Walk Of Fame

by shanehardy

SEQUEL TO "A NEW REALITY IN DIRECTION"; It's been 14 months since Sam & Blaine graduated from McKinley and began their lives in NYC. What starts out as a fairytale begins to unravel until life events and careers separate them. Can the power of their love bring them back together despite everything that wants to keep them apart? Will Sam & Blaine live happily ever after?

21. Chapter 21 - The Fighter

CHAPTER 21 – THE FIGHTER

Sam and his band were all on stage at the House of Blues in Chicago. It was Thursday night. Three days had passed since the heart-warming moments in the McKinley Choir room. Now, in front of a multitude of screaming fans, the newly confident and feeling more like himself, Sam Evans, spoke to the audience.

"I've got to admit, these songs that you guys are picking for us to cover are really testing us musically, but Chicago, you made me blush with a very naughty and inappropriate Twitter trend today," Sam grinned and his friends loved to see the old sparkle in his eye return. "#blowSamswhistle has to be the most creative trend I've ever been a part of and we took your suggestion and came up with this little number for you tonight."

(Whistle by Flo Rida – Cover by Corey Gray)

(Performed by Sam Evans)

SAM: Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby? Let me know. Girl, I'm gonna show you how to do it and we start real slow. You just put your lips together, and you come real close. Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby. Here we go.

Tina walked up and stood next to Ella backstage. Both girls loved to see the old Sam back. He flirted with the audience members, both male and female. That's why everyone loved him.

SAM: I'm betting you like people, and I'm betting you like freak mode, and I'm betting you like girls that give love to girls and stroke your little ego. I bet I'm guilty your honor, but that's how we live in my genre. When in hell I pave the road wider. There only one flo and one rida!

He turned back to Lindsey who played the role of "the girl" in this scenario so the girls in the audience could fantasize about what Sam could do to them. She danced suggestively around him.

SAM: I'm a damn shame. Order more champagne, pull a dam hamstring tryna put it on ya. Bet your lips spin back around the corner. Slow it down, baby, take a little longer.

Tyler's head popped to the side as he heard Joe begin to sing back up on such a suggestive song. In front of him, Sam had put down his guitar and he and Lindsey grinded on stage, but his attention could not break away from the sideway glances Joe kept giving him as he sang.

SAM: Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby? Let me know. Girl, I'm gonna show you how to do it and we start real slow. You just put your lips together, and you come real close. Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby. Here we go.

"He seems to be back to normal," Tina spoke loud enough for Ella to hear her.

"Yeah, he does," Ella agreed. "He can still have a relapse though. You know him better than anyone on this tour. I need you to watch out for anything that could trigger him, okay? We wouldn't want something to happen publically. That would be bad for him."

Tina mentally began making a list of things that could set Sam off in her head as she watched him grab on to the mic stand and use some of his stripper dance moves to get the point of the song across which made the audience squeal in delight.

SAM: It's like everywhere I go my whistle ready to blow. Shorty, don't leave a note. She can get any by the low. Permission not approved, It's okay, it's under control. Show me soprano, cause girl, you can handle. Baby, we start snagging, you come in part clothes. Girl, I'm losing wing, my bucati the same road. Show me your perfect pitch, you got in my banjo. Talented with your lips, like you blew out candles, so amusing, now you can make a whistle with the music. Hope you ain't got no issue, you can do it. Give me the perfect picture never lose it.

Tyler's attention faded away from Joe as he heard Mike and Brody join in on background vocals from their position behind the backup singers' microphones. He couldn't help remembering helping both of them with their whistles. Brody had a devilish look on his face as he stared at Tyler and sang.

SAM: Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby? Let me know. Girl, I'm gonna show you how to do it and we start real slow. You just put your lips together, and you come real close. Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby. Here we go.

Tina's attention veered toward the audience as Sam finished the song. She scanned the crowd just looking at how entertained they were by Sam and her other friends performing the song. Suddenly, she did a double take thinking that she saw someone she never expected to see again. She looked back and there was no one there. Did she make it up? Was it just in her head. She knew his presence would be one of the worst things for Sam. She didn't want to take a risk.

"Ella, I may be crazy, but I think I just saw someone that shouldn't be here," she warned.

"Who?" concern covered Ella's face.

"Dwight Evans."

-GLEE-

Lily and Kallie were getting used to rooming together in the apartment across the hall from the Schuester's, but it made Kallie happy to see Lily gradually returning to normal. Her smile was around more often and she had even heard her laugh a few times at crazy stories from New Directions. Lily was beginning to recover and that made her happy.

"I mean I think it's a good cast. Finn and Nick did a good job, but it makes me wonder if anyone is upset with how things turned out," Lily questioned.

Lily sat on the sofa asking the question as Kallie got something to drink from the refrigerator before returning to sit down in the den. "Jessie and I were surprised when we got double cast as Rizzo, but I think it's because no one expected me to come back. I know that role was hers before I surprised everyone and I know I had a great audition. We'll both get to do two shows so I'm okay with it and I think she is too."

"Well Blake and Marley as Danny and Sandy are perfect casting. They will be awesome. Sugar as Frenchy may still the show. She's practically a modern-day version of that character. But what about Kenickie though? Were any of the guys pissed that Hunter got that part? I mean he's been at McKinley all of two weeks," Lily questioned.

"Well there's actually a rumor going around about that," Kallie's eyebrow raised. "A couple of people saw Michael talking to Nick right before he put up the list. Cameron said he and Hunter saw the conversation happen and then Nick went back into Mr. Schuester's office with the list."

"I thought Michael told me that he is doing the publicity. He sat here and we designed a t-shirt and he told me that he was working on posters and a video and everything," Lily proposed.

"He is, but most people think that he was going to be Kenickie and asked to be removed because as much as he and Blake are getting along now, Blake, Marley, and Michael as three of the leads would have probably been a lot for him. Plus, he hasn't been at rehearsals afterschool much. He keeps disappearing as soon as the last bell rings, but it's whatever," Kallie explained.

"Well were there any other surprises in casting?" Lily wondered.

"I don't think Kitty was happy to be cast as Patty Simcox. She wanted to be a Pink Lady but that's Sugar, Stacy, Jessie and me. I thought maybe Jake or Jacob wouldn't like being the backup T-Birds but they were cool with it. I was surprised they gave Teen Angel to Stevie. That's an important part for a freshman, but he's grown up to be so cute I can see it working," Kallie announced.

"And rehearsals start tomorrow afterschool?" Lily asked.

"Yeah, we have the table read and first sing-thru," Kallie told her when they heard a knock at the door. Kallie got up to answer it. Finn stood there.

"Hey, Kallie, may I come in?" he asked.

"Of course, Finn," she opened the door so he could come inside. "Lily, how are you doing?"

"If you have some message from Puck, Finn, you can just tell me," Lily stood from her seat and walked into the kitchen. "Do you want a soda or something?"

"Sure that would be great," Finn smiled. "And for the record my visit has nothing to do with Puck. I didn't go see him today."

Lily walked back into the room and sat down with the other two. "Well if Puck isn't the answer then to what do we owe this late night visit?"

Finn relented. "I'll admit I wanted to check on you."

"You don't have a responsibility to me, Finn," Lily smiled. "I appreciate everything you've done for me, but you don't have to keep checking up on me just because you think you have to do what your best friend won't do."

"He is trying to get better, Lily. You have to give him credit for that," Finn insisted.

Lily didn't respond. She and Finn just looked at each other.

"Okay, on that note, I am going to bed. I have a Physics exam tomorrow. You two have fun," Kallie said before walking into her bedroom and shutting the door behind her.

Finn wanted to lessen the tension. "I really like what you and Kallie have done to the place. It's way cleaner and more . . . pink than I ever saw it with the boys."

"I don't think you came over to talk about the new frilly curtains either," Lily let her natural smile sneak through. "Look, Finn, I know you have the best intentions, but I know that I have to get through this on my own."

"You won't get a disagreement for me," Finn insisted. "I actually came to ask for your help."

Lily couldn't help but be intrigued.

"Mr. Schuester wants to concentrate on getting ready for Sectionals so I'll be directing the entire musical. I need to focus on the acting and I could use a musical director. Emma told me you aren't starting college until January and I think you'd be perfect for the job. Plus," Finn sat his soda down and leaned in towards her. "I do think you could use the distracton."

-GLEE-

"I checked with our security and they didn't see anyone at the concert by that description but once we get to the hotel they will check everyone that gets off the elevator on our floor," Ella told Tina. The concert was in its final song. "We just need to get him to the hotel."

"Should we tell him?" Tina asked.

"We don't know if you actually saw Mr. Evans," Ella reminded her. "There is no sense in worrying him about something we don't know is actually happening. When he comes off stage take him directly to his dressing room. Tell him to change quick that we want him to get as much rest before the long bus ride tomorrow. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Tina shook her head.

"I'll take care of the rest, but you get him there and then to the bus. Got it?" Ella wanted to make sure her plan was followed.

"I'll take care of Sam, don't worry," Tina declared.

Ella walked away talking to the security guards and pulling out her phone to make sure they had private access into the hotel. Tina turned back to the stage as she heard the end of the music. She ran towards the stage's edge and waited for Sam to walk in her direction.

Drenched in sweat, Sam walked off stage followed by the others. Tina handed him a towel.

