "I think Babs is just asking for us to get our asses kicked."

Kurt looked at him, "Sure sure. Rachel!" Rachel ran in the room, "I need your help now."

Rachel smiled and jumped up and down, "Well meet you guys at the venue. Kurt and I have some work to do before then."

"Yep," Kurt closed his computer, "We have to get going now or else well be late."

"Right," Rachel said reaching to put on her shoes.

"Bye!" they both called out as they ran out the door.

Derby picked up one of his shoes, "I think they are planning something."

"Its my sister, of course, she is always planning something," Blaine shrugged before he disappeared into the bathroom.

Stereo Outcast was now backstage and getting ready to get on the stage. There was twenty bands playing today and each band gets to sing one song to show the judges what they have.

The following day will have the top five remaining bands singing two songs of their choice. The judges will pick the top three announcing them right before nine oclock. Whoever wins first place is the winner of the battle.

If Stereo Outcast wants to win, they need to step up their game.

Blaine was fiddling with his guitar. It was an electric guitar that he had gotten for his eighteenth birthday, course he had to pay for half of it though. It was a sapphire blue Stratocaster electric guitar.

He always teased about how its one of the only three girls in his life, the other two being Rachel and Maddie.

Derby was doing some air drums, Kyle was fiddling with his guitar, and Maddie had her bass plucking the strings with her eyes closed.

Kurt and Rachel ran up to them. "What do you think?" Rachel asked as they both showed off the shirts they were wearing.

Their shirts were a light blue and had the name Stereo Outcast with dark gray cloud behind the words. "We printed them at a small shop just about an hour ago," Kurt told them.

"Those are wicked awesome," Derby said looking at the shirts, "Its like our first merch."

"I updated the website and everything after you left," Kurt said with a smile.

"Woah!" Maddie said looking at the shirts, "We need to print more of those."

"I want one," Kyle said jumping up and down excitedly.

Rachel pulls her camera out from her pocket, "Alright everyone! Are we ready to rock?"

"YES!" the group chants.

A guy walked by wearing half of a shirt, "Dudes, chill out." He looked over at Kurt and Rachel wearing shirts with the band name on them. "Youre that band that barely made the cut, lucky you those other guys cheated," he laughed and walked off.

Rachel made a face, "Rude."

Kyle groaned, "I hate losers like that, I knew California would be different than New York."

"Dont let what he said get you down," Blaine said to everyone, "He is just jealous we got here. Everyone put your hands in."

They all put there hands in the middle of the group.

"Alright, we are about to hit that stage and we need to remember that we are Stereo Outcast and we are bringing the dynamite!" Blaine shouted, "Now lets win this thing!"

Stereo Outcast was still waiting to go on. Apparently they were behind already, and the bands were being pushed on and off the stage so fast they werent sure who was who at one point.

Kurt and Rachel were forced to go out and be in the enormous crowd that had gathered. They were right in the middle currently, but wanted to get the stage for when Stereo Outcast would be on.

Rachel turned towards Kurt and yelled in his ear, "We need to get closer!"

"Lets push our way to the front!" Kurt yelled back.

"What?"

"I said, lets push our way to the front!"

"What!"

Kurt just rolled his eyes and grabbed Rachels wrist. He started to push his way towards the front of the venue. He tried to say excuse me as they bumped into people, but no one could hear them anyways.

"KURT!"

Kurt turned around and saw Rachel had let go somehow. She was about a foot away from him. He reached and grabbed her hand pulling her towards him. "Stay close to me!"

Rachel nodded her head as they kept moving towards the front.

They were finally close to the stage. "Holy crap! That was nuts!" Kurt yelled to his friend.

"I know!" Rachel yelled with a laugh, "I think they are on next!"

Kurt finally dug his phone out his pocket and typed a message out to show to Rachel. Rachel squinted her eyes and read the message. What song did they pick?

Rachel took Kurts phone and started to type out a message. She handed it back to him. Kurt looked at the message, A song called Stutter. Its good.

Kurt laughed and typed out a message, handing the phone over to Rachel when he was done. It better be.

Rachel just laughed at Kurt as another band came on stage and had to prove they wanted to win the big prize. They were good and there song was catchy, but they were both biased.

Finally the man approached the stage and Kurt saw Blaine talking to Derby on the side of the stage. He grabbed Rachels arm and showed her.

"I hope you in the audience arent getting tired yet!" the announcer said with an excited voice. Everyone in the audience let out a yell towards the man, who just laughed. "Well great!" He took out a card from his back pocket, "Next we have a band all the way from New York, lets have Stereo Outcast jump up on this stage!"

Kyle and Maddie walked on the stage, with Blaine and Derby following closely. Derby jumped behind the drums and picked up to sticks. Kyle plugged his guitar in and played a few of the keys on the keyboard. Maddie plugged in her bass and let her pick run over some of the strings.

Blaine plugged his guitar and looked down for a moment, before he walked up the microphone, "Hey, we are Stereo Outcast and we are bringing the dynamite!"

The audience let out a cheer as Blaine yelled into the microphone.

Behind Blaine, Derby started banging his sticks together and counting off, "3, 2, 1!"

