Kurt's decision to follow Sebastian back to his room and take him up on his offer was mostly bred from anger and spite, but the closer they got to the suite, the more he regretted his decision. Kurt wanted to hurt Blaine, plain and simple. He wanted to make him feel the heartbreak and loss that overwhelmed Kurt.

He had no intention of having sex with Sebastian, but he needed to blow off a little steam, and Kurt always felt that a well placed belt to Sebastian's ass was exactly what the man needed to put him in his place. Kurt wanted to let Blaine explain, but what about what he saw with his own two eyes? Did it even matter, since it was obvious from that glare earlier that Blaine didn't even care. Blaine had his precious life after all - he was famous, adored, and he had his beautiful co-star. Kurt was just a distraction.

The only person Kurt was hurting here was himself.

Kurt thought he should just get out of this; change his mind. Sebastian wouldn't force him to do anything. He could turn around and run. On the other hand, Sebastian had agreed to pay him...pay him a lot of money in advance. This was just another job. As long as he could keep that mindset, keep his mask carefully in place, he could do this, be done, and get a hefty paycheck. Then he would run home and consider whether or not he would ever look back.

Sebastian turned and smirked at Kurt as he slid the card key into the door and opened the lock. Kurt immediately became numb.

Sebastian was a nightmare. He wasn't like any other client Kurt had ever had...mostly because Sebastian had no intention of being dominated. He was far too handsy for a sub, and he didn't follow orders. At one point Sebastian tried to unbutton Kurt's shirt, and Kurt lost his cool entirely. Kurt's inner bitch reared its ugly head. Kurt tore Sebastian's shirt from his shoulders. He pinned him to the bed with a strength Sebastian never expected, and whipped Sebastian with his belt, far harder than he had ever hit anyone before.

When he flipped Sebastian onto his back, the man's eyes nearly glowed red, his mouth a thin set line, his teeth clench. Kurt scrambled to tie him down and blindfold him, then stumbled off the bed, and sat at the vanity to cool down. Kurt was contemplating just leaving Sebastian there and heading home.

Kurt was nearly in tears. This was all too much. He just wanted to go. How did everything spiral so completely out of control like this? He had such high hopes, so many dreams, and as of late those dreams had included a certain curly haired actor, with hazel eyes so warm just a glance melted Kurt to his core. A million and one confessions of love, and promises of forever. Was it really all just an act? It couldn't be...could it? Kurt felt the weight of a thousand different betrayals pressing down on him, and he didn't know what the truth was anymore. The only real truth Kurt had ever known was Dave and the kids and their undying affection for him.

Maybe that's the only place he belonged. He just had to accept it.

Kurt squeezed his eyes shut, trying to gather his thoughts together, think logically, go back to being the calm and cool dominatrix he had to be in order to exist in a world that constantly stacked the odds against him.

A quiet, even somewhat soothing voice broke through his thoughts.

"Come on, sweetheart. I know you're still there."

Sebastian sounded breathless, but he didn't sound angry.

"Please, Kurt," Sebastian implored. "I'm sorry."

Kurt wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

"I didn't mean to upset you." Sebastian's said evenly and calmly. "I wanted to have a little fun with you. You seem so serious...so upset."

Silence.

Sebastian sighed.

"I just wanted to hear you laugh...see that beautiful smile of yours..."

Kurt lifted his heavy head and turned to look at Sebastian, lying prone but relaxed, still bound to the bed.

Kurt could almost believe him.

He stood and crossed over to the bed, settling down at the foot. Feeling the slight shift of the mattress, Sebastian turned his head in Kurt's direction.

"I meant it when I said I wanted to take care of you, Kurt," Sebastian said. Kurt felt a lump in his throat, remembering when Blaine had said something similar. 'I can see myself falling for you...taking care of you...'

Kurt choked back a sob.

"Take whatever you need from me," Sebastian said. "However you want me, I'm yours..."

Kurt moved to touch the binds on Sebastian's ankles. This wasn't right. He was going to untie him and let him go. His fingertips gently brushed the skin on Sebastian's right foot.

"You can pretend I'm Blaine..."

Kurt stopped cold. That's what this was about. This was about fucking over Blaine.

"So, beautiful," Sebastian said when Kurt didn't move. "Are you going to spend the night with me?"

Kurt looked down at the tie under his fingers.

"No," Kurt said. "I don't sleep with clients."

"But you spend the night with Blaine." Sebastian started to sound upset.

"I love Blaine." Kurt removed his hand. "And I always will."

Kurt was about to untie Sebastian's ankles when he growled, "Fine. Fuck you, you ridiculous fucking cock slut."

Kurt felt like he'd been slapped. Kurt balled his hands into fists. Moving away from the bed, he rummaged through Sebastian's pants for his cell phone, and stuck it in the bound man's hand.

