Empty Apartments and Other Broken Promises

by Bliss

As Paul walked away from Steve's house, he felt the odd sensation of being watched, but shrugged it off. Steve obviously wouldn't, or maybe it was couldn't, admit he had feelings for Paul. And Paul would've just accepted this except it seemed to him that Steve desperately wanted to admit how he felt only... he had this inane idea stuck in his head that he somehow deserved being trapped in a loveless marriage.

These thoughts brought Paul back to Teehan's where he got into his Lexus and drove the two hours back to the city. He had to force himself to concentrate on the road and not think of Steve's hurt blue eyes turning cold as he held onto Paul's ring finger so tightly. Which brings Paul to another pair of blue eyes, his husband's.

Paul is surprised to find himself parked in front of his apartment building on Lake Shore Drive and blinks as the valet taps on his window. He gets out of the car, still in a bit of a daze, and hands the spare keys to the young man who gives Paul a curious look before taking the car away.

Slowly, Paul drags himself through the lobby, into an elevator and up to the ninth floor. The apartment he shares with Kurt is a penthouse actually, an extremely expensive penthouse. Neither one of them makes enough at the law firm to afford it, but Kurt was born into money and has plenty of it to throw around. Unlike Paul who's mother worked for minimum wage to support him and his younger brother after their father left them. And with his debts from college, law school, and gambling, Paul was really broke.

Paul steps into the apartment and goes to drop his keys on the hall table, only there is no hall table. Shrugging, Paul shoves them in his pocket, figuring Kurt decided to redecorate yet again.

"Kurt? Baby, I'm home!" Paul calls out as he flips on the light.

The light reveals a completely empty apartment except for a few boxes stacked in the living room. On top of the boxes is what appears to be a photo album and an envelope. As Paul steps forward, blinking as though in a dream, he notices the light shining off of something on top of the letter.

"What the fuck?" he murmurs.

He walks up to the boxes and gasps as he sees what the light was reflecting off. It's Kurt's wedding ring. He picks it up and closes his fist around it, feeling the metal seer into his palm. He then forces himself to set it down, his hands shaking as he picks up the envelope. Flipping it over, he reads his name in Kurt's neat handwriting before using his car keys to open it.

It's a single sheet of paper with just seven typed words and Kurt's signature. 'I want a divorce you cheating bastard.'

"Fuck," Paul whispers.

He holds the letter in one hand to remind himself it's real and flips open the photo album. He recognizes the inscription on the cover immediately as Dennis' handwriting and smiles. It reads, 'Just remember unrequited love is still love.' Smiling wider he flips through it and finds it's filled with picture after picture of him and Steve.

All the photos are innocent really; just snapshots from grade school on. There's not a single implicating, incriminating one in the whole album. Except if you look really close at the ones from high school on, Paul is staring at Steve, covertly in some, openly in others with an unmistakable look of love in his eyes. Paul slams the photo album shut and stares absently in the direction of the window.

The conversation he had with Dennis just before going back home to Morris plays over and over again in his head.

You love Mark?

Don't laugh. At least I have a chance, he ain't married... sorry I didn't mean-

No, you're right Dennis. I should just forget about him.

Hey. Unrequited love is still love, right?

I suppose.

Are you comin' down?

Do you think I should... I mean I haven't been back in a year.

Yeah! We all miss ya. Hell, we haven't really talked since college. I miss that.

Fine, but none of your matchmaking crap.

Of course not. It's up to you and Steve to face your own demons.

"Fuck," Paul swears.

He picks up his keys, and as an afterthought Kurt's ring, before marching out of the apartment, letter still in hand. The whole way down in the elevator he curses softly under his breath. In the lobby he marches up to the concierge's desk and slams the letter down.

"Can I help you Mr. Levesque?" the startled clerk asks.

"Where is my husband?" Paul growls, barely controlling his temper.

"I'm afraid the other Mr. Levesque moved out this afternoon," she informs him.

