Chapter Seventeen

Blaine sat fuming as Santana sped her car through the streets of LA. He was angry: angry at himself and angry at Sebastian.

There was Blaine, not wanting to go against Sebastian because he believed that Sebastian was responsible for his success, when in fact, all along Sebastian had just been manipulating and controlling him! Sebastian didn't care about his happiness. He didn't care that Blaine believed he had found his true love. He didn't care where Blaine wanted his career to go. He also didn't care about the people who were in Blaine's life. The only things that Sebastian seemed to be worried about was his success, his money, and apparently, claiming Blaine for himself.

Blaine shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. Things had been strained for a long time but this, this was the last straw. The deception, the lying, the manipulation, the, the... Blaine was so angry he couldn't even think of more words to describe what Sebastian had done. He clenched his fists as his anger grew.

But Blaine was also angry at himself, he was furious that it had taken him this long to realize that the mess surrounding Kurt was all because of Sebastian. He was also angry because he hadn't had the balls to go it alone, when he should have. It was time to set the record straight. It was time for Blaine to pull his head out of his ass and get his life back on track, to not only get back to before he had met Hunter but to start afresh. That was right, it was time for Blaine Anderson to turn a new leaf and start a whole new beginning.

This was it. No more alcoholic binges, no wild pointless parties that left him wrecked and only capable of giving half assed performances. It was time to take control of his life. And if possible, if this person that Santana was driving him to see could also vouch for the reasons behind Kurt's actions, then Blaine was hoping that he was going to be able to do it with Kurt by his side. And Sebastian, well, Sebastian was going to pay. Blaine nodded his head with determination. Sebastian was going to pay big time for driving Kurt and him a part.

Santana pulled to a stop outside of a bar and Blaine's eyebrows rose in surprise. He remembered it, even though he had only briefly stopped outside of it eight months ago. He remembered it because it was the place where he had met and picked up Kurt for the second time before they had had sex in the back of his limousine. Shit, that night had been hot. But then Blaine frowned. It had also been the night he had gotten completely off track. It had also been the night when he had met Hunter.

Blaine shrugged off the thought and climbed out of the car while Santana found a place to park. She had told him that he would know who he was looking for. His eyes pried the tables and booths before him. The bar was virtually empty. The lunch rush had finished and most of the customers had returned to work. But there, at the bar, Blaine recognized the lone figure watching the TV screen that was close to him.

Blaine was surprised to say the least, and as he set out across the room, his heart began to pound. What was going on here? Was Santana trying to set him up to get a beating?

"Santana said you might be able to tell me some things about Kurt?" There was a deathly silence after his question. It was only when the sport's article ended that Finn turned to look at Blaine. His face was serious, his gaze pensive. He gave Blaine the once over and Blaine had to wonder whether Finn had actually been watching the news or trying to summon the power to be civil.

Finn sized him up and scoffed as if all his assumptions about the man were true. He wasn't surprised in the least to see that Blaine was in the state he was in. He looked ragged, his eyes dark with deep shadows underneath, his complexion greyish and his clothes dishevelled. Blaine looked like he had just crawled out of bed. The partying life was really going to leave its mark on him if he didn't slow down soon, but as Finn continued to gaze at Blaine, something else struck home. It wasn't just the alcohol that was making Blaine so wrecked. There was also a deep loneliness in his eyes, and there, around the edges was a hint of someone who was close to giving up.

Finn had some things that he wanted clearing up however before he would even consider helping Blaine. "First things first," Finn stated firmly. "Before I say anything regarding Kurt, what kind of guy goes and send a shitty fucking text the way you did?"

Blaine's face filled with confusion, "Sorry, what? What text?"

"The day the shit hit the fan, the day that you left Kurt high and dry in his apartment, after your fucked up manager let loose on Kurt." Blaine could instantly feel his fists clench again. Just what had Sebastian said to Kurt, and now this, a text as well? What was Finn talking about? "You sent Kurt a text thanking him for a fuck, but that you had made a mistake and didn't want to see him again," Finn elaborated. "That's what I'm referring to."

