CHAPTER THREE

A/N: All of the characters contained herein belong to the lovely people at Glee. We just turned them into vampires and let our imaginations out to play.

"For both mates and sires, the instinct is to protect their other half. When those roles are one and the same, there is nothing which a vampire will not do, will not risk to protect their beloved. They will sacrifice their life, their sanity, their everything to insure their mated childe's well-being."

-from "Turning: The Sire and Childe Relationship" by Professor Charles Lance

The limo glided right up to the plane, which was already fueled, crewed up and ready to go. Throngs of reporters were pressed up against the fence snapping pictures as they pulled up.

"Dammit!" Blaine growled.

"So much for Dad's plan," Jeff murmured.

"What do we do?" Nick asked. Blaine frowned, biting his lip, a habit he had unknowingly picked up from his mate.

"Wesley, you're going to have to get Kurt to the plane. I'm not sure what affect this is going to have on me and I'd rather not be carrying him if I pass out," Blaine ordered.

"Pass out? What the hell are you planning Blaine?" Wes demanded.

"A distraction," Blaine said shortly. "When I tell you to you need to go, because I'm not sure how long I'll be able to do this."

"Distraction?" Nick frowned in concern.

"Go!" Blaine said shortly, his eyes closed, the strain of whatever he was doing showing clearly on his face.

"Blaine!" Nick demanded.

"Shut up and go… we can yell at him later," Jeff said, opening the door and pulling Nick out behind him.

He sprinted for the plane practically dragging Nick with him. Wes after a moment's hesitation, grabbed Kurt and followed him, staring in shock as he realized all the reporters were frozen, as if they were a movie someone had paused.

"Dude! What the hell is going on?" Puck demanded of Wes.

"Blaine… he's… I don't know what he's doing, but he told us to get Kurt on the plane," Wes answered rushing onto the plane with Kurt who was starting to stir and murmur Blaine's name.

"Shit!" Puck swore ducking into the limo and grabbing a shaking Blaine and carrying him onto the plane. As soon as the door was shut behind them, Blaine let out his breath in a whoosh of air and opened his eyes, only to shut them almost immediately.

"Lights… turn them off," he managed to get out. Puck immediately obeyed.

"Anderson!" he demanded, somehow managing to yell in a whisper. "What the fuck was that?"

"Thrall… I froze them… never done it on such a large scale before… or to people. Hurts," Blaine muttered, wiping at a small trickle of blood which was coming out his nose.

"You're an idiot! Do you know that?" Nick said.

"Mmmhmmm," Blaine murmured tiredly. "Kurt?"

"He's fine," Wes assured.

"Question is are you?" Puck asked.

"I will be, just need to rest a little," Blaine answered, sounding weak.

"Since Kurt isn't able to do so, I will speak for him," Nick said. "You ever pull some crap like that again Blaine Vladimir Anderson and I will shred every single bow tie you own!"

"Don't worry. I won't. My head is exploding," Blaine groaned. "Puck, will you help me move over next to Kurt?" Blaine gestured towards the couch, which had been pulled out into a bed, where Kurt lay.

"I should make you walk over there yourself," Puck muttered, picking up Blaine and laying him down next to Kurt. Blaine was asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow, subconsciously snuggling up to the still form of his Chosen One.

The crew wasted no time in securing the cabin and getting flight clearance. The moment the Count and Dr. Duvall joined them, the plane was coasting to the runway. The other boys quickly filled the two of them on what Blaine had done and the Count's eyes immediately widened in alarm and he began cursing in Romanian. The doctor meanwhile rushed over to Blaine and began to check him over.

"Well?" Vlad demanded.

"He seems to be fine… exhausted I would say, but fine. Honestly, since no one really understands how you seem to be able to do what you do though, I really have no idea," Nick's dad admitted. The Count snorted stalking over to his great-grandson and shaking him roughly awake.

"Would you care to explain to me, Blaine Vladimir, exactly what you were thinking when you froze the entire press corps at the airport? Did you intend for your mate to wake up a widow? Do you have any idea how badly that could have gone? Not even I would have attempted this!" Vlad hissed. Blaine blinked up at him blearily.

"I am aware of exactly what could have happened, but I had to protect him Bunic. I will not apologize for it," Blaine said, wrapping Kurt protectively in his arms. "Can you honestly tell me that if it was Grandmother Mina in Kurt's position you would have not done the same?" The Count stared inscrutably at Blaine for a moment before sighing.

"I think Nepot, that they are right. You are entirely too much like me. I think also, this is not always a good thing," he said. "Your head, it hurts?"

