Summary: The results of the Dirty Dozen Auditions are (kind of) announced.

Notes:

Three years ago I was a new writer, reviewing some of the stories I had posted. There was one in particular I loved but something didn't feel right. It was about Blaine keeping a secret and when the guys from the New New Directions follow him to Dalton they discover not only Fight Club but Wolverine. After going back a couple times I realized the problem was that Blaine (Wolverine) belonged with Sebastian and not who I originally paired him with (yes, Sam).

Did I expect Saving Myself to become THIS...NO! But thank you for joining me on this "fix" of Seasons 4 & 5.

This chapter is my homage to the first. I'll explain in the end notes but I'm pretty sure you guys will pick it up. Sorry it took longer than planned to get out but something wasn't working.

Trevor tried not to question what was happening but this didn't feel right.

The entire week of Dirty Dozen auditions had been one over-the-top moment after another, and not just the parts where Blaine was involved. Yes, Sam's audition had been directly tied to Blaine but the surprise early cuts, candidates not following specific tasks assigned by Madame Tibideaux, the whole reoccurring memorable theme? According to anyone he had spoken with, those were things that had never happened before.

Now he, Sam, Beatrice and Kurt were waiting in what appeared to be a conference room and they had been there long enough to rationalize they were the only finalists coming. Was this NYADAs way of saying Congratulations you finally made it? If it was, it would probably be the strangest part of the entire week. The results of the auditions and the awarding of the full-ride scholarship…well, it was called The Announcement for a reason.

"Hey, Dude, if you think about what you're thinking about any harder, your head's going to explode" Sam said softly for only Trevor and Beatrice to hear. Even though Kurt was at the other end of the long table, he didn't want his BFF's ex to get mistaken impression he was welcome to join their conversation.

"Sorry, but something's off. Why only the four of us and where are our mentors?"

"Then I'm not the only one weirded out by this?" Beatrice asked with a sigh of relief. "The Announcement has given me nightmares but not knowing what's happening…"

Sam knew he was missing something but he didn't know NYADA the way the others did. "Why would The Announcement give you nightmares?"

"It was embarrassing enough to be cut on the first day but at least it was only in front of a few people. The Announcement is open to everyone and streamed live on NYADA's website. They don't just award the scholarship. They tell you if you made it right then and there. And if your name isn't called…"

"You can never apply again" Sam got how that could be traumatic for a wanna-be performer. But shouldn't it be that way? The world they wanted to enter was cut-throat. If they couldn't handle a little public humiliation, maybe they needed to rethink some of their life goals.

Wow, when had he turned into Rachel Berry?

"Beatrice, no matter what's happening, I'm pretty sure you have nothing to worry about." Sam's words seemed to relax her, which immediately ended when the door opened and Brody, Rachel, Adam, as well as the other mentors, followed Carmen Tibideaux's assistant into the room and stood silently along the back wall.

Sam finally caught on to what the others tried to explain as something not feeling right. He looked to Brody for a sign. His mentor didn't flinch but his eyes shifted ever so slightly toward Kurt. This didn't help at all…

Until he had the mother of all epiphanies.

Oh Shit! Was Kurt finally going to get his consequences? Wait...didn't Blaine take care of that earlier in the week with his godmother? Damn! He wished he could have seen Kurt's face while Anna Wintour went all "Anna Wintour" on his ass.

After meeting the woman, that Devil Wears Prada movie made so much more sense.

Sam moved his focus to Kurt and then, for just a second, became uncomfortable being outside the loop. He'd been with Blaine every step of the way, why was he being pushed out now? Fortunately, his rational brain took over. He and Blaine had gone to a lot of trouble making sure this afternoon had been about a different set of consequences…Will Schuester's.

Which meant, if this was on Kurt, it was coming from Sebastian. (Damn, I'm getting good at this!)

Whatever set him off, Sam decided it didn't matter. Kurt deserved it for what he was putting Burt through. Plus, he knew if shit was already in motion, there was nothing for him to do except sit back, relax and keep his new friends out of the line of fire.

Well, that and watch Kurt squirm which he was already beginning to do.

Sam wasn't wrong about his former teammate's uneasiness.

Kurt was optimistic when he was brought to this room with only Sam (seriously, how did that happen?) and the other two. He and Adam had gone over the auditions and agreed it would probably be the four of them making it. The only real question was the scholarship.