Blaine nearly fell off his stool. "What the hell are you talking about?! I didn't send anything of the sort," he cried exasperated. "Is this what you brought me here for? So you can accuse of me this stupid shit?"

Finn eyed him closely not believing Blaine for one second. "Well, it came from your phone, so..." Finn's voice trailed off.

"Well, I call your bullshit because that didn't happen." Blaine leaned in close. "And I can call your bullshit because Kurt and I didn't even have sex that weekend, yeah, so why the hell would I write that we did?" Finn's frown deepened but he was surprised by the sudden confession, Kurt hadn't mentioned this, but then, Kurt hadn't gone into detail about anything that had happened over that weekend.

"You're just trying to cause more trouble and waste my time," Blaine ranted his unruly temper building. He wasn't going to sit there and be accused of something that he had never done. "I thought you were here to help me. No one has access to my phone but me and...." Blaine paused as it suddenly dawned on him as to what had happened. He was instantly filled with more rage, his face went red and he slammed one of his clenched fists down on the table. "The fucking bastard!" Blaine yelled. "Sebastian!"

"Sebastian?" Finn asked. "Are you sure?"

Blaine nodded, and unable to contain his anger any longer, he rose from his chair. Finn swivelled around on his stool and watched him.

"He's the only one who has the password to my phone," Blaine spat, pacing back and forth in front of Finn. His face had gone scarlet, his muscles tense. Oh, Sebastian was really going to get it! Really! He couldn't wait to get his hands on the man.

Finn watched as Blaine paced angrily before him, and surprisingly, Finn found that he believed Blaine. He was filled with too much honest, pure fury for it to be faked.

"I'm going to go back and get him," Blaine fumed. "I just can't believe... He's going to pay for this..." Blaine continued to vent. It wasn't until Finn leaned out and placed a calm pair of hands on his shoulders that Blaine stopped moving.

"Calm down," Finn said softly. "Sit down. You can worry about Sebastian later, but now, let me talk to you about Kurt, alright?"

Those were the only words that could sooth Blaine at that moment. He dropped back onto his stool, his face still red, his brows low and his eyes dark as he continued to seethe, but he was willing to listen.

"Rachel told me about the video you saw, the one of Kurt kissing Kevin under the tree." Blaine's face clouded up instantly again and Finn continued quickly, save Blaine going off on another outburst of rage. "Did you know that I was in this bar the very first time Kurt met Kevin?" Blaine's expression didn't soften. He hadn't really come to this bar to listen about Kurt's relationship with another man.

"I've known Kurt since we were at school and I know him well. I know for a fact that Kurt had not dated anyone seriously since his break up with Mark the shit head from New York." Finn gazed at Blaine evenly, ensuring that he had his one hundred percent attention and indeed he did. "Kevin approached Kurt in this very same bar and chatted him up one week before you spent the weekend with Kurt. They had only been on one date. The kiss under the tree," Finn explained reiterating what Santana had said, "I'm absolutely certain was just a reaction to the text that you had sent, or well what Sebastian had sent, and the fact that Kurt thought you were involved with Sebastian. It was nothing more."

Blaine let the words sink in. He couldn't believe how everything had gotten so messed up that day. "Kurt told you this?" he asked finally.

Finn shook his head. "He didn't need to, I know him. Trust me," Finn said giving Blaine's hand a reassuring pat. "Kurt's not the kind of man to just move from one guy to another. When Kurt falls for someone, he falls for them hard." Finn took a sip of the drink before him and for the first time he looked a little uncomfortable.

"So, you're saying that Kurt fell for me that weekend?" Blaine asked hopefully.

Finn snorted. "Do I even need to answer that?"

Blaine finally managed to smile but he noted the perplexed expression on Finn's face.

"Rachel also told me everything from your side of things, and, and I believe her," Finn explained.

"Rachel?" Blaine's voice went up hopefully at the sound of her name. He didn't even know whether she had found a new job or what she was doing with her life.

"Yeah, but I didn't do anything with the information because I still didn't think you were good enough for Kurt." Blaine narrowed his eyes at that but he didn't say anything. Finn had always made it clear that he had never liked him and that he would do anything to protect Kurt.