"He what!" Paul screams.

"He said to tell you that you're free to use the apartment until the lease is up at the end of the month," she states calmly.

"He didn't leave a forwarding address?" Paul smiles at her, trying to remain calm.

"He did," the woman smiles coldly, "But I'm afraid I can't give it to you Mr. Levesque."

"C'mon!" Paul switches tactics to pleading, "He's my husband and he abandoned me without a word."

"I'm very sorry Mr. Levesque, but the other Mr. Levesque was quite adamant that you not receive this address," she shakes her head.

Paul goes to slam his hands down on the desk in anger but then sees the valet subtlety motioning him over and smiles coldly at the woman before causally walking over to him.

"Mr. Levesque," he whispers, "I know where your husband went."

"Where?" Paul demands, but keeps his voice low.

"I heard him talking to the limo driver to head up north to Lake Forest. I didn't get the exact address-"

"Are you sure?" Paul interrupts.

"Oh yeah, definitely," the kid nods.

Paul curses softly under his breath and then pulls out his wallet, handing the kid a rather large tip.

"Where's my car?"

"At the back of the garage sir, I didn't think you'd be going out tonight again."

"Fine, hail me a cab," Paul snaps.

"All right Mr. Levesque," the kid nods before taking off.

Paul paces the lobby until the cab arrives and then barks the address to the driver. There's only one person Kurt knows that lives in Lake Forest, and that's the largest client of the law firm. An extremely rich businessman by the name of Kevin Nash.

Forty minutes later at the gate of the Nash mansion, Paul pays the taxi driver and then punches the gate intercom impatiently. When no one answers he punches it rapidly in succession, kicking the gate and giving the security camera the finger.

"Paul?" the intercom finally crackles on.

"Dallas?" Paul asks with a frown.

"Yeah."

"Open the gate Dallas."

"Sorry Paul, I can't do that. Boss's orders."

"Dally c'mon, I know Kurt's in there just-"

"Mr. Levesque?" another voice interrupts.

"Mr. Hall," Paul greets sarcastically through clenched teeth.

"You aren't welcome here," Scott informs him.

"No shit. Just open the gate Scott. I need to talk to-"

"I'm sorry Paul."

With that the intercom clicks off, but the gate remains closed. Paul gives it a vicious kick and even tries to force it open, but it doesn't even budge. Vaguely recalling a conversation he once had with Kevin's nephew about how to sneak out of the house, Paul creeps around the corner of the fence. At a huge maple tree he stops and glances between its limbs and his loafers. Heaving a sigh he begins to climb the tree.

Minutes later, he drops over off one of the branches over the fence, landing in the cook's garden. Careful not to step on any plants he sneaks up to the back of the mansion, the servant's quarters. He knocks on the door and then stands impatiently on the steps, shuffling his feet. A few seconds later the door opens just a crack and a dark-haired woman pokes her head out. She frowns at Paul and tries to shut the door but he sticks his foot out at the last second.

"C'mon Kimberly. Let me in, huh?" Paul pleads.

"Are you trying to get me fired?" Kimberly hisses.

"No!" Paul protests, "I just need to see Kurt."

"I don't know Paul. I think you should just go back home," Kimberly shakes her head but steps back.

"Thanks Kimberly," Paul smiles and steps into the kitchen.

"Don't thank me just yet," Kimberly sighs and shuts the door.

"Since when is Dally workin' the guard post?" Paul asks.

"Oh," Kimberly sighs and waves her hand, "You know Mr. Nash has a soft spot for my husband. But that jealous bitch didn't like it so Dally went from head butler to security guard."

"Bitch?" Paul frowns, "I though his wife was dead."

"She is, God bless her soul," Kimberly sighs and makes the sign of the cross, "I meant Mr. Hall."

"Care to fill me in?" Paul raises his eyebrows.

"Not really," Kimberly sighs.

"Why is Scott here so late at night?"

