"Amy, Amy, wait!" Mark shouted. He was just about to run for the stairwell when the elevator doors popped back open. "I'm glad I caught you. All the designers are getting together for supper tonight in Annie's apartment. Do you want to come? Jonny said it would be fine; there should be plenty of food, and I'd really like it if you would."

Amy considered. She didn't really want to spend the evening with the designers, but Mark was kind of cute, and she didn't have anything better to do. If it got boring, she could plead a headache and leave early, and it might be an opportunity to get some dirt on Marisol, or whichever of the girls Blaine was so interested in. She smiled and touched Mark's arm. "I'd love to! As long as you're going to be there." She batted her eyelashes at him and tilted her head.

Mark's face lit up. "Great! I'll meet you there in about 30 minutes or so."

This is really too easy! Why doesn't this work on Blaine? Amy was torn. Obviously, Mark was interested and he was cute. His casual short-sleeved shirt and ripped jeans looked good, but Blaine looked hot in his business attire. "Do you think I look okay? I wouldn't want to insult anyone by not dressing up enough."

"You look beautiful! The blue in your blouse really sets off your eyes." He looked down at his own clothes. "Maybe I'd better change, though. Do you want to help me pick something out?" he asked hopefully.

"Sure, Mark. Why not? It sounds like fun. Did you bring anything fabulous along?" Amy looked him over. He was taller than Blaine, about 6' 1", she thought, and very slender. His upturned nose was peppered with tiny freckles and his green eyes had a kind look in them. Blaine used so much gel that Amy wasn't sure what his hair looked like, but Mark's was a rich wavy auburn, and he kept it a little long. She suddenly felt the urge to run her fingers through it. She contented herself with brushing a few strands off his forehead.

"If you want fabulous, you'll have to talk to Andrew. I think I have something nicer than these clothes, though."

Amy giggled at his jest. "Oh, you sounded exactly like him! Can you do Tim?"

Mark shook his head. "I wouldn't dare, even if I am already off the show. Come on let's see what's in my closet."

Blaine settled in at his desk to tie up the loose ends from the afternoon while he decided whether it was worth going back to his apartment to get his guitar. It would be about 40 minutes there and back if I took the subway, maybe a little less if I took a cab. I guess I'll have to see what time I get through here. He checked his notes, then sent Chris, Kurt, and Phil an e-mail asking them to be in the workroom at 8:30 the next morning. He copied Jo, so she would know what was going on. He was getting ready to notify Mark about his meeting with Heidi when she and Tim entered the office.

"Hi, Blaine," she greeted him. "How are the designers? Happy to be done with the first challenge?"

"They were excited, that's for sure! My group invited everyone else, including me, to supper. Annie asked me to bring my guitar, so if I have time, I'll probably run home and get it, unless you think I shouldn't go."

Heidi fixed him with a measured glance before she replied. "Whose idea was it?" She trusted Blaine, but she didn't want him placed in an uncomfortable situation.

"It was Kurt's idea to throw the party, but Marisol invited me. All the designers are coming, and each group is contributing to the meal." Blaine wanted to reassure her that he would be spending time with all of them, not just Kurt, but he didn't want to say anything in front of Tim. "I'm looking forward to getting to know some of them better. Marcel seems very interesting, as does Andrew." He ducked his head, a little embarrassed, before he added, "It's fun to sing with a group, too. We used to do in my dorm all the time, but I haven't gotten to do it much since graduation. I don't know what Annie had in mind, but it will probably be enjoyable. She's quite musical and Kurt has a great voice."

"Arrange for a cameraman -- no, wait, never mind. They should get to relax and have fun tonight. No cameras. Get finished up and have Mike take you to get your guitar and bring you back. The designers evidently want your company, and it sounds as if you would have a good time. Just buzz me when you leave. Tim and I will be in my office."

Blaine sent the e-mail setting up Mark's morning appointment with Heidi, called Mike, then buzzed Heidi to let her know he was leaving. "Is there anything else I can do for you? … I'll see you tomorrow, then." He bounced on his toes on the way out of the office. Good food, nice people, music, and some time with Kurt! What could be better?

