Chapter 8

FRIDAY

This was not the correct way to handle the situation.

Taking a blowtorch to the building would probably be more effective.

But he was too angry to think rationally.

Burt exited the elevator, stormed through the doors and down the hall. He walked into the executive suite, past the executive assistant.

"Sir? Sir? Hey! You can't go in there! Sir!"

Burt ignored her. He spotted the conference room. Through the windows he could see Victoria sitting at the head of a large conference table surrounded by Asian businessmen. He burst into the room and started yelling.

"How could you do this? How could you? After six years? How could you do this to them?"

The businessmen stared at Burt. Victoria looked completely unfazed by the sight of a man storming into her meeting, red and shaking with anger.

"I am simply protecting my son. As his mother it's my job to..."

"Protecting him from what? And since when are you interested in what happens to Blaine? You never gave a shit about him!"

"I will not sit back and allow my son to be abused."

Burt felt his chest tighten. He needed to calm down, but couldn't.

"Abused? Are you kidding me? Kurt loves Blaine! He takes excellent care of him! How dare you accuse my son of abuse!"

"If you read the rescind order, you'll see that I'm not the one making the accusation. I'm just taking the steps necessary to make sure the abuse stops."

"How could you do this to him? You're supposed to want what's best for him! You know what this will do to him! Furthermore, we had a deal!"

"Yes, we had a deal that I would allow your son to claim mine, provided he would take care of him and not mistreat him. It's not my fault your son's an abusive master. You should have raised him better. "

"Bullshit! That's bullshit and you know it! Kurt loves Blaine! He is not an abuser! I trusted you! I trusted you to keep your word!"

"And I trusted your son not to mistreat mine! Now get out!"

Four large security guards surrounded Burt.

"Get him out of here before he keels over. This carpet is brand new."

Two of the guards grabbed Burt's arms and started dragging him from the room.

"Get off of me! This isn't over! Do you hear me? You will not get away with this!"

Victoria rolled her eyes. Once he was gone she turned to the businessmen and addressed them in perfect Mandarin.

"I'm so sorry about that. A crazy from off the street. Where were we?"

Kurt sat silently on the living room couch staring into space. It was almost 9:00 am. When Blaine woke up at 6:20 that morning, Kurt was already awake. He told Blaine to go back to sleep. Yes, it was Friday, but he wasn't going to the theater, and he had sent Rick a text telling him not to come over. Blaine should sleep. But as a well-trained, creature of habit, Blaine had tossed and turned until Kurt allowed him to get out of bed, follow his normal routine and blow him. Only then was Blaine able to climb back into bed and return to sleep. As he lay there, Kurt wondered what Blaine would do the first weekday morning he didn't wake up next to him. Routine and control was important to slaves. It was soothing. What would Blaine do without it? What would he do without Kurt to control him and feed his submission through a carefully crafted combination of love, dominance and sexual punishment? What would happen to the strength Kurt had spent six years building within him? How quickly would it disappear under Victoria's cold treatment?

Kurt couldn't stop the questions and fears spinning in his brain, so he climbed out of bed, took Blaine's phone and headed to the living room.

He scrolled through the numbers until he found Victoria's cell and office numbers. Years ago Blaine asked Kurt if he should delete them. Kurt told him to keep them just in case. He didn't know why, but he felt Blaine should have them.

He decided to try the office. Voice mail.

"Mrs. Anderson, this is Kurt Hummel, Blaine's master. I received the rescind order and I'm calling to ask you to please cancel it. I assure you that I have never, nor would I ever hurt Blaine in any way. Ever. I would never, ever abuse him or mistreat him. I love him more than anything. I love him so much. You need to understand that. Please...please don't take him from me. Just ...call me or call Blaine. Blaine will tell you that I've never hurt him. Please...please don't take him..."

He hung up as the phone beeped signaling his time had run out.

Running out of time.

He and Blaine were running out of time.

They only had six days, unless he or his dad could figure something out. Fast.

Kurt's cell phone rang. Kevin.

"Where the hell are you? We're waiting for you!"

Kurt sighed. There was no way he could concentrate on the show. Not now. He told Kevin to give his part to his understudy, Tony. Permanently.

"What? Are you kidding? I can't do that! You're the star! You're the reason the investors came on board! I need you! The show needs you!"

