5YL Let the Encore Commence
Part 10
Although Santana was able to reach Hunter by phone, they weren't able to meet up that evening as Hunter and Kimberly had plans that evening which wouldn't have them home till late. So they agreed to meet late on Saturday morning after Kimberly headed into work. And luckily for Wes, it wasn't an issue as Chloe was already be occupied as she was going to be out shopping for their wedding with friends. "Did Chloe happen to chime in regarding what we were doing?" Santana asked Wes as they road up in the elevator to Hunter's.
"She did, reminded me to keep my perspective as much as we're all involved, this is Blaine and Sebastian's issue to deal with." Wes told her. "Let me guess, Jordan had a few words for you before she left?"
"A few would be putting it mildly, but she covered all of her bases." Santana replied. "She understands my need to stick my nose into this, but said to act wisely so we don't add to things."
"Something we acknowledged from the get-go, which is why we have to act wisely, particularly given who we're dealing with." He said as they exited the elevator before making their way down the hall. Upon reaching the door, he rung the bell and they waited for Hunter to answer. The moment he answered, Santana took a double-take as it was probably the most relaxed she'd ever seen him.
"Did you happened to pass Kimberly in the lobby?" Hunter asked as they made their way inside after saying hello.
"We did not." Wes replied. "She was probably heading down while we were on our way up."
"Most likely as she only left moments ago." He told them before taking another sip of his coffee. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. Would you care for anything to drink?"
"No, we're good." Santana said as she took a look around as last time she was here things were a bit more hectic. "Kimberly didn't leave on our account, did she?"
"No, as she needed to be on her way to the stadium, where I will be heading later on." Hunter said before setting his coffee cup down and then picking up his tablet which was on the table. "Since you were a bit vague when you called me, let me guess, this relates to what happened in court yesterday."
"You could say that." Wes stated. "Although things were already a bit tense prior to the recess Judge Watkins called, matters intensified afterwards."
"Is it safe to presume you two did the right thing and told ADA Strauss about Hummel inserting himself into your conversation." They each confirmed that they did. "And she in turn told Judge Watkins." Again they confirmed his statement. "And that's what prompted him to close the courtroom for the remainder of the hearing."
"Correct again, but how did you know that?" Wes replied.
"Word makes its way through the courthouse." Hunter told them. "Especially something of that nature, as it's rare a case goes from open court to close court during one session. Also, the nature of the case is of interest given who is involved, even if Blaine in particular isn't in attendance, though Sebastian's presence garners plenty of attention too. There have been enough confrontations between the three of them to cause people to pay close attention of who's there each time. Not to mention, who do you think some of those "courthouse sources" are? There are enough assistants, clerks, and aides walking about whose hands aren't tied by confidentiality."
"I hadn't really thought about all that, but it makes sense." Santana said in response. "Now, I'm sure you're curious regarding what we wanted to speak to you about." Hunter nodded. "We were curious about what lines we could or couldn't cross regarding Hummel." Her words prompted Hunter to sit back in his chair and look between them. "You can't tell me the thought hasn't crossed your mind."
"Oh, it's crossed my mind numerous times, especially given what I know." Hunter told her. "Let alone the impact I know this is having on them. Sebastian deals with his frustration by throwing himself into his studies so he can be present for Blaine. As for Blaine, he's throwing himself into his work and taking care of Sebastian."
"So you're aware of their frustration with how this is dragging." Wes stated.
"Yes, as I'm the only person Sebastian confides in outside of Blaine." Hunter replied. "The main reason they don't vent to anyone else, is they don't want this to become a burden for those they care for. And while they know I care, they're also aware I have a good grasp on my emotions."
"But we're already a part of this." Santana said to him
"I know, just as they do. But if everyone was aware of the details in this case, it would turn it upside-down, which is the last thing either of them need, particularly Blaine."
"Is this your roundabout way of telling us to stay out of it, regardless of how good our intentions are?"
"It is, as outside interference could back fire on them." Hunter told them. "Hummel could go to the court and imply those close to Blaine and Sebastian are intimidating him, even if you merely told him to leave them alone."
"Even though we've all done that already, he'll twist the situation to suit him considering how things have changed." Wes said in response and Hunter agreed. "There has to be something we can do, as this is ridiculous. They've officially been divorced for almost three years, yet things are almost as tenuous as they were in the midst of their divorce."
