A/N - Lots of Niff in this chapter, but it's to set things up. And it's a LOT of Niff smut...rated M...you've been warned! lol

I haven't forgotten Klaine, so don't worry! I promise! It's been a little tougher writing them after Kurt told Blaine everything about Jackson...so I'm trying to get it right. I don't want to be totally melancholy about it, but I don't want to blow it off like it's not a big deal, because it truly is...for anyone who has had that happen.

Thanks to all of you for the great comments and pm's. I get so excited when I get a new message...I'm such a dork! But seriously, it makes my day and makes me want to write more...and more quickly!

And to those of you who have rec'd my story to others and on your own work, I can't thank you enough! Thanks for making Crowded House part of your day!

CHAPTER 25

Jeff woke up, slowly, the sunlight filling Nick's room and causing him to throw an arm over his face and groan. Oddly, in such a situation, he'd figured his first thought would have been "where am I?" but he was crystal clear this morning and well aware that he was lying in Nick's bed, the man's arm thrown over his stomach. Glancing at the clock he realized that their little "nap" had gone on for 6 hours and it was almost noon.

Slipping out of bed he headed for the bathroom, splashing some water on his face to wake himself up. He found the new toothbrush Nick told him about, and put it to use. He then hit the kitchen in search of some coffee of any kind. No luck. In fact, the fridge was nearly empty of anything but condiments and the freezer was a lost cause unless they wanted French fries or broccoli with cheese sauce for brunch. He decided to leave Nick a note and slip out to find a coffee shop.

"Don't they allow you to go home?" Jeff joked, approaching Terrance at the front entrance.

"Good morning, Mr. Sterling. You look well rested today." Terrance smirked. Jeff blushed.

"Yeah, about that…..please don't think poorly of Nick….Mr. Duval. He didn't take advantage of me or anything. It's just that I was out late partying Friday night, and then didn't sleep in my own bed, and got back to Blaine's way too early on Saturday, and then by the time I saw Nick last night it was late already, so when we went walking and…..well, by the time we got here I was beat!"

Jeff watched Terrance as he spoke, noticing how his eyebrows were raising a little higher at each revelation. He replayed his own conversation in his head and realized how bad it sounded.

"Oh wait…no no no…that's not right. Let me rephrase that. Holy cow….um. Ok, my best friend is Blaine, and he's from Ohio, where I'm from, and that's how I met Nick, because they work together, but Nick wasn't supposed to be home this weekend, he was supposed to be in Chicago…." He began.

"Yes, sir, at Miss Bailey's gymnastics performance."

"Right! So he came home early, and he didn't know I was here, but I am, and I finally got to see him, in person, and wow….just….he's …..yeah. He's amazing!" Jeff grinned. "But for both of our sakes, I promise not to get all giddy and do my 'Maria spinning on the mountain in The Sound of Music' impression again" he snickered.

"Quite right, sir, he's quite an amazing man, indeed. Few know just what a good man he truly is." Terrance agreed. Jeff continued to explain in more detail how he came to be so tired and in Nick's apartment. Terrance seemed to like the second version of the story a little bit better, and Jeff agreed that it made him sound like less of a jerk.

"For what it's worth, Mr. Sterling, if you're having trouble holding back your elation, feel free to spin around in front of the building sir. I'll direct traffic around you." Terrance said with such a straight face that Jeff thought, for just a moment, that he might be serious. He gave the doorman his biggest grin and a bashful slap on the arm, shaking his head at the elderly man.

"So, anyway, I was thinking about grabbing some coffee, maybe something to eat for Nick this morning. Is there a coffee shop around here somewhere close by?"

"Do you want 'coffee' or 'really good coffee'?" he asked.

"The good stuff, I think he deserves it." Jeff smiled.

"Then I'll point you in the direction of the location I, myself, use." He gave Jeff directions and sent him on his way. Jeff found the place just a block over and stepped up to the counter. It was only then that he realized he had no idea what to order or if Nick even drank coffee at all. Last night he'd ordered a soda at the coffee shop.