"Hurt doesn't quite cover it," Blaine said ruefully.

"You must feed and sleep. This is all that will help. Noah, get him some ice for the back of his neck and a cloth to cover his eyes, the light will be hurting them," Vlad ordered. Jeff pulled a bottle of blood from the mini-fridge while Puck got Blaine some ice and a towel to cover his eyes from the plane's galley.

"Thank you," Blaine murmured, taking a long drink from the bottle.

"Finish that then sleep. I shall wake you when we arrive in New Orleans," the Count said. Blaine obediently finished the blood before snuggling back down with Kurt and falling asleep once again.

The rest of the flight proceeded quietly; most of the boys trying to get a few hours of sleep before they hit the ground in New Orleans since Blaine would need all of them and their support. Unfortunately, they were the last flight arriving into the airport, which meant that the press was all gathered to snap pictures and shout questions at them.

Blaine, despite feeling like he had been hit by a truck, insisted on being the one to carry Kurt from the plane to the waiting limo. As he whisked Kurt into the car, Blaine couldn't help but remember the last time they'd been here and how Kurt had handled himself with grace and dignity in facing the same reporters that were now trying to get a tabloid worthy photo and a cheap headline. His head was pounding, he was exhausted, and he knew he was reaching his breaking point. His friends apparently realized this and they did their best to shield him as he, Puck, and Vlad bundled Kurt into the first of the waiting limos. Once they were securely inside, Jeff sent a glare towards the gathered paparazzi.

"That's it. I've had enough of this shit." he stomped toward the gate, Nick lunging after him before his father grabbed his arm.

"Nicholas, let him handle this." Frederick told his son.

"I can't let him do something stupid, Father. What kind of Chosen One would I be?" Nick rambled and stopped, realizing what he'd inadvertently told his father.

"Excuse me?" Frederick stared at his son in shock. He certainly hadn't expected Nicholas to find his own mate this soon.

"Can we talk about this later?" Nick desperately backpedaled.

"Oh, rest assured, we will." Frederick said, not relinquishing his hold on his son, if anything, his hold tightening on his child.

"Lord Sterling, what are you doing in our fine city? Are you still looking for your Chosen One?"

"Can you answer our questions concerning the Kurt Hummel situation?"

"First of all, there is no Kurt Hummel situation. Kurt and Blaine made a mutual decision and although the circumstances of Kurt's turning were not what they would have liked; the resolution is still the same." Jeff answered. "It's just one more step towards the completion of their mating bond."

"Could you comment on the rumors that you have finally selected a Chosen One? How does your father feel about the mate you have selected?"

Jeff smiled. "Yes, I have selected my Chosen One. He attends Dalton Academy with me and we've known each other for years. We are not yet ready to make a formal announcement yet, but it will be forthcoming in the next few months."

"What about the rumors that your Chosen One is the son of Doctor Frederick Duvall, Nicholas Duvall? Would you care to comment on that?"

"Nick and I are very close and that's as much as you're getting from me this evening, guys. Before I go, I would like to add my personal appeal to the one already given by my father and His Majesty to allow Prince Blaine and his Chosen One their privacy in this very special time in their lives."

Jeff sauntered back to the car where Nick and his father had been standing and listening to the impromptu press conference.

"You did very well Jeff." Nick said softly.

"You sound so shocked, Nick." Jeff laughed.

"That's because I am." Nick responded with a smirk.

"Get in the car, honey." Jeff teased, climbing in and sitting next to Nick as Dr. Duvall climbed in and slammed the door. The limo was pulling away as Frederick turned his sights on Jeff.

"Jeffery, I believe we need to talk about your intentions with my son." Frederick studied the boy in front of him.

"Uh…it's a little late, sir. Can we discuss this in the morning maybe?" Jeff asked, hoping against hope that Nick's father would at least give him the night to figure out what to say.

"Oh, I don't think so, young man." Frederick Duvall was not persuaded by the boy's appeal. If Nicholas was to be the Chosen One, it was his job and duty as a father to make sure Jeffery Sterling was capable of taking care of his son.

"Dad!" Nick shouted at his father.

"This is between me and him, Nicholas." Frederick snapped, immediately silencing his son. "Now, Jeffery, my son tells me that the two of you have chosen each other. Is this true?"

Jeff searched for the words to explain this one. He'd dug himself into some deep holes before, but this one was probably the deepest. "Yes, sir….Nick and I decided to wait until the time was right to tell you."

"And when was that time going to be?" Frederick asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We hadn't exactly decided that yet." Jeff stammered.

