December 15

omgomgomgomgomgomgogmogmogmogmnotgoodnotgoodnotgood

What, what happened?!

I got Kurt to come home last night.  He wasn’t really that talkative though.

And just now I woke up to a note on the table

RACHEL

What does it say?!

[5 minutes later]

I was crying.  It says he’s going home for Christmas

What?!  No.  Nonononononono, he can’t do that.  When is he leaving?

I don’t know!  He isn’t answering me now.  I don’t know what time he left.  I don’t know....

Oh my god.

[5 minutes later]

Rachle, waht do I do?

go to the freaking airport

catch him

i’m getting in a taxi now

Come get me

kay

Blaine grabs his coat and his wallet, shoving his keys in his pocket and hurtling himself down the stairs to the street to wait for Rachel.  On his phone he searches for multiple listings for flights out of New York City.  At 4:30am, Blaine knows that Kurt’s flight is at 6am.  He squeezes his eyes shut and looks for a cab slowing down.

Rachel berates her cab driver the entire short distance to Blaine’s building about how they need to be quick.  When they stop outside his building, she waves frantically out the window.

“Blaine!  Come on, Blaine!  Get in!”

Blaine runs to the cab, fumbling with the door handle, and finally getting inside.  

“LaGuardia!  Go! Go!”

He turns to Rachel.

“He’s got to be on a 6 am flight.  I know he wouldn’t be going out of Newark.  Even if he’s upset, he’d never set foot there.  There’s a whole slew of 6am flights out of LaGuardia and only like two from JFK.  He didn’t leave you any flight information?”

“No... what if we’re wrong.  What if he’s at JFK?  I can’t believe him.  I feel so sick right now...”

“Rachel, if I have to I will fly to Ohio.”

“I know you will.  He’s being irrational about this whole thing.”

“I love him, you know.”

“I know.  He’s my best friend, too.”

Blaine turns completely toward Rachel, looking at her for about three seconds before engulfing her in a huge hug.

Rachel squeaks when Blaine hugs her and clings to him, crying.

Blaine clings to Rachel as well, crying into her shoulder.  It’s about ten minutes worth of a huge and Blaine glances up and out the window, noticing that they’re pulling up to the airport.

“Oh my god, Rachel, we’re here.”

“I am going to murder him when we find him...”

Rachel hands some bills up to the driver and bolts out of the cab, not waiting for Blaine as she heads inside.

Blaine scrambles out of the cab and races after Rachel, catching up with her quickly.  He opens the door for her, and follows her inside, glancing up at the signs.  The airlines are spread out across the entire airport, and Blaine starts to panic.

“There have got to be at least a hundred gates here.  Rachel, what are we going to do?  Even the board has ten flights for 6am departures, and they’re spread out over like, a mile of concourses.”

He may have just asked Rachel a question, but as he’s waiting for his answer, he glances to the security desk, where they’re making an announcement over the loudspeaker.

Rachel ignores Blaine and marches up to the security desk.

“Hello, we’ve lost track of our friend. Would you be able to page him for us?  We’re quite frantic, you see.  Kurt Hummel is his name.”

The officer at the security desk nods with a bit of a smile and picks up the receiver end of the pager.  Blaine sees all of this happening in slow motion.  The clock behind the officer says 5:26am.  He watches the officer pull the receiver to his mouth, and before he knows what he’s doing, Blaine reaches out, over the counter, and grabs the thing from the poor man, pulling it toward himself.  He can hear that the intercom is on, because the noise from holding the phone is echoing across the nearly empty airport.  He swallows.

“Before you met me, I was alright

But things were kind of 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, we'll be young forever

You make me feel like I'm living 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...”

It takes a minute, while Blaine is singing, the tears evident in his voice, but the security office manages to wrestle the receiver away from Blaine, and slam it back down on the base before telling them to get out or be arrested.

“I’m so, so sorry, it’s just... Kurt’s the father of my baby, and we really need to find him, please, just page him, please!”

Rachel breaks down into stage tears, staring pleadingly at the security officer.

Blaine is just about incoherent from singing like that, and the security officer is looking at him when Rachel starts pleading.  He purses his lips and makes the page over the intercom.

“Will a Mr. Kurt Hummel, please pick up the white courtesy phone?  If you’re in the airport, Mr. Kurt Hummel, please pick up the white courtesy phone.”

He hangs up the phone and points Rachel to a line of phones.

“Th-thank you s-so much...”

Rachel grabs Blaine’s hand and drags him over to the phones.

Standing in line, Kurt hears static over the intercom, followed by a very familiar voice.  He chokes back a sob and clutches his boarding pass, finally reaching the front of the line and showing his ID to the attendant when the page comes over the intercom.  The attendant looks at his ID, clearly showing his name to be Kurt Hummel, and back at him.

