Author's Note: Dear Readers, I can't promise updates will come this frequently, but my muse is cooperating so far. Enjoy and don't forget to review if you get a chance!

To my Guest reviewer: Your points about homosexuality and slang in the 1930s were well expressed and well-taken. So since I want to write about Kurt and Sebastian, rather than, say Rachel and Finn, I've changed the story to be a full-blown AU, set in an alternate U.S. that is similar to the 1930s (no cell phones, no TVs, no computers, no interstate highways) but where society accepts homosexuality and gay marriage is legal. Thank you for the constructive feedback!


Chapter 2 - Two Tickets to Joffer

The bigger man pounded away, each time harder and harder, each time sending the smaller man's body rocking backwards. He moved like a piston, relentlessly driving home his thrusts, always angled to hit that one sweet spot he just couldn't get enough of. What had started off as small beads of sweat on his forehead became rivulets rolling down the sides of his face. His muscled arms glistened in the light with perspiration, both his and his partner's limbs tangled in this delicious dance. The smaller man strained against the ropes, twisting this way and that but never able to break away or catch his breath. It was all building to a shattering climax. One final thrust, one last crescendo of rhythmic movement and –

"STOP! What the fuck is that?" Sue yelled into the phone. The throbbing vein popping out of her forehead in rage was strongly implied.

"That's my story," Sebastian replied unapologetically into the receiver. "You want me to dictate slower for Becky?" All the reporters on assignment called in their stories for stenographers to take down over the phone. It was the only way to beat the competition to print. Becky was the fastest shorthand in the office and Sue's personal favorite, so Sebastian knew she was on the line.

"I sent you to Cliff City to cover a boxing match, not catalogue your new-found love of S&M."

"Burton knocked Tomasino out 45 seconds into the first round, there wasn't much to say. I was trying to make it interesting."

"You were trying to make it unpublishable! And you succeeded." The editor of the Diamond Daily was in a fury. "Why can't you once, just once do like all the other trained monkeys around here and complete an assignment without veering into pornography?"

"Why can't you once, just once give me a proper story to cover," Sebastian countered hotly. "For God's sake, Sue, I'm an investigative journalist! The best one on the whole damn paper, but lately you've got me covering cheerleading competitions, extreme weather events and weddings. Weddings! Disgusting displays of phony sentiment, empty promises, and overpriced romantic gestures that make me want to gag."

"I don't want to discuss your gag reflex, Sebastian," Sue countered coldly.

"Fine," Sebastian grumbled. "Let's discuss this: that money-laundering scandal last month. That should have been my story, but you gave it to that muckraking hack Jacob ben Israel. He's not half the reporter I am and you know it!"

Sue did know it, but she'd never admit that to Sebastian. Despite how it appeared, Sue liked the cocky, smirking stick insect. He was one of the best writers on the staff and he had moxie. But he was too undisciplined, too irreverent. Sue wanted just a little less self-confidence and a little more cowering in fear, but Sebastian sucked at cowering. She wondered sometimes why she kept him on, but then she saw the dreck ben Israel handed in with trembling, sweaty hands, versus the smooth, erudite, damn near spell-binding prose Sebastian was capable of and she knew.

"Tell you what, bean pole, when you get back to Diamond City we'll find you a nice juicy politician to expose for rank hypocrisy, okay? Where are you, anyway?"

"The Cliff City bus station. I was thinking maybe I'd check on the local labor dispute …"

But just at that moment, Sebastian heard a breathy male voice behind him ask, "When's the next bus to Diamond City?" It was an unusual voice, kind of sexy. He turned toward the ticket counter and his eyes nearly popped.

"Sue," Sebastian whispered urgently into the phone, "you know that scion who ran away to marry Blaine Anderson? He's here!"

"What? Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I recognize his picture from the Diamond Daily's society page. His father's hired some big detective firm to track him down but I guess he's eluded them so far."

"Well stick with him, dammit. We could use a good exclusive." Sue could see the headlines now – "Heir to Hummel Fortune Flies to Devoted Lover." She smirked. With all the hair gel Anderson used, it should read "Greasy Lover," but never mind. "I want regular updates, where he goes, who he meets, what he eats, everything!"

"Will do, boss," Sebastian agreed eagerly. Finally a decent assignment! Sebastian eyed Hummel discretely. Hmm, more than decent. The guy's not half bad. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll learn what he mumbles in his sleep.

"We don't have any direct buses, young fella," Sebastian heard the agent say. "I can book you as far as Joffer but then you'll have to transfer."

"Fine, that's fine," Hummel agreed hastily. He glanced around nervously and pulled out his wallet.

"Gotta go, boss!" Sebastian said and hung up. Sue smiled in triumph. He'd called her "boss" twice in the space of 30 seconds. This exclusive was off to a good start.

With four long strides Sebastian reached the counter and slid in line just as Hummel headed towards the buses outside.

"One ticket to Joffer, please."