Author Notes: Oh dear and here I said I'd wait to start this fic… but I can't haha. TOO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS! That's how I felt… so I'm here to you know… start working on this story so we can keep up with our favorite secret government organization. Thanks to everyone who's following me, it's super cool. I hope CHEER can live up to your hopes and dreams~ lawl.
GLEE!
"And so I propose we try to go after whatever pieces of the Sub-space vortex manipulator. Tina's scans indicate that the machine was much farther from completion than we originally thought. If we can get a hold of even one piece of it we can slow down CHEERs efforts to getting it up and running." Rachael's cheerfully poignant voice concluded, this morning meeting was a bit more intense than their usual ones.
"Rachael if I may… Santana already told us that there pieces are virtually indictable by normal scans. How will we find any pieces before CHEER does?" Kurt's tone said he wasn't impressed with the plan.
"Oh yee of little faith, like I would come to a meeting with an under-developed plan." Rachael grinned and Blaine could see Kurt fighting the urge to send a ceiling tile flying into her face. "Normal scans yes, but not all scans otherwise CHEER would never be able to locate them either. So all we have to do is hack into the CHEER main frame and find out how they are able to find them."
"Wait… you're plan involves hacking into CHEER?" Quinn set down her coffee mug and stared at Rachael like she was a small child, "You do of course realize that not only would that never work in a million years, but it would also alert them that perhaps we are trying to stop them."
"Well Quinn, unlike you, I have faith in Tina's abilities." She beamed at the Asian woman who was choking on her coffee at the moment.
"Me? I can't hack into CHEER…even with my skills." She almost whispered the last part, "I'd need proper support and we don't have anyone good enough to keep up with me." Blaine wondered if she was boasting or just overly cautious.
Rachael seemed a bit deflated, "But Tina, you have to… I know it won't be easy but… surely one of us could manage somehow."
"No way, even Quinn isn't that good." Tina gave the blond woman a look of apology; she just shrugged at the assessment.
"I suggest we look for outside assistance then." Kurt folded his hands into his lap, and leaned forward a bit. "It might take some convincing but… XTRAS might lend us a hand."
"Absolutely not! I know you're enamored with them for some reason but they can't be trusted." Rachael was a bit too quick to shoot that idea down. Blaine just looked at Kurt, hoping for an explanation to who the XTRAS were.
"Look Rache… I know you're still sore after Mercedes but… you need to let that go." Finn rested a soothing hand on her shoulder.
"I agree, I wouldn't mind having the world's second best hacker as my back up." Tina suddenly looked cheerful.
"And at the moment we don't have the luxury to be picky… if we do go through with this plan we will need support." Quinn took another sip of her coffee, but her eyes never left Rachael's stare. Blaine wondered if they would start shooting real daggers from them. While he noticed that the two women never got along well, he always vaguely wondered why that was.
"I think it's decided then…" Kurt was looking smug all of a sudden, he was either enjoying the frustration on Rachael's face, proud that he thought of the idea first or both. Blaine couldn't tell but it did seem like Kurt had slightly less than genuine reasons to suggest this plan.
"Fine… Tina send a message to them. I'm sending You, Kurt…" her eyes shot an annoyed look to the psychic, he responded with a 'bitch please face', really they made such good friends, "and Blaine…"
"Why me?" He said before thinking, he didn't know what he was doing still. Sending him on another mission so soon was a bit unexpected.
"Why not? Finn and I have bad blood with them. Quinn is of more use here. You need experience seems logical to me." He didn't know why Rachael was sounding so passive aggressive towards him but he just sighed and went along with it, no use in arguing with the leader.
"We leave in ten people!" Kurt hopped gracefully from his seat, patting Blaine on the back as he passed. Blaine felt his face get warm, scrambling to follow the taller man out of the meeting room. Tina was already typing away on her hand held, no doubt giving XTRAS a heads up to their arrival.
Blaine quickly made sure to brew some coffee for the others while he was away and put some into a thermos for their trip. Let no one say that Blaine Anderson ever neglected his duties. "Blaine's Brew # 12 good luck drip." He smiled and took a sip, oh yes, this was going to be a good day.
GLEE!
The SUV pulled up to a very very large mansion that was out in the country side. Blaine had not realized that Ohio was home to anyone who could afford such a house but then again in this world barely anything seemed beyond the realm of possibility. The gates opened allowing them to drive up the overly long drive way to the house. This was the kind of place that screamed secret base, but then again perhaps that was the point. Like a big middle finger daring anyone to ask stupid questions.
Kurt parked the car and was the first one out. Tine followed, her traveling laptop tucked in her bag under her arm. Blaine felt silly caring the thermos but it was that or his gun, and this just felt more inviting.
