Later that night, after finishing his homework, Blaine lay curled up on his bed, staring at his phone.

He'd pulled up Cooper's number from his contact list, but hadn't hit send.

He was pretty sure it was because part of him was still angry about the unscheduled session with Dr. Collins.

He did sort of think it was a good idea for them both to sit down with her (and he was actually dying to see Cooper embarrass himself in front of her -- his brother was an idiot when he was crushing on any girl).

Blaine inhaled and hit 'send'.

It rang twice before Cooper picked up the phone.

A whole twenty-four hours without speaking to me. I'm impressed, squirt.

He rolled his eyes.

"Well why would I want to break your record of a month?" he snapped. Silence on the other end. "Coop --"

It's fine, bro...don't worry about it. What's up?Blaine leaned back against his pillows.

"I met with Dr. Collins today."

Go on."She thinks we should come in together to talk." Silence. Either Cooper was really conflicted about leaving the movie or he was already booking a flight. "Coop?"

What? I'm here. Sorry.

"Would you want to do that? Talk to her together, I mean."

I'm in the middle of filming, bud. said Cooper patiently.

"I know, I figured." Blaine said sourly. "Did you miss the part where I said she wants us to come in together? I'm not doing this to tear you away from your precious movie, you know."

Silence.

I was planning to come back a few days before Thanksgiving, if she's got a couple of free days then.

"Okay." Blaine sounded relieved. "and her trial starts the last week of November...I'll need all the help I can get."

It's gonna be fine, B. She's gonna go away for a long time.

"If you say so." Blaine glanced at the clock. "Shit. I've gotta go."

Yeah. Was wondering why you were calling me when you're grounded.

"Lest you forget, grandma and grandpa only forbid me from Skyping, and texting, and they limited calls to five minutes every two days." he yawned. "but I -- school tomorrow."

Okay B. Talk to you soon. I love you.

"Love you too, Coop. 'Bye."

'Bye squirt.

--

Jenna sighed as Dylan rolled off of her and onto the other side of the bed. She didn't react when his lips brushed against her cheek.

She wasn't about to get attached -- but she did need him. Her plan wouldn't work otherwise.

She was content to let him think she wanted him for other reasons. For love. She almost laughed at the thought.

Sometimes men were so stupid.

--

The next day at school, Blaine didn't talk to Sebastian, and he didn't sit with him at lunch. Lunch was awkwardly silent when the other ex-Warbler finally sat down at the far end of the table that New Directions occupied.

In Glee club, they'd finally started to nail down a set list for Sectionals. Marley and Tina had a duet, and Mr. Schue was trying to decide whether or not to give Blaine and Sebastian one as well, or simply stick to the group number.

He ended up going with the latter.

When Sebastian unconciously rolled back the sleeves of his jacket after recieving sheet music from the glee coach, Blaine saw the cast.

"Seb, I --" he choked out.

Sebastian looked at him, confused, and then down at his arm. The color drained from his face.

"Blaine, I -- It's nothing. I landed on it wrong in lacrosse practice, that's all."

"McKinley doesn't have a lacrosse team," Blaine whispered.

Neither of them seemed to notice the rest of New Directions watching them like hawks.

"Recreational team -- I wanted to keep playing after I left Dalton." he lied. "Blaine, it's nothing. Can we just get back to practicing?"

Nobody said anything, but the awkward, hurried attempt to choreograph was not lost on Blaine.

And he sure as hell intended to talk to Sebastian after glee club ended.

--

"You can't fool everyone forever, Seb."

"I've been doing it since before my dad put me in Dalton, Blaine. I think I can keep it going until I graduate."

"You don't understand -- it's going to get worse, Sebastian." Blaine clenched his fists, staring desperately at the taller boy. "I've seen what it can become. I've seen people question bruises, cuts -- broken bones. My brother had to make up so many stories for what our mother did to him. He got good at it -- 's why he became an actor -- albeit a shitty one...but if he ever gets a role as a pathological liar, he'll nail it."

The two were sitting out on the grass in front of McKinley, their cars a few feet away in the parking lot. Glee had ended at least twenty minutes ago, but Blaine had cornered Sebastian before he could make a break for his car.

They'd been there since. Dr. Collins was going to kill Blaine, as were his grandparents...but this was more important.

"I'm gonna be fine, Blaine." said Sebastian softly. "She doesn't hurt me enough for anyone to question it...but I'd appreciate it if you didn't freak out every time I turn up bruised or broken."

"Too bad. I saw enough shit that it still freaks me out. It probably always will." he paused. "You need to tell someone."

"No I don't." I already pretty much told your grandfather but I think you'll kill me if I tell you that. "Blaine, I'm gonna be fine." He stood and walked to his car. "See you tomorrow."

Blaine sighed.

"See you."