Summary: After his triumphant concert at Julliard, Blaine has a few last things to tie up before going back to Dalton, including getting a reality check from an unexpected source.

Notes: A character I haven't brought up in a long time is mentioned. Dmitri was the lead to Mr. Motta's protection services but is now in charge of the group in Paris (Puck, Hunter and now Finn) keeping an eye on Sebastian's biological father.

Reminder: DEH came out after Hamilton but for storyline purposes I switched that fact.

Warning: Domestic abuse is mentioned as it relates to Sebastian's biological father killing his biological mother.

Santana is a tribute to the Blaine/Santana friendship as I see it and might be a trigger for some. You can skip ahead to Santana…Again as anything vital to the overall story I will make sure gets covered elsewhere. It's just something I had to write for reasons you can guess.

Santana

Three hours later Blaine texted Brittany. She had the door to the loft open before he had his phone back in his bag. "Thank you" she whispered into his ear, after wrapping her arms around him. "Your family…"

He stopped her before she could go further. When she told him what happened, all party plans went out the window. Some of his family had been rude about it, especially his mother's father but Bibbi took care of him. Then his dad took one for the team and announced he was leaving Ford.

Yeah, sneaking out had been pretty easy after that.

"There's a car downstairs to take you back to my place. The yelling should be done by the time you get there. Both Sugar and Mom are expecting you. And don't worry that you weren't able to pack a bag, everything's taken care of."

Once Brittany was on her way, he quietly locked the door and went to Santana's "bedroom". She was curled on her side, wearing one of the many Dalton t-shirts she had stolen from him. He set down his bag and pulled out two boxes before announcing "Damn, I kind of hoped you'd be naked since you always seem to catch me that way." She sprang up and stared, completely shocked to see him there. "Not that I want to see your girl parts because…eww, gross."

"Blaine, what…?"

He sat on the bed and sat the boxes on her lap "Open your presents, Santana."

She pulled the ribbon and lifted the lid on the first one to find five Julliard t-shirts and then under a piece of tissue paper, one from NYADA. "That one is from Sam. It was washed with mine so you get my mom's fabric softener you love so much, but he put his cologne on it. The Julliard shirts smell like my Dalton ones you…um, acquired."

"Blaine…"

"There's one more."

In the second box was a stuffed animal. "Is this a meerkat?"

"Yeah, Bas found it when he took Izzy toy shopping. Evidently, during his infamous confrontation with Kurt where he coined the term Gayface, Kurt told him he looked like a meerkat. He thought you'd appreciate it, although you almost didn't get it since he sprayed it with his cologne and I love the way he smells."

Santana put on a Julliard shirt then wrapped the toy in the NYADA one pulling it to her chest. "How, when?"

"I got my shirts Monday, Sam got his right after Carmen put him in the Dirty Dozen, I mean we knew he'd get in, and…"

"Hold up, you've had Julliard, NYADA, a photo shoot, the Evan twins' birthdays and a lot of other shit, including dealing with Hummel and Brody…and you found the time to do this for me? Why?"

"I knew you'd like them and thought it might stop my shirts from slowly disappearing when I get to NYC." He lifted her chin and made her look him in the eyes. "When are you going to get it through your head that Mom is Mom, Sugar is my Sweet Baby Cousin, Bibbi is my Fairy Godmother, Rosa is…Rosa, and you, Santana Lopez, are my Best Girl. You are part of my family."

That was when the tears started. Blaine moved against the headboard and just held her. He knew what she was feeling better than anyone which was why Brittany had been so insistent he needed to be the one to handle this. Once the crying stopped and he felt she could/would answer, he asked "Do you know why your dad said what he did? And why now?"

"I guess my Abuela finally got to him. You know how she feels about my being a lesbian. I thought he'd be proud that I was recruited by Baby Dior but instead he said…"

There was no need to repeat what was said.

"But your mom still supports you?"

"100% and she says she's going to work on him but…"

"Things will never be the same. While my dad didn't say the things your dad did, he wasn't supportive when I came out and no matter how we've tried to repair our relationship, it's always going to be there."

Santana sighed and snuggled closer. "You know what bothers me most? It's silly but now I have no one to walk me down the aisle when I get married."

"Your mom could do it or I'll do it, I'll walk you down the aisle. Wait, you're not asking Britt to marry you, are you?"

For some reason Santana began to laugh. "God, no. We're too young. But I do have a plan."

"Oh, you do?"

"Yes, my psychic Mexican third-eye has seen it. In two years, you will outgrow Julliard and finally release an album which becomes and instant hit. Then you and Sam go on a world tour and all of us go with you. Mercedes opens while Mike, Jake and Britt dance. Beat and Artie while I handle the wardrobes and Sugar, of course, controls your curls."

