A/N No warnings for this except for language. If you don't know by now that these boys tend to curse, you haven't been paying attention.
I own only the OCs and nothing to do with Glee...although I kinda wish I did! Were we all thrilled Thursday or WHAT? Happy happy happy!

Anyway, hope you're all well, and thanks for the reviews. You know I appreciate each and every one of them, and if your pm's are enabled, I will reply :) And away we go...

CHAPTER 48

Blaine woke that morning with a throbbing in his cheek. He rolled over to find that he'd apparently fallen asleep on his phone and now the little indentations from the buttons and the screen were visible on his face. Awesome. Rolling onto his back he tried to think of why he would have had his phone in bed with him. By the time he'd gotten home, Kurt was asleep, so he didn't want to call and wake him up. Maybe Kurt had texted him, he'd heard it and grabbed his phone? Oh hell, what if he'd sent something back while he was half asleep! He checked his text messages and realized he did, indeed, have a text message, but it was from Jeff advising him to expect boxes. Well, ok then….he guessed Jeff would really be showing up at some point, and for this he was glad. He missed his friend badly, and he wouldn't turn away the chance to spend some time together. Besides, there was an awful lot going on that Jeff needed to explain, and Blaine was all ears for it. He wondered when Jeff would show up.

Dragging himself out of bed, he headed for the shower. He brushed his teeth and stepped into the warm water, not wanting it too hot because it already promised to be a sticky day outside with the humidity. It was barely 10 am and he could already tell how hot it was even with the air conditioning on. He sang a few songs at the top of his lungs while showering and thought about what he wanted for breakfast while he dried off. Wrapping the towel around his waist, he whipped the door open and immediately screamed like a little girl when he saw a scowling Jeff staring at him in the hallway.

"Jesus H. Christ, Jeff! What the hell man, you scared the shit outta me!" he wailed. Jeff didn't apologize, he just stood there, looking half dead, and glared at Blaine.

"I haven't slept in almost 40 hours. I wanted so badly to sleep on the bus, but the little heathen behind me kept kicking my seat, for fourteen hours Blaine….FOURTEEN hours! I came here last night and called you only for you to mumble in my face and hang up on me. When I finally got inside, I collapsed on the bed in all of my clothing. I was having a great dream and in a good sound sleep when the strains of Rod Stewart's 'Do You Think I'm Sexy' woke me from my wondrous slumber. Do you know who might have been wailing such lyrics at such an early hour, Blaine?" Jeff asked him pointedly, calmly.

"It's after 10 am, it's not early, Jeff, but—" Blaine started.

"I'm going to try desperately to go back to sleep now, ok? Don't wake me unless there's a zombie apocalypse and I need to help your ass escape to Atlanta, are we clear?" Jeff said with a determined look on his face. He turned and walked away.

"As mud…" Blaine said sarcastically. "Sleep well, Captain Congeniality!" he smiled.

"Oh, and thanks for letting me stay for a bit. I'll stay out of your way, be quiet and clean up after myself. I'll pay rent, I just need to lay low. I love you for letting me be here. Good night." Jeff said, returning to his dark room to lay back down, never opening his eyes back up after the "are we clear" part of his tirade.

It never occurred to Blaine to ask how Jeff had gotten in, and Jeff wasn't going to volunteer an answer.

"So yeah, he's going to stay here for a little bit, I guess, but he doesn't want Nick to know he's here, so he's laying low at my place. I don't know what he's going to do all day, though. Eventually he'll get bored, I'd think?" Blaine told Kurt that afternoon over lunch in Kurt's apartment.

"I'm dying to know the whole story. Nick seems like such a nice guy. I wonder what got up his dad's rear end that he's doing all of this to them? Kurt asked.

"Who knows. I was waiting for a grand story, like maybe Nick's dad and Jeff's mom had a thing back when and she dumped him or something? Or…oh! Oh! Maybe Jeff's grandpa opened a store and undersold Nick's grandpa back in the olden days? Who knows, the dude sounds like a jerk and I don't suppose he really needs a reason to hate someone. But, shit, who does that to their own kid?!" Blaine said, sadness on his face.

