CHAPTER 38

Kurt heard the soft knock at the door and went to answer it. He peeked out the little peephole only to see Blaine's curls, and that made him smile. A lot. Pulling the door open, he stepped back and grinned sheepishly, remembering their phone conversation from earlier, and the even earlier comment from stupid Sebastian, who embarrassed him to death in the hallway. All in all, Kurt was surprised he could even make eye contact with Blaine at this point.

"Hi…" Kurt said, lowly, a small smile on his lips.

"Hi…." Blaine answered, and now he was the one blushing.

"About this morning, the phone call, I'm …I didn't mean…" Kurt began, but Blaine cut him off by shaking his head.

"Don't be sorry, it was….I wasn't exactly expecting that, especially with Maggie and the kids sitting there but….I have to admit, it was rather…um…..kinda hot." Blaine said, blushing even more.

Kurt dropped his eyes, hid his huge grin and turned to walk into the living room. Blaine followed him in, smiling from ear to ear at the fact that he'd made Kurt nervous apparently.

"I don't do 'hot', Blaine. It's not in me." Kurt said, giving Blaine a skeptical look.

"Oh, Kurt, I beg to differ. The noises exiting your mouth this morning were just a hair under pornographic on the scale. Had the kids not been there I would have retreated to my bedroom alone and…begged you to keep eating pancakes." He laughed. Kurt spun to look at him, eyes wide and a look of utter astonishment on his face.

"WHAT? You…BLAINE!" he laughed, embarrassed. Suddenly he couldn't make eye contact at all. He felt his whole body heat up and he bit his lip to keep from making any strange little squeaking noises, because that's what he felt would come out if he opened his mouth now.

"Kurt….look at me. Seriously, whatever that was….you were…I mean, I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but that was….that was really turning me on. How can you not see that?" Blaine grinned.

"I told you…I don't do 'hot"….I'm not. I just don't…it's not me. You don't have to say that, Blaine." Kurt told him seriously.

"Kurt…can we sit down?" Blaine asked him. Kurt nodded and sat on the sofa a foot or so from Blaine, who immediately reached over and grabbed his hand. "Ok, before I give you my gift….I was hoping maybe we could go out this weekend sometime? Even if it's in the daytime, I just want to spend a little time with you…hang out, whatever you want to do?" Blaine asked with hearts in his eyes, all smiles and grins. It was then that Kurt noticed the bag in Blaine's other hand. No brand logo, non-descript…just there. Odd.

"Ok, yes….I'd love to." Kurt said with a grin. "When do you work?"

"Friday night and Sunday night. I didn't want to assume your Saturday night would be free, in case you had other plans or something because of course you could have other …um…plans, you know." Blaine said bashfully.

"No plans. Saturday night, then?" Kurt asked, smiling at how shy Blaine was acting.

"Saturday night!" Blaine said excitedly.

"Ok, so….what's in the bag, Blaine?" Kurt said, his curiosity piqued now.

"So after the kids left this morning, I started thinking about the other night….the goodnight kiss. It's really been weighing on me, Kurt. The look of terror and distrust in your eyes when I put my arms around you…..Christ Kurt, that nearly killed me. And I know it's all because I moved too fast…because I wasn't focused enough…because you're not ready for that…for me touching you. So…um….this morning I went shopping…" Blaine began, but now he was really blushing, and this peaked Kurt's interest. "I um….came across this storefront a week or so ago. I didn't go in at the time, I didn't have time. But I was pretty sure what I'd find inside. So today I went back, and they had exactly what I wanted….or needed for that matter, and I thought….well, I thought I'd just leave this here and if you find the desire to put this little gift to use, then just let me know. No pressure, no need to ask if I'm ok with it…I mean, I brought 'em here, right? So….yeah…I just thought…I thought they might make things easier."

Kurt was sitting there staring at the bag with wide eyes, absolutely uncertain as to what could be inside. He wanted to grab the bag from Blaine's hands and look inside but decided that would be fairly rude. So he waited, patiently, until Blaine handed the bag over.