“Sir, the phone is right over there.”

“No.  I know who it is.  They’re trying to get me to stay.  But I need to go.  Thank you.”

Kurt continues walking until he reaches his seat on the plane, sitting and staring at the back of the seat in front of him.

The security officer walks up behind Rachel and Blaine.

“I just got a call from one of the gates.  Apparently a Mr Kurt Hummel passed through a few moments before the page.  I’m sorry, by now it’s too late.”

Blaine listens to the security officer while he stares out the window at the runways.  He can’t see in any of the windows on any of the planes, but he stands there, with his hands on the glass, straining to try to see if Kurt is on any of them.  He says nothing in response.

“He’s gone.  He’s actually gone.  Oh my gosh...”

Rachel breaks down in hysterical sobs, leaning against the window with her shoulders heaving.

Blaine remains there, staring out at the planes, one of which is backing out of it’s gate.

“I’m getting a ticket.”

Rachel stares at him.

“Blaine-”

“What!”

“I don’t know, maybe he needs this?”

“You just want me to let him go?  You think I’m going to sit here and let him think that I’m still in love with Eli?  Rachel, I can’t let him think that.  I can’t let him go.  He’s my everything.”

“Yeah, but... maybe some time alone will help him realize that.  He’s already made it clear that he doesn’t want to talk right now.”

Blaine’s eyes take on a pained look, and he tries to stare out at the runways, but the tears roll down his face, and he squeezes his eyes shut.  He shakes his head.

“...I can’t...”

“You can’t what?”

“...I can’t ...let him go...”

“I’m coming with you, then.”

“Are you sure you should be flying?”

“I’ll be fine.  I want to see Kurt just as much as you do.”

“Okay, let’s get tickets.”

“Okay.”

As his plane takes off, Kurt, who has a window seat, tries to ignore his loudly snoring seatmate and instead stares out the window, imagining that Blaine and Rachel are watching.  However, he’s made his decision.  He is going home for Christmas.

I need you to do me a huge favour.

Rachel, it’s 6:30 in the morning...

I know, but I need you to do something for me

What?

Come to the airport in Dayton.  Just before noon.

Why...?

Because I’m surprising my dads and coming home for Christmas

Oh.  Okay.  What time does your flight get in?

11:50

Okay, wow.  I’ll be there

I’ll have a friend with me.  We don’t have too much luggage

Oh.  Well, see you then

Thank you so much, Finn <3

No problem.  Hey, what about Kurt?  Is he coming?

We’ll talk when I get there

O...kay...?

Thank you Finn~

I’m really confused

Just show up at the airport at 11:50 and I’ll explain

Alright...

Kurt, please answer me.

I know you can’t right now.

But I need you to know that I love you.

“Rachel, I want to take the 8am flight.”

“Blaine, it is 6:40am.  I am in yoga pants, a t-shirt and a coat.  I want to get clothes.  I checked online and there’s a 9:40 out of JFK that gets us in at the EXACT same time.”

“I don’t need clothing.”

“I.  Do.”

“Fine.  But you have ten minutes at your place.  I’m dropping you off, holding the cab at my place and grabbing two things, and then I’ll be back at yours to get you and we’re going.  I will NOT miss him.  I will NOT let him go.”

“Oh my gosh, Blaine, you’re so irritable!  Fine.  Let’s go.  Don’t want to miss our flight that’s in THREE HOURS.”

“We’re already pushing it.  Security is insane.  What if they want to search all of your crap?  Oh, and don’t forget that we haven’t bought the tickets yet.  Ten minutes.”

Blaine drags Rachel outside and flags down a cab.

“Let me remind you, since you don’t seem to remember, I’m pregnant.  Even if I’m not showing.  I’m sick and tired and you’re being unreasonable.”

“I’m sorry... I just, I can’t lose him.  He is my missing puzzle piece.  I’ve never been the type to chase someone through the airport like that, but he’s worth it.  He’s worth everything.  I’m not trying to be a jerk, and I’m sorry for forgetting ...the thing...”

“I’m sorry too, Blaine.  Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Kurt means so much to you because he’s my best friend and one of the only people who understands me.  Not even Brody understands me as much as Kurt does.  Some people joked that if Kurt wasn’t gay, he and I would be married by now.  I’m just so worried...”

“Married, eh?  No, I’m going to do that.  Well, I guess, I hope I am.  Someday.  If he even talks to me.  I’m so afraid that I’m going to show up, and he’s going to ignore me, and I’m going to waste all of this time and money and love on him.  Freaking Eli.”

