Two Steps Beyond

Part 3

Their week at home went by much quicker than they realized. Amazing how partying everyday can make one lose track of time. It wasn't till they all met for coffee on Friday morning did they realize Brittany was graduating that day. "So, how did she finish?" Dave asked as they sat around a table at the Lima Bean waiting for Brittany to arrive.

"High C for the year." Jeff replied. "She could've snagged a low B finish if her English teacher wasn't such a bitch."

"Why Jeffrey, why so testy? Considering where she started, that's great." Sebastian asked as he wrapped his arm around Blaine's shoulders.

"That would be because her final paper was really good, and her teacher didn't give it the grade it deserved."

"I don't think I've ever seen you this upset over a grade before, especially one not belonging to you." Dave said to him.

"If you guys saw how hard she worked on it, you'd be pissed too. Hell, even Coach Sylvester was pissed."

"How did she find out about it?" Blaine asked.

"She heard me ranting in the hallway when I went to pick Britt up the other day. I had all the right to be ranting as the paper deserved a better grade. Plus Britt was crying because she thought she deserved better too. Britt said it was the first time she'd ever been upset over a grade. Coach Sylvester said it must be important to get me so riled up. So, I handed her the paper and let her read it."

"I'm guessing she agreed with your assessment." Sebastian replied.

"Yes. She took off down the hall yelling and said she was going to find out what the hell that woman was thinking when she graded it."

"Well, for someone who was upset recently she sure looks happy now." Beat said. "Hey Britt!"

"Hi guys!" She said before sitting down next to Jeff and giving him a kiss.

"What's in the box Britt?" Trent asked.

"Cupcakes, for you guys."

"Thanks Britt, but can I ask why?" Thad asked as they all grabbed one.

"For all the help you guys gave me this year."

"You are very welcome." Sebastian told her. "Sorry to hear your English teacher was such a bitch. Jeff said you wrote one hell of a paper."

"Thanks, but that got fixed."

"How?" Jeff asked.

"Coach Sylvester."

"What did she do Britt?" Blaine asked.

"She went and talked to her. Seems my English teacher thought you wrote my paper for me Jeff."

"But I didn't."

"I know that, as does Coach Sylvester. Coach Sylvester explained to her that if you had written the paper it would've been clearly obvious as it would've been the best thing she'd ever read. Not the crap the kids at McKinley write." The guys couldn't help chuckle. "And when the teacher hesitated, Coach made a call and somehow found at your grades while you were at Dalton."

"Um, okay."

"Good thing you were a good student my friend." Nick said while patting him on the back.

"That's the thing, you were basically a straight A student with a much tougher curr…"

"Curriculum." Thad answered with a smile since it was clear she was having problems saying it.

"That's it, thanks Thad. So, because you're so smart Coach said there was no way you could've written the paper I turned in."

"So does that mean you got the better grade?"

"Yes."

"So, you were marked down because your teacher thought your boyfriend wrote your paper?" Trent asked.

"Yes."

"That makes no sense whatsoever." Trent replied.

"Now you see why I decided to leave." Blaine said. "That school is seriously messed up."

"Do we even want to know how Coach Sylvester managed to get Jeff's grades?" Dave asked.

"It's probably better that we don't know." Nick replied.

"For all we know, she's done a full background check on all of us." Beat said with a laugh.

"Are you guys all coming tonight?"

"What do you mean Britt?" Thad asked and then Brittany looked at Jeff.

"I hadn't gotten the chance yet. You only told me this morning."

"Okay, I'll tell them. Graduation was moved outdoors so now there is no limit on the amount of guests we can have. And, I'd like you all to come since I was there when you guys graduated." The guys all just looked at each other and smiled.

"We'll be there Britt." Sebastian told her.

"All of you Sebby?"

"Yes, all of us, we wouldn't miss it. Right guys?" To which they all nodded.

"Yay!"

"God I love her." Thad said softly.

"As long as you remember she's all mine, love away." Jeff said with a wink. They were all so caught up in their conversation that none of them noticed that someone was standing next to their table.

"Excuse me." They all turned when they heard the voice and couldn't believe what they were seeing. There, next to their table stood Kurt. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"And if you are?" Nick asked rather smugly.

