A/N - I'm not big on starting a chapter with an apology for how long it's taken me to update. In fact, it really bugs me to death when every chapter of a story is started like that. But, that being said, I know it's been a LONG time since I updated. I have many reasons, but no excuses. I was out of town acting like a teenager, singing and dancing with Darren, three times in 30 days. One of those was a road trip with a group of girls that are out of this world...that weekend being one of the very best in my memory. Got to meet the man himself, and who can ask for more than that? On top of that, we've moved, so I was packing up my house and carting things around, and my daughter had her tonsils and adenoids out, so ...yeah, it's been a bit hectic this last month or so. Those are my reasons :)

Also, I want to take a minute to thank everyone who has followed along, favorited, whatever. Especially the DAMs :) (Darren's Awesome Misfits on facebook, check it out. Coolest group of fangirls / guys you've ever wanted to be a part of!) You guys have gotten me back where I need to be with your encouragement. Every time one of the notifications pops up in my email I still get that rush, and it's been a much needed jolt recently. Thanks for hanging around and sticking with it!

Finally, this is totally un-beta'd...all mistakes are mine. I own only the OCs. Bear with me while I slip back into the groove of writing ;) Hugs all around. Rest in peace, Cory.

CHAPTER 43

Their first stop was to the cell store to get Jeff a new phone. In fact, Nick got himself a new phone as well and had both of their contacts ported over. One never knew how David Duval was going to take the news of his son's impending resignation, and since his cell phone was through the company, he felt safer having done it. Jeff spent the ride to the airport making phone calls. His first call was to his mom, but he got her voicemail. She probably didn't recognize the number and didn't bother to answer. He left her a message explaining that it was him and asking her to call before they got on the plane.

His second call was to Ms. Inselmann, asking if she had any news on the email situation, and apologizing for breaking down on her in her office that morning. She, in turn, apologized to him again and again for having to even have the conversation to begin with. Her voice was full of empathy and sadness for him, and he felt sure that if there was anything to be done, that she'd do it for him. Unfortunately, there was no information yet on who had sent the email.

He then called his friend Jake from the theater company and told him he would not be at rehearsal for a bit, and told him if he found it necessary to write him out and / or recast him, that he was absolutely understanding of it. Jake assured him that his spot was safe, and told him of a few things they actually were changing, which would set their schedule back a bit anyway, so he wasn't overly worried about Jeff's leave of absence.

When Nick's phone rang in the middle of the conversation with Jake, Jeff was unable to keep his concentration on his own conversation. The look on Nick's face, his short questions and remarks and his suddenly tense body language were a giant red flag. Finally Jeff gave up and told Jake he'd have to call him back, disconnecting his own call and listening to Nick more intently.

"…and you're sure she's ok? You're certain? I'm positive that there's no point in me telling you how unhappy I'll be if I find that this was something to do with my father, is that clear? Ok. Yes, I'd very much like for you to stay there until you hear from me. Yes, ask her to call him as soon as she's able. We'll be there shortly. No, no, I'm certain he won't hear of it, and it's absolutely no problem. Thank you." He said, looking grim, then suddenly making a U-turn in the middle of a busy roadway that scared the living shit out of Jeff.

"Should I guesssssss….or….?" Jeff said, looking a bit strained. Nick was silent. "Nicky?" he asked, getting more and more uptight.

"I need you to listen to me…listen to everything I say before you freak out, ok? Promise me?" Nick asked, never taking his eyes off the road. He was driving very fast now, and Jeff inadvertently pulled on his seatbelt to make sure it was secure.

"Nicky, you're scaring me. What's going on?" Jeff demanded.

"She is fine. Nothing major has happened. Very MINOR cuts and bruises, ok?" he said, quietly.

"NICKY….I swear to God, tell me….."