"That you Hummel?" A tall man with a mohawk greeted them at the door. Next to him was a very, and Blaine tried to be polite when thinking this, husky girl. They were both wearing black suits with black ties and it felt like an ironic statement, perhaps this whole place was like that?
"Why if it isn't Noah Puckerman… staying out of trouble I hope." Kurt shook his head and smirked. Blaine was now witnessing his favorite side of Kurt, the cool in control side. Not that there was a bad side to Kurt, well… maybe there was a few.
"What I tell you? It's Puck." He jabbed his finger into Kurt's chest, it was more friendly bullying than a threat so Blaine didn't instantly grab his gun.
"Hello Lauren… nice to see you again." Tina offered a small hello from behind Kurt. The large girl nodded silently, not really looking too thrilled to be here.
"Come on Puckerman lets go, I'm tired of sweating in this suit and I have stuff to do." She didn't color her words very much but the way Puck looked at her was like she had asked in the sweetest of ways.
"Right, can't keep a lady waiting… I'll take you up. He's expecting you." Puck opened the door that led to a grand staircase. The inside was decorated in such a gaudy manner that Kurt had to shield his eyes from the tackiness. "Just go right on up. I think you remember where to go."
The three agents nodded, Blaine more so just to seem confident. Again Kurt took the lead with Tina behind him and Blaine bring up the rear. He couldn't help but wonder what sort of person they were meeting with, it was clear this wasn't some highly organized group. The whole place seemed like the wet dream of some juvenile adolescent with wat too much time and money on their hands.
Kurt smiled as they walked down yet another overly long corridor. "You see, even though everything is in need of serious editing, this hallway doesn't seem as long and tedious as our entrance. I'm not saying we should spring for marble everything and crude gold fixtures but I still stand by my claim we need to brighten it up a bit." Blaine and Tina exchanged looks, watching out for the puddles of 'gay' Kurt was oozing.
They got to the end of the hallway and stood before two large wooden doors. They swung open on their own volition allowing them to enter. Inside was a large office, much sleeker than the rest of the house, more modern minimalist. It was like it wasn't even part of the same house.
"Well well if it isn't my favorite MIB, what up girl!" A skinny man in a wheelchair moved around a large desk and made his way to where they stood.
"Hello Artie…" Tina smiled and gave a small wave.
"You come for a rematch because…I've been practicing." He waggled his eyebrows and she just laughed. Kurt sighed and stepped forward.
"It's good to see you again Mr. Abrams… I trust you know why we are here." Kurt had his chin up, giving a look that Blaine had dubbed Kurt's 'You're crazy but I like you' face. The way he had that coy little smile on his face totally gave it away, even if he was trying to be businesslike.
"Fool, what did I tell you? Artie, Mr. Abrams is my father…and who wants to be him?" He shrugged in a goofy way then rolled back over to his desk. "But yes…I know why you're here. Sounds like an awfully big job."
"That's why we need your help, you're the only one who can keep up with me." Tina stepped forward. "Besides… you know it would be fun."
"I'm not denying any of that. But the question is… what I get out of it. I like you guys but my services don't come cheap, I don't live in an overly elaborate mansion for nothing….I make bank." He cocked his head to the side and grinned.
"Funding is limited… we can't leave a paper trail." Blaine finally spoke up, drawing the wheelchair bound man's attention to him for the first time.
"You don't think I know that? Who is this guy?" Artie didn't sound angry but Blaine felt embarrassed to be called out.
"Blaine Anderson, I'm new to GLEE." He kept his straight face on, being proper as the situation called for.
"Well hello then, Artie Abrams… CEO of XTRAS. Pleased to make your acquaintance." Tina laughed, giving Artie an eye roll. He could switch from being completely ridiculous to polite and friendly at the drop of a hat. "But like I was saying… what do I get from this?"
"You help us get the piece of information we desire and you…" Kurt placed his hands on the desk and leaned forward, "Get our help with getting any one file in their records. I know you like hard to come by information."
Artie nodded and smirked, "Man Hummel, you know that my services are more expensive than that… but I DO sort of owe you helping me acquire such a…lovely assistant."
"You know I only helped with the transfer, she left on her own. Dealing with Rachael though is a task that I don't often do for cheap either." Kurt chuckled and stood up straight, fixing his jacket a bit.
Blaine didn't know if this banter was closer to bargaining or flirting, either way it was fun to watch. Kurt being playful was a rare sight to see.
"Speaking of which…where is she? I thought for sure she'd be here to greet us." Tina glanced around.
"I had her on a little mission. Her talents are in high demand… what can I say we just sorta rock." Artie's self-satisfied yet playful smirk did nothing to remove the look of disappointment on Kurt's face. He slowly slipped back into a more serious business tone.
