Blaine pulled his jacket in around him tighter and walked into the crumbling old building; the fact that one of its walls was now rubble on the ground and another one looked to be following that way soon did little to keep out the chill. Blaine glanced up at the high arched ceiling that was somehow miraculously still mostly intact and a shiver ran down his spine. This time not out of cold, but something else; a creeping feeling of disaster that always filled him when he had to visit this old neglected church.

He closed his eyes and pictured it in its glory days. Stained glass windows letting in sunlight, the sound of an organ playing, the pews filled with devoted believers coming to worship. And one lone and lonely man sitting in the back, huddled in his heavy riding coat and wishing he could feel the same hope this place gave the others here.

His eyes opened as the thought faded and he was again met with the sight of a stone building stripped of its previous glory. Stained glass long gone, stolen or taken for another church. No organ, no pews, just garbage littering the once sacred ground, Blaine glanced down at the newspapers and beer bottles and even a syringe or two. Time had taken this church as its victim.

He readjusted his bag on his shoulder and headed towards the far wall, the only somewhat sturdy wall the chapel had left, and then pushed open the creaky old door that led to a small chamber lit only by a hole in the ceiling. On the ground was a latched door, dusty with disuse and covered in rubbish; of course Blaine knew it was staged to look that way on purpose. He took a key from his pocket and used it on the latch, lifting it up and then fishing a flashlight out of his bag before making his way down the narrow and slippery stone steps to the cellar below. The latched door fell shut behind him with a resounding thud.

Blaine walked down a short hallway, using the beam of his flashlight to lead him, until he reached yet another door. This one was newer and made of thick heavy wood, it had a knocker hanging in the middle of it made out of iron and it was shaped in the gruesome face of some kind of vicious creature, the round knocker hanging from its snarling jaw. Blaine didnt like to look at it; it made him feel ill and brought back memories of the wind howling around him as a man screamed in horror somewhere behind him.

Blaine shook off his feeling of dread and used the knocker to pound out a specific rhythm. A code to let the listener know who was knocking. It took a long moment, but soon Blaine heard movement from behind the door and someone was unlocking locks, and then the door swung inward and the light of the room beyond filled the corridor where Blaine stood waiting.

"Blaine!" A mans voice called out warmly, and as Blaines eyes adjusted to the extra light, he could make out the stout and squat form of the man hed come to see. "Blaine from the Gaelic meaning lean or thin," the man continued, and then walked back into the room assuming Blaine would follow, which he did.

The room was small with a low ceiling and it was round in shape, with oil lanterns hanging periodically throughout, casting the room in a warm yellow glow. The walls were lined with shelves and locked cabinets, the shelves were filled with jars and pots and statues and assorted artifacts, and what Blaine was pretty sure was a shrunken head that he avoided really looking at. To the left was another door almost as squat as the man, it was double locked and Blaine had never been behind it. The whole room gave off a somewhat antique feel, but the best thing about this room was that it was warm, one of the few places in the winter where Blaine felt like he could actually take his jacket off.

"Shut the door please?" The man asked and Blaine shut the door behind him and started locking it too even as the man called out, "And lock it will you son?"

When the door was secure, Blaine turned back around. "You know I dont like it when you call me son, Phillip."

"Tsk tsk," the man responded. "Someone is in a foul mood. You never call me Phillip, Greek for lover of horses; it isnt the name Ive chosen for myself."

Blaine tilted his head and crossed his arms.

"But I suppose thats what happens if I call you something you dont like. Cheeky boy. Is it okay if I call you cheeky boy? That is what you are."

Blaine took off his bag, ignoring the question, and set the bag down on the long table that took up most of the room.

"Oh you have something good for me dont you?" The man asked excitedly.

Blaine nodded. "Im not here for a social call, Felix," Blaine said, using the name his acquaintance preferred.

