Two Steps Beyond
Part 116
The three of them ended up staying overnight since Brittany ended up falling asleep on Blaine's lap while the rest of the guys were doing their homework and Blaine told them there was no reason to wake her. Since they stayed, Blaine and Sebastian made a point out of getting up the next morning even though they normally spent their Thursday mornings in bed. But they didn't want to be rude and knew they'd have time after everyone left. When Sebastian walked into the kitchen to get him and Blaine coffee, Nick and Jeff were sitting at the kitchen table.
"How'd you guys sleep?" Sebastian asked as he got cups out for him and Blaine.
"Really well." Jeff replied. "Thanks again for letting us stay last night."
"Like B said, it wasn't a big deal. She looked too peaceful to fully wake her up to just go home. This way you just had to carry her to bed."
"Plus it stopped him for storming off." Nick added. "Just remember your promise."
"What, I can't have a bout of random amnesia?"
"Nope. You need to just drop it. The last thing she'd want is for you to confront his ass."
"You don't need to do anything." Sebastian told him.
"And why is that?" Jeff asked. "Because if this happened to Blaine, you'd sure as hell do something."
"I know I would, but B accidentally overheard part of Tasha's conversation with Britt and she laid into Kurt. She wasn't happy at all about it. And I know Tasha, I'm sure she let her inner bitch out to play. The only thing I don't know is what started the whole thing. By the way, where is Britt?"
"She's in the shower." Jeff told him. "What started it is that little shit hung up on her when she called to tell Tasha about her and Rachel's meeting."
"Did he hang up on her right away?" Sebastian asked.
"No, he hung up after he found out Britt wasn't calling on Lexi's behalf." Nick told him.
"Then he told her Tasha was too busy for her issues."
"He's lucky he still has a job." Sebastian told them.
"No shit. He must do a good job for her."
"Now one last thing." Sebastian said. "How did it get back to Tasha as I don't see Britt being the type of person to tell something like that?"
"But your sister is." Jeff told him. "Britt said Lexi got pissed when she found out. Next thing she knew Lexi told her to get her coat and they went to go see Tasha."
"God I love my sister."
"So do I right now. Someone needed to tell Tasha what Kurt did."
"Exactly. And Lexi of all people knows how Tasha feels about people pulling crap like that. I mean, who the hell does Hummel think he is?"
"He doesn't think, that's the problem." Blaine said as he walked through the doorway. "He knows Britt would close up after something like that. The last thing he ever imagined was it getting back to Tasha. So considering the first person Britt saw after the fact being Lexi was his worst nightmare. Considering the smile on Brittany's face when she show us that sketch, we can only imagine how happy she was immediately after the meeting. No doubt Lexi saw Britt do a complete one eighty."
"I hadn't even thought of that." Nick said. "And from what I know of your sister Seb, she had to have been pissed to see Britt's mood change like that."
"I don't doubt that one bit." Sebastian said. "There is only one thing I wish."
"What's that?" Jeff asked.
"That I could've been around when Lexi snapped. It's always entertaining when she does."
"Should I tell her that?" Blaine asked.
"No need to, she knows."
"Well, as fun as this is, we need to get going." Nick said. "Me more so than the other two. Now, I will try and make it to your game tonight Seb, but I don't know if it's going to be possible."
"That's cool, I appreciate the thought. If you can't make it, I'll understand."
"Don't worry, if you don't make it I'll be sure to keep you updated." Blaine told him.
"Thanks."
When Santana arrived at work that afternoon she was surprised to see Hunter sitting in her chair. "Well, you're the last person I imagined to find sitting in my chair. Now move." Santana said with a smile as Hunter was already getting up once he saw her.
"Sorry."
"No reason to be. So, what do I owe this honor today?" She said as she put her bag away.
"I'm waiting for my Mom; she's in with Cass right now."
"Does this mean I get to meet Mama Clarington?"
"That you will unless you're not at your desk when she leaves."
"Oh, I'll be here. Knowing your sister she's got work for me to do besides what's already here on my desk." She said as she started to look through the papers in front of her.
"You know me so well, don't you?" The two turned and saw Cassie's door was open and in the doorway stood Cassie and Mrs. Clarington. "Santana, I'd like you to meet mine and Hunter's Mom, Abigail Clarington. Mom, this is my intern, Santana Lopez."