"You need to get changed so we can leave your show clothes here for the stage hands to wash and then I need you to get you on the bus. We've been going full speed ahead and you actually get the chance to sleep in a real bed tonight," Tina ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," Sam winked. "I have a Skype call with Blaine to get to anyway."

"Well thank God for Blaine then," Tina winked.

Sam opened the door to his dressing room and turned back to Tina. "I thank God for him every day." He shut the door and peeled off his shirt while walking across the room to his gym bag.

"I come here to see my son, try and make things better and the first thing I hear is you saying you thank God for being an abomination."

Sam stopped in his tracks and turned around to see his father, Dwight Evans standing behind the door.

"How did you get in here?" Sam forced himself to stop shaking as he asked the question.

"I waited for Tina to walk to the stage and then walked in after her," Dwight spoke calmly, but Sam felt a sense of evil in the room he couldn't describe. It felt like it was coming from the older man. "Don't you have anything else to say to me, son?"

"I'm not your son," Sam argued defiantly. "You took care of that years ago."

Sam went to open the door. Dwight stepped in front of it.

"What do you think you're doing? We have things to talk about," Dwight slammed the door back shut and locked it.

"I have nothing to say to you," Sam stood eye to eye with him not backing down. "You gave up the right to say anything to me when you stopped being my father."

"And it's pretty obvious that you've gone without one. I mean look at you!" Dwight verbally chastised him.

Sam reacted. He knocked Dwight into the door banging his head against it as he shook them. "Don't you ever talk about my Dad like that. He's more of a man than you are and more of a father to me than you could have ever dreamed of."

Dwight fought back and ended up punching Sam in the face. His fist connected with Sam's eye and knocked him to the ground. Sam fell and hit the floor with his head. He turned to look up but he didn't see Dwight Evans anymore . . . he saw Dylan standing over him.

Tina could be heard yelling through the door. She yelled for security.

"I am not leaving until I say what I have to say!" Dwight yelled picking up Sam and staring him in the eyes. "That boy should have done his job and kept Blaine away from you after he had him on his knees and then you could realize how wrong you are and become a good son I could be proud of again. That faggot has turned you into someone I wish had never been born."

At the sound of Blaine being called the derogatory term, Sam practically body slammed Dwight into the floor. He still saw Dylan instead of his father. "Stay away from me, Dylan! Don't ever talk about Blaine like that again I love him!"

"Dylan?" Dwight coughed out realizing that Sam said the wrong name. He turned and saw Sam curled up in a ball against the corner. "Why would you think I'm that messed up queer that tried to kill you?"

The door swung up and Tina stood there with their private security.

"I knew I saw you!" Tina pointed at Mr. Evans. She turned to the security. "Get him out of here!"

The security guards picked up the older man and held his arms behind him so he would cooperate. He turned to Tina.

"He called me Dylan."

Surprised that the old bitch of a man might be helpful, Tina turned to see Sam trying to ball himself up as tight as he could against the wall.

"What's going on here?" Ella ran in seeing Sam's biological father standing there. "How did you get in here?"

"Free country," Dwight spit at her. "He's my son."

"Hasn't been for years," she turned to the security guard. "Take him into the back room until the cops get here." They carted him out and she turned to Tina. "I'll send Mike in here to help you. Can you take care of him until I get back?"

"Yes! Go take care of that bastard!" Tina said turning Sam's face to her and seeing a cut under his eye. "Ella!"

"What?" she turned back.

"We need a medic. He's bleeding!" Tina informed her as Mike and Lindsey both ran in the door followed by Joe, Tyler, and Brody.

-GLEE-

Blaine Anderson and Rachel Berry got out of their taxi and headed into their building. It was raining in New York and after their shows they wanted nothing but to get home and relax.

"Have you heard from Sam today?" Rachel asked as they headed up the stairs.

"This morning we talked and we have a Skype date in about an hour," Blaine smiled. "I'm sure he's having a great time at his show in Chicago right now."

"I've seen some of the fan videos that have been put on YouTube and he looks incredible. I'm so proud of him!" Rachel smiled. "I swear sometimes I just have to sit back and reflect on how lucky we all are that we're already living our dreams."

"Well a little birdie named Justin told me that your dream is about to change. Is it true you're going to leave Funny Girl?" Blaine questioned.

"I told the producers tonight," Rachel grimaced knowing that people finding out would mean that it was real. "I'm staying until the week before Halloween, but I booked that Ryan Murphy television pilot."

"That's awesome, Rachel!" Blaine gave her a hug at the top of the stairs. "You have to come in and let me make us some tea and tell me all about it."

"Okay," Rachel smiled. "I mean it was a hard decision but I need a new challenge, you know? I mean I've got the Tony so now I need a new challenge and an Emmy is the perfect motivation."

"Well, I want to know everything," Blaine opened the door to the apartment and nearly ran right into Sebastian leaving. "Seb, where are you going so late?"

"To the office, Blaine. Something happened and I've got to meet with the attorneys and get papers signed immediately," Sebastian explained.

"Is it Sam?" Blaine felt from Sebastian's eyes he wasn't telling him everything.

"Yeah," Sebastian stopped long enough to explain. "I don't know how it happened but Dwight Evans got into his dressing room. There was some kind of altercation. Punches were thrown, a medic was called. We have to get a restraining order under way and try to keep this out of the press."

Sebastian said nothing more but ran down the stairs to the car waiting for him. Blaine turned to Rachel.

"I'm sure he is fine, Blaine. This is Sam we're talking about," Rachel comforted him.

Blaine ran into the apartment dialing Sam's number on his phone. Rachel followed him in shutting the door and calling Tina's number.

"He's not answering!" Blaine's freak out happened quickly and Rachel could see it happening. She grabbed his hand telling him to calm down. She put her phone on speaker.

"Rachel? This really isn't a good time. Can I call you back?" Tina spoke up.

"Wait, Tina, I'm here with Blaine. Sebastian just said something happened to Sam. Can you tell us anything?" Rachel stopped her from hanging up.

"Sam is with the doctor now," Tina explained. "Tell Blaine he will be okay eventually. I'll take care of him. Ella and I will take care of him. I promise I will call as soon as I can give you more details."

Tina hung up leaving Blaine and Rachel waiting for more.

-GLEE-

Tina put her phone back in her pocket and stood by the back door looking out to see the swarms of media that had gathered. News of pop star Sam Evans being attacked by a fan backstage had already broken.

"We have to do something about that," Lindsey exclaimed as she joined Tina at the door. "There is no way that we will be able to even get to the bus let alone the hotel with that swarm of bloodsuckers in our way."

"Well what do you think we should do?" Tina wondered.

"They aren't going to go anywhere until they get something to print on their websites," Lindsey declared. "Ella has to go out there and talk to them. She has to give them something."

"Ella isn't going to leave Sam's side until the doctor is done with him," Tina pointed out.

"Well we have to get rid of them," Lindsey insisted. "Follow me."

Lindsey and Tina passed by the rest of the boys and headed towards Sam's dressing room. The security guard opened the door for them. Ella stood right inside the door. The doctor had Sam sitting up on the sofa with his head against the wall tending to the cut under his eye.

"How is he?" Tina whispered to Ella.

"He's freaked out more than anything," she answered. "The doctor said the cut didn't need stitches but it's going to take days to heal so we'll have to disguise it somehow. Sam hasn't said anything since it happened."

Tina looked at her friend and into his eyes. "He's not there. He's gone to that place again," Tina turned to Ella. "Where is Mr. Evans? I'm going to go kick his ass."

"Tina, as much as I would love to see that he has been turned over to the authorities and is going to jail," Ella informed them.

"Ella, that still doesn't help get Sam out of here and to the hotel. There is a swarm of reporters outside just waiting for him to leave. We can't even get to the bus," Lindsey stated.

"I can't leave him to talk to the media right now," Ella insisted.

"You have to, Ella. None of us know how to do what you do," Tina proclaimed. "And no one knows Sam better than me. Leave me with a car, a security guard, and Sam and I'll get him to the hotel. You take the others, get on the bus, talk to the press and create a diversion. Let me bring Sam back to reality and get him back to safety, physically and mentally."

"It is a good plan," Ella finally stated. "Brody is about the same body type. We put a baseball cap on him, cover his head with a jacket let them get pictures. They'll think it's Sam, especially if I am the one leading him out there."

"But you have to talk to the press," Lindsey reminded her.

"No I don't. They'll love hearing from a member of the band and not management. It will feel more real to them," Ella turned to Lindsey. "It's time for your spotlight, Miss Black."

Ten minutes later, Tina watched as Ella placed the baseball cap on Brody's head, gave Mike the jacket to hold over him and explained the plan to them. She stood in the doorway of the room with the security guard next to her as the doctor finished up with Sam. She knew that he needed her in this moment and that she had to be the one person in his life during the rest of this tour that he could turn too.

(Eyes Open by Taylor Swift – cover by Madilyn Bailey)

(Performed by Tina Cohen-Chang)

TINA: Everybody's waiting. Everybody's watching. Even when you're sleeping keep your eyes open.

She watched as the entire crew of her friends, led by Ella Stone, walked out of the building. She could see that bright flashes of light coming from the cameras outside.

TINA: The tricky thing is yesterday we were just children playing soldiers just pretending dreaming dreams with happy endings.

Inside the room, the doctor packed his bag and cleaned up the materials around him. She walked in the room picked out a shirt from Sam's bag and helped him put it on.

TINA: In backyards, winning battles with our wooden swords, but now we've stopped into a cruel world where everybody stands and keeps score. Keep your eyes open.