"Your mom was in an accident on her way home from school. It just happened, not 10 minutes ago. That was Vince on the phone, my security guy, and he is with her. He said she is fine, alert, speaking and making jokes, so I told him to have her call you as soon as she's able so you can hear for yourself that she's –"

"I will KILL him if he has anything to do with this, and I will do it with a clear conscience. Nicky, I love you more than you know, but I cannot and will not stand by for this!" Jeff choked out. His fists were balled up and his knuckles were white. He was visibly shaking and staring out the front windshield not saying another word.

"If I find out he had anything to do with it, I'll kill him myself, Jeff, mark my words." Nick gritted out through clenched teeth. Neither said anything more until they were at the hospital and rushing inside.

"Baby, look, I'm FINE. Fine! Right as rain. It was an accident. Poor thing, she has to be 112 if she's a day! Will you go find her room and check on her for me? I hope she's doing alright. She was very shaken up and truth be told I'm a bit surprised that she wasn't hurt worse. I guess there's something to be said about those little old ladies driving big old cars, huh?" Caroline said, cracking a grin at Jeff, who was still tense. Jeff had not let go of her hand since the minute they walked into the ER, and Nick was pretty sure her fingers were probably bruised because of Jeff's death grip.

Caroline had a bruise across her shoulder and chest forming from the seatbelt, as well as a cut on her left leg where the door had been dented in, but she wasn't complaining at all, and true to Nick's report, she was cracking jokes and more concerned for the other woman involved in the wreck. Apparently an elderly woman had run a red light and slammed into Caroline's car in an intersection. Thankfully, she wasn't going that fast to begin with, or the damage would have been much worse. Jeff was, finally, satisfied that this was not David Duval's doing, and was breathing normally again.

"Go on now, just head on to Nick's, Jeffrey. Don't make me tell you again. I'm fine. You have a plane waiting on you if I'm not mistaken?" she said.

"Mom, I'm not leaving you in the hospital! How are you going to get home? What if you need me? I'll just go later…like in a week or so when you're better or…." He began.

"Absolutely not! Jeff, honey, look at me. I'm fine. They did their tests and all is well. I have a bruise and a little cut. You shouldn't make anyone wait on us. I'll call your Aunt Lorraine to come and get me and –" Caroline said.

"With all due respect, Ms. Caroline, there is no way I'm leaving you here. Jeff and I will wait until they release you and see you safely home. I won't have it any other way, so there's no use in arguing. Jeff will tell you that I'm quite stubborn, not to mention very used to getting my way." Nick smiled at her.

"You boys!" she sighed. "Alright, but make sure you get in touch with Gram, Jeff. She'll be worried if we don't keep her updated. She'll try to come down here and we all know how that will go over!" she said, and they all rolled their eyes.

"I'm afraid to ask how your car is, Ms. Caroline?" Nick asked, slyly.

"Well, if you look at it from the passenger side, it's top notch, honey!" she laughed.

"And the other side?" he asked.

"Hmmmmm, it didn't fare as well. She's insured though, so it'll be fixed, I'm sure."

"What if they total it?" Jeff asked, worried now. "I should leave you my keys for my car, in case you need to go somewhere while I'm gone. I don't want you stranded at home if they don't offer you a rental car."

"I guess that's possible. It's pretty messed up, and it IS and older car. I'm not worried. I'll work something out, but I wouldn't mind having a key for yours just in case, sweets." She said, using the name she called him as a child. He smiled at her, blushing, because she'd used the name in front of Nick. Nick was oblivious, apparently, watching the commercials on the T.V. and allowing them their privacy.

"Oooh! Maybe I'll get one of those if they total my car!" Caroline laughed, spotting a commercial for new cars.

"Mom, they only give you what your old car was worth. I don't see it happening!" Jeff laughed along with her.

"Oh, a girl can dream, right?" she said, turning to Jeff. "Ok, I'm very serious. I know that Nick has some things he wants to speak with his family about today. We discussed it this morning while he was visiting and I think it's important for you to allow him to do what he needs to do. I don't want you hanging around here with your ol' mom when there's nothing wrong with me! Go with Nick, say your peace, and go to New York. Spend some time with Nick and Blaine. There's certainly nothing keeping you here. Does the school have your new cell number?" she asked.

