CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT – ORLANDO

Will managed to get everyone assigned to their new rooms and in bed at four in the morning. The four adults stood in the hallway between the four rooms and Will divulged his plan.

"We need to keep this situation as quiet as possible. Not just for Sam's sake, but for the whole team. This isn't something that everyone needs to know about. Here is what I suggest. Emma, I want you to go with me to talk to Sam. My guess is he will not want to go into the theme park tomorrow even if it is Disney World. The rest of the kids will. We tell them Sam got sick and we have a doctor coming to check on him and that they will meet with him later. There are five students who know the situation. I've conveniently put the four boys that know in the same room with Sam and me. That leaves Tina who is in your room, Emma. I told the kids that we would leave for the park at eleven so they could get some sleep. I want the three of you to take them treat it like any other day. If they ask why I'm not there tell them I'm Sam's legal guardian so I'm waiting for the doctor. The boys in my room may choose to go but chances are they'll stay with Sam. Emma, if Tina wants to stay tell her to use the excuse that she wants to spend time with Mike. I really need to count on the three of you to help me with this. Mrs. Lloyd, I know you have no clue what's happened, but chalk it up to a family crisis and me needing to take care of one of my kids."

"I understand," their media liaison state. "Anything I can do to help your kids I am happy to do. They have been wonderful."

"Okay, thank you. I'm sure you want to get to bed. Emma, will you go in and check on Sam. I need to talk to Cooper about the other boys before I let him go," Will continued.

"Sure, I'll be inside," she smiled at her fiancé.

Emma went into the boys' suite and Mrs. Lloyd retired to her room. Will turned to Cooper.

"I hate to ask you this because of how down on yourself you've been, but I'm not doing my job if I don't. Can I trust you to be in the same suite with Michael? I need too, Cooper. I need your help on this one. I can't do it alone."

"Give me a little credit, Will. I know what's going on. I think I'll be able to keep my pants on," Cooper told him before putting his hands on Will's arms and getting closer. "What about you? Are you okay? I know how close you and Sam are. This has to be getting to you."

"I want to kill the bastard!" Will sneered. "What he did to Sam was so wrong on so many different levels. Then to find out it's the father of another one of my kids. I don't know how to comprehend that."

Cooper pulled him in for a hug. "You'll be great. You always do the right thing when it comes to these kids. They love you and for good reason. Plus, I'm here if you need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on. If I can't have you the way I wanted you, I hope you'll at least let me be your friend."

"Thanks, Cooper. That means a lot," Will said pulling away from the hug. "You should get some sleep. I need you to be me for these kids tomorrow."

"I will," Cooper smiled because Will trusted him with his kids. "And tell Blaine that if he needs me I'm still here. That I'm here for him even though he's still mad at me."

"I will."

Being that these rooms were at a theme park, the hotel catered to families. The rooms they were given were suites each containing three bedrooms for two people, and a common area with a kitchen. When Will entered Mike, Tina, Sebastian and Nick all stood in the common area patiently waiting. They were unsure of what would happen next and Will still didn't know how to tell Sebastian about his father's involvement, but he knew it had to be done. He and Nick were the only one "in the know" about Sam's situation that didn't know this part.

Walking into the first bedroom that he shared with Sam, he saw the boy curled up under the covers with his head in Blaine's lap. Emma was talking to him.

"Sam, remember what we talked about at breakfast. This news doesn't change any of that. You're still the same person you've always been. Just because you know the real identity of this man doesn't change the fact that he is the criminal and you are the victim. You are never going back to that time of your life again. You don't have to worry about it. There are too many of us that love you and will protect you if you were ever around him again. You're family, Sam."

Will fell in love with her all over again. She was so good at her job. She loved these kids almost as much as he did.

"Blaine, I need your phone," Mr. Schuester asked him.

"What for?" he asked.

Will just gave him a knowing glance and Blaine realized what he was about to do. Blaine unlocked his phone and pulled up the email.

"I pulled it up for you, Mr. Schue. Are you sure now is the right time to do it?" he questioned.

"He's going to find out eventually, and I can't see how we can have him and Sam on the same trip without telling him," Will explained. "Emma, will you come with me. Blaine, can you take care of him until we get back?"