Sam's eyes were empty. She knew she had to bring him back to reality. She sat down on her knees in front of him and took his face in her hands making him look into her eyes. She needed to get her message across.

TINA: Everybody's waiting for you to breakdown. Everybody's watching to see the fallout. Even when you're sleeping, sleeping keep your ey-eyes open. Keep your ey-eyes open. Keep your ey-eyes open.

Outside, Lindsey spoke to the crowd of reporters as everyone else scurried to the bus. She was brilliant. They hung on to her every word.

TINA: So here you are, two steps ahead and staying on guard. Every lesson forms a new scar. They never thought you'd make it this far.

Tina placed a hat on Sam's head and a jacket around him. She turned to the security guard and the two of them followed him in the opposite direction to a car outside the backstage loading dock.

TINA: But turn around oh they've surrounded you. It's a showdown and nobody comes to save you now, but you've got something they don't.

Tina and Sam climbed into the backseat of the black town car with tinted windows and sat close together, Sam's fingers intertwined with Tina's reaching for strength.

TINA: Yeah you've got something they don't. You've just gotta keep your eyes open.

Lindsey turned away from the reporters and walked to the bus. As soon as she got on the doors shut and the bus pulled away.

TINA: Everybody's waiting for you to breakdown. Everybody's watching to see the fallout

Sam's head leaned back and he closed his eyes. Tina touched his face making his eyes open. She couldn't risk him going to sleep yet after a head injury.

TINA: Even when you're sleeping, sleeping keep your ey-eyes open. Keep you ey-eyes open. Keep you ey-eyes

The car pulled into the hotel parking garage and parked near the service entrance. Sam's eyes turned away from Tina. She stared at the entrance waiting to see the tour bus pull up into view.

TINA: Keep your feet ready. Heartbeat steady. Keep your eyes open. Keep your aim locked the night goes dark. Keep your eyes open.

The bus pulled up and Sam leaned over putting his head in her lap as she watched her friends get off the bus and walk towards them.

TINA: Everybody's waiting for you to breakdown. Everybody's watching to see the fallout. Even when you're sleeping, sleeping. Keep you ey-eyes open. Keep your ey-eyes open. Keep your ey-eyes open. Keep your ey-eyes open.

"Tina," Sam whispered.

She was pleasantly surprised to hear him speak.

"Yes?"

"Will you room with me tonight? I don't want to be alone," he requested.

"Of course I will," she smiled at him. "Is there anything else?"

"I don't want to talk about it. Will you make sure everyone knows? I don't want to talk about him," Sam asked.

"I'll agree to that on one condition," she said handing Sam his phone. "When we get to the room and get settled, there is one person I have to insist that you call and talk all of this through with, and you have to do it before you go to bed."

-GLEE-

It had been an hour since Tina hung up on Rachel. She and Blaine sat in the living room of the boys apartment and waited to hear something from any of them. Neither had said that much. Rachel tried texting Brody and Mike. Blaine tried texting Lindsey, Joe, and even Tyler, but none of them had responded.

The door to the apartment opened as Sebastian came home. He saw the two of them immediately and walked in sitting next to Rachel. "Have you heard from Sam yet?"

"No," Blaine couldn't hide his fears. "Sebastian, please tell me something. I need to know he's okay."

"He's going to be okay, Blaine. I talked to Lindsey and Ella," Sebastian began. "Tina is taking care of him. Lindsey said she is protecting him from everyone including the rest of them. She said he just wanted to go to bed and he would talk to them in the morning, and Tina is making them respect that." Sebastian's expression changed. "Ella gave me the other details. Sam did have an episode. When security entered the room Sam was calling Mr. Evans, Dylan. He has a cut under his eye and he's bruised up but that's all. I think she's more worried about his mental state than anything else."

"What happened to Mr. Evans?" Rachel wanted to know.

"He was arrested," Sebastian explained. "He blew a .18 on the breathalyzer test they gave him. I just had our attorneys issue a restraining order on him so he won't be able to get around Sam again. Don't worry, Blaine, I'll make sure he is safe."

"I know you will," Blaine felt his first sense of relief since hearing the news.

"Look at the TV," Rachel picked up the remote and turned the volume up. "Isn't that Lindsey?"

She had turned on CNN just to see if the news would break. They listened as Lindsey spoke.

"What happened was unfortunate, but Sam is fine. He did receive a few hits from the assailant but you all know Sam, he's incredibly strong and resilient. You should know, because we don't wish to keep anything from the press, that the attacker was Sam's biological father who gave up his parental rights to him when Sam was seventeen. We are working to increase security before we continue with the tour in Nashville Saturday night and it will continue on as scheduled."

The anchor returned to the screen and Rachel muted it again.

"She did a good job," Sebastian seemed impressed.

"Yeah she did," Rachel agreed. "Sebastian, has anyone called Mr. Schue or Stevie and Stacy to see if they know?"

"I doubt they've had the chance yet. I can do that now," Sebastian realized it needed to be done.

Blaine's phone rang. "It's Sam," he said quickly before answering. "Sam is it really you?"

Rachel and Sebastian could tell from the way Blaine's entire body relaxed that it was Sam which meant their friend would be okay. Rachel kissed Blaine on the cheek and whispered into the phone, "Sam, I'm really glad your okay. Call me when you feel better."

Sebastian walked Rachel to the door. "Let me know if I can do anything to help out."

"You can make sure Blaine's mind is in the right place tomorrow night at the Broadway Cares benefit. He doesn't know it but his performance is an audition," Sebastian revealed. "Mr. Murphy wants to see him perform solo even though he's already seen The Newsies twice and really likes him."

"I can do that," she smiled. "I'm heading to bed. I'll call Santana and fill her in and make sure she knows to stay put in LA and finish up her filming there."

"I'll call Mr. Schue," Sebastian mentioned.

Rachel walked out the door and Sebastian closed it behind her. He walked into his bedroom, sat on the windowsill and dialed Mr. Schue's number.

"Sebastian?" It was obvious that Will had been asleep. "What's wrong? It's late. Is everything okay?"

"No, Mr. Schue, not everything. Sam is fine but I need to let you know what happened."

-GLEE-

Claire Holt sat on the end of her hotel bed in Nashville watching the news report about Sam being attacked. She listened to Lindsey explain.

"You should know, because we don't wish to keep anything from the press, that the attacker was Sam's biological father who gave up his parental rights to him when Sam was seventeen. We are working to increase security before we continue with the tour in Nashville Saturday night and it will continue on as scheduled."

She shut the television off and picked up her cell phone and texted Sam letting him know she was thinking about him and that she couldn't wait to see him for his Nashville concert. She went as far as to tell him to call her when he felt better just so she could hear his voice and know that he's okay. Pulling down the sheets on her bed she started to climb in but there was a knock at the door. Annoyed couldn't begin to describe how she felt. It was the end of a 12 hour filming day for Nashville and all she wanted to do was rest. She walked over to the door and looked through the peephole trying desperately to resist the urge to roll her eyes. She opened the door to find Ian Sommers standing on the other side.

"Nice of you to finally act like you care about my career for once," Claire scoffed as she left the door open for him.

"And where exactly is this animosity coming from, beautiful?" Ian smiled his million dollar grin trying to flirt his way back into her good graces.

"Don't call me beautiful, Ian. I am your client and I realize that I may not have a network show like Cooper and I'm not a media darling/trainwreck like Paul but I am the one that has the career that is about to take off when Tarzan comes out. Yet, you leave me here in Nashville for almost a week with no representation while you go take care of your boys. Why shouldn't I be upset?" she asked turning to him with her hands on her hips.

Ian relented. "You're right. I should have been here. Things got crazy though. Cooper had issues with his show and you don't even want me to go into everything I've had to do dealing with Paul this week."

"What did my douche bag ex-boyfriend do now?" Claire walked over to the desk chair and sat down.

"You could help me with him you know?" Ian reminded him.

"Why would I want to help him after what he did to me?" Claire couldn't believe he would even ask.

"He checked himself out of rehab, Claire. I finally got a call from his mother when his parents found him partying in Vegas. I had to go and get him," Ian informed her.

"Go and get him . . ." the realization hit Claire quickly. "You brought him here? Please, Ian, please tell me that you did not bring him here. You know that there is a chance that I might get picked up for five more episodes on this show. Paul being here could screw all of that up."

Ian moved to sit on the corner of the bed right in front of her. "Claire, you know I wouldn't ask you to help if I didn't think it was absolutely needed," Ian took her hand in his. "You should also know that I am not the one asking. His mom asked me to ask you this."

"That's low," Claire pulled her hand away from Ian. "You know how close I was to her."

"And she still feels close to you. She feels terrible about what he did to you, but he's still her son and she knows Paul won't listen to me, he won't listen to her or his father, but he will listen to you. You're the only person that can keep him from destroying his entire career. He has one month to get things under control before he steps onto his next movie set. I need your help, Claire. I know you still have feelings for him and I know you were hurt more than you've ever been hurt in your life, but I believe he only did that because of his addiction and I think you know that too."

She stared into his eyes and for the first time saw sincerity, but she still didn't think she could do it. "You realize what you want me to do, right?" Claire's eyes watered up. "He got so messed up on drugs that I found him in a hotel room with three girls and two boys. Then he proceeded to tell me what he did to every single one of them while he was so strung out and tried to get me to join them. You want me to forgive that?"