Kevin calmed down once Kurt told him about the rescind order, but he refused to give the role to Tony permanently.

"Let's just play it by ear. We'll figure this out."

Kurt continued to sit on the couch, staring at the wall. Why did Victoria want Blaine? Why now? Was it really because of the abuse investigation? No, it couldn't be. She initiated the nullification request before she knew about the abuse investigation. Didn't she?

Kurt picked up Blaine's phone again and scrolled to Victoria's cell phone. When her voice mail came on, he left the same message he'd left on her office phone. As he placed the phone on the table, his eye caught a glimpse of the instruction book Perlson had left. Kurt stared at it for a moment before picking it up.

It is important that you explain to your slave why you are releasing him/her. In cases where the slave is being removed due to your failure as a master, it is important to let the slave know that the removal is not their fault. As the master, you failed them. They did not fail you.

Removal of the claiming collar is a painful experience for a slave. Prior to removing the collar, explain that they will suffer an intense and painful burning sensation within their submissive core. This sensation will be at it's most intense during the first 24 hours after collar removal. The sensation may also be accompanied by deep emotional distress as the mind tries to process the loss...

In the event of a slave going to a new master, it is important that the releasing master explain the situation and command the slave to submit to their new master immediately and without hesitation.

Kurt's stomach twisted.

submit to their new master immediately and without hesitation

What if Victoria sent Blaine to a new master?

Kurt threw the book across the room and covered his face as tears burned his eyes. It couldn't be that. Anything but that. Kurt covered his mouth and tried to muffle his sobs. He didn't want Blaine to hear him or to see him cry. He had to be strong. Confident. In command. He needed to project a sense of control over the situation. Not freak Blaine out further by blubbering all over the place.

Kurt sniffed and wiped away his tears. He needed help. He decided to call Wes. He was still hurt over Wes's secret call to Blaine, but he knew Wes would want to know what was going on and he would probably have ideas about what to do.

Wes was shocked. "I never...I never thought she would do something like this. I thought she would be glad to get rid of him. I never expected her to think of him ever again. Why is she doing this? Why does she want him?"

"Because I'm an abuser and she wants to protect her son."

"Yeah, right. I'll be on the first plane out. Don't worry, Kurt. We'll figure out something."

Next he called Chandler. After several minutes of cursing, Chandler promised that he and Seth would come over that evening.

After a few more phone calls, it was decided that everyone would meet at Kurt and Blaine's that evening at 7:00 pm.

As he pressed send on a confirmation text to everyone, Kurt felt better. Everyone who loved them would be there that evening to help them figure out what to do. Working together, they would come up with a plan. Things would be fine.

Kurt put his phone on vibrate and returned to bed. He pulled Blaine close to him, burying his nose in his hair to inhale his scent.

Yes, they would figure out something.

There was no way he was letting Victoria have Blaine.

That evening Blaine opened the door for Chandler and Seth. Seth ran in and threw himself at Blaine.

"They can't take you! You're my best friend!"

Blaine laughed and returned his embrace. "Don't worry. They won't. I'm not going anywhere."

Chandler looked at Blaine in surprise and then glanced at Kurt. Kurt looked away. Chandler frowned.

What was Kurt telling Blaine?

He waited until Seth and Blaine disappeared to the Broadway Room.

"Kurt?"

Kurt spun around. "I know. I already know what you're going to say, but I have no intentions of letting them take Blaine. He's mine. I claimed him. I did everything right. Victoria's an evil bitch. I'm not letting her do this. I refuse."

Chandler glanced at Rick who was sitting at the kitchen table. Rick shook his head. Chandler looked back at Kurt. Kurt's arms were folded, his dominance on full display. Chandler could sense his strength. And his stubborness.

"Kurt, it's a rescind order. I'm pretty sure you can't fight a rescind order."

"I don't care! I'm going to fight it! She has no grounds for this! I haven't done anything wrong! I don't even understand why she's doing this. She's never been interested in Blaine."

Rick spoke up. "She's doing it because of the abuse allegation."

"No, she's not. She wouldn't care if Blaine was being abused. She hasn't talked to him in almost 7 years! Now she wants to be mother of the year? No. Something else is going on."

"Like what?"

"I don't know, but she's not getting away with this."