"Yeah…I can't imagine my dad going to such extremes to keep me away from someone if he didn't have one heck of a good reason, you know?"

"I can't imagine my dad giving a flying shit, so yeah, I know." Blaine said, his face void of emotion.
But, hey! On a lighter note, you seem much more calm today!" he smiled at Kurt.

"On the outside, perhaps. On the inside I'm still freaking out like a crazy person. Blaine I'm so nervous! What if he gets on that carpet tonight and everyone looks at him like he's a nut for leaving the house in that suit? What if someone says 'Good Lord, doesn't he have a mirror at home?' or something equally as crushing?!" Kurt yelled, his words jumbling together at the end.

"I'm sorry I brought it up." Blaine said sadly. "Kurt, let me ask you this. When David tried that suit on the other day and you did the fitting….he looked amazing, right?"

"Yeah, but—"

"No, no buts. He looked stunning in that suit; debonair, dapper, handsome, chic. You were so proud of his compliments while he was here, and I was so proud FOR you. You did an unbelievable job, and there's no way anyone is going to say differently. So what I need you to do is to calm down and tell me exactly what it is that has you so nervous." Blaine said patiently.

"I just don't want to let anyone down, Blaine. I don't want to embarrass my dad or Carole if David pops a seam. I don't want your friends to look at you and think you're dating a goofball who can't even sew a button on well enough to keep it from popping off on the red carpet for God's sake. I just want it to go right, and I can't guarantee that. I have no control over it, and I hate that. I hate it even more that he didn't tell me what the suit was for!" Kurt whined.

"Soooo, how many of those things do you have any control over?" Blaine asked.

"Right now? None! That's why I'm such a mess!"

"So what good will it do for you to freak out and obsess over something you can't fix or change? There is nothing wrong with that suit, it's amazing. He looks great in it. You did a helluva job, and it's not going to fall apart as he walks the carpet, Kurt. Now we wait. We see what all of the design blogs have to say. Let's go do something to get your mind off of it, you want to? I'm kind of afraid to go back to my apartment, actually. Jeff might kill me if I wake him up!" Blaine laughed.

"I have so much to do here, so I shouldn't. But I really want to get out for a little bit. I'm so stressed!" Kurt said, glancing around him at all of the pattern pieces and cut fabric he had strewn around the room. "There is no way I'm going to be able to get all of these sewn up on my own by the time David wants them. I'm going to have to hire someone to help out, I know it. But enough of that, yes, let's go out for an hour or something. It's too hot for coffee. Wanna grab some ice cream?" Kurt asked.

"Sounds perfect." Blaine smiled, grabbing Kurt's hand and heading to the door.

11:27a from Studmuffin: Go out with me tonight?

11:30a from Maggie: You've been on my phone again! LOL

11:31a from Studmuffin: What makes you say that, beautiful?

11:32a from Maggie: Studmuffin? Really?

11:35a from Studmuffin: Awwww, that's what you call me?

11:37a from Maggie: You wish! What are you up to?

11:39a from Studmuffin: Leaving for lunch soon. Miss you an awful lot. Dinner tonight?

11:41a from Maggie: Unsure if I can find a sitter? I'll ask around.

11:45a from Studmuffin: Bring them? Please?

11:48a from Maggie: Um…not yet? Soon, ok?

11:51a from Studmuffin: Alright.

11:52a from Studmuffin: Soon, though? Please? They're a big part of you, and I want to be a part of their lives. If you'll let me.

11:54a from Maggie: I want that…I do. Soon. Just…in time, ok?

11:55a from Studmuffin: You don't trust me? With them?

11:57a from Maggie: It's not that, you know that. It's just, with all they've been through recently, I don't want to rush things…for them. I don't want you to be angry. I adore you, I know they will, too. Please….soon.

