Summary: While Blaine, Sam and Beat are in California geeking out at Hogwarts, others back in Ohio are finalizing travel plans of their own.

Notes: The title is based on the game 7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon where you can name any actor and in 7 steps (by using shows/movies they were in) you get to the actor Kevin Bacon. I obviously needed 8.

Sebastian & Rachel

"No"

"Please"

"No"

"Why not?"

"What are you two arguing about?" Leroy asked his daughter and her new best friend, Sebastian Smythe. That was still pretty hard to wrap his head around but it seemed to be working, at least for now.

"Ray wants to drive my car" Sebastian told him.

"My daughter wants to drive that beautiful piece of German engineering that's in the driveway?" Sebastian nodded so Leroy adjusted in his seat just enough to look Rachel straight in the eyes and said "No" before turning back to Sebastian "Are you going to at least give me a hint of why it's so important my husband and I to go with you two to Los Angeles? I mean, we're both excited at the chance to watch Blaine but I feel there's something more."

"Mr. Berry…"

"Leroy."

"I'm sorry sir, it's too soon. To answer your question, while developing a relationship with you and your husband is an important part of my new friendship with Ray…my boyfriend would kick my ass if I ruined his surprise."

"Dad, it's better to just go with it. Less headaches that way, or so Santana says. Bastian, is it still ok that my dads stay with us at your house tonight?"

"More than. Sierra, Izzy and Rosa left for Paris this morning, Blaine came to his senses so my dad is in LA and my mom is in New York with Mrs. A, which is unusual."

"How so?"

"They are polar opposites. Mrs. A is totally laid back, except for her hatred of the F word and my mother is an uptight French snob. No offense, Mr. Berry. My mother fully embraces who she is and I wouldn't want her any other way."

"Oh no, I understand. If you swap the word French with Jewish you would be describing my mother-in-law, only not in the kind way you spoke of your mother."

"Bubbe Berry is a piece of work." Rachel said knowing her dad was trying not to. "So, your dad did go to LA. What about Blaine's?"

"Yes, Blaine called them both last night. While he acknowledged that he needed their help, he told them he was still pissed and they were more than willing to work with that. However, he's not ready to talk with Cooper or Dr. Shepard. That means Holly isn't going and Trent's mom is coming to talk with the doctors." Sebastian stopped to check a text that had come in "Well, that was timing. It's Trent and he needs to talk 911. May I?" They nodded so he went to the next room to make the call.

After he was gone, Leroy sat next to Rachel and put his arm around her "I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I actually like Sebastian…a lot. Those Dalton boy manners of his are quite refreshing, although I shouldn't be surprised as Blaine is the same way."

"I know, but isn't it weird how well we get along, especially with everything that happened last year?"

"That's a bit of an understatement." He tightened his hold a little for this next part "Can I ask about where Kurt fits in all of this?"

"Honestly, I don't know and that's why Bastian and I are meeting Finn at Breadstix. Hopefully we can find out today whether Kurt is staying at the loft or is taking Blaine's offer to put him up at the Plaza."

Sebastian & Rachel-Finn

Before they got on to the business of discussing Kurt, there was something Sebastian had decided to tell Rachel and Finn without giving out too much information…like the homicidal manic Puck was staying in Paris to keep tabs on was his biological father.

"So, you and this Julien guy are related?" Finn asked. Puck called to say he was staying in Paris but couldn't explain why. Finn had asked Cooper, but he reminded him that information on cases was given on a need to know basis. Cooper must have asked Sebastian to help explain.

"Yes, but before you ask, I won't tell you how."

"That's ok and thank you for what you could say" and Finn meant that. Now he could get to what he really wanted to know. "Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on between the two of you?"

Rachel and Sebastian had already determined how they wanted to do this…the fun way. It worked with Blaine. "We're working on becoming New York besties since neither of us have one there and Blaine will have like five" Rachel told him. "Trent is Bastian's bestie bestie but he's going to Harvard."

"I don't know Ray, if we keep this up we may have to drop the New York part."

"I hope so. I mean, does Trent cuddle in bed with you and watch porn?"

"Not the cuddle part, but the watch porn part. However, he's not as fun as his kinks are more of the Brittana variety. You know, your viewing preferences seem a little icky considering I just met one of your dads."

"Icky?"

"Stop!" There was a lot of information Finn had to deal with…if he could get the image of Rachel watching gay porn out of his head. At least her talking with that Jerimiah guy made a little more sense. "What the hell?"