Chandler thought for a moment. "Could it have something to do with the business? Remember I told you about their European expansion. Does Blaine have any connection at all?"

Kurt shook his head. "No, none. He has nothing to do with the business or his family. Well, sometimes his brother, but we haven't heard from him in months. Look, I don't care about her reasons. She's not getting him. I'm not letting him go."

Rick and Chandler looked at each other, but said nothing.

K&B&K&B

After everyone arrived and had pizza and salad for dinner, they all sat down to talk. Kurt looked around the living room and felt grateful. Chandler and Rachel were chatting, while Finn, Seth and Blaine spoke quietly amongst themselves. Rick was in a serious conversation with Wes who had arrived a few hours ago. Even Kevin was there talking to Carol who had flown in earlier. The only person missing was his dad.

Burt was in Washington trying to call in favors and work his contacts in hopes of postponing the order and finding out who was behind the abuse allegation. The Masters Ministry operated separately and independent of the US Government, but as with all things political, there were connections. Burt was desperately calling the legislators he knew had relationships with the Ministry, hoping to get help.

Kurt's feelings of gratefulness for his friends soon turned to anger as he slowly realized that they were not on the same page.

Not even close.

It started with Rick offering to take Finn, Seth and Blaine to the coffee house down the street. Kurt had no intentions of letting Blaine out of his sight.

"I promise to keep him right with me the entire time. I won't let him out of my sight. I'll even go with him if he needs to take a leak."

Rachel spoke up. "I'll go too. It'll be fine, Kurt."

Blaine made a face. "I don't need you to go with me to the bathroom, Rachel."

"I meant the coffee house!"

After 10 minutes of arguing, Kurt finally relented. He considered making Blaine wear a leash, but his possessive, controlling mind wouldn't allow it. He couldn't accept the idea of Blaine being attached to anyone but him.

The moment they left, Chandler began.

"Kurt, we all understand your desire to fight this. We really, really do. We love Blaine too and we don't want to see him leave, but...you can't fight a valid rescind order, especially one with an abuse allegation attached. You need to start preparing Blaine. You have to get him ready for what's coming. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. Blaine needs you now more than ever. You have to do everything you can to prepare him for the separation."

Carol reached across the table and took Kurt's hand.

"Sweetie, your father is going to do everything he can to stop this or at least postpone it, but you need to prepare for the worst. Rescind orders are almost never overturned. Plus, it's summertime. Most of the legislators are on vacation. He's trying to reach out to everyone he can, but it will probably take more than..."

Kurt interrupted her, his eyes burning with fury and hurt.

"So let me get this straight. None of you are here to help me figure out how to fight this. You're all here to explain to me how to roll over and play dead while Blaine is dragged off to God knows where by his evil mother who has never, ever given a damn about him."

Kevin answered. "We understand how you feel. We really do. None of us want to see Blaine taken away from you. We know what that's going to do to you and to him, but that's why you gotta start preparing him. Especially since we don't know where he's going or to who."

Kurt's stomach twisted again at the words, "to who." He felt overcome by heat and the twisting in his stomach changed to a nasty, nauseating swirl.

"I can't do this. I need some air." He stood up and quickly left the apartment. He ran down the flight of stairs and out into the warm evening. He sat down on the steps of the building.

How was it possible that none of his friends wanted to help him fight this? How could everyone give up so easily? Give up on Blaine so easily?

Was it really that impossible to fight a rescind order?

After ten minutes, Kurt heard the door open. Wes sat down beside him. The two sat in silence until Kurt finally spoke.

"What do you think I should do?"

Wes looked out at the street for a few minutes before answering.

"They're right. You have to prepare Blaine for the worst. You can't let him walk around for the next six days thinking everything is fine only to be snatched away. That would be cruel. But..."

Wes turned and stared directly into Kurt's eyes.

"You could always run."

"Run?"

Wes nodded. "Just take off. Disappear. It won't be easy. You'll have to cut off all contact with all of us, even your dad. Especially your dad. You'll have to change your names and your appearance, and you'll have to go somewhere off the radar. A small town where you can hide. Maybe even head to another country. You'll have to be careful. Very, very careful. The Ministry will send trackers after you, and if they catch you..."

Going on the run.

Running versus losing Blaine.