"Yeah…yeah, I gave it to them. I don't know, mom…"

"Go, and that's an order from your mother. I know you love me, and it does my heart good to know I'm still important to you, but everything's fine." She smiled, kissing the top of his hair as he leaned his head down on the bed next to her.

"Jeff, I have to make a phone call…I'll be right back, ok?" Nick said, heading out into the hallway.

"So….mom. Do you like him?" Jeff asked when Nick was out of the room.

"Well, honey, I've only just met him. He seems very polite, and he was justifiably embarrassed about the towel incident in the hall, so I know he has some morals about him…." She said, laughing at Jeff's blushing cheeks.

"Mom!" he stage whispered.

"Honey, I think he's delightful. Truly I do. I don't know him well enough to say he's absolutely the one for you, but I know he makes you happy, and there is not much more that a mother can ask for when it comes to her only son. I haven't seen you this happy in a long time, and I am really enjoying that smile that seems to be on your face a lot more often. I think he seems like he has a good head on his shoulders. He's very polite. He's witty and charming, and he made points with Gram by bringing flowers for her!" she laughed. "I'm not even going to venture into the 'wealthy' conversation, because I know it doesn't mean any more to you than it does to me. Even without a cent, he'd be a keeper, Jeffrey. I do like him, and I absolutely adore the way he looks at you when he thinks nobody is watching. Hold on to him, baby. I think you found a keeper." She said, smiling at her son. He squeezed her fingers once again and gave her the biggest, cheesiest smile he could muster.

"I love him, mom….so much. I want this to work out so badly, I really do. But this thing with his father…I can't be the reason for family struggles, mom. I can't be the reason that holidays aren't fun anymore. I don't want to be the person at the table causing everyone to be tense at Thanksgiving. It's not fair to him, or to his mom and siblings. I don't know what to do."

"Well, I think that's a decision for Nick to make, honey, not for you to make. It's his father, it's his family. If he chooses to stay in the relationship with you despite what his father has done, then it's his right and his choice. It's not fair for you to take that choice away from him. Reverse the situation and see how you'd feel? Although I can't imagine ever being that hateful of a human being, if I were trying to run Nick away, would you be ok with him calling it quits and giving you no say in the matter?" Caroline asked him.

"I suppose not. I just…God, mom, he's just…he's such an amazing person, and I hate that we're in this situation. It's just not fair to him. I hate seeing him so upset." Jeff said, saddened by his thoughts.

Just then, Nick strode through the door, the doctor following closely behind.

"Well, Mrs. Sterling, your x-rays have come back and there doesn't seem to be anything broken. The bruising will be worse tomorrow and you will, undoubtedly, be in more pain than you are right now. I'm happy to send you home with a prescription for pain medication if you'd like. I'd advise it, as that's going to be a nasty bruise on your shoulder and chest. If you feel up to going back to work on Monday, that should be fine, but if you don't, I'm quite comfortable telling you to take it easy for a few extra days and I'll send you off with a doctor's note saying as much. Sometimes the real discomfort doesn't set in fully for a day or so. Other than that, you are free to go. I'm assuming these young men are quite capable of seeing you home?" he asked, smiling.

"Absolutely, sir. We'll see that she gets home and takes it easy." Jeff said, shaking the doctor's hand.

"You're quite lucky, Mrs. Sterling. Had the driver of the other vehicle been going the speed limit, things may have ended up much differently. I'm glad that you were wearing your seatbelt. That, too, saved you some injury." The doctor said, handing over Caroline's release papers and a prescription for pain medication.

"Are you allowed to tell me her condition, Doctor? I know you can't go into any detail, but the poor little thing was so shaken up at the scene, I felt terrible for her. She just kept crying and telling me how sorry she was!" Caroline asked.