Rachel reached across the table and took his hand "I'm not going to tell you how it happened but Bastian and I have become…well, this. It's kind of like Blaine and Santana, completely inexplicable but it works. Understand, we have only been working on this for three days and we can't image what we're going to be like by the time he gets to New York."

"And you want me to tell Kurt, right?"

Sebastian couldn't hide his Old Sebastian smirk and chuckle which earned him a You're not helping glare from Rachel. "Would you rather we told Hummel?" Finn let out a long sigh but felt better when Rachel gave his hand a squeeze, something Sebastian picked up on right away. He gave them a moment and pulled out his phone to see if the text he ignored was Trent having yet another panic attack, but instead it was a photo from Sam.

"That must be from Blaine for you to have a smile that big" Rachel said, but not letting go of Finn's hand.

"Not from but of" Sebastian handed her his phone so she could see the photo of Blaine in a Hogwarts' robe and a specific style of glasses with the tag He's Harry Frickin Potter. "Hey, Ray? Can you take that back and show Coop?" She didn't question his request even though she knew there was more behind it. She was right "You're not going to New York to shadow your step-brother, are you? You're going because you want to see if you can handle the city before you try to get her back."

Finn let out a sigh that rivaled his earlier one "Am I that obvious?"

"Not to her. Even though most of my attention was on Blaine at the Sugar Shack, it was pretty clear that something was going on between you and her."

"I know but all that crap had just happened with that slut Brody…"

"Hey, you can't be calling Brody names anymore."

"Did she tell you that?"

"No, Sam did."

"Sam?"

"Sam told her and Blaine that people in their financial situations shouldn't judge what desperate people do for money. Considering you and Ray found him in that strip club in Kentucky, I'm pretty sure you understand where he's coming from. However, if you want to hate Brody because he put her health in danger by sleeping with other women while he was sleeping with her, go for it."

"I prefer to block out the part where they were sleeping together."

"And now you know how I feel about B and Hummel."

"So you know, I take full responsibility for how I acted toward Blaine. Kurt may have manipulated situations but that's not an excuse."

"You're right, but I have no right to judge considering what I threatened to do to you. Just realize that tomorrow is not the time to try and talk to Blaine."

"I get it. What I don't understand is why I'm needed in LA?"

"Mr. A and my dad are arranging for all the Nationals hotel rooms for both the Warblers and New Directions. Holly was going to go but…well, you were here for Blaine's meltdown with Cooper, and there was not a chance in hell Schuster would have been asked even if he wasn't suspended. You're the designated New Directions representative."

"I get that, I don't understand why they're doing this for the New Directions in the first place."

"Blaine's uncle is paying because of Sugar, but he's in Paris with Puck so my dad, and you, are going to take care of it. Robert talked it over with your crazy-ass principal. At first she said she would come but then said it should be you."

"She probably decided not to come when she found out Sugar's dad wouldn't be there. Jake, Ryder and I are pretty sure she has a crush on him like she used to have on Cooper."

"That's not good."

"What's not good?" Rachel asked as she came back from the kitchen and handed Sebastian his phone.

"The fact that Sue has a crush on Al Motta" Finn told her.

"Why not? It has sure improved her attitude toward Glee Club."

"Because Robert hit it off with Artie's mom when he talked to her about Artie coming to New York" Sebastian informed them. "He went as far as to invite her to come next Friday to check out the Brooklyn Film Institute herself and then go to B's concert with him."

Rachel looked up at Finn and shook her head "He's right. That's not good."

Finn-Kurt

"You have got to be fucking kidding? Rachel is my best friend, not that bastard's! Hasn't he taken enough from me?"

Finn made sure his bedroom door was shut before sitting back down in his desk chair "Kurt, control the screeching or Mom and Burt will hear you. And do you actually believe you have anything to say about Sebastian after the shit you pulled? The shit outlined in the legal document Sebastian's dad gave to Burt? You forget, I'm one of the few people that know exactly what you did."

Kurt told himself to calm down. Finn was talking to him again, even though most of the time he didn't like what he was saying. "I'm sorry I raised my voice" he said as he took a seat on Finn's bed. "What did Smythe say about what Clarington testified to?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" Kurt still couldn't believe that Sebastian hadn't tried to kick his ass the other night at Breadstix.