As soon as Blaine left, Heidi turned to Tim, her eyes dancing. "Are you busy tonight?"

"What have you got in mind?"

"I want to crash the party. I think we should give them some time to eat and relax, and then pay them a little visit." She opened her desk and removed a box. "Are you in?"

Tim looked and the box and smiled. "Oh, they'll like that. Good idea! I'm in. About 6:30, then?"

By the time Amy had Mark dressed to her satisfaction, the party was in full swing. Good! I didn't have to help with anything, and we can make an entrance. If the designers were surprised to see her, they didn't show it, and Jen made a point of coming over to welcome her. "Hi, Amy, Mark. The food is all laid out in the kitchen; just help yourselves, then come join us in the living room."

Amy surveyed the room and frowned. Good thing we aren't sitting at a table; I'd be the thirteenth guest. That's bad luck. "Is anyone else coming, Mark?"

"I think they invited that guy with the funny eyebrows, but I don't know if he'll be here or not. This looks really good, doesn't it? Do you want to try some of this chicken stuff?" Amy let Mark fill her plate with small portions of food, and followed him into the living room. She was delighted when Jonny offered her his seat on the couch, saying she was too nicely dressed to sit on the floor. Mark looked stormy for a minute, then settled in on the floor at her feet. The room was filled with chatter as everyone relaxed and let go of the tensions from the challenge.

Marisol was in the kitchen when Blaine arrived. She let him in and took his guitar. "I'll put it in our bedroom. If you take it into the living room now, everyone will want you to play and you won't get to eat." She stayed with him while he fixed himself a plate, and they both settled in on the living room floor.

Amy narrowed her eyes at the couple, then composed her face. She reached down to toy with Mark's hair. Blaine's entrance had created a lull in the conversation, and she grabbed the opportunity. "I bet you guys don't know that Mark does imitations. Show them, Sugar. Please. For me," she begged. Mark looked a little surprised at the endearment, but quickly gave in and soon had everyone laughing. He started with Bogart's lines from the final scene of Casablanca, and followed it with some John Wayne. He quickly moved on to more modern movies and even performed some of Meryl Streep's lines from The Devil Wears Prada.

Kurt was putting a few of the empty plates in the kitchen when he heard a soft knock on the door. His eyes widened in surprise when he opened the door to find Heidi and Tim. He started to greet them, but Heidi put her finger to her lips. She and Tim entered quietly and stood out of sight in the entry hall.

In the living room, Amy was speaking again. "Come on, Baby. You know what I want. Please do Tim."

Emboldened by her words and the appreciation of the designers, Mark gave in. "Yes, I know, Mark, you have one yard of purple double knit and half a spool of thread, but I'm sure, if you try hard enough, you can turn it into a beautiful evening gown. I have confidence in you! Go, go, go! Make it work." Inspired by their reactions, he went on to imitate Heidi's runway speech, exaggerating her slight accent for comic effect. "As you know, in fashion, one day you're in and the next day, you're out. Except that you're all going to be out, and then I'll get rid of Michael and Nina and I'll have the whole show to myself." He finished with a maniacal laugh.

Kurt was covering his mouth in horror, but Heidi didn't seem to mind at all. She stepped into the living room, smiling broadly. "I thought Tim and I were crashing your party, but it sounds like Tim's already here. I don't know who that last person was, though," she said coyly. The designers stared at her in disbelief and Mark looked as if he wanted to sink into the floor.

Blaine knew them well enough to know that neither of them would be angry. "You should have heard him before you got here. He's really good. I don't know why he didn't sign up for the talent show."

"Talk to Sandy, Mark. I think you should perform," Heidi said, "and we're going to be very insulted if Tim and I don't have a prominent part in your act. Nina will be so jealous!" she gloated. The designers all relaxed and Mark looked very relieved. "Now, I want to see if you remember that phrase we practiced back in November."

Everyone looked puzzled. Blaine knew what Heidi was talking about, of course, but he waited to see if the designers would come up with it. If anyone, it will be Brenden or Kurt. He could tell by the way Kurt's gaze was turned inward that he was going back over everything Heidi had said in her group speeches. Oh, look at his face. He got it.