"I don't think it's against any rules for me to tell you that she's doing fine. She'll probably stay overnight and be released tomorrow. It's very kind of you to ask. Most people wouldn't." he smiled.

"Mom's not most people, that's for sure." Jeff chimed in. "Ok, let's get you home!"

"Sounds good, baby."

"I'm telling you for the very last time to get your butt out of my house, Jeffrey Sterling! I will not say it again, and you are NOT too big for me to turn over my knee, young man!" Caroline said, grumbling. "You're making me insane hovering around here! I'm fine, I don't need you to be here. Gram's perfectly capable of anything I need. I'll call you later. Now go!"

"You just want me to leave so you can go for a spin in that car, don't you try to fool me! I don't think you should be out-"

"Don't you tell ME what you think I should be doing! Insolent child…did you see that car, Jeffrey? Nicholas has superb taste, and he was sweet enough to let me drive this thing until mine's fixed, so please allow me the little joys in life! Now get out!" she laughed.

"I blame YOU for this, Duval!" Jeff cringed. "You're an enabler!"

Nick just smiled and winked at Caroline. "She's a grown woman, and she wants to go for a drive in a sweet car. You're being unreasonable, babe!" he grinned.

"Don't you 'babe' me, mister…" Jeff grumbled again, leaning down to kiss his mom and Gram goodbye. "Ok, I'm going, but I swear, if you need me, you better call me, mom!"

"I will…don't you worry. You're a good boy, Jeffrey. Go have a good time in the big city. Take care of my baby, Nicholas!" she yelled as they went out the door.

"You didn't have to rent this car for her, you know." Jeff said, and it was more of a statement than a question.

"Hmmm?" Nick answered, passing the car in the driveway.

"Don't give me that shit, Nicky…."

"She liked it on the TV, you heard her! She's the mother of the love of my life, I want to make her happy!" he grinned like a fool.

"Well, she's going to be sorely disappointed when her car is fixed and she has to go back to…..NICKY!" Jeff yelled, spying the shit eating grin on his lover's face.

"Yes, love of my life?" he laughed.

"You bought it for her, didn't you?! Oh my God, you're such a …..I can't believe you….NICKY!" Jeff huffed out, exasperated.

"God you're hot when you're flustered." Nick whispered, leaning over to kiss Jeff soundly on the mouth as they got in the car to leave. "I think I may have to find out what this 'mile high club' is all about." He said, raising his eyebrows at Jeff. Jeff couldn't hold back the grin on his face if his life depended on it.

Dinner with Kurt's family was a hoot. The restaurant Kurt chose was near the Dive. They had passed it the previous night on their way home and commented on the place, thinking they should try it. Now they had a reason. The food was good, authentic Italian, and the prices were fair, and since Burt insisted on paying, they were both glad for that. The company was top notch, and Blaine felt, for the first time in a long time, comfortable and almost as if he were with people he'd known all his life. Dinners with his own family were few and far between, and they were never, ever, as laid back and full of hilarity as the Hummel dinner was.

Afterward, when Blaine and Finn were standing to leave and thanking Burt for dinner, Rachel suggested that they all go to the Dive for a little bit. Kurt wasn't sure how Burt would handle it, although he knew right off that Carol would thoroughly enjoy herself. Finn was all for it, clearly knowing the Hummels better than Blaine did, but Blaine's face was a mixture of unease and anxiety.

"What's the matter, kid, you don't want Kurt's old man hanging around your job?" Burt grinned.

"No sir, it's not that at all, it's just….they're um, a bit….rowdy? I'd hate for something to offend you, and I can almost certainly guarantee that something…or someone, will." Blaine said, grimacing, and thinking of Davina, among others.

"I think I can handle it. If Kurt was ok there last night, then I'm sure I'll be ok…as long as it's alright with you that we go? I don't want to make you nervous while you're working? Or, you know, if your other boyfriend shows up or something?" Burt said without so much as a smirk.

