Summary: The second part of the day finds the Warblers and New Directions at lunch. With exes, crushes, and a flirty British, guy will they get around to figuring out how to remain friends while preparing for Nationals? Or perhaps the better question is will they be able to remain friends through lunch?

Notes: I used an "iconic" canon scene (and dialogue) as a flashback with minimal changes (well, I added a lot of inner thoughts since you can't see their faces) to fit my story. See pervious chapter for disclaimer.

Warning: Mention of character's presumed death

Please read end notes for warning concerning the next chapter.

When they set up this lunch, Blaine and Sam thought the biggest problem would be their friendship. They were both captains (well, Blaine was co-captain) but there was no way they were going to ignore each other for the next 7 weeks. It was Finn of all people that came up with the solution. One day a week (they chose Sunday) was to be Blam Day. Blaine and Sam would spend the day together working on music or doing what Santana called All that geeky crap no one else gives a fuck about. They promised not to talk about Nationals and that was that. It took 10 minutes.

Now it was time to deal with the real problem and Santana had a plan. It was simple…lock Seblaine in an office until they stopped acting like idiots. Sam was able to charm the key out of the assistant manager (she really needed to talk to her editor about Sam's hair) and now they just had to trick them to go to the office in the first place.

Getting Blaine had been easy. Sam told him there was a problem with the bill and they needed to go talk to the assistant manager. Sebastian was another story until Trent saw the recently arrived Nari talking to Sugar and Rachel.

"Uh, Seb can we talk."

"Hey, Trent. Have you met Adam?"

"No, I haven't." Trent held out his hand to shake but only because manners dictated he did. "Trent Nixon, Seb's best friend."

"Adam Crawford, Sebastian's newest friend. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Ok, he could see how the voice was a thing. "You too" Not really, attempted boyfriend stealing jerk. "Seb?" Trent didn't give an explanation but a side-eye led Sebastian to notice Nari had joined the group.

"Sure, let's go out in the hall. Adam, I'll be back soon."

"Is this something where I could be of assistance?" Adam subtly touched Sebastian's arm as he asked.

Then with perfectly choreographed timing "I'm sure it's a BFF thing but there is something you can help us with" Rachel said as she and Nari walked up. "A New Directions broke up with a Warbler so he bought her a $60,000 car to win her back. It didn't work." They really didn't need Adam. After dealing with Jeff's whining, Thad had an epiphany about his own behavior but agreed to play along.

"Oh my, when I was told this could be interesting I had no idea." Adam turned to Sebastian with a smile Rachel wanted to slap off his face, if she could reach it. "Well Sebastian, I suppose I should go earn the faith you have in me. Ladies, lead the way."

With Adam gone, Trent led Sebastian out into the hall where, what a coincidence, they ran into Sam. "What's going on?"

"Nothing, Seb and I just need to talk about something."

Something was going on and Sebastian knew it. Trent had pulled him out into the hall to talk about Nari but he's talking with her ex? Usually he's the one that had to do the talking when it came to all things Sam. "It's Warbler business. You understand why we can't say anything."

"Of course" Sam told him even though he knew he was lying. "But this place is crazy busy. The assistant manager's office is over there. Maybe she'll let you use it."

Sebastian barely had time to ask himself how Sam would know where the assistant manager's office was when they were there…and so were Wes, Beat and an obviously annoyed Blaine. "What the hell is going on?"

Wes moved away from the door where he had been blocking Blaine's exit "Ok, this is how this is going down. You two are going to talk with no distractions…Warbler, New Directions or British."

"Bud, you've got an hour until we have to leave for the stadium" Beat reminded him. "We'll be back in 30 minutes to check on you."

Tent ignored the annoyed look Sebastian was giving him. "And no one will be answering any calls or texts for help."

Blaine got up from his chair and gave them his best Wolverine snarl. It didn't work either. "You can't keep us here against our will!"

"Yeah!" Sebastian added. "What B said."

Sam reached in his pocket and pulled out a key "Oh yes, we can."

The boyfriends stood in disbelief as the sound of their friends' laughter faded away. "I can't believe those bastards locked us in here" Blaine said as he sat back down.

For that statement he earned a huff and eye roll from Sebastian "I can't believe those bastards locked me in here. You, I totally understand."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"You've been acting like a brat since you found out Adam would be here."

"Excuse me if I'm not happy with your denial of his constant come ons."

"I still love you."