"Um…..well…" he stuttered out sheepishly to the girl at the counter. "I thought I had this all figured out, but…..ok, I need just a caramel latte for myself…..and I'm not sure what to get for my friend. Now this is odd."

The girl behind the counter, Kara her nametag said, grinned at him and shook her head. "Do you want something fairly generic for your friend? Basic black coffee or something? I'll send you home with cream and sugar if you'd like? "

"I wish I knew if he ever came in here….you'd probably know what he drinks." Jeff smiled.

"So what's he look like?"

Jeff started to describe Nick, then thought better of it and grabbed his phone. He pulled up the photo of Nick that Blaine had sent him from the bar. The look on her face was one of recognition, yet of confusion as well."

"Mr. Duval!" she smiled widely. "Of course, he…he comes in several times a week for coffee…but…is he wearing jeans in that photo? And…..a tshirt? A really tight….wow….black tshirt." Kara asked, a mix between surprised and amused…..and quite possibly turned on. Wait….what?

"Yeah, I guess so…is that weird?" Jeff asked. Clearly, Kara was smitten, and Jeff didn't know what to do with that information.

"Very….well, not weird, just different. I've never seen him in anything but a suit…..generally a really nice designer suit that probably costs more than I make in a year." She laughed. "It's a little crazy to see him that 'out of character' I guess. It's refreshing though. He looks happy in the picture. In the mornings he's usually rushed and serious, and generally on his phone. Oh, are you picking up a drink for Terrance as well?"

"Yes! That would be awesome." Jeff smiled. "So I'm assuming you know what Nick likes?"

"Nick?" she looked at him, confused again.

"Oh, um….Mr. Duval….I guess. That's very weird." He snickered.

"Ah, Nick….ok, yes, I know what he gets. And he always gets something for Terrance as well."

"Of course he does...and you know what Terrance gets too?" Jeff grinned, knowing that's something Nick would do.

She smiled. "I sure do! We have some pastries over here in the case as well if you'd like some? Mr. Duval's favorite are the raspberry and Terrance gets a cheese Danish."

Jeff grabbed a couple of each pastry they had and the three hot drinks and thanked Kara, profusely, for her help. He tossed a couple of dollars in their tip jar.

She stopped him on the way out the door.

"Excuse me…sir?" she said, quietly…sweetly.

"Jeff…..I'm just Jeff. This sir stuff is getting out of hand" he smiled. "Between you and Terrance I won't remember my own name soon."

"Jeff, then…..you and Mr. Duval...Nick... are…um…friends?"

"Uhhhhh…..yeah, we're….yeah." Jeff smiled and bit his bottom lip, but blushed to the point that he felt his face and ears turn bright red. That had answered her question. She'd had suspicions, but now she knew for sure.

"Worst. Day. Ever." She pouted. Jeff just gave her the raised eyebrows and a curious look. "Oh, Jeff, I've been pining away for Mr. Duval for months now, and he wouldn't give me the time of day. Now I know why. He has YOU waiting for him at home." She smiled. Laughing, she lightly punched him in the arm and shoved him playfully out the door. "Breakin' my heart here, Jeff!" she yelled after him. He gave her his biggest grin on the way out, and winked.

"Sorry…..I think….or not? If I have any say in it, he'll be unavailable from now on."

"You wound me!" she laughed. "But you seem like a good guy, so I wish you luck. Treat him well, will you? He's distracted, but always very polite, and the best tipper we have around here!"

"Oh, I'm certain he is!" Jeff laughed, thinking of the tip he left the waitress last night. "Will do. I'll tell him you said hello. And thank you, again, for your help!" Jeff smiled back at her and headed back to the apartment.

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"Terrance! Did you see Jeff leave?!" Nick practically yelled at him.

"Mr. Sterling left just a few minutes ago, sir, and….."

"Shit! Shit, shit, shit!" Nick chanted, running his fingers through his tousled hair. Now he was wondering what he'd done wrong, why Jeff had just up and left this morning without a word. Had he done something last night to make Jeff uncomfortable? Did Jeff think he was refusing him or something because he suggested sleep?

