Sorry it's been longer than I usually like to go between updates. Kurt is going to find a new love in this chapter! (Just a funny side note. I save these chapter files as LMN 1 or whatever chapter number. It always makes me think of Lifetime Movie Network.) Oh and if you haven't read "Struck By Lightning" by Chris Colfer, I highly recommend it. It actually gave me a lot of food for thought. One more thing, I promise. For those who don't know, Moira is pronounced MOY-ra and Ahmet is AH-met.
. . . . . . . .
Last time on "Love Me Not"
"Kurt, come on, we gotta get out of here," Blaine called.
"Kurt? Your name is Kurt? That name is as hot as you," a guy said close to his back.
"Kurt, come on, let's just fuck! We can get it on in the locker room," a tall, dark skinned man called.
Kurt was scared. There were so many of them between him and Blaine. He didn't know what to do.
"Move it! Get out of my fucking way!" Blaine was shoving guys out of the way, shouldering others to get them to move. "Come on, Kurt!"
Finally, Kurt saw a way through, dipping and bending to stay out of their way. He met up with Blaine halfway who physically helped him back through until they were free.
"Run," Blaine said and they both ran out of the gym. They ran until they were back at Kurt's dorm, making sure nobody followed them.
They both collapsed on the bed, breathing hard.
"Hey Kurt?" Blaine panted.
"Yeah?"
"I think I'm safe in saying you're off the gymnastics team," he said.
"Yeah. I think so," Kurt said with a snort. "Know what else?"
"What?" Blaine replied.
"That woman with the tarot card said I would need you and there would be an ending on Monday. She was right," Kurt stated.
"I'm officially freaked," Blaine said.
"Well, I've been freaked since lunatic guys have started coming on to me and chasing me around. But yeah, I'd agree and say I'm freaked with an extra helping of What the Hell," Kurt agreed.
. . . . . . .
After Kurt got out of the shower, he sat with Blaine on the bed. "I think we should call Moira. She was right once, I would be interested to see what she says. At least listen."
Blaine nodded, running his hands through Kurt's clean hair. "I love your hair. It's so soft when it doesn't have any product and it's so elegant when it is all styled. And the way it smells, god, it just hypnotizes me. And yes, I agree about seeing Moira. Call her tomorrow. I'm still a bit freaked out and just want to chill out with you. Maybe we can meet Moira for lunch," Blaine continued, his hands moving down and massaging Kurt's shoulders. "Oh, baby, your shoulders are all knotted up."
Kurt leaned into Blaine's magical fingers. "Mmm, that feels wonderful. I'm not surprised about the knots, I was almost crushed in a sex riot by a bunch of gymnasts. For some that may be porn, for me, it would have been slightly more scarring," he said, chuckling wryly, trying to not shudder. But the more he thought about it, the looks on those men's faces; hungry, intense, determined; echoed through his mind.
"Kurt, baby, are you okay? You're shivering," Blaine said, bringing Kurt closer.
"Honestly, Blaine, how could I be okay? All I can see is their faces coming at me, this fake emotion of lust and almost love in their eyes. What if they had gotten hold of me? What would they have done?" Kurt asked, turning to gaze at Blaine with terrified eyes, tears forming and falling softly down his cheeks.
"Come here, sweetheart," Blaine murmured, laying down and pulling Kurt tightly into his side and stroking his face. Kissing him softly, he sang a song softly in his ear.
Would you dance
If I asked you to dance?
Would you run
And never look back?
Would you cry
If you saw me crying?
And would you save my soul, tonight?
Would you tremble
If I touched your lips?
Would you laugh?
Oh please tell me this.
Now would you die
For the one you loved?
Hold me in your arms, tonight.
I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I would stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.
As Blaine continued to sing, an angelic voice joined his, weaving a brilliant melody throughout his, turning the song into something surreal and magical.
Would you swear
That you'll always be mine?
Or would you lie?
Would you run and hide?
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
I don't care
You're here tonight.
I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I would stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.
Blaine paused in singing and the angelic voice continued, the voice gaining confidence and emotion pouring from each word.
Oh, I just want to hold you.