"Then I'll go. But I just wanted to congratulate you all on your win at Nationals. Rachel said you were quite impressive."

"Thank you Kurt." Thad said. "Anything else you'd like to say?"

"Yes actually, but it's not to all of you. It's to Blaine and Sebastian."

"We're listening." Blaine replied.

"I want you both to know how sorry I am for how I've behaved. My behavior was wrong and…I'm sorry. And Sebastian, I want to apologize for all the times I've lashed out and hit you. I was angry and upset, but that in no way justifies what I did." Blaine and Sebastian just looked at each other before looking back at Kurt.

"Thank you Kurt. I know how hard that must've been for you to say, especially to me." Sebastian told him. "I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but what brought on this sudden need to be apologetic? Last I knew I was evil incarnate."

"I've received some pretty blunt criticism and advice in the past month or so that forced me to really look at myself and my recent behavior. And well, I can honestly tell you I don't like what I've become. I might never like you Sebastian, but just because I don't like you doesn't give me the right to treat you the way I have."

"You can say that again." Jeff snarked.

"You're right Jeff, I should as the way I've treated Sebastian and Blaine is inexcusable."

"Thank you Kurt." Blaine told him. "I really appreciate you saying that as I know it can't be easy, knowing how you feel about him and us."

"It's not, but I'm trying. Obviously Sebastian makes you happy and who am I to say otherwise. Now, I've said my peace so I'm going to go. Have a nice day everyone." When Kurt walked away they all just looked at each other.

"What the hell just happened?" Thad asked.

"Hummel just gave what seemed like a sincere apology." Sebastian said while looking at Blaine who looked just as stunned as he did.

"This might be wrong to say, but I need to say it." Beat said. "He's so seeing a shrink."

"How so?" Trent asked.

"Honestly guys, I don't care." Blaine said. "That was an apology a long time coming and I don't care how it happened as long as he meant it."

"Agreed." Sebastian said before turning to kiss Blaine. "If he's not on my back it'll make life in New York less stressful, especially since we've agreed to model when Tasha wants us. Plus, Rachel won't be walking on eggshells anymore."

"True, the thought of not having to worry if we run into him is appealing. It was getting old constantly wondering if he was going to show up."

"Does he know where you guys live in the city?" Jeff asked.

"Not a clue. When Tasha sends stuff to us she either does it personally or has one of her other assistants handle it." Sebastian replied. "And just because he's apologized, that's not going to change. I much prefer our little spot in the city to be Hummel free."

When they showed up at McKinley later that afternoon for Brittany's graduation they were all surprised when Coach Sylvester approached them. "Well Warblers, I must congratulate you on a job well done."

"May I ask what you're congratulating us about?" Dave asked.

"Why yes you may. I could be congratulating you on winning at Nationals, which by the way, congratulations. But what I initially congratulated you on was your work with our dear Brittany. You did what I thought was impossible, so well done. You should all be proud."

"Thank you." Jeff replied. "And thank you for your help with that paper."

"You're welcome blondie. You were right, she deserved a better grade and I just made sure she got what she deserved." After she left they were just about to head for the football field when they heard another voice call out to them. But when they didn't hear it again they continued on their way. Once they got settled in the bleachers they saw Santana coming up the stairs.

"You boys don't listen very well."

"That was you calling to us?" Dave asked. "We stopped and waited, but when we didn't see anyone we continued on."

"I can tell. Mr. Schue started talking to me and well, you can see what happened. Must say I'm surprised to see all of you here. I expected to see Jeff but not the rest of you."

"Brittany invited us all this morning." Sebastian told her. "And speaking of this morning, you'll never guess who's in town?" She just looked at all of them, but couldn't figure out who could be important enough for him to mention.

"I give up, who?"

"Kurt." Blaine replied.

"No shit! Where is he? I've got pages of things I want to say to him. It's just a matter of where to start."

"He apologized Santana." Sebastian told her.

"That's not funny guys."

"Bas isn't trying to be funny, it's true. He saw us all in the Lima Bean and apologized."

"This has to be some weird joke, right?"