Both were unthinkable. If they ran and got caught, he'd lose Blaine forever. Perlson would enjoy torturing him in a Ministry jail while Blaine would be punished, and broken, and then sent back to his mother who would probably just punish him more.

But having Blaine taken away...Kurt wasn't sure he could actually stand there and watch Blaine get hauled away by a removal team.

"What would you do if it was Carmen?"

Wes sighed. "Right now, I really don't know. It would be hard to be on the run with a pregnant woman."

Kurt gasped. "Wes! Carmen's pregnant?"

Wes smiled. "Yeah. It didn't take long. She's due in February."

"Oh, Wes! Congratulations! Why didn't you say something?"

"Well, we weren't really talking and then all this happened so..."

Kurt nodded. "I understand. Um...do you still want me to be a Godfather?"

"Of course. And I'm really sorry about the call to Blaine."

Kurt shook his head. "Forget it. You were just being a good friend. You've always been a good friend."

They sat in silence until they saw Rick and Rachel leading Blaine, Seth and Finn down the street. Kurt watched Blaine strolling along, laughing and bouncing in his happy, boyish way.

Content in the knowledge that his master would take care of everything.

He couldn't let Victoria have Blaine.

But if they ran and got caught...

Kurt had no idea what to do.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning Kurt announced they were going to the zoo. He still wasn't sure what he was going to do, but he wanted to spend as much time as possible doing things Blaine enjoyed. Just in case.

Chandler and Seth agreed to come along while Carol stayed at the apartment to wait for Burt. Wes decided to rest at the hotel. They would all go to Blaine's favorite restaurant that evening.

Kurt walked along quietly, half listening to Blaine carry on about the animals. He was locked in a war of competing strategies inside his mind.

Run.

Release.

Run.

Release.

He could either run and hope they didn't get caught, or release Blaine pursuant to the rescind order.

Neither choice was a good one.

After walking around for awhile, they stopped for lunch by a pond. Kurt and Chandler watched Blaine and Seth feed the ducks. After a few minutes of debate inside his head, Kurt decided to take a chance. He needed another opinion.

"What if we ran?"

"What?"

"What if Blaine and I just disappeared?"

Kurt winced as Chandler tightly grasped his arm.

"No! You cannot do that, Kurt! It's out of the question! It's too dangerous!"

Kurt snatched his arm away. "I'm just thinking out loud."

"Well stop thinking about that. The Ministry trackers are relentless and evil. They'll find you and God knows what will happen. They'll probably turn you over to the Ministry immediately, but Blaine...who knows what they would do to him before giving him to the Ministry. And then he would go to his mother and you would rot in a Ministry hell hole. No. Don't even consider running. It's too dangerous and you will get caught."

"But I can't just let him go! I'm his master! I swore to protect him with my life!"

"Then protect him! Protect him by sending him back to his mother. Follow the order. Don't risk his life by going on the run!"

"Sending him to his mother is not protecting him! It's signing his death sentence!"

"Don't be so over-dramatic. She has to have a reason for wanting him back, and I doubt it's to kill him."

Kurt shook his head. "You don't understand. You don't know Victoria. All she cares about is business and making money. If having Blaine murdered would make her a penny richer, she'd agree to it."

"That's a horrible thing to say about a mother towards her child."

"You don't know Victoria. Are you really telling me that if you were in my situation, you would just let someone take Seth from you?"

"If it meant keeping him from being caught and abused by trackers? Yes."

They didn't talk about it anymore, but Kurt could feel Chandler's disapproval every time their eyes met.

When they returned from the zoo, Burt was waiting for them. He looked sad, tired and stressed. Kurt felt a surge of guilt. This couldn't be good for his dad's heart.

Carol asked Blaine to sing her the songs he was working on. Once they were gone, father and son sat down to talk.

"I wish I had good news, but I don't. Apparently rescind orders are taken very, very seriously by almost everyone. They're seen as one of the strongest protections a slave has because the belief is that a parent will always do what's in the best interests of their child. People feel that a parent wouldn't just initiate an order on a whim. They figure there must be a really valid reason for a parent to actually take steps to break a claim."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "These people have obviously never met Victoria Anderson."

"That's another problem." Burt ran his hands across his forehead. Kurt's guilt increased. His father needed to rest.