"Never. I would never ask you to forgive him for that, Claire. You don't deserve to be treated that way. But I know you still care for him just like I do. That's why you called me and told me where you found him. You helped me get him into a rehab facility, and you've helped me keep it covered up by never telling the press you broke up with him," Ian explained.

"Which made me look like a floozy because when they stopped seeing us together they assumed I was having sex with every guy I worked with," Claire stood and walked over to the window. "Just admit to me why you really want me to do this."

Ian relented. "Because he's my brother. I love him and I want him to get better. I really need your help, Claire. I can't do this alone."

Her eyes met his but she didn't answer him.

-GLEE-

Tyler Trevino lay shirtless on his hotel room bed reading messages on his phone. It was almost 2:00 in the morning. He got tired of reading messages and chose instead to watch the video he and Claire had taken on his phone the last night in New York together. He couldn't help but let his hand travel down his smooth abs and into his boxer briefs to relieve some of the sexual tension he felt from watching the video.

He managed to get himself completely worked up and hard when he heard the door to the bathroom open and Joe's voice begin.

"Do you think Sam will be okay for the next show?" Joe spoke and Tyler rushed to quickly turn off the homemade porn and tried to wish his erection down. "I know why Tina kept us all away from him, but it would have been nice to see him and know he's okay before we came in here."

Tyler turned over on his stomach because he knew he couldn't hide his erection from Joe. "If Sam needs his time alone to work things out Tina will make sure she has it. The girl did a good job tonight."

"Yeah, I guess she did," Joe said walking out of the bathroom. Tyler gulped when he saw Joe only wearing yoga pants. It wasn't the pants that held his attention. It was the solid pipe going down the right leg that made his mouth water. "Hey look at you. You're actually wearing clothes tonight. That's a nice surprise I don't have to avert my eyes."

"Looks like I'll be the one doing that tonight," Tyler didn't keep it a secret that he was checking Joe out, but Joe was so used to his comments by now that they didn't even faze him anymore. "Something tells me Sam's injury wasn't what you were thinking about in the shower. Unless thinking about Sam all of a sudden gets that pipeline of yours hard."

"You checking my dick out again?" Joe joked.

"Not checking you out, man, but that hose in your pants is breaking all kinds of rules."

Joe laughed. "Yeah, he does kind of have a mind of his own. He got attention one time and now I can't keep him down."

"Wait, what?" Tyler couldn't hide his shock. "When did that monster of yours get attention and why didn't you tell me. I'm your best friend. We tell each other stuff like that."

"No, you tell me stuff like that because you want to try and turn me on so you can touch it," Joe pointed out that he knew Tyler's strategy rather well. Joe walked up next to the bed so that his waist was right in front of Tyler's face. "Do you want to touch it now?"

Tyler looked up into Joe's eyes and saw a different expression than he'd ever seen before. It was lust.

"I'll let you touch it if you want too, but you should know it will take both hands for you to get the full effect," Joe smirked.

Tyler sat up on the bed with his legs off the side and his eyes transfixed by the hard dick in Joe's pants. It was bigger than anything he'd ever had before. He went to reach for it but everything faded away when he felt something slap his face.

"Tyler, wake up!" Brody's voice could be heard as Tyler faded back into reality. His eyes opened to see Brody leaning over him. "You fell asleep in the hallway. Everyone's in their rooms. Here's your keys. You're bunking alone tonight. Mike is with Tina so Joe is bunking with me so he doesn't have to worry about you sneaking in one of your stealth blow jobs tonight and molesting him."

Brody walked into his room leaving Tyler alone in the hallway. He reached down and realized he was as hard as a rock in his pants and couldn't help but smile as he thought about which fantasy he would use to rid himself of it.

-GLEE-

"Is he really okay, Tina?" Mike asked from the bed as Tina prepared to go to sleep herself by taking off her make-up.

"I think so," she called out from the bathroom. "He felt much better after he talked to Blaine, and then when I left him to come in here he was talking to Mr. Schue. I'll go check on him and get him to at least lay down and sleep."

"Didn't he ask you to stay with him?" Mike questioned. "I don't mind, Tina, I completely understand."

"He hasn't brought it up again and we're in this two-bedroom suite so we aren't that far away from him if he needs us, but like I said I'll check on him before we go to bed," Tina walked over to her boyfriend and kissed him. She noticed he was shirtless and lifted the sheets covering his lower half and smiled. "Are you sure that's okay with you that I stay with him or do you sleep naked all the time now and I didn't know it."

"It might be a little bit of wishful thinking. We haven't had the chance all week, Tina," Mike reminded her.

"Trust me, baby, I know, and I would love to do anything you want tonight, but I have to check on Sam first," she reminded him.

"I understand," he smiled. "Just come back soon."

She kissed him again and then walked back across the living room area and knocked on Sam's bedroom door. The door opened and Sam stood there in sweatpants and a sweatshirt.

"I just wanted to check on you one last time before going to bed," Tina smiled. "Did you talk to Mr. Schue?"

"I did," he smiled weakly. "He helped me feel better about everything. Talking to him helped. Talking to Blaine helped, but I wouldn't have made it through the night without you, Tina. I'm really glad you're here with me. I know I can always count on you."

Tina blushed at the compliment. She turned to see Sam's guitar laying on the bed with his lyric notebook. She turned back to him wanting to ask for an explanation, but he gave it to her before she asked.

"I keep thinking about Dad and how much he loves me no matter what and comparing him to my bio-dad and how much he hates everything about me. I just started playing music and writing lyrics."

"Maybe you can take this situation with bio-dad and turn it into your next album. If there is one thing I know about Sam Evans it's that you always manage to bring something positive out of every situation no matter how bad," Tina hugged her friend.

Sam broke away from the hug and sat on the end of the bed. Tina followed and sat next to him.

"I have to tell Blaine something, but I didn't tell him on the phone tonight. I just wanted him to know I was okay. I didn't want to burden him with anything else," Sam confessed.

"Blaine can handle anything when it comes to being there for you, Sam. I know it would be okay," Tina wanted to make sure he knew this.

"My bio-dad was working with Blaine's parents to keep us apart," Sam revealed.

"Well his stupid plan didn't work so it doesn't matter," Tina rubbed his arm.

"He also said that he paid Adam to get between us. He said that Adam told him that they had sex," Sam almost whispered.

"But Blaine told you that he didn't, right?" Tina reminded him, but her heart beat faster wondering if there was any truth to it.

"He did, and I believe him totally. It's just when I heard him say that I lost my temper," Sam confessed.

"Don't worry about that. My guess is you should just tell Blaine what he said, you two can talk it out and everything will be okay," Tina stood. "I want you to get some sleep tonight okay. We've got a lot of traveling to do tomorrow."

"I think I'm going to write a little while longer, but I promise I'll get some sleep plus I sleep really well on the bus," Sam grinned.

"You're the only one," Tina laughed. "I'm going to make sure you're awake at 8am, okay? The tour bus is leaving for Nashville at nine."

"Yes ma'am," Sam saluted her before picking up his guitar and strumming a tune she hadn't heard before.

She shut the door to his bedroom behind her and took a deep breath and released it. She hoped that they had dodged another bad situation successfully.

-GLEE-

It was Friday at McKinley High and the school day had just begun. Stevie and Stacy Evans sat in Mr. Duval's homeroom class when they heard the loudspeaker make an announcement.

"Stevie Evans and Stacy Evans please come to the principal's office."

The siblings picked up their backpacks and headed into the hall. They made it halfway to the office when the bell for first period rang filling up the hallway with students. The two young blondes slipped into Mrs. Schuester's office to find her and Mr. Schuester waiting on them.

"Mr. Schue, aren't you going to be late for Glee class," Stacy asked as she and Stevie walked into the office.

"Finn is starting off class for me today. There is something that we need to talk to you both about. Go ahead and have a seat," Mr. Schue insisted.

"Are we in some kind of trouble?" Stevie tried to think if there was anything he could have done.

"No, Stevie, this isn't about you or Stacy," Emma assured them. "We actually need to talk to you about Sam."

"Is he okay?" Stacy saw the concern in Mrs. Schuester's eyes and knew it wasn't good news.

"He is but something happened last night and he wanted to make sure that you knew about it, that you knew he was okay, and that you were safe," Mr. Schuester declared.

"So what happened?" Stevie wanted to know and didn't care about anything else.

"Your father attacked Sam backstage at his concert last night," Will finally told them.

"Is he okay?" Stacy jumped up from her seat worried about her brother.

"Did they put the bastard in jail because that's where he deserves to be?" Stevie wanted to know.

"Sam is fine," Emma tried to comfort them noting the sense of anger coming from Stevie. "Your father was booked for assault and battery but Sam has chosen not to press charges."

"Why not?" Stevie questioned. "He deserves it."

"It was because of us wasn't it?" Stacy read between the looks the married couple gave each other. "He's worried Dad might come after us if he presses charges, right?"

"It is something very near to that, Stacy," Emma agreed. "In place of pressing charges, Sam's attorneys are working with Mrs. Lopez to make sure there is a restraining order against your father so that he cannot come within 100 feet of either of you or your mother or he is arrested on the spot. Your mother is signing that paperwork now. We're just waiting to see if Dwight accepts the deal or decides to go to jail."

"I hope he stays in jail, but either way at least neither of us will ever have to see him again," Stevie argued.

"Can we talk to Sam?" Stacy asked.