"Mind me asking what caused you to change your mind Wes, as you were the voice of reason when he went on his tangent when they were in Paris?" Once Hunter spoke, Wes and Santana exchanged a look before he clasped his hands before him and she sighed. "It can't be that bad."
"Actually, it is." Santana hesitantly replied. "And before you say we're overreacting, Blaine said they hadn't dealt with this previously, so…" She then looked at Wes. "You need to tell him, as I still feel like shit for blurting it out yesterday."
"Just tell me."
"Alright, but I'm telling you now that you're not going to like it." She told him. "And, let us finish explaining before you say or question anything."
"Consider me warned." Given who was before him, Hunter expected something rather serious given neither Wes nor Santana had a tendency to overreact. Yet he was keeping everything in perspective since he was aware he was privy to things others weren't. The moment Wes filled him in regarding what had them concerned, there was no missing the change in Hunter's expression. Having broached the initial subject, Santana filled him in on the details Wes wasn't aware of. Once she was done, the two simply looked at him and saw the relaxed demeanor he'd had when they'd arrived was long gone, an underlying furor evident. "And you blurted this information out to them?"
"Unfortunately." Santana replied while watching him rub the back of his neck.
"How'd they take the news?"
"Sebastian walked away, and Blaine, Blaine seemed appalled that he went there." Wes told him. "We didn't talk with Blaine long afterwards as he went to go check on Sebastian. Now does my change of mind make a little more sense?"
"It does." Hunter said before getting up out of his seat. "Will you excuse me for a minute, as I need to make a phone call?" The two nodded. "This shouldn't take too long, but feel free to help yourselves to anything should you get hungry or thirsty while I'm gone." It wasn't long after Hunter disappeared down a hall and they heard a door close, did they hear the beginnings of a rather heated conversation. Although neither were aware of who was on the other end, each agreed they were thankful it wasn't them he was going off on.
Once he returned, his aggravation was more evident, as he apologized for being gone as long as he was, saying the call took longer than expected. "Mind me asking who you were talking to?" Wes asked as Hunter sat back down.
"Someone with knowledge of the situation, it's all I can say regarding that." He told him. "With that said, I strongly advise staying out of this as Hummel's own behavior is going to bite him in the ass."
"Bullshit!" Santana exclaimed, getting up off the couch as she did. "He's been pulling the same crap over and over and the only ones' paying for are Blaine and Sebastian! The judge needs to throw his ass back in jail!"
"Santana, it's not that I don't agree with you but they're having to work within the confines of the law." Hunter said in response. "Essentially, outside of Hummel blatantly violating the order of protection, the judge's hands are tied."
"But Kurt violated terms of their divorce decree when he spoke out against them when they were in Paris." Wes chimed in. "Shouldn't that account for something?"
"Yes, but depending on the language in which that section is written, there's only so much they can do."
"That must be what Judge Watkins was referring to when he said he spoke with Judge Thompson regarding his options."
"Considering that's the judge who presided over Blaine's divorce, I'd say you're correct." Hunter then looked over at Santana who was standing before the window now, looking out onto the city. "I know how badly this sucks Santana, but…"
"Don't say there isn't anything we can do, I don't believe that!" She said with her arms crossed before her. "There has to be something we can do to put an end to this once and for all. They deserve to live their life without him being a presence in it."
"I know."
"None of this is fair."
"Agreed, but there is little we can do." Hunter told her. "Believe me when I tell you I've thought about doing something numerous times."
"What's stopped you?"
"Sebastian." Hunter said in response. "Frustrated as he is with how this is playing out, he wants to let it play out in the courts."
"Even he has to be getting frustrated with the way things are going."
"He is, but you have to keep in mind extenuating circumstances. In a matter of weeks he and I graduate from Law School, and then move on to preparing for the bar exam. What you might not realize, there isn't only an exam, but you have to sit before a board to see if you're worthy of being admitted. He can't risk fucking up, nor can I."
"Yet that hasn't stopped you from considering taking action." Santana pointed out.
"Considering, and acting on those thoughts are two different things. While Sebastian's worked hard to become a "better" person, I've done the same thing. I know all too well what it's like to have everyone throw every bad thing you've done back at you, even if you're not that person anymore." Hunter said. "So the fact that Sebastian's managed to rein in all those instinctive reactions that are seemingly second nature, speaks to his resolve."
"And Blaine, what about Blaine having to relive everything?"
"It sucks, there's no other word for it. Yet given how you feel, imagine how Sebastian feels watching the man he loves go through this. No matter what we feel, it's worse for them, yet they're leaving it in the hands of the courts."