"DON'T open it while I'm here. I'm sure that'll um….just don't, ok, until I leave. And then call me later if you want. Ok?" Blaine smiled reassuringly. "Alright?" he said hopefully.

"Ok….yeah. Can't I look?" Kurt whined a bit.

"NO! Absolutely not. Not until I leave, because…you holding….yeah. I don't think I'd be ok…I'd um…I'd want….yeah. Ok, I'm leaving. Call me later if you want, ok? I don't have to be to work until 8 or so." Blaine leaned over and pecked Kurt on the cheek lightly, then got up and walked to the door. He looked back over his shoulder, giving Kurt a sinful grin. "Oh, and Kurt? Baby, you seriously CAN do 'hot', so don't delude yourself into thinking you can't." Blaine winked and then sauntered out pulling the door closed behind him.

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"So….lunch, Mr. Sterling?" Nick asked, standing in the doorway of the classroom Jeff had had his last class in. Jeff's smile was so beautiful. Nick was temporarily stunned.

"Absolutely, let me grab my stuff. Where do you want to go?" Jeff asked.

"Don't care, but remember, I don't know where anything is, so you'll have to pick."

"Ok, well, what are you in the mood for?" Jeff asked.

"Hmmm, well there's a loaded question if I've ever heard one." Nick smirked.

"FOOD, weirdo, what do you want for lunch? Pizza? Burgers? Salad? Sandwich?"

"Hmmm, surprise me."

"Ok, let's go then. And Nick…over lunch…do you think we could maybe talk about…well…about you. What you do? For a living, that is. I mean, I know what you do at night, but I know there's more, and I don't mind telling you that this stuff with your dad is making me wonder what the 'family business' really is." Jeff asked, totally serious now.

"Yeah. We can absolutely talk. Anything you want to know, just ask. I don't intend to hide anything from you, Jeff." Nick answered him.

"Good….good…and um, one more thing. Can I uh…..can I drive that car to lunch?" Jeff snickered.

"Babe, if you like it, I'll buy you that car." Nick grinned at him.

The walked down the hallway and towards the front of the building, with the staff scurrying to the door as soon as they'd passed the office. There were oohs and ahhs and giggles as the ladies watched them leave, hand in hand. Jeff never turned around, but said loudly, "I'll be back after lunch, Marge, and thank you, Ebony, for alerting the faculty to my lunch plans!" More giggles followed them out the door.

They sat at lunch in Jeff's favorite spot. The sandwich shop was a regular spot for him and he knew the menu by heart. He was having half a sandwich and a bowl of soup and Nick was devouring a double decker with ham and turkey. Nick looked up and caught Jeff watching him intently.

"Ok, so….what do you want to know?" he smiled at Jeff.

"Everything. I want to know everything about you. Don't leave anything out." Jeff smiled hugely.

"I thought we were going over important stuff." Nick griped.

"Anything about you is important, Nicky….anything and everything. The big things, the little thing, the odd things….I just want to know you."

"I don't know what's left to tell you. I feel like we've talked so much since we've met….hours on end before we ever saw each other in person. I feel kind of boring, ya know? I don't do anything great and wonderful. I'm essentially a real estate agent if that makes things any more clear?" Nick stated matter of factly.

"Ok, well, that's something I didn't know!" Jeff laughed. "Why are you so closed off about telling me about it?"

"You know why. My dad….I work for him…for his company. I stay as far away from him and anything he touches as I possibly can. He's not an honest man, Jeff. My main function in this company is to find property to present to him. He'll buy it low, do some low cost updates and repairs and then sell it for massive profit. That's legit. The part that bothers me…." Nick trailed off, clearly uncomfortable .

"Nick…ok, yeah, I wanna know, but if it's bothering you to discuss this with me, then I'd rather you were comfortable with our conversation more than I want to pry."

