Two Steps Beyond
Part 153
Unbeknownst to him when he awoke, Blaine had more people in his home then he'd expected. When he made his way into the kitchen most of the guys were there. "And he lives." Jeff said with a laugh. "We were beginning to think we were going to have to send Seb in to find out if you were alright or not."
"Funny." Blaine replied before pouring himself a cup of coffee. "May I ask what you're all doing here so early?"
"It's ten Blaine." Dave replied causing Blaine to look at the clock and shake his head.
"Oh, now, why are you all here?"
"To figure out which song to sing. Beat agreed with the girls' idea that if we all sing it'll make more sense to Jess." Thad said.
"Speaking of Beat, where is he?"
"Picking up Jess." David replied. "And before you ask, Seb will be back soon. He's picking a package up from the lobby."
"Alright." Blaine said before hopping up on the counter. "Have you narrowed down song selection?"
"We have." Nick told him. "Glad You Came, Uptown Girl, Raise Your Glass, and Teenage Dream."
"If you want to do Teenage Dream, I'm not singing lead. Too many memories attached to that song."
"Told you." Jeff chimed in with. "I think we could swap that out for One Thing."
"Better choice." Blaine said. "Plus, it's a group number. Though, I'd have no objections to Uptown Girl. Nick knocked that number out of the park. And Thad and Bas have parts as well."
"And that number has better memories." Trent said.
"It does. With the swapping of those two songs, I say we let Beat make the final decision since this is about him."
"Sounds fair." Thad said. "And while Jeff felt that was a bad choice, we felt you needed to make that call."
"I appreciate that." Blaine said just as Sebastian came walking around the corner. "Hey."
"Hey sleepy head." Sebastian said as he walked up to Blaine before giving him a kiss. "Sleep well?"
"I did. Where's the package?"
"Our bedroom." Sebastian replied before hopping up on the counter with Blaine. "Did we make a decision?"
"We've narrowed it down." Dave said. "We're going to let Beat make the final call. Wes, did the girls say when they'd be back?"
"Nope, just that they had a few errands to run and that they'd call on their way back to make sure we were all still here. Thad, where is Gretchen?"
"On her way over, though I'm glad she's taking her time. It could be a bit intimidating arriving and being the only girl here. Not every girl could hang with all of us like Britt, Santana, Rachel, or Hailey can, being the only girl."
"Speaking of, where is everyone else?" Blaine asked.
"Brody and Hunter went to the gym." Jeff told him. "And James and Flint are at Penn Station picking up their girls and then taking them back to the hotel to get settled. But they should all be here soon." While Jeff was speaking, his phone as well as Nick and Wes's went off with text messages. "Safe to say the girls are on their way as well."
"Since that's the case, I'm going to go take a shower." Blaine told them as he got up off of the counter. As he walked away all eyes fell to Sebastian.
"No, I'm not going with. I already took my shower."
"What makes you think that's what we were going to ask?" Thad asked.
"Because it's you guys."
"He's got a point." Dave said. "How do the two of you put up with us?"
"Easily." Sebastian replied while getting off of the counter. "The comments are made in fun, and it's not anything we don't say to everyone else. You guys don't treat B and I any different than Jeff and Britt, Nick and Santana, or Wes and Hailey."
"That's very true." Thad said. "But I could still see it being annoying."
"Nick, Jeff, Wes, is it annoying?"
"Not really."
"See, we're no different. Once you're at a happy place in a relationship comments like that are taken as they're meant, in fun."
"He's right." Jeff said. "I think I'd be worried if the comments didn't occur."
"Jeff's got a point." Wes said. "Especially considering how close we all are. Basically the only thing we all don't discuss is the details of our sex lives."
"Though it comes close." Nick said with a laugh.
Blaine had only rejoined the others a few minutes prior to everyone else showing up at the apartment. As the girls all came in carrying bags the guys couldn't help but wonder what they'd bought. "Are you going to share or do we have to wait?" Wes asked.