However, the longer they waited, the more he began to question that earlier agreement…and it was all Adam's fault. They had been getting along really well. Like maybe he could stay at his place a few more nights well. Then, after over an hour of waiting, his dashing mentor volunteered to see if he could find out anything. When Adam got back the British charm was gone (as in he was beyond rude!) and they barely spoke until Carmen's assistant came and took him away.

Suddenly, while watching Adam actively trying to avoid eye contact, Kurt could have kicked himself for not figuring it out sooner. One of Blaine'sminions must have gotten to him when he went to check on the delay. Enough of them had been floating around. The auditions had sold out in under 10 minutes but of course, Carmen Tibideaux's Golden Boy he was able to get them all in.

They were at the best damn performing arts school in NYC but he and Sam needed the New Directions for their performances? Yeah, right.

And what about but Chandler? Why was he there? And who was that...person who, who...YOU DON'T JUST KISS A GUY LIKE THAT!

The side conversations ended and the anxiety in the room became palpable as Madame Tibideaux entered. To say she didn't look happy would have been a massive understatement. Yes, she never looked "happy" but even her assistant didn't remember it being this bad. Not even the day the Director found out Blaine chose Julliard.

"My apologies for the delay." Carmen walked to the center of the table but didn't pull out a chair. She wasn't staying long. However, she couldn't help but notice how the finalists were seated…divided three on one end, one on the other. As far away from each other as possible.

How appropriate

"This week has been the most challenging I have had in my tenure as Director of the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts. Myself and the faculty of NYADA have tried our best to ensure your reaudition, or in Mr. Evan's case…audition, process be as unaffected and fair as possible. I believe, for the most part, we have done an admirable job."

Trevor and Beatrice grabbed hands while Sam tried not to stare blatantly at Kurt who was practically dancing in his seat.

"As you have probably guessed, the four of you have earned admission to NYADA for next year. Congratulations." Those along the back wall applauded, although the two mentors for the finalists who didn't make it looked ready to vomit. They knew they would be called in to explain what went wrong. "And as you have also probably guessed, The Announcement has been postponed."

The assistant took that as his cue to go open the door to the room and let in a surprise guest.

"Mr. Anderson"

Blaine gave Sam a wink as he walked in, which didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the room. "Madame Tibideaux". He stood beside her and brought her hand up to kiss, while oozing every ounce of his Dalton Boy charm. "You have my sincerest gratitude for allowing me to do this."

"Ok, that was a little thick, my boy." Carmen playfully admonished him as everyone else looked on in awe, especially the back row. "Anyway, Blaine, please explain why you are here."

As Blaine began to speak, the person who should have been listening the most, couldn't focus on what was being said. This wasn't the Blaine of the past six months...arrogant but yet oh, so sexy.

This Blaine was the boy on the staircase with the subtle smile and twinkle in his golden eyes.

The boy who took his hand and ran with him through the halls of Dalton.

The boy who would forever be his Teenage Dream.

Kurt looked away just long enough to break the spell and remind himself that boy didn't exist anymore. He didn't want to be blindsided in the same way he was at Vogue. His ex was definitely up to something.

Why the hell else would he still be talking?

"So, you see, when Madame Tibideaux so graciously agreed to use Brittany's performance as her NYADA audition, I had to find a funding source since she would never take the money from me directly. Sorry, Sam."

All eyes turned to the blond, who just shook his head. "Hey, Bro, and I mean Brother, I've told you a hundred times to drop it. I wouldn't let you pay for anything either. Mom and Pop Anderson ganging up and not giving me an option, is another story."

Kurt silently fumed at what he was hearing.

Seriously? Seriously? Blaine's parents are paying for SAM to go to NYADA. Sam, who until a week ago had never mentioned coming here when I discussed this every day with Blaine for MONTHS! Then again, Blaine never told me how insanely wealthy they were so how would I have known I was supposed to suck up to his parents. I tried to avoid them as much as possible.

It was so unfair!

Now Sam, Brittany, and probably Puckerman Jr. once he graduates, were all getting everything handed to them on a silver platter?

At least Brittany and Jake were talented dancers. Sam just pissed him off.

Oh, for the love of Gaga...PAY ATTENTION!