"Surely he'll be back, sir?" Terrance asked, clearly unsure as to why Nick was so agitated that Jeff had left for coffee.

"Hmmm? I don't know….I just…..he was just gone when I woke up….thanks Terrance" Nick said, dejected, dragging his feet back inside. Upstairs, he closed the door behind himself and walked into the bedroom to set out a change of clothes on his bed and grab a super quick shower. He'd head over to Blaine's and see why Jeff had just left without a word this morning.

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Blaine had tried to sleep, but he ended up laying there staring at the ceiling for hours, not actually making it to sleep until nearly 10 am. He considered going back over to Kurt's, but on the chance that he'd actually been able to sleep, Blaine was hesitant to wake him up. He just lay there thinking of what Kurt had endured that fateful morning in his apartment, and in the time since then. It sickened him. It made him feel helpless and weak for not helping, even though he hadn't even known Kurt at the time or been anywhere near him when the attack happened. He detested the thought of anyone being taken advantage of, especially phycially, because they were considered weaker.

He wasn't sure how he could help Kurt get through this, but he was determined to do so. He was drawn to Kurt, not only physically, but it felt like they were joined by something more, something stronger. How else would he explain having seen Kurt outside that coffee shop, then Kurt moving into the exact same building as Blaine? New York City was a HUGE place. The odds of this happening were slim and none, and he couldn't help but think that he should take this as a sign. Perhaps they'd been thrust into each others' lives for a reason?

Blaine opened his laptop and typed "how to help a rape victim" into his browser. He flagged numerous sites, cut and pasted his way to his own "manual" of sorts, jotted down the name of a few blogs to check out later, and after a few hours, headed off to bed. His last thought before falling asleep was that his bed was so much more comfortable to sleep on than the sofa...but he'd endure the sofa every night for the rest of his life if it meant waking up with Kurt in his arms again.

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"For you, Terrance. Would you like a donut…thingie…or whatever these things are?" Jeff grinned, handing over a cup of java.

"Mr. Sterling, surely you didn't need to order a beverage for me, but I thank you nonetheless. My shift is over in ten minutes, and I'd love a pastry if you have one to spare."

Jeff offered him a napkin and gestured for him to pick his own out of the box. Jeff grinned when he saw that, as Kara had mentioned, Terrance took the cheese Danish.

"Thank you, Mr. Sterling. I think you'll find Mr. Duval quite happy to see you haven't abandoned ship after all."

"Huh? What does that mean?" Jeff laughed.

"Mr. Duval was down just minutes after you turned the corner. He was quite frantic thinking you'd run off without saying goodbye this morning." Terrance smirked.

"I left a note!" he sighed. "I'll head on up then…."

"Thank you again, Mr. Sterling. I appreciate your kindness."

"Anytime, Terrance!"

Jeff headed for the elevator and when the doors opened, he stepped inside. Suddenly it hit him...he had no penthouse key. He stuck his head back out of the elevator, spying Terrance still at the door with a splitting grin on his face, staring straight ahead at the street, as usual. He was trying not to grin at Jeff, knowing the blonde man wasn't going anywhere without the keys Terrance had in his pocket.

"Terrance? Um..."

"Yes, Mr. Sterling?" he grinned.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Jeff grinned back.

"Immensely, sir." Terrance smiled, then approached the elevator and turned the key for the 48th floor.

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Stepping out of the shower, Nick swiftly threw a towel around his waist, still soaking wet, and whipped the door open, nearly slamming into Jeff in the hallway.

"Whoa! Easy there, big guy!" Jeff laughed.

"Jeff! What…? I thought you left….where'd you go?" Nick almost yelled in desperation, putting his hands on Jeff's shoulders. For a minute, Jeff thought Nick was going to shake him. Nick was so relieved to see him…to know that Jeff hadn't run off after all. Jeff was back, beautiful smile, warm eyes and amazing body…..back in his apartment.

