A/N Hubby has been hogging the computer lately, not giving me much chance to write, but I am on vacation for two weeks, so hoping to get caught up on all my stories.

Sorry for the short chapter, the next one should be much longer.

Reviews are always welcome!

…

Suspicions

Mercedes Jones may not have a Mexican psychic third eye like Santana, but she definitely felt like there was something wrong. She had been trying to text her best friend all weekend, but Kurt hadn't responded until just now, at lunch on Monday.

Srry, was bz w/Warbler practice, 2 tired 2 reply- K

She frowned down at the message. There was no way in hell Kurt Hummel had typed that. Kurt hated text speak, always composing his text like a formal letter. Either someone at that prep school had stolen his phone, or there was something seriously wrong. She decided to skip the rest of her classes and go check on her friend.

Two hours later she stood outside the intimidating gates of Dalton Academy. The place looked like a cross between a museum and a minimum security prison.

As she passed through the entry way, she felt a sense of foreboding. An older woman sat at a reception desk, speaking on the phone. She hung up as Mercedes approached. "May I help you?"

"Uh, yeah, I'm here to see Kurt Hummel?"

"Is he expecting you?" The receptionist typed something on her computer.

Mercedes shook her head no. "I just want to see how he's doing. He hasn't responded to my texts."

"I'm afraid Mr. Hummel is unavailable right now. He is in Computer Lab One, and can't be disturbed."

"When will he be finished? Can I wait for him?"

"I'm sorry, but as soon as he finishes it will be time for him to go to Warbler practice. Would you like me to let him know you stopped by?"

The dark skinned Diva frowned. "Yeah, please let him know Mercedes was here."

…

His heart was racing, pounding in his ears. Sweat coated his skin. His nerves were so sensitive he could feel every movement of the air around him. He couldn't stand it anymore.

"Please!" He sobbed.

"Please what?" the distorted voice sounded in his ear.

He shook his head, not knowing what it was he wanted. He couldn't think. He could only feel.

"He's too sensitized," another voice said, almost pleadingly. "Leave him be for a while!"

"Do you want to take his place?" The Overseer hissed.

The dark boy blanched and shook his head no. The hooded figure smiled maliciously. "Then do as you're told. Prepare him for the next phase."

Blaine sighed, and moved to the pale boy's side. "I'm sorry." The apology was barely breathed against the other boy's ear as he repositioned the table the boy was strapped to, sitting it up so that the boy faced the screen. What seemed to be random images began to flash by.

Blaine studied the boy's face as he stared at the images on the screen. He noted when the other boy's breathing became ragged, could tell the other boy was aroused. The pale boy was so beautiful like this. Once again Blaine wanted to be the one causing that look on the other boy's face. For a moment he forgot there was someone else in the room with them.

"What is the most important thing to remember at Dalton?" The Overseer's voice seemed harsh to Blaine's ear.

Kurt sobbed out his answer. "I must obey."

"That's correct. What is the second most important thing to remember at Dalton?"

"Dalton boys are perfect in every way."

"Very good, boy." The Overseer seemed very pleased by the boy's responses. "You want to obey, don't you, Kurt?"

"Yes!" The answer came on a breathless moan.

"Then come for me, now!"

Blaine watched the taller boy as he shattered into a million pieces, keening out his release. It was Beautiful. It was terrible. It was wrong. Kurt deserved so much better. He had to get the other boy away from here before the conditioning was complete, while there was still a chance to save him.

He had a plan, but he knew there was nothing he could do while they were on Dalton grounds. He would have to wait until they went to sectionals. He hoped it wouldn't be too late for the other boy.

…

Mercedes sat in her car for a long while, just staring up at the imposing building. She still couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right, but had no idea what she could do. She couldn't go to Kurt's dad and tell him of her worries. She didn't want him to get upset, especially with his weak heart. And she couldn't go to the police, she had no proof of wrong doing. Hell, she had no proof that there was anything suspicious going on at all.

Finally, with a sigh of defeat, she drove back to Lima. When she got home, she texted Kurt again, hoping that he would respond. A few minutes later her phone chimed an incoming text.

I'm fine, 'Cedes. Just stressed out from too much homework, Warbler practice, and everything else. Will see you Saturday at Sectionals.- K

Mercedes reread the text a couple of times. That definitely sounded more like Kurt. Had she just been over reacting? Was it just a misunderstanding? She knew she should have been relieved that everything was fine, but she still had a nagging suspicion in the back of her mind that something was off.

…

Kurt hit send on the text message, and handed his phone back to the Overseer. His expression was blank, emotionless.

The hooded figure smiled at the pale boy. "Very good. You are learning to obey so well, Mr. Hummel. The Masters will be pleased with your progress."

The figure turned to the darker boy who stood in the corner. "Take him back to your dorm. See that he eats, and then he should rest for the night."

Blaine nodded, masking his thoughts as he lead the taller boy down the corridor. Kurt seemed to be succumbing to the conditioning more quickly than Blaine originally thought. Would the boy be able to hold out until Sectionals?

…

Three figures sat in the shadows, their identities hidden from each other by hooded robes. Only the male in the center knew who was concealed under the hoods, he had recruited each of them for this endeavor. Both of them had agendas of their own, of course. The woman had been tossed aside in favor of youthful associates, while the male had been scorned by a woman. Neither of the other two knew that they had more in common than their twisted need for revenge.

He had convinced them that they could get the justice they sought, while turning a profit.

"The client will be at the competition on Saturday to observe the Hummel boy. Should he be satisfied with boy, the plan will be set into motion when the Senator arrives on Monday. The Senator will be accompanied by his grandson. The client has discovered the boy is a homosexual, and wants Hummel to seduce him, putting him in a compromising position. Photographic evidence should be enough for the Client to control the Senator's vote. The client is paying us in excess of one million dollars."

The other 'Masters' glanced at each other. It was the female who spoke first. "While money is nice, what I really want to know is when we will move on to our true target?"

He smirked, though neither of them could see it. "Once our first test with the boys is concluded, then we will move our focus to infiltrating William McKinley. You will both be able to seek your revenge on those who wronged you."