Blaine woke up slowly, eyes blinking open and body feeling loose and relaxed. He could tell it was early, a while before his alarm would go off and he took a moment to stretch and remember why he felt so good, so happy and at peace.

He lifted his arms over his head and then froze, feeling something across his chest. He pulled the covers down a little and then smiled, seeing Kurt's arm draped across him. Oh yeah, that's why he felt this way.

He turned his head to see Kurt sleeping peacefully, curled up around him; his head was nuzzled up against Blaine's shoulder and his arm holding Blaine close. Kurt's lashes swept his lovely face and his pink lips were parted a little as he breathed deeply in his sleep.

Blaine brought his arms down around Kurt holding him to himself as he watched him sleep and then drifted off for a moment himself. He woke up again when he felt Kurt stirring beside him, yawning and making little noises of contentment. They caught each other’s eyes and they both broke into smiles.

“Good morning.” Blaine said in a hushed tone.

“Good morning.” Kurt answered as he ducked his head and blushed, which really was the most adorable thing, especially since Blaine knew Kurt must have had more experience with this kind of thing than he did.

“It is a good morning, right?” Kurt said looking up at Blaine. “I mean, you're happy... with what we did last night. You don't regret it, do you?”

Blaine leaned forward and kissed Kurt's head. “I’ve never been happier Kurt.”

Kurt smiled again and worked himself up Blaine's body until they were face to face so he could kiss his lips. “Neither have I.”

He lay back down and snuggled in next to Blaine. “I have to go back to my place before work, but we have some time and I don't want to move now.”

Blaine nodded and hummed in response, his hand trailing back and forth over Kurt's side enjoying the feel of his smooth skin under his fingertips. His mind wandered a little, questions and concerns from yesterday clogging his thoughts. He wanted to just enjoy Kurt's presence, but he also wanted to ask him a million questions. A whole new world had been opened up to him since he met Kurt, and he knew so very little about it.

“I can actually see you thinking,” Kurt said, interrupting Blaine's thoughts. “You press your lips together and your eyebrows get all bunchy.”

Blaine laughed. “Yeah, I guess they do.”

“What are you thinking?”

“I just... I don't even know where to start. I have so many questions,” Blaine replied looking Kurt in the eye.

“Hmmm…” Kurt said and kissed Blaine's nose. “Ask me something then. We still have time.”

Blaine thought for a moment. He wanted to know so much, but he especially wanted to know about Kurt. “Tell me about growing up in the Resistance,” Blaine said. “What was that even like? Have you always lived underground?”

Kurt shook his head. “Oh no. Nothing like that. I mean, not for me. There are a lot of underground bases, but I didn't grow up in one.”

Kurt's hand started to move softly across Blaine's stomach as he spoke and Blaine felt his eyes close and he sunk into the bed, getting ready to hear a story like he had when he was very young.

“When I was little, the Resistance wasn't nearly as strong as it is now, and my family wasn't much part of the Rebels anyway. We were more like...” Kurt stopped for a moment as if he was searching for the right word. “Gypsies, I guess.”

Blaine opened his eyes and frowned at Kurt. “I don't know what that is.”

“Oh,” Kurt said. “Right. Um...we were wanderers really. We didn't have a city, or base or anything to call home. We moved around a lot, living in the forest and other unpopulated areas. That sort of thing.”

Blaine nodded, that made sense, it wasn't like the Resistance could just build a town somewhere. “Who is 'we'?”

“Me, my dad, and my mom before she died. I mean it wasn't just the three of us traveling around. There were other travelers too. That's how the Resistance started out, just people who had escaped the WG and kept in the shadows. It has grown though and we do have bigger communities now, stations under most major WG cities. Better technology and everything. It is amazing how fast we've grown.”

“The Resistance has grown from people leaving WG cities?” Blaine asked. He couldn't understand how all this was happening and he didn't even know about it. No one knew about it. No... The Authorities probably knew. The Leaders had too, but they would do everything they could to cover it up.

“Yes. Well, that and people starting families. But yes, a lot of people have escaped.”

A thought hit Blaine suddenly. Maybe sometimes when people disappeared it wasn't because the Authorities took them, maybe it was because they ran away. Blaine hopped that was what happened to Mercedes, though he doubted she would have left without Sam. Blaine certainly wouldn't ever leave without Kurt. That must have been what Kurt's parents had felt like, too, and then they ran away together.

“What happened to your mom?” Blaine asked before he had a chance to stop himself and he instantly regretted it. Kurt's happy, sweet expression fell. “Never mind, we don't have to talk about that.”

