A/N: Hello, chapter two is ready. This chapter was fun to write. We get some insight into Daniel's siblings as well as a peek at Kurt and Blaine's family. Hope you enjoy. Once again I own nothing except for Daniel's siblings, and Liza.

Chapter Two: Brothers, Blackbirds and Bowties

Now: The Schuester Home

"Don't be stupid." Ryan looked at his twin. "You know it's not gonna work."

Caleb Schuester was currently looking across the hall toward his older brother's closed bedroom door before turning toward Ryan with a frown. "Do you want him to talk to you or not?"

"This is just gonna get us in trouble." Ryan bit his lip. "You know how much it cost Dad."

"If we can get Danny boy to fight us, Dad won't care about the money."

"I dunno…" Ryan danced on his toes.

"Desperate times little brother." Caleb's face was deadly serious.

"I was born five minutes before you." The retort didn't have the same punch as it usually did, coming out with a sigh.

"So you're in?"

Ryan rolled his eyes, a 'definitely not' poised and ready to fall from his lips, but then he really thought about it. His mom's advice rang through his ears. "Danny just needs time. He'll be talking to you guys before you know it." With it came a picture of how his mom had looked when she had pulled into the parking lot. She had barely been able to focus as she drove. Emily had had to guide her pointing out streets when she was about to make a wrong turn, lost in her thoughts. And then dinner. Emily talked about dance team tryouts, Caleb about rehearsal for the school musical, but the conversation seemed forced and hollow. Despite doing nothing of the sort, Ryan felt the hole in his chest grow, as he recalled how it felt like they were ignoring their older brother, without the usual sly remarks that colored Daniel's contribution to Schuester family conversation. It was this that made the decision for him. "How do we pull it off?"

"Glad you asked."

Now: Hummel-Anderson Apartment (Manhattan)

Elizabeth "Liza" Hummel-Anderson watched as her Daddy's face changed. The conversation with Grandpa clearly wasn't going well at all. She wasn't supposed to be listening. She knew that, but technically she wasn't. Technically.

"Hey Miss Minnelli… where were you just now?" She winced as she felt Uncle Coop's fingers dig into her ribs.

Liza frowned as she pulled her uncle down by his wrist. "Uncle Coop! Shh."

He sighed. "Liza...are you eavesdropping?"

"Just because I can hear what Daddy's saying doesn't mean I'm eavesdropping." Liza leaned further out as the words reached her ears.

"I'll talk to Blaine and Liza about it. We can pack and be out on the next flight Monday." Liza watched as Daddy nodded along with whatever her Grandpa was saying on the other end. She could barely duck behind the wall as his gaze moved to where she was crouched. "I'll call you back later Dad."

Uncle Cooper's hand grabbed her by the shoulder, as he looked at her with a shake of the head. "Your 'hearing' needs some work."

Blaine walked into the apartment to see a very interesting, but not at all unusual scene. Kurt was sitting across from their daughter with an expectant look on his face.

"You seemed nervous. I just wanted to make sure you were okay! I didn't actually mean to listen." Elizabeth ducked down biting her lip, but in her eyes he saw the guilt. Their daughter was a talented little actress, but Kurt knew the truth and she knew it.

Blaine cleared his throat. "What'd I miss?"

"Elizabeth thought it would be fun to listen in on a private phone conversation." Kurt was trying to maintain his stern persona, but Blaine could see the slight amused twitch of his mouth. "Despite the fact that it was news that involved all of us, and she'd hear about it soon enough if she waited."

"Oh?" Blaine raised his eyebrows turning toward her. "Is that true Liza?"

A small nod. "I'm sorry Dad."

Blaine and Kurt looked at each other before Blaine spoke. "Just lay off the spy antics alright kiddo?"

"Can I go now?" Liza fidgeted.

"Go on get out of here." Kurt gave a halfhearted laugh as Liza stood. She turned back around, looking at Kurt worriedly before finally going back to her room, leaving her fathers alone.

"So, what's this news?" Blaine grabbed his husband's hand guiding him to a sitting position. Whatever it is, it seems to have Liza worried.