"Oh no, I won't be nervous or anyth-…wait, what? Other boyfriend? Oh no…no no no, Mr. Hummel, I'd never….I'm not, believe me, it's not that, it's just that…oh nevermind. Let's just go and get this over with. I have the feeling you'll be wishing you'd gone home later on when they all get crazy, but what the hell, you only live once, right?" Blaine laughed. Burt did too, and Blaine just shook his head, knowing that Burt had been giving him a hard time on purpose.

"Kurt, are you ok with going?" Blaine asked, a little worried. Two nights in a row might be a bit much for anyone to handle.

"I'll give it a shot, and I'll probably hang around in the back with my dad and Carole. I don't think for one minute that Rachel will hang back, but we'll see." He smiled, a little hesitant. "If it gets too bad, we'll just go and I'll text you, ok?"

"Ok, babe…but please, don't push yourself. You did so well last night and I was…I AM so proud of you!" Blaine smiled at him, beaming. "But it was nowhere near as fun as this morning, baby…." He whispered into Kurt's ear as they strolled down the dark New York street. He felt and heard Kurt's quick intake of breath and turned to smile at him, biting his lip. "Now that….I'm way more than proud of you for that, Kurt." He said, winking. Kurt was blushing now, and Burt turned his head and cleared his throat loudly, giving them a look.

"Yeah, yeah, dad, keep walking old man!" Kurt teased him. His phone buzzed and he pulled it out to check the text message, seeing that it was from Hunter. He replied and it buzzed again. "Blaine…do you mind if I….I mean, if I were to…nevermind." He said, and kept walking, bumping shoulders with Blaine.

"Tell me, what is it?" Blaine said, grinning now.

"It's just that Hunter just stopped over to the apartment, and as he was getting out of the cab, Sebastian was going in with a guy…a guy that wasn't him, and…"

"Ask him to meet you here. Yes, Kurt, it's fine…really, he's your friend, and it sounds like he needs you, and he probably needs to get away from the apartment, so he won't want to meet you back there. What?" Blaine asked, because Kurt was giving him the strangest look.

"You're one of a kind, you know that?" Kurt smiled lovingly at him. "How many other guys would tell their boyfriend to ask a guy, a gay guy, a gay guy who's a model, to come out with them without hesitation. It didn't even cross your mind, did it?" Kurt smiled again.

"Maybe…" Blaine blushed. "But Kurt, we have nothing if we don't have trust. I trust you. If you didn't want to be with me, you'd tell me. I would hope that it would be before you moved on to someone else, but I don't see you asking Hunter to come and hang out as a threat. If I should, you can feel free to correct me at any time?" he said, eyes wide and showing a bit of uncertainty now, even if only teasingly.

"You're pretty awesome, Mr. Anderson, do you know that?" Kurt said softly.

"You're pretty awesome, too, Mr. Hummel." Blaine said back, smiling.

"I like you, too, Blaine!" Burt yelled from in front of them. Kurt just rolled his eyes as Blaine blushed like a schoolgirl.

"At least he likes you." Kurt whispered, snickering. Blaine rolled his eyes.

"Tell me again why I thought this would be a good idea?" Kurt asked, skirting around the table in the rear of the bar to place his back to the wall. There were so many people there tonight. He thought last night was crowded? Wow, this was packed.

Burt was in awe. He understood, now, why Blaine had warned him, and he was almost wishing he'd taken the boy's advice and just headed home. This was crazy! He figured he was prepared for all things "gay" after raising Kurt. He was mistaken. Sure, Kurt was gay, and maybe his clothing choices were a bit flamboyant, but they were nothing, absolutely NOTHING, like what he was seeing here tonight. Clearly he wasn't one to judge, but he wouldn't even know where to begin if he was going to. Carole had to resist the urge to grab her cell phone and take pictures more than once, and Rachel was acting as if this was a normal Friday night, which perplexed both Carole and Burt.