I just want to hold you.
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
I don't care
You're here tonight.
I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I will stand by your forever.
You can take my breath away.
I can be your hero.
I can kiss away the pain.
And I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.
You can take my breath away.
The song ended with their eyes glued to each other, both of their breath having been taken away by the song.
"What happened just then, Blaine? How did I do that?" Kurt asked, sitting up, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"I'm not sure, but I don't think I've ever heard something so beautiful," Blaine sat up too, shaking his head. "That was stunning, Kurt."
"You really think so?" Kurt had to ask, his cheeks pink.
"I do, it's crazy. I heard your audition for Extreme and obviously this wasn't even the same voice. But, you just showed musical skill that few have ever shown without years of training."
Kurt opened his mouth to talk, but was unable to speak for a moment. "I can sing?"
"Um, that was more than singing, but simply put, yes, you can sing," Blaine chuckled. "You have got to retry out for Extreme."
"That's all well and good, Blaine, but one, this new voice doesn't mean I don't get stage fright. And two, do you not remember what just happened in the gym? There are plenty of guys in Extreme and that might be a little distracting."
"This is so frustrating," Blaine groaned.
"Uh, yeah! This is what I've gone through since all this started. Nothing but frustration. Screw this," Kurt said and reached for the tarot card sitting on his nightstand. Dialing star six seven so his number wouldn't come up on any caller ID, he put in Moira's number and waited through several rings before Moira picked up.
"Kurt! I'm so happy to hear from you," she said cheerfully.
"How did you know it was me? I blocked my number," he said indignantly.
"Sweetheart, that kind of stuff doesn't stop me. Now, do you and Blaine want to come see me? I understand you want some answers about your voice. I'd be happy to talk to you," she said.
"Yeah, I think we do. Where are you located?" he asked.
Moira gave the address and instructions. "See you soon!"
. . . . . .
After sneaking out the back door of the dorm, just in case, they were on the way. The address was only fifteen minutes away and soon enough they were slowing down as they neared their destination. The odd thing was, there were no houses or apartment buildings nearby. The area was filled with shops and gas stations.
"Well, according to the directions, her house should be right where that espresso stand is," Kurt said as Blaine circled around once more.
Log Cabin Espresso looked just like it's name. It was one of the bigger stands that you could step inside to order as well as drive through. There was a large 'Out of Business' sign on the door. The outside was faux log cabin and as they pulled up to one of the windows to recheck the address, a head popped out the drive through window.
"You found us!" Moira said cheerfully, making them both jump in shock.
"You live here?" Blaine asked from the driver's seat?
"Why not?" Moira smiled. "You boys go park over there or you'll attract customers. You wouldn't believe how much people don't understand a 'Closed' sign," she said shaking her head.
Silently, Blaine moved the car and put it into park. They looked at each other.
"I really have no words," Blaine said.
"Me either," Kurt agreed.
They walked hand in hand to the door and before they could knock, Ahmet opened the door and let them in. They stood there, looking at how the two had changed the place. Gone were the stools and counter, making the space actually livable. There was one espresso machine left in one corner and a few syrup bottles. In the middle of the floor was a rocking chair, a camping chair, a tv tray and a small refrigerator. Between all these were several large pillows and the floor was covered in a deliciously thick area rug. There were shelves high up on the walls and they could see rolled up sleeping bags and neatly folded clothes.
"Shoes off, boys. Can't have you dragging dirt in here. I don't have a vacuum," Moira said, her ever present smile welcoming.
They both slipped off their shoes, Kurt glad he'd come in his running shoes and not his knee high boots.
"Can we offer you a coffee? Ahmet has turned out to be a genius with the espresso machine. He found a recipe book of coffee drinks and almost memorized it. What'll it be?" She asked.
Kurt and Blaine looked at each other, feeling a bit like they were in the Twilight Zone.
"Come on, now, don't be shy. You don't mind, do you, Ahmet?" she smiled.
Ahmet shook his head and went to turn the machine on, expertly flipping switches and dials.
"Uh, I would love a grande non fat mocha," Kurt finally said.