"What about Bas and the other Warblers?"

"I don't know about the other Warblers, yet, but Seb is easy. He's the tour manager."

She seemed so certain, which was a little jarring considering Sebastian was so uncertain about his future he was taking a gap year. "Tour manager?"

"Yep. He's super organized, the King of Schmoozing, and has the Dalton It's not what you know/It's who you know thing going on. Plus, he would never let anything happen to you. I know he's got personal shit to straighten out first but he will. I think giving Hummel his comeuppance was a good start for him."

It sounded like Santana knew more of what was going on with Sebastian than he was aware but now wasn't the time. "Ok, I see it. So, we finish this world tour then what? You going to need me to walk you down the aisle?"

"Not only that. I'll need your…your…sperm."

Blaine started to laugh but she pulled away and her look had him stop cold. "You're serious."

"Blaine, I see him so clearly. A little boy with my eyes and smile and your crazy curly hair. I know it sounds insane but I'm supposed to be that little boy's Mommy. I love him so much already."

He shook his head and pulled her back to him. "It doesn't sound insane at all, Tana. And for the record, you're going to be an amazing Mommy."

Santana…Again

They didn't stay awake much longer but woke up early. Blaine had a long day in front of him. Yeah, what was new, but once it was over, he and Sebastian would finally, finally, be on their way back to Dalton. The week in LA for Spring Break and week in NYC for College Visit Week had felt more like a year than just two weeks. And although none of them had to report to their advisors until Wednesday, all of the Warblers were anxious to get started on preparing for Nationals.

After checking his phone to make sure the car service was on its way, Blaine laughed when Santana came from behind the curtain dressed in a fresh Julliard shirt and yoga pants. "Liked your gift that much?"

"Yes, but I was actually going to wear Trouty's NYADA shirt."

"What changed your mind?"

"You know how you bought yours in your size, like the Dalton shirts, he bought his in his size. That shirt will be strictly for sleeping and/or TV binge watching. Plus, I'm going to change when I get to your place. Britt said your godmother sent over a shit load of clothes and told Sugar to invite all her friends to take what they want."

Speaking of his oh, so wonderful yet oh, so vindictive Fairy Godmother…"Bibbi's not going to be happy you're taking the job at Baby Dior. Do you want me to talk to her?"

"No, well, not yet at least. I think she'll understand at Vogue I was always going to be the person who got their job being besties with Anna Wintour's Godson."

"And it's different for Bas and his sister?"

"I think so because if the Teen Vogue shoot is as successful as people think…"

"It will be."

"Then people at Baby Dior will know I earned my job."

Blaine's phone pinged again, alerting him how much longer the service would be. "Ok, the car will be here in 20 minutes. Have a seat and as one last good-bye for now gift, I'm going to give you free range to ask questions until it arrives." When Santana cocked her eyebrow, he added "Except about my sex life."

"Oh, come on. We all know you and stretch are into some kinky shit. You have your own sex toy supplier!"

"No" Not No he and Sebastian didn't have an um…active sex life but NO! there was no way in hell he was telling her the details. "I'll give you something else instead. You know how Bas and I are visiting Leslie's rehearsal after we see Dear Evan Hanson? The guy playing King George is Jesse St. James."

"No fucking way! Isn't this the play based off the rap Lin-Manuel Miranda did for Obama? It's supposed to be huge! Are you sure?"

"Yup. Remember Trevor?"

"The guy who won the Dirty Dozen with the deaf...of shit, he was in Vocal Adrenaline with Douchie St. Scumbag."

"He saw Jesse while he was here and when I asked, he confirmed it."

"Why didn't he say anything?"

"Would you have said anything with that group we had at NYADA? Also, Shelby knows. She hadn't brought it up because she only found out the other day and Rachel…"

Santana let out an impressive groan before swearing under her breath in Spanish. "The last thing she needs is that asshole back on her radar…not with the Hummel fallout, Finn going to Paris, fucking up her friendship with Seb…" she stopped and turned to face Blaine with a smirk that rivaled any from his boyfriend "the fact someone bought our building and we're all going to be homeless."

"You're not going to be homeless." Blaine pulled out his phone and stood. "Oops, times up. The car is here."

"Oh hell, No!" Santana tackled him and held him down on the couch. "You tricked me with the St. James bombshell. You're either going to tell me all about buying this building, because I know it was you, or your carefully crafted timeline for the day is going to be completely fucked. Which is it?"

He had to admit that either 1) She was surprisingly strong 2) He been lax on the ab routine Sam had developed for him 3) Both. "Fine, I'll tell you about it in the car." She let him up and they both headed out the door. "And you won't be homeless because once the building is upgraded and remodeled both you and Mercedes can move back."