"Nicky, I left you a note on the kitchen counter…Coffee?" Jeff offered, gesturing with his eyes down at the drink carrier settled atop the box of pastries. Suddenly his lungs were tight and he felt a little lightheaded.

"Jeff? You alright?"

"Um…yeah, take this though, would you please?" Jeff asked, handing the box to Nick, his hands a little shaky. "Pretty sure I'm gonna drop it faster than you dropped your towel." His heart was beating double time as he surveyed the stunning view before him. The bathroom door was open and the view of Nick's bare back side in the vanity mirror was enough to make Jeff whimper. Good God he had a fantastic ass! And the muscles in his back...sweet Jesus! Jeff's fingers twitched…he wanted to touch. Now. His breath hitched and he actually whined, closing his eyes and sucking in a deep breath.

Nick moved to grab the towel, but realized his hands were occupied with the box and the drink carrier.

Jeff smiled...then giggled. "Yeah, there's a method to my madness…." he said, his eyes dark now, and almost heavy lidded. He took a deep breath as Nick blushed and moved the box down in front of him to try to salvage some modesty. Jeff bent and picked up the towel, grinning madly and never taking his eyes off of Nick, who was now 8 shades of red from the tips of his toes to his hairline.

"Well, this isn't the least bit awkward…" Nick stuttered out. He inched into the kitchen with the box still in front of him, but realized that if he set the box down, he'd be without cover again. Jeff stood about six feet away, seductively dangling the towel off of one finger and batting his eyes.

"You need this?" he asked teasingly.

"Jeff! Give it here!" Nick laughed, still blushing.

"Come get it"

"Jeff! If I set these down to come and get the towel…."

"Yeah, I know…..and God, I can't wait….."

Nick ran his tongue over his teeth with a wide, close-mouthed grin, turned slowly to the quartz counter top and set the box and drink carrier down. When he turned back around, he folded his arms across his chest, cocked his head to the side and smiled at Jeff.

Suddenly Jeff surged forward hungrily and pressed his lips to Nick's, his hands clutching at Nick's face and jaw, the towel forgotten on the floor. The kiss was soft, warm and wet and he instantly felt Nick's fingers in his hair.

"Jeff….." Nick panted out, and Jeff could feel his enthusiasm for their kiss making it's presence known between them. "You're such a tease!" Nick laughed around their kiss.

"No teasing, Nicky….I told you….I'll give you anything you want….." Jeff whispered.

Nick wasn't the only one happy with the situation. Jeff groaned and moved his hands from Nick's jaw down his chest and over his amazingly toned abs.

"Christ Jesus, Nicky, you're so beautiful…." He sighed into Nick's mouth. His hands continued South until his knuckles bumped into Nick's fully hard cock propped between them. Nick let out a long moan when Jeff ran his fingers lighly down the sensitive soft skin to the base, and then encircled him and moved back up.

"Jeff…..shit! Babe.….my bed….please…" Still panting, Nick nudged Jeff toward the hallway again.

"Uh huh….." Jeff hummed. He called me Babe! They moved slowly toward the bedroom, bumping into walls and doors, never breaking the kiss.

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There was a loud pounding on Maggie's door, and she looked up quickly in shock thanking God that she kept it locked. She approached the door softly, not wanting whoever was outside the door to know she was in there. Checking the peephole, she glared, seeing Josh pacing back and forth in the hallway. He looked awful….wrecked….disheveled. She barely recognized him.

"MAGGIE! Damn it, I know you're home! I watched you come inside half an hour ago and you haven't left again!" Josh yelled.

"Mama? Why's he here? You said he wouldn't be back again!" Evee said, terrified, and hugging her little brother.

"Maggie! I hear you guys in there. Open the damn door! I want my stuff! I'm on my way through and I'm not making a trip back out here again!"

"Go away Josh. I mailed the box with anything that was yours! Don't bother us anymore!" Maggie answered calmly.

"I don't believe you, Maggie, so just open the fucking door and let me make sure you sent what I want out of this shithole!"

"Josh, stop it, you're scaring the kids!" she yelled back.

