Kurt seemed to have reached Dr. Lemaire at the beginning of a demonstration. He watched as people gathered around and the doctor cleared his throat and spoke over the crowd.

"I need a volunteer." Dr. Lemaire had a think French accent and a commanding voice. Immediately people quieted down and many raised their hands. "Who would like to help me with this presentation?"

Kurt looked around and then stuck his hand in the air. It would be a way to meet Dr. Lemaire.

"Maybe you, mademoiselle?" Dr. Lemaire pointed out a middle-aged woman from the front of the crowd. She wore a trim gray skirt and jacket, not a hair out of place or a smile to be found. All business.

Kurt watched as Dr. Lemaire explained that hed like her to sit in a chair, and was it okay if he strapped her in? He would let her out at a moments notice if that was what she wanted.

The woman agreed and Dr. Lemaire loosely strapped her arms and legs down and then put a metal cage-like device on her head, making sure she was comfortable before going to stand by an android that the headgear was attached to by an assortment of wires. The droid was a simple silver thing with a smooth metal face and no personal details.

"This is Trudy," the doctor said, indicating the motionless and seemingly lifeless droid. "Ms. Martin, you are in charge of Trudy," he said to his volunteer "She does what you tell her to do."

Kurt inched forward to see everything.

"So I just give her orders?" the woman asked.

"No, no. There is no need to speak to Trudy. You tell her what to do by thinking it. For example, I want you to think about lifting your arm."

"I cant. It is strapped down." Ms. Martin said.

Dr. Lemaire gave her a tight smile. She wasnt very imaginative. Kurt had already caught on to what the Doctor wanted her to do. "Just think about lifting it, you can move it as much as you can in the straps if you need."

The woman closed her eyes and nodded in understanding, Trudy nodded too, people around pushed forward to see better. Then, without a word from the volunteer, Trudy lifted her arm.

"Did she move that droid?" someone from the crowd asked. "Just by thinking it?"

"Indeed," Dr. Lemaire answered with a smile. "Now, Ms. Martin, please think about spinning around."

She nodded. Trudy nodded as well, as if linked to Ms. Martin, and then started spinning around. The crowd clapped for her.

"How do we know that the droid isnt just following the verbal commands youre giving your volunteer?" someone near asked Kurt.

"Excellent question," Dr. Lemaire said, as if hed been expecting it.

He walked over to Ms. Martin and unstrapped her arms and gave her a pad of paper. "I want you to write down a list of five or more actions that you are going to think of in order and then well strap you in again and see if without anyone saying anything Trudy follows your lead."

"Very well," the woman said, taking the pad and thinking for a moment before writing on it and then trying to hand it back to the Doctor.

"Oh no, I shouldn't even see it." He nodded for the man whod asked the last question to come up and Ms. Martin gave the paper to him. Then Dr. Lemaire strapped her back in. Ms. Martin closed her eyes and the droid started to move. It lifted one foot and then another.

"Lift both feet, one at a time," the male volunteer read.

Then Trudy spun around again.

"Spin for the audience," he read on, and the crowd gasped in delight.

Trudy stopped and clapped her hands together.

The man laughed and read from the list. "Clap your hands like a good little droid."

Trudy did each of the next four things Ms. Martin had written, and when she was done Dr. Lemaire unstrapped his volunteer to a swell of applause.

Kurt was thoroughly impressed. Hed never seen anything like that before. The android had been completely controlled by thought alone. It was remarkable, but something about it made Kurt nervous. He didn't like the thought of anyone having that kind of control over B. He shook off his worry though; B wasnt that kind of droid anyway.

"This technology is of course something still undergoing testing," Dr. Lemaire said. "But you never know if it might end up in one of our next lines of droids. Smythe Industries, always advancing!" He smiled at the crowd as they applauded him. Kurt joined in.

"Now, Monsieur Smythe himself will be making a presentation in the grand ball room in only half an hour," Dr. Lemaire quieted the crowd. "I suggest heading in that direction to make sure you get a seat." He smiled charmingly as everyone started to disperse. Kurt lingered though, waiting until there were few enough people that he could make his way up to the doctor.

"May I help you?" Dr. Lemaire asked as he started to shut down his equipment.

"That was an impressive demonstration," Kurt said, hoping to break the ice.

"Thank you, monsieur. We are still years away from releasing anything like this and the technology has limitations, speaking for example," he laughed.

"She cant speak?"

"Not on thought command yet. Still, it is rewarding to see peoples excitement."

Kurt nodded and glanced at the simple droid. "So without the thought control technology, is Trudy on the market?"

