Chapter 17

"Hey Mercedes, long time no see! How are you doing?" Kurt grinned at the appearance of his best friend. It had been two weeks since Kurt's conversation with Nina and a lot had changed. Trixie had continued to be nice to Kurt; on one occasion she has even given Kurt her flowers after a show, in a gesture Kurt hoped to have been apologetic. He hadn't seen much of Jayden but from what Blaine had told him Jayden had reverted back to who he was when they first met. Kurt wasn't quite sure what to make of it; most of him was happy that Jayden was being nice again, but on the other hand Blaine had dated the good Jayden.

However, the biggest change was Mercedes: she was now in a relationship with Malcolm. Kurt had never had the chance to meet Malcolm, but from what Mercedes had told Kurt it was clear she was being treated well and was really getting to like her new boyfriend. Kurt was, of course, happy for his best friend. He loved her to bits and had been worried that she would struggle to find someone who could live up to her kindness and warmth, so Kurt was pleased that she had found someone. There was really only one problem: Kurt seemed to have talked more to Mercedes when she was in America than he did now. They never seemed to spend any time together. Kurt was extremely happy to find that his best friend had found someone; he just wished he would be able to see her more often to share her happiness. It had been two whole weeks and he'd only had a few texts from Mercedes, and from what Blaine told him she was barely at the flat either. Blaine said that she got back either when he was in the process or had already gone to bed and that in the morning she normally left when he was half-way through breakfast. The only time Blaine said she was around was when Kurt had a performance.

Kurt really wanted to meet Malcolm, he had a full papa-bear speech planned but whenever Mercedes asked he had already bought stage show tickets or booked their reservations. It was starting to worry Kurt, but Mercedes didn't seem too bothered so he let the matter drop.

They had had this meet up planned for four days. Kurt had made sure to have something planned in advance as it seemed otherwise he wouldn't get to see his best friend. Kurt was glad he had Blaine. They had been out on a date nearly every night over the last couple of weeks. It seemed they had been to every part of London, Kurt wasn't complaining, though, he didn't really care if they just went to the same place every day as long as it was with Blaine. Kurt had always had his dreams and always enjoyed fantasising about being on Broadway. However, now, when he was closer than ever before, he found it physically painful to imagine his future. Kurt was coming to the realisation that fame and fortune meant nothing to him unless he had someone to share it with. Kurt wasn't sure whether that person would be in America.

"Hey Kurt! Gosh! I've missed you so much, I'm sorry I haven't been available recently. I travelled all the way to London to see you and it seems we talked more when I was in America!" Mercedes apologise, echoing Kurt's earlier thoughts.

"Don't worry about it, Mercedes. I'm glad you've finally found someone who is rumoured to be worth all your fabulous-ness! But I will only truly forgive you if you tell me everything and I mean everything about him," Kurt said with a wink.

"Oh Kurt! He's just perfect! He spends all his time with me! We seem to go to show after show then restaurant after restaurant. We even get breakfast together every morning. He treats me really well; he won't ever let me pay for a thing though I know this must be costing him an absolute bomb! He's so gentleman like as well! He always dresses well you'll be pleased to hear! Oh and he likes musical almost as much as you do! He often takes me to ones, in fact the other night we went all the way to Birmingham (AN: Birmingham England, not America I doubt that would be possible in one evening!) to see a production of The Sound Of Music he said he found particularly good! And he is a great listener. He listens really well to everything I have to say and he is always there if we come across some emotional territory. I think I might be falling for him, Kurt," Mercedes whispered the last part. She really hoped her best friend would approve.

"Oh! I'm so happy for you! I don't know anyone more deserving of true love than you, Mercedes! I think it's great you've found someone! So… have you had sex yet?" Kurt blushed as he said it but he was curious, his best friend was very unpredictable as to what her values of dating were so Kurt had no idea as to the point where couples could be intimate in that way came for her.

Mercedes blushed, "no not yet," she said quietly. "We haven't even shared a proper kiss yet. We do a lot of cheek kissing, a bit like with you; he's very gentleman like and he says he doesn't think I should feel pressured into doing anything I would regret later. He also said it would be more meaningful if we take it slower. Though, to be honest with you, I'd be quite happy to have sex with him, he is capital H hot!"

"I'm glad he's good looking, I don't want him screwing up your wedding photos! I am surprised you'd find anyone who'd want to take it as slow as that! Even Rachel would probably be ok with second base after the amount of time you two have spent together. Oh well, you just make sure it's really special when you finally do!" Kurt grinned.