"It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am."
"It's nice to meet you as well Santana. Cassie speaks rather highly of you which says a lot. She's not the easiest person to please."
"Tell me something I don't know." Hunter said, which cause Santana and Cassie to both giggle.
"You're not much better Hunter." Cassie told him.
"I learned it from you."
"Actually, you both learnt it from me." Mrs. Clarington said with a smile. "Now Hunter, we need to get going."
"Alright. You coming to the game tonight Santana?" Hunter asked.
"Depends on Nick, but I'm hoping to." Santana told him.
"Got it. So, I'll either see you tonight or on Sunday."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Cass, I'll call you later." Hunter told her as he helped his Mom on with her coat.
"I'll be expecting it. And Mom, thanks again for coming."
"You're welcome dear. Just remember your Dad will arrive on Monday to take care of everything else."
"I've got it on my calendar so we're all good to go." Cassie told her before giving her a hug. "Call me when you get home."
"I will." Once Hunter and Mrs. Clarington walked away, Cassie brought Santana into her office. After they were settled Santana pulled out her tablet as usual, waiting for the latest updates.
"Sorry about that. When my Mom and I start to talk we tend to ramble on since we don't see each other often. I didn't mean to keep you waiting."
"That's alright; it gave me time to sort things on my desk. Your Mom seems nice by the way."
"She is, as long as you don't get on her bad side." Cassie said with a smile. "But isn't that the case for most people. Now, I have a question to ask you and I need you to be honest with me."
"I will do my best to answer honestly then."
"What are your plans for your winter break?"
"Well, we were all planning to go home for a week. Be home for Christmas and then leave a couple of days afterwards. We all want to spend New Years' in New York and not Ohio."
"Were you and Nick planning on leaving the same day as Blaine and Seb?"
"We were, why?"
"I'd like you to come to LA with me for Cooper's premiere. I think it would be an excellent experience for you."
"Are you serious?" Santana asked the enthusiasm evident in her voice.
"I am. The premiere is on a Thursday night and then there is a press event the next day. While I won't be leaving till late Sunday because of other business I can arrange for you to fly out either late Saturday night or first thing Sunday morning. This wouldn't cause any problems for you would it?"
"Not at all. I can't believe you want me to come with you."
"Like I said, it would be an excellent experience. I know I should've asked you sooner, but there have been a few other things going on. I don't want you saying this wouldn't cause a problem if it would. As I'm sure you and Nick have plans for when you're home. As I usually had plans when I went home during college and they often pertained to family."
"We do, but this won't affect them. Plus it would only have me getting into town three days later as we were going to leave Thursday morning."
"Alright then, you'll be coming with me to LA. Since you were all heading home together, you must know that Lexi is joining Cooper on this trip."
"Yes, I knew that. It's one of the reasons Blaine and Seb are bringing the kids home with them. They wanted Cooper and Lexi to have some time to themselves."
"Correct. Now, we'll be flying out on Wednesday evening to ensure Cooper is able to get some rest before all the chaos begins. And there are few press events he'll be attending before the premiere."
"Sounds good." Santana replied, unable to wipe the smile off her face. Once that was taken care of, Cassie filled Santana in on everything that had been going on since Tuesday when she'd last been in before letting her get to work.
"And Santana."
"Yes."
"Don't forget to call your parents and Nick."
"I won't."
As they were waiting to board the bus to Princeton, Sebastian couldn't seem to shake the sick feeling in his stomach. "What's going on Seb?" Michael asked as he sat down next to him.
"Nothing really, why?"
"Because that look on your face says otherwise."
"It's going to sound stupid."
"Maybe, but why don't you let me decide that."
"Fine. Last time we were there is when everything happened to B."
"Alright, and?"
"I'm just a bit uneasy about going back, that's all."
"Blaine's coming tonight, right?"
"Yes."
"Then you have nothing to worry about. He'll be sitting in the stands rooting you on like the supportive boyfriend that he is. And if I remember correctly, you played one hell of a game last time we were there once Coach let you play."
"Thanks, but I didn't give him much choice." Sebastian said with a laugh. "I needed to get out there that night. I had a lot of nervous energy to burn off once I knew B was okay."
"And that energy benefitted all of us. Are the rest of your friends coming?"