"Of course," Emma declared. "He expected you would want to talk to him. Mr. Schue and I are going to squash any rumors the Glee kids are probably creating about this situation so why don't you stay in here and call him."

"You two can just come to class when you get done. Don't take too long. We're going to sing through the Grease music this morning," he told them.

The two adults left the room and before Stevie could even get his phone out Stacy was already making the call.

"Hey beautiful," Sam's voice came through the phone so they could both hear it.

"You sound like you're still asleep," Stacy commented. "Oh and it's me and Stevie actually."

There was a short pause of realization before Sam continued. "I guess that means Dad told you what happened last night."

"Yeah, he did, Sam. Are you okay?" Stevie asked.

"Honestly, I'm a little sore and from the looks of things I'm going to be sporting a black eye, but I'm going to be okay. I'm just happy to hear that you're okay," Sam told them.

"Why would you be worried about us, Sam?" Stacy wondered.

"You know I love you two so much, right?" Sam began.

"Yes," they answered in unison.

"I know you both care for your dad a lot and I don't want to talk negatively about him to you, but he wasn't acting normal. He had been drinking a lot and he was violent. Obviously, he has a problem with me and I want to make sure he doesn't try to hurt you in order to try and hurt me. So I need you both to promise me that if you ever see him close to you that you will call someone to get you away from wherever you are. Do you promise?"

Stacy just looked to Stevie in desperation not knowing what to say.

"You have your promise from me, Sam. I never want to see him again," Stevie agreed.

"Stacy? What about you?" Sam asked through the phone.

She didn't want to make the promise. She still held out hope that things between her family could one day be healed, but after this attack she knew there was no way Sam and her father would ever be in the same room again and she didn't want to risk losing Sam too.

"Okay, I promise," she said with sadness in her eyes.

"Good, I love you both so much," Sam's love poured through the phone. "I have to go now because I've got to shower and get ready to leave for Nashville, but I'll call you tonight when I get there okay?"

"Okay, Sam," Stacy stated before hanging up her phone. She placed it back in her pocket and turned around to see he brother standing with his hands behind his head. All the muscles in his arms and chest were flexed and she knew he was trying not to explode. She spoke. "Do you remember the night Sam moved out of our house and in with Mr. Schuester?"

"Yes, why?" Stevie didn't understand the connection.

"Because I cried all night. I didn't really know what happened because they kept it from me. You came into my room and you crawled in next to me, hugged me and explained the whole situation to me. You knew even when we were younger that there was something different about Sam and that Dad had a problem with it."

"What's your point Stacy?" he asked.

"That night you took care of me and now I'm going to take care of you," she reached out and hugged her brother. "Why does this make you so angry? Sam sounded fine. He's going to be okay."

"Why can't Dad just leave us alone? He hurt Sam. He hurt Mom. He hurt . . ." Stevie stopped talking.

Stacy picked up on the hesitation and suddenly the realization hit her. "Stevie, why do I all of a sudden feel like there is something you and mom kept from me."

Stevie's anger turned to anxiety. "It's old news now. Don't worry about it."

Stevie tried to move passed his sister and out the door, but she pulled on his arm and stopped him.

"Not even a slim chance I'm letting you walk out that door without telling me," she demanded. "Does this have anything to do with Dad hitting Mom and us moving back here?"

"Dad hitting Mom wasn't the reason we moved back here," Stevie stated without thinking about it. "Mom made the decision to move the first time Dad hit me."

Stacy was shocked. She sat down on the sofa in the office. "Did it only happen the one time?"

Stevie moved to sit down next to her. "It happened twice, but the second time I fought back. That's why I started working out with Mike while we were in Chicago and then with Jacob when we moved back here because I swore no one would ever hurt me like that again. I'm angry because he's hurt all of us and I just don't want him in our lives anymore."

"Then he won't be," Stacy declared. "We are a family without him. I still love him. He's still my Daddy and he's never done anything mean to me, but he's obviously hurt the three people that are most important to me in the world and that is more than enough reason to move passed him and say goodbye."

"Do you mean it?" Stevie questioned.

"You say the word and I'm on your side. I'm always going to be on your side, Stevie."

(Blow Me (One Last Kiss) by Pink – cover by Jake Coco and Caitlin Hart)

(Performed by Stevie & Stacy Evans)

Stevie stood, picked up his bag and handed his sister hers as they walked out of the office into the hallway.

STEVIE: White knuckles and sweaty palms from hanging on too tight. Clench your jaw, I've got another headache again tonight.

Stevie/Stacy: Eyes on fire, eyes on fire, and then burn from all the tears. I've been crying, I've been crying, I've been dying over you. Tie a knot in the rope, trying to hold, trying to hold, but there's nothing to grab so I let go.

The Evans siblings walked down the hall determined to be stronger for their family and not let their father bring them down anymore.

Stacy/Stevie: I think I've finally had enough, I think I maybe think too much. I think this might be it for us (blow me one last kiss). You think I'm just too serious. I think you're full of it. My head is spinning so blow me one last kiss.

They walked into the choir room and threw their book bags against the wall, grabbed a mic stand with microphone to the middle of the room surprising the rest of the crew who had just heard the news about Sam.

Stevie/Stacy: Just when I think it can't get worse, I had a bad day, you've had a bad day, we've had a bad day. I think life's too short for this, I'll pack my ignorance and bliss. I think I've had enough of this, blow me one last kiss.

Stevie released the pressure of keeping that secret. He turned to see Kitty staring at him and he winked at her before facing the rest of the room.

STEVIE: I won't miss all of the fighting that we always did. Take it in. I mean what I say when I say there's nothing left.

Stevie/Stacy: I am sick, whiskey dick, no more battles for me you'll be calling a trick, cause you'll no longer sleep.

Stacy turned to Cameron and couldn't help but flirt with him while she sang.

STACY: I'll dress nice, I'll look good, I'll go dancing alone. I'll laugh, I'll get drunk, I'll take somebody home.

Stacy/Stevie: I think I've finally had enough, I think I maybe think too much. I think this might be it for us (blow me one last kiss). You think I'm just too serious. I think you're full of it. My head is spinning so blow me one last kiss. Just when I think it can't get worse, I had a bad day, you've had a bad day, we've had a bad day. I think life's too short for this, I'll pack my ignorance and bliss. I think I've had enough of this, blow me one last kiss.

The twins continued their song as Sam and his team loaded the bus and departed for Nashville.

-GLEE-

It was 10 am and Blaine walked into 54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, which would be the site for that evening's Broadway Cares event. Each show currently in production would provide their lead performer for the benefit. When he walked in he could immediately hear Rachel finishing up her rendition of On My Own. After the last note, Blaine applauded for her friend.

"Hey, I was hoping that I would see you this morning," she called to him as she stepped down from the stage. "Did you get any sleep last night?"

"Not much," Blaine confessed. "I actually sat up most of the night on the piano. After talking to Sam, I just felt these lyrics coming to me and I had to get it on paper before I could go to bed."

"Are you done?" she wondered.

"The lyrics are on paper, but the music is still just in my head," Blaine said and she could tell that something was bothering him.

"Did you talk to Sam again this morning? Is that why you're upset?" she assumed.

"We talked after he got on the bus," he was very short with his answer and Rachel picked up on it.

"What happened, Blaine?" she wanted to know.

"He told me that when Mr. Evans attacked him he told him he worked with Adam and my parents to keep us apart," Blaine filled Rachel in on the secret.

"And that's what has you so stressed out now?" Rachel questioned.

"No," Blaine whispered and sat down in the front row. Rachel sat next to him.

"What is it, Blaine?"

"I already knew he was involved and I didn't tell Sam. Adam told me right before Sam left on tour. It was the secret he told me the night we were at NYADA. I didn't tell Sam because I didn't want him to have something else to deal with. Now, he found out anyway and got hurt. Maybe if I'd told him . . ."

"Nothing would be different, Blaine. There is no way that anyone could have predicted that Mr. Evans would find Sam or try and hurt him. Sam would understand why you didn't tell him," Rachel insisted.

"I don't think he did," Blaine revealed.

"So you told him?" Rachel didn't like where this was going.

"I did. I didn't want to keep it from him that I knew. He just said okay and that he was tired and wanted to sleep during the road trip they had today. He hung up just a little bit afterwards," Blaine explained.

"That doesn't mean he's upset," Rachel relaxed some. "Sam is a thinker and you're a reactor. When you get new information you immediately act on it. Sam lets it sink in and then acts on it. Give him time to think. He's been through a lot in the last day."

"You really think I can overreact?" Blaine questioned.

"I bet you fifty bucks that your bag is packed because you planned to fly out and meet him in Nashville before you talked to him this morning," Rachel offered.

"I am not taking that bet," Blaine blushed.

"Only because you'd lose it," Rachel smiled and ruffled her fingers in his hair. "How many times did you offer to fly down?"

"Three," Blaine replied. "He told me I needed to stay here and take care of me. He said he had to learn to handle his episodes on his own."

"And he's right," Rachel proclaimed. "Let him deal with this the way he needs too. He'll tell you when he needs you. He loves you too much not too." After she spoke she could see that he still seemed bothered by Sam's suggestion that he stay in New York. "Let me ask you this. Is the song you wrote last night about Sam?"

"Yeah," Blaine blushed again. "It's about how I fell in love with him."

"Will you let me hear it?" she requested.