"It just seemed like the right thing to do. Because of this, the DFC Memorial Scholarship agreed to offer a 2 year full-ride scholarship to the second place finalist and one year tuition scholarships to all other finalists who were admitted."

Kurt, Brody, Rachel and even Adam all looked to the grinning Blaine like he had lost his mind. Did he realize this meant, no matter where he placed, Kurt would receive a scholarship with the only question being for how much? He had to, this was Blaine they were talking about. Plus, Sam had no reaction.

Speaking of…

"Mr. Evans" The room refocused when they heard Carmen address Sam. "Is it still your attention to not accept any financial assistance, even the Dirty Dozen scholarship? That is, if you finished in first place."

"No, Ma'am…I mean yes, Ma'am, no assistance. As we talked about, I still have no idea what I'm doing but if you're letting me take classes here, even just part-time, I had to prove I could get in on my own and not by riding Blaine's coattails as others believe."

Even though he didn't look at them when he said it, Adam and Kurt knew the comments were aimed at them. So, did everyone else, including Carmen but she'd address that later. "Very well. I will tell you that you did not come in first place, although only by three points. For the short amount of time given, you arranged an impressive performance."

Blaine couldn't help himself and ran around the table to give Sam a hug. And he wasn't jealous at all when Sam hugged Brody next, after all, he had been his mentor.

Just as long as it was clear Sam was his best friend.

"Miss McClaine" Carmen said, taking back control of the room "You finished in third place but will be receive the second place prize of the 2 year full-ride scholarship Mr. Evans declined."

"Really?" Beatrice squealed, getting confirmation from a nodding Blaine.

"Yes, really. I am assuming when I tell you to come prepared this fall, it will not be an issue as it was last year."

"No, no, no…no issue whatsoever."

"Then that leaves us…" Carmen's assistant interrupted her by walking over and showing her the tablet he had been watching since entering the room. "If you will excuse me."

While Carmen scrolled through the device she had been handed, Sam leaned over to Blaine who was now sitting next to him. "You think Kurt won?"

"I honestly have no idea."

At the opposite end of the table, Kurt was sure he had. Rule one of singing competitions, the ballad never wins. Thank god he had chosen not to sing Blackbird. The only thing that St. James cohort had going for him was the little deaf girl he used for sympathy. She might have gotten him some bonus presentation points.

"Congratulations Mr. Black. You are the winner of this year's NYADA Dirty Dozen Vocal Auditions and the 4 year full-ride scholarship prize. You..."

From that point on, all Kurt heard was the WA-WA sound the teacher makes in the Charlie Brown cartoons. He stood and applauded like the others but was fooling no one. He was pissed. The only bright spot was Blaine having to give him that one year tuition scholarship. He couldn't back out now and tarnish his image.

Kurt was so far into his internal rant, he missed Carmen dismiss everyone except Brody, Rachel, Adam and evidently...him, as he found out when he tried to leave with the others.

"Oh, no. Have a seat Mr. Hummel."

Once the door shut Carmen handed Kurt her assistant's tablet and pressed the play arrow.

CNN with Anderson Cooper

Congressman Hummel, why do you believe your son refused to accept responsibility despite the growing investigation against you?

"I'd like to know as well, Mr. Hummel."

Kurt barely heard her because all his attention was focused on the deal he had made with Blaine. The bastard broke his promise. "Anderson Cooper? Anderson Fucking Cooper is Blaine's mother's cousin?"

Did he say that out loud?

"You guys didn't figure that one out?" Brody whispered to Rachel but she obviously had no clue. "His mom is a Vanderbilt and his brother's name is Cooper Anderson. It's like the family joke." Wow, Blaine really did keep his life hidden from his McKinley "friends". He wondered how much of that actually had anything to do with keeping Sugar a secret.

"It does not matter if Blaine is related to Anderson Cooper" Carmen stated sternly, taking back the tablet. "What matters is with the absolute mess this audition process has been, I cannot have one of the four finalists who were accepted having their character questioned on national news. Until this situation is cleared to my satisfaction, Mr. Hummel, your acceptance is suspended."

Kurt began to defend himself but the Director had moved on to her current students. "Were any of you aware of this?"

