Note: I promised a character review a few chapters back. I tried embedding it in the story but it didn't work the way I intended. I have to admit that I had a small panic attack when I reached a year of writing this story and saw no end in sight. I was trying to cram too much into each chapter and things got lost/muddled.

I'm better now so here's attempt #2. It is not all encompassing. I did not include canon characters that had little to no change (ex. Rachel still NYADA, Kurt not) and I have only included people/stories important to New York. When everyone is back in Ohio I will review what's going on there at that time.

An asterisk * means there is more about this character in the section marked Backstory.

Thank you for hanging in there with me.

The People

Blaine
Dad: Charles is CFO of the Ford Motor Company and is a member of the Ford family
*Mom: Pamela in-demand interior designer and is a member of the Vanderbilt family
*Brother: Cooper is currently dating Holly Holiday
*Cousin: Sugar Motta. Her mother and Blaine's mother were sisters (Sugar's mom died)
Uncle: Al Motta but goes by Uncle Robert. Running joke that Blaine is the only one that can never remember to call him Al at the courthouse.
Godmother: Anna Wintour. He calls her Bibbi, she calls him Charming

Sebastian
*Dad: Xavier. Lawyer and Columbia Alumnus.
*Mom: Juliette. Calls Sebastian My Darling Boy
*Sister: Sierra. Designer for Dior and has just taken over at Baby Dior.
Niece: Isabella but he (and most everyone else) calls her Izzy. 6 months old. Sebastian is head-over-heels in love with her and vise-versa
*Biological Father: Julien, son of Xavier and Juliette (Sebastian is their biological grandson).

The other OC's You Need To Know
Nichole Duval: Warbler Nick Duval's older sister. Friends with Old New Directions girls. Recently dropped out of Harvard and broke up with Nick's bestie Jeff because she has feelings for someone else. Someone else is Sam. She has not admitted but a few have guessed.
Rosa: Former housekeeper/cook/nanny for the Mottas that is now working for Sebastian's sister, Sierra. Petite 60 year old with a THICK southern accent. Is truly the person in charge of everyone and everything. Either seen as warm and grandmotherly or scary and evil. Chandler (Season 3) is her great-grand nephew.
Jackie: Beat's mom and powerful music executive.
Doc/Dr. Shepard: Blaine's therapist (although, technically Blaine fired him) but has occasional Skype sessions with Rachel.
Nari: Narissa Montgomery is Wes Montgomery's little sister. Dated Sam but now might (will) date Trent.
Mr. Barnes: Dean of Music at Julliard and in charge of Blaine's concert.
*And the Big One…Tommy
1. Tommy was the other boy attacked at Sadie Hawkins with Blaine
2. He disappeared soon after and his parents let everyone believe he was dead
3. Blaine found out he was alive because Tommy was Eli…the guy Blaine supposedly cheated on Kurt with.
4. He later told Blaine he had changed his name to Brody Weston

Canon Character (with a little OC) changes besides the obvious no Klaine and no Blaine cheating
Mercedes: Moved to NYC to take understudy role of Effie in Dream Girls. Living with Santana and Rachel. Dating former Warbler David.
Mike: Leaving Joffrey for NYC. Decided he needs academics and not just dance. Dating Beat but calls him by his given name Samuel (Blaine calls Beat Drum).
Brittany: No secret genius. Was working on friendship with Kurt
Adam: Adam's Apples are extremely popular (think StarKids). He's attracted to Sebastian
Hunter: Went to jail as part of Dalton scandal but is out. No explanation yet.
*And the Big One…Cooper: Moved back to Ohio and bought Breadstix. Also, his Uncle Al Motta gave him his "Security & Protection" business (Yes, the quotation marks mean there are mob ties to the business). *Cam was Blaine's "body guard" for years following the Sadie Hawkins attack and is now in charge of NYC crew. (*Daniel/Vincent/Ralphie are the others in NYC crew. I don't refer to them as the NYC crew. I thought it would be the easiest way to explain.)