"Maggie, open this damn door before I break it down!" he screamed. It was only then that Maggie noticed that his speech was slightly slurred, and she figured he'd been drinking. Just great.

"I'm calling the police, Josh, go away!" Maggie said, picking up her phone and dialing the number. "Ev...take Matthew back into your room and close the door, ok. Everything will be fine, baby."

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The back of Jeff's knees hit the bed and he pulled Nick down with him as he fell. Nick pulled his lips away for a split second, grinning at Jeff. Jeff was in awe. Nick's body was tight and compact. His arms were solid and muscular, his abs were truly defined and the 'V'…..oh God, the V…he could hear himself breathing heavily and had to smile.

"What's funny?" Nick asked.

"Nothing's funny, I'm just being weird. I feel like a prank caller, breathing all heavy like this."

Nick laughed at Jeff's words and dropped his forehead to Jeff's chest. Almost as an afterthought he stuck his tongue out and ran it over Jeff's left nipple through his shirt, causing the blonde man to gasp and buck up under Nick. To Nick, this was a green light, especially when Jeff's hands fisted in his hair.

"Nicky….." Jeff panted when he felt Nick's hand stroking him over his jeans. Although Jeff had been talked into sending Nick a few seductive photos, none of them were obscene, so what was in Jeff's pants was still a mystery to Nick….although that mystery was becoming more and more clear with every stroke and Nick's heart was pounding in anticipation. He raised Jeff's tshirt and kissed his stomach, running his tongue over Jeff's belly button and circling around it before returning to the other nipple.

Jeff was a squirming mess. He was finding it hard to stay still and not bolt from the bed to rip every shred of clothing off just to be skin to skin with Nick. Nick was having the same ideas, and whispered "too many clothes, Jeffie…." into his bellybutton. Jeff didn't need to be asked twice and he ripped the shirt off over his head. Reaching for his fly, his hands were swatted away by Nick, who continued to kiss, lick and suck little patterns just above Jeff's waistband of his jeans. His nimble fingers made quick work of the button fly and in no time the pants were sliding down his hips leaving him in dark red boxer briefs which made Nick bite his bottom lip. The growing tent was quite impressive.

Here was the man of his dreams, splayed out on his bed, arms raised above his head and clearly Nick's for the taking. Could a man want any more than this? Ok, right this minute, maybe a can of whipped cream…..alright, later on that, maybe.

Jeff slid a little further up the bed so that his head was on the pillows and smiled at Nick, cocking his head to the side a little and grinning. Nick raised himself up on his knees, now between Jeff's feet at the end of the bed. He continued to stare at Jeff, eyes clearly lust blown with want, and he felt his heartbeat quicken as Jeff's hand began to move to the waistband of his briefs.

"Wait!" Nick said, shakily.

"Wait? For?"

"Do you have your cell phone on you? Mine's right there on the nightstand. Just so you know."

"Did you plan on taking pictures? Wanky!" Jeff laughed.

"No….I want either or both handy, because I'm fairly sure I'm about to have a heart attack, and I'm not ready to go yet if this is what's waiting for me here. Just call 911 and make sure they bring me back, cause there's no way one day with you will be anywhere near enough."

Jeff laughed out loud, shaking his head at Nick.

"As you wish." Jeff smiled. Nick's sense of humor was the first thing Jeff noticed when they texted. It was dry and witty, and right now, it was a welcome distraction from the fact that Nick was clearly ready to devour him, and Jeff was a nervous wreck.

Nick scooted up on his knees until he was between Jeff's knees, then reached for Jeff's briefs, sliding them down his thighs, over his knees, over his calves, before tossing them to the side. Nick's breathing hitched and he wasn't sure he remembered the proper procedure for taking in oxygen anymore.