"Mmmm," Felix nodded and smiled, "That may be, but you know I dont like to rush into business talk." He walked over to an old iron stove in the corner and moved a tea kettle to heat up. "Would you like something to eat? I have biscuits."

Blaine let out a sigh, "Yes, fine. Thank you." He reached into his bag and pulled out the old wooden box hed put in there that morning. He placed the box on the table and watched as Felix looked over from the stove, a suddenly hungry look in his eyes.

Felix walked over with two teacups in his hands, apparently forgetting his declaration that he didnt like to get right down to business. "What is it?" He looked at the box and then up at Blaine with raised eyebrows.

"What about tea and biscuits?" Blaine retorted with a smile.

That made Felix lift his eyebrows even higher, "Are you teasing me and… smiling?"

Blaine shrugged, he didnt mind Felix. He was eccentric and probably more than a little two-faced, but he treated their business transactions with care and always had payment for his purchases, and besides, Blaine was in a good mood. Blaine let his lips tip up in another unexpected smile as he thought about having coffee with Kurt that afternoon and his invitation for them to do it again. Blaine schooled his expression quickly though realizing that Felix was watching him with curiosity.

"I found the dagger." Blaine answered Felixs first question, trying to be all business. He flipped open the wooden box to reveal a dagger sitting in plush blue velvet, the light of the room reflecting off of its polished silver hilt. Felix immediately placed the teacups on the table-top and reached for the dagger, but right before his fingers could grab it, Blaine snapped the wooden box closed again. Felix looked at him in annoyance.

"You have payment?" Blaine asked.

Felix rolled his eyes, "Cheeky boy." Then he turned and walked to one of his cabinets on the wall, unlocking it and pulling a small glass vial out and returning to the table. Inside was a clear red liquid; Blaine looked at it in confusion before he took it and lifted it up, letting the light filter through the red liquid before looking back at Felix in frustration. This wasnt what hed come for; Felix had never double crossed him before, but Blaine couldnt help but glance at the door, already planning his quick exit.

"I know I told you Id have that emerald you wanted…" Felix started but Blaine cut him off.

"You promised the emerald, Felix. I have another client expecting it; we are past the bargaining phase of this transaction." Blaine clenched his jaw, trying not to let his emotions show; hed been counting on that emerald, his other client had information that was important to Blaine and he had no way of getting it without delivering exactly what hed promised. "Ive always come through for you, Felix. What are you trying to pull?"

Felix tutted with his tongue and took the vial back from Blaines hands. "I know what you are looking for young man. And I know you think youre close to finding out information about it, but I thought why use the emerald to get information when the information you need is right here in this room?" He lifted up the vial. "Do you not know what this is?"

Blaine let out a long breath of air through his nose and gave the glass another glance as his heart started pounding in his chest. The red was rather distinctive, but that didnt mean…

"It looks like the remains of a heartstone." Blaine said, crossing his arms over his chest and then feeling the tightness there start to unfurl as Felixs face broke out into a huge grin. Blaine blinked and looked back at the vial quickly reaching for it, but this time Felix was the one to draw it quickly away from his grasp.

"It is the remains of a heartstone."

"How did you get that?" Blaine asked in wonder, knowing that if Felix said it was the remains of a heartstone, it would be. Felix would never sully his reputation by trading something that wasnt real.

"The dagger?" Felix said reaching out his open hand.

Blaine nodded and opened the wooden box again, placing the dagger in Felixs hand as Felix let him take the vial. Blaine held it up to the light again watching the red liquid shimmer. A cold chill ran down his spine. "Who is it?"

When Felix didnt immediately answer, he glanced at him and caught him staring at the dagger as if it was a long lost lover. "This is going to make me so much money." He grinned and it looked sinister to Blaine. He cleared his throat and Felix looked back up, his face clearing and then settling into a less menacing looking smile.

"Does it matter who it was?" Felix asked. "Im sure no one you know."

Blaine felt a lump in his throat, that wasnt actually comforting. "You know a vial of the remains of a heartstone is much more valuable than that dagger," Blaine said, wondering if he was missing something or if this was a trick.

