Yes/No/Maybe - is all I need to hear from you.  If things go crazy, shes lost herself and lost to you.  Now that nothing's spoken, shes out there on the ice again - Shes breaking down slowly, colliding as she holds your hand.

Out there on the Ice – Cut Copy

These time jumps were starting to freak Blaine out.  One minute he was somewhere, doing something, and the next he was somewhere completely different, wearing something different, doing something different.  It was really disconcerting.  It was as if his mind was a light bulb being switched on and off by a remote he had no access to.  The weirdest part was that, although initially hed have no idea what had happened in the interim time between consciousness, after his initial disorientation cleared he would remember the missing pieces.  It was as if hed been told what happened and the information had become memory - like a story.  He had no actual sense of having experienced the events but knew what had happened.  He tried not to dwell too much on it, because that, combined with the really terrifying flashes of the other places he kept seeing were really starting to concern him that he was losing his mind.  He took a deep breath, fighting off the nausea that bubbled up within him, and waited for the memories to fill him in and explain why he was standing in a back-room of a club with his violin and bow in his hands and one of his guitars slung by its strap over his back...

Fragments started to slot into place filling him in on what had happened between his present now and the last now he remembered - leaving the coffee shop to go on Kurts New York tour.  He was a little relieved to discover that it had been one of the best days of his life, even if he couldnt actually recall it directly.  Kurts genuine smiles at Blaines feigned surprise when they visited places for the first time, Blaines reassurance that regardless of where they went it was the first time theyd visited them together and hell, he was catching up with his best friend so really they could visit a book shop in Soho for all he cared.  The ease with which they had fallen back into their friendship had not really surprised him.  He had known for months now that Kurt was his missing puzzle piece, his endgame as Finn would say.  He wondered whether Kurt had felt it too.

So much laughter and fun had been had, but then hed had to leave to change and get his kit because he had to play a gig.  Of course!  That must be where he was now.  It would explain the guitar but not his violin.  He looked around attempting to piece together more of the missing time.  He could tell from the background noise level that hed be going on for his second half of his set.  He also knew that this was a solo gig as none of Dares stuff was strewn across the small room that they used as a dressing room / backstage area.  He dimly recalled Dare blowing him off to spend more time with the spiky haired cutie hed met a couple of days ago - Josh? Was that his name?  Blaine frowned and glanced up at the small yellowed clock in the dingy corner of the room.  He needed to pull himself together.  He was probably just really, really over-tired.  That would explain it.  Wouldnt it?

He decided to go with it and headed out onto the stage with both guitar and violin.  A spark shot through him when he spotted Kurt with Rachel, Santana, and a guy he didnt recognise at a table off to the right of the stage.  He donned his game face and grinned, shooting a wink in their direction.  Hed put a bet on the colour that flooded Kurts cheeks being directly related to him right now.  He took that as encouragement.  He dimly recalled that the last time Rachel had heard him sing was as ‘Teen Angel' in ‘Grease' – before that was when he had a not-so-minor breakdown singing Teenage Dream to Kurt at Callbacks.  Kurt alone would have an idea of how much had changed - the girls reactions to his appearance alone told him exactly what he needed to know.  Sure they all knew he could play piano, but they didnt know the half of it.  Hes pretty sure he saw Rachels eyes bug out of her head and Santana was smiling like the proverbial Cheshire Cat looking between Kurt, the other guy - Adam?  Blaine wondered - and himself.  He joined the three other guys on the stage - Ken, Mark and Paul were ready.  Ken started tapping out a beat on his kit; Mark gave Blaine a cheesy grin and continued to finish tuning his guitar.  Paul played a couple of notes on his bass and nodded to Blaine.  He moved closer to his own microphone centre stage between Mark and Paul, violin in hand.

                So, how is everyone tonight?  He casually asked the amassed crowd below him.  Having a good time?  He was rewarded by a series of cheers, whistles and drunken shouts.  Figured wed mix things up a bit.  He indicated to his electric violin as he plugged it in to the amp behind him.  Mark handed him a piece of paper with the scrawled names of people and their song requests.  Blaines eyes flicked over them and selected the first one that piqued his interest.  Alright, here we go.  This ones for Sam from Jarred - happy birthday, Sam!  Lets have some Neon Trees - Close to you. He briefly turned to check the others were ready – the band were a permanent fixture at this joint and backed all the frontline acts the manager booked.  Blaine was used to working with them now.  All three were at Julliard and the three of them really enjoyed the evenings Blaine was on.  Mark raised an eyebrow at the violin.

Youve been holding out on us B. 

Blaine shot him a wolfish grin as Ken counted them in.