Blaine was silent for a moment, "So, why are you doing this then? Why are you talking to me?"

Finn smiled gently to himself. "I've come to realize that my feelings don't count in this. I want Kurt to be happy. He hasn't been truly happy for a long time and if being happy means that he's with you, then so be it. Anyway, I also got to thinking," Finn continued more to himself than to Blaine, "by withholding that information from either you or Kurt, it meant that I was just as bad as this Sebastian guy." Finn shook his head recalling how upset Kurt had been in the aftermath of that weekend. "Kurt was so distraught over what happened, Blaine," he said softly looking Blaine directly in the eyes, but then, all of a sudden, Finn's disposition changed and his next words came out sharply. "So what is the deal between you and Sebastian anyway?"

"I can honestly tell you now, with one hundred percent certainty that Sebastian means nothing to me, nothing!" Blaine shook his head, his fierce anger returning, "Especially not after what I have learnt about him this morning."

Finn watched Blaine closely and Blaine held his breath under his scrutiny. He could tell that Finn was making up his mind as to whether to help him or not, to tell Blaine what he really wanted to hear.

He was right. Finn was fighting with his instincts and his stubbornness.

"I want to know how you feel about Kurt," Finn suddenly announced, breaking the silence. "I want to know what he means to you."

"Kurt, Kurt," Blaine floundered for a moment. It was actually the first time that he had been asked to express his feelings to someone else, to share his innermost thoughts of the man. Apart from telling Santana that he loved Kurt, he had never told anyone else what he truly thought. "I, I, I," he still wasn't having any luck and Finn's face dropped in disappointment. He started to swivel away.

"Kurt is like the missing lyric to a piece of music that I'm trying to write," Blaine suddenly blurted. "Or the note I just can't find at the end of the page." Finn turned back in surprise. "Or the rift that continues to elude me or the last part of a melody that I just can't hear in my head." Blaine shook his head deep in thought. "I don't even know what it is, but when I'm with him, when we're together, everything falls into place and it's perfect. He reminds me of what I really wanted, and although I wasn't ready to admit it, he gave me the courage to really go after it. With him by my side, I really thought I could do anything." Blaine smiled softly to Finn. "His smile, his sense of humor, his wit, his intelligence, his beauty," Blaine sighed, "Kurt's everything. Kurt and I together would be the perfect composition."

Finn gazed at Blaine wide-eyed not believing that such tender words had come out of a man who Finn had believed was only capable of regurgitating someone else's lyrics.

"I've never wanted anyone else the way I want Kurt," Blaine continued softly. He gazed off into the distance. "Kurt is just wonderful and there's nothing more in the world that I want than to make him happy."

Finn stopped Blaine and placed a firm hand on his wrist. "You have to be sure if you're going to go after him. You have to be sure that it's what you really want. I don't want Kurt to get swept away and have his heart broken again a couple of months down the track." Finn leaned in close, their faces only inches apart. "And I'll tell you Blaine, if you purposely set out to hurt Kurt, you and me, we will have words, of the physical kind."

Blaine nodded. There was no doubt in Blaine's mind that Finn would do anything for his brother. It was a threat he was happy to take from Finn because if Blaine had another chance of making things work with Kurt, he would never do anything to jeopardize it. "So, what are you saying?"

"What I'm saying is that if you still want Kurt, then go after him, Blaine. That's all I need to say."

Blaine couldn't speak at first, but then, in a deluge the questions found him.

"So, you're absolutely certain that Kurt is still interested? Where is he? Is he still with that other man? He wants to be with me? He wants us to be together?"

"Kurt," Finn paused for a moment choosing his words carefully. "Kurt is a very compassionate and caring man, and when his friends get worried or upset he's always there to speak to them and help them through. But when things go really bad for Kurt, he closes up and doesn't talk about his feelings or whatever thoughts are running through his head. I think he's trying to make this relationship work with Kevin because he wants to be in love with him. But..."

"But?" Blaine repeated anxiously now sitting on the edge of his seat.