"We bought some stuff for tonight." Rachel replied. "Can't go to Times Square without all the goofy necessities."
"You're kidding." Sebastian said as he looked at them.
"She's not." Quinn replied. "We've got some of everything. We figured this might be a one off moment of having everyone together."
"So we went all out." Santana said with a smile. "Luckily the stores were still stocked but in a couple of hours I'm sure they'll be sold out."
"What better way to mark for some of us our first year in New York?" Brittany added.
"Britt's got a point." Thad said. "So, back to Wes's question, do we get to see or do we have to wait?"
"You can see later." Hailey replied.
With so many people showing up, Blaine and Sebastian made a point of answering the door instead of letting their friends get it so as not to throw off anyone that might be arriving. When Beat arrived he could tell from the sounds coming from the apartment the girls had returned. "It's nice to see you again Jess." Blaine told her. "Beat here can show you where you'll be staying and then introduce you to everyone else."
"So he wasn't kidding when he said you guys call him Beat?" Jess said as they walked in.
"Not at all. There isn't a person here that calls him by his first name." Blaine was about to close the door when Flint and James appeared with their girlfriends. "Long time no see." He said with a smile. "How was the ride in?"
"Quiet." Nicole, James's girlfriend, replied as she looked around. "Are you guys the only apartment on the floor?"
"We are." Blaine replied. "Now, please come in."
When they reached the ended of the hall, Blaine just shook his head. While he was used to seeing the guys it was weird seeing a few more girls added to the mix. Since Blaine had recently answered the door, Sebastian went to answer the next time the bell rang. Upon opening it, Gretchen looked up at him. "You okay?" He asked with a smile.
"Yes, I'm just a bit nervous about meeting everyone."
"Well, you know at least half if that makes it any easier. And those you don't know are quite a bit like the others." Sebastian said as he took her coat from her. "Plus, Thad's here already and will introduce you to everyone else." With Gretchen's arrival, Sebastian shot a text to Brody and Hunter telling them to just let themselves in when they arrived. When they reached the living room it was pretty clear everyone was getting to know some of the newer additions.
"Hey." Thad said before giving her a kiss. "You okay?" He asked noticing the same thing Sebastian had.
"She's nervous, and honestly I don't blame her. Think of how Nicole and Brooke felt meeting everyone."
"True." Thad replied. "Come, I'll introduce you to those you don't know." Thad was just finishing up his introductions when Brody and Hunter walked into the room.
"Looks like you guys have a full house." Brody said as Blaine and Sebastian walked over towards them.
"You're telling us." Blaine said with a laugh. "How was your workout?"
"Good." Hunter replied. "With all the dancing we'd been doing it had been awhile since we'd lifted anything besides the girls."
"That's very true. Leading up to finals we were all pretty book bound." Sebastian said. "Nice to know B and I weren't the only ones that didn't get out."
"You weren't." Hunter said. "Speaking of, Blaine we need to look at our schedules to find a new sparring time."
"That we do. Maybe Jeff and Bas will join us more often instead of going on their own."
"Maybe" Sebastian replied. "Will all depend on schedule and maybe even Nick will join us."
"He wants too." Blaine said. "All depends on how many night classes he has this semester."
Once they rejoined the others it was nice to see that all of the girls were getting along well. The guys had been a bit afraid that personalities were going to clash. But they were clearly having fun as each time one of the girls passed by Beat they were calling him by his first name and giggling. "You girls are going to give him a complex." Brody said as Rachel sat down on his lap.
"We can't help it since Jess refers to him as Rick. While we know it's his real name it just feels…"
"Weird." Blaine finished for her.
"Exactly. Santana told her once she hears him do his thing, she'll understand."
"So she has no clue he can beat box?" Sebastian asked.
"She said she heard him do it once at a party, but that was it. Not enough to know why he'd have that as a nickname."