Kurt's phone buzzed and the message was from Hunter stating that he was in the bar, and he was looking for Kurt. Kurt directed him their way and then stood on the rungs of the chair in order to be seen, watching Hunter make his way over.

"Hey, Kurt!" he said, loudly, though not excitedly. Kurt understood why. From his description, the hottie in the black t-shirt was back in Seb's apartment and Hunter was undeniably hurt. In his mind, what they had was special. Clearly he and Seb weren't on the same page, and it was disheartening to say the very least.

"Hunter, this is my dad, Burt Hummel, and my step mom, Carole. And this is my best friend Rachel. She's the one that talked me into coming to New York and she let me sleep on her sofa until I found my own place." Kurt explained. Niceties were exchanged and Rachel headed for the front of the bar near the stage when the band started to play.

"You wanna head up there?" Hunter asked Kurt.

"No…I'm….I'm just fine right here." Kurt laughed nervously. "Last night was enough for me. Sitting up on the stage is much different than being down here in the action!" Kurt smiled. "But don't let me keep you from going up there if you want to!" he added quickly.

Hunter declined, and then headed to the bar for a drink. Making his way back over, he spotted Kurt speaking with another man at their table that he wasn't familiar with. Kurt introduced them as he walked up.

"Hunter, this is Kyle Raymond. His mother owns the building I live in. Hunter is a friend of a ….erm…someone else I know, Kyle. I'm rather surprised you two haven't crossed paths." Kurt muttered under his breath. "Just, you know, in the building…" he trailed off as both men gave him a questioning look.

"At the risk of sounding like an idiot, Kyle, do you come here often?" Kurt said, laughing.

"No, I've only been here twice in all the time I've lived in New York. I can to see Blaine play a couple of times, but that's it. My friend wanted to come tonight, but on the way over to see you we got separated, and I don't see him. I was going to introduce you guys. Another time I guess!" he said, clearly happy to be there with his friend. Kurt wondered if the guy was JUST a friend or not? Good for Kyle, though, he thought.

Kurt returned from the bar a little while later with Hunter stuck to him like glue. The two men had to wait in line for a bit to get their drinks and they were clearly new meat, individuals hitting on them left and right, and it made Kurt super anxious. Hunter stepped in several times to settle Kurt and he was proud of how Kurt was handling the situation. At least he didn't look like he was going to pass out as he may have before. Knowing the things he knew about Kurt now was an eye opening experience. He may not have what he wanted with Sebastian, but at least he didn't have to deal with what Kurt had with his ex.

Upon their return, Kurt found Carole seated, rather uncomfortably, on his father's lap of all places. They were both perched precariously on a single barstool and Burt looked like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Carole just snickered at Kurt's look of concern.

"He's been hit on twice since you left and he's a bit out of sorts, Kurt. He'll be fine." Carole said, giggling and winking at the two boys who were now laughing outright. "I think it may be time for us to head home if you don't mind. I'm not sure this is the scene your dad was expecting!" she said cheerily.

"If you wait until I finish this drink I'll head out with you. I don't want to just….." Kurt said, trailing off, and staring out into the crowd.

"Kurt? Hey, kiddo, you ok?" Burt said, concerned. Kurt didn't answer and didn't even look his way. "KURT!" Burt tried again, and this time, Kurt turned to look at him, eyes wide.

"Uh huh?" he said uncertainly.

"What's up with you? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Hunter asked.

"I….I thought I saw someone. I'm fine….really. You know what, I'm not thirsty anymore, and I think I'm ready to go home as well." Kurt said, eyes darting around the room quickly.

"Kurt?" Hunter asked, concerned with his friend's suddenly change.

"Hunter, I don't want to run out on you. Don't think you have to leave just because I am. Rachel is staying and waiting for Finn and Blaine is here if you want to hang out." Kurt offered.

"No…Kurt, I think I'd rather see you home. You're kinda freaking me out a little bit. You sure you're ok?" Hunter asked again.

"Yeah...um…sure. I just wanna head home. Just tired I think." Kurt answered. "I'll just text Blaine and let him know we're going."

