Five Years Later

Part 68

Taking in how the girls were when they left that evening, it didn't surprise Sebastian that as they were getting ready for bed that night, Blaine sent Thad a text to find out how they were. The response he got, made them both happy that Thad was there with them as they both had questions that came up later. Knowing that Thad could empathize with them, with wanting to go see Kurt, they listened closely when he spoke. He ended up explaining to them both how angry he was after Blaine told them and if it wasn't for Hunter, he would've gone against what Sebastian had said. Just as he told them, the desire is still there but he knows Sebastian was right about how them lashing out could affect Blaine.

When Blaine finally got into bed with Sebastian, he was happy to see an outstretched arm so he could curl up beside him. "From the look on your face, I take it the girls are having a hard time?" Sebastian said after kissing Blaine's forehead. Once Blaine nodded, Sebastian felt his arm wrap around his chest to hold him. "Sadly, this isn't something that's going to be easy for them."

"I know." Blaine told him. "Their reaction is exactly why I never wanted to tell them Bas. Santana is so much like you Bas that I truly don't know if she's going to keep it together. I mean, you've told me more than once I'm what helps keep you grounded on the subject. And Rachel, I never wanted her ending her friendship with him over it."

Sebastian sighed softly, before setting his book aside and wrapping his other arm around Blaine. "You know B, Santana will be able to hold it together unless Hummel provokes her. Like you said, she and I are alike so it's going to take her some time to calm down, but she'll do it. You could see one of the reasons they were both so upset is that neither could see what was happening before them. They both feel as though they should've known. Also, Santana knows darn well, I'll go after her should she bring Hummel's wrath towards you." Blaine glanced up at him and Sebastian could see a bit of confusion in his eyes. "B, she knows you hurt the one I love, I'm going to go after you, just as she would." He then pressed a kiss to the top of Blaine's head. "In regards to Rachel, Hummel brought this on himself with the way he treats her."

"Yet, she hadn't ended her friendship with him." Blaine said softly, his warm breath tickling Sebastian's chest slightly. "That's what bothers me."

"B, she reached her breaking point and considering what she told us, I'm not surprised." Sebastian told him. "While she knows he was never going to accept me and the guys being in her life, she just asked he not speak ill of us in front of her, much how we truly try not to talk about him in front of her. It's a matter of respect B, and he's not showing her any. He treats her like a child, incapable of making the best decisions for herself."

"Still."

"B, Rachel's making the right choice for her as she doesn't want someone like him in her life." Sebastian said as he began to run his fingers though Blaine's curls. "I'm only curious as to how she's going to explain cutting him out without going off as this hit her hard. If anything, she's the loose cannon of the bunch as she feels betrayed on top of everything else. But thankfully, she's got rehearsals to concentrate on and well, I'm sure Thad will do what he can to help her deal with everything. And they know the rest of us are here for them as well." Just as he was finishing, Sebastian felt Blaine place a kiss to his chest. "Thank you, but you know my lips can actually reciprocate." Those words caused Blaine to look up at him, and he was greeted by a typical Sebastian smirk.

"If you insist."

"Oh, I insist all right." Sebastian replied and soon felt Blaine move up enough so they could do just that. Considering the emotional toll the evening had on them, especially Blaine, getting lost in each other in that moment was what they both needed.

The next morning, when the girls got up, they were still in a state of disbelief, something that Thad took immediate notice of as he was already up and studying as he hadn't gotten much done the night before. As Santana poured herself a cup of coffee, she kept glancing over at him as Rachel was in the shower. "Tell me how you're doing it?" Santana stated as she turned to look at him as she stirred her coffee.

"Doing what?" Thad replied as he looked up at her. But it only took one good look at her expression for him to know what she was referring to in that moment. "I'm keeping the focus on Blaine, as Sebastian said. Blaine's been through too much that he doesn't need to relive all this because we're having issues with something he's already dealt with." Thad then took a sip of his coffee. "I felt the same way you did Santana, trust me. I'm honestly thankful I had some time to process everything before he told Rachel."