"I said I'd be honest, and I intend to be. Everything in that office that I touch or that touches me is on the up and up. I've made it absolutely crystal clear to him that I will not hesitate to throw him under the bus if he drags me into something on the shady side of legal. I don't operate that way. But my dad….wow. He's ruthless, Jeff. He gets what he wants, and if he doesn't, he makes sure someone pays for that." Nick said, and he now looked rather dejected.

"So why was he in your office yesterday? Doesn't he work out of Chicago?" Jeff asked.

"Yeah, well, imagine MY surprise when he came barreling through the door like a maniac spouting off about a deal gone wrong and it probably being my fault because I'd 'let myself become distracted by a dick in tight pants'….right when you said you were in love with me. I was shocked, I was elated, I was beside myself and then there he was ruining the whole thing just by being there. I was furious, and all I wanted was to save you from the yelling that was about to happen. I handled it so wrong, Jeff. I'm sorry…I really should have explained myself." Nick said apologetically.

"I'm not angry or upset, Nicky. Not at all. I know now, and it's ok. I've heard him first hand when he's angry. I get it. So….tell me, why in the world did you 'jello' my question when I asked you about college and what you did for a living?" Jeff asked.

Nick sighed and took a bite of his sandwich, smirking at Jeff.

"Because it sounds pretentious and stuck up and we were just getting to know each other then. I didn't want to come across as some jackass that thought too much of himself. I figured in time we'd get to this point and you'd find out everything anyway." He grinned.

"What's stuck up about being a realtor? I'm not following."

"Um…well, that's what I do, mostly, but I handle a lot more stuff for my dad when it comes to real estate….because I'm…uh….I'm his real estate lawyer." Nick said, rather bashfully.

"You….you're a lawyer?" Jeff sputtered out, giggling.

"Why's that funny, Pretty Boy?" Nick laughed.

"I don't know. I can't even explain it, but…." He began giggling again, and found that he couldn't stop. "Gram's gonna love this…." He said, still snickering.

"Ok, ok. Laughs over. I never thought you'd react like that, Jeffie….but whatever." He grinned.

"Oh! OH! So where'd you go to law school?" Jeff asked, suddenly like an excitable puppy.

Nick shoved his sandwich in his mouth and mumbled out "hmmvdd", eyes downcast.

"I'm sorry…what?" Jeff grinned. "Tell me you did NOT say…"

"HARVARD! I went to Harvard for God's sake, now stop snickering at me like that!" Nick laughed. The people around them were glancing in their direction, but clearly smiling at the two men having lunch and sharing some inside joke. Jeff's smile was beautiful, and he was biting that bottom lip again. Nick was dying inside with what he wanted to do with that lip. He shifted in his seat, starting to feel a bit uncomfortable, and smirked.

"My boyfriend's a preppy Ivy League boy…" Jeff snickered out, shoving a bite in his mouth. He began giggling again, and Nick just shook his head at him.

"You bite that lip again and this 'boy' is gonna do things to you right here in this restaurant that might get us arrested." Nick said matter of factly and took another bite of his sandwich, eyeing Jeff hungrily. To Nick's surprise, Jeff was quick with a reply.

"Not if I get to you first, baby." He grinned, almost as if he was daring Nick to continue.

"Jeffrey, when we get home, you are in SO much trouble….." Nick began.

"Hmmm? You gonna spank me, Nicky?" Nick nearly choked on his soda as the lady at the table next to them giggled and blushed, shooting them a silly grin.

Halfway through lunch Jeff's phone rang, and he answered, after seeing it was Burt at the garage.

"Hey Burt, how's it going?" Jeff asked, all smiles.

"Well, it's going, but that's all I got, Jeff." Burt said, very lightheartedly. "But, I was kind of hoping you could come down to the shop if you have a minute today? I want to show you something. I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it was important."

"Sure…um…are we talking a few minutes you'll need me or an hour or…?" Jeff asked the open ended question.