"I think it's a little early to be talking of wedding bells quite yet! Are you still in touch with Rachel?" Mercedes change the topic.

"Yes, we still text a lot and call about once a week, she's still struggling with the harsh world of Broadway! I do feel sorry for her. I guess she just doesn't stick out enough, I don't think it has anything to do with lack of trying or talent," Kurt sighed, he really did sympathise with Rachel, he knew how much she'd sacrificed to try her hand at Broadway. She'd even broken up with Finn.

"I do feel sorry for her. Everything just seemed so possible back when we were in New Directions; I guess the big wide world just isn't like that. Oh by the way, I heard on the grapevine that Brittney and Santanna are dating quite seriously, we might just be expecting a wedding pretty soon!"

"Oh my God, that's great! I'm so happy for them! I knew they'd get together eventually!"

The rest of the conversation flowed easily. It mainly centred on reminiscing about New Directions. However, they also discussed Blaine and his and Kurt's latest dates as well as the latest news on Trixie and Jayden. Kurt was so glad they had managed to enjoy the morning together that he felt quite said when they heard the text tone of Mercedes' phone. He had been having fun and he was sure Mercedes had too.

"It's from Malcolm!" she squealed.

Kurt leaned forward: keen to get news of Mercedes' mysterious new boyfriend.

"He says to come and meet him at the park; he has a surprise for me! Oh! I wonder what it could be! Oh, but I wish we didn't have to say goodbye, Kurt, I was having fun. It has simply been too long! I'll ask him if I can bring you along. I'm sure he won't mind I've told him so much about you, I think you two would get along like a house on fire! In fact, I'm not sure whether or not I should warn you to keep your hands off my man!" Mercedes joked as she texted Malcolm back.

"Don't worry! I'm perfectly happy with Blaine thank you very much! But I have to admit the way you describe him he does sound like a gay guy, not stereotyping here but, stage shows fashion and good hygiene are all signs!" Kurt teased.

Mercedes gave him a mock slap as she put her phone down on the take and stared at it expectantly. It was as though her mental power would speed up the process of Malcolm's reply. They both jumped when the phone buzzed for a second time and Mercedes' hands were on it in a flash.

Kurt noticed his best friend's slight frown at the message she got in response. He hoped everything was ok. He was about to voice his concern when Mercedes spoke up, "Sorry, Kurt! Malcolm says today is a special day for us as our two week anniversary and he has something romantic planned."

Kurt nodded, "It's fine Mercedes, I'm just sorry to see you go it's been great talking I think it definitely makes up for the trip from America. Can we go again tomorrow; I'm finished with day time rehearsals the cast are word perfect so we only go in for our performances. I have plenty of time so you can just fit it around you."

They both stood up and Mercedes reached into her bag to pay for the coffee but Kurt stopped her, "Don't even think about it! Let me treat my best friends to a coffee for once!" Mercedes would have protested if it had not been for Kurt's pleading smile and puppy dog eyes.

She sighed and nodded before they both left hand in hand. Kurt left her a few streets from the caf�. "I would really like for you to meet Malcolm soon, Kurt. I will talk to him about it; he's so kind I'm sure he will be happy to meet you. I just know you two will get along great!"

"I look forward to it Mercedes. I can't wait to meet the man who you have fallen for! I'm sure he has fabulous-ness to rival my own, though I doubt anyone can be quite as fabulous as myself!" Kurt finished with a silly laugh.

"Thanks for understanding Kurt. We will meet again soon!" Mercedes hugged her best friend before dashing off at a speedy pace to meet up with her new boyfriend.

Kurt sighed, he really hoped they would be able to meet up again soon. He decided that there was just enough time to do a little shopping before his date with Blaine that was in two hours.

Kurt loved shopping still. It had been a tough decision between fashion and singing and he still hadn't completely ruled it out as a career choice. Kurt made his way toward the mall feeling slightly lifted from the uneasy feelings he had felt when he had left Mercedes. It seemed strange for a new couple to spend quite such a lot of time together and why was it so hard for Kurt to meet Malcolm?

Kurt brightened even more at the sight of a huge Marc Jacobs shop. He was home! Kurt immediately b-lined for a large display of scarves. Perfect! Kurt was quite happy to look at scarf after scarf for quite a long time without feeling any particular need to buy anything. He was quite content to be in his own little world. It was just Kurt and a large quantity of scarves.