"I know Thad is riding with B, as for the rest it all depended on their schedules. Wait, check that. Beat is coming, but that's because he doesn't have to travel. He goes to Princeton."
"Ah, now is he rooting for them or you?"
"Me. If I remember correctly I introduced you to him while we waited for the bus that night. But I might not have as that whole night was a bit of a blur."
"He's tall, spikey hair, nice body."
"That's him. Is Dylan coming tonight?"
"He is. By the way, I should thank you and Blaine for that matter."
"Alright, you're welcome. But what did we do?"
"Well, Blaine listened to me ramble."
"He's good at that."
"And you're going to be there to support him during court."
"There isn't anywhere else I'd rather be. While the proceedings should be simple, I don't know if they are going to cause him to have any anxiety. What does me going have to do with anything?"
"Dylan wasn't sure if he should come with me. I mean, we weren't together when it happened, though we were friends. He just didn't know if it was appropriate to come. Once I told him that you were coming with Blaine it made him feel a bit more at ease about going."
"Well, I'm glad me supporting B helped him come to a decision. How do you feel about him coming?"
"I'm glad he is. It'll be nice to have someone there beside my parents, and you and Blaine that I know. Our lawyers told me it could turn into a zoo, which is one of the reasons Dylan wasn't sure about coming. He wasn't sure if him being there with me would add to it."
"B's lawyer told him the same thing. We even asked if I should or shouldn't be there. And he said it was up to us, but he had no problem with it. He said we knew what we'd be getting into so if we didn't have a problem with it, why should he."
"At least Blaine's part in all this should go quick. I'm not looking forward to reliving what happened to me. If I learned anything the first time around, Trevor's lawyers are going to do everything they can to try and make him look good."
"This time around it will be harder than the first as he's not a first-time offender. Plus, it's clear he violated the terms of his deal. He was supposed to stay out of trouble and he didn't. And he not only got in trouble again, it was another hate-crime."
"Why Seb, have you read up on what went down in the case the first time around?"
"I have. I ain't pre-law for nothing." Sebastian said with a smirk. "Hunter, Thad, and I have all done our fair amount of research as to what went on. It was a firm example of what's wrong with the justice system that a deal was even allowed to be reached. While yes, Trevor was a first-time offender, the degree of the offense justified harsher punishment. Yet, because of who his father is, the DA caved."
"Tell me something I don't know." Michael replied. "But after that news broke, I have a feeling the DA isn't going to be re-elected."
"That is something we both agree upon. And since the election isn't too far away, his mistakes are going to be fresh in the public's mind. Plus those that actually follow matters will see that his conviction rate is less than stellar. While he was an excellent prosecutor, once he became DA everything he stood for changed."
"Also, he was able to be manipulated by those with power. And we all know there is a lot of power in this city."
When Blaine and Thad arrived at Princeton they slowly headed towards the field. "Does it feel weird being here since you guys are out of the playoffs?" Blaine asked as they walked.
"Not really. I mean, honestly we were lucky to even get into the first round. But the beating we took was a harsh reminder of how much work we need to put in for next season."
"Well, you said at the start of the year that you could tell it was going to be a long season with how dysfunctional everything was."
"No kidding and while there were moments of clarity, they were few and far between. While Seb and his teammates get along and hang out together, we rarely spent time together. I mean, a couple of the juniors organized a few get togethers, but the seniors never showed. It was as though they didn't give a damn about anyone but themselves and it showed during our play. And our coach never tried to fix matters. I mean, if anyone saw us during practice they could see we were a mess."
"Stop your whining Harwood!" They both looked up and saw Beat walking towards them with Hunter.
"If you heard the whole thing, you wouldn't think I was whining." Thad replied. "And how did you get here before us Hunter?"
"I had family matters to deal with today, so I was able to leave earlier than planned. And, I only got here about twenty minutes ago so I didn't get here that much before you. Where are the four musketeers?"
"They should arrive during the first quarter at the latest. Nick and Jeff had something they needed to take care of so, they couldn't come down with us."
"Everything okay?" Beat asked as they continued towards the field.
"Nick said it wasn't a big deal, but it needed to be done right away whatever it is."
"Considering it involves Nick and Jeff, it either revolves around Brittany and Santana or their sisters." Beat said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it concerns their sisters considering the conversations Jeff and I have had about them." Blaine told them. "It seems there is one girl at Crawford that is giving them a serious hard time."