"Just….my God…..look at you. Perfect…..Jeff...just perfect...and amazingly well endowed. Lucky me…." he whispered, running his fingers softly down Jeff's chest, over his nipples, his abs, his belly, his V, then with one finger, down his cock and over the tip, smearing pre come down the other side. He dropped his head once again to Jeff's chest and sucked a little bruise there, licking it when he was through to blow cool air on it and make Jeff shiver. He worked his way down Jeff's chest, over his abs, to his belly button, and then down to his waist and thighs. Each step of the way he left a hickey, smiling at finally being able to mark Jeff as his. Jeff could barely breathe. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but it was lost in the shivers taking over his body under Nick's fingers. All that came out was a ragged breath.

"Let me apologize in advance for anything incoherent that may come out of my mouth, because my brain will shut down in 3….2….1…."he said, taking Jeff into his mouth, and running his tongue over Jeff's head, swiping at the sensitive slit.

Jeff's teeth clenched together and his eyes slammed shut, then his mouth dropped open and his hips automatically thrust upwards.

"Nicky….." he breathed out, squeaking. After that, it was all noises, no words forming, no coherent thoughts, just want and need, hands and fingers.

Nick took his time, savoring Jeff, running his tongue up, down, around, over the slit numerous times and the way Jeff's hips bucked up, he was sure he was doing something right despite the lack of oxygen to the brain. Every stroke he took Jeff in a little further until finally he felt him touch the back of his throat. Relaxing, he swallowed around Jeff and moaned at the feeling.

Jeff was euphoric. These were feelings he'd never had, things he'd never felt. He'd been blown before, but never...never like this. Other times had been hurried, rushed….less. There was no other way to say it. Just….so much less. He was having trouble not shoving himself down Nick's throat, but strong hands on his hips kept him from gagging the beautiful man in his lap.

"Ni….Nicky….stop….stop…..I'm not ready to come….I want….need to ….."

Nick pulled off with a wet slurp and an obscene little pop, staring into Jeff's eyes.

"Mr. Sterling, you're much more articulate via text message.." he teased Jeff, who grabbed a pillow and whacked him in the head with it. He shakily sat up, drawing Nick's mouth to his own and devoured his lips again, hands running up his arms and holding on. Jeff was so hard it was painful, but he wouldn't allow this to be over so soon.

"You have amazing arms…..I want them around me again tonight, is that ok? If you have to work tomorrow, I'll stay at Blaine's, but…"

"I'm going in for a little bit, just an hour or two, and it'll be later in the day….but I want you to stay tonight. I….I need you to." He said, connecting their lips again. Jeff's hands ran down Nick's arms and then to his fingertips….then over to the object of his affections. Nick hissed as Jeff curled his fingers around his achingly hard cock and began to move up and down.

"Lay back….let me?" Jeff said, pupils blown wide and dark. Nick made his way down to the bed on his back and Jeff followed close behind. He laid off to Nick's side and stroked him a few more times before taking just the head into his mouth at first, running his tongue over the top, sucking lightly, fingers moving further down to brush over his balls and making Nick gasp out and buck up at the light touch.

Jeff drew his mouth off and breathed hot air over Nick, causing him to shiver at the sensation, then took him back into his mouth again, further this time, and sucked a little bit harder. The noises Nick was making were so erotic that Jeff was afraid he was going to come without touching at all. He begged his body to hold off just a few more minutes, and continued to work on Nick. Nick's fingers were fisted in the comforter and he was chanting Jeff's name so silently, mixed with some silly words and phrases that made Jeff almost snicker while he pleasured him.

"Jeffie….so fucking good…..God….your mouth….uuunnnggggggg….is amazing…..holy…nnggghhhhgg….do they offer classes on…..nnngggghhhh! stuff like this at Dalton Academy, because clearly you've…mother of God…. mastered the technique…" This last one did make Jeff smile, and when he did, he hollowed his cheeks, relaxed his throat and took Nick all the way back, humming the whole time and nearly fainting at the obscene phrases exiting Nick's mouth. He didn't let up. He sucked harder and tightened his lips over his teeth, pulling up from the base of Nick's length, then back down again. This time on the way up he bared his teeth slightly and softly scraped at the sensitive vein running up the underside of Nick's cock, still mewling as he went.