"Because Blaine's not wired the way we are, and Sebastian's not going to go against his wishes."
"Not only that, but because he doesn't want to risk making matters worse." Hunter told her. "Now that this matter is in the hands of the court, it's a fine line regarding what anyone can do. The last thing any of us want to do is give Hummel ammunition he can use against them."
"And considering what we saw yesterday, his lawyer won't hesitate to use that information to defend him." Wes said and once he did, Hunter ran his hand through his hair. "I understand he's merely doing his job, but there is no way Kurt's actions should be excusable, regardless of what others may say to him."
"I'm not questioning that, merely there is more involved than either of you understand."
"Then help us understand!" Santana replied.
"I wish it was that simple, but it's not, it's far from simple. It's why we need to follow their led, regardless of how frustrated we are."
"As our frustration pales in comparison to anything they are feeling." Wes said.
"Precisely." Hunter replied. "These feelings you're having, is why they've tried to keep everyone out of it."
"But we are involved, whether they want to admit it or not." Santana told him.
"They're aware of it, but they are attempting to mitigate everyone's involvement. That's why each time someone else is called into it, they tend to close off."
"They need us, they need our support." Wes replied.
"I know, as do they, but they're dealing with something none of us can quite process. There is so much the rest of us aren't aware of, that we simply need…"
"To follow their lead, you've already said that." Santana retorted.
"Santana, hard as this is to believe, but the rest of us behaving benefits Blaine and Sebastian, as it shows how irrational Hummel is. He's given us ample opportunities to act out, but since we've put Blaine and Sebastian's best interests ahead of everything, we've come out ahead, as have they."
"I don't like it."
"Neither do I, but we really have to let Blaine and Sebastian dictate how this plays out. And while Car…Mr. Jones is a good lawyer, ADA Strauss, Mr. Douglass, and Xavier have years of experience on their side."
"Back it up Clarington, what do you know that we don't?"
"I know Hummel's lawyer, and while he's going to represent him to the best of his ability, he's not naïve. He knows Hummel's a loose cannon that needs to stay away from Blaine and Sebastian."
"But he…"
"He brought up Dave's attempt, based on the information Hummel gave him. I can't say anything else, just know it wasn't a dirty tactic."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because he's my fucking cousin and he not wired that way!"
"We didn't know." Wes said as Santana stood before Hunter dumbstruck.
"No one does, outside of Sebastian, and this can't go beyond us."
"Is that who you were talking to on the phone?" Hunter nodded. "Take it wasn't a pleasant conversation."
"Not in the slightest, as early on we agreed this wasn't something we'd discuss. Yet after what you all told me, I…"
"Couldn't hold back anymore?" Santana asked.
"Basically. Just know any remorse he showed after bringing it up, was genuine. And while he couldn't disclose what Hummel told him to me, know it didn't mesh with your recollection of events."
"He should've talked to Dave about it."
"He knows, but it was something brought to his attention once court was in session. Since then, he's spoken with Dave and now has the complete story."
"Now you wanting to not get involved makes even more sense."
"The only thing Carter's involvement in this case does, is remind me of his legal obligations to represent Hummel and…"
"He's obligated to use any probably action/situation to do so." Wes said to which he confirmed. "Much as you've stated and Sebastian, we really don't understand all the little things involved or how our actions could impact things."
"So basically, Hummel's untouchable." Santana replied in frustration.
"No, but you have to go about it wisely and, it has to be focused on him, not what he's done to either Blaine or Sebastian."
"With that said, you haven't done anything."
"No, because I don't know him outside of what I've been told. Though, my brief interactions with him have reinforced everything I've ever been told." Hunter said to her. "Honestly, Blaine and Sebastian have the ultimate card at their disposal, yet haven't used it."
"Proof of his cheating." She said and he confirmed. "Why haven't they?"
"According to Sebastian, it has something to do with Burt."
"Enough said, as I forgot Burt has heart issues and that could be too much for him to handle."
"But would Burt need to know?" Wes asked earning him a look from the two of them. "I'm just asking."
"Unfortunately, I think he's the only person they could say they were going to show it to which would make an impact." Santana told him.
"While they could leak it, and make it public knowledge, it wouldn't really change public perception of him, most think he's an ass already." Hunter added.
"Yet correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Burt already aware of his son's actions." Wes said.
"True, but knowing and seeing are two different things. This conversation right here, isn't anything Blaine and Sebastian haven't already discussed. Honestly, not wanting to use this information doesn't surprise me as it isn't who Blaine is."