“You really do love him.  Kurt, I mean.”

Blaine nods into his hands, trying not to cry for the five hundredth time today.

“Don’t cry, you’re going to make me cry.”

Glancing up, he tries to breathe so that Rachel doesn’t cry.  He looks up at the ceiling of the cab and exhales.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay.  We’ll find him.  I know we will.”

“Y-you know where he lives, right?  And where he’d hang out?”

“Of course I do!”

Rachel looks a bit indignant.

“Just checking.  I’ve only been to Lima like, twice.”

“We live fairly close to each other, actually.  The guy who’s picking us up, Finn, that’s Kurt’s step-brother... and my ex boyfriend.”

“That gonna be a little weird?”

“Not at all.  We agreed to be friends a long time ago.  And he’s always been there for Kurt.”

“Seems like a nice guy.  You said his name is Finn?”

“Yeah.  Finn.  Finn Hudson.  My high school sweetheart.”

“Was he in glee club too?”

“We were co-captains.”

“That’s cool.  I can’t wait to meet him.  But, right now, you need to get out of the cab and pack your stuff.  I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay.  I’ll try to finish in ten minutes.”

Rachel raises an eyebrow and gets out of the cab, running up to the apartment and grabbing a few outfits.  Some of her clothes are still at home, so she doesn’t worry too much about how long she’s going to be in Lima.  When she finishes packing a small black suitcase with clothes and other essentials, she goes back downstairs and waits for Blaine.  Checking her phone for time, she smirks.  Five minutes.

The cab has Blaine the few blocks home quickly, and he has the driver wait while he bolts upstairs, grabbing random clothing and shoving it into his messenger bag, which he dumps all of his school things out of to make space.  He grabs all of his stuff from the bathroom, but forgets his gel.  He’s downstairs in two and a half minutes and back in the cab on the way to Rachel’s.  When the cab stops, Blaine sees Rachel already waiting and smiles, rolling the window down and waving her over.

“Nice job, Rach, come on.”

Rachel grins and get in the cab again.

“I’ve been waiting for minutes.  What took you so long?”

“Very funny.  It’s been twelve minutes, and only because of traffic.”

“Yeah, well I was out here seven minutes ago.”

“I’m surprised.  Girls usually take longer.  I’d say if that would have been Kurt, he’d still be up there.”

“He would be still up there.  I have clothes at home, though.  I just wanted to grab some extra stuff.  And if you notice, I didn’t change.”

“I’m proud of you.  And also really thankful and appreciative, because you love Kurt too, and you understand what I need to do here.”

“Of course.  Kurt is my best friend, I need to make sure he’s okay.  And I’m so glad that you love him too because he really needs that.”

“Maybe.  Right now, it doesn’t feel like he needs it.”

“He’s just really confused.  I think.  He’s really emotional.”

“I don’t know what he thought it was.  I’ve never done anything like that to anyone... and I definitely didn’t want to do it to Kurt.”

“I don’t know what he thought it was either.”

Blaine is quiet for a while, checking his phone for flight statuses into Dayton.  They’re all on time, and all still in the air.

“Do you think he’s going to forgive me?”

“I’m sure he will.  Once he has a chance to cool off.”

Blaine lets out a sigh and looks out the window for a little while.

When they arrive at JFK, Rachel nudges Blaine.

“We’re here.”

“Oh.  Sorry.  Spacing.”

Blaine gets out of the cab and holds the door for Rachel.  He seems a lot less nervously excited than before, and a lot more distracted.

“Is everything okay?”

Rachel steps gingerly out of the cab, starting to feel the effects of the lack of sleep she’s had that night.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Blaine heads into the airport, walking instead of running this time.  The lines aren’t too bad, and he motions to Rachel to follow him toward the Delta desk.

Rachel follows Blaine.  When they get to the counter, Rachel takes charge.

“Two tickets on the 9:40 flight to Dayton, please?”

“Paying separately, please.”

Once they have their tickets, Rachel takes Blaine’s hand and walks with him towards security.

“I never thought I’d be going home for the holidays.  But my dads will be so happy to see me.”

Blaine squeezes Rachel’s hand.

“It’s nice that you have family like that.  Mine is kind of... lackluster when it comes to family events.”

“That sucks.  My dads love me since I’m their only child and all.”

“I have an older brother.  He lives out in California though, and he hardly ever comes home.  My parents are very... business-minded.  Strict.  Straight-edge.  Anything out of the norm throws them off.  Like me.”

Blaine lets out a fake laugh.

“That really sucks.  I can’t imagine having parents like that.  Kurt’s dad... he’s incredible.”

“You guys are really lucky.”