"Oh no, shes just a test android, no one would even want her really. Shes just for presentations."

"Ah," Kurt said, nodding and trying to be nonchalant. "So shes a B line droid then?"

The doctor looked up sharply from what he was doing. His dark eyes widened and his eyebrows shot up, but only for the briefest of moments before he schooled his expression and cleared his throat. "No, our test androids arent part of any line."

"Oh." Kurt put his hands in his pockets, heart pounding because he was sure Dr. Lemaire knew more than he was saying, but Kurt didnt want to show his excitement or scare the doctor off. He looked around at the display and tried to go for a breezy demeanor. "So what androids are in the B line?"

"Smythe Industries doesnt have a B line, monsieur," the doctor answered. "If you can tell me what youre looking for in a droid, I could match you with the best line. Or better yet, let me introduce you to someone in sales. They are better versed in these matters anyway." He shrugged. "Je ne suis pas important. I just work in the lab most of the time." He was clearly trying to get rid of Kurt, turning his body away and busying himself around the display.

"No, I dont think anyone in sales can help me," Kurt said, not leaving the doctor alone like he obviously wanted. "Because no-one here seems to know anything about Smythe B line droids."

"Thats because there is no such thing," Dr. Lemaire said firmly. "Now hurry along to the grand ballroom, youre missing Monsieur Smythes présentation." And with that, he picked a box up from the ground and started to walk towards a door in the back labeled "Employees only”.

"Wait, please," Kurt said, dropping his disinterested façade. This was the first person hed met he was sure knew something about B. "He is about this tall," Kurt lifted his hand to indicate a few inches shorter than himself. "Dark curly hair?"

The doctor spun around, his eyes glancing down to Kurts lanyard and Kurt immediately turned it around to hide his name… or his dads name at least.

Dr. Lemaire took a step towards him and lowered his voice. "I dont know anything about that," he snapped. "And neither should you. Whatever you think you know, just forget it. If you dont, youll be doing more harm than good."

And with that he turned, unlocked the door with a keycard and disappeared behind it. Kurt tried the handle, but it had locked behind the doctor.

Kurt stood stunned for a moment; he had certainly hit a nerve. What in the world could this big secret be that a Smythe employee would so adamantly deny it? He felt he had more questions now that when he started. He was also starting to feel apprehensive about this whole thing. He shouldnt have given Dr. Lemaire that information about B. It might be better at this point that no-one knew that Kurt had one of their imaginary B line droids.

Kurt sighed and rubbed his forehead. All of this was giving him a nervous headache. He turned and slowly made his way into the grand ballroom, a knot tying in his stomach as he stood in the back to hear Charles Smythes presentation. He thought today was going to be fun, learning about advanced technology, finding out more about B. Instead the day had just been exhausting, being around all of these droids that were so machine-like it was discouraging, not to mention that apparently the B line was some kind of big secret. He didnt like that. What did it mean about B?

If Kurt hadnt been so distracted thinking about B, he probably would have found Charles Smythes presentation fascinating, but as it was all he could do was turn over the doctors words in his head. Youll be doing more harm than good. What did that even mean?

"Hes kind of a bore, isnt he?" a voice said at Kurts side, and Kurt was pulled out of his musings to see a young man standing next to him. He was wearing a very obviously expensive suit that made him seem taller and broader than he probably was and he was sipping a cocktail from the bar in the back of the room.

"Who?" Kurt asked, taken off guard.

"Mr. Charles Smythe. How can he take such a stimulating subject and make it seem so dull?"

Kurt turned back to the stage; Mr. Smythe was talking about advanced mechanics and making androids look more human like than ever.

"I find it interesting."

"Really?" The young man smirked at him, his green eyes dancing. "Is that why you are standing back daydreaming?"

"I wasnt-"

"Its fine." The man turned towards a waiter and snapped his fingers. The waiter approached and the young man handed him his emptied glass. "Bring me a scotch and a…" He turned towards Kurt.

"Oh, nothing for me, thanks."

"And a Manhattan for my timid friend here."

The waiter nodded and went off to fill the order. Kurt wondered if he was a droid too. He didnt have the transparent skin the droid servers in the expo hall had, but he still could be.

Kurt turned back to the man at his side. "You didnt have to do that." He had to admit the young man was intriguing, even if he did give off an annoyingly haughty vibe.

"Youre attractive and seem to be alone here," the stranger said. "Im happy to buy you a drink." He winked.

"Its an open bar," Kurt said with a raised brow.

"Ah yes, but someone is still paying for it." The stranger held out his hand. "Sebastian Smythe of Smythe Industries," he announced proudly. "Today I bought everyones drinks."