"True, but everyone has a breaking point and I really think he's reaching his. It's one thing to go at him, going at Sebastian, is entirely different because he wouldn't be involved if it wasn't for Blaine."
"If that's true, he and Sebastian have the information at their disposal to put an end to this once and for all." Hunter told him. "Much as I agree with everything you've said, there really isn't much we can do without creating another issue."
"Even if it goes well?" Santana asked, and he said yes. "Such as?"
"Dealing with Blaine and Sebastian as they're not going to be pleased if we stick our noses into something that doesn't necessarily concern us, no matter how pure out intentions."
"Now you're sounding like me." Wes told him, earning him a smirk from Hunter. "I'm serious."
"Only because this is something I've talked with Sebastian about at nauseum. Hell, the only reason he didn't use the information when it first came to him is because he didn't want to upset Blaine. And trust me, he wanted to."
"I don't doubt that, but things are different now." Santana replied. "I know, but in the end…"
"It's still their call."
"God, I hate this!"
"Don't we all, but in the end we each know Hunter is right, we have to let them handle this their way." Wes said to her. "And proves they have a better handle on all this than we could've possibly imagined. Though, I will reiterate what Hunter said earlier, everyone has a breaking point and Blaine might be reaching his, especially if his reaction to what we said is anything to go by."
Little did the three of them realize, they weren't as far off as they might've imagined. After having the night to think about what happened in court, Blaine was actually angrier than he'd initially been even though Sebastian seemed to have moved passed it. Normally Sebastian didn't dwell on what Blaine was doing when he was studying, yet seeing him with his laptop open and a blank expression, he couldn't ignore it. So he got up from where he was working and made his way over towards Blaine. After coming up behind him and draping his arms over his shoulder, he got a good look at what he was looking at.
"Since when do you carry that file with you?" Sebastian asked as Blaine turned his head to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"I don't normally, but considering how things played out last time he was in town, I…"
"You shouldn't be looking at this shit." Sebastian told him before reaching forward and closing the laptop.
"I was only looking at the documented times he'd cheated, not the video as I don't ever care to see that."
"Still."
"Bas, I've accepted that he cheated on me, numerous times at that."
"Then what are you doing?" Once he spoke, Blaine opened his laptop once again and brought up another file which had their finances.
"Considering he's all about throwing our pasts at us, I intend on doing the same thing."
"Wait, so this isn't only the files from the investigator."
"No, this is everything pertaining to my divorce. Surprisingly, there's plenty in here that I hadn't really thought about in years. So much of my divorce is a blur, and I felt as though I needed a refresher of everything he's done to me."
"Why?"
"Because I think I've gotten a bit too lax when it comes to him and he's starting to walk over me again, or at least attempting to."
"You haven't gotten lax Killer. Right now, everything going on with him is out of our hands since the ADA is handling things." Sebastian then pressed a kiss to his cheek, and then soon felt Blaine rest his head against his. "Would you even been thinking this way if he hadn't implied what he did yesterday?"
"I don't know, but I can't let him think he can get away with things like that. Otherwise, for all we know he's going to bring the slushie up next, and we can't guarantee it'll be in closed court." The sigh which came from Sebastian broke Blaine's heart as he knew Sebastian was truly remorseful about it. He reached up and placed on of his hands on Sebastian's were clasped before him. "The difference between that incident and what he did to me, you never intended to hurt me."
"He'll twist it B, won't matter you weren't the intended target."
"Which is why I need to get ahead of this, it's time you let me protect you."
"Blaine."
"I need to do this Bas, not only for you, but for myself."
"Very well, but do me a favor."
"Anything."
"Consult my Dad before you do anything, so you're protected."
"Bas."
"Give him the benefit of the doubt B. Plus I know for a fact he won't judge you, especially given all Hummel's put you through. Not to mention, I am my father's son, in so many ways." Sebastian said, causing Blaine to laugh. "It's true." Blaine acknowledge that to be, as it was something Sebastian and Xavier joked about often, good or bad, Sebastian is his father's son. "I want you protected legally Killer, if anything my Dad can help guide you to ensure you don't get in trouble."
"Deal, but considering my schedule for next week, I won't be doing anything too soon."
"Good, as I want you to really think about this as this…"
"Really isn't something one would expect from me." Sebastian confirmed that. "All the more reason why it needs to be me and not you, he won't see it coming."
"I've rubbed off on you."
"Only in the best ways."