"Just a few minutes of your time. I'll be quick."

"Ok, well, I'm eating lunch now, how 'bout I stop by on my way back to school?" Jeff asked.

"Sounds good. See you then!" Burt said, but some of the cheer from his voice was gone now.

"So like I said, Jeff, I was really surprised when I got there with the truck. There was no way I was going to be able to tow that car back with my normal truck. I had to call Jimmy for the flat bed and bring it in that way. I can't imagine who in the world would do this to your mom, God love her, but there it is. Every tire was flat when I got there."

"EVERY ONE?!" Jeff exclaimed. "She would have had to drive through a nail factory to flatten every tire, Burt!"

"Well, either that, or….now don't get all crazy on me here, someone slashed her tires. Look here…." He said, showing Jeff and Nick the deep gouge in the rubber of the tire. "This was no small nail, this was deliberate." Someone had come right into his mom's driveway, right up to the house, apparently, and shoved something sharp into all four tires.

"But who the hell would do that to mom?" Jeff asked, stunned. Nick remained quiet, but internally he was seething.

"I can't say, bud, but I really think, if I were you, I'd file a police report. This is criminal damage, no doubt about it." Burt suggested. "I shudder to think what kind of animal would do this to your mom. Maybe the creep just had the wrong house, ya know? Jealous ex-boyfriend, thinking he was at the house of his ex's new man? Who knows, Jeff. But it's scary, because that car was parked right up next to the house."

"Ok…yeah, I'll um…I'll tell mom and we can head down to the police station when I get home tonight. Thanks, Burt. Oh! Shit…how much will four new tires cost, anyway?" Burt gave him the figure and Jeff winced, knowing his mom would flip out over the cost. "Ok, well, go ahead and change them, if you will. And send the bill to me, will you, Burt? Mom will just freak out and worry."

"It's up on the lift now. I knew she'd need the tires, so I went ahead and had 'em start on it. It's almost done now."

"Yeah….ok, well, just send the bill to me, ok?"

"Actually, Burt…." Nick began. It was the first time he'd spoken since they'd entered the garage and Jeff had introduce the two. "If you have the invoice ready I'd like to take care of it. As a gift for Mrs. Sterling, if that's ok?"

"Mighty generous gift, Mr. Duval, but it's your dime!" Burt laughed, before heading back to the office with Nick's credit card. Nick went to follow and Jeff grabbed his arm.

"Nicky! What are you doing? There's no need for you to pay for the tires, go tell him not to run the card…" Jeff began.

"I'm not paying for them. My dad is. His company is. Because I'm fairly certain he is, somehow, some way, responsible for this. I'm fuming on the inside, Jeff. Please just let me do this and get out of here before I lose all sense of decorum in the middle of this garage." Nick smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. He was angry, Jeff could tell. Scratch that. He was absolutely furious. And suddenly Jeff was super aware of the situation and what it might mean. Nick's dad had sent someone to Caroline's house. His mom and Gram were inside. Anything could have happened. This was a warning.

Suddenly, the thrill of driving Nick's rental car was a memory, and now Jeff's stomach churned with fear and guilt. Because of him, his mom and Gram might be in danger.

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As soon as the door closed behind Blaine, Kurt's phone rang.

"Hey dad…" he said cheerfully.

"What's up, kiddo? Listen, I know what you're going to say but I feel like I have to ask you. It's not my place to just discard these things until you tell me to." Burt began.

"Another one?" Kurt said, dejected.

"Yeah…well, it's from the prison. There's no way to tell if it's from him, but I wasn't aware you knew any other 'inmates' that might send you mail, Kurt." Burt said, trying to keep things light.

"I don't even want to know. Just pitch it." Kurt said. "I have no interest whatsoever in anything he has to say to me. He could apologize until he dies and I wouldn't give him the time of day."

"Kurt….maybe you should at least read one? Maybe it's not even from him? What if it's from the prison itself…some news…some…I dunno, something?!" Burt asked, concerned.