“It’s okay.” Kurt said with a small voice. “I was eight, it was winter and she got sick, really sick. A bunch of people in our group did. So some of them tried to sneak into a small WG city and get some medication, but a few of them got caught and the rest, my dad included, barely made it back safely. It wasn't long after that, that she... that she...” Kurt trailed off and was quiet for a moment. Blaine felt terrible for making Kurt so sad and he held him tighter.

Blaine had never known his own parents. People didn't really have parents in WG cities. I mean of course there were biological parents, but you never knew them. Children grew up together in schools until they were old enough to be assigned their lifelong jobs. Blaine had heard stories of actually being raised by your parents, things you heard here and there about the past. He couldn't imagine actually having a mother and then losing her.

“I'm sorry Kurt,” Blaine said sincerely. He would do anything to ease Kurt’s pain.

“It changed my dad,” Kurt said. “It got us involved with the Rebellion. Maybe we would have eventually anyway, but for a long time my dad's only purpose was to bring the World Government down.”

“Not anymore?”

“No, he still wants to, but I guess he's mellowed a little. A few years ago he met a lovely lady and married her. She has helped him refocus. I guess I kind of took up where he left off... and now... now we are so close.”

“I can't imagine how that must feel for you,” Blaine said and kissed Kurt's cheek.

“Unreal. I can't really believe it.”

They were quiet for a moment, Blaine's mind going a mile a minute. “You know of course, that even if the Leaders are... I don't know, not in charge anymore and the Authorities are disbanded, there is still going to be so much to do." Blaine said. "I mean, I'm not saying this to get you down, but people aren't going to know what to do without the routine.”

“I know,” Kurt said and sighed. “It’s something we've all discussed. Adam seems to think it will work out. A lot of the people who are newer to the Resistance, who were part of a WG city more recently, will have big parts to play in helping teach people how to live with their new freedom.”

“People in the city who have found some freedom could help with that too. People like Sam.”

Kurt sat up a little and smiled down at Blaine. “And you. People like you. Not that there really are any people like you... but you could help.”

Blaine worried his bottom lip and looked up at Kurt's earnest expression. “I'm still learning myself.”

Kurt smiled and then leaned down to kiss him. “Yeah, But you're a quick study.” Kurt said kissing him again before settling back down next to him.

Blaine held on to Kurt and thought about all the things in Kurt's life that had brought him here and how lucky Blaine was to have met him—to have him here so soft and warm and loving in his arms.

He also couldn't help thinking of all the things that could go wrong, how easy it could be to lose him now. He wanted this all to work more than he could even say; it boiled up inside of him like a storm. This had to work.

Kurt had to leave soon after that, but not before spending a few long sweet minutes kissing Blaine.

“I love you,” Kurt said as he left the apartment.

“I love you too,” Blaine echoed, smiling so much his cheeks hurt.

He closed the door behind Kurt and began an early start to his morning routine. He was drifting between happiness and worry, his stomach tight and knotted. He wouldn't feel better until he saw Kurt safely at work. Actually, he probably wouldn't feel better until this was all over.

Blaine couldn't think of anything else besides Kurt. As he finished getting ready for the day, as he bounced down to the shuttle stop and greeted Trent. As he marched into work, he was not able to keep a smile off of his face. He passed Kurt's area and smiled even more as he saw Kurt settling down at his work station. Blaine couldn't stop and talk to him, but it was good to know he was there and safe. Blaine continued down the hall to his own area, but slowed his pace as he notice his co-workers giving him strange glances, or conspicuously ignoring him.

Something wasn't right. He neared his desk and understood.

The Authorities.

His immediate thought was to run, but there was no way out. By his desk stood three Authorities, dressed in green and looking serious, if they were there for him there was no getting away. The only thing to do was to continue on and act normal.

He took a deep breath as he reached his desk. “May I help you?”

“Your wrist,” One of the Authorities said crisply.

“Excuse me?”

“Hold up your wrist.” He said.

Blaine stared at him blankly and then slowly lifted his wrist. The Authority scanned it and then nodded to the others.

“Blaine Anderson, you are to be taken into authorized custody. Please come with us.”

Blaine stomach dropped to the floor and he couldn't think of what to do or say. Finally, after opening and shutting his mouth a few times, he managed to get out a few words. “But why? What's happening?”

“We are under orders to bring you in. If you resist we are authorized to use physical measures.”

“I don't...” Before Blaine could say anything else one of the Authorities was fastening his hands together behind his back and then he was being lead forward out of the office. All of his co-workers were purposefully ignoring the scene, all except Trent who watched him with wide eyes and his mouth hanging open.



