A/N We want to thank Datshitrandom on Tumblr for the amazing fan art she created for this story. Please go check out her page to see her talented work!

Reviews always welcome!

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Chapter Twelve

Kurt had decided to go to the venue early on Monday, not wanting to be around when Blaine and Wes spoke with Tina. Blaine wished he was there as he sat across from the Asian woman at the table they'd eaten dinner at the night before. Her face was unreadable as Wes spoke.

"Your contract clearly states that anything you say or do that casts Blaine or the show in a bad light can be used as grounds for termination. At this point, we are giving you the chance to do damage control. You have two options. You can make a statement to the press and on Social Media stating that you said what you did as a way to lash out towards certain members of the cast and crew for things that were meant to be private, or you can leave at the end of the tour, your services no longer required."

Tina's eyebrows went sky high. "What do you mean, my services no longer required?"

Blaine's expression was neutral, though on the inside, he was still seething about a few things. "In your time away from the show, I've made arrangements for more balanced performances between the female assistants. Kurt may be my lead male assistant, but even he, Elliott, and Mike have more equally divided routines than you and the girls do."

Her eyes narrowed. "You mean, you are taking my stage time and giving it to Rachel and Quinn? Why?"

Blaine shrugged. "Because you seem to be under the impression that you are superior to them, for one. But also because it is the practical thing to do. Quinn has already been injured during practice. What would happen if you got injured, or became sick? Who would fill in for you if no one else knew the routines? We've already begun training Quinn and Rachel in some of the other tricks that have until now been your sole domain, so that they can take over in case of emergency."

Tina just stared at him, wondering why he would do this to his longest and most trusted assistant. Instead of abiding by her wishes to get rid of the others, he was training them to take over her acts. How was that even fair?

Before she could say anything though, Wes spoke up again. "What happened to you, Tina? When this all started out, you used to be so selfless, and now...well, you're more of a spoiled diva than Rachel."

She glared at him. "There wouldn't be a Blaine Blackwell without me! I'm the one who came up with his stage name. I'm the one who made him look good. And I'm the one who helped him win that contest."

"Actually, Kurt and Raja are what won us the contest," Blaine corrected.

Tina snorted. "We could have still won without them."

Wes and Blaine exchanged a look. Clearly, they were not getting through to her. Blaine didn't want to go down a road he had hoped to avoid, but as it were, she was starting to leave him no choice. He had one last pitch.

"I want you to watch something, Tina," he said, getting up and pulling an old videotape out of his bag. He stuck it in the VCR of the TV and pressed play. It was an old home movie of one of their earliest rehearsals together, all those years ago when Blaine had first found her.

The image on the screen showed teenage Tina and Blaine as they tried to perform a serious illusion, but kept making each other laugh. But they never gave up, until at last, they managed to successfully do the quick change in a box illusion.

Blaine shut his eyes and swallowed, trying to fight back the threat of tears as he watched with Tina and Wes. "I miss that Tina! What happened to her? I just want my best friend back," he said quietly, slightly choked up.

She sat back in her seat, arms crossed over her stomach. "You say I'm your best friend, but you were the one who began pushing me away, Blaine. You started riding on a different bus, spending less time with me. And now I read in some newspaper article that you've been seeing someone else, and you never told me. Why? And Who?"

Blaine stood up from the table, palms flat on it, and arms shaking. "I never pushed you away. I may have started spending less time with you because anytime I tried to turn things into a group thing because I love hanging out with lots of people, you got mad at me. You made this up in your head that we were more than just friends and I'm sorry Tina, but that's never going to happen. I didn't want to be one of those people because I cared about you and that's why I never said anything. But this ends here and now. I'm not ready to say who I'm seeing, but you have to know, I'm gay."

She looked as if he'd just slapped her in the face. "What? No! That's a lie! This can't be happening to me again!"

"That, that right there is exactly why I was afraid to tell you the truth. I didn't want to be another one of those guys." He squeezed his eyes shut and turned to Wes. "I'm sorry, Wes, I need to get out of here now, or else we'll be canceling the show tonight."

Wes just nodded. "Go. I'll continue this conversation with Tina." He waited until the magician had left before looking at Tina again.