"But not Rachel?"

"We talked, but no. In reality, there will be very little living space. Two floors will be recording studios, plus, there's a filming studio, dance studio, computer studio…for lack of a better term and the bottom floor will house security and parking."

With Blaine's family security seemed like a given but…"Parking?"

"One thing I learned this week, I need a van to transport instruments. That construction will be the only time the building is completely off-limits. We'll figure out someplace for you and Mercedes to stay. I thought you could stay at my family's place but my parents are putting it up for sale since my dad is leaving Ford. They only had a place that big because my parents were the ones that would hold corporate parties here and not in Detroit."

"Too bad Baby Dior is only looking to rent Sierra a place and not buy. They agreed to let her work three days a week from home until Isabella is older, and if you arrange the furniture in that place you can make a runway as long as one at Fashion Week." They had reached the car, but even though the driver held the door open Santana stopped and turned. "You said a place for me AND Mercedes. That means she's not going to London with Dreamgirls, doesn't it?

"Shit! Don't suppose you can forget that little slip?"

"Get in the car, Blainers. You've got some explaining to do."

Brody

Blaine walked into the Palm House at the Plaza to see Brody was already seated and had ordered a carafe of coffee. He looked like he needed it.

God knows Blaine did. "Sorry again...traffic." He had texted ahead but was still later than anticipated since he wanted to talk to his parents about Sierra and the apartment.

"No problem but I did order their chocolate chip pancakes and double side of bacon with an extra plate."

The memory made Blaine smile as he poured himself his own coffee. "With whipped cream?"

"Of course. Now, tell me about this Doug kid one more time and what you want me to tell him."

Thirty minutes later the pancakes, bacon and coffee (plus another carafe) were gone. By then Blaine had repeated everything concerning what Doug had been through both before and after they figured out his brother (and friends) were the ones who had attacked them.

"But he's is in a good place now?" Brody asked to which Blaine answered with a nod. "Then why tell him all the crap about me? I mean, yeah, I'm alive when I let you all think I was dead, but the whole male escort shit…"

"Because too many people know and he deserves to hear it from you."

The conversation paused while their plates were cleared but Brody leaned in immediately once they were gone. "Is this why you had those pictures of you from after the attack in that photo collage last night? I thought you were hell bent on that not getting out. Hell, you signed paperwork…"

"The papers weren't to keep that asshole's name out of the press. It was so YOUR name stayed out of it. Sound familiar, Eli?"

There was a bite to Blaine's tone signaling pleasantries were over and the real conversation had begun. "Want to go there, do you? Fine, I deserved that. What I didn't deserve was no warning for those pictures or Cooper's praise of Cory on the livestream last night."

"Don't you dare bring up Aunt Cory. She loved you like a son and you weren't there to say goodbye. Thankfully she was so out of it at the end…"

"The only time she was lucid was when you would sing her Beautiful or…Falling Slowly."

The last title was said in unison with Blaine's eyes as wide as the saucer his coffee cup sat on. "You were there."

"My friend, the one whose house I borrowed for, you know, Eli, got word to me she was sick. I was able to sneak in on the night before she died. The nurse freaked out a bit but there was a picture of me on the night table and I was able to pass the Beautiful, Falling Slowly test. Cory begged her not to say anything."

"Well, she obviously didn't. What else happened?"

"I told Cory how I made it to NYC and NYADA. She loved the stories of Madame Carmen Thibeaux." Blaine chuckled at the dramatic fashion Brody stated the director's name. His Aunt really would have gotten a kick out of the woman. "I also told her why I had to stay in hiding, my illegal status. She tried to make me take money but I wouldn't."

"Why?"

"I…I didn't want her to think it was the only reason I came to say goodbye."

Blaine sat back to internalize the information he had just received. His feelings for Brody were complicated to say the least, but what he had considered unforgiveable was Tommy being alive and his Aunt Cory didn't have a chance to say goodbye. That wasn't the case.

And on top of that he didn't take money when everyone knew he needed it. "Were you ever going to tell me?"

"Maybe, someday, when you were you again."

Huh? "What the hell does that mean?"

Brody sat back so Blaine could calm himself. The Palm House was a popular place. "The Eli stunt I pulled was unforgivable but I didn't know how else to contact you. I kept hearing Rachel and Kurt talking about Blaine, Kurt's boyfriend, but I didn't think for a minute it was you until I saw a picture. I mean, you've always loved your bowties but the hair. What the hell was up with the gel?"

Blaine couldn't deny him that.

"But how they described you, that I didn't understand. This preppy Dalton Boy who willingly transferred to a public school with rampant bullying and turned into…what does Lopez call it? Oh yeah, Hummel's accessory…"

"Don't, and the bullies weren't going to go after me."