”Yeah, we are.  Sorry to be talking about it so much.”

“No, it’s okay.  I’m not going to Ohio to see my parents.  I’m going to get Kurt.”

“You have a point.  You know, I’m sure my dads won’t mind you staying with us as long as we’re in Lima...”

“I can’t do that to you guys.  I can get a hotel room.  It’s not a big deal.”

“Blaine Anderson, you are NOT paying for a hotel room when we have a perfectly usable guest room at home.”

“I... I don’t know.  It’s such an inconvenience for you.”

“It’s not an inconvenience.  The only thing is that we don’t celebrate Christmas.”

“I- Jewish?”

“Yup.”

“Tonight is the last night of Hanukkah.  Your dads are going to be so happy.”

“Yeah.  I haven’t been home during Hanukkah in a couple of years.  It’s going to be nice.”

“I’ll stay out of your way.  Maybe go do a little Christmas shopping.”

“Promise you won’t do anything stupid if we see Kurt and he doesn’t want to talk?”

Blaine is quiet for a little bit.

“What constitutes stupid?”

“Don’t pester him.  Give him space.”

“Can you be my voice of reason?”

“Um, sure.  I’ll try.”

“Because I can’t guarantee I won’t go running after him if I see him.  He hasn’t answered any of my texts and he pushed my call to voicemail last night.”

“I understand, Blaine.  He hasn’t really answered me, either.”

Blaine is next up to go through security, and he takes off his shoes, putting them in the bin along with his wallet, cellphone, and an origami snowflake that somehow turns up in his pocket. Somehow.  He tosses his bag onto the belt and walks through to the short line of people waiting to go through the metal detector.

Rachel follows suit, making sure she has no metal on her at all and moving to stand behind Blaine in line, glancing up at the clock.

Blaine goes through the archway, getting a wave to come through, and is directed to the bins of stuff coming through the x-ray machine.  He finds his shoes and puts them on, pocketing all of his things again, and throwing his bag over his shoulder, he turns to look at Rachel.

“Okay, I need some Starbucks.”

Once Rachel has all of her things, she smiles at Blaine.

“So do I.  I’m exhausted.  I didn’t get home until 2, and then I woke up at 4.  And we’ve been sorta on the go since then.”

“Yeah.  I got maybe an hour of sleep, sitting on the floor, leaning against the door to my apartment.  Coffee time.  You... uh, can you have caffeine?”

“Ouch.  And no.  I don’t drink coffee, anyway.  I’ll get something else.”

“Okay, well there’s a Starbucks right there.”

Blaine walks up to the counter and smiles at the barista.

“Grande medium, please.”

“And a grande white hot chocolate.”

Blaine doesn’t bat an eyelash at paying for Rachel’s drink.  When the barista hands him his coffee, he nods a thank you and takes a tiny sip, effectively burning his tongue.

Rachel breathes in the smell of her hot chocolate and sighs.  As she’s taking a sip, though, she squeaks and burns her own tongue.

“Ohmigosh text.”

She pulls out her phone and squeaks again, showing Blaine.

Rachel.  Calm down.  I’m in Washington right now.  My next flight leaves at 8:20.  I’m actually sitting on the plane right now.  Don’t come to Lima, please, and don’t let Blaine come either.

Blaine stares at the text on Rachel’s phone, his facial expression changing as he reads the last sentence.  He leans away from the phone, and looks to the side in silence.

“I’m so sorry, Blaine.”

“What am I supposed to do?  Just let him... go?  Just let him walk away thinking that I still love Eli?  Is that what he wants to believe?  Rachel.  I have to go.”

“You’re supposed to chase after him, like all the romcoms you’ve ever watched, and let him know how much you love him.  And you know what?  The fact that he mentioned you... he cares about you still.”

“Really?”

“Really.  I know my Kurtie.”

“Thanks for being my voice of reason, Rach.”

“Anytime, Blainey.”

Blaine smiles at Rachel and sips his coffee again, burning his tongue yet again.

“Ahh.  Hot.  Okay, let’s go find our gate.”

“Alright.  You know, despite everything, this is actually kind of fun.  The two of us, banding together to fix something.”

“It is fun.  And I’m glad that we are friends.  I think I’d be a mess if it weren’t for you.”

“Yeah.  You probably would be... oh god.  Where’s the bathroom?”

Blaine’s eyes go wide and he looks around, spotting a ladies room just past Starbucks.  He points at it.

“There!”

Rachel dashes towards the ladies room, leaving her bag with Blaine.

Blaine frowns, picking up Rachel’s suitcase in his free hand and heading in the same direction.  He’s not entirely sure what’s going on, but he has a feeling it’s because of her... thing.  Waiting patiently outside, he hopes that the flight isn’t going to get to her too.