"I was" Rachel didn't know where she got the confidence in that moment. "This stems from high school so neither Brody or Adam would be." Even if they did, this gave them an out. "My dads spoke with Congressman Hummel and he assured them he wanted to accept responsibility."

"Well, that's obviously not happening, is it?" Madame Tibideaux's usual stoic manner was completely gone so her stunned students gave her a moment to regain her composure. "Tomorrow is Julliard's Past,Present and Future Concert. Hopefully, if Mr. Hummel's name gets connected to NYADA, it will get buried in all the publicity. Since the three of you are closest to this, I need you to be my eyes and ears."

Adam squirmed, remembering Sebastian's warning but saying anything would be an admission of knowing something was happening with Kurt (even if he didn't know what it was). Brody must have seen his discomfort and gave him a nod, which felt somewhat reassuring. But the decision was taken from him when Carmen and her assistant left without further instructions.

That's when all hell broke loose…thanks to Blaine's perfect timing.

"Hey, Brody, you guys done? I saw Madame Tibideaux leave…"

"Liar!" Kurt yelled, lunging toward Blaine but fortunately Adam was able to pull him back. "You were going to give that tape to Anderson Cooper, your mother's cousin, no matter what!"

"Oh, you figured out who Andy was" Blaine let out a laugh that sent chills through the others in the room. "I kept my word, Kurt." Blaine moved further into the room but left the door open "The only problem I had was figuring out what to do with the tape. It didn't just have Hunter explaining how you bribed his uncle to make Bas' life hell. It also had all the blackmail you tried to use against the two of us."

Kurt felt sick after dissecting Blaine's exact words for clues. "What do you mean had?"

"Well, I, as in me...myself...and I decided there was only one thing to do. I mean, I just wanted everything to be fair."

Brody snickered at Blaine's feigned innocence while Rachel quietly mumbled "Oh, shit", engulfed in a feeling of déjà vu.

Kurt heard her but didn't catch on. "What the hell…?"

"He gave the tape to me, Idiot. You know, you give me the tape without telling him, he gives me the tape without telling you...fair."

Sebastian walked in from where he had gone unnoticed in the doorway, followed by Sam, Mercedes, Puck and three of Cooper's guys. He wasn't happy to see one person was still there. "Adam, I warned you…"

"Madame Tibideaux put the three of us in charge of keeping an eye on what's being said about Kurt and his dad." Rachel hoped she sounded somewhat in control of her emotions. Sebastian was still so mad at her and Noah was looking at her with his You're not going to like this eyes. And…huh? "Mercedes? What are you doing here?"

"Rach, let's go across the hall."

Puck answering for Mercedes made her nervous but for some reason she didn't question it and left with them.

"What the hell is that all about?" Kurt knew he and Rachel hadn't seen eye to eye on a lot since he had gotten to NYC, but he would have felt better if she was in the room.

Blaine ignored him completely. "Adam, Bas told me about your talk, and despite everything, I'm sorry you've been caught up in this. You might recognize the guys behind me. They work for my brother's security company and two of them will be following you home. We know Kurt has been staying with you."

Adam wanted to ask how but assumed the answer revolved around Blaine's extraordinarily intimidating henchmen. "Yes, however, in light of recent developments, the offer has been rescinded"

"But…"

Once again Kurt's presence was ignored. "I hoped you would say that. So, if Kurt has not come to get his stuff in say, three hours, Daniel and Ralphie will pack it up and send it back to Lima."

"You can't do that!"

"Thank you" Adam had a thousand more questions but none he wanted answered. He just wanted to get out of there. As he left, Brody stopped him to make plans to talk later. He felt responsible (but only slightly) for Adam being in this mess considering he had arranged the mentor switch.

"So, Sam, you going back to the Plaza and getting some sleep like Killer is?"

Being ignored yet again was the final straw for Kurt. He somehow got past Vincent to stand face to face with Sebastian. "You son of a bitch! When my dad finds out his supposed lawyer's bastard son ruined his case, he's going to sue him for everything he's worth!"

Sebastian smiled remembering the change of heart he had had when he saw the CNN trucks pull up at NYADA. Instead of talking with Anderson Cooper he called his dad and told him he knew Hunter was in Paris.

