Episode 7, Episode 2:

Kurt called Blaine after he left his last class and afternoon tutoring session. The shorter boy always sounded like he answered the phone with a smile, which was actually true. Kurt had to believe that smile was just for him.

"My mom has me on an errand so I'm in a town car right now heading to Hell's Kitchen," Kurt noticed a sigh from Blaine as the boy diminished slightly, knowing he probably wouldn't have time to talk.

"Oh, that's okay, there's always tomorrow."

Kurt took advantage of that segue way to mention the thing he had been thinking about since he talked to Quinn.

"Actually, I was wondering if maybe your family is busy tonight, we could hang out."

"I'm never usually busy."

"No, I mean your family… your sister and dad?"

"Rachel's with friends and my dad had to go back into the shop, why do you ask?" Blaine's head tilted like a puppy's would as he tried to understand Kurt's interest. Kurt felt all the dirtier for corrupting the poor boy who obviously wasn't getting the message.

"I could come over." Kurt waited as the pieces connected.

"Oh! You want to…" Blaine looked over his shoulder in case anyone was listening in.

"No, no not necessarily that!" Kurt yelled a little too loudly into the phone. He would blame it on the city sirens. "But we can finish up what we started this morning, the bell caught us a little early."

"I agree," he smiled devilishly. It still sounded a bit too sweet for Kurt's intentions. "I'll make sure no one's coming home. I can make dinner!" he added as an exciting afterthought.

"You don't have to."

"I'd like to though. Some alfredo with lots of cheese and carbs. You'll eat it for me?"

"I'll eat anything for you." They both blushed red though neither of them could see it. Who knew talking about food could become so sexy? This could be a big night depending on how far they went.

Blaine started counting the minutes as he waited for Kurt to come over. He changed into his navy Merc Jenz Sleeveless Jumper, short-sleeved checkered button-down and grey cuffed chinos. [3x01] He locked the door to Rachel's room, which was still a mess of her costume materials from the party. The kitchen was always clean because he cooked dinner there the most, and the living room didn't matter as much because after dinner, the plan was to move to the bedroom, not watch a movie.

Kurt texted again when he was outside, and Blaine finished pouring a hefty spoon of spaghetti into the good brown glass bowls and poured sparkling cider into flasks. When Kurt knocked, Blaine was at the door.

"You made it."

"I promised I wouldn't skip another date that I planned," he smiled self-mockingly. Blaine shook his head and let him in. Kurt dressed perfect as always in Opening Ceremony Cor Sine Labe Doli Primo Patterned Ceramic Bowtie, white long-sleeved button-down shirt, grey vest, and Thomas Engel Hart for Underground Kinky Winky ankle boots with metal. [season 3 promo] Kurt showed him the bottle of wine he'd brought with him.

"Wine? Okay…"

"What is it?" he questioned hearing the uncertainty.

"I'd opened some sparkling cider." Kurt's eyes widened as he realized how jerky that move was. It was old Kurt looking for liquor. He did this even when he was trying to be perfect for Blaine.

"I love cider!" he said before finally seeing what the other boy had done for him. There were candles everywhere. "Blaine, this is—"

"Too much? I'm sure it's a fire hazard so my dad and the landlord would have a fit, but I had this perfect idea for dinner, and it involved lots of candles. What do you think?"

"What do you think I'm going to think? Blaine, this is the most amazing thing anyone's ever done for me."

"I'm happy if you're happy. Are you hungry?"

"Starved, I told myself not to snack before so I could enjoy everything you cooked."

"Well I appreciate that. Shall we?" he bowed like an aristocratic butler and stepped in so that Kurt could adjust to the glow of the room.

The entire dinner he was on his best behavior. He would not rush. They talked about this earlier, and Blaine said he was perfectly fine if they didn't rush. Kurt had all the experience anyway so he shouldn't pressure him to start anything. Blaine's mind completely drifted from anything sexual. The mood was romantic and loving. When they'd talked long enough with the plates still on the table, he made the move to put the dishes away and turned on his Roxy Music playlist. Kurt helped him wash, but rather than dry, Blaine mostly danced around. When they were done, Blaine took his hands to spin him around and around.

"Blaine!" he laughed as they twirled out of the kitchen. Lost in the moment, Kurt didn't see the need of moving to the bedroom. They were having innocent fun, and he enjoyed it more than he thought he would.

The shorter boy saw an opportunity in the interim between two songs to attach his lips again to Kurt's. It caught him off guard, but in the best way. Kurt smiled mischievously and kissed him harder. Blaine fell back onto the couch with the pressure, and they both laughed until he noticed how vulnerable he was. Kurt didn't know what the sudden seriousness in Blaine's eyes meant so he paused his ministrations to see what move Blaine would make.