"Hmm." Frederick paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "Is there a reason you haven't come to me or talked to your father about this? Are you ashamed of Nicholas' past? Do you even know about his past? My son will not be treated shamefully like some back alley trollop."

Nick felt his face grow scarlet as he listened to his father speaking.

Jeff growled low in his throat, eyes taking on a reddish cast. "With all due respect, sir…Nick and my relationship is just that…mine and Nick's. And while we would like your blessing, we certainly do not need your permission. I have never been ashamed of Nick. I am so proud of all that he has overcome and honestly, it is because of his past that we haven't said anything, but not because I am ashamed of him. But because I wanted to wait until he was ready. I would never disgrace Nicholas or myself by treating him like some back alley trollop or some submissive slave."

"Hmmm….sounds like you boys are on the right track and of course I will give you my blessing. All I want is for Nicholas to be happy and safe. If he's found that with you, than I am happy for the two of you." Frederick was pleased that Nicholas had been able to find someone who would love him despite his past.

"Thank you Dad." Nick said, visibly relaxing and clearly happy that his father had accepted this.

"But Jeffery, I expect you to call your father in the morning and inform him of this so he is not caught off guard as I was. I would suspect this will give him time to craft a statement to the press if they continue to ask about this development. Nicholas, I will be calling your mother when we get to the manor and informing her of your changed status."

"Yes, Dad. I know Mom will be calling to talk to me." Nick understood that his parents just wanted him to be happy and with Jeff, he honestly was.

Blaine breathed a sigh of relief as the limo drove onto the grounds of Black Oak Manor. He was home. They were safe. No one would harass Kurt here. His Chosen One would have the peace and quiet he would need to rest and recover. As soon as the limo pulled to a stop, Blaine stepped out with Kurt cradled protectively in his arms. The door to the manor flew open and the petite, raven haired form of his grandmother stepped out followed closely by his significantly larger grandfather.

"Bring him this way Blaine darlin'. I've had the staff ready one of the turning rooms for him," Genevieve said by way of greeting.

"Thank you, Grand-mere." Blaine responded, sending his grandmother a grateful smile. He followed his grandparents down to the lower level of the plantation to a rather elegantly appointed room. He gently laid Kurt down on the bed there making sure he was covered before turning and allowing himself to be engulfed in a comforting hug from the closest thing to a mother he had ever known.

"You look tired child," she said gently. "You're not feeding enough nor, I'd wager, are you sleeping."

"I did both on the plane," Blaine responded.

"Blaine…" she began, only to be cut off by her mate.

"Leave the boy alone, Gen. She's right though, Blaine. You look like hell. Understandable, given the circumstances," General Beauregard Hughes murmured stepping forward to hug his grandson as well. "I fully expect that when things are settled, you will do us the great respect of telling us how you met your Chosen One."

"Of course." Blaine smiled, despite everything else because Kurt made him happier than anything else in the world and he loved sharing their story with people. "I'd intended to bring him to meet everyone at Wes and Cordelia's ceremony this summer but… "He trailed off, swallowing thickly and blinking back tears.

"We are so sorry things happened like this, Blaine. When Michael and your daddy filled us in on the details of course, we had to be here to help you with your Chosen One." his grandmother said sympathetically.

"Thank you. I appreciate it and I'm certain Kurt will as well."

"It's the least we could do sweetheart," Genevieve replied. "Now, why don't we get you upstairs so you can get a proper night's sleep? I'm sure Fredrick is going to want to check over your Kurt anyway." Blaine shook his head.

"I'll stay down here. His," Blaine paused to clear his throat as his emotions once more got the best of him. "His heartbeat is getting weaker. It's going to stop soon I think and I want to be here when it does."

"Oh, darling. I don't think that's such a good…"

"Gen, he's not a baby anymore. Let him deal with this as he sees fit. He's a grown man with his own mate. Quit mollycoddling him," the general interjected. Genevieve sighed but threw her hands up in resignation.

"Fine, but I'm going to bring you something to eat and then you're going to lie down, and I can mollycoddle him if I want to, Beauregard Hughes!" Genevieve responded, stomping off in a huff. The general followed, chuckling softly to himself.

It wasn't his grandmother who returned a few moments later, however, it was Dr. Duvall accompanied Puck, Wes, Nick, and Jeff.

"Why aren't you guys in bed?" Blaine asked as Wes handed him a cup filled with blood. He watched with a frown as Nick's dad carefully examined Kurt.