"I'm going to suggest you seek counseling for your emotional issues. And I must insist you make those statements to the press and on Social Media immediately. I can help you draft them if you want, but either way I will read them and approve them before you release them. If you refuse, then I regret to say your contract will be voided at the end of the tour. Also, if you try to sabotage Blaine's career in any way, you will be dismissed on the spot, tour be damned. Understood?"

"Why am I the bad guy here? You just let Blaine break my heart and I'm the bad guy?"

Wes looked at her for a long moment. "You know, I'm starting to think you don't deserve the nice things people have done for you recently. Normally, I don't go around telling everyone the reasons for things. But Kurt suggested Mike take Sebastian's place because he's a friend of Kurt's and a fan of yours. We brought him here for you."

She frowned. "Mike? Why would he like me? No one else seems to."

"Well maybe that's something you should ask him. But we needed someone on short notice and Kurt thought that other than the fact he's a professional dancer, his presence might help you feel, well, maybe less lonely."

She looked down at her feet. "Why would Kurt do that for me?"

Wes looked at her for a long moment. "Because you've only chosen to see what you want to see. I think one of the reasons Kurt has so much trouble getting along with you is because he and Blaine got off on the wrong foot, and you both got stuck there. He's not a bad person, Tina. Yes, he can have a meanstreak, but other than Blaine, I've never known a more caring, kind, or selfless person. Blaine told you that he and Elliott and Mike split routines more evenly, despite Kurt being the lead male assistant. What he didn't tell you, was that it was Kurt's idea."

She was quiet for so long, Wes wondered if she was starting to see the big picture or not. "Fine. I'll make the statements to the press and on Social Media."

Wes nodded. "Good. And I will make arrangements for you to speak with a counselor when we arrive in Tucson."

…

AsianMagic: I would like to apologize to BBlackwell. My actions and words were never meant to hurt him or cause him to be painted as the bad guy. I lashed out in an emotional outburst, without thinking about the consequences. I beg forgiveness from all of Blaine's fans.

KurtHummelRockstheMagic: I'm not exactly impressed with that apology, but I'll give you points for making the effort.

BlaineKurtElliott: I hope you really are sorry, for Blaine's sake.

lestersbonnet (Formerly Kina4eva): Shame on you, Tina. You almost ruined a man's reputation with your lies.

BBlackwell: Guys, please take it easy on Tina. I've accepted her apology, and I would hope all of you will as well. She needs love and support right now. Not finger pointing and hate.

RachelBerryGoldStar: Blaine is right. Tina needs our love right now, and I for one am deeply sorry for any part I may have played in her current emotional state.

GlaszandPorcelain: We welcome Tina back with open arms. Peace to all.

KingRaja: MREOW! (Translation; Welcome back, Tina!)

BlaineKurtElliott: I suppose if Blaine and Kurt can forgive her, I can too. Sorry.

IShipBlina: I still have hope for my Blina, although now I'm not so certain Blaine deserves her after all of this. She could do so much better.

BlackbirdTears: I was going to keep my silence, but I cannot anymore. I'm sorry IShipBlina, but if you really shipped Blaine and Tina, you would love each of them equally and stop blaming Blaine because you're upset they aren't a couple.

BBlackwellDisallusioned666: This is all Kurt's Fault, and he WILL pay!

klainetkm: Please forgive my friend, IShipBlina. She just got dumped by her boyfriend, and all this confusion with Blaine and Tina has just been the straw that broke the camel's back.

blueandhazellove: klainetkm, I'm sorry for your friend, but that is still no reason to take it out on Blaine.

blueandhazellove: Reported BBlackwellDisallusioned666

…

Kurt was pacing backstage. These threats were beginning to make him a little nervous. He'd thought once the last account had been reported, that might be the end of it. He'd never considered the person might be stupid enough to just make another account and keep going. It felt like he had some sort of sick stalker.

"Kurt?" The blue eyed man whipped his head around to see Quinn standing behind him. She walked up and put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

He could have covered, said he was fine. But he knew that if he lied, she would just go get Blaine and now was not the time to worry the magician with more of these threats. Not to mention, they hadn't been staying off their professional accounts either, including Blaine.

"Not really, no," he said honestly.

