Slow Fade

Chapter 1

It started with a fever.

Oscar winning actor, singer and fashion designer Kurt Hummel had been living the dream life for years. After he was turned down at NYADA, the New York school of his dreams, he made a snap decision to attend school in Los Angeles instead. And it was by far the best decision of his life. Within a month he was filming commercials, three months he was guest starring on television shows, and in less than a year he was starring in his first leading role, a role that gained him acclaim from the critics and a growing fan base. It was his second film, however, that gave Kurt his Oscar, Golden Globe, and made Kurt Hummel a household name. Within five years his talents were high in demand and he kept busy with his own fashion line, a record deal in the making and the ability to pick and chose the roles he wanted.

As one of the biggest names in Hollywood, Kurt had discovered the price of fame the hard way. When it was discovered that he was gay, he thought his career would be over, but despite a few homophobes, Kurt felt that people supported him, that his fans would stick with him. As wonderful as it was to have people that cared about him so much, Kurt found at times he was still lonely. He was 28 years old and he had never fallen in love, and while he had great friends and a supportive family, Kurt was very lonely. Over the long years in Hollywood, Kurt Hummel had become a workaholic, a perfectionist, and at times condescending.

“Mr. Hummel, are you alright?”

Kurt sat up in bed, startled into awakening, and turned to face the intruder. “What is it?”

The young maid looked down at her hands, “I only mean to say sir that you are usually at work at this time of day.”

“What?” Kurt asked, before turning to look at his clock. He swore when he looked at the time, and grabbed his i-phone of his bedside table. It showed that he had almost a dozen missed calls and even more text messages. His director, agent, publicist, and personal assistant were all trying to get hold of him at once; it was going to be a long day.

“If you don’t mind me say Mr. Hummel, sir,” The maid said slowly. “You don’t look so well.”

Kurt looked at her in exasperation, “Get out of here.”

The woman scurried out of the room, and closed the door behind her.

Kurt took a moment to take a deep breath before standing and walking over to his vanity. As he walked, he shivered despite the climate controlled room to his specifications. As he looked in his mirror Kurt frowned, his skin was always pale, but today it looked almost sickly.  She had a point, he looked bad, but perhaps he was imagining things. He couldn’t be sick.

//////////

“Kurt, what is wrong?”

Kurt looked at his step-brother Finn Hudson and frowned, “What makes you say that?”

“You look awful dude,” Finn replied pressing his hand to Kurt’s forehead. “I think you have a fever.”

“I’m not sick, and I’m certainly not feverish,” Kurt complained.

“You should see a doctor,” Finn retorted.

“I’m not sick,” Kurt complained. “So why would I need to see a doctor?”

“I’m not just your agent Kurt,” Finn protested. “I’m also your brother and if your Dad was here he would force you to go to the doctor.”

“There is no need to worry him,” Kurt complained. “I’m fine.”

“You work yourself too hard Kurt,” Finn replied. “Go to the doctor, or I’m so calling Burt.”

“I’ll go,” Kurt muttered.

//////////

“This is Doctor Anderson speaking.”

“Hello doctor, my name is Finn Hudson and I heard that you have recently acquired all of Dr. Smith’s patients since his retirement and I was hoping you would treat my client.”

“I will transfer you to the scheduling department so they can set up an appointment.”

“No, I meant to say can you treat my patient at a…um undisclosed location.”

“I don’t usually make house calls, Mr. Hudson.”

“My client requires privacy; we will make it worth your while.”

“If Dr. Smith treated this patient than I suppose I will make an exception this time, would tomorrow at 4 do?”

“That will be fine.”

“Address?”

“Can I just pick you up from your office and bring you to my client?”

“I don’t see how that is necessary, but I will agree to your terms.”

“Thank you Doctor Anderson, you won’t regret this.”

As Dr. Blaine Anderson hung up the phone, he already regretted the call. It was becoming a popular trend for physicians to get roped into caring for impossible rich people who were too lazy to actually go to the office. Unfortunately Blaine had just left medical school two years previously so any extra income to pay the school loans was always appreciated. Hopefully all the extra effort and time would be worth it.

//////////

The following day Blaine slid into the black Lincoln with dark tinted windows to face a young man with dark hair and who wore an ill fitting suit.

“Thank you for agreeing to this doctor, I’m Finn Hudson,”

“And who is the patient?” Blaine asked, curiosity overcoming him.

“I would rather not say in the car,” Finn said nervously. “For security reasons.”

Blaine frowned, feeling uncomfortable with Finn’s anxiety. “You make me feel like you are taking me to a mob boss or something.”

Finn laughed, “No, it isn’t anything like that, but you must promise not to tell his identity to anyone.”

Blaine glanced at him irritated, “There is something called patient-doctor confidentiality and also something called the HIPAA Privacy Act. I couldn’t blab about your client if I wanted to stay a physician, and I did not go through eight years of college and 2 years of residency to lose my license for something so foolish.”

Finn gave him a dope grin, “Right.”

Ten minutes later they entered a private gate and pulled up to a stunning Hollywood Hills mansion, confirming his suspicion that Finn’s client was rich.

“Who is this?” asked a man stepping down from the massive wraparound porch, he had straight hair, mustache and was a little on the heavy side. He looked at Finn expectantly.

“The new doctor,” Finn answered and he led Blaine through the house which was as tastefully decorated inside as it was on the outside. He led him down one hallway after another and finally stopped before a closed door and knocked.

“Come in,” said a soft voice from within.

Finn opened the door exposing an office and a man. The man was dressed exquisitely with tailored pants, and a designer shirt and tie. He had styled brown hair and startling blue eyes.

“Doctor Anderson, I would like you to meet Kurt Hummel.”