12:20 a from Kurt: Hey, we're heading home. Not feeling so great. Please call me when you get home.

12:21 a from Kurt: Scratch that. Call me when you're leaving work, please. And get a cab for me? I know, I'm crazy, just….be careful getting home and let me know when you're on your way, ok?

1:02 a from Kurt: I was hoping I'd caught you before your break and you'd get my message. Apparently not. Ok, well, I hope the rest of the night is…what? Fun? Quick? Not filled with groping? I'll talk to you soon.

2:37 a from Kurt: Blaine. Seriously, please just set my mind at ease and tell me you're on your way…you got my message…go to hell. Say something, ok? Tonight was….something weird happened and I need to hear from you, ok? Please?

3:32 a from Kurt: I've moved past concern and I'm getting a little upset now. Just asking for you to let me know that all is well. Miss you.

4:10 a from Kurt: No longer upset. Truly peeved now. Is a text message that hard? Blaine….I'm just worried, please say something. You're not answering your phone either. What gives?

"Good morning, Pretty Boy." Nick smiled, lazy eyes drooping, a silly love sick look plastered on his face.

"Mmhmmm…if you say so" Jeff muttered from under the covers, his face half obscured by a fluffy pillow. "Don't wanna get up yet…" he whined.

"We have time. Are you hungry? I'll have breakfast sent up?"

"Only if you are…don't wanna eat alone…." Jeff muttered back. "Wait…sent up?" Jeff said, peeking out from the pillow covering his face. "Like room service?"

"Yeah, kinda…I guess?" Nick said, shrugging. "You know I don't cook much…and I'm hardly ever here, so there's no food unless I give them notice I'm coming for longer than a day or two."

"Might have been good for you to mention you have an apartment in Chicago, Nicky. Seriously, babe? Anything else I should know?" Jeff smiled. "I mean, you could be keeping your other toys here and I don't think I'm down with that…" he grinned, and Nick slapped him in the head with a pillow.

"I might have toys here, but they're the kind of toys I'm more than happy to share with you, baby. I didn't know you were into that kinda thing, though, so…." Nick said with a smirk, which earned him a smack in the head with a pillow as well. "So…food?" he prompted again.

"I dunno. I don't think I can eat, Nicky. My stomach is already flipping around. Meeting your family this morning is a bit overwhelming. I'm sort of thinking I may want to stay here while you go…."

"No! I want them to meet you. It's important for them to see you, in person, for who you are. Don't be nervous. My dad is the only asshole, and he won't lay all that out with mom there. And she's dying to meet you…and Bailey, too, but I'm not sure she'll be back in time. Please, babe…just go with me?" Nick begged.

With a deep sign and slumped shoulders, Jeff agreed. He climbed out of bed and shifted over to the windows looking out over the lake and whispered "Goodbye cruel world!" to himself.

"I heard that!" Nick laughed. "It'll be fine. Don't get yourself all worked up!"

"Easy for YOU to say."

Kurt felt like hell. He'd finally fallen asleep around 6 a.m. and now someone was knocking on the door. What time was it? Jesus, his head hurt. Rolling over, he had a split second thought that he was on the sofa and not in his bed before he fell off the edge and landed in a heap on the floor.

"This is becoming a habit." He muttered. "Oh my GOD, ok, I'm coming, stop banging!" he yelled at the door. Pulling the door open, he found a freshly showered and shaved Blaine staring at him with a huge smile and silly puppy dog eyes.

"Good morning, Mr. Hummel!" he greeted Kurt, clearly more awake than Kurt was. Through his brain haze, Kurt was aware that he wasn't ok with their situation right now, but he couldn't think of why.

"Yeah, I guess, what time is it?" Kurt asked.

"It's 10:30! Did you forget? You obviously forgot." Blaine said, his eyes a bit dejected. Kurt gave him a look that said he had no idea what he was talking about. "We're supposed to meet Coop for breakfast?" Blaine reminded him.