"You're worried about the threats," she replied. It wasn't a question. By now, with as much time as they spent together, Quinn knew Kurt nearly as well as she knew Blaine.

"Is it that obvious?" he asked.

Quinn squeezed his shoulder. "It's going to be okay. None of us will let anything happen to you. We could talk to Wes about extra security."

He shook his head. "We don't even know if Wes has seen the threats. I'd really rather not have him ask questions when we bring it up."

The blonde woman let out a sigh. "Fine," she said. "But until we catch this guy, I'm insisting you not go anywhere alone."

"Yes, mom," Kurt replied, rolling his eyes. She shook her head at him and gave him a sort of 'are you kidding me' type of look. "Sorry," he muttered.

"You better go, don't want to miss your cue," she said.

"Right." He cracked his neck a couple of times and headed for the stage.

…

A sweet romantic music started up as the curtains opened to reveal a setup like a Parisian cafe. The backdrop was of a lovely Paris street and the Eiffel Tower in the background. Kurt sat perched on one of the cafe chairs, a beret on his head. He had a cappuccino in front of him and another across the table and kept glancing at his watch.

On the other side of the stage, Blaine stood against a lamppost. Upstage center stood a cobblestone printed box. There was a fixture beside it that appeared to be a ladder, but closer inspection revealed the rungs were actually swords.

Blaine watched Kurt as he again glanced at his watch, a frown overtaking his face. He appeared to be waiting for someone, who it seemed was not likely to show. The magician stopped a woman selling flowers (who was actually just Rachel in costume) and bought a rose from her. He then proceeded across the street and tapped a sullen looking Kurt on the shoulder. The other looked up. Blaine smiled and offered him the rose. Kurt mustered a small smile back and took it with a nod of thanks. He brought it in and smelled it.

At that moment, the violinists for the cafe picked up their tempo and Blaine glanced at them before he looked back at Kurt and held out his hand, offering a dance.

Kurt hesitated only a moment before he reached out and took the magician's hand. Blaine pulled him up and into a waltz. They spun around the Parisian street, back towards the box. Blaine watched the frown on the other's face turn upside down and Kurt opened his mouth in silent laughter.

Blaine's smile was always so genuine in these moments and he twirled Kurt around and back into his arms, the taller man sliding his hand down the magician's cheek.

A drum beat kicked in and the tempo of the strings picked up faster still as Blaine spun Kurt back away, leading the latter off to dance a contemporary piece as Blaine moved to the box and undid its latches, the door swinging open. He waved his hand through it to show it was indeed an empty box.

Kurt danced for a few moments, his movements passionate to the tempo of the violins and the drum beat. Blaine removed his hand and Kurt spun back toward him, delicately stepping back into the box one foot at a time. He shimmied down into it as Blaine re-latched the door and then slowly spun the box in a circle.

The drums kicked in louder as the strings fell away to a more silent rhythm and Blaine drew out the first sword from the ladder. He spun in a circle, dancing with the sword before he slid it through the side of the box, all the way until it came out the other side. The audience let out a gasp. Blaine returned to the ladder and spun away with the second sword, taking a moment to twirl this one before he slid it through the front of the box and right out the backside. The audience gasped again. Blaine came back for the third and final sword and danced his way behind the box with it before pushing it down through the top, and the audience gasped one more time.

The strings picked up in tempo again as the magician spun the box in another slow circle before he moved to open the door and when he did, he came to a halt in front of the box, shielding it from view. Offstage, Quinn and Elliott exchanged looks, knowing that something must have been wrong.

This particular model of the sword box allowed for the box to sit directly on the stage floor. It was made with a material that was easy to slide around. The placement of the box itself onstage, depended on the layout of the stage they were working with and the area they needed for the particular secret in this version.

"What's going on?" Elliott whispered to Quinn.

"I don't know!" she whispered back.

The drums and the violins kept playing, despite the fact that the magician had halted, standing in front of the open box. What no one else could see was that Kurt was halfway in the box, his legs and waist were just beneath the stage floor.

"What happened?" Blaine whispered, so that the audience couldn't hear him over the microphone.

Kurt shook his head. "I don't know," he whispered back. "The trapdoor just sort of jammed while I was trying to move through it!"