Blaine was already doing just that. He stroked Sam's hair and it looked like to Will that Sam might be dozing off. Emma and Will walked back into the main room.

"Sebastian," Emma called to him. "May I speak with you in your room, please?"

He looked around wondering what was going on, but finally consented and led her to his and Nick's room.

"Tina," Mr. Schuester turned to her. "Will you and Mike fill Nick in on what we're about to tell Sebastian? I have a feeling he's going to need Nick when we're done."

"What's going on?" Nick seemed genuinely confused.

"Sit down, Nick. This is a story you're never going to believe," Tina began.

Will walked into Sebastian and Nick's room and the young man was sitting on the edge of the bed and Emma sat in the chair next to the bed. That left the spot next to Sebastian empty and Will sat there.

"Am I in some kind of trouble?" Sebastian wondered.

"No, not at all," Mr. Schuester smiled at him. "You've been a wonderful addition and so helpful on the tour. It's nothing like that. We need to talk to you about why Sam had a bit of a breakdown."

"Well he and Blaine seem to be fine. He's been latched to him since we got off the bus so I assumed it was that other thing that nobody talks about," Sebastian correctly thought.

"I need to show you something and understand that I know it's difficult but I just need to make sure," Mr. Schuester handed Sebastian Blaine's phone. "Can you tell me who the guy in the picture with Kurt is?"

Sebastian looked at it and immediately rolled his eyes. The picture disgusted him and brought up all those memories from yesterday. "It's my father."

Emma exhaled realizing that their last hope of this not being a total train wreck was now gone.

"How well do you know your father's business practices, Sebastian?" the teacher asked.

"What do you mean?" Sebastian didn't understand the change in questioning.

"Like do you know about all the businesses he owns?" Ms. Pillsbury clarified.

"My father never talked about business at home on the very few occasions that he actually came home. We're not close. We've never been close. That's why I loved Dalton so much because I got to live there and forget he existed. On the rare times we were both home at the same time I caught him with his indiscretions one too many times. So I just avoided him altogether," Sebastian answered the question.

"Indiscretions?" Mr. Schuester wondered.

"My dad was sexually active with a lot of people, none of which were my mother. I caught him in the house with one of his boy toys on more than one occasion," Sebastian confessed.

"Sebastian, did you know that your father owned a strip club in Kentucky?" Mr. Schuester posed the question.

"No," Sebastian laughed not making the connection in his head yet. "But it wouldn't surprise me. He'd get to watch guys strip and get paid for it. That sounds like him. Knowing that old bastard he probably took advantage . . ."

At the word advantage the dots connected in Sebastian's head. He face filled with first shock, and then doubt. "No he's a bastard and a pervert, but I can't see him." He paused again. He got glassy eyed but fought hard to keep it together. The two adults saw he give up fighting. A tear fell from his eye and he looked at his teacher. "My father did this to Sam didn't he?"

Will put his arm around Sebastian and the younger boy buried his head in his shoulder and cried.

"I hate him, Mr. Schue. I hate him so much. Why can't I have a normal dad that doesn't treat people like property and actually loves his own son? I hate him. I hate him. I hate him!" His voice got louder with each word until he just started sobbing. It was the final straw in years of holding back and trying to "protect" his father and never speak negatively about him.

In the main room, Nick sat on the couch curled into himself holding his knees. He hated hearing his boyfriend so upset. Tina had her head buried in Mike's chest and he held her tightly wishing he could protect her and his friends from all this madness. Mr. Schuester came out of the room once the noise quieted down.

"Nick, I think he'll want you to go in there now," he suggested.

Nick got up and walked around stopping at Mr. Schue and pausing for a second before giving the older man a hug. "Thanks for taking care of us the way you do, Mr. Schue. So many of our parents don't care as much as you do." With that he walked into the room with Sebastian.

Will stood there stunned by Nick's words. He did love his kids and would do anything for them, but here's a kid who, in all honesty, he didn't really know that well yet, and he was already attached.

"That's why New Directions is so strong, Mr. Schue," Tina wiped her tears away. "You make us believe in ourselves when no one else does and because of that, we'd go to the moon and back for you."