"Dad called." Kurt sighed. "It's Mr. Schue."

"Is he okay?"

"Something… Dad said something was off when he called. He was upset, told him that Daniel hadn't talked to anyone in two weeks."

"Daniel?" Blaine couldn't help but scoff. "Mr. Schue's Daniel?"

Kurt nodded. "Dad asked if we would come back. Try to help."

Blaine squeezed Kurt's hand with a reassuring smile. "Why wouldn't we?"

Kurt looked back in the direction Liza had left. "Do you think she'll be okay with it?"

"I'm sure he's forgotten all about it by now. It was back during Christmas." Blaine waved Kurt's question away, but behind his eyes Kurt could see the concern. "But I'll talk to her."

"Good." Kurt kissed Blaine on the cheek before rising to his feet. "I'll call you when dinner's ready."

"Hey Miss Minnelli," Cooper knocked on the door of his niece's bedroom. "Everything alright in here?"

Liza looked up. "I guess."

"Worried about what you heard?"

"Do you think Grandpa's okay?" Liza blurted it out. There was no point in skirting around it. As soon as she'd heard about flying back to Daddy's hometown, her mind launched into overdrive. Worse case scenario after worse case scenario invaded.

Cooper was thoughtful. He perched himself onto the edge of Liza's purple comforter. "Look," He smirked as his finger moved pointing right at her. "I'm pointing so you know I'm serious."

"Uncle Coop!" Liza sighed, but there was a smile fighting its way onto her face.

"Anyway Liz," Cooper waved it off. "You gotta ask your Dads. You're probably being a teensy bit melodramatic."

"Says you!" Liza stuck her tongue out.

Cooper turned noticing his brother in the doorway. "Yup, says me. Well, I gotta get back to the hotel. Conference call with my agent and all." He tapped Blaine on the shoulder. "The Drama Queen is all yours Squirt."

"Bye Uncle Coop." Liza waved before turning to her dad. "Hi."

"Hi," Blaine entered the room, taking the spot Cooper had occupied just moments before. "Alright Busy Lizzie, here's the deal."

Liza nodded. "Okay."

"You know Daddy was on the phone with Grandpa Burt right?"

"Yeah..." She shifted. "Dad, is Grandpa sick?"

It didn't take Liza long to know she was way off base. Her dad's eyes did that unbelievably exaggerated widening that was usually reserved for Uncle Coop's attempt at Thanksgiving turkey that involved a blow torch, the fire alarm and a fire extinguisher. He licked his bottom lip before shaking his head profusely. "No, no Grandpa Burt is fine Sweetheart. He's just fine."

"Then why did Daddy say we were going back to Lima?"

Dad sighed. "You remember Mr. and Mrs. Schuester?"

"From Christmas?" Liza nodded as the metal picture came into her head. "Emily, Daniel, Caleb and Ryan's parents?"

"That's them."

"Yup." Liza frowned. "Did something happen?"

"Daniel...he's having a hard time." Dad said. "Mr. and Mrs. Schuester need help. Grandpa Burt thinks if we come to visit it'll brighten his spirits a bit."

Liza nodded, her frown deepening. "Last time...I kinda...do you think Ryan will wanna see me?"

Her dad wrapped an arm around her giving a squeeze. "All you can do is talk to him. I'm sure it'll work itself out."

Liza smiled. "Okay. I will."

"That's my girl." Blaine planted a kiss on her forehead. "Let's go see if dinner's ready."

A/N: So... the twins are planning something drastic to snap Daniel out of it. Liza eavesdropped on the phone conversation between Kurt and Burt, and is nervous about seeing Ryan again. Any guesses as to why? Oh! Also, I have created polyvore sets for the Schuester family and Liza as well as some other characters that will be appearing throughout the story. Just log on to tiffster - 1. and look for the collection with the title of this fic.

Coming up next chapter: We get to see what Mercedes is up to as back at the Schuester residence, Emily tries to get through to her brother inadvertently providing the perfect distraction for the twins, whose actions spark memories for both Mr. Schue and Daniel.