After a few minutes, Rachel comes out, biting her lip.

“Morning sickness sucks.”

“Aww, Rach, I’m so sorry.  Are you sure you’re going to be okay to fly?”

“I’m sure, I’ll just mention it to the flight attendant or something.”

“Okay.  Speaking of flying, we should probably get to the gate.”

“Yeah, let’s go.  Oh, how am I going to explain this to my dads?”

“Maybe tell them later... You know, not right away.  Have you even said anything to Brody yet?”

“N-no... I haven’t even seen him.”

“...Are you guys still together?”

“We are, he’s just been busy.”

“Rachel, you should tell him.  As soon as we get back.  And I’ll be there for you, no matter what happens, just like you’re doing for me right now.  Oh, here’s the gate.  They’re boarding already.”

“Alright... oh, wow.  I guess, let’s get in line.  Oh... no.  I’m fine.”

Blaine watches Rachel for a second and then sets her suitcase upright and puts his arm around her, hoping that, even if it’s just for a second, she’ll feel okay.

Rachel leans into Blaine, trying to keep her eyes open.

An elderly woman in line behind them pats Blaine on the shoulder.  

“You’re such a wonderful boyfriend, so adorable.  I hope she knows it.  You’re a keeper.”

Rachel glances back at the woman and tries to smile.

“Not my boyfriend.  But he is an incredibly boyfriend for my best friend.  And an incredible friend.”

Blaine blushes at the old woman.

“Well, then, she’s a lucky girl.  And you’re a lucky friend.”

Rachel nods and puts her arm around Blaine’s waist, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“I don’t know how long I’ll last when we get on the plane, to be honest.”

“You can sleep, it’s fine.  I’m going to try.”

“Alright.  Oh, one sec, text.”

Morning, Rach.

Seb, hi.  I can’t meet you for coffee tomorrow

Why not?

Going home for the holidays.  Last minute decision

Oh...

Sorry.  You okay?

Yeah, I’ll be fine.

I’m just getting on the plane now, so talk you you later?

Yeah.  Happy Holidays

You too <3

The line moves forward and Blaine picks up Rachel’s suitcase again, carrying it up to the attendant who’s accepting boarding passes, where he shows his and steps just past to wait for Rachel to show hers.  Once she’s through, he heads into the freezing cold tunnel that leads to the plane.

Rachel follows after Blaine, her movements getting sluggish.  Once they reach their seats on the plane, she hesitates, gesturing for Blaine to take the window seat.

Blaine lifts Rachel’s suitcase up into the overhead storage bin, and shoves his own messenger bag into it as well, then sliding into the window seat and attempting to get comfortable.

Rachel collapses into the seat next to Blaine.  She struggles to keep herself awake long enough to flag down a flight attendant.

“Um, I’m, um... pregnant... and I, um... I might get sick...”

“Just let us know if you need anything, dear.”

“Th-thanks...”

She glances over at Blaine and leans back, closing her eyes.

Blaine turns off his phone, and slides it into his pocket, though it isn’t like he’s going to get any calls anyway.  He puts on his seatbelt and leans his head on the side of the plane, and is asleep before they even take off.  He wakes to a bouncing feeling, and his ears popping, and he glances to Rachel.

Rachel sleeps throughout the entire flight, and doesn’t even wake up until it’s time for them to get off the plane.

“We’re early.  I hope Finn got here early too...”

“I’m still ridiculously tired.  And for some reason, I feel like I’m not going to get much sleep again tonight. …I uh.. have a tendency not to sleep when I’m really upset.”

“I feel like there are weights holding my eyelids down.  Let’s go, we can doze off during the drive home.  Have you thought about where you’d like to stay?”

“I didn’t think I was given an option.”

Blaine follows Rachel out of their row and gets their bags down from the overhead.  He slings his own over his shoulder and carries Rachel’s.

“You have the option.  I was just strongly pushing for my choice.  Thanks for carrying my bag, by the way.”

“What? Oh.  Sure.  I didn’t really even think about the bag thing.  But, I suppose I can stay at your place.  I mean, I’m fine with staying in a hotel.”

“But my place is free.”

“What if I need to leave in the middle of the night or something?”

“We’re super relaxed at home.”

“I’ll stay with you then.  I mean, if you think they’ll be alright with it.”

“My dads love meeting new friends of mine.  So long as they aren’t... well... I don’t think they’d want to meet Brody right now.”

“Oooh, yeah, you’ve got a point there.  I wouldn’t want to be around for that one.  Alright.  Where’s this Finn guy?”

Rachel scans the crowd of people and smiles when she sees Finn.