"Victoria has many friends. Friends who don't wanna cross her. I'm having a hard time finding anyone willing to pick a fight with her. Even those who think the Ministry could use more oversight, are hesitant to start with a case involving Victoria Anderson. On top of all that, the fact that there's an abuse allegation is not helping. It's making Victoria look like she's doing the right thing. Being a good parent, protecting her son."

"So what you're saying is that there's nothing we can do. I'm supposed to just let her have Blaine."

Burt's sigh was heavy and stress laden. "I'm sorry, Kurt, but I think the best thing to do is to follow the order and then we will work to get Blaine back. Just because a slave is ordered to return to their parents, doesn't mean they have to stay there. Parents sometimes remove their children and then return them to the master once they feel comfortable, especially if that's what the child really wants. This doesn't have to be permanent. The most important thing right now is for you to follow the order. Following the order will keep you out of trouble with the Ministry. Send Blaine back to his mother and then we will do everything possible to get him back."

"Unless she gives him to someone else."

Burt frowned. "You think that's what she plans to do?"

"How should I know? I don't understand why she wants him back in the first place. She has to be up to something."

Burt nodded. "I agree, but I can't imagine what. She's in the middle of a huge business expansion worth millions of dollars. It doesn't make sense that she would distract herself with something like this. Has Blaine tried calling Cooper?"

"Yes. He called him this morning, but the cell phone number didn't work. We plan to call his Michigan office on Monday to see if we can track him down."

The two sat in silence. Burt studied his son. He was so proud of Kurt. Proud of both the man and the master he'd become. Proud of his efforts to strengthen Blaine. It was unheard of for a master to strengthen his slave, but Kurt had done just that. Burt's heart broke as he thought about the pain the boys were about to endure. It wasn't fair. Kurt didn't deserve this and neither did Blaine.

"I'm sorry, Kurt. I'm sorry this is happening. I promise...I'll keep trying even after..." Burt trailed off. Kurt looked into his father's tired eyes...

And made his decision.

"It's okay, dad. Thanks for trying. I'll start getting Blaine prepared."

Burt was a bit surprised. "You will?"

Kurt nodded. "Yes. It won't do Blaine any good if I'm in a Ministry jail. I'll follow the order and then figure out my next move. Maybe I'll try suing her in court for his return. Make it a very public case. Business people don't like bad publicity, right?"

Burt nodded slowly as he looked at Kurt closely.

"So...you're not going to fight this?"

Kurt shook his head. "No. Right now I won't win, I don't want you to waste political capital, and I don't want Blaine unprepared. I need to focus on getting him ready. I want this to be as painless as possible and let's face it, that's probably impossible."

Kurt stared directly into his father's eyes. Burt stared back.

Was Kurt being honest with him?

"I have to think of Blaine. I can't waste anymore time."

Burt nodded. "I know this is going to be devastating, but you're doing the right thing, Kurt. You're doing the smart thing. I'm proud of you for being so mature in the face of an awful situation."

"Thanks dad."

K&B&K&B

After dinner they walked to the ice cream store. While Blaine, Seth and Finn were preoccupied, Kurt told Wes, Chandler and Rachel his decision. They all grew quiet and Rachel blinked back tears. Chandler patted Kurt's back and nodded.

"I know this is going to be horrible, but you're doing the right thing."

Kurt nodded, but said nothing.

Wes caught his eye. The two stared at each other.

Wes slowly nodded. He knew the truth.

Everyone agreed to leave Kurt and Blaine alone for the next few days so Kurt could concentrate on Blaine. As soon as he heard from the Ministry, Kurt would text everyone the time of Blaine's departure and they would all come over to see him off.

They walked back to Kurt and Blaine's building and stood outside hugging each other. Wes had stopped at an ATM machine on the walk back. His flight was scheduled to leave early in the morning. He hugged Kurt and slid $500 into his pocket as he whispered in his ear.

"Don't argue with me. Just take it. You will need to be careful taking out large deposits between now and...then. Don't act too out of the ordinary. Don't contact anyone until you're sure it's safe. Take care of him and yourself. I love you both so damn much."

Kurt nodded. "Thank you. We love you too. Give our love to Carmen and the baby."

Kurt watched everyone leave, his heart breaking as he fought back tears. He knew it was better this way. Safer for him and Blaine, and safer for their friends. They could honestly claim they didn't know.