11:59a from Maggie: And also, we haven't really gone public, lol. They might let the cat out of the bag before we're ready?

12:01p from Studmuffin: Mags, I know. I phrased that wrong…I know what's happened. I don't want them to ever have to go through any of that again…the stuff with Josh. They don't need any more of that in their lives. And it won't be from me, ok?

12:03p from Studmuffin: And you mean before YOU'RE ready…cuz I'm so ready

12:04p from Maggie: Thank you. For understanding. They're going to love you, I know it.

12:06p from Studmuffin: As I love you.

12:07p from Maggie: That still yanks at my heart

12:09p from Studmuffin: I hope in time the feeling will be mutual. I'll hold out as long as I have to until I woo you into loving me back :D Let me know about dinner. I'd really like to see you.

12:12p from Maggie: I will, I promise. Maybe that feeling is closer than you think? ;)

12:14p from Studmuffin: I really hope so. I have a good feeling about this, Mags. Hugs, babe.

12:15p from Maggie: Hugs back!

"Mom, please. I can't talk about Jeff. I don't know where he is. I have to assume he's ok. I hate not being able to call him and just talk to him, and the more I think about it, the more angry I get at dad for everything he's done. The more things Paul and his team find, the more I want to throw up or choke the life out of my own father. My heart hurts, mom….I've lost the love of my life all because of my dad, who wants control over things that are none of his business or concern."

"Honey, I'm so, so sorry. I wish I'd known. I didn't….I didn't have any idea what he was doing or I'd have stepped in. I know there has to be a way for all of this to be resolved and you and Jeffrey to be together again. I'm just so very sorry, Nicholas." Mrs. Duval said softly, trying to calm Nick.

"I've found out things over the past few days that have made my head spin and my heart palpitate. I have essentially lost my father through no fault of anyone but himself. He's done this…to himself, and to all of us. I just….I can't, mom. I can't talk about it anymore, and I'm sorry. I'll call you soon. Love you." Nick said, disconnecting the call from his mom. He was well and truly on his way to a nervous breakdown, he thought.

Nick sat on his sofa and hung his head, elbows on his knees and his face resting in his hands. He heaved a big sigh and spoke out loud, as if Jeff could hear him. "God, Jeffie, I miss you so damn much…" He felt tears sting his eyes and knew that the only thing he could do now was to make damn sure his dad was out of the picture. Only then would Jeff come back. But he still wanted Jeff by his side now…or close by. Where was he, anyway?

If only he could just talk to Jeff…to know he was safe and ok. Sure, his dad had said if Jeff left he'd leave him alone, but he'd said a lot of things in his life that they were now finding out were complete lies. He needed Jeff, though. He needed to hold him and bounce things off of him. He needed Jeff's comfort and his level head. He just needed Jeff.

1:27p from Nick: Blaine. Have you heard from him? I just need to know he's ok and he's safe.

1:29p from Blaine: Nick, he's fine. I have spoken with him and I know he's well. No worries.

1:30p from Nick: I don't suppose you can tell me where he is or how to get in touch with him?

1:32p from Blaine: Please don't put me in the middle. I think It's for the best right now if you don't know too much.

1:34p from Nick: You're a good friend to him. Thanks for that. Just…please tell him I love him and I miss him, ok?

1:35p from Blaine: That is something I'm more than happy to pass along. Hang in there, Nick. Will I see you this weekend at the Dive?

1:38p from Nick: I'll be there. I have nothing better to do. See you then.

Blaine's heart hurt for his friends. He wanted, more than anything, to just tell Nick to come over and hole up in his apartment with Jeff, but that wouldn't solve anything. Clearly, Jeff wanted to be alone, or at least away from Nick or he wouldn't have come and asked for secrecy. It was tough, though, to know how this was tearing Nick up and not know what had actually happened. When Jeff woke up he was going to grill him and find out the whole story.

"Nick again?" Kurt asked over his sundae.

