Blair was at the kitchen table, drinking hot cocoa and reading The Sun. "Dorian!" she said, surprised, as she folded the paper and laid it aside. "You're home. I didn't hear you come in."

Dorian sighed as she paused to check a thermostat. "Yes, I was asked not to shout while the baby is sleeping," she winced. "Hot cocoa? You read my mind." She crossed the room to retrieve a cup, her shoes clicking against the dark marble floor.

Blair smirked to herself. She had been trying to convince Dorian to stop shouting for years. "Actually, I'm glad I ran into you. We need to talk about a couple of things."

Dear god, Dorian thought to herself. Everyone wanted to talk. She poured herself a teacup of cocoa and set it aside on a saucer to cool, feigning interest. "Oh?" She grabbed a bottle of water and poured it into a clear glass. She had been concealing a pill in her fist and now popped it into her mouth.

"What's the matter?" Blair asked. "You have a headache or something?"

Dorian gestured that it was just a little headache, measuring it with her fingers as she drank the water and swallowed the pill.

"Well, first of all, there's David," she explained, watching as her aunt lifted the hot cup of chocolate toward the table where she sat down across from Blair. "You really need to rein that guy in."

Dorian groaned, her voice low and loathsome. "Working for me is supposed to keep him 'reined in.'" She turned the cup on its saucer. "What else?"

Blair squinted at Dorian. "So … never mind that David thinks that your campaign manager has some sort of conspiracy to destroy you with gay marriage. If you ask me, I think he's just jealous that he's not getting all the attention. You know he's been worse than usual since he found out he really is a Buchanan. He's … not … is he?"

Dorian quirked a quizzical brow at her niece.

"Getting attention?" Blair clarified.

Dorian knew what she was implying. "Noo…." Dorian lifted her hot drink to her lips and sipped it with a tired sigh. Sentimentality crept into her mind as the image of David Buchanan wearing the black cowboy hat she had picked out for him flashed through her mind. She didn't want to have to think about David at the moment.

Blair eyed her aunt and sensed that it was time to change the subject. "I also wanted to talk to you about Lucas."

"Lucas?" Dorian asked, casting her eyes to the side in contemplation.

"Yeah, the assistant editor at Craze? Ring a bell?" Blair put one hand on her hip and leaned on the table with her other forearm, drumming her fingernails on the tabletop, annoyed.

"I fired him," Dorian stated as a matter of fact. "I specifically asked that Nuage Onze be featured."

"Well," Blair informed her aunt with a sneer. "I just wanted you to know that I re-hired him."

"Blair!" Dorian protested.

"Dorian, we need him right now," Blair stated. "You just focus on…." She waved her hand dismissively at her aunt. "…Whatever it is that you and Amelia do, and just get yourself elected. Let me handle Craze." She slid out of her seat and carried her mug to the sink.

"Blair…."

"I'm serious, Dorian," Blair told her without turning around.

Dorian frowned at her cocoa, sighing, before she noticed a shopping bag that had been sitting in the seat next to Blair. Intrigued, she leaned forward to grab it and peek inside.

Blair returned to the table and stood watching. "Uh, hey! Nosy much?"

Dorian looked up at her and dug in the bag. "What is this?" She pulled out a large box of crayons. "Didn't you just buy brand new school supplies a couple of months ago?" She blinked at her niece, concerned and curious.

"Yeah, well…." Blair rubbed her temple with her forefinger and then pointed at the box. "Sam needed some new crayons so, you know, I went out and bought him the biggest, best box I could find. Look." She grabbed the crayons from Dorian and turned the box over. "There's a built-in sharpener, too. Cool, huh?"

Dorian shook her head. There was more to this story. "Cool? Sam went through a whole box of crayons in two months?" She gazed at Blair, squinting.

"Yeah, well … okay, so there was this other kid at school," Blair admitted, shrugging. "He broke Sam's crayons." Before Dorian could respond she held her hands up. "Just promise me you aren't gonna fly off the handle about this."

Dorian blinked with a grave frown. "Me? Why would I do that?" Blair didn't respond. "Why did this … other child … break Sam's crayons, Blair?" she interrogated.

"Well, apparently…." Blair spoke with caution. "Gay kids can't use the same crayons that other kids do."

Dorian knocked her chair back as she jumped up from the table. "What?! Sam's not even old enough to…."

"I know, I know!" Blair interrupted, waving her hands at Dorian in an attempt to calm her down. "Listen to me, okay? This is just one ignorant kid who probably learned this from his parents, and … let's face it … you've been getting a lot of publicity, so…. And it is hard for these little ones to understand how it all … 'works,' so to speak."

"Oh, come on!" Dorian stomped her foot. "How dupable does this kid think we are? He didn't break Sam's crayons because Sam is gay or someone in his family … is gay." She swallowed. "This was a deliberate scare tactic! Your child is being threatened, Blair."

Blair bit her bottom lip as she listened to her aunt. "I don't know…." Blair waved her hand before Dorian could argue. "I mean, yes, you may be right, but I did a lot of stupid things when I was younger – when I didn't know better – that I wouldn't do now." She gestured at Dorian. "You know that." She left the history of how she and Dorian had first come to know each other between the lines. "And maybe this kid just doesn't know better yet."