"Bas, I know you love me…"

"And so does Tommy, at least that's what his letter said. And let's not forget Kurt who has failed miserably at not staring at you since he got here."

Shit! Blaine reached out but Sebastian pulled away. Shit! "Bas, I thought we dealt with this."

It was Sebastian's turn to take a seat "I thought we did too." Neither one of them said anything for a while, not knowing how to go from there. So, Sebastian went back to the original issue. "I miss Paris, B. You know, how you don't miss something until you can't have it. I know it sounds weird but Adam reminds me of Paris. He's a lot like the friends I had while I lived there. That's why I see his flirting as just his being European. And yes, I know he's flirting."

Blaine moved because Sebastian was the one sitting on a small loveseat that had room for the both of them. "I wish I would have known before our trip to the fake Eiffel Tower. I'm sorry we couldn't go to the real one."

"Thanks to Julien." Ah, the truth, but a discussion for another time. "But, I got to have a date with my Original Blaine and you trusted me with something important to you. Something that is part of who you are. I'm sorry I threw Tommy in your face. It's just…"

The pause was unnerving "It's just what, Bas?"

"Remember the night before Thanksgiving?"

"How can I forget? I taught you how to be the big spoon and then pretended to be asleep while you told me I'm in."

"There was another part. I asked you why you went to Eli and not me."

"And I told you, I knew you would never be a one-time thing and I was still holding on to hope that I could salvage my relationship with Kurt. I even remember pulling out my phone to call you."

"But you didn't." Sebastian began playing with Blaine's bracelet and flipped it to see You+Me. He knew it was on his as well but seeing it around Blaine's wrist helped center him. "You said that you were inexplicably drawn to Eli by the messages he sent you. B, we both know you're going to see Tommy at some point while you're here. What if you're inexplicably drawn to him again?"

"I won't be. Not only because I love you but my last memory of him is Rachel's Brody not my Tommy."

Flashback: 8 Months Earlier CallBacks

"Hey, Finn, Rachel" Brody greeted them as he supposedly just happened to run across the couple. He was going to leave until he noticed they weren't alone.

"Brody, hi" Rachel couldn't help but notice Brody was a little preoccupied but put that up to the awkwardness of Finn being there.

But since Finn believed Brody and Rachel were just friends he had none of that "Hey, Brody, good to see you again, man. You've met Kurt and this is his boyfriend Blaine. He surprised Kurt by coming to visit a week early."

"Nice to meet you, Brody" Blaine said, hoping none of the others noticed the pain in his eyes. Brody told him that he had kind of been seeing Rachel and it hurt to see the two of them together, even though she was clearly there with Finn.

Brody hurt as well, having Blaine so close but not being able touch him. He looked so upset but there was nothing he could do. "Yeah, you too, you too. So, how's the, uh, visit been going so far?"

Of course, Rachel assumed he was talking about Finn. "Amazing. I took him to school to get the full NYADA experience together."

"Cool." Brody was glad Finn was so tall so he could keep his eyes up to watch Blaine and not have to look down at Rachel. And what was up with Kurt? Couldn't he tell Blaine was upset? Oh yeah, Rachel. "Well, in that case, I hope you're singing tonight. You haven't really been to NYADA until you've sung at CallBacks."

"This is what I've been trying to tell him" Rachel said as she playfully slapped Finn across the arm. "And I really, really want him to sing Give Your Heart a Break with me."

"But I'm not a student" Finn protested.

"Well, you're with Rachel, which makes you honorary." Brody wondered how he got stuck in this asinine conversation when all he wanted to do was check on Blaine.

"If you won't sing with me I'll just have to sing with my favorite duet partner. Blaine, come sing with me. You'll be at NYADA next year so that should count. Oh, sorry Kurt."

Finn knew Rachel asking Blaine to sing probably pissed Kurt off so he made a different suggestion "Well, why don't you and Brody sing it together? It's a NYADA tradition, right? And you guys are both NYADA students."

"All right, let's do it. I love you. Wish me luck." Rachel pulled Brody to the stage before he had a chance to decline. "I'm so nervous. It's my Off-Off Broadway debut."

"It's all good" Brody said realizing if he couldn't talk to Blaine he could at least sing to him. "I got your back."

Meanwhile at the table, Kurt noticed that Blaine didn't look well "You okay? You seem a little off."