“Finn!  Hi!”

She runs towards the man in question, hugging him tightly.

“Uh, hi Rachel... is that your friend?”

Blaine smiles at the guy Rachel is running toward, and follows a bit slower, in that he’s carrying the suitcase and he also doesn’t know Finn.  By the time he gets there, Rachel is letting go of the other man.  He sets down Rachel’s suitcase and holds his hand out for a shake.

“Hi.  I’m Blaine.”

“Hey, dude.  I’m Finn.  You aren’t... Kurt’s Blaine, are you?”

“Guilty.”

“So, uh, Finn, you haven’t heard from Kurt lately, have you?”
“No, but Burt was acting real weird this morning.”

“Burt?”

“Ku-”

“Kurt’s dad.”

“My step-dad.”

“Oh.  Oh!  Okay.  He-he’s acting weird?  Meaning... he knows Kurt’s coming home, and probably the reason why.  Rachel, am I going to get shot at?”

“Wait, Kurt’s home?  Come to think of it, Burt’s been out all morning, too.  Since like 8.  What’s going on?”

“Uh... Rachel?”

“What?”

“Basically, Kurt and I were on our way back to my apartment, and I went up before he did, and my ex was there, and he kissed me.  And Kurt saw it.”

“Yeah.  What Blaine said.”

“Wow.  That’s rough, dude.”

“So, Rachel texted me at four this morning and we chased him to the airport and had him paged, but he didn’t answer.  So we got plane tickets and here we are.”

“We just missed him at the airport, too...”

“Wow.  So, uh, where do you want me to take you guys, then?”

“I-I guess... Rachel’s house.”

“Rach?”

“Yeah.  My house.  I’ll surprise my dads.”

“Finn, it’s really cool of you to come get us like this, so last minute and everything.  We really appreciate it.”

“No problem, dude, anything for Rachel... and her friends.”

“Also... could you please not tell Kurt that I’m here...”

“Me neither.  Finn, Kurt can’t know we’re here.”

“Uh... okay?”

“We just haven’t gotten our game plan together yet.  I can’t just go find him and expect everything to be okay.”

“Okay.  I guess we’ll go now, then?”

“Yes, let’s.  I need a shower... oh god.  Blaine, do you see the ladies’ room?”

Blaine looks around frantically for the restroom signs, spotting them down past a McDonalds.

“There, Rach.”

“Rach, what’s wrong?”

Rachel shoots a desperate look at Blaine, leaving her bag with him and dashing off towards the restroom.

“Blaine, is she okay?”

“Yeah, she just had um, some bad fast food this morning.  She was hungry.  Luckily I didn’t think I could eat.”

“Oh.  Okay.  Dude, I’ve heard a bit about you.  You seem really cool.”

Finn awkwardly gestures.

“Oh, thanks.  I... guess I’m kind of cool.  I’m a music composition major at NYU.  And I like singing.  What do you do?”

“I coach the glee club at my old high school.  It’s pretty cool.  But music composition?  Cool stuff, dude.”

“You coach the glee club?  McKinley’s glee club?  That’s awesome.  I’d love to come to a rehearsal or something.”

“Yeah.  You could, if you wanted.  I heard you were in the Warblers?  And you were pretty good?  Maybe you could offer my students some advice.”

“Well, Rachel raves about the way I sing, I don’t know if that means anything.  But, yes, I was a Warbler.  Captain for three years, actually.  While Kurt was there, ironically.  I’d love to come offer your students advice.  And maybe sing too.”

Finn is about to answer when Rachel comes back, pale-faced.  She shoots a curious look at Finn.

“I thought you hated fast food.”

“Uh... yeah.  But I didn’t have time to find anything else.  So... yeah.”

Rachel glances at Blaine.

“Yeah, I’m so glad I opted out of that crappy fast food.  I tried to warn you.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.  Let’s go.  Like I was saying, I need a shower, stat.”

“Yeah, I don’t know if I’ll make it to the shower.  I’m so tired.”

“Okay, then, let’s go.”

“You’re the best, Finn!”

The three walk out to Finn’s car where Finn gets in the driver’s seat.

“I’m sitting in the back in case I fall asleep.”

“O-Okay.  I was going to do that.  But I’ll sit in the front.  Are you sure that you don’t want the front seat?  I mean... you’re … not feeling well...”

“Guys, I understand if you both fall asleep.  Sounds like you’ve had a rough morning.”

“Thanks, Finn.  For understanding.  You’re pretty cool.”

Blaine takes his bag and Rachel’s suitcase and puts them in the back seat that Rachel isn’t trying to get into, and then sits in the front seat, buckling his seatbelt and resting his head back on the headrest.

