Rachel was tired.  Traveling with the show between California and France had been exhausting.  Her character was taking a semester abroad, playing on an American girl in Paris storyline.  Finally the show was on break and all Rachel wanted to do was feel the comfort of home.  She thought her first stop should be New York for a few weeks to connect with the theater world a little, maybe sniff around for potential opportunities.  She was only contracted for another year.  The show was gaining a fan base and she did expect that they would want to negotiate a contract with her for at least another year or two but she missed the stage.  She knew it was a long shot for opportunity given the bridges she burnt, but she wouldnt be Rachel Berry if she did not make her presence known and gave it all she had.

She also missed her friends.  Most were now living scattered around the states, but she knew her best friend would always be in New York.  She couldnt image Kurt anywhere else in the world and she was glad of it because coming to NYC would forever feel like coming home.  She thanked God that she was living with Kurt during the time they lost Finn.  It meant a lot to be with someone who knew what she had lost because he knew how much Finn meant to her despite the fact they werent together.  They were supposed to be the endgame.  Even when she was with Brody, she didnt worry about the future.  She knew that it was not their time to be with each other yet, but she was certain that time would come.  After Finn passed and her world got thrown off its axis, it was Kurt that knew how she felt the most, not only because he was experiencing the loss of Finn too, but because he knew what it felt like to have a soul mate. Though he did not know what the loss felt like, no one can unless they go through it, he could understand what she had and what she lost.  Having Blaine move in and being around them before she left helped to sooth the ache she felt in her heart knowing that her best friend was living the life she should have allowed herself to live when Finn was alive.  Time with the one you love can be uncertain and you should treasure every moment when you can.  Its a bitter lesson she learned, but its one she will carry with her throughout her life. Rachel Berry was a selfish beast, but losing Finn gave her a new appreciation for seeing her loved ones happy.

Rachel uses her keys and unlocks the door of her old apartment. The minute she walks in, she feels like he floor got pulled from under her.  She is left dumbstruck by what she sees. It was Kurt, kissing someone by the dining table and that someone was not Blaine Anderson.  Rachel quickly regains her senses and drops her bags on the floor with a loud thump. Both men looked at a very enraged Rachel with surprise.

"Kurt Hummel, are you cheating on Blaine?!"  Rachel says in an admonishing and authoritative voice.  Rachel quickly realizes that the person Kurt was kissing is Elliot.

"And you, you home wrecker, how dare you?  To think I shared a stage with you!" she says with upmost distain.

"Nice to see you again too Rach," Elliot says in a calm and rational manner that only Eliot could muster in a situation like this.  He gave Kurt a smile to show he is not bothered.

"Ill let the two of you catch up. Call you later," he leans in and gives a very annoyed Kurt a quick kiss on the cheek and hears Rachel gasp in disgust.  He gives Rachel a warm smile and a departing nod as he leaves, but she doesnt bother making eye contact and keeps her face of disapproval.

Once Elliot is gone she crosses her arms across her chest and looks at Kurt.

"Kurt, how could you.  Its particularly adultery. Havent I been through enough," she says obliviously as only Rachel Berry can be of how she can always turn any situation to be about herself.

Kurt rubs his temples with his hands. "Alright, before you start to sew a scarlet letter to my Marc Jacobs sweater you should know that Blaine and I have been broken up for almost 4 months now."

Rachel grabs the arm of the chair that is next to her like she is about the faint.

"Oh, Im going to need to take a seat.  Kurt can you make me some tea please, I am feeling a little light-headed. Dont forget the lemon please." 

Kurt lets Rachel dramatically lay herself on the couch and goes to make tea for the both of them.  Maybe keeping his hands busy will keep him from using them to strangle her.

Kurt brings a cup of tea for Rachel and him to the couch. She drops her arm that she has draped over her head in true theatrical fashion and moves into a sitting position allowing him to join her. She takes a sip of the tea and puts the cup on the coffee table.  She reaches out for his hand and squeezes it.  "What happened Kurt?" she says sincerely.

Kurt almost breaks into tears from the simple gesture.  He swallows down the tears and allows himself to speak of the break up for the first time in months, despite when it comes up with his therapist.

"I fucked up Rachel, I fucked it all up," he says in a feeble voice.

The fact that Kurt was cursing was shocking enough.  Rachel tries to give him her most compassionate look to help encourage him on.

"Ok, tell me everything."

Kurt tells Rachel about the fight.  He tells her how the past few months have been before that as well.  But mostly he tells her about what haunts him the most, the look on Blaines face as he left.