"Well then I trust we have an agreement then. We'll contact you again once we have everything ready. I suggest you start thinking about what file you want now." Quick and cold, Kurt's tone didn't leave room for argument. It wasn't angry; there was no hint of a shrillness being held back, it was the same detached voice he used when he first met Blaine.
Sensing the change in the room Tina shuffled back to Blaine's side, Artie just nodded. No one had done anything wrong but Kurt had let himself get his hopes up. He thought he was over letting that happen, he was more embarrassed and disappointed than anything else.
"I'll call you with what I want…then we'll set that date up." Artie's voice was low and slow, very rational. Kurt's eyes narrowed like he was going to say something but in the end he just sighed and brushed a non-existent strain of hair from his face.
With a quick turn of his heal he walked out of the office and down the hall. Tina smiled quickly at Artie before running after her friend. Blaine stood there for a second awkwardly before giving a small bow and hastily left.
GLEE!
"Why do you have yank that boy around like that? You know I don't like when you mess with my boy!" A brassy voice said over the intercom. Artie sighed, his moment of window staring broken by his assistant.
"It's part of deal. The real reason you were transferred is so that you are kept separate. The fact that you are the best at what you do is just a very nice perk for me." He folded his hands in his lap.
"I am the best and if you don't want me to blow you're pretty little mansion down you best remember that I don't mess around with people who hurt Kurt. You got that?" He could almost hear the finger wag and feel that sharp gaze on his neck.
"Wouldn't dream of it… it's more like." He tried to find the right word, "tough love?" no that didn't sound right. He shook his head at his own reflection.
"Pft… whatever. Anyway I'm almost done with the job. Next time do NOT send me to Malaysia during the wet season. You're paying for my new weave. Jones Out!" the transmission was cut. Artie enjoyed the sound of static, much more calming than the abrasive…quality, of Mercedes' voice.
"PUCK!" He shouted, turning to face the doors now. His favorite bodyguard was inside in moments, looking bored.
"What?" He crossed his arms in front of his chest, his gaze wandering around the room. Artie liked that kind of disrespect, what fun is it to have a bunch of yes men around? He liked keeping it real.
"Mercedes is coming back soon and our join operate with GLEE shouldn't be put off too much longer. I need you and Lauren to be ready in case things start to get messy…" Artie's face scrunched up a bit, picturing his poor mansion being reduced to a smoldering crater.
"Yeah when am I not? The Puckasaurs is always ready to rumble and my main lady isn't the type to let things get the jump on her. Not the way with how much you pay us haha." He slammed his fist into his hand for emphasis.
"Great! Now… fire up the X-box, I need to get my Halo on!" Artie and Puck laughed, being friends with your employees rocked.
GLEE!
Blaine liked to get reading done in awkward car rides. He had always done it with his family and now he was getting back into the habit at GLEE. They loved awkward car rides, perhaps his father should take notes.
Kurt wasn't talking, his steely blue eyes just focused on the road ahead. Blaine half wondered if he was willing people to get out of his way, he was pretty sure Kurt could do that if he wanted.
Tina was just texting someone, Blaine guessed it was her husband since she was using her civilian phone. He had never gotten the chance to meet her husband, although he assumed she liked to keep work and home separate.
Blaine flipped to the next page in the report he was reading. His quest for knowledge knew no bounds, well that, and he really hated being in the dark about his job. It would be a gross understatement to say that the agents of GLEE were tight lipped, prying information about anything was a chore and it was easier to trust the cold facts on the page. Maybe it was just because he was new; he had hoped that they started to trust him.
Mostly he wanted Kurt to trust him. Despite their bad beginning, Kurt was the one who had been the most kind to him this past month. They would talk about trivial things, fashion, celebrities, coffee. Sometimes they talked about Jeremiah, and Blaine's guilt in feeling more and more detached from his dead boyfriend. Those were always uncomfortable for Kurt, he could tell the other man felt responsible. Even still, Kurt always listened, offered bits of advice even when he admitted he didn't know how to help. The fact that someone seemed to care at all was enough for Blaine though.
Kurt on the other hand was like a closed book with a lock in a safe, behind a hidden door in a cave at the bottom of the ocean. Blaine chuckled at the terrible simile, earning an odd glance from Kurt via the rear view mirror. He just waved his hand to dismiss it, maybe he did need to control his thoughts better?
GLEE!
Author Notes: Yay… XTRAS! Haha took forever to come up with an acronym I liked. I first wanted to use WHEELZ but no words came to my head so I settle with XTRAS. Plus things that start with X are cool with the kids right? Haha
So here it is… the first chapter of the new series. I hope to show more aliens and other weird stuff in this one. It won't be all GLEE vs CHEER…maybe. Who knows. I'm fickle.
PLEASE REVIEW: I love you guys and you're reviews keep me inspired. I'm not even kidding. I can't help but grin when I see new comments. I always want to run out and type new chapters so yeah… keep them coming.