Rachel climbs into the backseat and leans back, closing her eyes for a moment before leaning forward.

“Thanks so much, Finn.  I really appreciate this.”

“Hey, no problem, Rach.  Anything for you, remember?”

Blaine smirks at Finn’s comment as he closes his eyes.  Sleeping in the car is always easy for him anyway, but today it’s even easier.  He tries not to actually drift off, but his mind is wandering to the scene of the crime, his apartment the night before.

“Yeah.  You were always a sweetheart.”

“I’ve missed you, Rach.”

“Finn, not now while I’m dead tired and emotional.”

Suddenly, Eli is in front of him, only he’s watching it from somewhere else inside the apartment.  

“...Eli...”

Rachel snaps to attention, staring at Blaine.  Finn glances to the side, but isn’t as affected as Rachel.

The scene continues in Blaine’s head, only this time, he can see Kurt standing there in the doorway.  His dream self tries to run after his boyfriend, but can’t get past the apartment door.  As he sleeps in the front seat of the car, tears fall down his face.

“...No... no.. Kurt...”

“Blaine?”
Rachel tries to watch Blaine, but her eyelids get heavier and heavier until she slumps back against the back of her seat, asleep.

Blaine remains stuck in his dream, forever watching Kurt run down the hallways outside of his apartment, until Finn hits a pothole and he jumps awake.  He realizes that there are tears on his face, and wipes at them nonchalantly, adjusting himself in the seat and clearing his throat.  He looks out the window.

“Dude, you okay?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Rach drifted off a while ago.  But we’re almost home.”

“Good.  That’s good.  I mean, just cause we’re so tired.”

“Yeah, I got that.  Is she okay?  I mean, she’s been acting a bit... off.”

“...I mean, yeah, she’s okay.  She just.. had  that fast food.”

“Right.  It’s weird, though.  I don’t know what vegan fast food could make her that sick.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure what she had.  I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Oh.  Okay.  I still care about her, you know?  I just want to make sure she’s okay.”

“She will be okay.  I mean, aside from throwing up all morning, she’s been alright.”

“What are you two talking about?”

“Finn was just concerned about whatever you ate at that place this morning.”

“Oh.  I haven’t been throwing up all morning, though.  Just twice.  Right.  You’re exaggerating, Blaine.”

Rachel’s tone is careful, warning Blaine.

“I’m sorry, I’m just thinking about... I wasn’t... I didn’t mean to exaggerate.”

“It’s okay, Blaine.  Just... let’s relax.  Let’s not talk about how I ate bad fast food.”

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay, Rach.”

“I’m fine, Finn.”

Blaine doesn’t say anything and looks out the window again.

Rachel leans back in her seat again while Finn continues driving, both falling silent.

“Well, this is awkward.”

“Very much so.”

“Is it much further?”

“This is my street, actually.”

“Awesome.”

“Yeah.”

“Are you sure I shouldn’t get a hotel?”

“Positive.”

As Finn pulls into the Berry’s driveway, Rachel’s face falls.

“They’re not home...”

“I’m sorry, Rach.”

“We keep a spare key under the doormat, though.  This will be better!  I can surprise them!  I can cook dinner for-”

“Don’t cook dinner, Rach.”

“Ooh, Rach, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Rachel glares at the backs of their seats and gets out of the car once Finn stops.  She goes to the door and triumphantly pulls a key out from underneath the doormat.

“Aren’t you coming?”

Blaine watches Rachel head around the car and to the house.

“Kurt says she’s an awful cook.”

“The worst.  Don’t tell her I said that.”

“I won’t.”

Opening the door, Blaine gets out of the car, grabs the bags from the back seat, and pushes the doors shut, heading up to the house.

Later that afternoon, after a nice shower, nap, and surprising her dads, Rachel knocks on the door to the guest room.

“Blaine?”

Feeling slightly better after a shower, Blaine reclines on the guest bed, staring at the wall until Rachel's knock rings out. He gets up and answers the door.

"Hey."

“How are you feeling?”

"Like crap. You?"

“Sore, tired, and I was just sick again.  My dads are home now, by the way.”

"Oh! I should say hi, shouldn't I?"

“If you want.  I was going to suggest going over a game plan.  I don’t think we should look for him tonight.”

"I can say hi later. What were you thinking?"

“Tomorrow afternoon, I could drive us around to all of Kurt’s favourite places.  My dads agreed to let me use the car.”

"Okay. I think I should try and talk to him again."

“What do you mean when you say talk to him.  And when were you thinking about doing that?”

"I mean call him. Text him. I miss him."

“Again I say.  When?”

"I don't know... now?"