Finn looked at him earnestly. "But one thing I do know. What I am saying Blaine, is that Kurt is not over you. He might not openly admit it and he might not think it's the best path for him, but I truly believe that you have a chance. Kevin is a nice guy but deep down, Kurt doesn't love him." Blaine's heart began to beat furiously in his chest. "Kurt wants you," Finn confirmed, his gaze never wavering.

They were silent for a few minutes while Blaine processed what Finn had told him. His thoughts were running out of control. It was like all of his dreams had come true. But they were not being considerate of the innocent victim in all of this: Kevin. Blaine sighed. He had already been an asshole, was he really going to try and steal Kurt away from another man?

"Kevin," Blaine said quietly. "This man, he's good to Kurt?"

Finn nodded his head. "He's a good guy, and trust me Blaine, he knows that Kurt is not over you."

"Ah, but geez, I don't know if I can do that to him."

Finn couldn't help but laugh, "So now you develop a conscience? I think, I think that if Kevin is honest with himself, he'll realize that Kurt wants you. And it's probably best that it happens now and not further down the track when they've already gone and moved in with each other."

"I just want to go to Kurt right now," Blaine gasped wrapping his hands around his body. "I want to set the record straight, let him know that everything that Sebastian said and did was a lie. But I can't, maybe if they break up, then I can go to Kurt. I don't think I can try and pull him away. I can't do that."

"Yes, you can."

The pair startled and spun in their seats to find Kevin standing a short distance away. They stared at him in horror, both guilty and ashamed that he had heard their conversation. Kevin however, didn't seem bothered by their words, and instead grabbed a stool and motioned for them to move apart. They moved quickly giving him plenty of room, and he sat down in between them.

"And whatever you choose to do," Kevin continued to Blaine, "it had better be something big. Kurt, I think, is trying to convince himself that I'm right for him and logically I am the safer choice," Kevin said eyeing Blaine up suspiciously. "But nothing can deny that he's still in love with you. So you better do something amazing to persuade him." Kevin dropped his arms down onto the bar in defeat. "I think you both owe me a drink."

Blaine didn't hesitate and he waved to get the barman's attention.

"I'm so sorry, man," Finn said softly, still embarrassed by what had just happened.

Kevin shook his head and tried to smile. "Nah, it doesn't matter. I had it coming. I've been trying to convince myself he would change his mind and fall in love with me, but after the other night, I know where his heart lies."

"I didn't even know if you knew who he was," Finn stated pointing to Blaine.

"I didn't. The other night wasn't the first time that Kurt had said Blaine's name in his sleep, I just didn't think that it was this Blaine," Kevin spoke, as if Blaine wasn't sitting right beside him anymore. Blaine's eyebrows rose in surprise by his comment but he didn't dare say anything just yet. Kevin continued, turning to face him, "But after following you here, yeah well." He was so upset, Kevin didn't even care that he was sitting next to a man who only a couple of minutes ago had been one of his favourite rock stars. "It was a bit of a surprise to say the least."

Blaine didn't know what to say. What could he say?

Instead, he let Finn order Kevin a drink. To be honest, Blaine was in a bit of daze, overwhelmed by all the information that he had suddenly been given. Kurt was possibly still interested. Finn believed he had a chance to get Kurt. That was all he needed to hear. He was going to go after him. He was going to do whatever it took to let Kurt know that he still wanted him and that he could be the right guy for him.

Blaine's mind wandered off. Finn and Kevin were right. It had to be good. No, it had to be something grand, something that would knock Kurt off his feet and grab his attention, something that would let Kurt know just how Blaine felt about him. There was something there, something that Blaine had put some thought into over the past couple of months. He didn't know if it was completely ready or whether it was the right thing to do, but maybe, just maybe it was.

His mind continued to roam, for how long he did not know, but after some time Blaine came back. He found that Santana had joined them and was now sitting patiently on his other side, scrolling through her phone waiting, happy to bide her time until Blaine was done thinking. Finn and Kevin must have already updated her on what had taken place.

Sensing his sudden return to the bar, Santana looked up. "How are you feeling?"