"Because of your boxing?"

"Fight Club"

Brody saw Blaine rubbing his thumb over the scars on his knuckles and decided to move on. "I know you kept Sugar a secret at her request but you didn't tell your supposed friends about your dad being a Ford or mom being a Vanderbilt. Not to mention your then boyfriend's love of fashion and you didn't tell him about your godmother.

"I…"

"What about the chocolate chip pancakes we only get here or the shaved ice at the little stand by your family house in Maui?

"I…I…"

"Why didn't you tell your friends you could play more than piano?"

Shit! "I…I…"

"Alpha Gay"

Damn it! "Sugar"

"Don't blame her, I had to ask because this Blaine, this Consequences Blaine, he's not my Blaine."

For some reason that hurt way more than Blaine thought it should. "I haven't been your Blaine since the night of that dance."

"I figured that out but we both know he's the real Blaine. You just have to find him again."

The Flight Home

Both Blaine and Sebastian had plans to revisit a certain Club on the flight home but they were so tired they wound up only cuddling. However, it was also obvious they both had a lot on their minds and now was a good time to share.

Blaine went first.

"I'm going to accept the joint NYADA/Julliard plan Carmen offered me."

Sebastian's eyes stayed closed but he did smile. "I'm not surprised. I might have questioned it after Dear Evan Hanson, even with as excited as you were, but Hamilton…you were like a 5-year-old who got a puppy AND a pony for Christmas."

"I…" Blaine was going to protest but looking back, his initial fanboying of Lin-Manuel Miranda was embarrassing to put it mildly.

"I've made a decision too." He knew what Sebastian was going to say but Blaine needed to hear the words. "I'm spending the summer in Paris."

Sebastian's mother, Juliette, had been erratic while they were in NYC, especially after his father, Xavier, left to represent Burt. It came to a head Thursday when Juliette was supposed to watch Isabella. Rosa was working at the Anderson's to help with Blaine's Julliard after-party but forgot something. When she got there Juliette was passed out drunk and the baby was crying, screaming, and it was clear she had been for quite a while.

Sierra tried to hide what happened from Sebastian, telling him Juliette had just unexpectedly dropped Isabella off at Baby Dior but once he arrived, he knew there was more going on. Rosa managed to get ahold of Dr. Shepard who used his contacts to get Juliette immediately admitted to a psych ward. Her previous bouts of depression combined with falling off the wagon gave him enough for a 72-hour hold.

When she sobered up, she admitted to Xavier she had been in contact with their son Julien…Sebastian's biological father who had killed his biological mother in an attempt to kill him. Needless to say, that had set Sebastian off big time considering she had wanted him to go to Stanford or at least have a body guard to protect him from the guy. Nothing could calm him down since no one was allowed to tell Blaine as he got ready for his Julliard concert.

Thank god for Trent's mom and those damn magic cookies…and the fact she was a family therapist.

Sebastian had already been considering confronting Julien but now it was something he had to do. Blaine, Sam, hell, even Brody were facing their pasts and he needed to do the same. And he wouldn't be alone because Puck and Finn (even Hunter) would be with him. Who was he kidding, he'd have Dmitri and that guy was Russian mob and could crush a car with his bare hands.

The final decision was made when Sierra told him her hopefully soon-to-be ex-husband dropped paperwork for joint physical custody of Izzy. They all knew it was a ploy for more money but it meant she would have to be in France to fight him. She'd have Rosa and Xavier was putting Juliette back into the sanitorium in Paris so he would be there to help her legal team, but Sebastian felt had to be there to support her.

Plus, it gave him time to think about what the hell he wanted to do with his life.

And Blaine understood. "It's the right decision, although I will miss you."

"Me too." Sebastian leaned forward and reached into his bag. "Before I forget, I've got to text Noah and thank him for the video of Gayface's epic meltdown."

"I still can't believe he sent it to Artie so he could set it to music."

Sebastian didn't just send the text he played the video for probably the twentieth time. While Blaine watched, he, and not for the first time, questioned what he had ever seen it Kurt. How was this the same broken boy who had snuck into Dalton to spy on the Warblers? This got him to reflect on what Brody said. Would the real him have felt that irrational desire to protect Kurt or was it part of the Dalton Boy façade he tried so hard to project?

Maybe it was time to find out. "Hey Bas, before we go back to Dalton tomorrow, I want to make you breakfast."

"Really? Ok, but why?

"I just have a sudden desire to make you chocolate chip pancakes."

Notes:

Whew! This chapter was a lot heavier than I expected.

Lin Manuel Miranda at White House Poetry Jam 2009 watch?v=WNFf7nMIGnE