While he spoke, Santana sat down across from him. "She's hurting so badly Thad. To realize how many lies Kurt told her over the years, has to be mind-numbing. If you don't mind me asking, how did she sleep?"

"She cried herself to sleep." He replied. "So she either slept well or it was fitful as she tossed around more than I'm used to."

"I'm glad you stayed last night, no matter how I might've acted towards you."

"I wasn't going to leave you two as I know it's a lot to take in. And for how you acted, I understood where it was coming from and wasn't really directed at me."

"Good, because it wasn't directed to you, I just needed to vent."

"That's why I understood. Truthfully, I think you should give Wes a call as he probably can relate to what you're going through even better since he was in touch with Blaine during that time. According to Blaine and Sebastian, it hit Wes pretty hard as he's always looked out for Blaine the best he can. But it obviously got harder once he left Ohio."

"Wes really cares about him, doesn't he?"

"He does, we all do. So while most of us weren't around when Hummel hurt Blaine, we're all hurting knowing we weren't around to protect him."

"Wouldn't surprise me if that's one of the reasons why he didn't want you guys around Blaine." When Thad looked at her, Santana shook her head. "You guys have thought that as well, haven't you?"

"It might've come up a few times. But right now, that's not important. What's important is supporting Blaine now and where his life is heading. He's got so many things to be happy about, that it's easier to focus on those things."

"That's a good point. And I'm sure you guys mentioned it last night, but I was so angry that part of it's a blur."

"Understandable that is why we all talked about it after Blaine told us. There is a lot to process and it's not going to happen overnight." Thad told her. "Sadly, it's going to take time. Just remember you're not alone in all this."

"True. Are you going to be able to see Rachel tonight?"

"I told her if she wants to, she's more than welcome to come over to my place after rehearsal. So, you'll have the loft to yourself for awhile as I don't know if she plans on staying." Santana smiled, as she could see that all the while Thad spoke, how much he cared. Not just about what Blaine had gone through, but how the news of it had hurt the girls in ways that was hard for them to explain.

By the time they were all ready to go their separate ways, Thad reminded them both that should they need someone to talk to throughout the day, not to hesitate calling one of them And while Santana immediately spoke up as they got on the train, Rachel just pressed herself closer to Thad. "Rach, you can do this, okay?" Santana told her as Thad pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Going to rehearsal is the best thing as it'll give you something to focus on. Not to mention, you don't want to upset Blaine."

"How could I upset Blaine?" Rachel asked as she leaned her head against Thad's shoulder.

"If you weren't able to concentrate during rehearsal because of what he told us, that's how." It was clear from the look on Rachel's face that she was prepared to argue, but Santana had cut straight to the point. "So go and do your thing as I know singing is therapeutic for you."

"You've got a point. Plus today I get to sing one of my favorites." The smile that crept to her face was the first one either of them had seen since dinner before Blaine told them.

"Perfect!" Santana said with a smirk eerily similar to Sebastian's in that moment.

"Care to fill me in?" Thad asked.

"I'll tell you tonight as it's not something we can really get into here." Rachel told him. "Just know, Santana got that expression for a good reason.

It was about midday when Blaine was sitting in a rehearsal space with Justin when his phone rang. He had to pause for a moment as it was from a number he didn't recognize. The look he got from Justin in the moment, prompted him to answer. Blaine had barely spoken when a smile crept to his face upon hearing Brittany's bubbly voice on the other end of the phone. Once he started to fill the gaps of what was going on from what Santana had told her, Justin smiled as his enthusiasm was rather infectious. "What do you mean Britt, when you asked what else as I'm pretty sure I told you everything?" Blaine asked after she asked about what else was going on in his life. When she giggled, Blaine smiled. "Oh, you want to know about my personal life."

"Yes, Santana said you're really happy right now. Is that true?"

"I'm extremely happy right now. Did Santana tell you who I'm dating?"

"No, as she said if she told me I probably wouldn't believe it. So, who are you dating Blaine Warbler?" When Blaine chuckled, he had no doubt Brittany was smiling on the other end because of how light his laughter was. "What's so funny Blaine?"