"I'm-I'm great. It was just a… it was a rough flight." Or it could be the guy that I thought was dead for three years showed up three days ago and spent hours telling me how much he loved and missed me, but now he's on stage about to sing with Rachel. Or could it be you, my boyfriend, haven't told me how much you loved or missed me in weeks and when I surprise you so we can talk you drag me here. Well, at least you didn't have an Alpha Gay moment when Rachel asked me to sing and not you. Why can't I just say that? he asked himself…He didn't have an answer. "I had a middle seat because I booked the ticket so last-minute."

"Well, I, for one, am glad you did." Kurt patted Blaine's hand but then turned his attention to the stage when the piano began to play.

(Rachel)The day I first met you
You told me you never fall in love
But now that I get you
I know fear is what it really was

Brody set his gaze. He had taken enough performance classes to know how to stare at one person and make it seem like you were playing to the entire crowd. Blaine finally looked up at him as he began to sing and hopefully he would understand that every word was meant for him.

(Brody) Now here we are so close yet so far
How did I pass the test?
When will you realize
Baby I'm not like the rest

(Rachel & Brody) Don't wanna break your heart
Wanna give your heart a break
I know your scared it's wrong
Like you might make a mistake

There's just one life to live
And there's no time to wait to waste
So let me give your heart a break

Blaine was so caught up in the words that Brody changed, changed back to Tommy. It was Tommy that wanted to give his heart a break. A break from the pain and loneliness that he had had with Kurt for a long time. Much longer than he wanted to admit.

Then Rachel and Brody stopped singing to the audience and turned to each other, shattering the world Blaine had let himself live in for that brief moment in time. His Tommy truly was dead, the problem was he had come back to life as Rachel's Brody.

"I need some air" he said out loud, but Kurt was so engrossed in watching Finn watching Rachel and Brody that he probably didn't hear him. At the moment he didn't care, he just had to get away from there. He didn't know how long he was gone or how far he had walked until he heard Kurt come up behind him.

"Blaine, how could you wander off like that? You shouldn't be walking out here alone."

"I'm not a child, Kurt!"

"Ok." Kurt was taken aback by the way Blaine snapped at him. Something was definitely wrong. "But you've been so emotional and weirdly sad. Please stop pretending that there's nothing wrong."

Blaine had been trying to tell him that he was sad. Sad all the time. How he thought seeing Kurt, being able to touch him, hold him, have a conversation with him would make the sadness go away. Now Kurt had finally noticed something was wrong and wanted to listen for a change.

Unfortunately, Blaine started in the wrong way. "I was with someone…"

"It was Sebastian, wasn't it?"

End of Flashback

"Is it bad that I still get a warm fuzzy feeling when you tell me that Hummel immediately assumed you had been with me?"

Blaine had all sorts of jokes to make after that comment but before he could say anything "Anyone naked in there or can I open the door?"

On the walk back to the banquet room, Sam gave them a quick synopsis of what happened in their absence. Evidently, Adam had been a big help. He got Tina to eat lunch with Mike and Beat without any sort of meltdown whatsoever and he got Nick and Sugar to talk. They had a rocky start but by the time Sam went to go get Blaine and Sebastian they were laughing.

What surprised them the most was a topic Adam brought up himself…the Stress Relief video the Warblers planned to make at CallBacks that night. He reminded them that even though the video would be directed at Throat Explosion, Blaine's performances always seem to make it to a larger audience. With other performances happening, such as Sebastian and Rachel vs Blaine and Santana, it would eventually be noticed that the two supposedly rival show choirs were together. He suggested, if everyone agreed, to have the New Directions guys participate in the video as well and not try to hide the fact.

Sam told them everyone thought it was a good idea but wanted to wait for their response. They both loved it.

"Well, I'm glad because Beat and David have been teaching me, Finn and Mike our parts."

"No Hummel?" Sebastian was surprised Kurt would give up a chance to sing with Blaine even if it was as part of a group.

"Seriously? He thought the band's name was a place to have a picnic."

"Point taken."

When they finally got back, Blaine and Sebastian kissed each other to appease the staring crowd and then separated. Blaine insisted that Sebastian check on Adam since he had basically been thrown to the wolves and had actually been very helpful. He was going to have a word with the architect of their imprisonment.

"You thought it was a good idea to have the guys lock me and Bas in an office?"

Santana held her stance and gave him a defiant "Yes, I did. You two were getting on my last nerve."

"Thank you." Blaine gave her a hug and without giving her all the details explained how Sebastian knew the guy was flirting but Adam reminded him of his friends in Europe. While it didn't make a lot of sense because she didn't get the full story, Santana knew to trust Blaine…and Sebastian.