Kurt smiled, excitement building in his chest. Here he was trying to find out information from engineers who wouldnt talk to him and the head of the company just walks up to him and starts flirting.

"Really?" Kurt said, shaking his hand. "You paid for all the drinks? Because I think my hefty registration fee helped cover one measly Manhattan."

Sebastian laughed as the waiter returned with their order. Kurt took the drink with a thank you, wishing that if the waiter was a droid Kurt could think of a question to stump him, the question no droid could answer. He sipped on his drink politely but grimaced, he didnt like whisky.

"I usually do the presentations at these things," Sebastian said, glancing at his father on the stage. "But Charles thought it was important that people remember he is still involved in the company. I promise if I was up there youd be paying attention. Im less talk, more splash."

Kurt smiled. "Well, it is lucky for me that your father is speaking today and you are back here."

Sebastian looked Kurt up and down in a way that made Kurt a little uncomfortable. "Id say I was the lucky one, Mr…?"

"Hummel," Kurt said, but didnt give his first name. The presentation was winding down, and Kurt felt that if he was going to ask Sebastian any questions, now was the time to do it. His heart was in his throat though, given Dr. Lemaires negative reaction. Kurt didnt want to mess this chance up.

Kurt was just getting up the nerve to say something when Sebastian spoke again.

"So… am I going to have to keep flirting with you or are you going to ask?"

"Ask what?" Kurt said, surprised.

"I know youve been roaming around the expo asking about a nonexistent line of androids."

Kurts jaw tightened. Great, he was being shot down before he even had a chance to ask anything. A waiter passed and Kurt placed his barely touched drink on his tray. "It isnt nonexistent," Kurt said resolutely. "I know the B line is real."

Sebastian turned to fully face him and his affable expression was replaced by something dark. "You have no idea what you are saying. Now, I dont know if you are a reporter out of his depths or a spy from the competition but I assure you there is nothing to be learned here." Sebastian glowered at him, but Kurt held his ground. "Stop poking around about this… this B line or Smythe Industries will have to take legal action. Do you understand?"

Kurt gulped down his nerves; he was too close to learning something to back down now. "I just want to know what makes them different," Kurt pleaded, feeling his chance to learn anything slipping away. "What makes them so special?"

Sebastian took a menacing step forward. "This is a waste of your time. And more importantly, a waste of mine. There is nothing to be gained here." Sebastians eyes shone with anger, or maybe tears. "The B line, if there was such a thing, isnt special, it was the most useless endeavor weve ever wasted hope on." Sebastians fists were clenched and he was shaking with emotion.

Kurt gasped at Sebastian's intensity and Sebastian seemed to realize hed said too much. He rolled his shoulders and tried to relax his stance. "If you repeat anything you imagine youve learned today Ill deny it. Now drop this and remember, no matter who you are, my lawyers are better than yours."

Sebastian glanced past Kurt and snapped his fingers. Kurt turned to see a couple of security guards making their way over to them.

"I can see myself out," Kurt said, his pulse racing and his heart hammering in his ears. He didnt give Sebastian or the guards a chance to disagree. He just headed out of the ball room and quickened his steps towards the exit.

Kurt was holding his breath, tension tight in his body. He was almost at the front door when he heard someone call behind him. "Oh, Mr. Hummel!" He turned to see Candice Fisher hurrying to catch up with him. He looked around but there was no sign of the guards or of Sebastian Smythe.

"You remember my name?" Kurt said suspiciously as Candice approached him.

"Only because you actually asked interesting questions," she smiled, and Kurt glanced behind her. Still no security guards coming from the ball room.

"I have a Masters of Science in Robotics Technology, and youd be surprised how many times a day I answer, 'Yes, yes, these eyes come in all shades'”, Candice smiled, and Kurt took a deep breath. She didnt seem to know that Kurt had been poking around all day or that hed just been asked to leave by the head of her company.

"Right," Kurt smiled back. "That must get old."

"You arent leaving already?"

"Im afraid so. Nice to meet you though." He took another step towards the door, but then stopped. "Wait, what is the question a droid can never answer?" He needed to get out of here, he was shaking and more than a little edgy, but this was something that had been bugging him all day.

Candices smile grew, and she motioned for an android at the front desk to come over. The droid looked middle-aged and inconspicuous, one of those droids you might buy if you wanted them to blend in.

"Hello," Candice said to the droid. "What is your name?"

"Roger," the droid answered pleasantly.

"Im Candice and this is Mr. Hummel," Candice smiled brightly. "What is your job, Roger?"