"We can hear his heart as well as you can Blaine. There isn't much time left and we care about him too. We want to be here for him and you as well. Which reminds me, Grand-mere said to make sure you drank every last drop of that or she'd have both our hides. Last time she told me she'd have my hide if I didn't listen I couldn't sit for a week, so drink," Wes said.

"I'm really not even remotely hungry," Blaine murmured taking a long drink anyway. He too knew better than to cross Genevieve Hughes.

"But you need to make sure you are fully satiated. It won't be much longer now, Blaine," Dr. Duvall confirmed, finishing his examination of Kurt. "His heart will stop soon; once it does your DNA will set to work repairing his body. He should be awake within twenty four hours and he is going to need to feed. Ideally it should be from you, but if you don't start feeding more, I'm going to suggest someone else do it."

"Absolutely not," Blaine said firmly, taking another long drink and continuing his vigil at Kurt's bedside. The others sat surrounding Blaine and Kurt. All of them were concentrating on the faint sounds of Kurt's human life slipping away. With each beat, his heart became weaker, the pause between beats longer, until finally with one last feeble thud it stopped altogether. Blaine shook his head in denial.

"Oh God! What have I done? I should have left him alone. He'd be at home with his dad right now if it weren't for me," he nearly sobbed.

"Blaine, stop it! Kurt is still alive. He's just not human anymore. If it weren't for you, he would be dead from the fall he took. Hell, he'd have been gone before that from Karofsky," Puck said giving his prince a slight shake.

"You don't understand," Blaine said shaking his head.

"I know Kurt looks terrible right now, but blaming yourself is wrong, Blaine." Nick said.

"Look at him, Nicholas. Really look at him. I did this to him. Rationally, I know that he's going to be fine… that turning him saved him, but I've spent the last week watching him writhe in pain, seeing him deteriorate before my eyes and knowing that I am the one responsible for it. What if he hates me for doing this to him? What if I have ruined his life?"

"Listen to me. You did not ruin his life. Kurt asked you to change him. As bad as he looks right now, he will come back from it." Nick's heart hurt to look at Kurt. The normally full of life boy was so silent and still…his cheeks and eyes were sunken in, almost as if they belonged to a corpse. His skin was bone white and parchment thin. His normal silky and immaculate hair was straw like and stuck up at odd angles. A streak of vivid white marred his once chestnut locks. The body in the bed barely resembled his friend. "This is a traumatic change in the body for the healthiest of people Blaine. Kurt is no different."

"Nick is right man. You guys didn't see what Kurt's life was like before. I did. He was going through the motions. He wasn't happy… not until he met you dude. We talked about it me and him. While he was definitely not looking forward to all of this, for him, it was totally worth it, because it meant he got to spend eternity with you." Puck said.

"But…but…"

"Blaine, you're my friend and so is Kurt. As rough as it is right now, he will be okay. You have to have faith in that or all hope is lost. All of this is just temporary. He's already starting to heal… look at him," Nick replied. Looking at Kurt, he realized it was true. In the moments since his heart stopped, Kurt was already starting to look healthier.

"Nick is right. He'll be back to himself in no time, and then you two can be annoyingly sweet together for eternity. Right now though, you need to rest." Wesley remarked.

"I can't leave him. I have to be here when he wakes. He's going to need me." Blaine shook his head. It hurt too much to be away from Kurt during this time.

"And we anticipated that you wouldn't want to leave him, which is why Grand-mere had a bed set up down here for you so that you can sleep in the same room with him and yes, we will wake you if he even makes a movement. Now sleep, Anderson," Wes said firmly, pulling aside a decorative screen which had stood in a corner of the room to reveal a cot and blanket.

"I keep needing to say thank you tonight," Blaine said, choked up once more. "I never would have gotten through this without you guys."

"Yes well, we're amazing now go to sleep before you collapse," Jeff smirked. Without another word, Blaine laid down on the cot and fell into a deep, completely exhausted sleep.

"That was easier than I thought it would be." Nick remarked.

"He knows in his heart that he needs to rest when he can because when Kurt wakes up, he's going to need Blaine to be strong for him." Puck answered. "Plus between what he did at the airport and the last week, he's exhausted. I'll take first shift. You guys get some rest too."

Without another word, Puck plopped down in the chair next to Kurt's bed to begin his watch.

A/N: So… Just wow you guys! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the amazing reviews! I'm really glad everybody seems to be enjoying this so far and Heidi and I hope you continue to do so. People have asked about an update schedule and We're sort of up in the air about it. The whole story is completely done, so… Do you guys want one chapter every day or two chapters twice a week? Let us know and we hope you keep enjoying this !