"Please tell me that the rest of us don't have an affiliation with her." Thad said.
"I'm assuming we don't, since Jeff hadn't mentioned it. So it's no one the rest of you dated. The girl is just a first class bitch, but it's not just Ally and Megan, it's any of the freshmen. According to Jeff, this girl makes Bas look sweet when he was determined to destroy McKinley. "
"Not to be rude, but Seb was a serious bastard back then." Beat said.
"I know as do Jeff and Nick. So you know this girl is bad when that's the comparison they've given."
They'd just walked through the gate and were about to turn towards the stands when a cute red-head came running toward them and jumped into Beat's arms. "What are you doing here?" She asked after giving him a kiss on the cheek before he set her down. "I thought you weren't a big fan of lacrosse."
"Um Jess, these are some of my friends I was telling you about." Beat then went and introduced the guys to her as well as introducing her to them. "And I'm not a huge lacrosse fan, but I enjoy watching my friends play, and Seb plays for Columbia, remember."
"Oh, so does that mean you're not going to sit with the rest of us?"
"I'm afraid it does. It would be weird sitting over there and cheering Seb on. But, you're more than welcome to join us. That is of course, if you're not going to be screaming super loud for us while sitting on the Columbia sideline. I don't think they'd appreciate it much."
"Would you guys mind if I join you?"
"Not at all." Blaine replied. "As long as you don't mind us cheering rather loudly."
"I think I can survive." She said with a smile. Soon they all soon headed for their seats. "Now, I know I might be jumping the gun, but which of you guys is Sebastian's boyfriend?"
"Forward, aren't we?" Hunter said with a laugh as they climbed the steps. "What makes you think one of us is his boyfriend?"
"You're here early so I assumed it must be one of you. I've got to say, he couldn't go wrong with any of you as you're all cute."
"Thanks." Thad replied before glancing at Blaine who was trying not to laugh at the whole situation.
"So?"
"That would be me." Blaine replied. "But curiously, how did you know Bas was gay?"
"Well, I saw Rick talking to him after the game the last time they were here. And a few of my girlfriends that were with me were interested; they think he's cute too, so I asked if he had a girlfriend."
"And I proceeded to tell her Seb was gay and that he was also in a relationship so they didn't try and fix up any of their gay friends with him." Beat said and notice Blaine and Thad doing their best to contain their laughter but were failing miserably. "What?"
"I can't remember the last time anyone called you by your real name." Thad said. "Even your parents call you Beat."
"Yea, well, the nickname doesn't quite fit now a day unless I'm with you guys. Some seem to take it the wrong way." Beat said with a laugh.
"I wonder why." Hunter replied with a laugh.
The teams were just taking the field for warm-ups when the guys realized they weren't alone anymore. "And they made it." Thad said with a smirk seeing Nick, Jeff, and the girls standing in front of them. "Guess it's a good thing we saved you seats."
"Damn right it was." Santana replied as they sat down.
"Wow, you're mood changed from earlier today." Hunter said to her.
"Oh, it was nothing your sister did, its other bullshit. There is a certain female that needs to be handed a dose of Lima Heights hospitality like yesterday!"
"Glad I'm not her." Thad said. "I haven't seen you this riled up in a long time Santana."
"And you better hope it's never directed at you." Santana replied as Nick wrapped an arm around her, before kissing her on the cheek.
"Sorry guys. So we didn't miss the start of the game we took the call with our sisters in the car." Nick said then noticed they weren't necessarily alone. "Ah, guys."
"Sorry." Beat replied before making introductions. "Should we even ask what's going on back home?"
"Now's not really the time." Jeff replied.
"Blaine, have you seen Sebby?"
"Afraid not Britt, but I did let him know I was here. And, do I even want to know how you guys got here so quickly?"
"No." Nick replied while glancing at Jeff.
"I should've known better."
"Hunter, do you think Britt and I could ride back with you?" Jeff asked.
"Sure, no problem."
"Thank you" Nick replied. "As I'm not heading back to the city till the morning and I thought I remembered Seb saying they could ride back with friends or family today."
"You heard correct." Blaine replied before glancing over at Jeff who had a look on his face that basically said don't ask.