"I broke him Rachel.  I saw the carefree, ever optimistic love of my life disappear in front of me.  His whole demeanor changed.  It was like where ever he was reaching for strength that night, led him past a point of no return.  He said he would never forgive me."

"Well, of course he did Kurt, you broke his heart.  You played on his insecurities and you crossed many lines."

Kurt felt his inside cringe as he once again heard a confirmation of the truth he has been plaguing himself with since Blaine left.

Rachel squeezes his hands hard.  "Kurt, look at me.  Just because he was justified with saying it, doesnt mean that he meant it.  He was angry, hurt, and probably a little ashamed as you were reminding him of his faults.  He loves you Kurt and you love him.  This is not just a relationship that you go through and learn from and move on. You and Blaine belong together."

Kurt stands up determined.  "Listen Rachel, I dont want to talk about this.  Blaine and I are over.  I hurt him beyond repair.  He is better off without me.  We were too young anyway, who finds your soul mate when you are in High School anyway?"

"I did," Rachel says in a sad nostalgic tone.

Kurt quickly is ashamed of his words and looks at her sorrowfully.

"Im so sorry Rach..."

Rachel smiles and take pity on him. She decides to change the subject.

"Listen, we can talk more about this later.  So how about you tell me about what I walked into when I came in," her eyes were wide with curiosity as she sits up and crosses her legs on the couch and gripped her cup like she was about to get ready for some juicy gossip.

"Elliot has really been there for me and has been an amazing friend since Blaine left."

"Im sure he was, but that was not a friendly kiss I walked into Kurt, spill it."

"I was getting too that Sherlock.  Elliot helped pull me out of the depression I had been in for months. I did not want to face the world after I let myself ruin the best thing that ever happen to me.  Hes the only one I let into my life since Blaine left.  Hes the only person I told about the break up.  We started hanging out more and things just kind of changed between us.  I dont know Rach, I hardly know what I am doing, but he helps me feel alive again."

Are you happy Kurt? Rachel asks honestly. She was truly in wonder if it was possible to lose what Kurt had with Blaine and find happiness.

Kurt looks away from her and fidgets uncomfortably.  She was making him confront thoughts he had been happy to put aside for weeks.  "I dont know about happy Rach, but at least I am living.  Elliot helps me do something other than mope all the time.  He has helped me feel closer to my old self again.  Weve been taking it slow.  Tame make out sessions and no labels.  Its been little over a month and we are just feeling things out.  Hes been there for me when I needed someone."

"How could you not tell me all this was going on Kurt," Rachel says in a hurt voice.

"Well, my phone was not ringing off the hook Rachel.  You kind of had been in your own Rachel Berry bubble for months."

Rachel felt some guilt.  She immersed herself in work ever since Finn and honestly she guesses it probably would not have been much different if Finn was alive.  Rachels ambition was always her main priority.

Rachel had a million things she wanted to say, but she decided to drop the subject for now.

Well I am here now.  I have a couple months off and I plan to maximize it spending time with my best friend.

"Im pretty sure I am your only friend these days," Kurt says as he rolls eyes.

"Oh, I missed that condensing, bitchy attitude that only you can endearingly dish out bestie," as Rachel wraps him in a big hug and he laughs.

"So I guess you are staying here, huh?" Kurt says as he rolls his eyes again.

"Of course I am, this is my second home.  I dont really have any home at the moment and I know I am always welcome here."

"Hmm, I suppose.  As long as you behave yourself" he says as he gives her a look of warning.

Rachel smiles, she knows she has work to do, she has to find a way to get Kurt to realize hes making a mistake. She smiles mischievously "Dont I always?"

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Two weeks have passed and Rachel has not made much progress with Kurt. They have gone to shows, shopping, and dinners out, but their conversation always remained general, despite her best efforts. Kurt was the master of changing the subject.  She had been watching Kurt very closely though.  He would seem well enough to anyone, but shes able to see that a certain light in Kurt has been dimmed.  She notices him reflecting sadly when he thinks no one is looking, with a defeated look and then he shake himself out of thought and resumes some task or the other.  He does seem to be happier when Elliot was around, but there was a certain carefree glow about him that was missing that she has only seen when he was with Blaine.

 Right now they were preparing dinner at home with Elliot and she knew she was running out of time.  She would have to shake things up a bit.

Rachel began helping Elliot set the table as Kurt finished up at the stove.