"Here," Kurt said. "Call someone to come help you out, you disgusting asshole. But don't bother calling Blaine. He wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot fucking pole."

Kurt grabbed his jacket and ran for the stairwell.

Blaine stood with his mouth open, gaping like a fish. He couldn't quite decide whether to laugh or cry.

"Blaine Anderson!" the high pitched voice almost squealed with glee. "I can't believe it's really you!"

Sebastian was lying on his back, tied by his wrists and ankles to the bed. Completely naked and straddling him was a pale, waifish young man that Blaine vaguely remembered from an open call Sing had the previous year. He had gotten a bit part in one episode, and then ended up getting a job in Special Ops and promotions for the network.

"Do...do I know you?" Blaine asked.

The boy rolled his eyes, and extended a hand.

"Chandler," the man said. "Chandler Kiehl."

Blaine approached and shook his hand, a little disturbed by the fact that this man seemed all too comfortable having this conversation with Blaine while his dick was hard and he was in the middle of riding Sebastian's cock.

"Not that I don't enjoy the lady talk, gentlemen," Sebastian chimed in finally, "but we were kind of in the middle of something here, Blaine, so if you're not going to join in could you please get the hell out?"

"Uh...sure, but...where's Kurt?" Blaine asked.

"How should I know?" Sebastian barked. "Kurt got me up here to have sex with me, and the next thing I know, your frigid bitch tied me up and split."

Blaine was furious. He had every intention of punching Sebastian in the face, but he couldn't quite bring himself to do it while he was tied up and naked.

"Oh, I passed him going down the stairwell on my way up here," Chandler practically sang. Blaine looked at Chandler's oblivious smile and shook his head.

"Um...thanks." Blaine nodded, turning quickly to leave and find his angel, followed by the sound of light, airy broken moans as Sebastian bucked his hips up to get Chandler's attention.

Blaine found the heavy door that led to the stairwell. He could hear soft whimpering as soon as he entered the stairwell.

"Kurt?" Blaine called down as he approached the railing. "Kurt?"

"Blaine?" a quiet voice, thick with tears, answered.

The minute he heard it, Blaine's feet went running.

"Kurt!"

Blaine quickly made his way down the stairs, his heels clicking on the stairs and echoing loudly in the enclosed space. Kurt could hear Blaine calling him, knew that Blaine was barreling down the stairs to get to him, but Kurt didn't want to move. He'd been sitting on this step for over an hour. He just wanted to go home.

When Kurt saw Blaine, he didn't know what to do. He wanted to get up and run into his arms. He wanted to slap him across the face. He was already crying. He opted for sitting completely still and letting the universe decide.

Blaine approached Kurt slowly, like he was approaching a cornered wild animal...like a swan with broken wings. He knelt in front of him, trying to look into Kurt's eyes, but he kept his gaze pinned to his shoes.

"You look amazing," Blaine started softly. "I've wanted to tell you that all night."

Kurt sighed. He had a hundred questions and a hundred more accusations.

"Why am I here?" Kurt asked.

"You're here because I love you," Blaine said, "and all I want is to be with you, but..."

Kurt laughed bitterly.

"You know, my mom used to say that the minute you say 'but' you negate everything that came before it." Kurt shook his head.

"That's not true!" Blaine said. "I do love you! I do want to be with you. I've been trying to tell you..."

"That's okay." Kurt rose to his feet, his legs sore from sitting so long. "I understand, I think. You wanted to try something different, and it didn't work out the way you wanted. You can't help who you fall in love with."

Blaine scrunched his nose, shaking his head.

"I don't understand," he said, grabbing Kurt's arms. "What are you talking about?"

Kurt looked into Blaine's eyes finally, and Blaine could see just how much Kurt had been crying.

"You and Mia," Kurt said. "She made you choose...and you chose her."

Blaine rushed Kurt and held him tight. Kurt didn't make a move to hold him back.

"No, no, no!" Blaine said. "No, that's not it at all. Please, you can't believe that. I love you. Who told you that?"

Blaine held Kurt at arm's length. His beautiful blue eyes looked wary, worn down, beat.

"Sebastian." Kurt ran and hand through his hair.

Blaine started to take little fragments of the evening and stitch them together.

"Kurt?" Blaine asked gently. "Were you going to sleep with Sebastian?"

Kurt snapped his head up.

"No! Sleep with...I didn't sleep with Sebastian." Kurt sounded deeply hurt. "He paid me to dominate him. That's all. He offered, but I couldn't. I didn't...I don't..." Kurt stumbled, hating the way his voice sounded. "I left him there. Tied to the bed. Who told you -"

Kurt put two and two together.

"Fuck!" Kurt yelled sharply. "I think we've been played."

Blaine was both relieved and hurt at the same time.

His black swan, dominating another man...dominating Sebastian. It was almost as bad.

