Chapter 7

Chris locked himself into the trailer. He really should prepare for the scene they were doing later, but he had worked his butt off this morning in the studio and was exhausted.

Just half an hour sleep would mean the world; and he fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

One hour later he woke up confused and late and even more tired than before. He splashed cold water in his face, grabbed the script and his bag and ran for makeup.

"Hi Chris – just on time" Lisa smiled at him.

"Just on time is a very diplomatic phrase for 'you're late' don't you think?"

"Come here – let me save your day sweetie."

Chris dumped into the chair. "Thank you Lisa, you're an angel. I haven't even looked properly on the scene I'm shooting."

Chris pulled out the script from the bag, found the right page and suddenly started laughing.

"Funny scene?"

"No - not really, but I only have one line, so I think I'll manage."

"You just go ahead and practice your line and I will make you look smashing in the meantime."

"You wanna hear the line?"

"Sure."

"Okay – here it comes: Thank you Rachel – you're truly a good friend."

Lisa giggled "that's a tough one Chris."

"I could try different versions. I could say: Thank YOU Rachel – you're TRULY a good friend – or truly a good FRIEND."

"Um yes - tough artistic decision. But I have to say the last one brought me to tears."

"Then I'll go for that one."

Lisa finished up and Chris gave her a hug. "Thank you Lisa - I think I'm ready for the rest of the day."

"I hope so", she said and Chris suddenly thought he saw a teasing glimpse in her eyes. He was just about to get in to that, when she hurried him out.

"You shouldn't be late you know."

As Chris was going through the studios and met the cast and crew in the hallways, he thought there were a lot of smiles and hugs for him; and at one point he had to check that he didn't wear his shirt inside out or anything.

He shook his head – he was probably just imagining things.

When he entered the choir room he saw Darren for the first time that day … and as usual his heart skipped a beat.

He went to talk to him and Darren met him with a big smile.

When they were sure nobody was listening Darren laughed and said: "You do realize that you're eating me with your eyes right now?"

"Ha ha – oh God no I didn't realize that … but yes, I was." Chris bit his lip. "You know it's sometimes hard to control."

"Tell me about it."

Kevin came and joined them. "How did your recording go to day Chris?"

Chris ran his fingers through his hair. "That was one tough song to nail, but luckily Alexander can get me through almost anything."

Kevin nodded, "Yeah he is really good at that!"

"Is there anything going on here today?" Chris then asked his two friends.

"What do you mean?" Kevin raised an eyebrow.

"Everybody seems pretty excited or something like that."

"Um … yeah – I guess the energy just is good today." Kevin shrugged his shoulders.

Eric who was directing the episode now called to order; and started to go through the scene.

"Okay – listen up guys. This scene is the culmination of a tough week for Kurt. So Rachel is gonna sing a song for him, to let him know she's got his back.

I would like Kurt to sit on the front row a couple of seats to the right. Rachel is gonna sit next to him until she enters the stage; and Blaine will be right behind him.

The rest of you can sit where ever you want."

Then Eric came to Chris. "You can try different angles here, but basically I need to see that Kurt is tired and emotionally drained through the first verse of the song."

Chris nodded.

Eric continued: "Then the lyrics and the 'history' between Kurt and Rachel gradually get to him. And it's emotional at the end, but it is thankful tears – if you know what I mean. At one point Blaine will lay a hand on Kurts shoulder to let him know he's right there for him. So there will be interaction between them."

"No problem", Chris said – and then noticed that Eric kind of lost the flow a bit, so he continued, "and then I will get up and give Rachel a hug."

"Exactly." Eric smiled, "let's take a rehearsal to check camera angles and go from there."

They started to rehears and then shoot.

Chris was focused and concentrated – he had to act through a lot of emotions and tear up at the end of the song. Then he would get up; give Rachel a hug and say: Thank you Rachel – you're truly a good friend. Rachel would take his hands – also with tears in her eyes and say: Kurt – you know I got your back, we all do.

Between takes Chris would have to dry up his eyes and get his makeup fixed.

After about 8 takes and a lot of hard work for Chris and Lea, Eric called for the last shot.

Chris noticed how the spirit rose in the room and thought that they all needed the break ahead.

He went through all the emotions in the scene one more time. Got up, said his line and waited for Lea to say hers.

Lea took his hands and with tears in her eyes she said: "Chris – you know I got your back – and I know you're dating Darren. We all do!"

It took a moment before Chris realized what Lea had just said – then he broke character and bursted with laughter. At the same time the cast and crew jumped up and shouted and cheered around him.

He dragged Lea into his arms and hugged her. "Oh my God Lea - you cannot do something like that to a man in tears."

"I know, I know" she laughed, "but Cory made me do it – I'm sorry."

Chris turned around and found Cory, who lifted his hands in the air, "It's nothing but payback and you know it Chris."

Chris rolled his eyes and then caught a glimpse of Darren among the rest of his friends. Chris immediately went into "Kurtsie-mode", placed his hands on his hips and said: "Darren – have you been kissing and telling?"

Darren went down to him and looked him in the eyes with a teasing smile on his lips. "No I haven't, but I have been shouting from the rooftops."

"Ooooh…" Chris hugged him and everybody around them went crazy.

Then through the door came Lisa with a huge cake – and on the frostings were written Darren + Chris.

Chris started to laugh again and hid behind his hands. "Shit – now I'm officially blushing and there's nothing I can do about it."

Eric pulled out a megaphone and shouted: "Now there is a cake-break!"

The next hour was pretty intense for Chris. There were a lot of hugs and "congrats", a lot of love and a lot of cake.

When things were wrapped up for the night Chris and Darren found a quiet place outside, where nobody could see them.

"What a day." Chris smiled in the dark, "When did you tell them?"

"You may not believe it, but I actually didn't plan to tell them. I was talking to Cory and Di, and the opportunity suddenly came up … and … it felt natural. And I also have to say that Cory was on to us."

"That surprises me, he doesn't normally detect these kinds of things" Chris sounded impressed.

"You know", Darren took Chris' hands; "there's a lot of love for you in there" he nodded towards the studios. "I have received so many hugs and "congrats" to day, but also a lot of people who have looked me in the eyes and made me promise that I would take really good care of you."

"They're so sweet", Chris sighed, "but so are you … and I trust you the same way you trust me."

They kissed and Chris felt the earth moving as always.

"So …" Darren held him close, "… you probably wanna go home and get some sleep before tomorrow."

"Sleep! I won't be able to sleep for at least the next three hours."

"So …?"

"So … why don't you come home to my place? I can show you my sai swords!" Chris lifted his eyebrows „… or my Golden globe."

"You had me at your smile Chris. It has always been your smile."

"I love you Darren."

"I love you too."