"Afraid not, we were all there." Thad told her. "It was pretty surreal. And he looked scared to death to be doing it."

"Crap! That's means all the material I have is now wasted."

"I wouldn't get rid of it quite yet, never know what could happen." Sebastian told her. "As sincere as his apology seemed, you never know how long it'll last."

"Always the pessimist, huh Seb?" Dave said.

"If you've dealt with the shit I have over the years, you would be too."

After the ceremony was over the guys and Santana made their way over to Brittany and her parents. "Jeff!" Brittany exclaimed while running up to him. "I'm so glad you all made it." She said as Jeff spun her around.

"We told you we would." Blaine replied as Jeff set her back down.

"Guys, I'd like you to meet my parents. Mom. Dad, the Warblers." They all just smiled as the introduction was typical Brittany so Jeff finished up the introductions.

"We don't know how you boys did it, but thank you." Mrs. Pierce told them.

"It was our pleasure." Sebastian replied. "It was the least we could do with all the help she's given us."

"Your friends are as well-mannered as you are Jeff."

"Thank you."

Well, if it's not the National Champions gracing us with their presences." Artie said as he, Sam, and Tina approached. "Congratulations guys! Brittany told us you guys put on one hell of a show."

"Why thank you." Dave replied. "And congratulations to all of you, as you're now graduates like us."

"It's not as prestigious as graduating from Dalton, but it's still cool. Am I correct that you're all going to college in the fall?"

"Yes." Blaine replied. "You?"

"Yea, going to OSU. " Artie replied. "So, are you guys going to up to hang some this summer?"

"We would if we were going to be here." Blaine told her. "Bas and I are actually leaving Monday morning."

"Where are you going?" Tina asked.

"To New York for work." Sebastian replied. "Then after that we're going to Europe for two weeks."

"Damn!" Sam said. "That's one way to start off the summer."

"Wait, did you say work Seb?" Tina asked.

"Yes, why?"

"I didn't know you and Blaine had jobs."

"That depends if you consider what they're doing work." Thad replied, to which Blaine and Sebastian just looked at him. "Okay, it's work. But it's pretty boy work."

"Wait, so Brittany wasn't kidding when she said you guys were modeling?"

"Afraid not, it's true." Blaine replied. "I'm surprised she didn't show you the magazine."

"She did, but I didn't think it was really you two. Now I feel stupid."

"That's quite alright." Sebastian said. "I could see how that could be possible." Thankfully the sarcasm in his voice wasn't heavy enough to be noticed by anyone but he friends.

"But so you guys know, we are coming back after Europe for about a week and I'm going to throw one last bash at my house before we leave for good." Blaine told them.

"You're leaving that soon?" Sam asked. "I thought you guys wouldn't be leaving till August."

"Yes, we're leaving that soon as Bas and I have a pretty busy summer ahead of us. So, being in New York just makes more sense with what is going to be going on."

"It's great for you guys, but that kinda sucks as I was hoping to spend some time with you."

"Well, we're just going to have to make the most of the time we do have. And if you want, you can always visit us in the city." Sebastian told him.

"Britt, what are you gonna once Jeff leaves for school?" Tina asked. The guys all just looked at Brittany, who was standing with Jeff.

"She's coming with me guys. Britt's moving to New York."

"What?" Santana exclaimed before going off on a tangent in Spanish. Thad and Sebastian walked over to her to try and calm her down, but it was clear this bit of news was a surprise to her. Once they were able to calm her down, Santana took a deep breath. "Sorry about that." Brittany just looked at her, while holding onto Jeff.

"That's what I was trying to tell you yesterday when everyone kept bothering us." Brittany told her. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for Britt. I should've expected you to go with Jeff. Now, will you be living with Jeff and Nick?"

"Yes."

"They're only a few blocks from Blaine and I." Sebastian told her hoping that knowing they'd be in close proximity would help.

"What are you going to do in the city Britt?" Sam asked.

"Dance. When we get to New York, I'm actually taking a few dance classes. Brody recommended them. He said if I was going to audition that I should work on my technique some."

"That's actually really good advice." Blaine told her. "He's a really good dancer."