"Yeah…the guy's totally torn up. He misses Jeff. I hope this whole mess is over soon." Blaine replied.

"I feel for him, though. I can't honestly begin to imagine if you were suddenly just gone from my life and I…." Kurt trailed off, seeing the sparkle in Blaine's eyes. "What?" he asked softly.

"N-nothing. It's just….you um….you just…sort of, when you said that, it made me all fluttery inside." Blaine said, blushing several shades of crimson. He stared down at his dish of ice cream and tried desperately to wipe the silly grin from his face before he looked up at Kurt again, but it just wouldn't be hidden.

"Blaine, I know it's only been a short time, but you have to know how close I feel to you. You do, don't you?" Kurt asked him, seeming very concerned about Blaine's reply.

"I think I do, Kurt. And I feel the same way, just…I'm glad we're here. Us, together, you know…." He trailed off, blushing again. "I'm not usually this goofy when I'm talking about serious things." He laughed. "It's you, Kurt. You make me happy."

"You make me happy, too." Kurt said, reaching across the table for Blaine's hand and intertwining their fingers with a big smile.

Jeff woke with a start when his phone rang on the nightstand. Only a couple of people had this number, so he was momentarily confused as to why it was ringing at all.

"H'lo" he said, not looking at the caller ID.

"Jeffrey! You were supposed to call me when you got to Blaine's! I was worried. Are you ok? Is everything alright?" Caroline grilled him.

"Sorry mom, I'm good. Everything's fine. Don't worry. I didn't get to sleep at all on the bus and I was so dead when I got here I just passed out." Jeff answered, still groggy. "Is everything ok there?"

"Yes, yes. It seems that something is happening though. I thought, surely, that the spies would be gone, but it seems there are more of them now than ever before. Should I be worried?"

"More? Why more?" Jeff said, sitting up quickly. Why in the world would there be more men around the house if this was supposedly over? Now he was starting to worry again. "Mom, I left Nick so that we could all get back to our lives without David Duval ruining things. If he's still at it, I can't promise I won't hunt him down and choke the man!" Jeff growled. "Wait…the spies? Did you just call them spies?" he laughed.

"Oh, Gram has me calling them that! She's still peeking out around the curtains and whatnot! The woman is certifiable, I tell you!" Caroline retorted into the phone.

"Don't you sass about your own mother, Caroline Mary Elizabeth Durban Sterling!" Gram yelled from the other room. Jeff burst out laughing.

"You're are SO in trouble! She used your whole name!" he chortled. "I know just what that means when the names get thrown in there!"

"Jeffrey! Don't you start on me too. She's making me a raving lunatic with her 007 music and trying to roll around on the floor and pop up at the window and such shenanigans! Take pity on your poor mother!" she grinned.

"I miss you guys, mom." Jeff said, slightly sad. "If I thought I could come home I would, but I honestly don't know what it would accomplish, and you don't need me hanging around crowding up the house anyway."

"You are ALWAYS welcome here, baby. It's your home, always. Don't ever think differently, do you hear me Jeffrey Samuel Sterling?!" she said sternly.

"Oh God, the middle name…listen, mom, love you, I gotta go. You're…breaking up…can't…hear…you….." he said, making static sounds behind his hand while he muffled the phone and then disconnected. Shaking his head and laughing, he decided it was time to get up and get his butt in gear.

"What's with the garbage can?" Blaine asked, as Kurt made his way back into the living room to the sofa and sat down in front of the tv.

"Don't make fun. I'm seriously going to throw up. I feel like I'm dying." Kurt said.

"You don't feel well?" Blaine asked, clearly concerned.

"It's my flipping nerves!" Kurt yelled back at him. Blaine threw his hands up in surrender and shook his head. "Did you invite Maggie and the kids over?"

"I did, but she has a date with….whoever. That guy she's been seeing. The kids are hanging with Helen." Blaine replied, flopping on the sofa. Kurt still looked sick.