Backstory

Sebastian's Adoption
1. Julien killed Sebastian's biological mother, went to jail but now out. This is the reason Seb no longer calls Blaine Killer. Says he wants to see Seb.
3. Seb's dad, Xavier hired some of Cooper's guys to go to Paris and keep an eye on Julien. Puck is one of them.
4. Seb's mom, Juliette freaked out and wanted Seb to go to Stanford to hide. Seb considered it due to mom's past mental health issues. Compromise…yes to Columbia but he has to have protection (Daniel)

Blaine & Brody
1. Blaine's ex-body guard Cam is Brody's brother. Blaine didn't tell him he knew Tommy/Brody was alive.
2. Everyone knows about Brody & Rachel and most know "Tommy" sent Blaine a letter saying he still loveshim.
3. Brody is unaware the Sadie Hawkins attackers have been caught and are in jail

Kurt
1. Blackmailed Seblaine with info about both Fight Club and Sebastian's adoption. Got information while he was still at Vogue with help of a guy named Travis
2. Is obsessed with Sebastian's sister Sierra. No explanation yet.

Randoms
1. Blaine and Cooper had a big fight before Blaine left
2. Both Blaine & Sebastian's moms (Pam and Juliette) went to NYC early and are up to something

There's a couple of things I didn't include because this format opened me up to do something I've been having trouble working into the main story.

One of Blaine's attackers stated that he couldn't be charged with a hate crime because he was gay and the court ruled in his favor. When Blaine had to make the decision of whether or not to fight it in court he sought the advice of Rachel's dads. He formed a relationship with them during that time. He would never go after Rachel without at least giving them a heads up. So…

And now, a special episode of Saving Myself

Meanwhile in Lima

Breaking News: U.S. Representative Burt Hummel of Ohio resigns effective immediately after admitting to his role in the scandal currently rocking Dalton Preparatory Academy in Westerville. More details as they become available.

"Did you find out anything?" Leroy Berry yelled out to his husband as he flipped through the television channels. "How can they announce Burt resigned from Congress and not give us any information?"

Hiram came in from the kitchen carrying his tablet. "Sweetheart, you have got to calm down. I'm not seeing…oh, wait. That's odd. I have an email from Blaine."

"An email? From Blaine? What does it say?" When Hiram didn't immediately answer, Leroy knew it was bad. It was no secret in the Berry family how much Leroy loved and admired one Blaine Anderson. Blaine was everything he would have wanted in a son…wickedly smart, talented, funny, socially aware with a kind and generous heart. So, for Hiram not to answer, something had to be wrong. "Please."

"Here, read this." Hiram handed over his tablet and then switched off the television. They didn't need the outside distraction. "I'm going to get the laptop and come straight back. Ok?"

"What...?"

"Just read it, my love."

Leroy looked down at the tablet and could tell from the first sentence that his instincts were correct. Something was definitely wrong.

Dear Mr. & Mr. Berry,

I know you have told me dozens of times to call you Hiram and Leroy but after you read this you will understand why that is no longer appropriate.

Before I go into the reason for this email, there are a few things I'd like to say. When Dr. Shepard suggested I find someone outside of my inner circle to talk to about my court case, I knew it had to be the two of you. I remembered Rachel telling me the story of how you sat her down after you heard the news of my attack. It broke my heart while at the same time inspired me to want to someday be that open and honest with my own children. I admired your bravery and bravery was exactly what I needed at the time.

And you both came running…well, driving extremely fast and probably broke a lot of traffic laws :) You really didn't even know me that well…You. Just. Came.

Then you LISTENED to me. I don't think either of you said a word for the first hour (I really want to make a Rachel talks a lot joke but I won't). Then you talked WITH me. And not just that day, but everyday…for WEEKS. I was in therapy for a year after the attack and then months with Dr. Shepard, but it was the two of you that helped me accept that my attack is only one small piece of the story that is me. For that I will always be grateful.

When I said that I didn't want to be known as the performer that survived a hate crime, you told me that I wasn't being selfish, another thing I needed to hear. I am not ashamed of being gay and I will never hide the fact that I am, but this was different. This was about me having control of my image.

However, you knew not going to court still bothered me and suggested I pick a different avenue to help the LGBT community.

I hope you have been able to check out my YouTube Channel. I have had the idea for a while but it all just came together this past weekend. And hey, if videos of my performances keep showing up online anyway, might as well try to take some control and raise some money. All the money will go to my charity, although right now it doesn't have a name other than Nonprofit #8672933.