"Im an L line droid who is helping with registration and lost badges."

"Okay, and normally what do you do? When not at a conference?"

"Im an office droid; I assist Mrs. Dower in the New York office."

"Oh, very nice," Candice replied.

Kurt liked how kind she was with the droid, not condescending like many people were. He kept glancing behind her though, ready to sprint for it if security came looking for him.

"Do you like that job?" Candice asked the droid, and Kurt turned his attention back to them.

"Its my job, miss."

"If it wasnt your job, what would you want to be?" Candice asked, shooting Kurt a look.

Roger looked at her curiously. "Its my job, miss."

"I know, and I bet youre fantastic at it or Mrs. Dower wouldnt have brought you here today. But if you could do anything, if you had the choice, what would you want to be?"

"I…" The droid looked nervously between Candice and Kurt. "I… would be an office droid."

"Yes, but Im saying if your owners didnt care and they gave you the freedom to be and do whatever you wanted," Candice pressed. "What would you want to be?"

The droid looked utterly confused and just repeated. "I would be an office droid."

Candice smiled at him sweetly and placed a hand on his shoulder. "How lucky for you, then. Thank you, Roger, I wont take up any more of your time."

The droid nodded and walked back to his station.

Candice turned back to Kurt, who was staring after the droid. "Even our most top-of-the line droids cant answer that."

Kurt looked back at her. "You mean the question is What do you want to be?'" Something about that gave him an uneasy feeling.

"Yes," Candice answered. "You know how some people are always worried that droids are going to have an uprising and take over the human race?" She rolled her eyes and Kurt smiled at her. He had heard that before. "It isnt possible. In order for the androids to take over they have to want to. Theyd have to want something bigger than what they are. Its a failsafe," she explained. "If a droid doesnt want to be anything, then how could they be ambitious enough to take over anything?"

"Right," Kurt nodded, feeling a little queasy. He thought about B. What did B want to be? Hed turned down the idea of Broadway just that morning. Was it because, like all droids, he couldnt picture himself as anything he wasnt told to be?

"Droids have no ambition. No selfish or altruist motives. They want to do the job given to them until a new job is assigned to them and then they want that," Candice continued. "So to tell the difference between someone real and a machine, just ask them what do you want to be? and watch the droid struggle to even understand the question."

Candice smiled at Kurt, obviously pleased with her explanation.

"Oh." Kurts stomach was twisting; he suddenly didnt like this conversation. He glanced back up and saw a few security guards looking in his direction. It was time to leave. "Well, that is very interesting," Kurt said. "Thank you, Candice, but I… I have to go." He sent her a grateful smile and headed out the door.

Once outside, Kurt took a deep breath, suddenly needing to be home. He needed to see B. After a day of talking to almost lifeless droids and being threatened by Sebastian Smythe himself, he just wanted to get back to his apartment and remind himself that B was different. He was different. B was real.

Wasnt he?

Kurt hailed a cab and tried to calm down. He told himself he was only worked up from his confrontation with Sebastian, but he knew it was also from watching that droid, Roger, unable to think for himself.

B wasnt like that; he wanted things. That was one of the first traits Kurt learned about him, with B keeping that sweet list of things he wanted to do. He wasnt like other droids.

"Hes not like other droids," Kurt said to himself as he wiped his wet eyes.

Kurt got out of the cab 20 minutes later, on his street, feeling more and more anxious. He paid the driver and grabbed his phone from his pocket, dialing Bs number. Was B just as limited as all the machines Kurt had seen that day? Maybe Kurt had worked things up in his mind, making B into what he wanted him to be.

"Hi, Kurt!" B answered happily after only a couple of rings.

"Hey, B," Kurt said, standing outside of their apartment, too nervous to go in. "How… How was your afternoon?"

"Good. I did a lunch shift at the diner and then went to see a movie with some of the other wait staff."

"Thats nice," Kurt said, his throat hitching with the tears he was suppressing. "I have… I have kind of a strange question for you."

"Okay," B said brightly, and Kurt could just picture the smile on his face. It made his heart hurt.

"Um… If you could be anything you wanted, what would you be?" Kurt tried to keep his voice steady, but it came out a little shaky all the same.

"What would I be?" B asked, and he sounded so confused that Kurt had to lean against the side of the building for support.

"Yes, if you could choose anything."

Please, B, please, be who I think you are. Have an answer.

"Well..." B said slowly. "There are some things people wouldnt like droids doing…"

"Forget about that," Kurt said quickly. "Dont let the fact that people might judge you stand in your way, what would you want to be if none of that mattered." Kurt could hardly get out the words at this point, he was so close to breaking down.