"Sebastian admitted he got Clarington to make a statement, but his dad took the file away before he could read it and told him that he would take care of you. Your lucky he's letting Burt handle it."

"Lucky? My dad won't talk to me. He won't look at me, Finn. This is why I have to stay with Rachel when I'm in New York. If I can get my friends back on my side that will show Dad that I'm trying to be what Blaine calls the Old Kurt. The Kurt he misses."

Finn ran his fingers thru his hair and tried to figure out how he was going to handle this. Screw it! Go big or go home, right? "Sam, Blaine and Sebastian are doing a photo shoot for Teen Vogue. The idea for the shoot was Santana's and Blaine's godmother liked it so much she personally ok'd it. Abercrombie has expressed interest in signing Sam as a model and if spread is as popular as everyone thinks it will be, Santana will probably be promoted."

The fact that his jaw dropped so far was a good thing because it allowed Kurt to get air as it felt like he had had the wind knocked out of him. Ever since he found out he had another chance at NYADA, he had focused on handling his jealousy with Blaine. Hell, he had finally gotten to the point where he was willing to consider what people said about that Alpha Gay crap might have some truth to it.

He wouldn't be jealous of Sam, he was sure of that. Although he was good-looking enough to be one, modeling was not his dream. And even he had thought Abercrombie model, amongst other things, when looking at Sam's abs.

But Santana Lopez at Vogue? He knew Finn probably wasn't lying about the photo shoot because when he called to make an appointment to see Isabelle, her assistant said she was busy Monday and Tuesday on a joint spread with Teen Vogue. Did this mean Isabelle was Blaine's godmother?

"Kurt?" Finn couldn't tell what Kurt was thinking, but he could tell there was a lot of it happening.

"Finn, I know you want me to say I'll take Blaine's offer, but I can't. It's too important to me gain my dad's trust back and I can't do that if I do the easy thing and go stay at the Plaza."

"I should have known." Finn got up and went to open the door "I may be stuck making sure you don't fuck things up for everyone else, but I am warning you right now. If you are stupid enough to do anything that ruins my chance to win back Rachel, we are done. Get out."

Kurt-Chandler

"Are you sure you can handle seeing Rachel and Sebastian together? From what you told me, Finn won't forgive you if you go off on them…or anyone for that matter."

Kurt was thankful Chandler had agreed to meet him at the Lima Bean. Other than Brittany, he was the only one that would listen without judging him, although both of them were unafraid to tell him what they thought. He really wished they were going to be in New York next week, even if that meant Brittany would be with Santana. "I have to Chandler. I'm sure this is just a way for Smythe to get to me. When that doesn't happen, I want to be there for Rachel when she figures out he's only using her."

"You really don't think very highly of Sebastian, do you?"

"I don't think highly of any of the Warblers."

"See, that's what I don't understand. I'm going to be brutally honest here, Kurt. You like the finer things in life. Seriously, when we would talk about New York last year all you talked about was living in Manhattan, seeing shows on Broadway, shopping at the best stores, dining at the best restaurants."

"So?"

"That's not your financial reality but it is for the Warblers. Kurt, you were in. You were a Warbler. What's the phrase Once a Warbler, always a Warbler…"

"Except for me, and I think Hunter, but I don't care. They're all pompous asses except Blaine. Trent used to be sweet, but I heard he's friends with Smythe now which explains the attitude."

"If all those material items meant so much to you, you would have found a way to stay a Warbler. Made them all your best friends. After Sebastian, you dislike that guy Thad the most, right?"

"Him or Wes."

"Did you know Thad's family are multi-billionaires?" When Kurt spit out his coffee, Chandler got his answer "I didn't think you did."

"How did you find that out?"

"My grandmother moved down from Columbus to work for the Mottas and I helped her this past weekend. I met Sugar, who by the way is all kinds of fabulous. At one point, she was on the phone with someone named Kitty talking about her billionaire boyfriend and Blaine's friend, Thad Harwood. If you would have been at Dalton when you found this out, would you have thought differently about Thad? Tried to be his friend?"

"Honestly? Probably, but it would have lasted about 10 minutes because he's a spoiled asshole."

"That's my point. You left Dalton because you wanted to be with your friends at McKinley despite the fact Karofsky was there. You didn't care that the Warblers came from wealthy families, they weren't your friends. If you can get back to that mind set, where being with your friends is the most important thing, then you stand a chance of making it through the week without completely alienating everyone."