"Jeff….please….I'm gonna….so close…..you should…um…..Jeff….FUCK! JEFF!" he screamed, white ropes of bitter saltiness running down Jeff's throat while Jeff continued to suck him through the last of his orgasm, still fingering his balls lightly. "911…..need oxygen…..boyfriend's mouth is blissfully deadly…..losing consciousness…." Nick mumbled, still breathing heavy, but eyes closed and completely sated. Jeff giggled. Nick's eyes flew open.

"What was that?" he grinned. Jeff's face was beet red now, and he hid his smile in the crook between Nick's neck and shoulder. "You giggled like a little schoolgirl!" he snickered. "I'll forgive you though, because right now I feel so unbelievably amazing. Your mouth is…it's…..wow Jeff." Was all he could manage.

"Feel better?" Jeff murmured into his neck.

"Never better. And I mean that. In my entire lifetime, I don't think I've ever felt better, more sated, more relaxed than I do at this moment in time. You're amazing, Mr. Sterling. I may have to keep you around a little while" he said, winking at Jeff.

"Yeah..um…you might…considering you…uh…told the invisible 911 operator that I was your boyfriend…." Jeff said quietly, letting the words sink in.

"I did, didn't I?" Nick said, a little look of worry on his face. Jeff suddenly wanted that look gone, and it bothered him. So that's what the giggle was about! Nick thought.

"It's ok, Nick…..we don't have to…..don't freak out….you didn't…." Jeff mumbled, starting to scoot away slowly.

"I should have asked first. I shouldn't have assumed. I'm sorry Jeff…would you…..wait." He scooted up to a sitting position, and raised Jeff's chin with his hands on his cheeks. Looking into Jeff's eyes, he smiled at him lovingly.

"We're not in 7th grade Jeff, so saying 'will you be my boyfriend' sounds incredibly cheesy. But I need to tell you this…..these last few weeks….talking with you, getting texts and emails, photos, laughing into all hours of the night, knowing that when I get home I can call you and you'll be there…..I don't remember a time in my life where I've ever been so content…so at ease…so happy. I'm gonna poke at that elephant in the room and talk about the fact that you're leaving tomorrow afternoon, but I want you to know, I want you to come back….a lot. I need you to. I want to be with you and I don't mean once every few months or so. So Jeff….if what I need to do is come right out and ask, then I'll do it, at the risk of sounding cheesy. Mr. Sterling, would you consent to being labeled for me? I'd like to be able to call you my boyfriend if you're ok with that?"

Jeff just sat still, staring into Nick's eyes, his chest feeling as if it were about to explode. He took a shaky breath and shook his head, grinning.

"That's the best label I've ever been given….I'd be honored, Mr. Duval. I'm all yours!" he laughed.

"The word 'all' includes everything south of your gorgeous belly button, and I intend to stake a claim right this minute…" he said, shoving Jeff back on the bed and diving on him. They laughed and kissed and Nick made his way down Jeff's neck, down his chest to his belly, and then to the good stuff. His mouth closed over Jeff again and he poured every ounce of hunger and need into pleasuring Jeff. He drew it out as long as he could, feeling himself start to get hard again, until, with a few short keens and moans, and the delicious little noises Blaine still teases him about, Jeff was coming down Nick's throat and panting like he'd run a marathon.

"Mine…" Nick breathed out, crawling up to wiggle into Jeff's side and pull the blanket over the two of them, softly kissing Jeff's chest and shoulders. "My sinfully handsome boyfriend….."

"Yours…..yours, Nicky…." Jeff mumbled, oversensitive, sated and sleepy again.

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Kurt had left Higher Ground and wandered a few blocks to the print shop he passed when he checked out the loft space David had in mind for the new business. Sure enough, they had a wide selection of beautiful journals to choose from, some with handmade paper, some with lined paper, some plain, no lines, etc. He had a fleeting thought that these books were much too attractive to put such ugly thoughts and memories into, but it needed to be done. He had held off doing so because the idea of purposely putting his most disturbing thoughts onto paper seemed extremely distasteful and he couldn't wrap his mind around the plan. Dr. Stein had suggested it several times now, though, and he figured he may as well give it a try. At this point, all he had to lose was what little bit was left of his sanity….and Blaine.