The set went really well.  The four on the stage were loving it and their energy was contagious.  Blaine switched between his guitar, the keyboard and his violin as the songs that were requested required.  This evening was progressing perfectly.  He finished the last bar of the Matchbox Twenty song hed been working through letting Ken segue with a fun improv session on his kit while he glossed over the next couple of requests on the list.  Most were soppy slow dances.  He knew the room needed something a bit more upbeat.  A thought struck him and he took the mic once Ken finished.

 Ken Michaels on the drums, folks.  Blaine led an interim applause.  He always made sure the guys names were out there with his own and they loved him for it.  Patty - the manager, always said that they took more on evenings Blaine and the boys played together like this.  So, I was thinking.  Can I do a request?  Would that be weird? The crowd were in hysterics.  He played on it.  What do you guys think?  How about some Cut Copy?  Out there on the Ice.  He shot a wicked look at Kurt whose eyes had seemingly not left him all night.  The girls were up and had been dancing.  The guy with them.  Perhaps he wasnt the mysterious Adam?  From the sadness Blaine detected on his features every time the blonde guy caught Kurt staring at Blaine, he wasnt so sure.  It looked a lot like an attempt to mask defeat.  Blaine almost felt sorry for the lanky, hipster, beanie wearing bloke.  Almost. 

He knows without looking that Mark has ditched his guitar for the keyboard behind them.  Here we go!  Ken and Mark start the introduction off, then Paul comes in with the bass.  Blaine watches as Kurt makes his way onto the dance floor to join his friends.  Blaines transfixed for a moment then he starts singing to Kurt: Yes/No/Maybe is all I need to hear from you.  Kurt makes eyes at him as he starts to dance with his small group of friends.  Paul fills in the backing vocals and the four on the stage are one.  Ken had introduced Blaine to Cut Copy a while ago and the four had jammed together in one of the practice rooms at Julliard for a while.  Messing around and making it work without the samples.  They had all been thrilled with their version.  The crowd are enjoying it though few know the song - its that time in the evening where it doesnt matter too much - theyll have a great time regardless.  Blaine barely notices anything or anyone but Kurt - its as if theres a spotlight on him alone.  The blonde guy hes dancing with is not even on Kurts radar.  This dance is for Blaine alone and they both know it.  The song ends and he tosses Kurt a microphone.  He barely waits for Kurt to register what hes doing before launching straight into Neon Trees Animal with a wicked grin.  He knows Kurt will immediately remember the last time they sang that song together with the same certainty that he knows Kurt still knows the words and how their duet divides up.  Hes not disappointed.  Like a magnet Kurt makes his way through the crowd, who are eating this twist up, towards Blaine.  Blaine extends Kurt a hand and then lifts him up with one arm to join him on the stage.

                The song ends and the crowd cheer.  ‘Let's hear it for my guest duet partner – Mr. Kurt Hummel!'  Blaine's grinning and Kurt's laughing and smiling wide enough to almost split his face in half.  Kurt's arm is wrapped around Blaine's waist, Blaine's around Kurt's.  Whistles, shouts and screams punctuate the applause.  Kurt bows dragging Blaine with him.  ‘And a round of applause for your local band – The Back-Ups!  With Mr. Ken Michaels on the drums!'  Ken gives a little bow and then a mini drum solo.  ‘Mr. Paul Kingsley on the bass guitar!'  Paul follows Ken's lead and breaks into a funky little bass solo.  ‘and Mr. Mark Matthews on the guitar and keyboard!'  Mark dips his head and follows suit with a celebratory guitar riff.  Blaine has been applauding the band throughout.  Mark gently takes the second microphone from Kurt and steps forwards to sign off.

                ‘Thank you ladies and gents.   We hope you enjoyed your evening, as always it has been an absolute pleasure to work with him, please join us with a big round of applause for the multi-talented Mr. Blaine Anderson!'  Blaine bows on cue and salutes Mark then turns to collect his instruments and help the guys pack up their kit, when Mark continues.  ‘We've been talking about this with Patty and we'd like you're opinion on something.'  Mark's talking to the audience but looking directly at Blaine.  ‘We'd like you to join us as B and the Back-Ups.  What do you say, B.?'  The crowd hum with anticipation.  Blaine is speechless.  Mark turns to the crowd, ‘what do you guys think?  Should he join us?'  A chorus of ‘yes'es and whistles and screams drown Mark.

                ‘I…I'd love to!'  Blaine stammers out and suddenly he's being crushed by three sets of arms.  ‘Guys…I need…air!'  He manages to gasp out.  His eyes flicker to catch Kurt's.

                ‘Whoa, sorry, dude!'  Ken exclaims as he releases Blaine from the crushing power of his bear-like arms.

                ‘We'll see you guys tomorrow night!  We wish you a safe journey home!'  Mark finishes as he releases Blaine.