All morning long Blaine was at the forefront of Kurt's mind. He was, also, preoccupied by the fact that Founder's Day was three days away. Mostly his thoughts were full of Blaine's smile, his eyes, his sweet voice, his kind heart and the way his body had felt against his own. Kurt blinked and focused back on his task.

It wasn't until lunch that Kurt realized something was off. Something was wrong.

Everyone in the cafeteria was going about their routines and acting normal, almost. There was an underlining feeling of tension in the air, in hushed whispers and nervous glances. Something had happened and it made Kurt feel jittery and nervous. He sat down at his normal table as his eyes scanned the room looking for Blaine. They still weren't having lunch together; Blaine was eating with his old friends to minimize their public contact, but still Kurt was anxious see him.

Kurt was momentarily surprised out of his search for Blaine when someone sat down across from him. He was even more surprised when he looked up and saw it was Trent.

“Kurt Hummel,” Trent said.

Kurt wasn't sure what was happening. He'd always gotten the impression that Trent didn't like him, or was nervous around him. “Um... yes?” Kurt answered, a creeping fear rising in him as he still hadn't spotted Blaine.

“He isn't coming to lunch,” Trent said.

That got Kurt's attention. “What do you mean?”

“Blaine... he isn't here.”

Kurt still didn't understand, but he was beginning to breathe faster and his hand clenched around the fork he was holding. “What do you mean?”

“When we got to work today the Authorities were waiting for him.”

Kurt's breath hitched. “What?” He choked out.

“They took him away.”

Kurt was silent.

“It was official. They took him into custody.”

The noise in the room seemed to grow muted and all Kurt could hear for a moment was the beating of his own heart. “No.” Kurt said stunned.

“I want to blame you,” Trent answered, he looked on the verge of tears. “But... I... I told some people I thought Blaine was acting weird. I didn't mean for him to get in trouble! I just wanted him to stay away from you... and now...”

“You reported him?”

“No! No... I mean, I didn't mean to.”

Kurt's throat constricted and he had to close his eyes and breathe for a moment. “I have to find him,” He said and began to stand up panic fluttering in him like a frightened bird.

“No.” Trent hissed and grabbed Kurt's hand, making him stop. “As far as we know they are just questioning him. If you go barreling in, they will know something is wrong. They will know you're... an outsider. WG citizens don't act that way.”

“I am a WG citizen.” Kurt said evenly.

“Fine,” Trent huffed. “But if you do anything rash you'll make it worse for him.”

Kurt hated it, but he knew Trent was right. There was nothing he could do in his capacity as a WG programmer. He had to get through the day, acting normal and pretending his heart wasn't about to beat out of his chest—Pretending he wasn't terrified of losing Blaine.

But he wasn't just a WG programmer; he was a Rebel. He just needed to get through the day. Tonight he'd go to the Resistance and they would find Blaine.

“I thought you should know about Blaine.” Trent said grabbing his tray and standing; he made to leave but then stopped.

“I'd never do anything to hurt him,” Trent said in a low voice. “I didn't mean...” He shook his head and sighed again before making his way to his own table.

Kurt looked down at his plate, his appetite completely gone. He had to focus on not becoming hysterical and drawing attention to himself. If they suspected Kurt, if they took him as well, he'd never be able to help Blaine; helping Blaine was all that mattered.

The rest of the day was a blur for Kurt. He felt sick and distracted. When work was finally over he made his way to his apartment and waited for the cover of darkness. Once it was safer to sneak around the city, Kurt went straight to Blaine's. Maybe, just maybe, he had just been questioned and then sent home. Kurt bounded up the steps to Blaine's apartment and opened the door, praying that the apartment wasn't emptied and that Blaine was there.

Kurt looked around, all of Blaine's things were still here, which was a good sign, but Blaine was nowhere to be found. Kurt pushed down his panic and tried not to cry. No time for that, he had to do something.

Kurt left Blaine's and carefully made his way to the warehouse and the secret entrance to the underground Rebel headquarters. When he entered, Mike was waiting with whoever was manning the front.

“Mike!” Kurt said still struggling to keep his frantic fear down.

“Adam is waiting for you,” Mike said.

“What? How does he even know... He knew I was coming?”

“Yes.” Mike said, and he looked tired and unhappy.

“Is this about Blaine?”

Mike rubbed his forehead and nodded.

Kurt choked back a cry. “Please Mike, just tell me.”

“Adam knows more than I do,” He said and started walking down the hall.

Kurt followed behind until they got to the meeting room where Adam and Tina were waiting. Tina looked sad and frightened and it made Kurt feel like he might be sick.