Afterwards he'd done some shopping, finding a great jacket on clearance in a small shop he hadn't explored yet. The sales girl, Sarah, was a fantastic flirt, even though he was 99% sure that she was well aware that he was gay. It made him laugh, but he also knew that she was fun and lighthearted, as well as a good salesperson, and he'd be back again to see her.

Their banter over fashion amused him and settled his nerves after buying the book that would end up containing all of his most horrible memories. She insisted on giving him her phone number and telling him that, as he was new in town, she felt that it was her duty as a native New Yorker to show him all the best shops that offered great deals, as well as some that were unknown at all unless you were an insider. She showed him the jacket she'd worn to work, telling him where she'd found it and what she'd paid. Kurt was hooked and they made plans to go shopping together soon.

He'd stopped for lunch at the deli down the street, grabbing a sandwich and a salad to go, and headed home.

He returned home and was just setting his things on the counter when his cell chirped with a text from Rachel.

1:45 pm from Rachel: Kurtsie, I haven't heard from you…..I hope that's GOOD news?

1:46 pm from Kurt: Hey Rach….not a lot of good news here, but I'm working on it.

1:48 pm from Rachel: Why L I don't want to hear bad news. Can I help?

1:49 pm from Kurt: I don't know, maybe. I need to work on 'me' and I don't know if anyone who isn't 'me' can help with that.

1:51 pm from Rachel: Well, you know I'm ready and willing to help when and if I can. Dinner later? Finn's off tonight, so we're going out to that Italian place we went to the first week you were here. Please go?

1:54 pm from Kurt: Not sure, Rach….can I think on it? I've been neglecting work this weekend and I have a lot to get done. Thank you for the invite, though.

1:56 pm from Rachel: Think on it…and let me know later. We want you there J Hugs honey.

1:58 pm from Kurt: I'll call, thanks… Love you, Rach. Thank you for everything….all the time.

It wasn't lost on him that she hadn't mentioned Blaine after he said there wasn't much good news.

He'd just set his phone down on the table when there was a sudden pounding on his door, and it sounded like whoever was on the other side of the slab of wood was screaming. He strode over to the door and yanked it open without even checking the peephole and was surprised to find two small children holding hands, one of them sobbing, the other looking nearly catatonic. The youngest one, the little boy, was yelling at him.

"Whoa, whoa, ok…..slow down. I don't know what..….I can't understand you. Please stop crying and let me help you!" he soothed, kneeling down to be at their level.

"We need Mr. Blaine!" the small boy screamed, looking over Kurt's shoulder, and it was then that he realized the look on this boy's face wasn't anger, it was fear.

"Ok, ok…he doesn't live here…he lives over here…." He said, grabbing the girl's hand and moving down the hallway. Kurt immediately pounded on Blaine's door, yelling loudly.

"Blaine, open up. Something's wrong!" When there was no immediate answer, he yelled and knocked again.

"BLAINE!" bang bang bang. A minute later he heard footfalls coming from inside. Blaine opened the door, bleary eyed and disheveled at the same time as Seb opened the door across the hall.

"What the hell's with all the fucking noise?" Seb squawked.

"Sebastian! Language!?" Kurt chastised him.

"Mr. Blaine! Josh is hurting mommy!"

"What? Matthew….where's mommy?" Blaine yelled.

"Home….he broke our door and Ms. Helen is crying too. Come on…she needs….." he began and then broke down sobbing again. Evee hadn't said a word. She stood stock still, eyes staring straight ahead, simply being led by Matthew.

"Jesus….." Blaine whispered, scooping up Evee and heading for the steps, heedless of the fact that he had only pulled on a pair of jeans with no shirt and no shoes.

"Blaine, what the hell is going on?" Kurt yelled after him.

"Ex-boyfriend…..I may need you guys!" Blaine was yelling as he made his way down the steps dragging Matthew behind. Sebastian and Kurt exchanged a glance and took off after him.