"They all are. The whole board. Some big thing with Japan or something. The new butler, Kip, said Mr. Nash forced all of them to move in with him until it was over. Never mind me having to cook for all these people-"

"Yeah Nash was making some deal with a manufacturer there," Paul nods, ignoring her tirade.

"So, come on, spill the beans, why was I ordered not to let you in?" Kimberly smiles.

"Kurt wants a divorce," Paul laughs bitterly, producing the letter.

"No shit?" Kimberly takes it and reads it quickly, "You cheated on him?"

"Of course I didn't. I don't know where he got that idea from."

"Well, think about it. Maybe he's reading something off of you."

"Nothing. I spend all my time with him... except for tonight."

"Where'd you go to?"

"Back home to Morris. To visit some friends from high school."

"Any of them exes?"

"Hell no!"

"Liar," Kimberly says gently, "You look guilty about something-"

"Okay, okay. So I've had a crush on one of them for a long time... but he doesn't see me the same way."

"Oh, but you've never…"

"No. We kissed once but that was before I married Kurt."

"Morris, huh?" Kimberly swiftly changes the subject; "I have family there."

"Really?" Paul plays along, "Who?"

"My cousins, the Greenwalds... well, former Greenwalds anyway, they both got married," Kimberly pauses and frowns as Paul begins laughing hysterically, "What's so funny?"

"Your cousin Debra is married to…" Paul trails off with a wave of his hand.

"Oh my God!" Kimberly exclaims, "You have a crush on Steve Williams?"

"It's not that funny!" Paul pouts.

"But he's so... so manly!" Kimberly giggles.

"Kim!" Paul frowns.

"Sorry," Kimberly smiles, "Just, geez. Why not Mark Calloway? Or Dennis Knight? Or how about Glenn Jacobs?"

"Ha ha," Paul rolls his eyes, "Mark is so not my type. Dennis wouldn't look at me if I walked past him buck-naked and Glenn is married to your other cousin, Nora."

"I know that... well, not about Mark and Dennis but-"

"Anyway," Paul interrupts, "What room is Kurt in?"

"I don't know, but they all should still be in Mr. Nash's office," Kimberly indicates the door.

"At this hour?" Paul blinks.

"Exactly," Kimberly nods, shoving him lightly towards the swinging door, "Good luck!"

Paul trips through the door and finds himself in the servant's hallway. He walks slowly down the barely lit hallway until he feels something hit his legs and stumbles backwards, falling over. He lands on the carpet with a thud and stares up at the ceiling trying to breathe again.

"Tristen!" a voice calls out in the darkness.

"I got the bad guy Miss Terri!" a child's voice exclaims.

"The bad guy?" Terri asks as she moves into Paul's vision, "Oh, hey Mr. Levesque."

"Hey Terri," Paul grins up at her, "Mind removing the munchkin from my ankles?"

"Daddy says he's a bad man," Tristen tells Terri.

"Your Daddy did not!" Terri frowns and scoops him up into her arms.

"Uncle Scotty did and he said he was gonna be my Daddy too," Tristen exclaims, "Is that true Terri?"

"Thanks," Paul murmurs.

He slowly pulls himself up to his feet and dusts off his Armani suit. Terri watches him with an amused smile while Tristen struggles in her arms, trying to attack him again.

"C'mon munchkin, you're supposed to be in bed," Terri sighs, hoping Tristen will forget his question.

She waves half-heartedly at Paul before turning down one of the maze of hallways that makes up the servants quarters. Paul waits until he can no longer see her before turning down another hallway. At the end of it, he winds up just a few feet away from Kevin's office. He stands in the shadows and watches who must be the new butler having a heated conversation with one of Kevin's personal bodyguards.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know," Kip hisses, "I was a security guard before this. I never wanted to be a damn butler!"

"Well, just don't do it again. Mr. Hall hates it when anyone goes near Mr. Nash," Scott Steiner rumbles.

"Don't go near him! How am I supposed to serve him coffee?" Kip protests.