Just as Blaine closed his eyes and offered his lips for another kiss, Tina walked in the door wearing a Forever 21 black Corset Trench Dress, Hot Topic fingerless gloves, and Mini Lover Boots. [Grilled cheesus]

"I smell pasta! OH!" she said immediately spotting them. Kurt couldn't hide his disappointment at the shattered moment. Blaine rolled sideways off the couch to get up.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came for food. I assumed you and your family would be home. I wouldn't have intruded if I'd known…"

"No, it's—fine. Tina, this is Kurt. Kurt, Tina, one of my oldest friends."

"Hi, nice to finally meet you! We almost crossed paths at Theatricality, but it was probably better off we didn't talk then."

"I didn't know you were there. How did you get in?"

"Back entrance… you don't want to know. I'll go. Practice my knocking on doors before barging in. Sorry I ruined it," Tina said turning to go back out the door. She briefly saw the judgment in Kurt's eyes and didn't want to see any more. Blaine gave her a half-smile as he locked the door after her.

The mood was ruined no matter what. Blaine walked slowly back to the living room while Kurt looked around the television, and when he turned around, he was holding a DVD copy of 'Mamma Mia.' Blaine smiled. This was exactly what he hadn't planned, but it would be fine for tonight.

Spotted: Puck at the palace bar, drinking away his woes and investment capital.

Puck didn't care! He repeated to himself. He got plastered and forgot to meet Quinn at the club he wanted to buy. He should have known better than to attempt to care about anything because it never worked out. His dad was an ass, but he expected more, only to have his hopes shatter like a stained-glass window. Puck tended to get angry when he was drunk and take it out on the other people, which was why when he later saw a dark-skinned waitress sneaking around with his dad when he knew that his dad was secretly tied to Carole, he couldn't wait to tell her. Again, he didn't care about consequences; he wanted results. Maybe he'd take him seriously if he saw the kind of power and insight he had into the business.

Sam similarly had another failed attempt at talking to his mother. This time she shooed him out of the room to get dressed rather than listen to things Sam recently learned from Sandy.

Just after school, Sam went to his dad's office. One thing on his calendar stood out from all the others. Every three days there was an 'X' written in a timeslot from 4 to 4:30pm. So, this was the time Sam decided would be best for spying.

Sam followed Sandy from the moment he left his office until he went to an abandoned staircase. It didn't take long before a shady-looking janitor passed him and took a matchbox size wad of marijuana. It was an obvious exchange, but they didn't know he was looking so they were completely at ease, like they'd done this hundreds of times before. This looked a lot worse than Sam originally thought. He could have in the past believed that Sandy only used drugs to take the edge off on the hardest days, but an exchange with a drug dealer in a spot where they always met meant that his father was a greater player than he imagined.

This problem was what April wanted nothing to do with. Both of his parents had their vices, but now there was something new ready to tear them apart. How long could his mother be gullible enough to believe that they could pretend no problems existed? How long could his father be naïve enough to believe there would not be consequences?

Quinn was pissed, but also secretly bummed, when Puck didn't show up at the place he told her to meet him. Then again, it was a relief that he didn't want to hold what happened at the party over her anymore, or so she believed. Instead of standing there like a loser much longer, she went to the park with her girls. Rachel was an honorary member, and she wanted to bring her in more. Trust and jealousy were the best tools in determining friends and their loyalty. If a "friend" were to take their information and squeal to the population, then it could be the start of the new world order. Quinn hated anarchy more than anything so she let Rachel in on the news about the ring.

Halfway into Quinn's story, Rachel understood what this whole story was about, and she didn't want to hear more. Now she would have to use her information even if Quinn didn't want to hear it. She couldn't keep her in the dark with such a massive secret lurking. Rachel knew there was no way her poker face was good enough to fool Quinn. The beast of all secrets would eat her whole. Quinn saw through her in an instant.

"What is it? You should be happy I might become Mrs. Samuel Evans Rhodes Ryerson."

"It's just, I'm not sure how attached he is to you. I mean maybe you like him more than he likes you. Wouldn't you want to know for sure before you get too excited?"

"Sam doesn't like me, he loves me," Quinn corrected immediately. Him not loving her was preposterous. She had some fears before, but she wasn't about to let on about the times he'd failed her. Since Kurt happened, she knew he acted weird around her, but there was always an understanding that they were perfect together. Santana snickered and called them affectionately, of course, Ken and Barbie all the time, but she didn't mind. Even though he hadn't looked for her at the party like she wanted him too, it didn't mean he didn't love her or thought they were over.

"Quinn, there's something… I guess I need to tell you, and you aren't going to like it."

"What?" she poised herself to hear anything. Rachel was expendable and could be banished if her news wasn't worth getting worked up for.

"I don't want to hurt your feelings Quinn. I care about our friendship, and you won't like what I have to say—,"

"Get on with it!"

"Well, when we were at Theatricality, Finn and I were in the bathroom, and we heard Sam confess his feelings for Kurt. Kurt brushed him off!" she emphasized because she knew how the first part would sound, and she was Team Kurt too. "But Sam was very drunk and… desperate, I guess. He's not over him."

Quinn's expression couldn't be put into words. She was mostly in shock. She couldn't process the news. Her train of thoughts kept starting and stopping; her mouth looked a bit like a guppies' while she figured out a response.

