Summary: Blaine gets a huge offer. One that could change everything.

Warning: I refer to a character as simple. It does not mean dumb but without frills. I think you'll get it.

Notes: After finishing the chapter I realized my opinions on certain canon storylines are blatantly obvious. I understand I do that a lot. I also understand that if you didn't agree at least a little you would have stopped reading by now. Please see the end note about one of my more "controversial" storylines.

I forgot a couple of things in last chapter's review. Ooops! Here you go :)

Sam met with Shelby Cochran (why not important now) and she told him that after last year's Nationals, Jesse St. James saw Will having a discussion with Carmen Thibodaux and Will seemed upset when it was over.

Dirty Dozen: 12 NYADA finalists who were either rejected the year prior, cut or have a special circumstance. "Winner" of auditions receives a full-ride scholarship but anyone "cut" can never apply again.

Blaine's Alpha Gay(Big/Wonderful/Over-the-top) Moments: I said they had ended. I forgot this one. The Big One. Double Ooops!

The car's sudden stop brought Blaine back from his thoughts of the Berrys. He shut his laptop and returned it to his messenger bag before pulling out his phone. There were at least 30 texts which wasn't surprising. Since none were from Sebastian, or Mike giving him an update on how Sebastian was doing, he was going to ignore them. However, one caught his attention and made him laugh. So simple yet so profound…just like the author.

From Puck: WTF?!

He sent off a quick response saying he had no idea why Burt resigned but they would have to talk later. He was on his way to NYADA and couldn't be distracted.

"Hey, Dude, take your stuff."

Ok, maybe he was a little distracted since he didn't notice Sam was now in the car with him. "Thanks. Did you get everything?"

"Yeah, plus Mercedes put a bottle of hair product in there. She said she is thoroughly disappointed in you for not coming to her earlier about your styling problems."

Blaine started to undress and change into the clothes Sam brought him. "I don't have a styling problem. I have a humidity problem."

"Keep telling yourself that but at least you didn't bring out the gel helmet." When Blaine didn't even crack a smile, Sam knew there was a problem. "Get out of your head."

"I'm not in my head, I'm trying to get into these pants. I still can't believe I use to wear them this tight every day."

"Liar. You're pissed off at what happened with Burt and you're more pissed off about how upset Seb is. You need to get your head in the game before we get to NYADA or I'm telling the driver to turn this fancy car around and take us back to Julliard."

"Sam…"

"Blaine, you have a plan. A good plan, at least what you've shared with me. You want to avenge Seb? Make Kurt pay. Wolverine can't come out and beat the shit out of him. Plus, you're 18. He'd probably have you arrested and you definitely don't need that."

"Fine, point taken." Blaine handed him the mirror that was in the bag and went about fixing his hair. "And I'm retiring Wolverine. He's always going to be a part of me, and I'll miss him, but it's time to say goodbye. I need to start living life as a whole person and not parts fragilely woven together."

He couldn't make out what Sam was thinking then "Fucking finally! Finally, I can be me. I'm Wolllverrinnnne!" Blaine took back the mirror (and playfully smacked his friend's leg) while Sam checked his phone. "Mercedes says she loves us both forever for including her in this and we won't believe who Brody got to escort you to your meeting. Also, good call on arriving in the Town Car as people are already keeping an eye out for you…including two of your targets. And they're together."

"So much for Rachel not wanting anything to do with Kurt to prove to Bas she's sorry. And it's our meeting now."

"No, first you're going to find out how you're even a finalist and then we're going to find out why the hell I'm here." Blaine actually knew, but there was no fun in ruining the surprise and he needed some fun in this day from hell. Sam looked out the tinted window and saw that they had arrived "If you see that Madame Thibodaux lady don't forget to ask her what she was talking with Mr. Schue about that pissed him off."

"Are we still trusting this even though it was Jesse St. James that gave the information to Shelby?"

"Yeah, and Kurt thought so too because how Mr. Schue treated you after. It was probably the one time Kurt didn't lie about something all weekend. Remember, he was still trying to reconnect with his friends at the time. He didn't throw his Alpha Gay shit-fit until CallBacks." Then remembering what happened in the aftermath of said shit-fit, Sam asked "Wait, you've got someone monitoring social media, right?"