Then he played the entire tape

Xavier knew Kurt told Sebastian he was adopted and how Kurt had been blackmailed by the guy who found out the information. What he didn't know Kurt blackmailed Blaine for all the Fight Club money (almost a million dollars) to keep quiet. He also didn't know Blaine had given Kurt the choice of clearing Burt or a chance for a job at Vogue and he chose Vogue.

And apparently Burt and Carole (who listened to the call on speaker) hadn't known either.

"You know what Gayface, yes, I planned on giving the tape to Andy but didn't. You, revenge, neither mattered anymore. You want to know why?" Sebastian stepped closer and said softly next to Kurt's ear…

*SLAP*

Vincent pulled Kurt back as Sebastian put his hand on his cheek. A moment later the hand was gone and the biggest smirk Blaine had ever seen on his boyfriend replaced it. He reached into his wallet and handed a $100 bill to Sebastian. "I honestly didn't believe you could get him to slap you. Kurt's always been anti-violence."

"Yeah, that's what he told Satan was the reason he didn't confront me after what happened to you. But I knew from the face he made, sitting there like a bitch while the Warblers sang I Want You Back, he had it in him. Sam, you got that right?"

Kurt turned his head in horror to see Sam and Brody scrolling through Sam's phone. "Yeah, got a real good one in mid-swing and then one really good smack!"

"Is it enough?" Sebastian asked.

Brody nodded, storing the pictures Sam was sending him. "You're not a student but he hit you while on school property. That and his admittance being suspended, there's no way Madame Tibideaux won't just drop him."

Kurt's knees buckled and he slid into the chair next to him. "This...you...slap?"

The normally silent Vincent began to laugh. "Youthought you could get past me?"

To everyone's surprise (including his own) Blaine sat in the chair next to Kurt. "This is never how I pictured our story ending, but it is over. I thought we would be those two boys who ran through the halls of Dalton, holding on to each other's hand fearlessly and forever. I was wrong. Goodbye, Kurt." Blaine stood and smiled at Sebastian but immediately sensed something was wrong. "Bas?"

"I'm ok, Killer" although it was obvious to all he wasn't. "Can we just get out of here?"

"Sure" Blaine got nods from the others indicating they would handle what came next. Then he took Sebastian's hand in his, which seemed to do a lot for green hue tint of his skin. "Let's go."

By the time they were out of the building and in the fresh (as it could be for NYC) evening air, both Sebastian's attitude and pallor had improved. This time it was Blaine who was taken aback, seeing their transportation home. "A limo, Bas? The last time we were in a limo we had our worse fight ever."

"Yes, and weren't able to cross Limo Sex off our special To Do List" Sebastian reminded him as the driver shut the door. "And since I'm dropping you off so you can get your sleep for tomorrow…" the glass patrician was raised and Sebastian's favorite non-Blaine song began to play as he began to work Blaine's belt "we better get started."

"Um…yeah…oh, god, your hand feels so good" Blaine quickly lost all cognitive thought as his boyfriend stroked his dick into full thickness. "Ugg…not to ruin the…yes, right there…what did you say to get Kurt to slap you?"

The next thing Blaine knew everything flipped and he was lying on his stomach with his boyfriend on top of him and a lubed (where did that come from!) finger working him open.

"Two words" Sebastian cooed, nibbling on his ear but careful not to leave marks.

"I won."

Notes:

In the first chapter Blaine finds out about the "Slushie" tape and how Kurt gave it back without asking him (In writing this I found a lot of reviews of the episode took issue with that as well).

I thought it would be apropos if Kurt's arc (pretty much) ends with Sebastian and a tape.

In the first few chapters Sam had several "epiphanies" putting together events of the previous year with things he was finding out Blaine kept secret. An example would be none of the jocks slushied Blaine (or Kurt after Blaine arrived) because most had seen him fight as Wolverine (Chapter 2)

I included the "Staircase scene" because, if this is an over-the-top retelling of Seasons 4 &5, I had to. God knows every time either Kurt or Blaine thought back on their relationship it was always that scene or their first kiss. You would think the writers would have gotten a clue when they had to keep going back to those two.

Blaine had demonstrated jealousy in a growing Sam/Brody friendship, especially Ch 64 Blam Fight Revisited

Puck's appearance and what happened to Kurt will be explained in later chapters.

What wasn't working was the last line. I kept thinking Sebastian should go off on him but decided to keep it simple.

.