Kurt reached across the table and squeezed Chandler's hand. For the first time in what seemed like forever, he believed someone was truly on his side. "Thanks Chandler."

Chandler-Cooper

"Come in."

"You wanted to see me, Cooper?"

"Chandler, please shut the door and have a seat." As soon as he sat on the couch, Cooper asked "Why didn't you tell me you left school because your dad needed an operation and your parents wouldn't be able to send you your monthly allowance?"

"Quite frankly, it was none of your business. Then the money you offered me to become friends with Kurt again was enough for me to finish the year. I haven't left school, yet. Yes, I missed half of last week but NYU is now on Spring Break."

Cooper came out from behind his desk and handed Chandler a piece of paper which he immediately tried to hand back. "I don't want the money. It makes me feel dirty. I'll find a way to get back to school on my own."

"Look at the paper, Chandler. It's not what you think."

Chandler did what Cooper said. It took his mood from aggravated to agitated "This is bank account with a balance of $25,000. That's 5 times more than we agreed, which doesn't matter because I still don't want your money."

"Good thing it's not my money." Chandler took a closer look at the paper as Cooper tried to explain "Your Grandmother told your Great Aunt Rosa what was going on. She asked my Uncle Robert, that would be the Al Motta on the account, if he could make sure your dad got the care he needs. She also asked for him to set up an account for you so she could help you out with money every month."

"That would be a good story if my Great Aunt Rosa liked me."

"I don't know about that but she is proud of you. Since these were the first favors Rosa asked my uncle for in the over 20 years she's worked for him, he went a little overboard. Your dad is not only getting the care he needs, it's been paid for. Also, you are going to get that same amount deposited into that account every quarter until you graduate. Before you start bitching, this no longer has anything to do with you. He's doing it for Rosa. Take the money and go back to school. Give your parents one last thing to worry about."

"That's playing dirty."

"Well, that's what I do." Cooper walked back around his desk and sat in his chair "Chandler, I'm sorry for using you like that. Since you won't take my money, how about one of those anytime, anywhere favors. Anything that doesn't require me to be nice to Kurt. My remorse does have limits."

"Sounds good." Chandler was doing everything possible to temper his joy until he could leave. With the money Al Motta was giving him, he would be able to go back to New York and try to win Kurt's heart once and for all.

Cooper-Santana

Once Chandler left, Cooper went back to what he had been doing most of the afternoon…staring at the picture of Blaine he was able to download from Sebastian's phone. He couldn't believe how badly he had screwed up. The one time Blaine needed him and he thought of himself first, exactly what he promised himself he would never do again. When his phone went off and it wasn't Blaine or Holly's ringtone he was going to ignore it, but a picture of Blaine and his best girl made him change his mind. "Hey, Santana."

"Before you say anything, how are you doing?"

"Guess I don't have to watch what I say until I figured out if you heard or not. Do me a favor and help me get my mind off things. What can I do for you?"

"I need help finding someone, fast. That's what you guys do, right?"

"It's some of what we do. Who do you want found?"

"Brody Weston."

"Rachel's prostitute boyfriend that Blaine taught Finn how to throw a punch so he could kick his ass, Brody Weston?"

Oh yeah. How could she have forgotten that? "Don't call him a prostitute or any other titles you can think of. Sam took issue with all the names we were calling him because…"

"Enough said. Ok, I can get one of the New York guys on this but doesn't he go to NYADA?"

"Yes, I tried that but the school is on Spring Break and anyone I could find to ask had no idea where he was. Cooper, I have to find him fast."

"How fast?"

"I get back to town tomorrow night, so Wednesday morning."

"Where are you? Don't you have a big fashion spread you have to get ready?"

"Everything that could be done without models is done and did you really think I wouldn't crash all this bestie bonding time? I am his best girl after all."

Cooper's heart practically jumped out of his chest "You're in LA? How is he? Is he..?"

"Cooper, stop. I'm outside the hotel room. I was waiting to knock until I was done talking with you."

"Oh, ok. Santana, I'll get this Brody guy found by Wednesday but I need something from you too."

"What?"

"Sneak me some video tomorrow so I can see him."

"I can do that."

Santana-Blaine

Jackie had gotten them hotel suites because it was too much of a hassle to drive all the way back out to Malibu when they had to be at the studio in the morning. The plan was for Blaine and Sam to veg out with some of their Star Wars fanfiction while Beat went to dinner with his dad. That was blown to hell when they got to the suite and his dad and Sebastian's were already there.