"Thanks Tina," his eyes became glassy. "I may have to take you up on that in order to keep Sam and Sebastian safe."

"Anything you need, Mr. Schue, we're here to help," Mike volunteered.

The room began to settle down and both Blaine and Nick got their men to fall asleep. Tina and Mike fell asleep on the sofa and Will decided to let them sleep. He and Emma said goodnight and he kissed her as she walked out the door. He walked into his room and saw Blaine still leaned against the wall asleep with Sam on his lap. In any other circumstance he would make Blaine go back to his room, but he just couldn't do it. Not this time. As weird as it sounded in his head he was beginning to think of Sam like his own son, and he knew him well enough to know that he wouldn't sleep without Blaine there.

"Blaine," Will whispered. He shook the boys shoulder so he would wake up.

"What is it?" he shook himself awake.

"I just wanted to help you get in a more comfortable position," Will smiled. He kneeled beside them on the bed and lifted Sam's sleeping head so that Blaine could slide down and lay flat. He rest Sam's head on Blaine's chest.

"You aren't going to make me leave?" Blaine asked confused.

"Not this time. He needs you," Will picked up the sheet at the end of the bed and covered the two boys up before turning off the light and lying down to hopefully get a few hours of sleep.

Cooper couldn't sleep. He was too worried about his brother. He got out of bed and walked into the common room to get water from the kitchen.

"You couldn't sleep either?"

Michael's voice from the darkness scared him and he jumped from the surprise.

"Holy geez, kid, you frikkin' scared me to death. What are you doing up so late?" Cooper asked.

"Don't worry, I'm not stalking you in the dark waiting to pounce on you," Michael snickered. "But since you're up can we talk?"

Michael walked into the kitchen and leaned on the counter. He sort of had Cooper pinned in from the position he took.

"We," Cooper indicated by motioning his finger between them. "are not happening again. That was a mistake."

"It wasn't a mistake," Michael corrected him. "But you are right we shouldn't have done it because we hurt other people."

"You're not trying to manipulate me again are you?" Cooper tried to read this boy better than he did the last time.

"No, not this time anyway," Michael held his hands up in surrender. "Your first clue should be that I'm fully clothed, the second should be that I haven't said the "D" word at all, and third I'm not trying to touch you in anyway. I actually wanted to apologize. I never meant to cause a rift between you and your brother. I wish that hadn't happened."

"That isn't your fault. It's mine. I should have known better," Cooper stated.

"True, but it wouldn't have mattered. I'd have pursued you until I got you. I'm not going to apologize for having sex with you. I enjoyed it and it's something I will remember for the rest of my life especially when you are a hugely famous superstar. I'll remember our night in New Orleans, but you and I both know we have the hots for other people not each other. So like I said, I just wanted to apologize and I've done that. I hope you won't avoid me for the rest of the trip because I really like you and like hanging out with you. I think I could learn some acting things from you but it's your call. Goodnight, Mr. Anderson."

Michael walked into the darkness back to his bedroom. Cooper stood there shocked at how mature Michael just acted and how turned on he was by it.

The next morning the students who weren't in Will's suite got on the bus and headed to Hollywood Studious for a day in the parks. Emma, Cooper, and Mrs. Lloyd sat on the bus with the rest of the kids and several complete strangers heading to Hollywood Studios.

"So when are the rest of the guys meeting us?" Artie asked Ms. Pillsbury.

"Sam and Sebastian are both really sick. Hopefully the doctor will be able to give them something that will help them and they can come have fun with us," Emma put on her fake smile.

"I still don't understand why Tina didn't come with us," Brittany stated.

"Girl, you got to understand the inner workings of a bromance. Sam is Mike's boy. He's not going to leave him when his sick. Tina gon' stay with her man cause she a good woman like that," Artie explained.

"I still think people are little too down and worried for a group heading to Disney World," Sunshine realized and then got an idea. Brittany, help me out, okay?"

She ran up to the bus driver and spoke to him a second before plugging her iPod into the sound system and hit play. The music filled the bus and everybody looked at Sunshine who began to shake her hips to the music.

