Summary: Blaine's sudden departure and an admission by Sebastian are signs to the others there's more going on than they're aware of. What else is new?

Notes: JB is a nickname for Jean-Batiste.

Blaine kissed Sebastian then stood and motioned to Brittany, Jake and Vincent to follow him. There were a thousand questions in the Evans/Anderson section (especially from Santana and Puck who wanted time with their loved ones) but only one was answered. "B leaving has nothing to do with what you told me. It's about Hummel" Sebastian whispered to Puck as they found their seats.

Puck didn't doubt him for a second. Some shit had to be going down if Sebastian called Kurt anything other than Gayface.

While last minute details were taken care of up front, Sam reminded everyone of the Blam rating system...1 through 5 fingers but only give a 5 if they thought the person was in the running for the full-ride scholarship. They (*cough* Santana) were also reminded to rate Kurt and the girl Rachel mentored strictly on performance.

"And just so you know" Sebastian interjected "Blaine and I want Hummel to do well. Hell, we hope he wins."

Ok, that was new. "Isn't Kurt at the bottom? And for him to win, wouldn't Sam and a few others have to seriously fuck up?" JB quietly asked Chandler.

The candidates were performing in reverse order of their rankings from the pre-audition. Sam was performing last but Kurt was second, meaning he had a lot of ground to make-up if he was to win the full-ride scholarship. Although, from what Brody had told them, Kurt could have lost standing due to how angry Carmen was when he sang Fix You directly to Blaine at the pre-audition. It's why she told him if it happened again, he'd be cut on the spot.

There was no time for Chandler to explain this as Carmen made it clear they were to begin. "All candidates were assigned a mentor. They were also given access to NYADA facilities, faculty and students. There is no excuse for their performances to be anything but memorable. They were also assigned a task. For Miss McClaine it was no Opera but for the remaining candidates it was no Broadway. As you can guess, these areas would be considered our candidates' comfort zones, but we expect more."

"One last reminder, the only reason there is an audience is to put further pressure on the candidates since this will be their second, and final audition. Any distraction to the process, no matter how small, will lead to the immediate removal. For the candidates it is not only admission at stake. The candidate with the most memorable performance will be awarded a full-ride scholarship. Let's get started."

The first candidate sang Tiny Dancer by Elton John. He played piano and had an 8-piece orchestral accompaniment. There was also a ballerina who was quite good but the Evans/Anderson section was universal with a Blam rating of 3 out of 5. All agreed the guy was screwed considering his performance was similar to Blaine's but nowhere near as memorable.

Carmen's expression said the same as she spoke in her usual stoic manner. "Thank you, Mr. Meyers. Mr. Kurt Hummel will be the next candidate to perform. Mr. Hummel, you have 5 minutes."

While Kurt's group prepared, Blaine rejoined the group. Upon sitting down, he gave Sebastian a wink as a signal whatever he had done had gone well. "What are the final guesses on Kurt's song?"

Santana went into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper. "Just so it's out there, Brody excused himself because he didn't want it getting back to the HBIC he was doing anything involved with another candidate, and after seeing her in action, I get it." Everyone nodded agreement. Carmen Tibideaux had more than lived up to her reputation. "Ok, Chandler, Mercedes, David, Beat, Trent and Artie say he'll stick with Blackbird. Sugar, Jeff, Nick, Tina and the remaining New New Directions except Jake went with Somewhere Only We Know."

"Why? I told everyone he's pissed because I didn't tell him Bibbi was Anna Wintour." Blaine didn't want to interrupt for time sake but it sounded like not everyone had all the information.

"Because they're idiots" Santana told him while looking directly at Chandler and David. "The rest of us, except Seb, chose It's Not Right But It's Ok."

JB got the distinct impression there was a story behind the song he'd have to ask about later. "What did you choose, Sebastian?"

"I didn't choose a specific song, just that it has meaning to Killer and sends some sort of message."

"Sounds reasonable. I'll go with Sebastian."

Kurt stepped up to the microphone so they all settled into their seats. Blaine leaned into Sebastian as there was something he couldn't let pass. "Killer?"

"I told you, Old Sebastian is back."

Blaine tried not to read too much into the change. Fortunately, the first few notes of Kurt's song flipped a switch within him. "Son of a bitch."