"Why did you dominate him?" Blaine's voice was quiet.

"Because I was mad at you." Kurt wiped away new tears. "And technically, as per our agreement, I was within my rights."

'Now that sounded bitchy,' Kurt thought.

"I asked you to give me a month." Blaine looked ruined. "One month to figure this out."

Kurt looked up into Blaine's eyes.

"It's been almost two."

Blaine sighed. He'd done it. Just like everyone else, he had left Kurt in the lurch.

"I don't think you're ready to make the commitment you're trying to make to me," Kurt said sadly.

Blaine felt his heart slam in his chest.

"Kurt, that's not true!" Blaine rushed to defend himself, but Kurt shook his head.

"You don't have to explain," Kurt said. "Really. I told you I would wait for you to be ready. I promise you I will. I...I just need a little space...for now."

Blaine started to shake.

"Are...are you breaking up with me?"

Kurt shook his head.

"No, Blaine," he said. "I'm not. I love you. I just...I need a little time. Can you do that? Can you give me time?"

Time. The one thing he never seemed to have enough of.

Blaine nodded quietly, staring ahead, staring away. Kurt walked up and kissed Blaine on the cheek tenderly. Blaine closed his eyes, soaking in the feeling of Kurt's lips against his skin. All too soon, Kurt's lips were gone, and so was Kurt.

Blaine couldn't blink. Blaine couldn't breathe. His body was paralyzed; it wouldn't let him move. The only part of him working was his mind, where deep inside his head rang his own voice screaming, "Noooooooo!"

Blaine eventually made his way back to his room - the suite he had intended on sharing with Kurt. He had the whole night planned out. They would stumble upstairs, blissfully happy, the weight of the world lifted from Blaine's shoulders after telling every one that Kurt was his, and that they were going to be together. After Blaine told the world that he loved Kurt, and only Kurt, they would spend the rest of the night making love. Kurt would trust Blaine with everything, with his family, with his future.

He noticed the door to the suite was open just a sliver. A tiny flicker of hope ignited in his mind. Maybe Kurt had changed his mind, and doubled back, making it upstairs before Blaine somehow. Blaine rushed to the door and pushed it open.

"Kurt, I..."

Instead, he saw Mia. Immediately Blaine wanted to be anywhere else.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Mia moved to wrap herself around Blaine as soon as he walked through the door. "I thought you were never coming."

Mia, dressed in a black satin negligee, kissed Blaine's neck, trying to inspire him to move, to touch her, to do anything.

Blaine remained stiff, immobile, letting his body crumble inside. It seemed like there was nothing left.

Oblivious to the look of pain on his face, Mia continued her assault, unbuttoning Blaine's shirt and kissing down his chest, grimacing at the fading scratch marks she knew weren't hers.

He felt nothing.

Mia chuckled as she reached for his belt.

"You know, for a moment," she said between licks and nibbles, "I thought you had actually left me for that fag..."

The word 'fag' seemed to snap Blaine back to his senses. He looked down at Mia, fumbling with his belt buckle, and for the first time registered her presence.

"What...what are you doing?" Blaine took her hands and pushed them away. Mia looked confused.

"I'm calling a do over." Mia seemed determined to get Blaine's pants off. "I mean, I know you didn't mean to come in here and call me by that...well, that whoever's name, but like I said, I forgive you."

"Mia," Blaine grabbed her hands again. His face scrunched up in disgust as he pushed her away.

"It's done." He raised his voice for emphasis, but she looked lost at his reaction. Mia came at him once more, but he grabbed a hold of her shoulders and held her at arm's length, looking deep into her brown eyes.

"I don't care what Brad says. This charade is done."

Mia stood, stunned and staring. Blaine almost felt sorry for her. Just like him, she was a pawn. Blaine remembered meeting her their first day on set. She was bubbly and vivacious, her smile positively infectious. Just like him, Sing was just going to be a stepping stone that led to other opportunities.

Like him, she had gotten stuck. She wasn't a real person anymore. Her whole life was a made up construct. The only difference was that Mia was fine where she was. All those dreams she had at the beginning had long since disappeared for her, and she was okay with that. This show had put her on top and she would do anything to stay there.

Blaine grabbed his overnight bag and walked out. He made his way down to the lobby and handed the valet his ticket. As he waited for his car, he noticed a limo - Kurt's limo - still parked out front with the chauffeur standing, waiting. Kurt hadn't left yet. Kurt wouldn't let him explain, but Blaine had to find a way to make him listen.

Blaine still had a chance.

Blaine ran over to the car, dodging others driving by along the way.

"Where's Kurt?" Blaine asked when he reached the driver.

"Excuse me, sir?" the chauffeur asked with a tip of his hat.

"The man you drove here? From San Diego?" Blaine asked desperately. "Where is he?" Blaine tried to peek through the heavily tinted windows.

