The talk show host sat back in her chair, smiling over as her guests strode out onto the stage, welcomed by the applause of the audience. Much to Tina’s delight, Kurt and Blaine were holding hands as they came over, followed closely by Lauren. Kurt extracted his hand from Blaine’s to give Tina a hug, and then they sat down.

“So nice to see you again,” Kurt said as he crossed his legs and smiled widely at her. The last time he’d been on her show, he’d denied that he was with Blaine, and now here they were on television together as themselves.

“How are you all?” Tina asked, her eyes darting between the three of them. They all smiled and muttered some variation of “good”. “So, you guys have been getting a lot of publicity about what’s been happening on the show. Chris and Darren seem to be getting along happily, and now Chris has a new friend?”

“Yes, yes, Lauren plays Ashley,” Kurt nodded. “She’s a bit of a bad influence on Chris, but it’s cute. She’s always getting him into trouble, but really she’s just the one he can go to so he can gossip about Darren.”

“We’d call her his best friend, but we all know that spot is reserved for Darren,” Blaine added.

“So, Lauren, what’s it like to be part of the cast of one of TV’s biggest, most controversial dramas?” Tina asked, leaning forward in her chair a bit to look past Kurt and Blaine.

“It’s great. Really amazing. I have a lot of fun just hanging out with these guys and playing pranks on them and stuff. The cast is so nice and it’s really great to be a part of a show that reflects the struggles of a couple like Chris and Darren. It really focuses on the core of their relationship and their strengths and weaknesses. I think it’s something everyone has to see, because their love for each other is so pure and strong. It’s everyone’s hope that this show opens some minds and hearts,” replied Lauren.

“I think it’s definitely working its way into more than a few hearts,” Tina said with a smile. “So is there anything you can tell us about the big season finale coming up?”

“It’s big,” Blaine said.

“Really big,” Kurt said. “I think its two hours.”

“Yeah, it’s really big. Really emotional,” Ashley added.

“Super emotional,” said Blaine. “Like, we cried just reading the script.”

“The fans of the show are going to be in for a really big shock. Really big. Something they are totally not expecting,” Kurt said. “In truth I’m a little afraid to film some of the scenes, which we’re doing next week. All I can tell you is that we’re filming on location at a hospital. It’s very intense.”

“It sounds like it will be a very exciting episode,” Tina said. “We have to take a commercial break, but we’ll be right back with more on Kurt Hummel’s new album, and other upcoming activities with the cast of Bring on Tomorrow.”

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-One: Blow
Scene 1

(INT. Chris is in his trailer, sitting on the floor, staring at a paper in his hands. His face is expressionless. The chorus of “Blow” by Ke$ha begins to fade in as the camera focuses on the paper. In the same writing as the last few notes, the paper reads “your time is up”. The music becomes louder. “This place about to blow!” is heard, then the screen cuts to black)

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-One: Blow
Scene 3

(INT. Darren is on the floor, playing his guitar, while Chris sits on the couch)

DARREN
Can I play you something I wrote?

(Chris is just staring at him, not really focused on him)

DARREN
Chris, baby, is something wrong?

(Chris is startled out of his thoughts and he looked at Darren with wide eyes, a hint of fear in his expression.)

CHRIS
What? I’m sorry. I was just thinking.

DARREN
Is there something wrong? You know you can tell me anything.

CHRIS
It’s nothing. Just…movie stuff. Play me a song. I want to hear it.

(Darren wants to talk about more, but he shrugs and looks down at his guitar. As he begins to play, the smile fades from Chris’s face and he stares down at the floor. The sound of the guitar grows fuzzy until it’s silent, then camera focused on the distant look in Chris’s eyes)

. ~ . ~ .

“And cut!” Patrick called out. “Alright, people that’s a wrap! Congratulations on a great season, you guys. You’re all fabulous!”

All over the set, people were embracing and cheering and breaking out the champagne. They were done filming the first season of Bring on Tomorrow, a week before it was to air. Kurt and Blaine embraced tightly, both of them thinking that if it hadn’t been for this show, they would’ve never even met.

“I love you,” Blaine whispered in Kurt’s ear. Kurt squeezed him harder before they pulled back. They were done filming the first season, but their time working together was far from over. They had the whole summer to spend on Kurt’s album, which they would begin working on in just a couple of days.

“I can’t believe it’s over,” said Kurt.

“Hey, just until next season,” Blaine assured him.

“But what if they cancel us because we’re too gay?” Kurt asked.