"If I tell you, Heidi will have to kill you," Kurt began with a grin, laughing when everyone chimed in on the last part. "... so please don't ask."

"Very good! Please keep that firmly in mind. I'm sure Blaine has reminded you that you can't tell anyone anything about the challenge or the results. I don't want to break up the party yet, so Blaine, if you would, pass out the phones at 7:45 and Amy, you can pick them up at 8:15 and take them back to the office." Amy frowned unhappily. She didn't want to stay at the party that late, and she certainly didn't want to go back to the office afterwards.

Blaine saw the look on Amy's face. She's going to be unpleasant about collecting the phones and make people feel bad. She'll probably try to get them early, too. "I'll take care of all of it, Heidi, if that's okay," he offered quickly. "I need to pick up something from the office before I go home, so I'll be going there anyway."

Heidi nodded her assent. She hadn't missed Amy's sullen expression and knew exactly what Blaine was thinking. "I'll just leave it with you, then." She handed him the box. "Have fun tonight. I'll see all of you at the talent show if I don't see you before then."

"Have you eaten yet?" Marisol asked softly. "We'd love it if you'd join us."

"I thought you'd never ask," Tim said with a smile. Marisol led the way into the kitchen, explaining who had contributed which dishes as Tim and Heidi served themselves. The designers moved from the couch to the floor, leaving room for Heidi and Tim to sit beside Amy. Most of them had finished eating and were talking quietly and thinking of home.

When Marisol returned to her place beside Blaine, he leaned over and said quietly, "If you can't reach Henri tonight, I'll call the FLO tomorrow and set something up for you." She smiled gratefully at him and gave him a quick hug, earning her a glare from Amy. Marisol didn't notice, but both Heidi and Blaine did. Thinking about Marisol's communication difficulties reminded Blaine of another problem. "Annie, your family is five hours ahead of us. Will they all be asleep by the time you call?"

"Oh, Annie, I'm so sorry," Heidi said without waiting for her to answer Blaine's question. "Of course they'll be asleep. And you can't call now, either, can you Marisol? The calls were supposed to take place tomorrow, but when I heard about the party, I thought you might enjoy having the phones tonight. Besides, it gave me a good excuse to crash. We'll make sure both of you get to call tomorrow."

"They'd like to hear from me any time, but my parents have to work and my sister has school, so it really would be better if I could call them about 1:00 tomorrow instead," Annie said. "You don't need an excuse to crash, by the way, either of you. You have a standing invitation, and that includes Blaine and Amy, and any of the staff, right guys?" She looked at her flatmates, who all nodded.

"Of course," Kurt said. "We would have invited you in the first place, but we figured you had had enough of us this week already, especially Tim."

"Thank you, Kurt. Annie, did you make these scones? I think I took the last one," Tim said, splitting it with his knife so he could butter it.

"You made scones?" exclaimed Kurt. "How did I miss that?"

Tim held out his plate "Here, Kurt. Please take half. I don't need to eat all of it. Top or bottom?"

Kurt turned pink and glared first at Blaine, who was trying hard not to laugh, then at Jen, who held up her hands and shook her head. "Uh … uh … no, thank you, Tim. I'm really full right now." Tim and Heidi exchanged glances; clearly something was going on.

We need a distraction. I don't want to have to explain this to Heidi, now or later. "Marisol, most of us are through eating. Where did you put my guitar?" The rest of the time passed quickly. Blaine had a large repertoire, and if he didn't know a song, he was usually able to fake it. Kurt sang along with everything, so Blaine didn't get any more ideas for the CD, but he realized Kurt would probably enjoy any kind of music. Even Jonny, who avowed he couldn't sing a note, joined in occasionally.

Amy cleared out when the singing started, claiming that she needed to do laundry, and Heidi and Tim left about 7:30. Blaine distributed the phones a little early, knowing that the designers would want to return to their apartments; the living room was just too small for 10 people to make phone calls at once. Annie and Marisol shooed everyone out, refusing all offers of help with the dishes. "Go talk to your families. We'll have a chance tomorrow, and someone else can clear up next time," Annie said brusquely. "We don't want you, either Blaine. Just play some music to entertain us."