I want to explain how I came up with the idea for the charity (yes, I seriously need to think of a name!). I don't remember if I told you this, but all I ever wanted was to be a "normal kid". Yeah, I know, but that got me to Westerville and beaten into a coma. The police, the district attorneys, none of them put any effort into solving the crime. Then 3 years later I find the attackers. My uncle gets two of them to flip on the third (ok, maybe they didn't need to know that part) and then my lawyer presents everything to them on a silver platter.

Since he happened to be the former state's attorney I guess they took a closer look at the case. At least long enough to see who my family was because suddenly "justice" couldn't happen fast enough. Then when the high powered lawyers worked out a plea so everything would remain confidential, it took 2 weeks to have a sentencing hearing and send the assholes (sorry but it fits) to jail. 2 Weeks! I called it the best justice money could buy.

Obviously, I was upset but it got me thinking. Maybe I was never met to be what I believed a "normal kid" to be. Maybe my normal was to be an entitled rich boy with tons of influential connections…and use them to help others. The thing is, I'm not taking money for this from any of them. This is me. And my friends, of course. (Ok, I may have a sponsorship from the Ford Motor Company. My dad would not shut up!)

This is going to be the part you will find shocking. My idea for getting attorneys for students (especially LGBT students) facing bullying issues comes from what happened to Kurt. I KNOW…MIND BLOWN! Anyway, I always wondered why Burt didn't hire an attorney and sue the district. There was never a formal hearing. Yes, Kurt had never filed a complaint against Karofsky but there was enough circumstantial evidence to cause further review.

When I asked Burt recently he said he just hadn't thought of it. He was more concerned about getting Kurt to a safe place. I'm hoping that students and families think of us before they feel like they have to run away. I once believed that was what I had done. That I had run away from my bullies. I know better now but that thought lead to some questionable decisions (like believing it was my responsibility to protect Kurt from his).

One other thing about the Channel. Julliard will livestream Friday's concert on it and will be asking for donations for the charity at the concert! Ahhhh! I'm so excited! I hope I don't pass out…or throw up…or forget the words…or trip…or oh my god, FART NEAR A MICROPHONE!

Ok, moment of crazy over.

Well, I've delayed and deflected for as long as I could. (The pause you don't see happening is me taking a deep breath) Why this email? By now you have heard that Burt Hummel resigned from Congress. I wanted you to know he has done none of the things he admitted to. Kurt was the one that told our former Head Master if he continually punished Sebastian (his name was withheld from the media) for what we call Slushie-gate (yes, where I needed surgery), he would get Burt to support him in his planned run for governor. There is more, but I've made my point.

So again, why this email? I am going after Kurt. I plan on being brutal and using all the resources I have finally accepted are at my disposal. I am also going after those who helped him in any way.

That includes Rachel.

This is not me being a 5 year old tattling on my sister. In fact, I hope she has told you what she's done but I'm pretty sure I would have received some form of communication from one of you if she had. At least I believe I would have.

I almost stopped by when I was in Lima yesterday, but I didn't have all the facts. At least I'll keep telling myself that and not that I couldn't man-up and face you.

I will not apologize for what I am going to do, but I am sad that it will most likely cost me my relationship with the two of you. Thank you for everything.

Blaine

Leroy read the last portion of the email through tears. What had Rachel done? She introduced Sebastian as her new BFF only 10 days ago. Then he and Hiram had gone to LA with her and watched her sing back up on one of the songs Blaine recorded. For god's sake, Blaine and Sebastian arranged for them to have dinner with Barbra Streisand!

Honestly, what Kurt did didn't surprise him. But Rachel?

He finally took his eyes off the tablet when Hiram pulled it from his hands. He wanted to protest until he heard his husband say "Go pack you bags. Our plane leaves in 4 hours."

The Berrys would have been aware of all the events surrounding Blaine's case but I wanted to include it as review

The email was much longer than I originally planned. I wanted it to read like a letter and sound like Blaine was speaking to them. Like on a television show when you hear the voice of the person that wrote the letter when it's read. I also wanted it to be sad (heartbreaking?) where the first 2/3 shows the wonderful relationship the 3 of them built and the last 1/3 shows why it will never be that way again.

You'll still be getting your "real" chapter later this week. I will tell you that two lingering questions will be answered.

But I didn't say I would tell you what questions *evil writer laugh*

Again, as always, thank you for reading.