"Oh, yes," the man said with a genuine smile. "Lovely man. He ran out, rather upset. I asked him if he was going back to San Diego, and he told me that he had it covered."

Blaine's whole demeanor fell. Not only had Kurt left Blaine, he had left the limo as well. Blaine had no idea how Kurt was getting home, or whether or not he was alright.

Kurt saw the limo waiting for him on the way out of the hotel. He also knew that Blaine was picking up the tab for the car service, so Kurt left it. He hailed a cab and made his way to a Greyhound station for the longest walk of shame of his life.

It always amazed Kurt that a drive that took two hours normally by car took close to five hours by Greyhound. As it turned out, he had to wait close to four hours for the next bus to San Diego anyway. So by the time he made it home, it was already close to noon. The cab pulled up in front of his house, and he could see Dave pacing the living room in front of the large picture window, baby in his arms. When Dave saw Kurt, his eyes widened, and he ran for the back door.

'So much for my plan to slither in under the cover of darkness,' Kurt thought.

Dave put Elphaba in her play pen and met Kurt at the door, noting the tired man's slouch, his sunken eyes, his paler than normal complexion. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"You said you would be home first thing in the morning, Kurt." Dave followed Kurt into the bedroom, turning around to make sure the kids weren't paying attention. Dave and Kurt had a rule to never argue or fight in front of the children...a rule they never had to worry about until recently. "It's almost one in the afternoon! We were worried sick about you! You weren't answering your phone."

"Please, can we not do this now, Dave," Kurt said, putting a hand to his pounding head. "I had a pretty miserable night."

"And what about us, Kurt?" Dave countered after the door closed.

"Us?" Kurt asked, a bit sarcastically, "or you?"

Dave glared, but decided not to acknowledge the accusation.

"You haven't even asked what kind of night we had," Dave said carefully.

Kurt settled down at the end of the bed, slowly removing his shoes.

"You're right, Dave," Kurt said tiredly. "How were you and the kids? Anything exciting happen?"

Dave watched as Kurt sat, head in his hands. Kurt had already removed his suit jacket and shirt, sitting in his slacks and undershirt. He breathed heavily. Dave watched as Kurt inhaled, and then exhaled, almost painfully. He looked like a man who was withering. He looked like a man who had given up. A knot twisted in Dave's chest.

Dave sighed. For so long Dave had tormented Kurt. Pushed him, threatened him, assaulted him, when deep down inside all he wanted was to be a part of Kurt's world. When they moved in together to raise the kids, he worked himself almost to death to be the kind of man Kurt might be proud to call his some day, but it wasn't in the cards. In the end, Dave had hoped that someday Kurt would be happy. As for their arrangement, well, he would cross that bridge when they came to it. Now, here it was, and Kurt seemed like he finally had that chance to be happy. But the Kurt on the bed in front of him was not happy. Dave had no right to push him.

Dave sat beside Kurt, and put a light hand on his knee. Kurt caved a little and swayed to Dave's side, resting his head on Dave's shoulder.

"We just worry about you. That's all."

Kurt sighed, and another shard of Dave's heart fractured off.

"I know," Kurt said. "And I'm sorry. I got a little caught up. But I don't think that will be happening anymore."

"Why not?" Dave asked, surprised.

"Because I don't know when I'll be seeing Blaine again." Kurt turned to kiss Dave on the cheek. Dave closed his eyes at the feeling of Kurt's lips on his skin. He missed it. Once Kurt and Blaine had started seeing each other, Kurt had stopped kissing Dave. Dave understood, but it hurt.

Kurt sighed, his next words almost a whisper.

"Dave, I need to get some sleep."

Dave turned to look at the man beside him. His sapphire eyes were closed, cheeks covered in the tracks from dried tears. His breathing was soft and even. Dave helped Kurt out of his pants. He averted his eyes out of respect. He knew Kurt would be livid if Dave let him sleep in his suit. After he had Kurt tucked under the covers, he kissed him delicately on the forehead.

Dave dutifully hung up Kurt's suit, stumbling over his cell phone in the pocket.

Dave didn't want to invade Kurt's privacy, but he was worried. Dave unlocked Kurt's phone and sifted through it for one particular number.

Blaine was sitting at the foot of his bed, still dressed in his slacks and dress shirt, pounding down his fifth tumbler of whiskey. He was pretty sure he'd be through the bottle in the next ten minutes, and then he could attempt to close his eyes and forget he existed.

The chirping of his iPhone almost sobered him immediately.

He picked it up, expecting to see a message from Mia or Brad or Sebastian - another dig out of the twenty or so he had already received tonight showing just how much they had won and he had lost.

He prayed it was Kurt.

The number was unknown, but the text was clear.

From: Unknown
This is the second time I have had to tuck your boyfriend into bed after crying because of a night with you. Whatever you do, Anderson, fix this!