Blaine did as he was told, providing background music and singing along softly, responding to requests from the girls. When no more suggestions were forthcoming, he began to play the melody for the song he was writing for Kurt, working out the chording and picking. "That's pretty, Blaine," Marisol said. "I don't think I've ever heard it before. What's it called?"

"It's just something I was thinking about doing in the talent show. It doesn't have a title yet."

"I had a feeling you were a songwriter," said Annie. "Does it have lyrics?"

"I'm working on it. I guess I'd better get busy. The show is coming up soon."

Shortly thereafter, the designers began to return their phones, and by 8:15 he had all of them. Blaine bid everyone goodnight and headed up to his office. He opened his Facebook page, and was delighted to see that Wes was already online.

Blaine, it's really good to hear from you.

You, too, Wes. What are you doing these days?

I'm attending UCLA, majoring in Chemical Engineering. How did you hear about my gavel?

I'm working for a reality show. I was talking to one of the contestants and we discovered we had both been Warblers. He showed me a photo of the council and there you were.

Cool! Who was it?

Kurt Hummel. He's a nice guy.

Oh, Kurt! I was really sorry when he went back to McKinley, but we all understood that it was something he needed to do. We were unhappy to lose him, though.

I imagine so. How often does a countertenor come along, after all?

Not just as a countertenor -- as a friend. And that hurts my feelings, BTW. Wait Kurt is on a reality show? Which one?

'Project Runway'. It's a competition for fashion designers.

I thought it would be something musical, but I can see him being a designer. So that's where you work?

Yes, I started as an intern during college and went full-time after graduation. I'm one of Heidi Klum's assistants. The designers have to be here over Christmas, so I'm trying to get some small gifts together. I was hoping you could help me with Kurt's.

HEIDI KLUM! NO WAY! I'd be happy to help you if I can. What did you have in mind? Do I get to meet Heidi?

Sorry, 'fraid not. I'm putting together a CD with karaoke music, and I wondered if you knew of anything he'd particularly enjoy -- maybe something the Warblers did while he was there, or just something he likes.

There was a song he wanted us to do, but it never worked out: Billy Joel's 'The Longest Time'. Do you know it?

Oh, yeah. That's the one that was an a cappella arrangement, right?

That's the one.

Great! Can you think of anything else?

He was always pushing Broadway songs, but we never got to do any of those, either.

Any particular show?

Hmmm. Maybe 'Rent'? I don't really remember. I'm not big on Broadway.

Okay, thanks for your help.

Did Kurt say anything about the Warblers?

You mean about how you kept comparing them to some guy who had graduated a long time ago?

I know you're still there, Wes. I can hear you breathing.

No, you can't. This isn't Skype; it's a chat.

I knew you were still there.

I was hoping he hadn't mentioned that. I might have gotten a little carried away.

*A little*? According to Kurt, there's an entire generation of Warblers who hate my guts.

Okay, a lot. But I needed to do something to inspire them. And it was only that one year, so it's not a 'whole generation'. If Kurt had stayed, he might have been our 'Blaine' but he wasn't there long enough. Listen, Blaine, don't be a stranger. I've got to get to my study group now, but let's stay in touch, okay? If you want to.

Of course I want to. I'm ashamed that we lost touch in the first place. TTFN

Seriously, Blaine? Tigger?

Hey, you recognized it. What does that say about you?

Hmph!

Go study!

Hi, Blaine. Wes has to go now; we're late.)

?

That was my girlfriend, Cindy. Speaking of girlfriends, are you in a relationship?

Let's just say I'm working on it. It's complicated.

What about Kurt? Did he ever find someone? He was kind of lonely when he was at Dalton lots of friends, but no one special, if you know what I mean. And he said he was the only 'out' guy at McKinley.

Not yet ….

Not yet? With an ellipsis? What does that mean? Blaine!

You need to go. I'll tell you about it later.

Damn right you will!