Blaine looked at his reflection in the mirror backstage at NYADA. It was his typical attire of black trousers, white shirt with a black and gold trimmed blazer and a yellow bowtie. His hair was perfectly styled and gelled. This was it, his debut into New York society was an hour and a performance away. He hadn't felt so nervous before a performance for so long. Usually when he was on stage he had had The Warblers, New Directions or Kurt there with him. Ok there had been the duets with Rachel of course, but he didn't have to think about what to do, he just did it. Even when he sang solos, he never felt alone on the stage. Now with this duet with June, he felt self-conscious about everything. Sure their last duet together had been an impulse, but it didn't give him a chance to think about it first, he just went with the flow and it was great. Everyone just loved it.

This time was so different, this performance wasn't about winning a competition, impressing judges and critics or doing the best you could for your team and the ones you cared about. It was for himself and Kurt's futures. That brought on its own pressures by itself. He couldn't afford for this to go wrong, no one could. He had already let Kurt down once; he wasn't going to let that happen again. Singing another duet with June was going to be a challenge, but a challenge he was willing to accept.

While Blaine was psyching himself up in the mirror, June walked into the dressing room undeterred. 'Hello Blaine. Are you ready for tonight?'

'Err yes June, I'm all set for tonight.' Blaine said calmly, trying not to let his nerves show. 'Thank you so much again for this opportunity. I really…'

'I'm going to stop you right there, I'm well aware of how grateful you are for my help.' June brushed off Blaine's appreciation with ease, grace and a slight bit of arrogance. Then again she was a multimillionaire; she could afford to be flippant without a raised eyebrow from anyone else above or below her social and wealthy status.

Blaine gave an awkward cough and paused. 'Of course June.'

'That's right sweetie. I just wanted a moment alone with you before we start.' June glanced at her bejewelled rings on her wrinkled fingers and laced them together before sitting on the sofa beside the mirror facing the door, before motioning to Blaine to join her. 'You see, tonight is a very important night for you and I, especially you. This could launch your career in a number of directions. If all goes well, New York, London, LA, the world could be your oyster. Broadway to the West End, it could all be yours.'

Blaine could feel a large 'but' coming on, so he stayed silent and allowed June to continue.

'However, if tonight does not go well, then there might not be much more I can do for you. It's the honest truth darling and the way this business goes. I have high hopes for you, I really do. It's not fair on you to sugar-coat the other possibilities, how few they may be.' June had a sombre expression as she had delivered this earth-shattering news, but now her face brightened. 'We're not going to let that happen though are we?'

Blaine gulped and tried to digest the negative end of things but gave a frozen smile. 'No we will not, I'll make sure of that.'

June got up from the chair and gave Blaine a hug and kiss on each cheek. 'Fantastic, I knew that would be what you would want too.' She flounced to the doorway, but before she left the room turned to face Blaine once again.

'Oh and about your fiancé Kurt, while I may not be entirely happy that you ignored my advice coming from my own expertise about your engagement, I will be keeping an open mind about him tonight.' June gave Blaine a knowing but dismissive stare. 'Do ensure that he is aware of that, hmm. Goodbye!' She headed down the corridor leaving Blaine in a haze of panic.

Blaine stood stock still, trying to process what had just happened. So June was in favour of Kurt being a part of the performance but she still wasn't completely convinced. This was going to be much harder than Blaine had first thought.

While Blaine was trying to frantically think about what to do next, a pair of hands covered his eyes.

'Guess who?' The ever familiar voice called.

Blaine gave a cheeky grin, knowing full well who it was. 'Hmm is it Neil Patrick-Harris?'

The voice uncovered Blaine's eyes and punched him playfully in the arm. 'Ha ha ha, very funny Blaine, you know it's me.' Blaine turned to face Kurt who had his arms crossed and was trying to look mad but failed miserably. He had that cute slight smirk on his face that Kurt only had when he was trying to be annoyed with him but he just couldn't keep it for long. 'Is there any other guys I should be worried about?' Kurt rolled his eyes playfully.

'Of course not, you're the only man in my life.' Blaine gave a confident smile. While he felt so lucky to have Kurt as his one and only in his life, he hoped it would always stay that way. He wouldn't risk hurting Kurt in that way ever again. They both knew it would be the be all and end all for their relationship if that happened. That was why Blaine felt so nervous about tonight. Did leaving out part of the truth come under that kind of ultimatum of their relationship?

Kurt looked at Blaine with a concerned look. 'Are you ok sweetheart? You look a little pale.'

Blaine tried to laugh it off. 'Ha no I'm just a little nervous.'

'About tonight, the showcase will go smoothly I promise. The crowd is going to love you.' Kurt squeezed Blaine's hand in comfort. 'I'll be right there on stage with you, cheering you on silently.'

'Umm yeah about that…' Blaine coughed awkwardly. 'June has made it clear that tonight has to go well, but she's looking forward to seeing you perform with the chorus. This could be the night where it all happens for both of us.'

'Aww you're such a doll worrying about me.' Kurt smiled with a glint of determination in his eye. 'I know June hasn't been the biggest fan of me and what I can do, but I'm determined to prove her wrong. I think I know how to handle her on my own.'

'I know you can Kurt, you're one of the strongest people I know if not the bravest person I know.' Blaine felt confident in his fiancé's abilities. He hoped June could see it too tonight. 'June and the crowd out there won't know what hit them.'

'That's the Blaine I know and love. Come on we better head out there, the place will be filling up soon and then it's show time.' Kurt linked Blaine's arm and the pair headed for the wings of the stage. Blaine felt a little happier about the situation. All he could ask for was for the performance to go well. That depended on the audience and what mood they were in tonight. There was no time like the present and that was now.