"How about you sing it with me instead?" Blaine came up with a better plan.

Everyone in the room from the event planner to the bartenders paused as they saw two of Broadway's lead actors sit down at the piano bench together. They couldn't help but wonder what magic they would make together. He pulled out his lyric notebook and opened it to the page for his new song so that Rachel could follow along.

(Falling by Tyler Ward f/ Alex G)

(performed by Blaine Anderson and Rachel Berry)

Blaine began to play the melody on the piano as Rachel smiled and leaned her head down on her best friend's shoulder. She sat up and listened to him sing.

BLAINE: And the conversation was right underneath the shade of moonlight. You were standing there with sun-touched hair and you dressed in the color white. Like an airplane I took flight. Fell in love with you that first night cause you danced with me and I could see that there was more to life.

He nodded to Rachel and she picked up on the chorus.

RACHEL: I'm falling. I'm falling in love with you.

Rachel/Blaine: I'm falling. I'm falling in love with you – ooh

The others in the room watched as Blaine poured out his heart in song.

BLAINE: Just before the strike of midnight you said, "This could be the good life," and you say "Goodbye, hope that I get to see you soon." Then I walked for several miles. Couldn't rid me of my smile cause you found me and I found you in this lovely month of June.

The wait staff in the room partnered up and began dancing as they sang.

RACHEL: I'm falling. I'm falling in love with you.

Rachel/Blaine: I'm falling. I'm falling in love with you.

Rachel saw Blaine getting emotional and she knew he was worried about what Sam was thinking. She looked at the lyric sheet and sang his words to him.

RACHEL: Will you catch me? Because lately you're a dream come true. Say you love me. You are lovely. Do you feel it too?

She moved his face so he would look into her eyes.

RACHEL: I'm falling. I'm falling in love with you.

Rachel/Blaine: I'm falling. I'm falling in love with you. I'm falling. I'm falling in love with you. I'm falling. I'm falling in love with you.

"Sam loves you, Blaine. Just give him time to figure things out," Rachel reminded him. "If there is one thing in this world that I know for sure it's that I'll be singing this song at your wedding one day."

Blaine couldn't help but smile at the thought.

-GLEE-

Michael walked out of the side entrance behind the gym and saw Cooper's car sitting there waiting for him. He walked over and let himself into the passenger seat. When he sat down he lost his breath at the sight of the beautiful man sitting in a suit behind the wheel.

"You look hot, Cooper!" he complimented the older man.

"Why thank you, babe, you look pretty damn good yourself," Cooper agreed as he leaned over and the two boys kissed. "It's making leaving Lima to go back to New York a lot harder."

"You could always take me with you," Michael suggested as he rubbed his palm up Cooper's inner thigh.

"Baby, we've been over that. You can't live with me in New York until you turn eighteen. I fully support you graduating early so you can do that, but we're going to have to keep things about our relationship between us," Cooper reminded him.

"But I want to come to New York with you," the disappointment in Michael's voice was evident.

"We'll figure out ways to get you there," Cooper ran his fingers through the younger boy's hair. "You could come up when Stevie or Stacy do or convince Nick to let you tagalong when he comes to see Sebastian or maybe a trip for you seniors to check out colleges."

"I'm going to miss you," Michael finally said as he nuzzled his cheek into Cooper's outstretched hand. "One more kiss before you go?"

"I thought you'd never ask," Cooper declared before leaning across to kiss his boy goodbye.

Michael turned to leave but decided to finally ask. "What about Brody and his threats?"

"You let me worry about him. That has nothing to do with you. There's only one thing that you need to remember. You know what that is?" Cooper asked.

"That you love me," Michael blushed.

"And don't you forget it," Cooper winked at him.

Michael got out of the car and watched as Cooper drove away. He headed back inside the school not paying attention to where he was going. He turned the corner and ran straight into someone knocking them down.

"I'm so sorry!" he called out noticing the girl on the ground and a plethora of sketches all over the floor. They looked like costume designs for Grease. "These look great!"

He helped the girl pick up her artwork. They both stood and looked at each other. He had never seen the girl before at McKinley. She wore a jersey t-shirt and jeans. There was no make-up on her face but her dark eyes, raven-colored hair and olive skin had their own beauty. She didn't want to look Michael in the eyes.

"Are these for Grease?" he asked.

"They are," she spoke quietly.

"Are you working on the show? Did Mr. Schuester recruit you?" Michael tried to get her to speak.

"He asked for someone from the sewing club to help make costumes," she finally looked him in the eye. "I just left home economics class to take the designs to him and see if he likes them."

"Well I'm sure that he will. They're really great!" Michael grinned at her. "I'm Michael by the way. Michael Burke. I'm a junior. I'm guessing you go to school here?"

"Yes," she meekly grinned. "My name is Nellie Mayer. I'm a sophomore."

"Well it's nice to meet you, Nellie. I'm actually in charge of all the publicity for Grease so you and I should talk sometime."

"Then you know, Mr. Schue, right?" her eyes lit up.

"Yeah, I've been in New Directions for three years now," he mentioned.

"I don't suppose you would go with me to see him. I get a little intimidated by people I don't know," she confessed.

"Mr. Schue is one of the best guys you'll ever meet, but of course I'll take you to his office. I have no desire to go back to History class," Michael kidded and walked off with Nellie making small talk as they headed to the choir room.

-GLEE-

Claire sat in the hotel restaurant strumming her fingers on the table and staring at the messages on her phone to try and calm her nerves. She even allowed herself to eat the bread on the table. She had not eaten carbs in months. She did not want to be in this position. She never wanted to see Paul again and now she sat waiting on him to arrive for a lunch that Ian had planned. She knew the entire thing was just so Ian could tip off photographers and get pictures into the media that would link them together again. She agreed because she did want to help Paul get better and because in the back of her mind she hoped that they could get back to the media darling couple status they once had. She knew it would be good for her career.

"You're always cute when you're thinking."

She looked up from the table and there he stood, Paul Sommers. He wore a white oxford shirt and a simple black tie. His blonde hair stood up in perfect form just as she remembered.

"You're late," she refused to let him know she was nervous.

"I should definitely start with apologizing for that," Paul said as he sat down at the table.

"Well you weren't that late," Claire relented as she took another sip of the white wine she'd ordered to calm her nerves.

"I'm not talking about today. I'm talking about the last eight months," he openly acknowledged his absence from her life during the year. "That would be the first of many things I need to apologize for."

"When was the last time you had a drink," she began her inquisition.

"The night Ian took me to rehab," Paul answered freely.

"Pills?" she continued.

"I had a bad day in April when I tried my roommate's prescriptions for him but I straightened up and haven't messed up since then," he answered knowing that his ex needed to hear these answers.

"And sex?" her eyes did not break away from his even for a second.

He took in a deep breath and exhaled before answering. "Outside of a lot of masturbation and one of the male orderlies who really enjoyed giving me the occasional blow job, there was nothing else."

"Male orderly?" she scoffed.

"What can I say? He was a fan of my work," Paul smirked.

"That's not funny," she leaned back in her chair.

"Well you can't get mad at me for allowing guys to help. It was your rule to begin with," he reminded her. "No girls on the road, but if I have to get off gay guys can give me head. You said it yourself and I'd just like to point out that I never touched or even kissed another girl while I was away. I stayed faithful to you."

"We weren't together anymore. You didn't have to stay faithful for my benefit," Claire protested.

"I guess that answers my question on your extracurricular activities," Paul leaned back in his chair. "I assume it was that blonde kid that played Tarzan."

"No, Sam would never do that," Claire defended her friend.

"Doesn't mean you didn't try," Paul 's intense stare weirded her out.

"Are you questioning me? I wasn't the one that got caught in a disgusting orgy," Claire stood from her seat and started to walk away. Paul took her wrist and stopped her.

"You're right. I'm sorry. Please come sit with me so Ian can get his pictures, I can get back on track with my career, and yours can get even better. You know as well as I do that we're a good team. Let's give the social media sites what they want. What do you say?"

Claire turned around to face him not sure if she wanted to slap him or sit back down. She looked over to see Ian standing at the restaurant entrance with a photographer. She knew Paul was right and sat back down.

The waiter returned to the table.

"Very good," Paul smiled. What do you say we order?" Paul turned on the charm as he reached across the table and took Claire's hand in his.

-GLEE-

"Couldn't sleep?" Ella asked Tina as she walked to the back of the bus and found her sitting there reading. It was about four hours into their trip and everyone else was asleep in their bunks but the two of them.

"I guess I'm still wound up from last night. All of that adrenaline running through my system has me geared up. Has that ever happened to you?" Tina wondered.

"That was my entire summer," Ella laughed as she sat down across from her. "It's so nice to have someone to share Sam's drama with on the tour." Ella stopped joking and became serious with Tina. "You know that I have to find someone to take my place as Sam's manager, right? With Sebastian asking me to take over operations at Five Star I'll have to give up personal clients because everyone in the company will be my client."

"I heard about that from Mike actually," Tina replied. "That's going to be hard on Sam. He trusts you so much. I can't imagine that it will be easy for him to trust someone else as much as he trusts you."

"That's why I have to find a replacement that he already knows and that he trusts which won't be easy," Ella stood from her seat and headed back towards the bunks. "You did amazing with him last night, Tina. I'm really impressed with how you took care of him. I know that you have this goal of becoming an actor yourself, but watching you last night made me really wish you'd be the one to take my place."