“I wouldn’t worry about that, Kurt. After going out with this big of a bang, they’ll have to have us back,” replied Blaine with a chuckle. Kurt smiled as well and leaned forward to press a soft kiss to Blaine’s lips.

. ~ . ~ .

The first day in the recording studio was overwhelming to say the least. Kurt couldn’t believe all the equipment and the computers and the machines. He didn’t know what half the things did, but as he entered, he was greeted by several producers and sound technicians. It startled him at first. He hoped they’d let Blaine work with them, because he wanted Blaine to be a big part of this project.

“Hello there, Kurt Hummel.” A voice startled Kurt, and he whirled around, looking for the sources of it. He looked around, then down to see a man in a wheelchair.

“Well hello to you too,” Kurt said with a smile. “I see our time in the New Directions got everyone pretty far in life, didn’t it?”

“You know it,” Artie nodded. “I’m not exactly front and center material myself, so I only work with artists who can, by extension, fill that void in my life for me.”

“Sound…great,” said Kurt. He turned around and grabbed Blaine’s arm, tugging him forward. “This is Blaine. He wrote all the songs. He’s my musical angel.”

Artie looked Blaine over and shrugged, then turned his wheelchair around and headed into the sound booth, waving for Blaine to follow. Kurt was directed into the recording booth and was fitted with headphones and handed him a water bottle.

“I’m assuming you’ve actually rehearsed these songs.” Artie’s voice filled the room. He looked at him and Blaine through the glass and nodded. “Good. As Blaine here tells me, the two of you have been working with them on recording the backing tracks for the last couple of weeks, so it seems like we just have to run through the vocals until they’re perfect.”

Kurt nodded once and after a few minutes of digging out sheet music, they were ready to record. The first song was slower, softer, the perfect warm up for Kurt’s voice. They ran through it ten times before Artie was satisfied, much to Blaine’s annoyance. Blaine thought it was perfect after the first take. Thinking he was done for the first day, Kurt started to pack up his things. Artie’s voice came over the speaker.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you doing?” Artie asked.

“Getting ready to go?” Kurt straightened up, looking confused.

“I got this studio for two more hours. I want to cut one more version of that track and start talking about the next one,” Artie said. Kurt looked between him and Blaine for a moment. He didn’t want to push his voice much harder. He thought his agent had made it clear to anyone involved in this project that he wasn’t to push himself.

But nevertheless, Kurt situated himself back in front of the mic, cleared his throat, and began to sing. He managed to convince himself the scratchiness in the back of his throat was all in his head.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-One: Blow
Scene 5

(EXT. At a picnic table on the set of Chris’s movie. Ashley is sitting there already. Chris comes over to her, walking stiffly, holding a plate of food)

ASHLEY
You’re limping.

CHRIS
(blushes) No I’m not. Shut up.

ASHLEY
You so are. Wild night with the BF huh?

CHRIS
Wilder than a fat man in drag at a Ke$ha concert.

ASHLEY
(laughing) I love you sometimes, you know that?

(Chris doesn’t react as he picks at his lunch, looking down at the plate)

ASHLEY
Is something up?

CHRIS
No. Why would something be up?

ASHLEY
You look like crap, Colfer. Take off the sunglasses.

CHRIS
No.

ASHLEY
Do it or I’ll do it for you.

(Chris shakes his head and takes off this glasses. His eyes are red and he looks very tired)

CHRIS
I haven’t been sleeping.

ASHLEY
Why not? Is it Darren? Did he hurt you? Because if he hurt you his ass is getting beaten into tomorrow.

CHRIS
It’s not Darren. He’s been nothing but perfect lately.

ASHLEY
Then what’s bothering you, honey?

CHRIS
Nothing. I just...

(Chris’s phone starts ringing, He stands up to pull it out of his pocket, and a piece of paper falls out and bounces across the table. Chris is too distracted with answering his phone to tell, and Ashley reaches across the table to take the paper. She unfolds it, and it’s the threat that Chris received a few days before. By the time Chris hangs up the phone, he realizes Ashley is staring at the paper. He grabs it from her and stuffs it in his pocket)

ASHLEY
What the hell was that?

CHRIS
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

ASHLEY
Chris, that was another threat, wasn’t it?

CHRIS
It wasn’t anything. Forget about it.

ASHLEY
Have you told Darren?

CHRIS
Told him what? There’s nothing to tell him!

ASHLEY
You need to tell him, or go to the police, or something.

CHRIS
There’s nothing. To say. About anything.

(Chris pushes his untouched lunch away, stands, and starts to walk away)

ASHLEY
You have to tell Darren!