Blaine frowned. This had never happened before and he had a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't an accident either, but now was not the time to think about it. Now was the time to rectify the incident so that the audience didn't catch on that something was wrong. He briefly glanced over his shoulder to where a curtain that was meant for just a bit later in the illusion was lying down.

"Do you think you can use that super flexibility of yours and bend out of sight for a moment?" he whispered to Kurt. "I've got an idea."

Kurt studied his situation. "Yeah, I think I can. It will be a little bit cramped, but not undoable. Though we might have to forego the costume change. I can't exactly get to the outfit now," he said.

Blaine nodded his head and blew him a kiss. The assistant rolled his eyes and moved to duck out of sight as fast as he possibly could.

Blaine drew the audience's attention back to him as he made a show of dancing over to the curtain and picking it up. Kurt was ducked down, but not entirely out of sight so he distracted the audience long enough to not catch the very slight arch of his back that could still be seen in the box until he was able to drape the curtain over the front of the box. This was not normally how he would do this illusion, but he was attempting to improvise. Hopefully, Kurt would at least be able to wiggle himself back out of the trapdoor. Blaine couldn't move the box, or take the curtain off until he was certain things were okay.

He took his time withdrawing the swords and dancing around with them, until he heard Kurt knock on the wall, an indication that he'd managed to free himself from being stuck. Blaine spun the box around slowly once more and pulled the curtain off to Kurt standing and posing fabulously.

The audience erupted into applause as the two danced around the stage a few beats longer before coming to a close in an embrace.

…

"What the hell happened?" Elliott asked after the finale. He and Quinn had immediately converged on Kurt's dressing room, unsurprised to find Blaine already there. "You've done that trick a million times, and I've never seen you make a mistake!"

"It wasn't a mistake," Blaine said. "And it wasn't an accident. Someone deliberately messed with the trap door beneath the box. It worked perfectly fine during rehearsal. I sent Sam down to check it out. He should be back any time now."

As if on cue, there was a knock on the dressing room door. Raja let out a little chuffing sound when Kurt opened the door.

"Bad news," Sam said. "Someone had already broken down the mechanism by the time I got there. It was completely disassembled, no way of telling if it had been tampered with."

Blaine furrowed his brow. "Well I'm not changing my mind. Someone deliberately messed with it. I just wish there was a way to prove it!"

Elliott froze for a moment, a contemplative look on his face.

"What's that look for?" Kurt said, scratching Raja behind the ears.

"Assuming that Blaine is right, and this was deliberate, we can scratch Sebastian off the suspect list. He's not here anymore."

Quinn frowned now as well. "I think we can scratch Tina off as well. She hasn't had the time to do anything like that, as she was working with either Rachel or me all night. Plus, I don't think she would know how to sabotage something like that. The rigging, maybe, but not the mechanism that operates that type of trap door."

Sam looked confused. "You think someone is deliberately messing with things? I know the police in Houston said that someone messed with the rigging, but they couldn't say for sure who, or if it was deliberate. They said it could have been accidental."

Blaine frowned again. "Where did you hear that?"

The blonde man shrugged. "My cousin's brother in law is a cop in Houston."

Kurt shook his head. "It was deliberate. I saw someone wearing gloves doing something shifty back there earlier in the show."

Sam was frowning again. "If you say you saw someone, then I believe you, dude. Have you talked to Adam about it?"

Kurt and Blaine exchanged a look. Blaine let out a sigh. "Adam now appears to be our top suspect."

Sam didn't seem surprised. "I knew there was a reason I didn't like the guy."

"He kind of fits the bill though, much more to a T than the other two," Quinn pointed out. "I mean, he wants Kurt for himself, which gives him a reason to want to hurt Blaine, whether physically or emotionally, and he's in a position where he would know exactly how to tamper with riggings and trapdoors, not to mention, he'd know what rigged what."

The five of them were quiet for a moment as realization dawned on them. Why hadn't they thought of this before?

Blaine had a sudden thought. "Why would he admit that it appeared to have been tampered with though?" he asked after a moment.

"Isn't that obvious?" Kurt asked. "So no one would suspect he had anything to do with it."

Sam was quiet a moment, glancing between Kurt and Blaine. "Wait a minute," he said. "Why aren't you two fighting?"