"You are confusing, rare and valuable," Felix said, placing the dagger back in the wooden box and then walking over to a large cupboard in the corner of the room and locking it in. "The vial may be rarer, but not many people care about its contents, unlike you. The dagger on the other hand..." Felix rubbed his dry hands together, the sound making Blaine shiver. "Many people are interested in acquiring that, but if you still want the emerald…"

"No." Blaine shook his head. "Youre right, this is better."

Felix smiled and turned towards the stove as his tea kettle started to whistle. "I suppose I couldnt still talk you into staying for tea? Maybe you could tell me what has gotten you in such a good mood. Ive seen more smiles out of you this afternoon than in the entire course of our friendship."

"Friendship?" Blaine questioned.

"Do you think just anyone I do business with has a key to this cellar?"

"I dont have a key to your front door though."

"Im not that trusting," Felix said with a wink. "As Im sure you understand." He started pouring tea and Blaine briefly considered staying, Felix was entertaining if nothing else and Blaine didnt really have anywhere else he needed to be, plus it was warm here. Yet, even if Felix called him a friend, Blaine knew that that was something he couldnt afford to have.

"Thanks, but Ill pass," Blaine answered, wrapping the vial in a cloth from his bag and then pocketing it.

Felix let out an exaggerated sigh. "You are going to tire of your own company one of these days Blaine son of Ander, and on that day I may not offer you tea."

Blaine just shrugged, shouldering his bag and leaving the room, climbing the stairs until he was back in the abandoned church, the winter air nipping at his cheeks. He reached a hand in his pocket and felt the vial; even through the cloth it was still warm. Blaine blinked back some unwanted tears and tried to chase away the question about who died for him to have this vial. He walked on, putting Felix and his worries behind him.

Kurt couldnt believe he was doing this. Hed just had dinner with Aaron the day before; theyd gone for sushi after school and Kurt had had a nice time, but it didnt really feel like a date to him. Probably because he wasnt really interested in Aaron, but Aaron evidently thought it went well. Not only did he offer to walk Kurt home and take his hand while doing so, hed asked Kurt to go out with him again the next day.

Thats how Kurt found himself getting ready for a second date with Aaron in just two days. Kurt was frustrated that he couldnt make himself more excited about this. Aaron was nice, easy to talk to, handsome; he had similar interests and apparently liked him. Still, Kurt just wasnt really feeling it. He thought back to talking to Blaine that afternoon at the coffee shop. It had been a surprise to him to find Blaine there buying him coffee and saving Kurt his table. At first, Kurt didnt trust it at all; Blaine had been so unreasonably rude before, that Kurt had had no reason to trust this apparent turn around. And yet…

Blaines apology had seemed so sincere, and when Kurt had asked him to sit with him, hed looked so pleasantly surprised that Kurts heart had fluttered a little. Kurt still wasnt sure what to make of Blaine, but he knew he wanted to spend more time with him, try to figure out what made him tick. He didnt know if he trusted Blaine after their first disastrous encounter, but one thing was apparent, Kurt was more excited about the possibility of running into Blaine at Aroma Mocha tomorrow than he was about going out with a cute classmate this evening.

The only reason he was going out with Aaron again was that Mercedes was probably right, he needed to give Aaron a chance and not fixate on guys who were unavailable, or in Blaines case, completely unreadable.

So Kurt straightened his gold jaguar brooch, double checked his outfit, and headed out to meet up with Aaron, pushing thoughts of Blaine out of his head. Blaine was a silly crush and Aaron was an actual guy who was interested in Kurt and seemingly fit well with him. On paper, they worked. Kurt smiled when Aaron met him at the entrance of the restaurant, taking his jacket and complimenting Kurts appearance, and okay the way Aaron was looking at him was really nice, it made Kurt blush a little.