Dorian was visibly distressed. "Well, what are you going to do about this situation, Blair?" she demanded to know. "And where was his teacher when this was happening?"

"You know what? Sam's teacher and I discussed this, and it's being handled. She's the one who came to me about it, okay? She's aware of the problem. It's fine." Blair turned the box in her hands, pretending to inspect it.

Dorian begged to differ. "Uh, no-oo. This is not fine." She lifted her finger in adamant protest. "I am not going to have my family subjected to cruelty like this because of my actions." She pointed at herself as she talked. "We are talking about innocent children here – Sam and Jack … even the baby. Starr and Langston can handle it, but I can't let this go any further. No, no." Dorian didn't mention that she still felt guilty about Starr and Hope being kidnapped because of her association with the former mayor.

Blair slumped her shoulders at her aunt, exasperated. "Dorian, come on. Now, calm down. What exactly are you saying here?"

Dorian was as angry as she was saddened. "I'm saying I'm going to march back into the other room and tell Amelia this 'engagement' is off."

"And what about the election?" Blair put her hands on her hips, still clutching the crayons.

Dorian repositioned her chair at the table and stood behind it, looking down at her cup. "I can still support equal rights and use the gay and lesbian platform, even if I don't marry Amelia." Her voice revealed her doubt.

"So … what?" Blair gestured with her empty hand and smacked the front of her leg with her palm. "You're going to stage a public break-up now?" She stared at her aunt for a minute, as Dorian was lost in thought. "You know how to tell when a politician is lying, right?"

Dorian's head snapped toward Blair. "Are you suggesting I tell the truth? I mean … it's one thing to end this charade but it is another to admit to all those people who don't believe I'm gay to start with that they're right."

"Oh, right … aaaallll those people – you mean all the people who know you?" Blair pressed one finger against her chin and rolled her eyes toward the ceiling, squinting. "Your family already knows the truth so who does that leave? Viki? Clint? All your friends? Oh, wait … I think they already know the truth, too. So…. " Blair set the box of crayons down on the table and rocked them with one hand. "Basically, you've already ruined your credibility with the people who know you, so you might as well destroy the credibility you have with the majority of voters, right?" She shrugged.

Dorian slumped her shoulders. "Your sarcasm and ironic wit is never lost on me."

"I know it isn't."

Dorian took a deep breath and released it. "Then I have to stage a break up … and I have to convince Amelia to go along with it."

"You can't do that, Dorian," Blair insisted.

"What?" Dorian asked. She knew she could convince Amelia to go along with it. Amelia's job depended on Dorian's approval. So Blair meant she couldn't stage a break up. "Why can't I?"

"Because a lot of people are looking up to you right now, Dorian. You've turned yourself into some kind of gay icon. And let's face it – if you broke up with Amelia because of this situation with Sam, it would just be a matter of time until you were parading around town with some strapping guy on your arm – or telling another lie to try to hide a straight relationship. Hell, Dorian, David's lurking around here like he's waiting in the wings. For all we know, you're already trying to hide something."

Blair was half-teasing, but Dorian rolled her eyes. "I assure you I am not!"

"The point is that you're in too deep – or maybe over your head?" Blair lowered her chin at Dorian, wondering.

"Which is why I need to come out with the truth as soon as possible," Dorian said out of the corner of her mouth, unmoving.

Blair lowered her voice and tried to sound comforting. "I know you're under a lot of pressure right now, Dorian. I get it. I see all the work and money going into this campaign." She stepped beside Dorian and draped her arm over her aunt's shoulders.

"Money, yes," Dorian nodded, looking up at the ceiling. "I can already imagine the lawsuits from the people who are endorsing me…."

"Just stop a minute and listen to me, would you?" Blair hushed her aunt. Dorian relented and she continued. "I get it – I mean, you're out there every day holding your head high while the media is running stories that say, 'Is She For Real?' and people are putting up those stupid signs that say, 'Put Her Back in the Closet.'"

Dorian flinched away from Blair at the mention of the protests.

Blair balled her fists and let Dorian move away from her, then took a few steps to the side and turned to look at her aunt again. "Dorian," she lowered her voice, serious. "You're doing a good job. For every hate letter, you get two people who volunteer for the campaign or write a thank you – or even come out of the closet because … you give them hope."

Dorian thought about it for a moment and then turned to her niece. "Hope based on an impulsive lie," she muttered. "I was under pressure, I had a microphone in front of me, and the eyes of everyone in town on me – including my political opposition and every liberal organization that could possibly influence voters. As much pressure as I felt in that moment, this is definitely not worth it." She pointed at the crayons.

"To you? Or to the people who are taking a stand with you?"

"Blair, are you even listening to yourself? Your children are…."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know all about what my children are going through here, Dorian." Blair moved to stand behind the other woman and placed her hands on each of Dorian's shoulders, leaning forward and speaking in a soft tone. "Listen to me for a minute, okay? My kids are innocent in all this, right?" She waited for Dorian to acknowledge.

"Exactly," Dorian nodded.