"Hungover, sleep-deprived, but," he gazed directly into Santana's eyes, "motivated. Santana," he smiled. "I have a plan. I have a plan to get Kurt back, or at the very least to get his attention."

Santana's face lit up and she put her phone down expectantly, "Oh, this is going to be good!"

"You'll help me?"

Santana shook her head in disbelief at his words. "Blaine it insults me that you think you even have to ask."

Blaine's face filled with relief, but just as quickly it clouded over again.

"Rachel?" Blaine asked turning back around to face Kevin and Finn. He frowned, feeling irrevocably guilty and uncomfortable again. "How, how is she?"

"She's good," Finn nodded, confident that his words were true. "She misses you though."

Blaine's insides tightened when he heard that. He missed Rachel too. "So you two are... together? She's happy?"

"Yeah," Finn answered with a smile, "we are and yeah, I think she's happy."

Kevin scoffed and he glanced at Blaine. "She's happy. She just mentioned this morning that she had never been happier in her life."

Blaine nodded pleased that she was doing alright but he felt even guiltier that Kevin, a complete stranger, knew more about her than he did.

"You saw her this morning?" he asked in disbelief.

Kevin laughed fondly and gave Blaine a sassy look. "Right this moment Kurt and Rachel are packing together in preparation for all of us to move into a house."

Oh, shit.

Kevin saw Blaine's face drop. "This doesn't change a thing, Blaine. I'm not moving in with Kurt. It's not what he wants."

Blaine suddenly felt a strong rush of emotions for this man who had just walked into his life. He had no idea who he was but he liked and respected his honor and integrity. Blaine's mind quickly skimmed through his head for any available friends that would possibly match up with him.

"So, spill your beans son." Santana clapped her hands together enthusiastically snapping Blaine back to attention. "What's the plan?"

"Yeah," Finn began. "What are you going to do? Do you want to come back to our place with us?"

Blaine shook his head. "No, I have something big planned." He gave Santana a worried grimace. "First things, first though," he pulled his phone out of the back of his jeans. They all watched on, eager to learn more.

"Rachel?" Blaine spoke, his voice uncharacteristically shaking.

"Blaine!" Rachel answered in surprise. "Just, urh, give me a moment." He heard her moving on the other end of the line, away from some loud music. She must have entered another room because the music suddenly became muffled.

There was an uncomfortable silence, just one and then Blaine summoned the courage to continue. "I'm glad you answered my call, it's been a long time," Blaine spoke unsteadily. And then Blaine's heart melted at Rachel's next words and he knew that everything was going to be okay.

"Of course, Blaine, of course I'd answer your phone call. No matter what we go through, you'll always be family to me."

Blaine didn't answer straight away, his throat tightening from the sudden inundation of emotions that had flooded through him. Why had he been so stupid for so long?

Sensing his anguish, Rachel continued softly, "What do you need Blaine?"

"Firstly," Blaine took a deep breath, "I'm sorry. I was a fucking idiot who listened to Sebastian when I should have listened to you." He paused but there was no hateful retaliation from the other end of the line so he braved to continue. "We need to sit down properly and talk about what happened but it can't be today, because today I need your help. In fact, I desperately need your help."

"Sure Blaine," Rachel responded quickly. "What's wrong? What do you need?"

"I need, I need you to make sure that Kurt watches the VMAs this evening."

Rachel hurried down the street, the paper bag she was carrying from the grocery store filled to the brim. Kurt had sent her out, to get some air so she wouldn't explode and so Mercedes wouldn't go crazy at her. They had nicknamed her the "Monica" of the group, teasingly describing her like the overzealous organizational freak from Friends. She didn't mind, in fact it only made her feel more welcomed into their tight knit group.

So, she had agreed to go and make use of the time to restock their snack supplies, because yes, even though she agreed that she did have the obsessive compulsion to take control and organize people, it really wasn't the reason why she was so edgy. She was edgy and nervous because tonight something unprecedented was going to go down.

Rachel tried to swallow her nerves and she glanced at her watch. There was still plenty of time. There was no need for her to rush. She took a deep breath, trying to settle her nerves and focused on the soft warm buzz that had been reignited inside of her. It was the feeling that came from hearing from Blaine after all this time.