Which is why Kurt nearly screamed when a voice called to him from quite close by. Kurt jumped and dropped the scarf he had been holding to see who had called out. It was Trixie.

"Oh hey Trixie! You scared me for a second there!" Kurt sighed with relief. He was just glad it wasn't some evil blood-sucking demon here to kill him and take away his scarves.

"Sorry Kurt, didn't realise you got so into shopping. I honestly tried being quieter!" Trixie was clearly holding back laugher, Kurt rolled his eyes.

"I like scarves! I get very focussed when I'm around them. So, what brings you here?" Kurt asked raising an eyebrow.

"Same reason as you really," Trixie answered as she picked up the scarf that Kurt had dropped, "I share your passion for scarves. It drives me insane when people will put together a really great outfit then get the colour wrong on the scarf and it ruins it, or even worse forget a scarf entirely!"

"I never knew we had so much in common! I couldn't agree more. I always almost scream at the television, because it can make the most well put together outfits look like cheap trash!" Kurt vented.

"Oh I like this one!" Trixie said picking up a bubble pink scarf.

"No, no I never thought pink was really your colour. It offers too much of a clich�," Kurt paused before picking up an olive green scarf, "now this would really suit you. It adds mystery! It shows your not just an every girl but that you have something special. I would definitely get this one, if you still wanted to wear pink it would go as well."

"Oh really, do you think so?" Trixie picked up the scarf and took it over to a mirror, "oh! Wow, Kurt, I never knew you had such a good eye!"

"Yes, I've always been a massive follower of fashion. I know it's pretty stereotypical but it's just the way I am! It was always a big choice for me between a music career or a fashion career. I spent many sleepless nights let me tell you! In the end I chose music of course, but it's always something I may pursue later in life," Kurt explained. It may have been a trick of the light but Trixie almost looked impressed at this new revelation.

"Goodness, I never knew. Well, I'm in love, wild horses couldn't part me from this scarf now. Please will you come help me pick a jacket I'm not sure which style would be right for my body shape!" Trixie said as she pulled Kurt over to a long line of jackets.

"Sure thing but I only have an hour and a half before I'm meeting Blaine, so we can't spend too long," Kurt decided that it would be nice to have a little company and there was no point in pissing Trixie off by refusing to shop with her, especially when she was being so nice.

So Kurt helped Trixie pick out a new jacket with ease. In fact it only took fifteen minutes before Kurt directed Trixie to a jacket that she insisted was The One.

"How about we go get some coffee?" Trixie asked, after paying for her new scarf and jacket.

"I'm meeting Blaine for lunch soon but hey, you can't have too much coffee!" Kurt sighed as they both went over to a nearby Starbucks.

"So how are you doing, Kurt?" Trixie asked non-chalantly.

"I'm doing pretty well actually. I'm really enjoying the production, it's great having my best friend here and I have a fabulous boyfriend. I don't think things can get much better to be honest! I'm practically living the dream!" Kurt said with a grin.

"Oh Kurt, that's great. You have to know how sorry I am for how I treated you over the years. I never really thought much of it but I have been doing a lot of thinking and I decided that it wasn't right. I hope we can still be friends," Trixie finished with a hopeful smile.

"Of course, Trixie," Kurt confirmed, though he didn't quite meet her eyes.

"So are you and Blaine doing ok?" Trixie asked, trying to meet Kurt's gaze.

"Yeah, we're doing great! He's such a gentleman! He seems to take me out every day!" Kurt's eyes were shining as he thought of Blaine, perfect Blaine.

"I'm so glad you've found someone, Kurt. Please give me some details, I would love to share in your happiness! How did you two meet?" Trixie pushed.

Kurt sighed he would have to tell her something, but he would definitely not give her any information that he might regret later. "We met in Paris actually. It was after one of the shows and I was sitting outside. I was a little upset at the time and he saw me and came to comfort me. He was so good to me that we stayed in touch and met again in London. Blaine is Joseph in Joseph and the Technicolor Dream coat he's an amazing singer!"

Trixie nodded at each bit of information, yet inside she was getting annoyed, she needed to know how they met the first time. But she knew if she perused the issue it would only lead to suspicion, so she let it drop. There was still time. So they spent the rest of the time they had discussing fashion, musicals, almost anything really. Trixie realised she actually had quite a lot in common with Kurt. In a different time she might even have been able to call him friend.