They sat down at a little secluded booth in the corner and Aaron was a perfect gentleman. It didnt take long for Kurt to relax and actually start enjoying himself. Aaron was funny and a good conversationalist, not talking too much about himself, but still being interesting. At the end of the evening when Aaron offered to walk Kurt home again, it was Kurt who reached out to hold Aarons hand.

"Kurt, Ive wanted to go out with you for months," Aaron said, looking down at their clasped hands. "What finally made you say yes?"

Kurt cleared his throat and tried to think of how to answer that question. "Some good advice from a friend," Kurt finally said.

Aaron nodded. "You did want to go out with me though, didnt you?"

Kurt lifted his eyebrows in surprise, thinking about how he hadnt actually wanted to go out when he first started getting ready that evening; he didnt want to say that, but he didnt want to lie either. Instead, he stopped and turned to face him. "Aaron, I had a really good evening and Im glad we did this."

"Me too," Aaron smiled and then leaned forward, his eyes closing, and Kurt knew what was about to happen. He stopped himself from taking a step backwards, letting Aaron press his lips against his own. Kurt loosened up after a moment and kissed Aaron back, short and sweet. Aaron was a good kisser and Kurts cheeks felt warm as they walked the rest of the way back to Kurts place.

That evening, Kurt didnt think of Blaine once, and as he went to get some coffee after school the next day, he still wasnt thinking about Blaine, Aaron and his sweet kiss occupying Kurts mind. That was, until Kurt walked into the coffee shop and saw Blaine sitting in his regular wingback chair. He glanced up when he saw Kurt, laying his book in his lap and lifting a hand in greeting, a small smile playing on his lips until he dropped his hand and glanced down at his lap seemingly shy. All thoughts of Aaron fled Kurts mind as he ordered and then walked up to Blaine.

"Hi," Kurt said with a broad smile.

"Hello Kurt," Blaine answered.

Kurt nodded towards Blaines cup, "Black coffee?"

"No, actually, I added cinnamon today."

"And?"

"And… its awful." Blaine answered, taking off his reading glasses and looking up at Kurt with a slight sparkle to his eyes. "I think I put in too much? Its like trying to drink a Christmas scented candle."

Kurt laughed at that and then nodded towards the table he usually sat at, "You go get our table and Ill get you more coffee and do it right."

Blaines eyes widened for a brief moment in surprise before he nodded and started gathering his things. Kurt went and got a drip coffee, putting just a little cinnamon in and joined Blaine at the table. He sat down and his heart did a little flutter when Blaine looked right at him, his golden eyes drawing Kurt in. There was something behind Blaines eyes that Kurt couldnt read, but they were much more expressive than the rest of his face, softer somehow; Kurt was sure there was more to him than his stoic exterior.

Kurt had to clear his throat and look away when it seemed like Blaine was fine with just leaning on his hand and gazing at him. "So, try the coffee," Kurt said, and Blaine nodded and immediately took a sip, humming as he swallowed.

"Oh this is much better."

Kurt smiled. "Thats decided then. Im in charge of your coffee."

"Thank goodness." Blaine sighed and Kurt bit his lip as his stomach flipped over pleasantly. "I dont want to keep you from your studies," Blaine said, looking at Kurts book bag.

"I dont have a lot to do. I can get it done later; right now I want you to tell me about yourself Blaine."

Blaines face, which had began to relax, tensed and he sat up straighter in his chair, looking away from Kurt for the first time.

"Or I can start," Kurt amended easily and Blaine glanced back at him. "Im Kurt Hummel, Senior at NYADA, thats New York Academy of Dramatic Arts-"

"I know NYADA," Blaine spoke up. "Theyre very prestigious; they only accept the very best." He lifted his eyebrows, "Which means you must be very good at what you do."

Kurt lifted his chin, not able to stop himself from preening a little bit. "I didnt get in the first time I auditioned… but they came to their senses eventually."

"And youve survived to your Senior year, so very, very good at what you do. Whats your specialty?"