"So Elliot, what do you have going on lately with you?" she says as dishes out her first line for her opening act for the night.

"Mostly school.  I volunteer at a local community center when I can.  I like working with the Afterschool program there.  These programs really give a chance for children to explore their interests and expose them to new things, especially in the arts where the schools are limited to do."

"Thats interesting; you know who else loved kids, Blaine.  He used to like to talk about the kind of parent hed want to be when he and Kurt had their family."

"Rachel..." Kurt says annoyed with a threatening look as he brings the salad to the table. 

Elliot is clearly aware of the unspoken threat of war between the two friends and clears his throat and tries to change the subject. "So Rachel, hows does it feel to be back in NYC after all these months."

She smiles sweetly at Elliot as she responds.

"Well, its been nice coming home, but I really missed how things used to be.  Especially at home, I find change is sometimes overrated."

Kurt gets up noisy and goes to get the chicken from the stove and returns to the table.

"Oh, chicken alfredo, you know chicken alfredo was one of Blaines favorites.  Remember those Italian nights we would have Kurt. You do remember those, right Kurt?"

"Thats it! I have had about enough of you Rachel Berry," Kurt erupts as he drops the serving spoon and gives Rachel a death stare as she looks back at him with a look of innocence and shock.

"You know, I forgot to wash my hands.  Ill run into the bathroom and give you two a minute," 

Elliot says as he gets up and walks to the bathroom.

Kurt hardly notices Elliot leave, he was ready to tear into Rachel despite who was around.

"Rachel, you been mentioning Blaine at every moment you get since you been back and youve been incredibly rude to Elliot whenever you get a chance."

"I dont mean to be rude Kurt, Im just trying to get you to see that you miss Blaine" she says as she finally drops her act and speaks to him; determined to get him to face the truth.

"Whats your point Rachel, Ive moved on, its all for the best."

"Is it Kurt, is this the best?  I know that Elliot is a great guy, but are you really over Blaine?  I dont think so; you cant just get over a love like that."

Rachel leaves the table and goes over to her dresser and pulls out an envelope and hands it to Kurt.

Kurt opens the envelope; he looks at her confused "Plane tickets?"

Those are plane tickets for me and you to Ohio for Saturday.  Your classes ended this week.  Im going to visit my Dads and I think you should come with me.  You need to talk to Blaine.  Kurt, you need to face him.  You havent even spoke to him since the fight.  You two meant the world to each other and you just let him go without a word?  All I know is if I had a chance to be with Finn again nothing would stop me.  You have to fight Kurt; you need to fight for him.

Kurt stares at the tickets.  "I just cant Rach" he says honestly.

"You cant just leave things how they are Kurt; at least you need to have closure."

"I think shes right Kurt." They both turn around as Elliot enters the room; they both had forgotten he was even there.

"Sorry, but theres no point in me pretending I cant hear you two. Kurt, listen, you need to see if there is something still there between you and Blaine.  Rachel is right, you ended things abruptly and thats not the way you end things with the kind of relationship you had with Blaine.  I think you need to see if things are really over."

Rachel quietly leaves the room as Elliot walks closer to a stunned Kurt.

"Elliot, Ive moved on, weve moved on, I thought we were trying to see what we had here between us?"

"Yes, and I want to, but I know you still love Blaine and until you face him we both know this cant really be something."

Kurt felt overcome by Elliots kindness and understanding. He just steps closer to him and leans in and touches his forehead to Elliots, "You know you are too wise for your age."

Elliot smiles sweetly, he was aching to just touch his lips to Kurts and forget the whole thing, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

"I know, its a burden I have to bear."  He tilts Kurts head up and looks straight into his eyes.

"So, go Kurt, and if it is really over, then youll come back and we continue to see where this goes between us, as boyfriends."

"Thank you Elliot."  Kurt was just at a loss for words.  "Just thank you" he says as he begins to tear up.

"Well, I think maybe we can postpone dinner.  I think you have some packing to do." Elliot kisses Kurt softly and tastes the salt from Kurts tears that finally leaves his eyes.  He looks back at Kurt as he gets up to leave and hopes hes doing the right thing.

Once Elliot leaves, Rachel comes out and is not sure if she should hug Kurt or brace herself for the possible wrath he may inflict on her.

Kurt sniffs and wipes his eyes.  "Well we better start packing Rachel, if I am going to go and fight for my man; Im sure as hell going to make sure I do it in style."

Rachel gives him a big smile.  "Thats what I been waiting to hear!"