"Well, so are the kids who have gay parents or gay people in their families – real gay people. Someday – and it needs to be soon – there has to come a time when children from all walks of life can sit in school together and they won't even think about their differences anymore." She stepped around and examined the wary look in Dorian's eyes as she continued. "What race they are, what religion they are, or even if their parents – or aunts – are gay. Am I right?"

Dorian softened as she looked into Blair's eyes, listening. "Yes, of course. And I would truly like to help our society reach that point." She shook her head. "But not at the expense of my own family." She continued to shake her head and took a step away from Blair and back toward the sitting room.

"So that's kind of message you want to send, Dorian?" Blair continued. "You're just going to up and change your story because of one ignorant little bully? What good is breaking up with Amelia if you're still saying you're a lesbian?"

Dorian halted. "Blair, this can still be a success story. I'm just going to take the focus off of my sexuality."

"Who does that benefit besides yourself?" Blair asked.

"Blair, are you even listening to me?" Dorian gestured at her ear and then at Blair. "It benefits the children," she emphasized.

Blair pointed at the kitchen door. "Well, fine, whatever. Go on and discuss your next ploy with Amelia." Blair looked down at Dorian's cooling cocoa and shrugged. "Go riding to everyone's rescue like you always do. Whatever Dorian thinks is best."

Dorian furrowed her brows. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Blair spun to her. "You know exactly what it means. That's sort-of your M.O. The mother-protector." She paused to lift her brows at Dorian and let her statement sink in before she stepped after her aunt.

Dorian knew it was true and didn't know whether to resent the accusation or be proud of it.

"All I'm saying is … what does it matter anyway? Straight, gay – it isn't anyone's business. You could say you moonlight as the tooth fairy and it shouldn't matter as long as voters think you're the most qualified for the job. So are you?"

Dorian's brows were still drawn toward each other. "Of course I am," she answered.

"You obviously believe in gay rights, but it isn't the only issue you care about, right? So why does that have to define your whole campaign? Breaking it off with Amelia isn't going to win you any battles."

"No, but it might win one for Sam."

"Sam can win his own battles." Blair crossed her arms. "You seem to forget that you have Cramer boys, too. And if you keep protecting Sam, he's going to be what you so eloquently refer to as 'a feeler.' Let him fight for himself, Dorian."

Dorian's breath caught and she withdrew into a moment of introspection. Was Blair saying that her protective interference made people weaker? She shook her head as she snapped back to the world around her. "I just don't know if it is good for the children to see me acting out this relationship."

Blair stepped forward and took Dorian's hand, drawing her back toward the center of the room and away from the kitchen door. "Do you know what Jack said to me the other night?" Blair did a Jack impersonation. "'Like, you know, Mom, it's totally gross to see Aunt Dorian swappin' spit with a guy, so it couldn't be any more revolting to see her kissing Amelia.' You know, he's thinking. It's good for him to decide for himself – rather than listen to outside influences."

Dorian cracked a smile at Blair's words, though they didn't make her feel any better. "Like his father."

Blair continued. "The kids are still trying to figure things out. So I guess what I'm saying is, this isn't all bad."

"But it's a lie," Dorian whispered.

"So, let me see if I understand this. You don't like that you're lying when you say you're in a relationship with Amelia, so … you're going to lie that you're breaking up with her?"

Dorian blinked a few times. "At least the latter would be closer to the actual truth?"

"Again, what does it matter? Gay, straight – you're still running on the same platform, right? And you stand to lose a really great campaign manager, and possibly the election. But, hey," Blair over-emphasized her shrug. "What do I know?"

Dorian pinched the bridge of her nose. She hadn't thought about the fact that breaking up with Amelia would seem suspicious if Amelia remained with the campaign afterward. "No, you're right," she admitted in a quiet mutter.

"What was that?" Blair asked, cupping her ear.

Dorian dropped her hand to her side. "I just have to think about this."

"Promise me," Blair demanded. "You're not going to make any rash decisions right now."

"Okay, fine," Dorian sighed, still not convinced.

Blair spun and gathered her shopping bag and crayons, which she shook at Dorian. "And I swear to God if Todd finds out about this…." She didn't finish her sentence.

"Blair?" Dorian questioned as her niece started to leave the room. "Promise me something in return?"

Blair turned to her aunt.

"Please tell me if there are any more … situations … with the children?"

Blair nodded her assurance. "Oh. Yeah, of course." She rounded the corner and headed upstairs, leaving her aunt in the kitchen. She wasn't very convincing.

Dorian shook her head at herself. On one hand, it killed her to think that the children might suffer because of her personal agendas. On the other, Blair was right. Langston's article was right. Everyone – including the children - had to stand up for what they believed in, or other people would keep holding them down.

It was a lesson that had helped Dorian survive since she was a tiny child.

And maybe Blair had a point about trying to be protective. Maybe people who were always protected or helped were weaker, and those who had to stand up were the strong ones. It reminded her of a story she had once heard about a butterfly.

Feelers and fighters, she reminded herself, not really comforted.

Dorian abandoned her cocoa and made herself a different drink before returning to the sitting room.