"Oh. OH! Oh shit! Blaine, I'm sorry! I was up late waiting for you to….." he trailed off, the events of the night before coming back to him. "YOU! WHY in the name of all that's holy didn't you answer me last night? What in the world is SO hard about returning a phone call or a text message, Blaine? I was so worried when I didn't hear anything back from you. I'm really still quite a bit irritated this morning, as a matter of fact!" Kurt began, his anger only gaining momentum as he went on.

"Kurt –" Blaine tried to say.

"AND, it's not as if a little 'leaving now' wouldn't have been enough, I thought I made that clear. I was really worried and I wanted to talk to you, but NO. Apparently you were too busy to text me back and …"

"Kurt..?" he said again.

"…so I sat up half the night wondering if you were ok, because in the club…well, that's another story, but .."

"KURT!" Blaine finally yelled, getting his attention. Just then Seb strolled out of his apartment door, his face scrunched up and his mood sour.

"What the actual fuck, Hummel! This is the second time you've woken me up with your bellowing in the morning. What's your deal anyway?" Seb said, advancing on them.

"This conversation is none of your business, Smythe, so go back into your own hovel and leave us to our chat, please." Kurt said, his polite tone mocking.

"Bullshit, this is getting old. The sexual tension between the two of you is so thick it's like a load bearing wall around here and I'm sick of the bantering because of it. Now I'm trying to be gracious here, even if I still maintain that I called first dibs, but God damn it, either you fuck him or I WILL, because this shit has to stop!" Seb bellowed at the two men.

Kurt's eyes were large and round and he was instantly ready to claw Seb's eyes out. "You will do NO such thing, you slimy lizard! You think you can just waltz out into the hall and call dibs on Blaine because you saw him first? You think he'd want someone like YOU, who can't keep it in his pants for more than an hour, to have anything to do with him? You think it's YOUR call who I sleep with and when? Well let me tell YOU something, Sebastard, I'll fuck him, alright, and I'll do it on my terms and when I'M damn good and ready, do you understand? And when I do, you mark my words, you'll wish you were out of town, because that load bearing wall? It's coming down, honey, because this whole damn house will be rockin!" Kurt all but yelled, his fury at the thought of Seb touching Blaine in any way fueling his anger. He turned to look at Blaine, but Blaine wouldn't meet his eyes. Seb had a silly shit eating grin on his face, and Kurt was just about to ask why when he heard a throat clear behind him.

"Morning, Mr. Hummel." Blaine whispered into the now deadly silent hallway.

"Blaine." Was all that Burt said. "And I'm assuming that makes you 'Sir Screws-a-lot'?" he asked. Sebastian just gave him a questioning look, then turned his tilted head toward Kurt with his eyebrows raised in question.

"If the shoe fits!" Kurt ground out, and stormed back into his own apartment, leaving the other three men in the hallway. He made a bee line for the bathroom and slammed the door behind him.

"Ok, then, Blaine, you coming in to wait for Mr. Happy Sunshine or what?" Burt asked, trying hard not to grin.

"I think I'm afraid to." Blaine replied. "He seems really angry with me because I didn't call him last night or text him back or something, but I'm pretty sure he's forgetting that he was holding my cell phone because the battery had died, so….."

"Seriously, Blaine, tell Hummel the countdown is on. He has to either shit or get off the pot, because I'm not a patient man, and when the eye candy is close enough to touch…" Seb began before Burt cut him off.

"You know, I met a friend of Kurt's last night that I think would be really good for you. He's a great guy, handsome, genuinely kind, and he might even you out a bit with that snarkiness you've got going on. His name is Hunter …." Burt began, but Sebastian narrowed his eyes and backed away. Burt just grinned. "Good meeting you, Smythe!" he called as Seb fiddled with his door.

"Tick tock, Anderson! You tell Hummel it's ON!" he growled.

Yep, Blaine was pretty sure he was going to like Kurt's dad. A lot