The beginnings of the song started to play, and Rachel and Kurt were both push forward pushing up against the stage. Rachel pulled out her camera from her pocket and started to record.

Blaine looked down at them and smiled at them giving the camera a wink as he opened his mouth to start singing.

Remember that time?
When you wouldnt talk to me?
You wouldnt talk to me
All night

Remember that song?
And all the words wed sing?
Well heres a song I sing
All right

Blaine gave a small smile as he sang into the crowd. Kurt was amazed by his stage presence, even the rest of the band. They all seemed to be in their element.

Remember that time?
How youd never lie to me
Cause youd never lie to me
No way

You could be faking it
God, dont be like that
I dont like the way you act
Round me

So baby come on, come on...

Rachel and Kurt were dancing around in the small space they had while Stereo Outcast was on stage giving their all.

Oh, dont you tell me no
There you go again
Youre ten out of ten
Sorry, did I just s-stutter?

Wont tell you what you know
There you go again
You were never my friend
You were never my-
You were never my lover! No.

Blaine closed his eyes while he sang and letting the words flow as his fingers ran across the strings of his guitar. Kyle was having fun jamming with his guitar, Derby on the drums, and Maddie on her bass.

Remember that night?
When I saw you standing there?
Dark eyes and dark hair
Its just you

Remember the way?
How you were way out of line?
And I was way out of time
For you

And I got your number
Right next to your name
But it aint no thing, no
No it aint enough

And Ive got your word I know
But its all Ill get
Trying to forget
Your kind of love

So baby come on, come on...

Blaine started jumping up and down stage, causing the people in the audience to join in. Rachel was making sure to get video of all the members and when someone bumped into her she gave them a look. Kurt just laughed as he bounced with the music.

Oh, dont you tell me no
Cause there you go again
Youre ten out of ten
Sorry, did I just s-stutter?

Wont tell you what you know
But there you go again
Cause you were never my friend
You were never my-
You were never my lover!

I know you could be better
Dont have to waste my time
Its not like I need you more than
I need me and mine

Blaine looked over at Kyle who gave him a nod as they sang together.

But I know that you want it
Trying to get you on it
Baby we could fuck the rights
Turn around and wrong it

Spare me your convictions
The promises you keep
Ive got a better proposition
And the friction that you need

Blaines voice changed as he started singing into the next verse.

Dont you tell me that
You dont want to
Dont you tell me that
You dont want to

Dont you tell me that
You dont want to
Dont you tell me that
You dont want to

Derby started to play the drums on his own, letting it be the only noise with Blaines voice. The rest of the band started clapping their hands high above their hands, which lead the audience to start doing the same.

Dont you tell me that
You dont want to
Dont you tell me that
You dont want to

Dont you tell me that
You dont want to
Dont you tell me that
You dont want to

The band picked up their instruments and once again started to play in sync with one another. Blaine went back to the microphone and started to sing.

Oh, dont you tell me no
Cause there you go again
Youre ten out of ten
Im sorry did I just s-stutter?

Wont tell you what you know
But there you go again
You were never my friend
You were never my –

Blaine jumped up and down as the sang the last verses of the song. The entire room was singing along since the song was catching on.

Oh, dont you tell me no
Cause there you go again
You were never my friend
Sorry did I just s-stutter

Oh, dont you tell me no
Cause there you go again
You were never my friend
You were never my –

You were never my lover!

Stereo Outcast let the last note ring and they all jumped on the last beat. Rachel held the camera as the group took a bow and left the stage.

Kurt grabbed Rachels hand and they pushed their way out of the crowd back towards their friends. They made the way towards the hall and spotted them easily.

"Sorry, family and friends first!" Blaine shouted as different bands were coming over and congratulating them.

Rachel ran into Blaines arms, "Oh my god!"

Kurt just laughed, "You guys were unbelievable," he said as he hugged Maddie.

Rachel pulled Derby and Kyle in for a hug, "I cant believe you got the audience to start singing with you guys!"

"You dont have to yell Rachel," Blaine said to her.

Rachel just laughed and grabbed Maddie, "And I got it all on my camera!"

"We should totally take the audio and put it on the site," Kurt said excitedly.

"Good idea," Derby nodded his head, "We should totally hire these two as our managers."

"Done," Rachel clapped her hands together.

The hallway was small, so when people walked by, others were pushed into the walls. When someone pushed Kurts back, he landed chest to chest with Blaine. Kurt swallowed, "You were really good. I think you may get to the next round."

"Thanks," Blaine said with a half smile.

"And you are sweaty," Kurt let out a laugh.

Blaine laughed, "I bet my hair is in all kinds of directions now."

Kurt reached up and pulled a strand, "I like it."

Rachel ran over and grabbed Kurts arm to pull him away from Blaine, "Come on, we need to start being good managers and talk up these guys. If you guys dont get to the next round, there will be hell to pay. Well see you guys later at the announcing of the bands."

Kurt gave Blaine a look and they took off down the hall. Blaine couldnt help but have a smile on his face. Derby jumped on him and grabbed his shoulders, "Dude, we rocked that shit!"

"Hey, you guys were awesome," another band complimented them.

"We try," Maddie said with a shrug and all of them laughed.