"You're a nut, you know that?" he said, smiling at Kurt. "It's gonna be fine, I promise! Look, here we go!" he said excitedly, watching the first of the nominees come down the red carpet toward the cameras. Kurt watched the television as if his life depended on it, and Blaine watched Kurt. He did, indeed, look green. The poor guy. He wondered if things would have been better, or at least a bit easier if he'd known just what he was making the suit for. Probably not. He would have just freaked out that much more. Yep….best that he didn't know until now.

Blaine smiled as Kurt's eyes got bigger and bigger as the fashions made their way down the long, red swath. To him, it didn't matter who was in the clothing, he just wanted to see the fabrics, the styles, the accessories. He was in his element and Blaine wasn't going to say a word until he was spoken to.

"Oh my good gracious, what IS she wearing? That's a travesty…..waste of good silk if you ask me. Awful…." Kurt would remark here and there. They listened to each and every one as they stepped aside to speak with the hosts and discuss designers and the like. Kurt was enthralled.

"OH! There's Hunter! Look! LOOK!" he squealed, pointing at the t.v. "He looks fabulous! I have to know who he's wearing. I love the collar on that jacket…." He went on. "Her dress is horrendous, though. Never heard of the designer, have you?" he said, looking at Blaine.

"Are you serious right now?" Blaine said, giving him a look. "As if I'd know a designer that YOU don't?" he grinned.

"Yeah yeah, well, it's possible, not likely but…." He began, and then just faded out as the cameras showed David Perry walking the carpet with his wife. Her dress was beautiful if not a bit plain. Of course, it wasn't she who was up for an award, it was David. "Oh God….." Kurt said, hugging a pillow to his face and hiding in it. He reached down blindly, waving his hand frantically looking for the garbage can. "I can't…Blaine I can't. Tell me!" he squealed.

David looked stunning; absolutely out of this world. He'd added a pocket square of leftover silk that Kurt was using for another design. It was just enough color to make him pop and it matched his wife's dress. He walked confidently down the carpet and reached the hosts with flashes going off from every direction. He even made a joke about needing sunglasses because of all the cameras flashing. The interviewer gave him the once over and then began to gush about his suit, the cut of the sleeves and the waist, and the color choice. It wasn't grey, but it wasn't black either. There was a sheen to the fabric and when the light hit it, it was mesmerizing. Kurt was ill.

"…..new designer in town, his name is Kurt Hummel, and he's collaborating with me on a new line of fashions that will encompass….." David went on, and Kurt hid. Blaine was glued to the t.v. and taking in every word like it was his last breath of air.

"…absolutely stunning!" was the first comment. Kurt peeked his head out. "Did she say…?"

"Shhhh! Shhhhh!" Blaine shushed him.

"….seems to have been well received as we've been asked to replicate the suit already for a certain upcoming wedding between two Hollywood celebs that shall remain nameless….however I'm sure we all know who just got engaged last week in Hawaii….it was all over the news, yes?" David smiled into the camera. "I'm sure Kurt will be thrilled to know how well his design has been…."

And that was all Kurt heard before a huge, high pitched squeal came flowing from his lungs at top volume. He and Blaine both jumped from the sofa, hugging and jumping and squealing like little girls. They were laughing and crying and suddenly the door flew open and there stood Jeff and an equally panic stricken Sebastian, both looking ready to do battle and kick some butt.

"What the hell, you guys?" Seb yelled. "What is WITH you two and the howling that seems to come from this apartment at all hours? If you were having sex, I could understand, but it's clear THAT'S not happening. I know, I've been watching you both to see if you're walking stiffly…." He began.

"Yelling….what's with the yelling? I thought something was wrong!" Jeff blurted out, still a look of panic on his face. He was holding a soup ladle and looked ready to hurt someone.

"A ladle? Really Jeff?" Blaine snickered.

"It's the first thing I grabbed! Damn it, I thought something was wrong! Why were you screaming?!" Jeff replied, irritated.

"David just walked the carpet and he's wearing Kurt's design! They loved it!" Blaine gushed. He threw his arms around Kurt again and realized Kurt was still sobbing.