Blaine gave him a Seriously, do you really even know me at all glare and then effortlessly morphed into his charming, Acapella Dreamboat personality. "Ralphie's got it, Sammy. No worries"

Sam agreed Blaine was well on his way to becoming what he called a whole person. He had pulled himself out of that deep dark place and was ready to take over the world. But Sam also knew that Blaine was one hell of an actor and could tap into the parts of that whole, like the Acapella Dreamboat and the former Wolverine, when necessary. This was going to be fun.

Halfway across the quad, Rachel was pressing her phone's deny call I'm in class option for the 5th time in the past 30 minutes. She had some idea why her dads were anxious to get in touch with her but she had a bigger problem at the moment.

"Why are Mercedes and Sam with Blaine?" Kurt grumbled. "He's already got Brody with him. Now I'll never get Blaine alone."

Rachel looked at him like he had lost his mind and she wasn't all that sure it wasn't the truth. "First of all, I have no idea why Mercedes and Sam are here because neither of them is talking to me because of what I did for you. And Blaine is not going to talk to you, especially with what happened with your dad. Kurt, the only reason I'm talking to you is because Madame Thibodaux said I had to be your mentor."

"Oh, get over it Rachel, but you're right. You are my mentor and I have to win that full-ride scholarship. Let Blaine have his entrance. We need to head toward the Round Room and see if anyone knows why the Dirty Dozen meeting was postponed an hour."

While the two of them headed in, Blaine was getting impatient. "So, where's this escort that is supposed to make sure all of these people hanging around leave me alone?"

Brody smiled at Mercedes and then pointed behind where Blaine and Sam were standing. "Oh, she's here."

She? Both Blaine and Sam turned to see everyone moving out of the way of the rather small woman walking toward them. "Blaine, Sam, I would like to introduce Miss Cassie July" Brody said as Mercedes smiled like a Cheshire cat. She had heard Rachel's stories about the former Broadway Diva turned dance instructor.

Cassie looked both of the boys up and down like they were a pair of ice cream cones and she couldn't decide which one to lick first. Blaine wasn't intimidated (Sam sure as hell was!). He took her hand and kissed the back of it, laying the charm on as thick as possible. "Miss July, I am honored you agreed to do this for me. Your reputation proceeds you but only in the best possible way, of course."

"Well, you're either charming as hell or full of shit. I haven't decided." Cassie paused long enough to shoot an evil eye to a girl who had been brave (or stupid) enough to approach their group. "But I like you." Then she turned to Sam "And I really like you."

"Sorry to interrupt…" No, she wasn't but Mercedes suddenly felt the need to protect her ex "…but Blaine, your appointment is in 10 minutes and I have no idea where we're going."

"The Round Room is…"

Before Brody could finish, Cassie linked her arm with Blaine's and started walking "Come along, Blainey. I'm dying to hear why everyone at NYADA finds you so fascinating."

Mercedes followed close behind but Sam grasped Brody's arm and held him back. "Dude, is that the teacher you slept with when you and Rachel broke up the first time?"

"We didn't break up because we weren't together, but yeah. I kind of did it on purpose."

"Before I leave…you, me and a bottle of Jack Daniels. You're 21, right?"

Brody liked Sam more and more every day "You're on."

The Front Cut: NYADA's True Gossip Blog We don't have to stab you in the back. We'll say it to your face
(1:30PM) danz4life12: Blaine sighting! Arrived in Town Car with super hot blond guy. *photo attached
(1:34PM) sopranohigh: Today is Dirty Dozen orientation. Is he auditioning? What about Julliard?
(1:36PM) danz4life12: This is not a drill! Just saw Blaine walking arm-in-arm with CASSIE FUCKING JULY! *photo attached

**This site is currently off-line due to excessive volume. Please come back later.**

Cassie went back to teach her class as soon as Blaine was deposited in front of the Round Room doors. The hall was full of people, presumably the other Dirty Dozen finalists, but Cassie stared them down before she left. They seemed to have gotten the message. Moments later a woman came out and asked only Blaine and Brody to come in. Despite that, several people stepped forward but they were met with a hand signaling for them to stop.