Blaine was watching him closely. He could sense Kurt's sadness.

"What is it?"

Kurt took his hand. "Come on. We need to talk."

K&B&K&B

First they showered. Kurt always liked to start with a shower. He liked to think of it as a clean slate.

They each put on just a pair of boxers and sat down, cross-legged, across from each other on the floor of their bedroom. Kurt reached over and cupped Blaine's cheek. He leaned forward and kissed him. As was their way, one kiss turned into several. Soft, comforting and sweet. Kurt forced himself to pull back and look into Blaine's eyes. Blaine's eyes were full of love, trust and confidence. Confidence that Kurt knew what he was doing. He took Blaine's hands in his.

"We need to make a decision."

Blaine looked confused. We?

"The consequences of this decision are too important for me to make alone. Especially since the impact to you will be huge. This should be your decision as well as mine."

"Okay."

"We have two choices. We can stay here and on Thursday the Ministry will send someone to come get you and take you back to your mother...or we can run."

"Run?"

"Yes. Run. Disappear. But you need to understand how dangerous that is. The Ministry will send hunters, trackers to find us and if they catch us, I'll go to jail and you will be punished and then sent to your mother."

"Y-you'll go to jail? A ministry jail?"

"Yes, but I'm willing to take the chance. The idea of losing you...just giving you over without a fight...I don't think I can do that. I can't watch them take you from me."

"But I don't want you to go to jail! If we run, what are our chances?"

"I have no way of knowing that, but I'm willing to take the risk if you want to."

Blaine tried to process everything Kurt had just said.

The idea of returning to his mother terrified him. He had no idea why she wanted him, but he was sure it couldn't be good. Then a thought struck him.

"When they come to get me, will you remove my collar? Will you unclaim me?"

Kurt did not hesitate. "No. I refuse to unclaim you. You're mine. No matter what they do, you are mine. You belong to me."

Blaine's submission stirred as Kurt's dominance flashed through him.

"Yes. I only serve you. I only want to serve you. I love serving you."

Kurt knew they really needed to make a decision, but he couldn't resist the look in Blaine's eyes. He stood up and pulled down his boxers. Blaine rose up on his knees, threw his head back and opened his mouth. Kurt was in a dark, dominant mood. He jerked Blaine's head back further and pushed his cock all the way down Blaine's throat, choking him. Blaine struggled to adjust as Kurt fucked his mouth hard and fast.

"Ugh! Take it, my love. Take it. Accept it. All of it."

Blaine loved when Kurt choked him like this. The combination of serving his master and being so severely dominated, fed his submission in the most perfect way. He welcomed the cum spilling down his throat.

Kurt pulled out, dropped to his knees and planted his mouth on Blaine's, kissing him hungrily. He fell back and pulled Blaine on top of him.

"In me. Need you in me."

Blaine scrambled to grab the lube from the nightstand. He slicked up his throbbing cock and started to slide his fingers into Kurt's ass. Kurt grabbed his hand.

"No. Fuck me. Hard. Now."

"I don't wanna..."

"Now, Blaine. Hard."

Blaine never disobeyed an order. He slammed into Kurt and felt strangely turned on by Kurt's painful cry. He kept pushing into him, every thrust hard, forceful and angry. Blaine grabbed Kurt's hands and pinned them to the mattress. He stared into Kurt's dark, lustful blue eyes and fucked the hell out of him. Kurt dug his nails into Blaine's back and yelled as Blaine pounded into him harder and harder. He didn't bother to ask for permission. He simply came with a growling scream. He lay on top of Kurt, panting, his breath warm against Kurt's neck. Kurt tightened his arms around him and allowed himself to relax. He was almost asleep when he heard Blaine's voice.

"Let's run."

They were going on the run.

They would leave 4:00 am Tuesday morning.

They would take the bus from the city to Woods Hole, Massachusetts where they would change their appearance.

Kurt would become Karen and Blaine would become Blake.

"You're really going to dress like a girl?"

"Just for awhile. I definitely identify as a man, but I'll admit to a desire to try out a few...feminine ensembles. Now's my chance."

Blaine smiled sexily. "So do I call you ma'am instead of sir?"

Kurt took his foot and placed it on Blaine crotch. He started rubbing up and down.

"You will call me, master."