"They did…they liked it. Someone likes my stuff…." He sobbed, laughing and sniffling. "He said my name on TV, Blaine, and gave me credit for the design and….." Kurt trailed off, still staring at the screen as if it would come alive and David would soon be in the living room with them.

"Well I hate to be the one to say I told you so, but—" Blaine began.

"Then don't! Oh my gosh, Blaine! The only other time in my life that I've been this happy is when I saw you in the attic!" he blurted out without thinking. The smile on Blaine's face could have lit up half of New York city just then. "Thank you….thank you for not letting me fall apart, and for reassuring me that it would be ok. You had faith in me all along!" Kurt blathered out.

"Of course I did. You're amazing, and I knew they'd all love it…they'd love you! How could you even doubt—" he began, but Kurt had grabbed him and thrown his arms around Blaine's neck, pulling him in for a sweet, passionate kiss. Without thinking or even truly noticing, Blaine's hands ran up Kurt's back to his neck and into his hair, pulling him in to meet his chest and he held on tight. When Kurt finally released him to take in a breath, he was momentarily stunned to find those beautiful eyes staring back into his own and Kurt's amazing smile bare centimeters from his own lips.

"Thank you, Blaine." Kurt whispered against his red, kiss swollen lips. All Blaine managed to mumble out was "uh huh….." before Kurt was dropping his arms and connecting their fingers once again.

Sebastian rolled his eyes at their PDA and shook his head. "I'm out…and no more screaming, Hummel! It's like living in a sorority house, and we all know how fucking distasteful THAT would be!" Seb said, slamming the door as he left. Jeff sauntered in and made himself comfortable in the armchair next to Kurt's sofa where he and Blaine were snuggled up once again.

"This ok? Or do you two want some alone time to finish that…uh…yeah, that?" Jeff asked with a gleam in his eye." Blaine threw a pillow at his head, which Jeff caught and snuggled up with to finish watching the show.

"It's ok….he wore it and it's ok…." Kurt whispered into the pillow he'd been grasping. Blaine hugged him closer and gave him a kiss on the forehead before busting out laughing again.

"Congratulations, Mr. Newest Celeb Designer." He said, nuzzling into Kurt's neck. "I'm so proud of you!"

They fielded phone calls and text messages from excited family and friends. Unbeknownst to Kurt, Blaine had told everyone he knew about David wearing Kurt's design. He was confident it would be well received and he was right. His amazing boyfriend had done a spectacular job and now everyone wanted to tell him so. When they'd spoken to everyone and it was quiet again, Jeff got up to leave and give them their privacy.

"I'll see you guys in the morning." He said, standing to go.

"Oh no you don't!" Blaine replied, leaping from the sofa and grabbing Jeff by the arm. "It's quite obvious that Kurt knows you're here now, and apparently so does Sebastian. What none of us are privy to is why. You have some explaining to do. Why is one Nicholas Duval whining at me via text message several times daily, hmmm?" Blaine asked, raising his oh so uniquely shaped eyebrows.

"It's a long story, guys." Jeff said sadly, shaking his head.

"We have all night. Start talking." Blaine demanded.

"Blaine!" Kurt scolded him. "Jeff, would you like something to drink? I made cookies this afternoon because I was nervous and couldn't concentrate on my sewing. Would you like some?"

"Um..yeah, ok." Jeff said, perking up at the mention of cookies. "What kind do you have?"

"Chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar, gingerbread and snickerdoodles." Kurt replied absently. Jeff and Blaine exchanged a look.

"You made all that between the time we got back from the ice cream shop and when I came over for the show tonight?" Blaine asked, totally shocked.

"I was nervous! Don't judge me!" Kurt sneered back playfully, bringing over a plate of assorted cookies and setting it on the coffee table. "Ok, so dig in!"

Blaine and Jeff did as they were told, and Jeff began making the most obnoxious sounds imaginable. Blaine wasn't much better.