"My advice would be to hand everything to Mr. Hall first if you want to keep a job here," Steiner shrugs.

"What if don't want to?" Kip mutters, "I hate this job."

Steiner laughs and claps Kip on the back, sending him down the hallway. Kip bumps into Paul but just keeps walking, muttering epithets under his breath. Paul blinks then steps forward and is immediately shoved into the wall by Steiner.

"You aren't allowed in the house Mr. Levesque," Steiner reminds him.

"I know," Paul sighs, "but I need to talk to Kurt."

"They're all in a meeting. I'd advise you don't go in there," Steiner says.

"You advise?" Paul narrows his eyes in confusion.

"Listen kid, I think what they've done to you is pretty shitty even if I don't understand the circumstances around it. And he is your husband," Steiner shrugs.

"So, you're just going to let me walk in there?" Paul raises his eyebrows.

"Not let," Steiner smiles, "Just casually ignore."

With that Steiner wanders down the servant's hallway, leaving Paul by himself in front of the door. Taking a deep breath, Paul opens the door just a crack and cautiously glances inside.

Kevin's office is one of the largest rooms in the house and the only one that's decorated for people to actually live in it. Probably because Kevin spends almost all his time in it. The east and west walls are lined from floor to ceiling with bookcases, each one filled with volumes upon volumes of expensively bound law books and rare novels. The north wall has fifteen different TV screens, all on different news channels from around the world. The south wall, where the door is located, has a large painting of Kevin's late wife on one side and another one of his son on the other. Near the north wall is a huge, ornately carved walnut desk with two computers, three fax machines, and five phones on top of it. To the left of that sits a smaller desk with another computer that's used by the secretary.

In the middle of the room are two huge couches that face one another, and between those is a coffee table that's always pilled with papers. On the east couch, Shawn Michaels and Sean Waltman, Kevin's vice-presidents of marketing and human resources respectively, sit trading memos back and forth. On the west couch, Scott Hall, the Chief Financial Officer, sits watching alternatively between CNN and Kevin. Kevin is standing in front of his desk with the remote for the TVs, randomly flipping channels on one of the sets. And at the back, in the desk chair, sits Paul's husband, hunched over one of the computers.

Paul takes a deep breath and then steps into the room, closing the door softly behind him. Scott immediately stands to face him, fury written on his face, while the Seans studiously ignore him.

"How did you get in here?" Scott demands, "I'll fire Steiner and that incompetent Page!"

"Scott, sit down," Kevin orders him without turning around.

"But-"

"I said," Kevin says as he turns around, his voice calm but his eyes flashing in anger, "Sit down."

Scott sits back down in a huff and picks up one of the memos off the coffee table. He glares at Paul before beginning to read it. Paul opens his mouth to say something, but Kevin holds up his hand and shakes his head.

"Boys?" Kevin addresses the Seans.

They simultaneously turn their heads towards Kevin, still passing memos. Kevin just inclines his head towards the door and they pick up their paperwork before slipping out of the room.

"Now then," Kevin smiles at Paul, "How did you get in?"

"Maple tree," Paul shrugs.

"Ahhh," Kevin chuckles, "I always meant to have that trimmed. My nephew Chuck used to always sneak out that way."

"Yeah," Paul murmurs, looking past Kevin to Kurt, who hasn't even acknowledged Paul's presence in the room.

"Well," Kevin clears his throat, "I suppose it's long past time for Scott and I to be to bed."

"But Kevin, we need to finalize our dealings in Japan before the market closes," Scott protests, setting down his memo.

"I'm sure another day on that isn't going to hurt us," Kevin says.

He grabs Scott's shoulder and hauls him out of his seat, nearly dragging him to the door. Scott frowns at him before moving out into the hallway. At the door, Kevin pauses and looks between Kurt and Paul with a frown.

"If you need anything, just dial 9 on the black phone," Kevin says before slipping out the door.