"We apologize for the delay. The rest of you may wait in the mezzanine at the bottom of the stairs. I will come get you when we are ready to begin."

While the other were left to speculate, Blaine was taking in the impressive auditorium. "So, this is the famous Round Room. Does it really have perfect acoustics?"

Brody walked over and picked up one of the guitars next to the piano. "Why don't we see?"

"Brody…"

"Please. Blaine, I'm trying here but…but just for a couple of minutes can we be Tommy and Blaine again?"

Blaine took the guitar. He didn't have to ask what song.

(Blaine) I don't know you but I want you
All the more for that

(B and B) Words fall through me and always fool me
And I can't react

(Blaine) And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

(B and B) Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice
You've made it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back

It was at this point they noticed they were no longer alone and ended the song. "Mr. Anderson, Mr. Weston, that was quite remarkable. You've obviously sung together before."

Carmen Tibideaux had a special way of paying you a compliment and scaring the crap out of you at the same time.

"Yes, Blaine and I have known each other for a long time. That's why he asked for me to be his escort today" Brody explained as Blaine put the guitar back on it's stand. "Um, I'm sorry if we overstepped but we were told to wait here…"

"Mr. Weston, you did not overstep and I told my assistant to have you wait here."

Blaine looked at Brody for clarity but he didn't have any either. "Madame Tibideaux, I'm certain you are aware that I am a Dirty Dozen finalist without applying to NYADA. I'm supposed to be meeting someone to tell me how that happened."

"You are, Mr. Anderson. I am the person that chose you as a finalist and I am well aware that you did not apply. I was extremely disappointed."

Huh? "I'm sorry, but you did this?"

Carmen strolled in her regal manner to the first row of chairs and took a seat. "You see Mr. Anderson, I have been aware of you since last school year. Did you know that several performances your friend Rachel Berry sent in for consideration were from your school play West Side Story?"

"No, I was not and Rachel Berry is my former friend" Blaine stated frankly and then thanked Brody for bringing over chairs for them. "Please excuse me if that was rude. Our falling out was recent."

"I'm sorry to hear that but it puts a lot of thing I've heard recently into context. Back to the play, it was actually your performance of Tony that drew me in. Miss Berry did earn her audition but she was one of the final selections."

Oh, that's why Rachel's letter came later. Blaine was going to ask why Kurt was selected considering his application was weaker in every category when Brody gave him a nudge and a glare of FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT INTERRUPT HER! So he didn't.

"When I arrived for Miss Berry's and Mr. Hummel's auditions, I remembered you the instant I saw you. I had planned on speaking to you after but Miss Berry forgetting her words took away my attention. I was disappointed in myself but remembered you were Mr. Hummel's boyfriend and that would give me another opportunity...I am assuming from your grimace that you and Mr. Hummel are no longer a couple."

Brody tried not to laugh watching Blaine's face contort as he choked back his true feelings. "No, Kurt and I had a less than amicable split months ago for the same reason I am no longer friends with Rachel." Blaine silently congratulated himself for not sounding bitter. "Excuse me, but did you say that my being Kurt's boyfriend gave you another chance to speak to me? How, since he was rejected?"

"At the time I had made the decision to accept Mr. Hummel."

Huh? They were all surprised when Kurt received the rejection letter so to hear he had initially been accepted made an odd sort of sense while still being confusing. "May I ask what changed your mind?"

"You did."

Oh, fuck! This was one of those out-of-body experiences where something was either really, really good or really, really bad. Blaine didn't know which to hope for.

"When I saw your Glee Club onstage in Chicago you drew me in yet again, even though you were inexplicably underutilized. I told your advisor as much when he came to me asking about a job opening at NYADA."

"That explains so much" Blaine said under his breath. All of Schuester's shitty behavior toward him was because he felt Blaine cost him a job at NYADA? Son of a bitch! Oh yeah, Carmen's still talking. He could hear Sam's voice in his head yelling at him to Get your head back in the game!