Blaine hated that he had to call, but he didn't want to ruin the day with the guys by spending all morning with the lawyer. Ok, that was only part of the truth. He actually did need them. Evidently, it was for the best when you registered a song it had a real title not just Italian Song for Graduation Plan or Song-that-needs-a-title. Thankfully, the problem had been caught before it became a bigger problem.

With their plans changed, Blaine and Sam decided to forgo the fanfiction and get rest for tomorrow. They were both pretty wired at the thought of recording in an actual studio the next day.

A bubble bath had been just what Blaine needed…and he was man enough to admit it. He had come back into the bedroom, dried off and when he went to put his underwear on…

"Sorry Blainers, still does nothing for me."

He hadn't heard her come in or close the door but that didn't mean he wasn't ecstatic to see her "Santana." He forgot all about his lack of clothing and ran into her arms "You didn't have to come but I'm so glad you did."

"Of course, I had to come and we can talk all about Tommy is Eli is Brody, or not, but I have to do something first." The next thing Blaine knew, a pair of hands were squeezing his ass "Yup, just as I thought. Amazing."

Blaine-Sebastian

Blaine had put some sleep pants on and Santana changed into one of his t-shirts. They got under the covers and talked for about an hour until the 3 hour difference between the east and west coasts caught up with Santana. The second he saw her wiggle her nose when she snored, Blaine knew what he had to do.

From Blaine: My bestie's nose wiggles when she snores too *image attached

His phone rang so quickly after he sent the text that he almost dropped it "Hey sexy, I just texted you."

"I know that's why I called. What is Santana doing there?"

Well, he wasn't going to tell Sebastian that it was because he had cried into her ear for an hour about how the boy he dreamed of for years had turned into a man whore (and had slept with RACHEL BERRY) sent him a letter saying that he still loved him. At least he wasn't going to tell him yet, but he did have a plan. "You're the one that said she doesn't share me well with others."

"That's true and I'm not surprised she showed up for your recording session. She's proud of you. We all are."

"You don't think this is happening because I have brain damage?"

"B, you know Cooper didn't mean that."

"No, I know he didn't mean to say it out loud. Can we change the subject?"

"Ok, I have to tell you something but I have to break the bro code to do it."

"I can't believe you said bro code. Now I have to know what it is."

"Nari is coming to New York for the big Saturday meeting then night out instead of going straight to Boston."

"I don't know how that breaks the bro code but I'm sure Sam will be ok since he'll know she's coming."

"That's not…well, it kind of is…"

"Bas, just say it."

Sebastian knew if he didn't get it out at once, it wouldn't happen at all. "Trent has been in love with Nari since they were 5 and he was going to tell her on New Year's Eve but she met Sam and then she and Sam broke up after Valentine's Day and Trent was going to talk to her when we're all at Harvard on Monday but now he's freaking out because she's going to see Sam and his abs first and he feels like she'll laugh at him."

"Oh wow. Do you feel better that you got that all off of your chest?"

"Much"

"Bas?"

"Yes, B?"

"Are you going to Harvard next Monday to be a wingman for your best friend or actually visit the campus?"

"Both?"

"Bas?"

"You have your first practice for the concert at Julliard that day and you were going to go to NYADA and find out what happened there."

"Bas, you don't have to make excuses. I think it's sweet you want to be there for Trent as he sounds pretty freaked out."

"You'll tell Sam and give me a heads up about how he feels so I know how to handle Trent?"

"Yes, my love, I will do that. Speaking of Sam, he and I had a pretty interesting conversation yesterday. Evidently, our friends believe we're pretty frisky in the bedroom."

"Frisky, B?"

"Ok, how about Sam thought that I was in trouble on Friday for yelling at you and you had to punish me?"

"Um, wouldn't he be surprised to find out that I'm usually on the receiving end of a punishment."

"Not really, since I reminded him that even though I don't fight any more, I'm still Wolverine. And don't think I've forgotten how our night of debauchery keeps getting postponed. I have a surprise for you and don't worry, I brought some of your favorite toys with me. I'll just have to decide whether you've been a good boy or a bad boy."

Blaine could hear Sebastian try and stifle a groan "We should probably stop since Rachel is here."

"I know. Whoever thought we'd be cockblocked by girls?"

"That's ok, Blainers. If you and your boytoy want to have a little phone sex it's fine with me."

"Santana!"