As soon as the door shuts, Paul moves cautiously towards the desk. Kurt doesn't even look up, he just continues to move money around in Kevin's accounts on the computer. Paul clears his throat and nervously tugs at his sleeves, waiting for Kurt to acknowledge him.

"You weren't supposed to come here," Kurt says after a long moment of silence.

"I don't understand," Paul says quietly, pulling out the ring and letter.

"What's not to understand?" Kurt asks, shrugging his shoulders.

"I never cheated on you."

Paul sets the letter on the desk in front of Kurt, gently laying the ring on top of it like an offering. Kurt glances in disdain at the gold band and then smiles coldly up at Paul.

"Maybe not physically, but mentally…" Kurt trails off with a shrug.

"Kurt…" Paul pleads.

"No," Kurt stands and shoves the letter back across the desk; "You don't love me."

"I do love you!" Paul protests.

"Do you? Because I think you really love this... this Steve," Kurt spits the name like venom.

"Kurt please-"

"So you don't deny it then?" Kurt smiles tightly.

Paul shuffles around to Kurt's side of the desk and drops to his knees. He bows his head and then grabs the ring off the desk. Tilting his head back up, he gently takes Kurt's right hand in his and tries to put the ring back on. Kurt snatches his hand back, causing the ring to fly onto the desk.

"You love me?" Kurt glares at him; "I don't think so Paul. I think you love my money."

"No!" Paul shakes his head.

Paul doesn't really care about Kurt's money. It's nice but Paul grew up poor so he's used to doing without. The real reason he married Kurt is because of Kurt's blue eyes. Blue eyes that look so much like the ones that belong to the man Paul loves.

"Or I know. You married me because I'm the closest you could get to him," Kurt smiles knowingly.

Paul gasps and tries to back away, but Kurt grabs his hair, forcing him to look up at Kurt.

"Don't lie to me," Kurt hisses.

"Please…" Paul pleads.

"How did you ever decide between Adam and I anyway? I know you were dating us both. Adam has blonde hair just like his; too bad his eyes are green though. But mine are blue, is that why you chose me over him? Too bad I don't have blonde hair, although considering he shaved his head I'm surprised you didn't make me do the same."

"Kurt…"

"And I bet my money was just an added bonus for you. Poor Paul, up to his neck in debt after all."

"Baby…"

"Don't call me that!" Kurt backhands him.

Paul would have fallen over if it weren't for Kurt's painful grip on his hair. Instead his head snaps to the side, pulling some of his hair out. Paul ducks his head as Kurt leans down into his face.

"I loved you," Kurt whispers.

"I know," Paul sobs, but won't look up at him.

"Now," Kurt straightens up and sits back in his chair, "As for the divorce-"

"Divorce?" Paul's head shoots up in a panic.

"Yes, divorce," Kurt smiles coldly at him and pats a large stack of papers near the computer.

"What's... what's that?" Paul whispers.

"The pre-nuptial agreement. You do remember signing it, don't you?"

"Yes-"

"Good," Kurt laughs, "Shall we begin with the division of assets?"

"I-"

"I know," Kurt shakes his head, "You don't have any assets. That's why I had you sign this."

"You don't seriously-"

"Yes. I do. Paragraph one states that all gifts bestowed on you are to be returned to me or you are to pay me their original value. Now since I don't want any of your clothes or your Lexus, I suppose I'll just take the money."

"But I don't have-"

"Moving on to our house. Now we lease an apartment but I paid a mortgage on it. So, I'll be expecting you to pay half of that back."

"Kurt," Paul says slowly, "That apartment is worth more than I'll ever make in a lifetime."

"That's your problem," Kurt shrugs, "As for your debts, I'll be expecting you to pay me back with interest. Either that or I'll be handing you over to the banks and that vile bookie of yours, Wight. As for your family-"

"You wouldn't!" Paul gasps, clawing desperately at Kurt's arm.