Blaine moaned. Kurt smirked. "I didn't know you had a foot fetish. I'll remember that." He pulled his foot away much to Blaine's disappointment.

"Okay, so what happens after Woods Hole?"

"I'm not sure. We'll either head to Martha's Vineyard or continue up towards Canada."

"Shouldn't we disguise ourselves before leaving?"

"No. If anyone sees us, we want them to give a description of us leaving, not Karen and Blake."

"Can I change my name?"

"To what?"

"Luke."

Kurt arched an eyebrow. "Luke?"

"Yeah. Luke. Like Luke Skywalker."

Kurt rolled his eyes but smiled. "Okay...Luke. In that case, I guess I'll be Liza."

Kurt began making a list of what they would need. He planned to dye Blaine's hair blonde, while he would become a redhead. He would put fake tatoos on Blaine's calves and forearms and dress him in baggy shorts and over-sized t-shirts. A skateboarder look. He wanted Liza to be classy, but decided that wouldn't work on the run, so instead she would be more trailer park, wannabe classy.

Kurt was so engrossed in his lists and planning, that he didn't notice what Blaine was googling on his iPad, or Blaine's alternating expressions of shock, disgust, and fear.

"We should be able to get everything we need at Carla's Costume House. We can only take one bag each and only the necessities. I'll take out money at 4:30 pm on Monday. Hopefully no one's monitoring my account. I'll get our bus tickets tomorrow."

"Sir?"

"Hmm?"

"Kurt?"

Kurt looked up. "What's wrong?"

Blaine showed Kurt his iPad. On the screen was a picture of a naked man wearing a hood. He was chained to a wall in what looked like a dark and dirty room. His body was covered in deep, bloody lash marks. Underneath the caption read:

Ministry jails are known for their harsh, punishing treatment of masters who have broken the law. Brutal beatings and rough torture are part of the daily schedule.

The next image showed a badly beaten man locked in a small, dirty cage.

Masters are kept in cages smaller than the regulation size cages for slaves. The cages are never cleaned, thus the sickening and vomit inducing smell of urine and...

Kurt grabbed the iPad and clicked to the home screen. He didn't say anything.

"Sir...I can't...we can't...if we get caught..."

"We won't get caught."

"Yes we will! I read about it. The trackers never give up. Once they're assigned someone to find, they hunt until they find them. They never stop searching and they always find their prey. Always."

"We won't get caught!"

"You don't know that! You admitted that you don't know that! There's a chance we might, and if we are...I can't let you be tortured because you wanted to save me! Regardless of what my mother is up to, it can't be as horrible as you suffering in one of those disgusting cages!"

"This isn't your decision."

"You said it was my decision. Our decision."

"Well not anymore! I'm willing to take the chance. I can't...I can't just let them take you. I can't, Blaine. Not without a fight."

"Then we'll fight a different way, but not by running. It's too risky. We get caught, I end up with my mother, and you end up in a filthy cage being beaten everyday? No! I'd die knowing you were going through that. Please master...I don't wanna run."

"We're running."

"Please..."

"No! We're running and you will obey me."

Blaine slowly moved to his knees. He lowered his eyes, folded his hands and spoke very quietly. "Please? Please master? As your obedient and devoted slave, I beg you. Please don't make me run away. I love you so much. Please don't make me do this. Please?"

In six years, Blaine had never begged him not to do something.

Kurt put his face in his hands and finally, for the very first time, he cried. Really cried. Full on, completely broke down, sobbing, snot-running crying. Blaine wrapped his arms around him and together they sat there bawling, their bodies shaking as all the fear and stress came pouring out.

"I c-can't...I c-can't...I can't let them t-take you..."

"We d-don't have a ch-choice. I w-won't let you go to jail."

They cried until they were exhausted. They lay there holding each other. Blaine spoke quietly.

"You told me once that it wouldn't have mattered if you came to Dalton or not. You still would have found me... eventually. You saved me, Kurt. You saved me from drowning. You gave me strength and the ability to stand up for myself. Now, I have to save you and believe that everything will work out and that we will be together. Eventually."

They lay in silence. Kurt fell asleep. Blaine quietly slipped out of bed. He checked the doors, turned out the lights, brushed his teeth and returned to bed. Before climbing in, he picked up Kurt's iPad and looked at the list Kurt had been working on.

He hit delete.