"I have to admit the smooth talker has been helpful, but there's something I-I don't know how to put it."

"Is this what you couldn't tell me yesterday at Bibbi's office?"

She still had no plan to tell him that Rachel thought she was pregnant with Brody's baby, but hoped this was big enough to cover. "Yes, this could become a huge problem or nothing at all but you have to know. However, I can't tell you. You're going to have to figure it out on your own."

He had no idea what she wanted him to figure out until she pointed to Sam talking with Beat and Mike then over to Nichole, talking to Quinn. It took a couple of head swivels between the two groups, but then… "Sam is the guy Nichole dumped Jeff for? This isn't a problem, it's a fucking disaster!" Blaine whisper-yelled so no one but Santana would hear him.

"No, she broke up with Jeff because it wasn't fair to stay him when she had feelings for another guy…who happens to be Sam. But…"

"They would be really good together" Blaine sighed. "Tana, I'm going to be really selfish here but do you realize the position I would be put in if Jeff finds out? He's heartbroken and won't care if Sam had nothing to do with it except being ridiculously good looking and incredibly kind and caring. I'd be put in the middle and while Sam would give me space, Jeff won't. He could try to force me to choose between the Warblers and my one of my best friends. I can't do that. Shit!"

"I know but there's nothing we can do because nothing has actually happened. Unfortunately, this is one case where you'll have to be reactive and not proactive."

"I take it Quinn, the future shrink, knows?"

"Yes, Quinn and Mercedes were the first to figure it out but the advice comes from Wes."

"I still find it strange that you and Wes are getting along."

"We don't get along. We tolerate each other better since I saw him naked." She stopped talking because Blaine was no longer paying attention and was instead watching his boyfriend. "Remember, you trust him. Don't make me have the guys lock you two back in that office."

"Oh, I trust Sebastian just not the British Bastard. I think it's time to send a message."

"A message? Oh hell, what is that devious mind of yours planning."

"Changing our song for the Best Girl Challenge."

"I thought we were doing I Kissed A Girl? It's ok, Blaine. I'm the one that suggested it." Blaine leaned over and whispered the title of his new idea "Well, that's a message alright. I love it but you know anything you perform anymore seems to find its way online."

"I do know but think of it this way. If we do this right we should be able to beat the number of views Rachel and I have for Don't You Want Me. Just wear something sexy and see if you can download a karaoke version just in case CallBacks doesn't have it."

"What about you, Blainers? You're wearing cargo shorts and a Yankees jersey."

"I'm dressed for the baseball game smart ass, but what I have at Beat's place won't work."

"Beat's place?"

"His lives the closest to CallBacks so we were all going to change there. Wait…" Blaine looked across the room and saw a possible solution. "Mercedes" he called out and waved for her to join them "I'm glad you could make it. How was rehearsal?"

"Tiring and it was only 3 hours. Now, what do you need pretty boy? I know the others are waiting for you."

"I need a huge favor." He pulled out his phone and started to text. "Can you go by the apartment and get the list of things I'm texting you? Then have Simon send them to the address I sent? I'll need them there by 8PM."

"Will someone be there or do I check in with Theo? It's Saturday so it's Theo, right?"

"Right…"

Santana had heard enough to know that the two people next to her had failed to tell her something "Blaine" she said in a tone so calm it scared him. "How come it sounds like Mercedes knows where you live and I don't?"

Mercedes began to laugh at the I fucked up look on Blaine's face but he was saved when Sam called out from across the room "Come on, Dude. We've got to go!"

"Mercedes…"

"I've got her. Tell Stevie happy birthday for me." Blaine gave each girl a kiss to the cheek before taking off, leaving Mercedes to handle Santana. He was going to owe her big time. "Yes, I know where Blaine's family's apartment is and before you ask it's on the Upper West side overlooking Central Park. Simon is the concierge and Theo is the building's head doorman. I know all this because Mrs. Anderson let me stay there when I had my last two call backs and I wasn't telling anyone I was in New York. Did I answer all your questions?"

Santana linked their arms and began to drag her out the door "Oh Diva, I have so many more questions but you can answer them on the way there."

Notes:

Flashback based on a scene from Episode 4x04 (The Break-Up)

Give Your Heart a Break: Berman, Joshua; Steinberg, William 2011

Warning for next chapter: A Linkin Park song will be performed. I named Wes' mentor Chester (he reappears CallBacks) after lead singer Chester Bennington who passed away in 2017.