Throughout the past three months she had held onto a melancholy, a nagging regretful feeling about the friendship that she and Blaine had lost. Rachel couldn't remember a time when they hadn't been friends, when she hadn't been able to pick up her phone and text him. They had grown up together, had seen each other through the ups and downs of Blaine's stardom, and then, all of a sudden, there had been nothing.

In reality however, since being fired from her job, Rachel had never been better. She had been heartbroken at the time and felt angrily betrayed, but Rachel couldn't deny that losing her job had turned out to be one of the best things to ever happen to her. Compared to a couple of months ago, she now had a life. She had a reasonable job, she had a sincere honest love, she had friends, she had hobbies, and most importantly, she had a goal for herself. Getting fired had allowed her to pause and reflect on what she wanted to do for herself, and for the first time in Rachel's adult life, she felt like she had direction. And now, Blaine's phone call just a couple of hours ago had settled her completely. There was nothing else that would make her happy, except for one thing. She smiled hopefully to herself as her thoughts went to Kurt.

Finn had called a short time after Blaine's call and had confirmed what had taken place. Her heart ached for Kevin, but knowing that he was also on board made her only more determined.

Rachel turned and faced Kurt's apartment building. She just hoped that everything was going to work out. That everything would go down like Blaine planned. She shuffled the full bag to rest on her hip and reached for her phone with her free hand. There were no new messages. Santana had told her that she would message when it was time. Rachel swallowed nervously yet again.

"So you managed to work off some of your steam?" Kurt asked playfully as Rachel stepped back inside the apartment. She immediately bit down on her lip to stop the words of criticism from flying out of her mouth. It wasn't what Kurt had said though. It was the fact that the apartment was in more of a mess than when she had left. Mercedes and Kurt hadn't managed to pack a single thing. She swallowed down her rebuke and gave him a wide grin. She could see them staying in the house for another night easily. Fortunately, Mercedes and Kurt still had another week until their lease ran out.

"I come bearing gifts," she replied holding out the paper bag. "And I got you your favorite snack."

"Oooh," Kurt let out, his eyebrows going up in surprise. He took the bag from her hands and proceeded to the kitchen. "It sounds like you're trying to get on my good side."

Rachel ignored her guilt and gazed around not knowing where to go or where to sit, nowhere looked safe amongst the midst of Mercedes' and Kurt's belongings. Her eyes spied the TV and she made a beeline towards it. She glanced at her watch again. The VMAs would have started by now. It would only be the red carpet but if she got it on the screen, it would most likely stay on and there would be less of a chance of them missing Blaine's performance.

The scene was bedlam. Santana had never been backstage to an event like this before, let alone the actual VMAs, but as Blaine's last minute 'date' she was now having the luxury of doing so. Really, it was only because Blaine's plan required her attendance. He needed someone whom he could absolutely trust.

There were people everywhere and who they were, or what their job was, was Santana's favourite game of the hour. There were dancers, famous singers, the show's presenters, band members and people running around with ear pieces. She tried not to squeal or make comment when she saw a celebrity, and instead, squared her shoulders and looked at people arrogantly. No one was going to know that it was her first time.

She took a moment to gaze at Blaine. She had never seen this side of him and it was true, the stage persona that he possessed was completely different to the Blaine that she joked with and antagonized on her massage table. Here, he was a man who commanded attention just with his presence alone. He was in his element, and ever since he had stepped foot on the red carpet, Blaine Anderson the rock star and emerged. He had walked with swag, his shoulders wide, gazing at his fans from above his sunglasses, luring them in, only to tease them and walk away while they screamed crazily. He posed for others, flirted with journalists and joked with the photographers. Yes, Blaine Anderson sure did like the limelight.

But today there was something new about Blaine. It was something simple. His hair, usually wild and flying out of control, this evening was gelled down, and in his leather jacket and tight black pants he was reminiscent of a 1950s rock star. It was just a faint touch of something different, of something new. It wasn't anything major, but it was a beginning.