(Circus by Britney Spears)

(performed by Sunshine Corazon, Brittany Pierce, Lily Mae Arnett, Mia Jones, and New Directions)

SUNSHINE: There's only two types of people in the world; the ones that entertain and the ones that observe. Oh, baby, I'm a put-on-a-show kinda girl. Don't like that backseat, gotta be first

ND Boys: Whoa!

BRITTANY: I'm like the ringleader I call the shots.

ND Girls: Call the shots.

BRITTANY: I'm like a firecracker I make it hot when I put on a show.

ND Girls: I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins. Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break. I'm like a performer the dance floor is my stage. Better be ready Hope ya feel the same.

ALL: All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus. When I crack that whip everybody gon' trip just like a circus. Don't stand there watchin' me Follow me, show me what you can do. Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor Just like a circus.

LILY: There's only two types of guys out there: Ones that can hang with me, and the ones that are scared. So baby, I hope that you came prepared. I run a tight shift, so beware.

MIA: I'm like the ringleader. I call the shots.

ND Girls: Call the shots.

MIA: I'm like a firecracker. I make it hot. When I put on a show.

ND Girls: I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins. Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break. I'm like a performer the dance floor is my stage. Better be ready hope that you feel the same.

The bus comes to a stop and the team heads out the doors and dances on and around the bus where everyone can see.

ALL: All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus. When I crack that whip everybody gon' trip just like a circus. Don't stand there watchin' me Follow me, show me what you can do. Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor Just like a circus.

SUNSHINE: Let's go! Uh, uh, uh, uh uh-huh Let me see what you can do.

ALL: Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh-huh

SUNSHINE: I'm running this.

ALL: Like, like, like. Like a circus.

SUNSHINE: Yeah, like a what?

ALL: Like, like, like, like a circus.

ALL: All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus. When I crack that whip everybody gon' trip just like a circus. Don't stand there watchin' me Follow me, show me what you can do. Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor Just like a circus. All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus. When I crack that whip everybody gon' trip just like a circus. Don't stand there watchin' me Follow me, show me what you can do. Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor Just like a circus.

Sunshine goes back to the driver. "Thank you!" she says as she gets her iPod back.

Emma got them all through the front gate and gave them instructions to meet back at that spot to go back to the hotel at a specific time. The kids split into two groups, half going with Emma and the other half going with Cooper.

The group that went with Cooper included Sunshine, Lindsey, Blake, Lily, Kallie, Michael, Shanna, and Jacob. It was an interesting mixture but everyone hoped that with the surrounding everyone would remain civil. People began to break off into smaller groups. Lily walked up to Sunshine and asked, "So do you know what's really going on?"

"What do you mean?" Sunshine questioned.

"Ms. Pillsbury is sweet, but she'll never be a poker player. You can see in her eyes that something is wrong. So is it Sam or is it Sebastian?" she asked.

Sunshine conceded.

"My guess is Sam. About two hours before we got to the hotel, I was still up listening to my iPod and all of a sudden I hear someone cry out for Mr. Schue. It wasn't loud but I was only two seats behind him. Mr. Schue came back and moved Sam up to his seat in the front of the bus and Blaine moved and sat behind him. Sebastian was asleep across from me with Nick. He seemed fine."

"What do you think happened?" Lily asked.

"Ladies," Cooper interrupted. "Instead of trying to guess what may or may not be happening back at the hotel I could really use your help not making everyone else curious, okay?"

"So something is going on?" Sunshine asked.

"Sam's your friend, right,"

"Yes," both girls said at the same time.

"Then why don't you drop it and if something is wrong I'm sure he'll tell you. Now come on. It's Tower of Terror time," Cooper did his best to change the subject.

As they walked, Sunshine pulled out her phone and texted Tina to check on everyone they left behind.

Inside the suite at the hotel, Tina pulled out her phone and read the text.

SUNSHINE: Is everything okay? People starting to ask questions. Sam? Sebastian? Are they okay?

"Mr. Schue," Tina showed him her phone. "It's already starting. Sunshine is the first, but there will be others. I don't know if just not saying anything is going to work."

He read the message. "It's going to have to be. Until Sam is ready to tell his parents, I don't want anyone else to know. It's in Sam's best interest."

"But, Mr. Schue, I mean in all reality what can they do?" Mike asked. They were the only three up. Both couples were still asleep in bed after a very long night. "It's been almost a year. There's no way to prove it now."