"The fact that you called me Blaine Warbler in that moment is rather fitting."

"Why is that?"

"I'm dating a former Warbler, though you know, once a Warbler, always a Warbler."

"Really, which one as there were quite a few cute ones if I remember correctly?"

"I'm dating Sebastian." The happy squeal he heard was not what he expected considering how Rachel reacted when she first found out. "Britt?"

"How long?"

"A little more than seven months."

"And I'm just finding out about this now! I'm going have a word with Santana next time I speak to her. I'm happy for you Blaine as you deserve to be happy."

"Thank you Brittany. Now, you're going to email me your resume so I can send it to my manager, right?"

"Yes. If I get this Blaine, are you going to be on set?"

"Yes, I'll be on set as will my band. Hopefully we'll be seeing each other soon."

"Hopefully! Bye Blaine!"

"Bye Brittany!" Once Blaine ended the call, Justin looked at him, his guitar sitting across his lap. "Sorry about that."

"You've got nothing to be sorry for." Justin told him. "Care to tell me who was on the phone?"

"Brittany Pierce, I went to high school with her and she's a dancer." Blaine told him as he opened up his email as Brittany said she'd send her resume right away. "After she received an audition notice for our video she called Santana to ask if the Blaine Anderson the video was for was me. Then after Santana spoke with her, she mentioned it to me and I told Santana to have Brittany give me a call. It would be cool to have someone I know in it, plus Brittany is really talented."

"I'm pretty sure the moment you tell Vincent you'd like her in it, he'll say yes." Justin replied just as Blaine's email pinged. Blaine smiled, knowing Justin was right before opening an email from Brittany. The moment her face popped up on the screen, Justin's eyes bugged out causing Blaine to laugh. "Why does it seem that all the girls you know are gorgeous?"

"Don't know." Blaine told him as he turned the screen so Justin could take a closer look. "Her dance reel is attached; do you want to see it?" That was probably a rhetorical question considering the look on his face, so Blaine didn't wait for him to respond, just hit play. More than a few times as they watched, Blaine and Justin exchanged looks as it covered the gamut. Once it ended, Justin was still looking at the screen till Blaine gave him a slight nudge. "If Vincent agrees, I'll introduce the two of you."

"Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously." After watching the reel, Blaine forwarded Brittany's email to Vincent along with adding an additional note to it. Considering what they saw, he doubted that Vincent would have a problem with it as Brittany was clearly talented. And while she'd gotten her start by going on tour with Mercedes, it wasn't long till she was working with numerous artists in the industry. "While I know why she wants to do this, would this be back pedaling for her considering some of the people she's worked with?" Blaine asked after sending the email.

"I don't think so." Justin replied. "Think of it as her getting in on the next big thing." When Blaine got the shy look on his face, something they'd all become accustomed to, Justin nudged him much as Blaine had done with him. "It's true Blaine. From people I've spoken to that have dealt with record labels before, you can tell how much belief they have by how supportive they are and how they promote you. And they are doing everything they can to launch you properly. Not only are you releasing your first single before we leave for tour, you're doing it with a National station. Plus, they've got you booked into some of the biggest festivals this summer. I mean, have you seen some of the acts we're going to be performing with."

The more Justin spoke, the more Blaine thought about what he was saying as he was pointing out things that Sebastian as well as Hunter had mentioned on more than one occasion. When Justin looked at him, Blaine smiled before telling him that yes, he'd thought about all of that on numerous occasions but it still seemed so surreal at times to him. And that was something Justin understood, as everything that was happening was a bit overwhelming for them as well. So it had to be more intense for Blaine since the focus was on him. Once the two got back to rehearsing, they were back into their own little world that they didn't realize they weren't alone till they heard the others slowly join them one by one. While Blaine and Justin had started the session breaking down another song into an acoustic version, it soon became a jam session with the five of them. With everything that was going on, it was nice knowing they could still have these moments even with everything going on around them.