"Oh Ricky! Time to show Jess what you can do!" Santana called out with a huge grin on her face. But before he could react, Brittany, Quinn, Santana, and Hailey broke out into a rendition, of "Mickey", redone in Beat's honor.
Oh, Ricky, you're so fine
You're so fine you blow my mind
Hey, Ricky
Hey, Ricky
They were just finishing the first phrase when Rachel got up off of Brody's lap and joined in.
Oh, Ricky, you're so fine
You're so fine you blow my mind
Hey, Ricky
Hey, Ricky
As the guys were all laughing at how embarrassed Beat was with the girls dancing around him they realized it wasn't just the five singing to him. Nicole and Brooke had joined in as well as Flint and James giving them the back beat.
Oh, Ricky, you're so fine
You're so fine you blow my mind
Hey, Ricky
Hey, Ricky
With as catchy as the song was the rest of the guys were soon harmonizing along and clapping along with the girls.
Hey, Ricky
You've been around all night
And that's a little long
You think you've got the right
But I think you've got it wrong
Why can't you say goodnight
So you can take me home, Ricky
'Cause when you say you will
It always means you won't
You're givin' me the chills, baby
Please, baby don't
Every night you still leave me alone, Ricky
"Think we should save him?" Blaine asked from his spot on Sebastian's lap.
"Absolutely not, especially since Jess seems to be enjoying what the girls are doing. She's even singing-a-long a bit."
Oh, Ricky, what a pity
You don't understand
You take me by the heart
When you take me by the hand
Oh, Ricky, you're so pretty
Can't you understand
It's guys like you, Ricky
Oh, what you do, Ricky, do, Ricky
Don't break my heart, Ricky
Hey, Ricky
Now when you take me by the hooves
Who's ever gonna know
And every time you move
I let a little more show
There's something you can use
So don't say no, Ricky
By the time the song ended it was safe to say everyone was in a good mood. Once the girls all gave Beat a hug and a kiss they all collapsed on the couch. "That was quite the performance." Blaine told them.
"Thank you." Brittany replied as Jeff sat down next to her.
"What were you doing Jeff?" Sebastian asked.
"Just stopping the camera."
"So you knew?"
"They worked on it last night after we got home." Nick said. "They thought it would be fun."
"It was." Beat said with a smile, as he and Jess sat down opposite all of them. "I can't believe you guys did that."
"I can." Jeff told him. "And if you think about it, you really shouldn't be surprised either."
"Okay, maybe you have a point. I just can't believe so many people were involved."
"Ah, so you noticed James and Flint didn't necessarily freestyle." Santana said.
"I did."
"Jess, what did you think?" Rachel asked.
"It was clearly unexpected, but it was great."
"Good, they were hoping it wouldn't scare you off." Quinn added. "But they couldn't help themselves. Even though I don't spend nearly as much time with them, calling him Rick is weird."
"Nice to know my given name is weird."
"We don't mean it like that." Santana said. "You're just Beat to us. In a weird way, it would be like Britt all of a sudden calling Seb something other than Sebby. And in case you haven't been informed Jess; only Britt can call him that, no exceptions."
"So I've been told, but thank you for the reminder. Well, now that I know Rick wasn't kidding about you guys being musically inclined, that little number didn't show off his skills."
"Do you really want to hear us?" Beat asked.
"I would be nice."
"Guys."
"We're ready when you are." Blaine replied. "And before we start, we approve of your choice."
"I'm glad you guys still had the arrangement so I'm not doing it alone."
"We've got you." Flint said as James nodded in agreement. Soon the guys got up from the couch and gathered as the girls got comfortable along with Brody and Hunter.
"Aren't you guys taking part?" Santana asked.
"No, we're going to let them do their thing. The only reason James and Flint are helping is because they need more back end." Hunter told them.
"Have we heard this before?" Brittany asked.
"They did this number at Cooper's wedding as well as Sectionals."
"Yes!" Rachel said with a smile. "This number sounds so good and so many of them sing."