"I know," Will conceded. "Sam knows that too. That's why he doesn't see the point in telling his parents. He knows his dad would try to kill the man. I just hope he's not still taking advantage of young guys. I have to admit I'm worried about Kurt."

"But Kurt sounded completely happy," Tina reminded him. "I don't think it's the same deal. Kurt seems very content with this guy."

"It's what he's not saying that worries me. You said he met the guy in jail. I just wonder if there's more than what he's saying to the story. I know he's been insane the last two months but it's still Kurt. He sees things through rose-colored glasses."

"Sam said at one point that there had been others," Mike stated. "Is there anything that we can do?"

"Yeah, there is," Sebastian's voice entered the room. "The first time I caught my dad with a boy I was twelve. I've caught him six times with six different guys. My guess is they may be from one of the businesses like the one Sam worked at which is not a legitimate business because he doesn't own it by his legal name."

"What are you suggesting?" Tina wondered.

"I'm going to testify against my father in my mom's divorce case. I wasn't going too because she asked me not too. But I can't look passed this. In some ways, I know it hurts my mom more than when he actually hit her. Mr. Schuester, there has to be records of what he's done. I know Mrs. Lopez can find them. She just needs to know where to look and now we know where she can start. Will you call her?"

"You realize what you're suggesting. You're basically handing your mother's attorney something that could lead to jail time for your father. Are you sure about this?" Mr. Schuester asked.

Sebastian looked at Tina and then to Mike. Nick was standing behind him. He was about to speak when Blaine walked out of the bedroom. Mr. Schuester stopped him and motioned for Sebastian to continue. Sebastian made eye contact with Blaine and he knew he was doing the right thing.

"If there is one thing that I have learned since moving to Lima it's that a sperm donor doesn't make a dad. Do you know how many father/son talks I've had with him in my life? None. I can't remember the last time that I ate a meal with the man. I'm sure that part of me being a complete ass to everyone last year was because I was just trying to get his attention. And then, I was just angry. I was so angry all the time. I hated everything in my life, and his solution was just to throw money at the problem and I took it and I spent it and then got more, but it never took the place of needing someone. Besides my mom, the first person I can think of that showed me kindness not expecting anything in return was Sam when he offered to help with the shelter. For him to say I'm family to him now . . . he's the first male that's ever said that to me and I believe him over my dad . . . my father's failed attempts. He's my family not my father. If this will help Sam get justice for what happened to him, then yes my father can rot in prison!"

No one in the room said a word. They didn't know how to respond. Then the door to the bedroom opened and Sam walked out. This surprised everyone, but Sam had heard everything Sebastian said. His face was lifeless except for his eyes. Blaine was the first to notice it. In his eyes he saw hope.

"You would really do that for me?" Sam barely whispered.

Sebastian just nodded his head. Sam walked over to him and pulled him into a hug. "I was so worried about you finding out about this. I thought . . . I don't know what I thought. I just didn't want you to be mad at me for saying something bad about your father."

"He's a jackass, and he's not my real family," Sebastian held Sam tighter. "I'm so sorry he did this to you. I wish I could have done something to stop it."

"It's not your fault or mine," Sam whispered. "And it was a long time ago now."

"That sounds like the guy I'm in love with," Blaine stated.

Sam looked to everyone in the room. "Thank you for taking care of me. I didn't want you to have to deal with my baggage, but I couldn't ask for better friends."

"You mean family," Mike corrected him and walked up to Sam and wrapped his arms around him. "I am so sorry this happened to you. I should have told you that the day I found out not now. I've been stuck in my head trying to figure things out and I left you hanging. That's what a best friend should do. Will you forgive me?"

"For what?" Sam smiled at him. "You can do no wrong in my eyes you know that."

"Can we talk later?" Mike asked.

"Sure," Sam smiled and turned to Tina. He walked around the sofa and wrapped his arms around her. "I hope this doesn't change how you think of me."

"Well it has I'm afraid," Tina pulled back so she could look him in the eyes. "Because I see a young man who has been through so many struggles that I never knew about, and I understand why you are always so carefree and happy around all of us. You appreciate life so much more than all of us because you've see what it's like to not have it. I have gained so much respect and love for you and see you as a strong beautiful young man who I am so privileged to have in my life."