After all that you put me through,
You think I'd despise you,
But in the end I wanna thank you,
'Cause you've made me that much stronger

Kurt's appearance and set-up were very "Un-Kurt". There was a strong rock influence to both and he was embracing it with more intensity than the former New Directions members had seen in any of his performances…ever.

Well I thought I knew you, thinking that you were true
Guess I, I couldn't trust called your bluff time is up 'cause I've had enough
You were there by my side, always down for the ride
But your joy ride just came down in flames 'cause your greed sold me out in shame

After all of the stealing and cheating you probably think that I hold resentment for you
But uh uh, no no, you're wrong
'Cause if it wasn't for all that you tried to do, I wouldn't know
Just how capable I am to pull through
So I wanna say thank you 'cause it

Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter

It was obvious Kurt was ignoring Carmen's warning not to sing to Blaine, but since she was unaware of what happened at Vogue, she wouldn't know better. Plus, Kurt was doing a good job of playing to the entire audience. Then he got to the third verse. Sebastian, Sam, Santana, Puck, and Brody each had a stanza directed at them. The line about backstabbing was actually focused to the other side of the room at Rachel.

But who were they kidding? This was about Blaine.

How could this man I thought I knew
Turn out to be unjust so cruel
Could only see the good in you
Pretended not to see the truth

You tried to hide your lies, disguise yourself
Through living in denial
But in the end you'll see
You won't stop me

Outwardly, Blaine let his expression tell Kurt exactly what he thought of his supposed message. Internally, he was smiling because he was sure the performance would be enough to get Kurt in. The only question would be the scholarship. He looked around to see most everyone had agreed with his Blam rating of 4 out of 5. Santana only had one finger up but since it was her middle finger, he didn't average it in.

Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter

Audience applause wasn't supposed to vary, but there was more behind what Kurt received compared to the first candidate. Since it wasn't overwhelming, Carmen didn't say anything. "Thank you, Mr. Hummel. We will now take a 10 minute intermission. Miss McClaine, Miss Kent, you and your mentors report to the staging area."

There was a rush to the exits so people could check their phones (or more likely use the restroom) but no one in the Evans/Anderson section moved except to stand and stretch.

"Wow…that was…"

"Weird?"

"Inappropriate?"

"Cringy?"

"Fighter is the song I would sing to myself whenever Cooper was being particularly…Cooper." Blaine gave a nod to Santana to fill in Chandler and JB. Chandler knew Breadstix owner Cooper but had never met Free Credit Cooper…big difference. "He took a risk but since it wasn't a love song he'll get away with it unless I rat him out…which I'm not."

"I've got to give Adam credit for convincing Kurt to back off of Blackbird. When Rachel told him the meaning behind the song, I thought his head would explode." Brody sounded more like he was thinking out loud than adding to Blaine's observation. His attention was focused on Carmen conferencing with the other evaluators. "To be honest, I was sure Kurt would sing Blackbird if only to prove some sort of convoluted point that only made sense to him."

He looked at his watch and excused himself telling Sam he'd meet him when it was time. Then Brody shocked Puck (and several others) by asking him to join him. From the moment Puck walked in and saw Cooper's guys, he knew he wasn't really there to keep Kurt from Chandler so he accepted. His curiosity far outweighed his dislike for Brody. Plus, he owed it to Blaine to at least try to be civil.

Watching the two of them leave, Sebastian made eye-contact with the people he had tried to speak with since he arrived. "Killer, I'm going to talk to Rachel's dads for a minute. You want to come with me?"

"No, I…" Blaine bit his lip to hold back what he was going to say. Him cutting the Berrys out of his life had been one of the topics brought into their fight. "I can't…not yet. I'm sorry, Bas."

"I understand but I think it's best I tell them in person I'm willing to talk, just not anytime soon. I'll be right back."

Sebastian had only asked knowing Blaine would say no, so he left before he could change his mind. "Mr. and Mr. Berry."

"Sebastian, you can call us…" the look on the young man's face told Leroy it was pointless to continue. "What can we do for you?"

"I need a favor."

While Sebastian was with the Berrys, Blaine pulled David aside. Sam took this as a sign to help Santana with her tale of the master-class in acting Cooper gave at McKinley last year. JB couldn't stop laughing but Chandler's mind was wandering. Only 3 weeks earlier he thought he'd have to leave Tisch and move back to Lima. The time between then and now was so surreal he was taking a moment to put the journey in focus.