"Are we going to get dance moves?" Santana asked. "It's only fitting and it needs to be more than the Warbler two-step."
"Do they mean that much to you?" Nick asked.
"Yes." Santana replied causing Nick to look at the others who just smiled.
"Fine, you'll get dance moves."
"How do you guys remember this stuff?" Hailey asked.
"Britt engrained it in our brains." Thad replied. "While Wes and David know it from the wedding so we're going to do the stripped down version."
"It's safer that way." Blaine told them.
Once they began, the guys were no longer paying attention to their audience as they got into their typical performance groove. They were barely into the second verse when Santana and Rachel glanced over at Jess who had quite the smile on her face. Even with the stripped down moves, the guys decided to have a bit of fun and soon began dancing around the couches where everyone was sitting. Since Brody wasn't part of this little performance, Blaine sang to Rachel while Sebastian sang to Quinn since the other guys were singing to their girlfriends.
By the time they finished, Jess and Gretchen were completely blown away. Nicole and Brooke had gotten over their initial shock when they saw them performing in Ohio. "So, does the nickname make sense now?" Trent asked.
"Absolutely. Why aren't you singing at school?" Jess said as everyone got comfortable once again.
"None of us are singing at school." Beat replied. "There is something about us all being together that one can't replicate even if they try. So now, we only sing together."
"They're notorious for impromptu singing." Santana said. "And we love it every time they do."
"She's right, we do." Brittany said before leaning over to kiss Jeff.
"Are you coming to the competition?" Rachel asked.
"Yes, especially now that I know just what the guys do."
"Are you saying you weren't going to come?" Beat asked as he slid his arm around her.
"I was going to, but now that I know how good you guys are I wouldn't miss it."
"Good answer." Sebastian said. "And in actuality, we're better than that."
"Excuse me?"
"Seb is right, they are. They did that little performance with no practice." Santana said. "When was the last time you guys performed that number?"
"I think last January at Sectionals." Thad said.
"That was amazing." Gretchen told them.
"Thank you. Since we're all here, what's next?"
"I say we just hang till we need to go out unless anyone else has something more interesting to do." Blaine said as he leaned back and stretched. "Though, I won't object to eating."
"Why is it anytime we're bored one of you mentions food?" Rachel asked.
"B has an excuse; he was a sleep head this morning." Sebastian replied before kissing Blaine on the forehead. "So I have a feeling he's only had coffee so far."
"That would be correct."
"And to be fair, it is lunch time." Quinn added.
"Thank you Quinn."
"You're welcome Blaine. And I'm with him, I'm hungry."
"Anyone else?" Rachel asked and soon it was clear Blaine and Quinn weren't the only ones. "Well then, guess we now need to decide if we're going to order in or go out?"
"I vote for going out." Brittany replied. "There's this great little restaurant around the block."
"Good call Britt." Sebastian said. "And before you ask Rachel, you're covered."
"Thank you Seb." Sebastian glanced over at her and smiled.
"If that's alright with everyone else, let's go. That way we'll have time to come back and relax before heading out into the chaos."
With no one objected everyone gathered their coats and prepared to head out. As Sebastian and Blaine waited for everyone to exit, Sebastian wrapped his arms around Blaine from behind. "Did you happen to look in the box?" He whispered into his ear.
"I hadn't, why?"
"Just asking."
"That's not fair Bas." Blaine went to turn but Sebastian tightened his hold. "Why not?"
"Because you're not going to want to leave so you can look once we come back. You'll have time since basically everyone plans to take a nap before we leave." He then gave Blaine a kiss on the cheek. "Come on; let's get you something to eat." By the time they locked up, everyone had already headed down. "Do you think anyone waited?"
"Knowing them, yes." Blaine replied as he took Sebastian's hand in his. "Would you at least give me a hint?"
"It's something to enjoy but I won't say in which manner." Blaine looked up at him and Sebastian had a smile on his face that he couldn't quite place. But before he could ask anymore questions the elevator door opened. "You were correct." Sebastian said as they stepped out and spotted David, Wes, and Hailey.