"This is payback for the pancakes, isn't it?" Blaine mumbled around a mouthful of cookies.

"Holy shit, dude. If this sewing thing doesn't work out you can open your own bakery and be famous for that instead!" Jeff declared loudly and with much enthusiasm. "Don't even think I'm not taking some of these home with me!" he grinned. "Amazing…." Jeff mumbled out, shoving another cookie into his mouth and moaning again.

"Yes, well, I hope this 'sewing thing' works out for me." Kurt laughed.

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing your line of work, Kurt. Not at all. I know how hard it is, believe me. I remember the long nights and the broken needles, the shredded seams and the ill fitting patterns that always needed a last minute alteration just before showtime! Believe me when I say I feel for ya! Look at all of this. When are you supposed to have it all done?" Jeff said, looking over everything laying around the apartment. Kurt didn't answer right away. He was staring intently at Jeff, and when Jeff looked up at him, Kurt smiled like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Jeff…..you sew?" he said, almost reverently.

"Of course I do. I was in charge of all the costumes in our theater group for years!" he said, still not understanding why Kurt would care if he sewed or not. He went back to inhaling cookies and Kurt and Blaine exchanged a knowing look and a smile.

"… so now mom says there are even MORE guys around the house and they're not even trying to be discreet apparently if Gram can pick them out like that. Gram's driving mom crazy and I just want to know why the hell they're not gone if it's supposed to be 'over'. I mean, I held up my end of the deal. The bad thing is, I can't even call Nick to ask him what the problem is. I said I'd stay away…" he said a little brokenly. "I need to know mom and Gram are safe. Why haven't they left the house and gone back to wherever they came from?" Jeff asked, clearly annoyed.

"Well, I can always call Nick for you. Lord knows if I wait an hour he'll text me or call me again anyway." Blaine snarked. He slid his phone over the table to Jeff, who picked it up and read the text messages, tears forming in his eyes immediately.

"It's barely been four days and I miss him so much it hurts, Blaine." Jeff said brokenly.

"I know, man. I can tell, and he's the same way. You guys need to get this all worked out so you can just be yourselves again. If Duval's not holding up his end of the deal, you may as well go to Nick's. No point in you both being miserable if there's no reward to it, right?" Blaine said.

"Probably. I need to find out what's going on. Will you call him for me tomorrow?"

"I will…" Blaine told him with a grin. "He'll want to know when I talked to you and you know he's going to ask me where you are again. I feel like an asshole keeping stuff from him, but I will because you asked me to. I know the rules."

"Me too, mum's the word!" Kurt chimed in. "We're all on your side, Jeff. We'll get this to work out. You and Nick deserve to be together."

"Thanks you guys. I really appreciate everything." Jeff smiled, but his heart wasn't in it.

"No, Hardy, H-a-r-d-y. Yeah, Jackson. I'm assuming his last known address was Lima, OH, where Kurt Hummel is from. Yeah, there's a lot in the file here, but there's an amazing amount of stuff missing. I don't know what's going on, but this isn't normal. Something's fishy, and I honestly don't think he's safe with this guy on the streets, especially if Hardy knows Kurt is in New York. Yeah, anything you can find. I'd appreciate it. Thanks, man, I owe you one." He smiled, suddenly more intent on the conversation from the other end of the line. "Really? Hmm, now there's an offer I can get behind…pun intended."

The next morning found Hunter climbing the steps to Kurt's door in the very late afternoon. Knocking swiftly, he glanced behind him to make sure that he was alone. He didn't want another run in with Sebastian. Last time he was here, Seb had cornered him on the way out and he'd left feeling shitty and not sure if he wanted to punch Sebastian or kiss him and make up. He still wasn't sure.

"Hey!" Kurt said as he pulled the door open. "Tell me EVERYTHING, and don't leave out a single detail!" Yanking Hunter inside, Kurt closed the door and led him into the living room where he and Jeff had set up a makeshift workspace big enough for both of them. Kurt was sewing and Jeff was pinning like a man possessed.