When the alarm on Blaine's phone went off, it didn't take them long to pack up and make their way to the studio as they had some recording to do that day as a group. Since they were all so focused, they were making better progress on the album than Vincent or Malcolm could've hoped for. At the rate they were going, they'd have very little if any left to do when they were on the road. That was something both were pleased about as it would give them ample time to tweak it should it be necessary. Yet since Blaine had made his vision clear to Malcolm from the get-go, they've been able to make the changes as they've gone alone.

The day was seemingly flying by when Rachel was sitting on the edge of the stage during a break when Jean-Baptiste sat down beside her. "Care to talk about it?" He asked as he looked at her, causing her to look towards him. "Rachel, while I don't know you that well yet, I can tell something is on your mind. So?" Rachel continued to look at him before sighing as she thought she'd been hiding how she was feeling rather well. "Don't worry, it hasn't affected you. I just thought I'd ask, but if you don't want to talk, that's fine."

Jean-Baptiste was about to get up, when Rachel placed her hand on top of his on the stage. "Have you ever been told something that seemed to throw everything you thought you knew into shambles?" Jean-Baptiste shook his head. "Well, that happened to me last night. The worst part being it involves people I care about."

"While you don't need to get into specifics as it's none of my business, do you want to give me a general overview?" While he had that confidant and somewhat arrogant persona, once you got to know him, it was clear there was so much more to him, much like Sebastian.

"Fine, I found out someone I care about was in an abusive relationship, and I had no clue about it." Rachel told him. "Also, I was friends with both halves of the couple. One never said a word while the other tended to put all the blame for their problems on the other." After she spoke, Rachel could see the concern on Jean-Baptiste's face from what he was told.

"Clearly, that had to be hard to hear as no one wants to imagine those they care about in a relationship of that nature. Now, has this couple split because if they haven't, I'd recommend getting the one party away from the other." He told her. "I also heard you say "was" in regards to them."

"For starters, they are no longer together so I don't have to worry about getting them apart." Rachel told him. "I said was because I really don't can't be friends with the person that hurt the other anymore."

"Alright, so what's the issue aside from the fact that this happened to your friend?" When he spoke, Rachel took a deep breath so as not to slip as the last thing she wanted was for Jean-Baptiste to find out the friend was Blaine.

"I was asked not to bring up what happened to the other party, but I don't know if I can do that because of how angry I am. Not to mention, it's the reason I'm ending the friendship. Though, the guilty party has certainly changed in recent months."

"Okay, now that makes sense." Jean-Baptiste said to her while giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "That is a difficult situation to be put into, but I can understand how the other party doesn't want it brought up since they are now out of the relationship. The best advice I can give you, is try to avoid the person for now, till you find the right words to end things without putting your friend into a place where they'd have to address this person again."

"That's what I'd been considering doing as the last thing I want is to cause my friend anymore pain considering they're in such a good place now."

"Well then, even with as emotional as you are about this, you're seeing things pretty clearly. So in happier news, are you ready to blow us away once again with your rendition of Defying Gravity?" When Rachel giggled, Jean-Baptiste smiled. "It's true Rachel."

"What's true?" They both turned at the sound of the voice to see Derek, the director, standing behind them. "Jean-Baptiste?"

"I told Rachel she blew us away when she sang Defying Gravity earlier on stage for the first time. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I'd say she certainly took us by surprise for a first go around." Derek replied. "I mean, most of the cast that is here was watching from the wings. And considering how many times they've all heard the number, it showed they were clearly impressed."

"Thank you." Rachel said softly as not to sound too happy as she'd heard from Jean-Baptiste as well as the girl playing Glinda that Derek doesn't give the typical compliment.

"It's true." Derek told her. "Now, while you will clearly be doing that number again, we want to run through As Long As You're Mine, as Jean-Baptiste has an appearance to make before showtime this evening."

"That's fine." Rachel replied with a smile.

"Good, you two have about ten more minutes and then we'll begin." After he spoke, Derek disappeared as quickly and quietly as he'd appeared.

"What sort of appearance are you making?" Rachel asked as they two got up as some of the stage crew had begun to move things around.