Before his dad got sick, he barely knew his Great-Aunt Rosa other than she worked for reputed mobster Al Motta. He vaguely remembered hearing of Sugar and Tommy (who he knows is Brody but it's still confusing) and Blaine. What were the chances the guy he met at the music store last year had been Blaine's boyfriend? To be fair, he hadn't known Kurt had a boyfriend at all until he told him they couldn't be friends anymore because his boyfriend was being unreasonably jealous…via text.

But by then it was too late. He had already developed feelings for Kurt, or at least thought he had. When Cooper offered him a job at Breadstix to keep an eye on Kurt, he jumped at the chance, especially since Blaine was now with Sebastian. Then they all wound up back in NYC and everything went to hell…or did it? Yes, he knew he was accepted in the beginning because his tie to Rosa in some warped way made him "family" to Blaine and Brody (and probably Sugar). However, the more he was around them, the more natural it felt…like they were becoming friends.

He had never really had friends. Maybe that was why it had been so hard to let go of Kurt.

Chandler was brought out of his thoughts by someone bumping him. It was one of the men the others call Cooper's guys (Vincent…he was pretty sure this one was Vincent). "What's…" his eyes followed Santana and Sam's stares "…never mind. Hi, Kurt."

"Can we talk?"

"No." Chandler gave himself a mental high-five for that.

"Ok, maybe this isn't the right time but…what the hell?"

To everyone's surprise, JB had grabbed Chandler by his shirt and had pulled him into a kiss. "That's your cue to leave, Kurt" Blaine said with a huge smile on his face. He and David, as well as Sebastian, had hurried over when they saw what was happening. "Vincent, please escort Kurt back to his seat."

"This is none of your business, Blaine."

"Oh, but it is. So, before you throw one of your shit fits and get your ass kicked out of here for good, Vincent will be kind enough to escort you back to your seat."

When Kurt (closely followed by Vincent) walked off in a huff, all eyes turned to Chandler and JB. "Something you two want to tell us?" Sam asked for the group.

"I just wanted to shut the asshole up" JB snickered then noticed Chandler's smile fade. "No, no, I've been wanting to kiss you and this probably wasn't…"

Chandler's smile came back watching the usually self-assured JB trip over his words. "It was perfect."

Santana came from behind and put an arm around each of them. "Looky everyone, our group has got itself a couple of new sickenly-sweet gaybabies. Trouty?"

Ladies and Gentlemen, please return to your seats

Sam shook his head as they all got settled. "Chandler and Jean-Baptiste? I'm going to need Britt's help for that ship name."

The first to perform after the break was Beatrice McClaine, Rachel's mentee. Santana pointed out she was the sole candidate who could actually sing something from Broadway. Those who understood would have bet anything Rachel somehow convinced her sing Don't Rain on My Parade.

Boy were they wrong.

Till now I always got by on my own
I never really cared until I met you
And now it chills me to the bone
How do I get you alone?
How do I get you alone?

Beatrice was totally rocking the audience. Sebastian covered a laugh watching Blaine and Sam freeze every time they caught themselves starting to head bang. He looked around at rankings and saw primarily 4s and wondered if the others were holding back for Sam because he would have given her a 5.

The next candidate came out in an outfit leaving no doubt she would be singing Lady Gaga. She was the only one who had used theoreticality, but that was all she had going for her. Halfway through, Santana made eye contact with Kurt. No matter what was happening between them there was one thing they could agree on…their version of Bad Romance had been 10 times better.

When she finished the final intermission was announced and Sam was called to go to the back. No one was surprised to see Blaine leave with him. They were surprised by the arrival of Beat and Mike…well, not all of them. "How was the audition?" Sebastian asked Mike. A big smile told him, and the others, Mike was pleased. Sebastian was happy for his new friend because he knew he preferred Julliard over Tisch.

During introductions between Mike, Beat and JB, Santana noticed something "Where's Artie?"

"He's meeting up with Sugar" Beat told her then motioned to Sebastian to step away. "The guys will all be at Wes and David's at 8PM."

"Do you know what Blaine's going to tell them?"