Santana continued to look at Blaine, her face full of admiration. If his plan worked this evening it was going to be incredible. It was an epic idea but if he pulled it off, Blaine's life was never going to be the same again.

"You ready?" she asked, resting her hand gently on his forearm to ensure she had his attention. They were standing in the wings trying to stay clear of Sebastian and Hunter. Santana had ordered Blaine to do so for whenever Sebastian's name was mentioned he instantly tensed. Tonight however, he had to think of Kurt. Sebastian would pay for he had done but it would be at some other time.

Hunter and Blaine were scheduled to be on stage together in minutes. Santana faced him when he didn't answer. He was in his zone, his head down, his eyes closed. He was deep inside, centring himself, mentally preparing for what he was about to do, and just when she thought she was going to have to speak again, Blaine took a deep breath, opened his eyes and looked at her.

"You bet," he answered huskily. "But you better go and complete your side of the plan or it's not going to work."

Santana returned his smile, "With pleasure. Go hide yourself." Blaine squeezed her hand and she squeezed it back and Blaine couldn't resist.

"You know Santana, you come across all hard and vicious but deep down inside, you're a soft, old grandma when it comes to your friends."

Santana nodded her head in agreement, and with that, she turned and headed off in the direction of where Hunter and Sebastian were waiting. It was time to turn her acting skills up a notch. She ruffled her hand through her styled hair, creased up her clothes slightly and started to run. Blaine, on the other hand, quietly disappeared into the shadows in the wings of the stage.

Santana flew around the corner, flustered and panicked. "Sebastian!" she cried. "You've got to come quickly. It's Blaine!"

Sebastian rose to his feet instantly. "What's wrong? What's going on?"

"Just come!" Santana cried. "You too Hunter! Oh, it's so terrible, he says he's not going on stage, he's going quit. He says he's going to retire so he can travel around the world for two years two to find himself. You have to talk him out of it. It'll ruin him!"

Santana turned and fled out of the room before either could question her further. Sebastian and Hunter glanced at each other. Santana was one of the most composed, sultry and snarky women either of them had ever met. To see her so flustered and upset meant that something had to be really wrong. Hunter leapt to his feet and they both hurried out of the door to follow after her.

Santana tried not to run too fast. She took them on a long winded tour of the backstage and private rooms until she came to a stop before one, lone door. It stood open, slightly ajar, ominous and threatening. She stood in the doorway and brought her hands to her face, tears running down her cheeks.

"He said he's thinking of joining a monastery," she sobbed.

Sebastian and Hunter stood warily gazing into the darkness on the other side of the threshold. It was just too ludicrous to take seriously, but nothing about Blaine had been sane over the past couple of months. Sebastian couldn't believe it for one second, but really, who knew what the man was capable of?

Hunter sighed and squared his shoulders, becoming impatient already at Sebastian's unwillingness to enter. He wasn't going to let Blaine ruin his career, not now when it just starting to peak.

"Come on!" he ordered gruffly to Sebastian. He took a step forward and stepped into the room. Sebastian gave Santana one last look and followed him into the darkness.

"Suckers!" Santana cried. They spun quickly on their heels in confusion. What on Earth was going on? But they were too late and the door they had just passed was slammed shut and locked with a key. Santana smiled victoriously to herself. She had even taken the bulb out of the lighting fixture in the room. They were going to have to wait out Blaine's performance in complete darkness.

She spied a security guard a short way off and waved him over. He was tall and well-built and Santana played up to it, even though it was the furthest of what she was into.

"Wow, you must really work out," Santana smiled batting her eyelashes. The security guard did not look impressed so she got straight down to business. "The two reporters inside," she said with a quick flick of her head, "they managed to get back stage and they were threatening to ruin Blaine Anderson's performance. Can you be a doll and keep them in there until he's done? He'll only be about ten minutes."

The security guard gave a quick nod of his head, but it was only after Santana had placed a hundred dollar bill in his hand. Confident that they wouldn't get out despite their angry yells and banging on the door, Santana ran off so she could stand at the side of the stage. She was not going to miss this for the world. In exactly three minutes, Blaine Anderson was going to perform on stage, in front of the whole country, all by himself and all for Kurt.