Kurt shakes him off and smiles coldly down at him. Paul whimpers as he thinks of his mother with her Alzheimer's disease kicked out of the posh nursing home Kurt had put her in, out onto the street, or worse into a state home. And his little brother, Jason, would be extradited from Switzerland and tried for the murder his girlfriend. A murder he had never committed. Not to mention his wayward father who was the real killer and would be set free. Paul couldn't let any of that happen.

"What do you want me to do?" Paul whispers in defeat.

"I knew you'd come around," Kurt smiles warmly at him and pats his head.

Paul sighs in relief and rests his head on Kurt's thigh. For a moment, they just stay there, Kurt playing with Paul's hair while Paul stares blankly at the desk.

"First," Kurt finally orders, "You will be under house arrest here. With you being the primary lawyer for Mr. Nash, there's no reason for you to leave the house anyway. Except for court dates, then Mr. Steiner and myself will escort you. Secondly, you are not to look at anyone male or female in the eyes, unless it is necessitated for a business negotiation. Thirdly, you will destroy all evidence of him ever being in your life and you will never visit Morris or anyone from it ever again."

Kurt pauses and grasps Paul's chin, forcing him to look up at Kurt. Paul nods his assent to the stipulations and Kurt smiles before letting his head go. Paul backs away as Kurt picks up the ring and the letter. Smiling warmly, Kurt slips the ring back onto his right finger before tearing the letter to shreds. He then picks up one of the phones and punches a number.

"Hello?" Kurt smiles into the phone, "Could you please send the driver to pick up Paul's things from the penthouse? Thank you."

After hanging up the phone, Kurt stands and motions for Paul to do the same. Keeping his head down, Paul follows Kurt out of the room and down the hallway. He climbs the stairs to the guestrooms; the soft echoes of his footfalls sounding like a death march. At the top of the stairs, Kurt turns and smiles brightly at him, like nothing had ever happened. Paul stifles down the urge to scream and follows him into one of the guestrooms.

"Now," Kurt says as he shuts the door and locks it, "Show me how much you love me."

Paul only has time to blink in surprise before Kurt attacks his mouth, pinning him to the door. He opens his mouth to allow Kurt's tongue in while Kurt rips at his clothes. Paul's hands shake as he forces himself to undress Kurt as well, hoping to get it over with as soon as possible.

Once they're both naked, Kurt shoves Paul towards the bed and he lands half on it and half off. As Kurt stares hungrily at him, he scoots up the bed and spreads his legs in reluctant invitation. Kurt climbs onto the bed and Paul closes his eyes tightly, allowing his body to respond to Kurt's touches while his mind replays the almost kiss with Steve over and over again.

"Open your eyes," Kurt demands.

Paul's eyes fly open, not because Kurt ordered him to, but because at the same time, Kurt stops touching him. He blinks in confusion as Kurt hands him a pillow, but takes it anyway.

"You can sleep over there," Kurt waves at the small couch on the other side of the room.

"Kurt, please…I'm sorry," Paul pleads, suddenly feeling very cold under Kurt's stare.

"Get out of my bed Paul," Kurt growls, "And take a shower. You're filthy."

Paul bows his head and gets out of the bed, heading for the small couch. He sets the pillow down and then turns to look pleadingly at Kurt. Kurt turns his back and then throws the comforter over himself. Paul shivers involuntarily then steps into the bathroom.

"Oh, and Paul?" Kurt calls out to him.

"Y-yes?" Paul whispers, freezing in the doorway.

"There's a razor blade in there," Kurt smiles coldly, "But I wouldn't suggest using it. Remember Clause 13 in our pre-nup, suicide is the same as divorce."

With that, Kurt turns away from Paul, facing the opposite wall. Paul resists the urge to slam the door and instead gently shuts and locks it. He steps into the shower and turns on the water as hot as it will go, but he can't get warm. And Kurt's made sure he never will be again.

~End~

*ducks* Please don't kill me Twig. *runs off*

(Twig's Note: She's evil, ain't she? *g*)