"Every few shows some of us meet with groups that come to see the show." Jean-Baptiste told her. "And he mentioned doing that number now as I need time to grab dinner before getting into costume a bit earlier than usual." Rachel nodded as he continued to talk and tell her a bit more, till he turned the conversation back on her. "Besides Blaine, do you have anyone else coming to your opening night?"

"My Dads will be coming as well Shelby, and quite a few friends. Blaine's thrilled as he was afraid he was going to be gone when I make my debut. But luckily, my debut happens in-between gigs for him though it's clearly cutting things close."

"Who is Shelby, if you don't mind me asking?"

"She's my birth Mom, it's a rather long story but she's become quite the mentor to me as she was on Broadway at one time."

"So talent clearly runs in the family." Rachel smiled after he spoke as she'd been told by more than a few people who had heard Shelby sing as well as her the same thing. Hell, she and Thad had quite the conversation about it after he heard the two of them.

"I'd like to think so, but if it wasn't for my Dads who nurtured my love of music and Broadway, who knows what might've happened."

"Well it's a good thing they did as you have voice that is made for the stage Rachel."

While everyone was going about their day, Kimberly was running the last of her work errands before meeting Hunter for dinner prior to leaving the next day. When she walked into the Lower Manhattan offices of Conde-Nast, she took a deep breath as this was her last stop of the day. With everything she'd done, she was looking forward to a nice evening with Hunter to unwind a bit. She was about to step onto the elevator when someone walked right into her. "Watch where you're going!" The person spat out as they readjusted the binders in their arms. "Aren't you going to…You!" The way Kurt looked at her, was the last thing Kimberly needed in the moment. "What, are you doing here?"

"I'm here for work as one of my players is doing a shoot coming up and I was asked to swing by the GQ offices as they needed to know when the Stadium was available for use. While it's not part of my job, the girl that usually handles it, is sick and this needed to be taken care of right away. So if you'll excuse me, I need to get going as I don't want to keep them waiting as that would be rude. Not to mention, I have some place to be after this."

"Let me guess, you're meeting that charming boyfriend of yours."

"Not that it's any of your business, but yes, I'm meeting Hunter. Now, please excuse me." Kimberly didn't even wait for a response, just maneuvered around him and onto the elevator once it opened again. Once she was on her way up, she took a deep breath as she didn't want to be frazzled when she walked into the offices. This meeting was meant to be quick and she didn't want anything changing that.

Much as she'd been told, the meeting went very quickly and she was soon headed on her way back down. Once she was off the elevator, she took her phone out to give Hunter a call to see where he was at precisely since she'd finished a bit earlier than she'd expected. Yet, just as she put her phone to her ear, she looked before her and saw Kurt standing there. That was all it took for her to end the call, even knowing Hunter would call back and find out what he was doing there.

"Considering your expression once you saw me, I take it you were waiting for me." Kimberly stated as she approached him. "What do you want?"

"Are you going to see Blaine perform tonight?"

"That's not any of your business."

"Give me a break, are you or aren't you as the world isn't going to end if I know."

"If you knowing means you're not going to, then yes, I'm going to be there as will Hunter along with quite a few others."

"Like Sebastian."

"Yes, Sebastian will be there as well." Kimberly replied. "So, if you have any common sense in that head of yours, you won't go."

"I have every right to be there."

"True, but you don't have a right to harass others that choose to attend as well. Nor, do you have the right to harass Blaine."

"I'm not harassing him."

"That is where you are wrong, as you are. Blaine wants nothing to do with you so constantly trying to talk to him, is harassing him. Just leave him alone!" It was if on cue as the moment she finished, her phone started to ring, and it was Hunter. "I need to take this."

"No you don't as we're not done."

"It's Hunter, so I'm taking it unless you want to deal with him later should you dare to show your face at the venue this evening." Kimberly then swiped across her screen and answered the call. She'd only said a few words and Hunter already could tell something was off with her. And the more she tried to deflect, the more he pushed for answers till she finally told him why she was frustrated. From where Kurt was standing, he could hear Hunter raise his voice before she began to calm him. By the time she did, she told him she'd be seeing him soon and they could finish their conversation in person. Once she slipped her phone back into her bag, she crossed her arms and looked at Kurt. "You still want to deal with him later?"