He smiled and hugged her again. Then he turned to Blaine. He walked up to him and rests his forehead against Blaine's. "I love you," he whispered. Then he turned to Will.

"Will you call my parents with me? I think I need to tell them what happened."

"Yes, I can. Are you sure?" he wanted to make sure this wasn't an impulsive decision.

"Yes, I'm ready to tell them."

At the end of the day, the kids from the theme park made it back to the hotel. They were surprised that Tina waited for them in the middle of the lobby.

"Follow me," she insisted.

She led them to the full ballroom and they saw the band set up for their rehearsal. They would be doing one performance in the hotel and two at EPCOT's American Pavilion the day after. She stopped them at the door.

"I know some of you know there have been things going on. I want you to go sit and listen. Don't speak, just listen and let him talk."

The entire group sat down and Mr. Schuester joined them sitting between Emma and Cooper. Sam walked out on to the stage and sat on the middle stool. All of his friends knew immediately that something was wrong. His face told the story to them. Sam could see that several of the girls were already tearing up just from seeing his face.

"So obviously I was just sick today. I try to be a positive guy. I want to be a leader and I don't like showing weakness, but when I say you guys are family I mean it. You don't lie to your family. I know you guys have heard rumors about me and most of you have been too nice to say anything. The main one being of course that I was a stripper. But none of you know why. I was homeless. My dad and I spent weeks sleeping under an overpass in all kinds of weather. It was the scariest time of my life. The Cliff's notes version is I had trouble getting work and that was the job I could get. I wish I could tell you that the bad times for me ended there, but it got worse. I'm asking you as my team and my friends to give me the benefit of the doubt and just trust me when I say that there were things that happened to me that I hope never happen to any of you."

When he said those words, he looked directly at Michael, and the younger boy realized immediately the realness of the advice he'd been given hit him and he had to hold back his emotion.

"When I made it back to McKinley it really was like I'd been given a second chance at life. But you can't escape your past and sometimes it does come back to haunt you. I'm still the same person I was, but things might come out about me that some of you don't like or can't believe. Please understand that I want to tell you, but I can't," the last few words he got really choked up and had to compose himself. His friends were all in tears now. "I can't say it, but you're all smart people. I'm sure you can figure it out. I'm not ready to talk about it but it's going to happen so I have to be. I just told my parents, not the greatest conversation I've ever had, and I'm thankful that Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury are letting live with them. I have learned through Glee that when you can't speak what you feel you can sing it. So before we all have rehearsal together I want you to know how I feel about all of you.

(This is Home by Switchfoot)

(performed by Sam Evans, Sebastian Smythe, and Blaine Anderson)

SAM: I've got my memories. They're always inside of me, but I can't go back. Back to how it was. I believe it now. I've come too far. But I can't go back. Back to how it was.

Sebastian and Blaine both joined him on the stage to sing backup harmonies.

SAM: Created for a place I've never known.

ALL 3: This is home. Now I've finally where I belong. Where I belong, yeah, this is home. I've been searching for a place of my own. Now I've found it maybe this is home. Yeah, this is home.

SAM: Belief over misery. I've seen the enemy, and I won't go back, back to how it was. And I've got my heart set on what happens next. I've got my eyes wide and it's not over yet. We are miracles and we're not alone.

ALL 3: This is home. Now I've finally where I belong. Where I belong, yeah, this is home. I've been searching for a place of my own. Now I've found it maybe this is home. Yeah, this is home.

SAM: And now after all my searching, after all my questions I'm gonna call it home. I've got a brand new mindset. I can finally see the sunset. I'm gonna call it home.

ALL 3: This is home. Now I've finally where I belong. Where I belong, yeah, this is home. I've been searching for a place of my own. Now I've found it maybe this is home. Yeah, this is home.

SAM: Now I know, yeah, this is home. I've come too far and I won't go back. Yeah this is home.

His friends all rushed the stage and began to hug him. Sam knew this wasn't the end. He turned to find Blaine's eyes. He knew as long as he could keep those eyes in his sights, he would be okay.