Tina was shocked. "Do you really think I could do it? I don't know anything about being a manager."

"How long did you take care of everyone's problems back at McKinley or this past year in New York? You've been managing people all along, Tina. Plus you'd have me to teach you the ropes. It's a pretty great career if you ever decide you'd be interested and it's a guaranteed spot in the entertainment industry for as long as you want to be there. Think about it," Ella smiled. "I'm going to try and get some sleep. We still have three hours to go."

Tina shut her book and began to think. Ella had a point, but it meant giving up her own chance at stardom. All of a sudden there were two career paths in front of her. Now she just had to decide which one to take.

-GLEE-

Lily walked into an empty choir room. She expected to see Mr. Schuester or perhaps Finn working on things for the musical but there was no one present. She walked over to his office door but it was locked.

"Mr. Schue is in his wife's office. Finn went to have lunch with his mom before rehearsal," Blake stood in the doorway of the choir room, his backpack over his shoulder. "Finn told me you agreed to help with the musical. I'm really glad you're going to be here."

"Well, I couldn't hide out in the apartment forever. I needed to get out of there for something," Lily determined.

"And it might as well be something you do well," Blake finished her thought.

"Don't be so modest, Mr. Lead Actor. We are definitely working our way up in the world. I believe that puts you fifth in the line of male leads behind Finn, Blaine, Sam, Sebastian, and now you. That's pretty great company to keep," she pointed out before sitting down.

"Yeah, following Sebastian as last year's lead in Chicago will be tough, but I really wanted to be Danny," Blake commented.

"Again, with the modesty," Lily shook your head. "You were the perfect choice for Danny and Marley is the perfect choice for Sandy. How are you two doing?"

"Things are really great. I'm sure you heard we had a problem for a couple of weeks but that has all been worked out and things are great between us and between us and Michael," Blake knew she would know the details so he didn't try to hold back.

"What about between you and Michael?" Lily cared more about that relationship. "No one knows how close the two of you are more than me. I would hate to see your friendship suffer."

"We're good, Lily, I promise," Blake defended himself.

"So there's no truth to the rumor that Michael turned down the role of Kenickie because he thought it would be awkward for the three of you?" Lily asked

Blake staggered from the question. "He said he didn't. I asked him when I heard the rumor. I don't know if he was going to be that character or not. You'd have to ask Nick, but he told me that he wanted to do publicity and stuff in the future. Sebastian said he could even intern at Five Star. Evidently, everyone really liked the video work he did for Sam's YouTube channel. He just wants to increase his folder of work. That's what he told me."

Lily decided not to press further. "That makes sense."

There was a pause in the conversation before Blake decided to take on a sensitive subject. "What about you? Have you and Puck talked at all?"

"No and I don't know that we will honestly," Lily decided. "He's made the decision to not speak to anyone until he finishes his twelve steps. I can't wait on him to get my life back in order."

"I don't think he would want you to do that," Blake confirmed.

"I talked to Mrs. Lopez," Lily revealed. "She thinks we have a case for annulment and I had her draw up the papers. I think Puck and I need a clean start."

"Is that really what you want? Do you not love him anymore?" Blake questioned.

"Sometimes love isn't enough, Blake," Lily wiped tears away from her cheek. "Puck and I weren't ready to get married. We're too young, too immature, and even though neither one of us would admit it we only got married because I got pregnant."

"You don't think you would have gotten married eventually?" Blake wondered.

"We'll never know now," Lily insisted. "It wasn't an easy decision, Blake. I still love him, but I think we both need time to grow up and figure out who we are individually before we can ever truly know what we could have been together."

(Don't Let Me Know from the television series SMASH)

(Performed by Lily Mae Arnett and Blake Smith)

LILY: I wish you were a bad man. I wish you made it easier. I wish you'd done something unforgivable. 'Cause holding on to you is all that I can do until I learn the hands around my throat are my own.

Blake watched as his friend and former girlfriend poured out her heart in song.

LILY: Don't let me know if it hurts if it hurts you. I don't want to be your friend that you turn to. That you won't pull me close, but you can't let me go. Don't let me know. Don't let me know. Don't let me know. Don't let me know.

He pulled up a chair, turned it around backwards and sat in front of her to join in with harmony.

Lily/Blake: I wish I never met you. Now I gotta forget again. I wish you didn't know me so damn well. Mmmmm . . . Don't tell me that you're scared every time that I'm not there. Don't you open up my heart again.

She moved from her chair and walked over to the piano and placed her hands on the side as she continued.

LILY: Oh, don't let me know if it hurts, if it hurts you. I don't want to be your friend that you turn to. That you won't pull me close, but you can't let go. Don't let me know, don't let me know, don't let me know, don't let me know. If you think there's a chance you can fall again that you've tried and you've failed to stop loving me.

Blake sang with her once again and joined her at the piano.

Lily/Blake: Don't let me know if it hurts, if it hurts you. I don't want to be your friend that you turn to. That you won't pull me close, but you can't let go.

LILY: Don't let me know. Don't let me know. Don't let me know.

Blake pulled her into a hug.

BLAKE: Don't let me know.

-GLEE-

"Tina, will you go make sure Sam is up and ready to walk into the hotel. They've already called to let us know there are hundreds of fans outside the hotel and a lot of press. He can't just walk in wearing sweats. You know where his press clothes are, right?" Ella ordered.

"Side closet behind the bunks," Tina answered. "Everyone needs to stay up here so Sam can change in the back."

They all agreed and Tina walked in the back and pulled the curtain hiding Sam's bunk but he wasn't inside. She looked towards the back of the bus and saw the curtain drawn for the back hangout space. "Sam, are you back there?"

"Yeah, you can come in. I've got my pants on," Sam called out to her.

She slipped through the curtain to find Sam in a pair of jeans but shirtless.

"Will you hand me my shirt," Sam asked pointing to the black western shirt he'd gotten specifically for the Nashville trip.

"I thought you were still asleep," Tina pointed out.

"Everyone still thinks I'm breakable too, but it looks like I'm still standing," there was a sense of annoyance in his voice.

"Are you mad at me?" Tina picked up on his subtle dig.

"You and Ella need to realize I'm not made of glass. I'm not going to break. I don't have to have a baby sitter all the time," Sam slipped on the shirt but before he buttoned it he walked over to Tina and hugged her. "I love you, Tina, and I really appreciate all the help you gave me yesterday, but there is no way I'm going to let you give up your dreams to become my manager."

The realization that he'd heard her earlier conversation with Ella hit her quickly.

"I guess you haven't been sleeping as much as we thought you were," Tina said as she pulled away from his embrace and began snapping together the buttons on his shirt.

"No, I haven't. I've been working on the lyrics to the new song and just thinking. It just made it easier to do it in my bunk so everyone would think I was asleep," he revealed.

"So you heard Ella talking to me," Tina pushed the conversation.

"I did and I'm not letting you do it," Sam insisted. "You are going to see your dreams happen just like Rachel, Blaine, and me. I'm going to make sure of it. I can handle new people and Ella is so good she can get anyone ready for the job which is why I've already been talking to someone about doing it ever since Ella told me she would need a replacement."

"Who?" Tina wondered.

"That would be me," Lindsey said from the doorway. "That's why I took the initiative last night with the reporters and helped you come up with a plan to get Sam out of there."

"But I thought you wanted to be an actress too?" Tina seemed confused by this turn of events.

"I did while I was in high school, but in the last year while you guys were in New York I realized that I am much more talented in the area of dealing with people. Sam mentioned the fact that someone would have to take Ella's place so he and I have been talking about all that the job would take for me to do it right," Lindsey explained.

"Well you won't get any complaints from me. If I could trust anyone with Sam and his career it would be you," Tina smiled.

"Who said she would just be managing me?" Sam raised an eyebrow. "I told you I was going to make your dreams come true too. Now we just have to convince Ella."

"Convince me of what?" Ella asked as she walked into the back of the bus.

"Nothing to worry yourself about yet," Sam spoke up first standing in front of his girls. "Are we ready?"

"We're pulling up now," she stated.

"Good. Because I've got one shot at convincing everyone that a black eye and a surprise visit from anti-dad aren't going to break me," he turned to Tina. "I'm going to sign some autographs and take pictures but you need to push me down the line. We want it it to look like I'm fine, but I need to get inside too," he turned to Lindsey. "Claire is in this hotel. She's meeting me downstairs. We'll give the paparazzi a picture for their papers. It will also help us get some free publicity for Tarzan." He then turned to Ella. "By then you should be ready to take us upstairs right?"

"That was pretty much my exact plan," Ella shook her head smiling. "Someone plans to show he's a fighter I see."

"You better believe it," Sam smiled letting each of the girls know he was completely in the game.

The bus pulled up to the hotel and they all saw the hordes of people waiting for them screaming and jumping around.

"Okay, guys, it's show time," Ella smiled as the doors opened and she led the way out walking straight into the hotel followed by Sam smiling for his fans. Brody and Mike were the next two heading out and they couldn't help but channel a song in that moment.

(The Fighter by Gym Class Heroes – cover by Tyler Ward & Julia Sheer)

(Performed by Lindsey Black, Mike Chang, Tina Cohen-Chang, Joe Hart,

Claire Holton, Ella Stone, Tyler Trevino, and Brody Weston)

MIKE: Just wakin' up in the morning and the beat well. Quite honest with ya, I ain't really sleep well. Ya ever feel like your train a thoughts been derailed? That's when you press on. Lee nails.