"I'm sure his bark is worse than his bite."

"Not in this case." Kimberly told him. "You have no clue who you're messing with, and I will tell you, he protects those he cares about."

"Blaine doesn't condone violence, so if he hurt me he'd upset Blaine."

"There are other ways to hurt someone Mr. Hummel. Also, one would think after the confrontation you had with Sebastian and his Dad, you'd stay away as I wouldn't mess with either of them."

"They don't scare me."

"Then you're stupid, as they're both incredible smart and not the type of people one wisely goes against." She then took a deep breath as she knew if she kept going, she'd become more frustrated. "Clearly, you're not going to listen to anything I say, so I'm going to leave. Hopefully, I don't see you this evening." Kurt looked at her as she turned to walk away before taking a seat. After speaking to her, Kurt wondered what Rachel was thinking surrounding herself with the people she currently did. While he didn't understand Blaine doing it, at least he had history with most of them. Rachel on the other hand, had no connection to them outside of her friendship with Blaine. So for her to be friends with people that are so different from her, made no sense to him. And the girls of the group, seemed just as arrogant as the guys.

Even with the fact that Rachel walked out the last time the two saw each other, Kurt decided to give her a call. When her phone began to ring, Rachel was only a couple of blocks away from Thad's. From the moment she looked at her phone, she sighed before dropping it back into her bag. Kurt called her enough to know how many rings it took for her voicemail to kick in so she wasn't going to risk sending it straight there or ending it. For if she ended it, he'd immediately call back and that was the last thing she wanted. After a productive rehearsal, she was looking forward to some quiet time with Thad before heading out to see Blaine perform later that evening.

Shortly after Thad opened the door, he leaned down to kiss her before she walked any further into his place. Since he'd already been studying, Rachel took her time getting comfortable as he went back to work. Once she was seated opposite him on the couch, he looked over at her. "How'd rehearsal go today?" Thad asked with a smile, thrilled to see she was more at ease than she'd been last time he saw her.

"It went well and Santana was right, it was what I needed as singing is rather therapeutic for me." Rachel told him. "But, Jean-Baptiste noticed that something was on my mind." Those words caused Thad to turn, closing his book in his lap. "Relax Thad, I didn't tell him anything aside for a brief summary of finding out one of my friends was in an abusive relationship. He has no clue I was talking about Blaine as I was very vague."

"What did he say to you?"

"He felt bad for my friend and could understand my concern. He also gave me a bit of advice as I told him I was friends with both parties in the relationship and now I want to end the one friendship, but I don't know how without saying precisely why I'm doing so."

"Rach, you could easily tell Hummel you are ending things because you don't like the person he's turned into. I mean, you were questioning your friendship with him before Blaine told you what had happened."

"I know, but even if I did, he's going to push and try and state his cause and I know myself Thad, I'll say something I shouldn't."

"So, what did Jean-Baptiste tell you?"

"He said to ignore the person until I figure out the right thing to say so I don't cause the one I'm still friends with any issues."

"That is excellent advice."

"I know, but that's not going to be as easy as one thinks."

"Why?"

"He called when I was on my way here." When Thad looked at her, Rachel sighed. "I didn't answer so you can relax." Thad continued to look at her, still not saying a word. "I don't plan on calling him back either as I have no clue what I would say that wouldn't make matters worse." Once he cocked an eyebrow, she giggled. "Relax, as of late I don't call him back immediately as things have been crazy and he knows it. He doesn't need to know I have more reason to not call him back, yet."

"Just don't take too long as the last thing you need is him becoming an annoyance."

"I know." Rachel replied before leaning over to pull her script out of her bag. "I should warn you, when my Dads come to town they want to take us out to dinner as they'd like to get to know you."

"I think that can be arranged." Thad told her. "Just keep my schedule in mind when making these plans."

"Don't worry, I will."