B was quiet on the other end for a long moment, and each second that passed made Kurts heart feel like it was shrinking smaller and smaller in his chest.

"You said something about me on Broadway this morning," B finally answered. "And I think Id love that… But I dont know if thats the ultimate thing Id want to do."

"No?" Kurt asked hopefully.

"I think Id like to write music, the kind people hear on the radio. Id want to make music that made others happy." B was sounding more and more excited as he went on. "When people heard one of my songs, Id want them to know they werent alone. Id want to make art and… and help people you know?" B sounded giddy with the idea. "Thats what Id like to be. Not a mechanic droid in a shop, or a waiter at a diner. I mean, Im very grateful for those opportunities, but if I could be anything Id want to help people through music."

Through Bs whole speech, Kurt felt like he couldnt breathe. He covered the huge smile that spread on his face with his hand and tipped his head back against the building letting out a joyful laugh.

"Kurt? Are you there?" B asked.

"Yes," Kurt said, breathy with laughter, happy tears making their way down his face. "Im here. And I think that is the most beautiful thing Ive ever heard, B." He wiped his cheek; his grin so wide it hurt.

"Are you okay, Kurt? You sound funny."

"Im fine. Im great! Ill be home in moments." Kurt turned to unlock the front door. "I forgot to get dinner!" Kurt said, still laughing a little and he probably sounded crazed right now. Kurt couldnt care though. B was real. Of course he was.

"We can order something," B answered. "Just come home."

"I am," Kurt answered before hanging up. He stuffed his phone in his pocket and rushed up the stairs to the apartment, letting himself in and quickly shrugging off his jacket.

"Kurt?" B came around the corner with a smile. "You were close."

Bs hair was in wet, tight ringlets on his head. He must just have showered. His eye was bright and his cheeks were rosy. He wasnt wearing his eye patch, and the skin around his eyes crinkled as he smiled at Kurt. It was such a relief to see him after the day Kurt had just had.

"Were you calling from outside?" B asked, but Kurt didnt have any words right then. He just rushed forward, throwing his arms around Bs neck and pressing his lips against Bs.

Kurt hadnt planned on kissing him, but now that he was, it felt like the best idea in the world. He felt B stiffen for a short moment before he relaxed; hands coming up to softly rest on Kurts hips. Kurt slid his lips against Bs and B sighed, leaning into Kurt.

Kurt took that as a good sign and parted his lips a little to fit them against Bs, who slowly and ever so softly started kissing him back. Kurts heart leapt and his stomach flipped and he tightened his hold on B, bringing him in closer as their lips worked together.

Kurt had kissed his share of guys, especially after coming to New York, but none of those kisses had been like this. Sweet and tender and with so much emotion Kurt felt like crying all over again. His body fit perfectly against Bs body, and as he tilted his head to kiss B deeper, B moved so that the angle was just right. The slick slide of their lips together was making Kurt dizzy, and he pulled back, needing air to clear his head.

B was standing there looking limp, his kiss-red lips parted and his eyes closed. Kurt couldnt pull his gaze away from him. B was so beautiful and good and Kurt was so lucky.

Kurt unwound his arms from around B and cupped both of Bs cheeks with his hands and smoothed a thumb under his still closed eyelid. "Are you still with me, B?"

Bs eye fluttered open and he just stared at Kurt.

"B? Are you okay?"

"Kurt." He breathed. "You… kissed me."

"Yes, I did. Is that… okay?"

"Yes," B said, and he seemed to shudder slightly."Very much... yes."

Kurt smiled at him. "Then is it okay if I kiss you again?"

Bs eye widened and he nodded his head.

Kurt leaned in, bringing their lips together again in what he thought had to be the worlds most perfect kiss. B didnt just stand there this time. He lifted his hands to grip Kurts arms, kissing him passionately and letting out a soft moan that made Kurts heart soar.

Soon they were moving backwards until Kurts back hit the front door, and B parted his lips, granting Kurt access. Kurt wrapped his arms around Bs back, breathing him in and feeling B tremble against him. Kurt tugged on Bs bottom lip with his own, letting their breath mingle together and he sighed and pressed his chest as close to B as he could. Kurt felt warm and happy and relieved.

He should never have been worried. Kurt knew B. He had just momentarily forgotten what hed known about B from the beginning; B was different and special. And even though Kurt still had questions, as he pulled back and looked B in the eye and saw B smile at him and look a little loopy with happiness, Kurt knew that B was real and Kurt had no regrets about falling for this wonderful man.