"You didn't really think we'd all leave you here." Wes said as they made their way through the lobby.
"It would've been alright." Blaine replied. "It's not like we don't know where we're going."
"So Hailey, is it nice having more girls around." Sebastian asked once they were outside.
"Honestly it's a little weird, but it's nice. I'm pretty sure Gretchen and Jess are a little overwhelmed."
"Jess more so than Gretchen since Gretchen has been around at least half of us." Blaine said. "But that doesn't make it much easier. Brooke and Nicole seem to be fitting in well."
"That's because they're both social butterflies. They fit in everywhere." Hailey told them. "They were thrilled to finally meet everyone. Last time we all got together for dinner the guys got talking and they felt so lost. Now thanks to everyone going home for Christmas they've finally been able to put faces to names."
"It was nice meeting them as well." Sebastian said. "They've been so good about James and Flint coming to the city so often."
"That they have, but like the guys, there isn't anything those two won't do for them." Hailey was still speaking when they rounded the corner to the restaurant. Upon walking in the hostess immediately waved them through and walked them upstairs. "Guess you guys do come here often."
"That we do." Blaine replied. "Considering the wait, I'm glad we do." Once they walked into the room all of their friends were seated on one side of the room.
"Told you they didn't ditch us." Jeff said as they sat down.
"Cute." Sebastian replied. "Since B was hungry did you really think we'd ditch you?"
"No, but it's fun to get a reaction out of you. By the way, you missed Cooper, Lexi, and the kids. They were leaving when we arrived."
"Did they say where they were going?" Blaine asked.
"To the park." Brittany replied. "They're going to the carousel."
"It's a great day for it." Sebastian replied.
"What are they doing tonight?" Rachel asked.
"They are having friends over. With everything that was going on during the past month they want to take it easy." Sebastian told her. "Plus, Cooper starts filming again in about two weeks."
"Where this time?" Quinn asked.
"Actually, in yours and Dave's neck of the woods. He'll be in Connecticut so he's able to commute."
"Wait; is he part of the cast for that mystery they're filming in New Haven?"
"He is." Blaine said. "It's quite the cast, isn't it?"
"Everyone I know went to the call for extras. I had no idea Cooper was a part of it."
"Well, he is. He said the script is unbelievable and feels fortunate to be a part of it."
"Don't ask us anything else because he's not allowed to say much." Sebastian added. "So we don't know anything."
"That doesn't surprise me considering no one even knows the name of the movie. Each time there was a call for extras it was called something different though it was the same project. Do you know the title?"
"We do, but we can't say. Sorry." Blaine told her.
"That's quite alright. And now I won't do a double take if I see someone that looks like Cooper walking around town."
"Go ahead and say hi, being an actor hasn't gone to his head yet. Though, if you have a bunch of people with you, he might be a bit more distant. He mentioned that some people tried to get a bit to close during the premieres so he's a bit…gun shy."
"That makes sense, especially with the reviews he got for his new film. He's really getting a lot of excellent press. You must be really proud of him."
"I am. All that hard work is finally paying off. The whole family is ecstatic."
"How about you Seb since Coop's family to you as well?"
"Like B, I'm really happy and proud. And Lexi is beyond thrilled that things are going so well. He's sure moved beyond the credit rating commercials."
"But they were so cute." Santana said. "Free credit rating today dot com, slash savings." Santana busted out a full Cooper impersonation.
"Wait, that's your brother?" Nicole asked.
"That it is. Blaine replied. "But he's also known as Cooper."
"Wait…" Nicole then looked at Blaine and Sebastian before looking at James who just nodded. "I feel so stupid right now."
"Don't, the whole situation can be a little weird." Sebastian said. "Heck, it was weird to us at first the way things worked out. But I'd have to say, it couldn't have been much better."
Song : Mickey by Toni Basil