"I will take a tall medium drip," Blaine said. "Thank you, sir."
"Yes, thank you," Kurt added.
"Grab a cushion, make yourselves at home. Then we'll have a chat about what's going on," she said.
Soon, they were settled in to the surprisingly comfortable cushions – like a bean bag chair but with actual fluff inside. They each had their coffee and had complimented Ahmet on how truly delicious they were.
"Before anything else," Blaine said. "I want to thank you for warning us about today. I barely got there in time and it would have been very ugly if I had been any later."
Moira nodded, her dark eyes serious. "My warnings always seem to be more accurate than anything else," she said. "I'm glad you took heed. But that is over now, as I told you. That is the big ending. I say big because if none of this would have happened, Kurt, you would have gone on to become a national championship gymnast. But the universe had something different planned for you from the moment of your birth."
"How do you know these things," Kurt asked, his hand reaching for Blaine's out of habit.
"This is how I have always been. Just as Blaine has always had a heart full of compassion and giving. And you have been a tower of strength for those who need you, though that tower has sometimes made it hard for people to break through. That's why Blaine was meant for you and you for him. You have the strength he needs to give and he has the compassion that breaks through your walls. A perfect pairing," she beamed.
Kurt and Blaine turned and looked at each other, surprise on their features before blushes and smiles of happiness took over. It felt right to hear those words, as if the knowledge had already been there, deep inside them.
"Now, Kurt, you are the main reason we are here today, are we not?" Moira confirmed. Ahmet sat next to her and held her hand. The longer they were connected, it seemed like the stronger she was looking, stronger and younger. Both of them seemed to receive this rejuvenation. Kurt looked at Blaine and he could tell his boyfriend had noticed the same thing.
"Yes," Kurt finally said. "I had surgery on my vocal cords and they warned me about a change in my voice. And boy did it change. I had a normal, guy voice and now I sound more feminine than Liza Minnelli," Kurt said venomously.
"Kurt, I don't know if your musical lover has already figured it out, but you are now a countertenor, a very rare, very treasured vocal range," she said softly.
Blaine's eyes widened. "I wondered, but I wanted to ask our director to be sure."
"That doesn't mean I enjoy sounding like a girl. And what the heck is with the man riots whenever I speak. It's not like I'm singing or anything. Hell, in gymnastics today, all I said was 'here' and it started," Kurt said, the frustration building up again.
Blaine scooted his cushion closer to his boyfriend and began running his hand up and down Kurt's back with one hand and holding his other hand.
"Kurt, some people are born a little more special than other people. They may not realize it in their own lifetime or they may realize it and push it away. Sometimes, like you, their differences interfere so drastically with their lives, they have to find some way to deal with it. This is where you are. You are, unfortunately, going to be forced to do something about it or end up harming yourself."
"But what is it? What did one simple surgery do to make my voice like the freaking gay pied piper?" Kurt demanded.
"Kurt, baby, she's trying to help," Blaine murmured in his ear.
Taking a deep breath, Kurt squeezed Blaine's hand in thanks. "I apologize. I'm sure you can imagine how frustrating this whole thing has been for me. I was relatively invisible in the world and now, well, now I have to either not talk or risk a riot."
"That must be incredibly frustrating. I have heard of a case like yours before, so I think I know how to help you if you are willing to work at it," Moira warned.
"I'm willing to do anything at this point. This has only been a couple days and I am at the end of my rope. Can you at least tell me what is going on?" Kurt practically begged.
"Open your mind, sweetheart," Moira said. "Nothing that has happened to you has been normal, right? So we have to think outside the norm."
Kurt's eyes narrowed. "How far outside of the norm?"
"Have you ever heard of a siren?" Moira asked.
"I take it you don't mean a siren on a cop car," Blaine said plainly.
"No, I think she means the kind that would supposedly lure men from their ships at sea and kill them. Am I right?" Kurt asked miserably.
"On the nose," Moira said.
"Well, shit," Kurt said.
. . . . . .
What do you think? Sorry it's taken so long to get the new chapter out. Hope you liked it. Saw SBL today and it was WONDERFUL! I'm so proud of Chris!