"He told me last night." Beat put his hand on Sebastian's shoulder as it was clear he wasn't happy with that answer. "The only reason he told me was he was upset about your fight. He stayed the night at my place. Seb, I'm not happy with how he went behind our backs either but I understand why he did it."

"I know but…" Sebastian took a deep breath, reminding himself of the favor he asked the Berrys"…I'm trying, Beat."

A few feet over, Mike was telling the others about his audition when Santana excused herself. She needed to face something (technically someone) she had been avoiding. "Your girl was really good, Rachel. She's definitely getting in."

Rachel felt herself lighten, as if a weight she had been carrying lifted and it wasn't due to Beatrice's performance going well. This was the first time Santana had spoken to her since everyone found out she became friends with Sebastian to help Kurt. And yes, that might have been how it began, but it had become the most honest friendship she had ever had…even if it was only 12 days.

Wow, that sounded pathetic.

Watching Sebastian purposefully ignore her broke her heart. He was still her friend, maybe even best friend, even if he hated her. Of course, there was a time when she could say all those things about Blaine. But one thing at a time. "I hope so. She's the girl I told you about, the one who was cut on my first day."

"The girl who sang opera and you had to sing right after? Holy shit, I bet that was awkward."

"At first, but she was heaven after mentoring Kurt." Shit! "Santana…"

"Listen Hobbit, as soon as Blaine and the rest of the guys are back to Ohio, we'll talk about what you did. We're going to have to get past this since we live…"

"That's why I've been calling you. Not the talking part, the living together. Our building sold and we got an eviction notice. We've got 90 days to get out but there's a big financial incentive if we do it in 60, more if in 30. Considering they're beginning construction on the empty units starting Monday, you, me and Mercedes will want to talk about this as soon as possible."

"Construction?"

"Mrs. Osbourn, the lady in 2B you call Gertie Gossip, said the building was bought by some sort of entertainment-based company. They've got to soundproof before they can do anything else."

Wait a minute… "Entertainment-based?"

"I'm assuming since they're putting in recording, dance and video production studios."

Flashback Tuesday (Mercedes): Why would Blaine buy a building? "No fucking way." Santana cursed herself for the outburst but was saved by…

Ladies and Gentlemen, please return to your seats

The next candidate was outstanding. He sang a slowed down version of Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself) by Ne-Yo, doing nothing more than sitting on a stool while a band and string accompaniment played behind him. What made him different from the others was he took an Electropop song and turned it into a full-on ballad. So, while the performance seemed simple, those who knew the song in its original form knew how much work was done.

There was no doubt this guy was Sam's only real competition for the full-ride scholarship. The fact everyone was giving him a 5 on the Blam scale…well, not everyone.

Something wasn't sitting right with Sebastian. Before he began, the candidate went to where his family was sitting and escorted a little girl he guessed to be 6 or 7 (sister?) to the front and sat her in a chair, not next to him, but within the orchestra section. He then began his song, paying her no further attention.

Things became clear when someone he assumed was a back-up singer started to speak to the little girl in sign language.

The little girl was deaf. Being next to the instruments she could feel the music and the interpreter gave her the lyrics. The smile on her face expressed the joy of music every other person in that room took for granted.

So, why was it taking everything within him not to run?

"Seb, are you all right?"

Sebastian hadn't noticed Santana moved next to him when the song ended. "Yeah, it's just…I've never seen someone perform a song in sign language before. I mean, I know it's done, especially with like the National Anthem, but…it was beautiful."

"We competed against a deaf show choir once. It wasn't beautiful but their director was a total tool so I blame him."

"Really? A deaf show choir?"

Santana didn't get a chance to explain because Carmen was back at the microphone. "Our next performer is Sam Evans. Mr. Evans is different from the other candidates in that he has never had an official audition. A little-known provision of the Dirt Dozen Auditions is they are not only for second auditions. They may include potential students who fall under specific special circumstances. Mr. Evans qualified for several."

"Ladies and gentlemen, Sam Evans."

TBC

Notes:

Fighter (Glee version): Aguilera, Christina; Storch, Scott 2003

Alone (Heart): Kelly, Tom; Steinberg, Billy; Steinberg, Kelly 1987

The final candidate's performance was based on Jake's in Episode 4x12 Naked. It is in my top 5 of non-Blaine New Directions song.

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