"Later that night when I thought back on the final number, Miss Berry's performance was easy to remember since she was in the forefront but I had no memory of Mr. Hummel other than he was paired with you. So, I gave his spot to Miss Berry."

Blaine knew he had that whole eyes popped/jaw dropped look going on but…Holy! Fucking! Shit! This was Kurt's worst Alpha Gay nightmare even though it was totally Rachel's fault. Hey, if she wouldn't have nagged Carmen to come to Chicago in the first place…or what about Tina? She drove Rachel to see Carmen and then gave that big speech about how special Rachel was. So, this was at the most 33% his fault.

Six months, hell six days, earlier this information would have caused Blaine to feel guilty, but now…now…now he was practically giddy thinking of ways to let this little nugget slip. However, his original question still hadn't been answered. "So, when you never got the chance to speak with me you just made me a finalist to get my attention?"

"Mr. Anderson, you have asked me a lot of questions. Let me ask you one. Why do you still want your audition slot in the Dirty Dozen?"

Thankfully, he anticipated this. "Madame Tibideaux, for some reason your students have developed an interest in me."

"No, Mr. Anderson they are obsessed with you. Several NYADA blogs, both official and unofficial, have crashed since your arrival."

"Oh. Wow." Blaine watched Brody leave to check what was going on. There was no cell signal in the room and all internet was hard wired. "I want to audition to prove to your students, and myself, that I am deserving of that interest." It wasn't a lie, more like a half truth.

"Well, I'd like you to audition for a different reason." Carmen reached for some papers she brought with her and handed them to Blaine. "What I am proposing is you enroll here at NYADA as well as Julliard and earn a joint degree. I have talked extensively with the administration at Julliard, including Mr. Barnes and as you can see we outlined a challenging but fair degree program for you. As I said, you captivated me as Tony in West Side Story and I can say the same about Teen Angel in Grease. Blaine, you are not only a musician and singer. You are also an actor, a performer, and you are not going to get everything you need focusing solely one part of your talent."

For the first time she looked like a caring councilor and not a stern head mistress. What she was saying was insane, but it brought him back to what he said earlier about living life as a whole person. Could he be that if he ignored his love of acting? Would he be like Mike and in a year regret his decision to stick strictly to one discipline? If he was honest, the thing McKinley had over Dalton (besides Sugar and Sam, of course) was the yearly musical. "Julliard has a world-class theater program. I could take classes there."

"True, but we believe NYADA is better suited for you in this case. While our courses are rigorous, our scheduling is flexible since many of our students work on Broadway while enrolled. Take the proposal and discuss it with your family and of course, Mr. Evans."

"Oh, I asked to have Sam join me for my audition since he co-wrote the song I want to perform."

"I'm sure that's fine, but..."

Outside, those waiting were beginning to become restless. When the woman from earlier appeared at the top of the stairs there was almost a collective sigh of relief. That turned into a collective groan when the only people she took back with her were Sam and Mercedes.

"Rachel! What the hell if going on? Sam and Mercedes?" Kurt was almost hyperventilating, but to be fair, so were several others of those waiting. "Oh my god, do you think Blaine got Mercedes an audition since her show is moving to London? It seems like he gets his way with everything these days now that he has no problem throwing his money around."

"How do you know about Mercedes show?" Great! Another potential landmine Kurt had put her in the middle of. Reluctantly, Rachel had to put the question on the back burner because a much larger landmine had just walked in the building.

Adam.

"You need to leave" Rachel hissed after she hurried to get his attention. Kurt's posting about Adam and Blaine's boyfriend holding hands at CallBacks had been the talk of the blogosphere. She didn't need that drama brought up again considering she was the one to introduce Adam to Sebastian.

"No can do, Love" the Brit told her. "I have been summoned by the Grand Dame herself and when Madame Carmen Tibideaux tells you to jump, you ask how high."

Rachel took a deep breath and tried to center herself before going back to Kurt, who was now on his phone. She had a sinking feeling this only meant more problems for her.

"Yes, I can be there tomorrow at 3PM…Do I need to bring my updated portfolio?...You want me to go to the main offices?...Yes, I will ask for Miss Martin…Thank you and thank Ms. Wright for me." Kurt put his phone away and smiled for the first time in two days. Finally, something had gone his way. "That was Vogue. One of the secretaries called to say, and I'm quoting, My friend Blaine Anderson's Godmother asked to change my appointment from Wednesday to tomorrow."