The boys watched as Sam signed autographs and posed for pictures.

BRODY: Half the population's just waiting to see me fail, yeah right, you're better off tryin' to freeze hell. Some of us do it for the females and others do it for the retails.

Tyler broke through the two boys and headed passed the crowds towards the front doors.

TYLER: But I do it for the kids, life through the tower head on everytime you fall its only making your chin strong. And I'll be in your corner like lick baby til the end or when you hear the song from the big lady yell.

Joe walked out and followed Mike and Brody towards the entrance.

JOE: Until the referee rings the bell until both your eyes start to swell. Until the crowd goes home what we gonna do ya'll?

Tina and Lindsey exited the bus and headed towards Sam.

TINA: Give 'em hell, turn their heads. Gonna live life till we're dead. Give me scars, give me pain then they'll say to me, say to me, say to me.

Tina stopped to push Sam along as Lindsey continued passed the crowds and into the hotel.

LINDSEY: There goes the fighter, there goes the fighter. Here comes the fighter. That's what they'll say to me, say to me, say to me, this one's a fighter.

She joined Mike and Brody inside as they saw Claire wave to them from across the lobby.

MIKE: And if I can last thirty rounds there's no reason you should ever have your head down.

BRODY: Six foot five, two hundred and twenty pounds, hailing from rock bottom, loserville, nothing town.

Joe and Tyler stood next to the front desk waiting for their keys surveying the action like everyone else.

TYLER: Text book version of the kid going nowhere fast, and now I'm yelling kiss my ass. It's gonna take a couple right hooks a few left jabs for you to recognize that you really ain't got it bad.

JOE: Until the referee rings the bell, until both your eyes start to swell, until the crowd goes home what we gonna do ya'll?

Ella handed them their keys and they headed to the elevator.

ELLA: Give 'em hell, turn their heads. Gonna live life till we're dead. Give me scars, give me pain. Then they'll say to me say to me, say to me.

She handed Mike and Brody their keys and they headed to the elevator as well.

ELLA: There goes the fighter, there goes the fighter. Here comes the fighter. That's what they'll say to me, say to me, say to me, this one's a fighter.

Tina pushed Sam through the crowd and let him pose for pictures one last time before taking him inside the hotel.

TINA: If you fall pick yourself up off the floor and when your bones can't take no more. Just remember what you're here for 'cuz I know I'm damn sure.

Sam ran over to Claire and picked her up in a hug. He was happy to see his friend.

CLAIRE: Give 'em hell, turn their heads. Gonna live life till we're dead. Give me scars, give me pain. Then they'll say to me say to me, say to me.

Claire/Tina: There goes the fighter, there goes the fighter. Here comes the fighter. That's what they'll say to me, say to me, say to me, this one's a fighter.

They all walked to the elevators and headed upstairs.

ELLA: Till the referee rings the bell, till both your eyes start to swell, till the crowd goes home, what we gonna do kid?

Ella couldn't help but look over to Sam and grin at him.

"Can we talk?" Claire asked Sam.

"Of course," Sam agreed.

She turned to Ella. "Ms. Stone, could you help me out and make sure that Ian doesn't follow me so that I can speak freely."

"It's not like you need a bodyguard from me," Ian scoffed.

"A tazer would work," Ella fought back. "I can make that happen. We both need to call into headquarters anyway."

When they arrived on their floor. Ella handed Sam his keys and Tina and Lindsey the key to their room as well.

"I'll let you know when our bags are brought up and we'll go over the schedule, okay?" Tina instructed Sam.

"That works for me. Just give me fifteen minutes or so with Claire okay?" Sam requested.

Tina agreed and she and Lindsey headed into their room. Sam used his key card to let himself and Claire into his. They walked inside and she found her way over to the armchair and sat down.

"Sam, I need help. I know I'm supposed to be asking you how you are doing and if you need anything, but I could really use a friend that isn't trying to sleep with me and basically you are the only one on that list," Claire joked but Sam could tell that she was serious about needing help.

"Don't worry about me," he insisted as he sat on the corner of the bed. "What's wrong?"

"Paul is back. He's here in this hotel and he wants me back," Claire opened up to him.

"Claire, there's only one way that that would be a problem and that's if you want him back too."

She couldn't answer back because she knew that was her problem as well.

-GLEE-

Rachel and Blaine were backstage at 54 Below. Rachel had already performed and Blaine had about twenty minutes before his performance. She could tell how nervous he was because he hadn't heard from Sam all day. She knew she had to do something about it, but before she could get away she saw Sebastian and Justin walking towards them with an attractive brunette in a sexy black dress.

"Rachel, that performance was absolutely beautiful!" Justin expressed as he gave her a hug. He had worked hard as their agent to get them both out in the public eye and garner them more success. "Blaine, I can't wait to hear yours as well."

"That would make two of us," Sebastian smiled. He was dressed to the nines in a form-fitted Calvin Klein tux. "Blaine, Rachel, I want to introduce someone to you. This is Dani. We just hired her as a new agent at Five Star. She'll be part of the reorganization once Ella takes over as C.O.O."

Blaine shook Dani's hand. "It's great to meet you. Welcome to Five Star."

"Thank you so much. It's great to meet you. I saw you in The Newsies on Wednesday night. You were incredible," Dani chimed in.

"Well thank you very much," he smiled.

"And you," Dani turned to Rachel. "You don't want to know how many times I've seen Funny Girl."

"Well thank you, I appreciate it," Rachel commented. She turned to Justin. "We will both be staying with you won't we, Justin."

"You better believe it," Justin said side-hugging her. "But just because I'm your agent that doesn't mean you won't be able to call on any of the others for help. For instance, Dani will be heading out to Los Angeles to represent Santana on set since Ella is busy on Sam's tour."

"I thought Zach was out there," Blaine remembered.

"He is, but Colton just landed a movie and he's auditioning for pilot season so he needs Zach," Justin answered.

"That and Santana scares Zach a bit," Sebastian laughed.

"She can do that," Rachel laughed with him.

"Well I'm sure I can handle her," Dani spoke up with confidence.

Blaine's phone rang. He saw the name on the caller ID and turned to Rachel and smiled.

"Sam?" she assumed.

"Will everyone please excuse me," he walked away from the group and accepted the Facetime call coming in for him. "Hey Sammy, everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good. How do you like the shiner around my eye?" Sam smiled which made Blaine relax some.

"I think it looks kinda sexy," Blaine grinned.

"Well good, when I get back from sound check and you get done with this incredibly important performance then maybe we can use this black eye to our advantage," Sam kidded.

"Are you really okay? I've been worried about you all day," Blaine confessed.

"Baby, I'm fine. I love you, but you have to concentrate on your own big moments and not worry about me all the time. I'm a big boy and I can take care of myself. Plus, have you seen these female bodyguards I have around me. Reporters won't come ten feet from me with Ella, Tina, and Lindsey on the job. And now Claire is here to. You remember she's filming that show here."

"Yeah, I remember," Blaine smiled. "Should we talk about the other thing?"

"No, there is no need too. You didn't tell me that you knew about my bio-dad because at that point we didn't know how I'd react, but I managed this one on my own, Blaine. There is one other thing that we need to talk about but I'd rather do it in person. I'm not upset. I love you. They failed. They didn't keep us apart so let's forget it okay?"

"If you say so," Blaine smiled. "Wait?" how did you know I had a big performance tonight?"

"Sebastian called me and said you were about to fuck up a big audition worrying about me and I needed to calm your ass down," Sam stated with a huge grin on his face. "Now will you give Rachel your phone so I can watch my man perform and impress Mr. Murphy?"

"You really are always thinking about me, aren't you?" Blaine realized.

"Always, baby," Sam winked.

The next thing Blaine knew he was walking onstage to applause as he sat down at the piano. He looked out into the second row where Rachel sat with Sebastian and Dani. He began to play knowing that Sam was watching and that was all that mattered to him.

(I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab For Cutie – cover by Kurt Schneider)

(Performed by Blaine Anderson)

BLAINE: Love of mine, some day you will die, but I'll be close behind. I'll follow you into the dark. No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white just our hands clasped so tight waiting for the hint of a spark.

Rachel held up the phone so that Sam had a clear view.

"He's singing this to you," she whispered.

BLAINE: If Heaven and Hell decide that they both are satisfied. Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs. If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks then I'll follow you into the dark.

Blaine closed his eyes as he played allowing himself to fill the music. When he opened them his mind allowed him to feel and see Sam sitting next to him on stage.

BLAINE: In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule, I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black. And I held my tongue as she told me "Son, fear is the heart of love" so I never went back. If Heaven and Hell decide that they both are satisfied illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs. If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks then I'll follow you into the dark.

Justin walked across the back of the room until he made his way over to where Mr. Murphy stood.

BLAINE: I will follow you into the dark.

The audience applauded for Blaine as he stood from the piano stool and took his bow.

"You know he's one of the most talented young men I know. He would be great for your show," Justin commented to the producer.

"There is no need to pander to me, Mr. McLain. I want the kid on one condition," Mr. Murphy declared.

"Anything? What is it?" Justin asked.

"I want his boyfriend too," Mr. Murphy insisted. "I know he's the rock star but I need a heartthrob to anchor the show and he's who I want. Convince him to join the cast and I'll hire them both."

Justin pulled out his phone and dialed Ella's number.

"Then let's make this happen."