“That’s not a very good idea, I think...”

"Maybe you're right. Hey, I actually feel tired. Mind if I take a nap?"

“Alright.  And don’t you dare try to contact him.  We don’t need this blowing up any more than it is.”

Rachel walks back to her room and lies down herself.

Blaine closes the door and locks it, heading to the bed and sitting on the edge and pulling out his phone. He doesn't even consider what Rachel says.

Kurt?

[silence]

Kurt, please talk to me.

I don’t want to talk to you

It isn't what you think.

I don’t need your explanation

I didn't know he was there.

I haven't talked to him.

Kurt, I swear.

Blaine, stop.

I’m home for Christmas.  Maybe we’ll talk when I get back.

I'm in Lima. (unsent)

I love you. Only you.

You have a weird way of showing it

It isn't like that. I didn't know he was here. I swear I haven't talked to him. Kurt what have I ever done to make you not trust me?

I don’t want to talk right now

Just give me a chance.

No.

So, what then, did I fly here for nothing? (unsent)

Kurt don't do this.

I’m hurt

So am I.

Please stop

I'm sorry.

So am I.  But I can’t.  After Christmas.

I love you.

[ten minutes later]

Not now

Blaine put his phone down on the nightstand and looks at the floor for a moment.  The emotion is getting to him and he stands, frustrated, trying not to destroy Rachel's dads' guest room.  He grabs his peacoat and wraps his scarf around his neck, buttons the coat and slips his hands into his gloves, all while heading through the house and right out the door, leaving his phone behind and not saying hello or goodbye to anyone.

Sitting in Burt’s car on the way out for dinner, Kurt watches out the window.  He sees a familiar figure walking down the street, but can’t immediately place them.  He watches curiously as they get closer.

Blaine watches the sidewalk as he walks, most of his face buried in the collar of his coat.  The tears are threatening to fall, but he's not too keen on people in this town seeing him cry.  He's about to pass a mailbox when he stops suddenly and pulls his already clenched fist from his pocket, then throwing a punch to the side of the mailbox.

Kurt raises an eyebrow as the person he’s watching punches a mailbox and continues staring out the window even as they drive past the person.

Blaine brings his hands to his face for a second before he keeps walking.

Kurt turns away from the window, talking to his father, trying to forget that the person he saw reminded him of Blaine.

Blaine walks through the neighborhood until he comes to a traffic light, where he promptly turns around and goes back the way he came.  He passes the mailbox again, kicking it this time.

Blaine, where are you?

[silence]

BLAINE ANDERSON

[silence]

Blaine Anderson

Whenever you get back

from wherever it is you are

you

are going

to be

in so much trouble

I heard

your phone ringing

in your room

but you’re no where in the house

you

are

in

trouble

if you went

to try and find Kurt

I

will

not

be

happy

DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME

WHEN YOU GET BACK
YOU HAD BETTER

FEAR THE WRATH
OF

RACHEL
BARBRA
BERRY

Still upset, and with a sore hand and foot, Blaine starts up the walkway to Rachel's house.

Sitting at the window, Rachel sees Blaine and frowns, going to the door with her hands on her hips, Blaine’s phone tucked in one hand.

Blaine steps up on the porch, still looking at the ground.  He glances up to see Rachel, and spins on his heel, right back down the walkway.

“Oh, no you don’t.  Get back here.  Now!”

Rachel follows Blaine down the walkway, glaring at him.

"I don't really want to."

“Well you’re going to.  And you’re going to explain where you were and what you were doing.”

"I was walking.  And beating up a mailbox."

“What else.  You didn’t try to find Kurt, did you?”

"Nothing else.  No! I didn’t try to find Kurt!  He made it absolutely clear that he doesn't want to even talk to me until he's back in New York!  Okay?!"

“I even know how you know that.”

Rachel dangles Blaine’s phone in front of him.

"What is this?  Everyone hate Blaine day?"

Blaine reaches out to try and take his phone back

Rachel snatches the phone out of his reach and fiddles with it for a moment.

“Kurt, talk to me.  It isn’t what you think.  I love you, only you.  Kurt, don’t do this.  I love you.  That doesn’t sound like NOT CONTACTING HIM!”

"I think I should go stay in a hotel."

“Fine.  You can go get your stuff.  Here’s your phone.  Enjoy the message I left you.”

Blaine takes his phone from Rachel and passes her, heading into the house and toward the guest room.

Rachel stalks back to her bedroom.

Blaine gathers his things, shoves them into his messenger bag and stalks out of the house, thankfully missing Rachel’s dads on the way out.  He walks back down the same street as earlier, to the traffic light and finds the closest hotel, checking in for the night.