For about .002 seconds she considered telling him the true identity of Blaine's godmother but one gigantic roadblock put a halt to that…Santana Lopez. Blaine promised her months ago that she could be the one to reveal the truth. Rachel had no desire to find out if Santana actually would Go all Lima Heights on her ass. It also helped that Kurt never gave her a chance to respond.

"This is perfect, Rach. Isabelle loved me. I'm sure I can get a job that pays with her. Then all I have to do is win that scholarship and I'm set."

"I don't know about this." He couldn't say she didn't try to warn him. AGAIN!

"No, this will work. It has to."

Kurt knew he sounded desperate but that's exactly what he was.

When his dad told him he was taking the blame for what happened at Dalton so that his future wouldn't be completely ruined, Kurt couldn't believe it. But that was nothing compared to what came next.

His dad cut him off…completely.

After Kurt's mom died, Burt took the insurance money and put it in a savings account for college. He said he would send Kurt that money in a lump sum but that was it. No tuition, no rent, no food, no phone…no trips back to Lima. If he wanted his belongings he'd have to pay to have them shipped. The only thing Burt said he would pay for was therapy because he Obviously should have gotten him some sooner. Yes, his dad had warned him about causing problems while in New York. Technically, Finn, Rachel, Mercedes, Brittany, Sugar, Holly, Chandler, Carole, Cooper, Sebastian's dad, Travis, Sam, Blaine AND his dad had warned him about causing problems in New York. However, when Blaine said there would be consequences he never imagined this.

It was one anonymous post. How the hell was he to know it could be traced?!

But he could fix it. He knew he could. He just needed three things…a job, that scholarship and Blaine. Yes, his ex was the key. Kurt knew Blaine would be at Vogue tomorrow for the photoshoot. Maybe Isabelle moving their appointment was a sign. Yeah, he would go with that.

Fifteen minutes later, those waiting were allowed into the Round Room. Adam greeted each finalist at the door with a strip of paper and a pencil which seemed odd but no one was about to ask. Kurt and Rachel found seats two rows back from Blaine, Brody, Sam and Mercedes. They were not the only ones that wondered why Blaine had more people with him than his mentor.

"Good afternoon and thank you for your patience" Carmen told the group once they were seated. "We have had a few interesting developments which will effect all of you and I wanted things handled in the fairest way possible. I am sure most, if not all, of you are aware of Mr. Anderson's unique circumstance. He has chosen, which is his right, to claim his spot in the Dirty Dozen. He and I have come to an arrangement that I will share at a later time."

None of the other finalists looked happy. Blaine didn't care.

"The part that does concern you is since Mr. Anderson was not expected to audition, we have 13 finalists. A baker's dozen if you will. Since there are slots for only 12 auditions on Thursday, I thought we would take care of this problem game show style. You were each given a slip of paper as you walked in. You have two minutes to choose a song and it cannot be your submitted audition piece. The song should tell me something about you and you must be able to defend your selection. Ladies and gentlemen, make sure I will remember you. When this is, over someone is going home."

"Your time starts now."

TBC

I promised some answers (Blaine being a finalist/Why Will is acting like he does). I hope the payoff was worth the wait.

Falling Slowly: Bochnik, Robert; Doyle, Joseph; Hansard, Glen; MacConiomaire, Colm; Marketa, Irglova 2006 Based on Darren and Lea's 2017 Elsie Fest performance.

In the endnote of Chapter 43 Busted, I gave a more detailed opinion of how I see the father/son dynamic between Burt and Kurt. I will not rehash but will give a reminder that I am basing this depiction off of Episode 6x12: 2009. That episode contradicted a lot of canon "bible" like Blaine telling a fellow Warbler that coming out to his parents was the best decision he ever made. Hello, rebuilding a car to make me straight ring any bells? Ok, rant over.

Story vs canon timeline check. Since Grease was before the trophy rescue, Blaine would have still been Teen Angel.

As always, thank you for reading.