"Fuck me!" Jeff yelled, as he stuck a pin in his thumb for the umpteenth time that day. "Kurt, I'm gonna need disability soon!" he grouched, looking up to see Hunter entering the apartment. He raised his brows at the obviously handsome man that he didn't know. Don't stand so close to Kurt, creep!

"Hunter, this is Jeff Sterling. He's a good friend of Blaine's, here to visit. We'll keep that little bit of info to ourselves, please. The situation is sensitive and he's laying low for a bit until things die down with his boyfriend's family."

"Jeff, this is Hunter Clarington. He works with David and is a recent acquaintance. He was at the show last night with David!" Kurt beamed. "Ok, not with David, but they were both there and….oh, sheesh! Tell me!" he squealed at Hunter, who only laughed and went into the whole detailed description of the evening. Hunter had spoken with David before the show and he knew of the upcoming wedding order. Kurt was quite surprised to learn that it wasn't only the groom he'd be designing for, but also the groomsmen as well. He was ecstatic! He couldn't wait to tell Blaine. And his dad. And everyone else he knew or had ever met in his lifetime. He just wished that David would call or text him back soon!

Hunter hung out for a bit and the three chatted away about everything and nothing until Jeff finally looked up from what he was doing and said, loudly, "Oh yeah, that's why your name sounds familiar. You go out with that Sebastian guy down the hall, right? You were chained to the bed without a key?" Hunter's eyes closed and he took in a deep breath before speaking.

"Used to…not anymore." Was all he said. Jeff knew, immediately, that he'd stepped in it.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know." He said quietly.

"No, it's ok. We wouldn't have worked out anyway. He's…um…difficult." Hunter said by way of explanation.

"Still, I'm sorry I brought it up." Jeff added sympathetically.

"No worries, man. It's all in the past." Hunter smiled, a bit more genuinely now.

"Ok, so I think I'm gonna head home and get some dinner, Kurt. Back at it tomorrow?" Jeff asked, getting up to leave.

"Absolutely, if you're free, I'll work you like a rented mule!" Kurt laughed.

"I think I'm free. What the hell else would I be doing? Keeping Blaine's sofa warm?" Jeff snickered. "I'll see you in the morning. Call me when you wake up and you're ready to get back to it."

Kurt walked him to the door, hugging him as he left and then turned to Hunter, who was now hanging his head.

"I'm sorry, Hunt." Kurt said softly, approaching him from the front. He stopped and held out his hand, and Hunter took it. Kurt pulled him to his feet and led him into the kitchen. "Coffee?" he asked.

"Just a glass of water, please. I haven't been sleeping and the last thing I need is caffeine. They had me in makeup so long last night that even Georgiana was getting pissed…yelling at me for dark circles under my eyes and all that. What a mess…." Hunter mused.

"You're not a mess, you're just…adjusting. Eventually you'll be back to your old self and things will be great, right? They have to be. You're going to be a doctor, help people, get paid lots of money!" Kurt laughed.

"And I'll probably be alone because I won't have Seb and I won't want to date women, and if I date a man I have to tell my parents and I just….God, Kurt, they're gonna flip out!" he whined, shaking his head slowly. "I should just resign myself to being alone and in misery."

"Ok, NOW you're just feeling sorry for yourself. I won't have it!" Kurt laughed. We should go out to dinner and do some shopping. That always cheers me up!"

"Can't, I have class tonight, but thanks for the offer. I'll take a rain check, though." Hunter grinned. "For now, I gotta bolt!" He walked to the door, gave Kurt a short salute and disappeared through it into the hallway.

Kurt made himself a sandwich and was sitting back down to flip through his latest Vogue when his phone rang. He didn't recognize the number, but he answered it anyway.

"Kurt Hummel speaking."

"Hello, Kurt. It's been awhile, hasn't it?"

Kurt sat, frozen in his seat, unable to say a word.