Kurt smiled at Blaines interest. "I sing, thats my first love. But of course acting and theater. I also have done some costume design which is a lot of fun.

Blaine smiled at that and Kurt leaned forward; Blaines smiles were rare and small, but so lovely, that Kurt decided his new game when spending time with Blaine was to try to get him to smile as much as possible.

"And when you graduate, what is your plan?"

"I have a side business making costume accessories, but after graduation, I have a part in an off-Broadway play lined up."

Blaine sat up and leaned on his hand again, looking at Kurt with concentration, his gaze was so steady and his lips tipped in an almost smile and when Kurt met his eyes he would have sworn a slight blush blossomed on Blaines cheeks. It was moments like these where he caught Blaine looking at him like that where Kurt wondered if there was a chance Blaine could possibly have fluttery little feeling for Kurt the way Kurt did for him. That was probably wishful thinking though. "What play?" Blaine asked and Kurt had to break eye contact for a moment to be able to till clearly enough to answer.

Kurt shook his head. "Nope, your turn. Tell me something about you."

Blaines eyebrows furrowed.

"Just… anything," Kurt prodded; he didnt want to make Blaine uncomfortable, but he did want to know more about him. "Are you in school?"

"No." Blaine shook his head.

"Okay… what do you do then?"

"I work for myself," Blaine answered, and he didnt seem to plan on saying more. Kurt didnt let him off the hook he sat quietly waiting for Blaine to continue. "I specialize in import and export," Blaine finally added.

It was Kurts turn to look surprised, "Isnt that what crime lords and drug dealers say?"

"Yes." Blaine nodded seriously. "I import and export drugs and guns."

Kurt felt his heart rate speed up until he noticed the corners of Blaines lips twitch like he was suppressing a smile. "Youre messing with me."

"I deal with rare artifacts mostly," Blaine said with a true smile and a little laugh, and, god when Blaine really smiled, it was almost blinding. "For private collectors. Nothing as nefarious as drug dealing." He winked and Kurt had to remind himself to take a breath.

"That sounds." Kurt cleared his throat. "That sounds really interesting actually."

"Sometimes." Blaine shrugged, "It is a lot of negotiating and searching for things that you may or may not find."

"Howd you get into that?"

Blaine stiffened a little bit, the movement so small that Kurt only noticed because he was watching him so closely; Kurt was already learning that Blaine said as much with his body as he did with his words. Kurt read this as an indication that hed asked something Blaine didnt want to answer, so he was surprised when Blaine continued.

"I was looking for something, an artifact I wanted myself, and found I was good at bargaining with people and trading and… you do have to get creative sometimes with how you import and export." He smiled again, and Kurt returned his smile, encouraging him to go on. "I liked it and it was a way to make money and not have to work an 8 to 5." He leaned back in his chair, starting to look relaxed.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

Blaines eyes glanced away from Kurt momentarily. "No, not yet," he answered shortly and then looked back. "What play are you going to be in?"

Kurt took a sip of his mocha and decided that he really enjoyed Blaine, as cryptic as he may want to appear. Hed happily tell Blaine about his play if he thought it would keep Blaine talking, and keep him smiling.

Mercedes plopped down on Kurts couch as he brought in glasses of wine for them both. "So how are things with your boy?" She asked as Kurt handed her a glass.

Kurts eyes widened in surprise, he didnt know that Mercedes knew anything about Blaine, he hadnt mentioned him again since the time Blaine had been so stand-offish towards him. "I…" Kurt tried not to let a telling smile cover his face, "I wouldnt call him my boy."

"Oh my god Kurt! Youre blushing. You must really like him."

Kurt sighed and leaned back on the couch, taking a sip of his merlot and letting it fill him with warmth, "He isnt what I thought he was, I think under his hard… or not hard, just complex, his complex exterior he really is a sweet guy."

"Aaron?" Mercedes asked in confusion, sitting up. "I didnt know he had a hard or complex outer shell."