(Chris ignores her and keeps walking)

. ~ . ~ .

Mercedes was excited. Blaine had, in the end, written the perfect duet for her and Kurt. Something with a soft part for Kurt to power through and some epic vocal runs for Mercedes to shine with. When it came time to record the song, however, the three musicians had hit a bit of a block.

“I can’t hit that note, Blaine. I can’t hit it! Why would you write a song with a note I can’t sing, and then tell me if I don’t sing it the song would be ruined?” Kurt stubbornly stomped his foot and swept the sheet music off his music stand.

“You’re reading the wrong part, Kurt. That note is for Mercedes!” Blaine ran his hands through his untamed curls, fisting them in frustration.

“What are you saying, white boy? That I have to sing this part? I told you. I’m a diva. I don’t sing this mushy crap,” Mercedes snapped.

“Fine. Don’t sing it then! Nobody sing my song. I’ll sing my songs. In fact, why don’t we just trash all these recordings because I don’t like the way anyone sings my songs except me!” Blaine snapped at the other two singers.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Blaine. If people wanted to hear you sing, it would be you here with the microphone and not us,” Kurt said, folding his arms in front of him.

“This coming from the person with the least flexible voice I’ve ever heard!” Blaine almost snarled angrily. Almost instantly after they had come from his mouth, Blaine regretted the words. Kurt’s eyes began to shine with forming tears. “Kurt, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”

“If you would just write good songs like I asked, then we wouldn’t be fighting like this,” Kurt snapped.

Blaine tried to mask his hurt as he said, “I guess I deserved that.”

“Hey, the song’s not that bad,” Mercedes said. “It’s kinda catchy. In the chorus.”

“Whatever,” Blaine said. He straightened up and headed back into the sound booth with Artie. He wouldn’t tell them that besides his duet with Kurt, this was his favorite song he’d ever written.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-One: Blow
Scene 6

(INT. Restaurant. Chris and Darren are in a secluded corner booth, holding hands over the table)

DARREN
You look tired.

CHRIS
I’m fine.

DARREN
You’ve been saying that a lot lately.

CHRIS
I love you. Like, I really love you.

DARREN
(smiles) Even when I’m being a child?

CHRIS
Especially when you’re being a child.

DARREN
I really love you too.

CHRIS
Dare, I have something to tell you.

DARREN
I have something to tell you, too.

(TOGETHER)
You first.

CHRIS
(smiling) No really. You first.

DARREN
Alright. So I’ve been sending out my demo a whole bunch, as you know, and this record company wants to hear me perform live!

CHRIS
(his smile is clearly forced) Dare, that’s great! I’m so happy for you.

DARREN
Are you sure you’re ok?

CHRIS
I’m fine. I’m just, really happy for you.

DARREN
No you’re not. Your smile doesn’t reach your eyes. I can tell you’re distracted.

CHRIS
It’s nothing. Now tell me where and when you’re going to do this show. I want to be there for it.

DARREN
But what about what you wanted to tell me.

CHRIS
Oh, it’s nothing. Just movie stuff. You’re far more important.

(Darren looks at him skeptically, then shrugs, squeezes his hand, then continues to talk about his album. Camera focuses on Chris’s face, and how his smile really doesn’t reach his eyes)

. ~ . ~ .

Kurt stood in the music room, the door shut, alone. He looked down at the picture of Blaine in his hands, smiling at his beautiful face. They’d been fighting so much about the album, and Kurt wished there was some way he could give all the attention to Blaine. They were a team. A singer/songwriting duo, but at every turn it seemed that Blaine hadn’t taken one thing into account: Kurt’s voice wasn’t as strong as either of them thought.

He cleared his throat and set down the picture. They’d both worked too hard to be stopped by this now. He ran his fingers over Blaine’s cheek in the picture, his skin tingling as he imagined what Blaine’s skin really felt like, warm and smooth and a little prickly from stubble, depending on if it was right after Blaine shaved or not.

Picking up his water bottle, he took a long drink from it, his throat prickled unpleasantly as the liquid went down. He’d just have to rest his voice, that was all. Limit talking, no more press interviews, definitely not screaming Blaine’s name during sex.

He winced. That one would be tough.

Ok, so no sex. At least not until after they were done recording. Blaine would understand. Drink lots of water. He would fight this off before it got back.

Kurt Hummel was a singer first and foremost, and he was going to record this album if it was the last thing he did.

Taking another drink of water, he cringed as his throat throbbed. Tears burned his eyes, and despite all he could convince himself of, the reality was finally beginning to sink in.

(This place about to blow!)