"Rachel said the same thing."

Once they all talked a bit more, it was clear that Santana was becoming more comfortable with the idea of Brittany moving to New York with Nick and Jeff. It was clearly the shock of it all that set Santana off. After that bit of drama came to an end, they all headed over to Brittany's for her graduation party.

"I swore Santana was going to kill Jeff after he said Brittany was coming with him." Sebastian told Blaine on the drive over to Brittany's.

"Tell me about it. Now that we have a bit of time, care to tell me what you really think of Kurt's apology?"

"It seemed sincere like I said, but…I just don't know. I'd like to believe that this is the end of the drama, but drama and Kurt seem to go hand in hand."

"I know what you mean. Guess we'll just have to enjoy it for as long as it lasts." Blaine replied.

"Put it this way B, if we never hear a peep out of him again, I'll be ecstatic. But I won't be shocked if the insults fly once more."

"I know what you mean. I was shocked that he actually called you Sebastian and not meekat, evil prince or dark one."

"But onto a better subject. Do you have everything ready for our big trip?"

"Yes. If you haven't noticed, all the stuff that can't be forgotten is sitting my desk."

"I noticed that, hence why my passport is there as well. And after flipping through yours, we've got some traveling to do if yours is ever going to look like mine."

"Okay Mr. World Traveler. Take me wherever you please."

"Do you mean that?"

"Yes, but within reason."

"Sweet."

"Are we still staying at your parents place in Paris?"

"Yes, as we'd be crazy not to. They've got amazing views. Plus it'll be nice to be getting around from a spot I'm familiar with. Are you sure you still want me to plan our time while there?"

"Yes, since you promised we wouldn't miss anything that's considered a must-see. Same with London, though I know Lexi gave you a list of places we have to go."

"She told you about that, did she?"

"Maybe? She also told me you have something special planned while we're there."

"Did she say anything else about my surprise?"

"No, as she said you'd kick her ass. The only thing she told me was to make sure to take lots of pictures."

"That sounds like her. Which city are you most excited about going to?"

"I'm honestly excited about all of it, though the thought of being in Paris with you is quite appealing."

"And why is that?" Sebastian asked while taking Blaine's hand in his.

"I want to see the city through your eyes after the way you've talked about it. It's pretty clear you love it."

"I do. But seeing it with you is going to make it all the more special." They'd gotten so caught up in their conversation that it wasn't till there was a knock on the window did they stop.

"Are you guys coming in or are you guys going to hang out in here all night?" Nick asked once Blaine lowered his window.

"We'll be right in."

"Okay, it's just you guys have been sitting here talking for like a half hour already. I was half expecting to find you guys doing something besides talking when I approached the car."

"If we were doing anything else, the windows would've been steamed up." Sebastian replied just before getting out of the car. "And of your information, B and I aren't exhibitionists."

"True, I've never really seen the two of you get overly grabby with each other in public. Though there was that one time at Dave's where we were all pretty drunk and I swore the two of you were going to go at it on the couch in front of all of us."

"Can we please not relive that moment?" Blaine asked with a slight blush to his cheeks as he remembered that night all too well since Trent had been playing with his new camcorder and played it back for them the next day.

"I'm with B that was not one of our finer moments."

"But you were definitely enjoying yourselves."

"True, but we prefer not to have an audience. Thankfully it was only our closest friends that witnessed it." Sebastian said while they walked towards the backyard.

"And you threatening to ruin Trent if he didn't erase the video then and there, made sure no one else saw it. That was unquestionably a moment you were your old self."

"A moment I'm very thankful for." Blaine added. "How's Jeff doing after Santana's freak out?"

"Better, since the two of them talked. Personally I'm glad we were all there when she found out. Who knows how she would've reacted otherwise."

"Did she say why she got so upset?" Sebastian asked.

"It wasn't so much the fact that Brittany's moving in with Jeff. It was more about her moving to New York. It'll be harder to visit since it'll be more than just a few hour drive."

"I hope Jeff told her she was welcome to visit whenever."

"He did. Personally I wouldn't be surprised if she transfers schools as she doesn't seem super happy at Louisville."