"Get out Rachel, and don't come back," she eventually said evenly with ice in her voice. The smaller girl listened; she couldn't take back the truth. Quinn needed time, and then she'd realize how good a friend she'd been to look out for her.

Quinn faked sickness so she would not have to go with her mom to Sam's house. They did their business deals, and now that it was over, they were supposed to be celebrating, but she couldn't stomach being around the blonde-headed rascal. In all honesty, she was genuinely physically sick enough to not leave her house. Brittany and Santana kept her some company, but they were always about each other. Quinn never asked them about it, but she knew that Santana and Brittany had lots of sexual experience. She couldn't help but believe that they'd probably been together at least a few times, seeing them at least kept her mind out of her other woes. She called Kurt to come over, but he hadn't responded.

She knew that Kurt hadn't hurt her on purpose, but it did feel like betrayal again. He had no idea the state she was in, and he was probably out somewhere with Blaine.

Rachel got to Kurt first. The taller boy was still at Blaine's. While Blaine answered a work call from his dad, his sister entered the apartment with bad news. Hopefully, he wouldn't shoot the messenger; she walked a tight line between closest alliances.

"You heard everything?" Kurt asked her baffled.

"Well, once the door opened, I didn't want to be caught with Finn. Then I wasn't going to say anything, but it's the truth. I'm trying to get in her inner circle."

"That's why Quinn called me earlier. I didn't answer. She must hate me again."

"I don't think she does. She knows that Sam and her aren't working out. I mean there was talk about giving her Sam's family engagement ring so hopefully that won't happen now."

"He was going to give her a ring!"

"That's what she said…"

Kurt shook his head dumbfounded. He couldn't believe Sam would even consider such a crazy thing. Sam would rather be stupid and miserable then take the time to figure himself out? He was bringing Quinn down with him.

Rachel looked serious. He hadn't spoken to Blaine about it yet, but he might need to leave early. He didn't plan to tell him all the details. Certain things were kept between those who were on a need-to-know, and Blaine didn't need to worry about Sam. He was harmless when he wasn't hurting anyone's relationships. Rachel beat him to the punch, explaining the whole situation in a long breath to a confused Blaine.

"You have to leave right now?" Blaine pouted looking down.

"I think—"

"Kurt, it's not as serious as a heart attack. She's just sad about something, but there's nothing you could do right now, right?" Blaine waited in the silence before proceeding to grumpily wash a soapy dish. He waited for Kurt to get up and leave. Kurt was always at Quinn's beck and call.

Kurt worried his lip as he watched his boyfriend. This would not give him any points if he left right now. He might even lose what precious few he had.

"Okay, after...," Kurt leaned back.

"Dessert," it was not a question. Blaine smiled.

Sam was alone at the party. If Quinn had been there, maybe he might have been able to sit through it, but there was no excuse for the way his father was behaving. He was drunk and probably high but wholly embarrassing. He kept talking about this ring his mother had and Judy looked so excited believing that one day that ring would be on her daughter's finger. It was like he had no purpose being there. They could have discussed and planned out his future with him in the other room. They would not have noticed if he jumped off the balcony. He hated being there and figured that if he went to his room and strummed his guitar, he could hide from their idiocy. He tried to excuse himself, but Sandy wanted to excuse the two of them. Sam couldn't say no, or he could, but what would be the point?

The father and son were silent in the elevator and finally spoke as they left the lobby. For some reason, Sandy was upset with him. Something about not being cheerful enough...

"This is a big day for us! Celebrating business and family and you haven't cracked a smile once. I'm assuming and hoping it is just because Quinn isn't here."

"No dad, that is not it at all. I'm not sure I even want to be with Quinn anymore; that is all your idea. You have a problem, dad! I know you are doing drugs and dealing drugs, and it's messing with your life. And now, you are dragging me into it."

"I'm not dragging you into anything. I have no idea what you're talking about!" Sandy said with mock annoyance.

"The drugs dad, I've seen you…selling them to someone in a stairway, I was there. It's bad enough I have to deal with seeing my dad acting like a criminal, but then I come home and you're in complete denial of everything. You let me take the fall with mom, and you know how fragile she can be, and then to make it worse, you trying to pair me off with a girl that I don't love anymore."

"Well, that's the first I heard of that!" Sandy's eyes widen like saucers.

"That's all you heard from what I just said?" Sam moved away, and Sandy held onto his arm with a grip that his son never believed he had.

A policeman walking at night strode closer from across the street. Sandy immediately let him go. Sam didn't let up. He didn't want it to go this far, but he felt desperate. He couldn't live like this. He spoke back to his father and tussled with him. The policeman called for backup, and ten minutes later, they were both in the back of the squad car.

~A.N. Another classic Klaine kiss inspired by the scene in Season 5 after they sing "You make me feel so young"- the only difference being that Sam interrupts them in the show and here we have Tina! Also, how do we feel about the downward spiral of Sandy. He was always a wild one. Got to be worried about him.