Before anyone could say anything Kurt marched up to Adam. “Where is he?”

“Kurt, calm down,” Adam said in a placating tone that just made Kurt angry.

“No. You know what happened to Blaine. Tell me.”

“It isn't as bad as you think,” Adam said.

“I don't know what to think!” Kurt yelled throwing his hands out. “All I know is that he was taken. Tell. Me. What. You. Know.”

“He was taken to a re-assimilation center this morning.” Adam answered.

“He...” Kurt tried to swallow, his throat feeling tight and dry.

Re-assimilation centers were the fear of every WG citizen. If someone was off their routine or just not adapting to their routine then they would have to take night courses and were under stricter watch. However, if a person had “rebellious tendencies” or some greater offence than just getting a little off routine they were taken to be re-assimilated.

Re-assimilation had different levels of severity, but it was all a form of brainwashing. It could even be physically dangerous if taken too far. Kurt had met a young woman once who had gone through severe re-assimilation. She had escaped the WG with her girlfriend. The re-assimilated woman was... off. She was sweet and kind, but not all there. It was like her mind had become permanently fuzzy. Her girlfriend said she hadn't always been like that; the re-assimilation had done it, and she doted over her, took care of her and defended her when needed.

Kurt thought about Blaine and something like that happening to him and his knees felt weak. Tina and Mike rushed forward, Tina reaching him first and helping to steady him. “It's okay Kurt. It is going to be okay.” She said and led him to a chair.

“It isn't okay. Blaine is... he is... he's in danger. We have to do something!” Kurt looked up at Adam. “What are we going to do about this?”

“There is nothing we can do.”

“Bullshit!” Kurt said, his anger giving him energy, he leapt to his feet and stared Adam down. “The Resistance has done rescue missions before!”

“Kurt,” Adam said keeping his voice low and steady in contrast to Kurt's. “Founder's day is in three days, we can't comprise a mission that has been in planning for years to get Blaine out of a re-assimilation center.”

“Like hell we can't!”

“Besides, whatever they are going to do to him has already been done.”

Adam's words hit Kurt like a punch to the gut, because he knew it was true. Blaine would have already gone through the re-assimilation process.

“I know what you're thinking,” Tina spoke up.

“I don't think you do,” Kurt said sitting back down and covering his face with his hands.

“You're thinking about that poor girl we met who had lost her mind after being re-assimilated,” Tina continued.

Kurt closed his eyes and clenched his jaw to keep from crying.

“But not everyone who gets re-assimilated comes out that way,” Tina's voice was closer now and Kurt opened his eyes to see her kneeling in front of him, hands placed softly on his knees. “Blaine... could still be okay.”

“What if he isn't?”

Tina shook her head. “Don't do that. Don't expect the worst case scenario.”

“What am I suppose to do?”

“Wait,” Tina said with a sad smile. “It is a terrible thing to ask of you, but it is all we can do right now.”

“Blaine could return to work tomorrow or the next day. If not, then, after Founder's day...” Adam chimed in.

Kurt let out a hollow laugh. “Stop pretending you care about what’s going to happen to him.” Kurt said in a bitter voice.

“Kurt,” Mike spoke up. Mike was quiet, he never said much, so Kurt looked up to see what he had to add. “If we could march on that center now and get him out for you I would be first in line. But we... we just can't. But I promise you, after Founder's Day, if Blaine isn't back, I will personally lead a team to find him.”

Kurt wanted to be comforted by Mike's and Tina's words, but he couldn't help the fear rolling though him. He just nodded.

“Until then, I'm sorry to ask this of you, but we need you to keep going with the mission,” Adam said, his voice soft.

Kurt nodded again and stood.

He didn't look anyone in the face as he made his way out of the room. Puck was waiting for him there.

“What's going on, man? Something wrong?”

“Not now Puck,” Tina said following Kurt out. “Do you want one of us to see you back to your apartment?”

“No.” Kurt said and didn't look back at his friends as he went down the hallway.

Kurt made his way back to his apartment in half a trance, stomping down his emotions so he could make it back safe. Once he was back and the door was closed behind him, he slid to the floor and buried his face in his knees.

This was his fault. Blaine had been taken because of him and now... what if...? Kurt couldn't hold his tears back any longer, they tore through him as worry and fear mingled together with his anger and guilt. Not Blaine, not sweet, innocent, brave Blaine. He couldn't find Blaine in all of this and come to love him just to lose him.

Eventually Kurt cried himself to sleep on the floor of his apartment, dreaming of the night he shared with Blaine and hoping when he saw him again he would still be Blaine.