"Dad, I don't have any interest in anything they have to tell me about Jackson. None at all. If he got food poisoning and keeled over, well then the world is now a better place. Just throw it out as you always do, and there's no need to tell me if anything else comes. I don't want it." Kurt said, very agitated now.

"Ok, kid, don't get all upset. It's gone now. Taking it out with the trash. Next time I won't call. I hate to upset you, Kurt, but it seems like you should at least open it. If it's from him, you don't read it. THEN throw it away, but it could be…." Burt began, but Kurt cut him off.

"Dad…please. I've been doing a little better…not freaking out as much I think. Don't put this back in my way, please. Just throw away anything that comes to the house that could possibly be from him."

"Ok, Kurt. I'll do that. So, how's everything else, kiddo?" Burt asked.

"Moving right along. I have to drop some cut sheets off to David today at the loft. Irene found some furniture in a style I adore and she's going to order my office furniture today. I'm so excited! I have an office, dad. How weird is that?!" Kurt squealed. Burt just laughed into the phone and shook his head.

"Well, you have nothing less than you deserve, Kurt. You've been pushed around and shoved down your whole life. I'm so happy to see things finally going your way, kiddo, really I am. You'll have to send Carole photos of your office when it's done. She'll want to see."

"I wouldn't have to send photos if you came up to see it in person…hint hint." Kurt grinned.

"I hear ya, we're workin' on it, bud. Soon, I promise. Maybe I'll surprise you and just show up?" Burt laughed.

"Give me at least a few minutes warning so I don't have laundry laying all over, dad!" Kurt laughed back.

"Uh huh, I'm SURE it was me catching you with dirty laundry that was making you worry, right?" Burt teased.

"DAD!" Kurt blushed and grinned into the phone, pulling the bag that Blaine had brought over open enough to see what was inside while he kept talking. "I told you it's not like that with…..with….oh my…." Kurt took a steadying breath and sat on the sofa with a humph. "I….dad, I have to um….can I call you back?"

"Sure buddy, everything ok?"

"Uh huh…yep…I'm just…I have to….I'll uh… call you back. Love you, dad." He said with the breath rushing from his lungs, and disconnected the call. "Blaine….what have you done?!" he whispered urgently.

Burt hefted the full garbage bag out of the kitchen can and tied the strings, taking it to the curb. He could hear the garbage truck down the road and didn't want this bag sitting for a week until it was collection day again. Something was niggling at his mind, though, and when he got to the curb, he tore the bag slightly and searched through the top of it, looking for the letter he'd just tossed inside. Finding it, he hesitated a moment, but remembered from all the cop shows he'd watched that once someone's trash hit the curb, it was public property. He snickered at the logic.

"Lord, forgive me for prying if I'm wrong, but I just need to know that he's still safe…" Burt muttered, ripping the envelope open, reading the lines on the letter carefully.

'Dear Mr. Hummel,

This is our fifth and final attempt to contact you regarding prisoner number 157339, Jackson T. Hardy. The cell phone number that you left with us is no longer in service, and we have not had any luck searching directory assistance for a permanent address or phone number. As you have not responded to our requests to contact us, we have only to assume that you have not received any prior notifications that our office has sent."

Blah blah blah….Burt read on. Nothing important….blah blah bla…..

"….to inform you that prisoner number 157339 has been released since our first alert letter was sent to your previously listed address, which our records show to be your father's residence. We are aware that this release date is earlier than the time frame of his sentencing in court, however, due to good behavior…..blah blah blah…. Please know that we have made every effort to contact you over the past 10 weeks to allow you time to…." Burt stopped reading and went pale. He felt his hands start to shake and he nearly dropped the letter on the front lawn. "Oh my God…OH MY GOD! Kurt!" Burt yelled, heading for the phone in the house. The car across the street that didn't belong to any of his neighbors didn't even register on his radar.