Kurt stared at her for a moment as his mind caught up to this conversation. Mercedes hadnt been asking about Blaine at all, of course she wasnt, she was asking about the guy Kurt had been out with twice and was seeing again tomorrow. Oh god, Kurt had literally forgotten all about Aaron.

Mercedes narrowed her eyes and looked at Kurt in a way that made him worried she might actually be able to read his thoughts. "Who are you talking about here?"

"Aaron?" Kurt answered weakly and Mercedes picked up a pillow from the couch and smacked Kurts shoulder with it, almost making him spill his wine. Kurt put his glass down on the coffee table for safe-keeping in case Mercedes felt like another pillow smack was needed. "Um… I might have had coffee with Blaine the past couple of days."

"What?" Mercedes scooted closer to him on the couch and Kurt kept an eye on the pillow still in her hand. "You mean the guy who shot you down when you tried to buy him a coffee. They guy you kept ranting about how rude he was the other night? That Blaine?"

Kurt shrugged. "He apologized for that, and you were the one that said maybe he was a good guy but wasnt used to people being nice to him and… I think youre right. In any case, Id be getting coffee at Aroma Mocha anyway, so if he happens to be there too, and happens to sit with me…" Kurt trailed off, thinking about his conversation with Blaine that afternoon; he found that Blaine could actually get fairly animated if you kept the conversation light. They talked about Kurts play and school and shows they both liked and music. Blaine seemed to love music. It was only when Kurt asked questions about him that Blaine seemed to recoil back into himself, but he still answered some of the questions.

Blaine was a mystery, shy and bold at the same time, sober one moment and then hiding his smile behind his coffee cup the next. He was an eager listener, his eyes lighting up when Kurt talked about his stage work, and he really did seem to be sweet. At one point, he got up and helped a woman and her elderly mother who was in a wheel chair get out the front door and then sat back down again like nothing had happened. The thing was that Kurt would be happy to help people in those situations too; he just hadnt noticed them whereas Blaine seemed to always be on the lookout for ways he could do something for someone else.

It made Blaines reaction from that first time Kurt had tried to buy him coffee all the more confusing, but he was a puzzle Kurt was determined to crack.

"Wow," Mercedes said, and Kurt looked back at her, realizing hed gotten lost in his own thoughts. "You are just sitting there smiling and thinking about him arent you?"

Kurt sighed and leaned his head back on the couch, looking up at the ceiling and running his hand through his hair. "And I have another date with Aaron tomorrow. I dont know what to do… I mean, I like Aaron, hes fun and… we kissed." Kurt sat up and looked at his friend, but Mercedess expression was unreadable. "Aaron is a nice guy, and it isnt like Im dating Blaine; we just have coffee together and I dont even know if hes interested."

"Right…" Mercedes said and pursed her lips thinking for a moment. "So youre saying you want to date them both?"

"No! Im not dating Blaine."

"Do you want to date Aaron at all though?"

"Yes? I think so?" Kurt answered.

"Oh yeah, that was convincing."

"I think I need to go out with Aaron tomorrow at least. I want there to be a spark you know?"

"You cant force chemistry,"

"You told me to give a guy I knew a shot!" Kurt said, frustrated. "Thats what Im doing."

"Well good. In the meantime, maybe you should ask Blaine out, because there seems to be chemistry there already."

Kurt reached for his wine and took a deep gulp and Mercedes laughed. "Sorry, I am trying to help, you just have guys all over you these days." She smirked. "Just watch out for Blaine; if he is a jerk again Im not sure you should let him off the hook a second time."

Kurt smiled; again finding it hard not to smile when thinking of Blaine. "Yeah, Ill be careful," he said, and then changed the subject to Tank, knowing Mercedes would take any opportunity to talk about her new boyfriend. Tomorrow, Kurt was going out with Aaron again, but also hopefully meeting Blaine at the coffee shop too.