Dear Readers,

Before you start this it would probably be a good idea if you read this first. This story takes place in a sort of AU world in which Kurt never spied on Dalton or met Blaine, previously. He does get kissed by Karofsky (though if you want to find out how that confrontation takes place you'll have to read on) and he's going to Dalton for safety. Unfortunately, they can't cover the costs of the tuition even with the honeymoon money. Also, Sebastian is in this story and Blaine is a Junior like Kurt because I was never convinced that he was a year younger than him.

Disclaimers: Glee is the property of FOX and any songs used belong to their rightful owners.

Enjoy the story!

Sopphires.

The Scholarship

Pilot: First Impressions

He threatened to kill me. I did the right thing. I'm doing the right thing. I'm going to be safe at this new school. He threatened to kill me. I didn't out him, either, that gives me the upper hand, right?

"Are you alright, Mr Hummel?" Kurt blinked and looked up at the Headmaster of Dalton Academy. He nodded, mutely. He'd been so deep in thought that the last part of the conversation had passed straight over his head, and he didn't quite trust himself to speak. Burt laid a hand on his shoulder.

"It's alright, son, he can't get to you here." the Headmaster - Mr Hammonds - gave him a concerned look.

"I know this must all be a bit overwhelming, but you're quite safe at Dalton, Kurt." Kurt nodded.

"Right."

"Now, Mr Hummel, I understand that your situation is desperate, and I understand that you need to get your son out of that school as soon as possible, but I'm afraid that you simply cannot cover the tuition, and I can't just let him in, no matter how much I want to." Burt Hummel shared a distressed look with his new wife.

"Is there no other way?" asked Carole, leaning forward and shaking her head in desperation. "Scholarships, or something? Kurt's a bright kid, and he's a very talented singer." Kurt allowed the corner of his mouth to twitch in gratification at Carole's compliment.

There's somebody else who's got your back. She's looking after you, not just because she's married your dad, but because she cares.

"Yeah, man, you should totally hear Kurt's voice…it's epic." Kurt snorted to himself. He had been unsure why his dad had brought Finn along, but it was nice to have him there, finally looking out for him. Mr Hammonds sighed.

"I would love to do that, as well, but we only have a certain amount of scholarships…and they've all been given away."

"Are you sure there's nothing you can do?" Carole's hand tightened in Burt's in nervousness and anticipation. Hammonds sat back in his chair, clearly thinking.

"Give me a second, I might be able to figure something out for you." Kurt could still feel panic and fear swirling through his chest, but he could also feel a strange feeling of comfort. This man, who barely knew him, was doing what he could to get Kurt into Dalton.

Looks like it's not time to give up on the human race, then. He's trying to get you to a safe place, he doesn't even seem to care that you have zero references. Though, I bet I could get Mr Schue to write me one, maybe even Coach Sylvester. That would be good.

"…I am telling you, Blaine, it's totally not cool." Blaine kept laughing as he made his way down the stairs with Nick and Jeff.

"I think you deserve it." said Flint casually. "It serves you right for winding David up." Nick pulled a face, and Blaine laughed some more. Jeff poked him in the ribs.

"Stop laughing, Blaine, it was so humiliating. I genuinely thought Mr Earl was going to lob my head off." Blaine doubled up, clutching onto the banister and almost dropping his books. Flint relieved him of them, and jumped at the appearance of Thad, the Warbler Councillor had been waylaid by the students asking for high-fives.

"Well, nice of you to join us Mr Popular." Thad bestowed a withering look upon his friend, and Flint just smirked back at him.

"Where did you disappear off to?" asked Nick as they entered the cafeteria.

"Luc… wanted to t-talk to… us."

"Us?"

"Me, David, Wes." they joined the queue, grabbing trays and cutlery.

"Where is David?" demanded Blaine, craning his neck and looking for the other Warbler Councillor in their year.

"T-talking to W-Wes." there were eye rolls by the boys, knowing just how much David idolised Wes.

"Why don't they just get engaged and have done with it." said Flint as he spooned some lasagne onto his plate, and then Nick's to make sure the understudy soloist ate. Jeff and Thad eyed their best friend and sort-of-cousin-but-it-was-epically-complicated-so-they-were-just-god-brothers, respectively. The group of Juniors laughed, and moved away to a clear table.

Halfway through their meal they saw Wes enter, with a couple of Senior friends and David. David smiled and waved goodbye to Wes, walking over to join the others. He took a seat, and pulled his lunch from his bag. The gluten, lacto, meat, nut, legume and berry free meal looked particularly unappetising after it had been squished between his Algebra II and Biological Science textbook.

"That looks gross!" commented Jeff, scrunching his nose up in disgust. David eyed his meal apprehensively.

"Yeah…I agree." He picked up the special bread and bit it. His nose wrinkled at the taste of soggy lettuce.

"What's in there?" asked Flint, curiously.

"Tuna and lettuce, I think." Blaine raised an eyebrow.

"I think I'll stick with the shepherds pie, thanks."

"I wasn't offering." at that moment, as they began to laugh together again, the doors at the other end of the cafeteria, only used by the Head boy and staff, flew open and Sebastian ran in. He through a wink at Blaine as he passed their table, and then slid in next to Wes. Blaine turned red. Nick elbowed him in the ribs whilst the others smirked

"Looks like someone's got bitten by the love bug." said Jeff in a sing song voice. Thad snorted over his lunch, and Flint choked on his potato. As David was whacking him on the back, Hammonds walked into the cafeteria. The pupils surged to their feet, and Hammonds smiled at them all.

"Take a seat boys." he said, and they all sat back down. Kurt looked at the well-behaved, well dressed boys in the cafeteria. Finn's mouth dropped open at the sight of them giving their Principal that much respect. Burt raised his eyebrows and looked at Carole, she smiled encouragingly.

They're so…respectful. I've never seen any high school student treat their teachers with such respect, and the way they're talking. There's no shouting, no screaming, no pushing. No trays slamming into faces of the 'un-cool' kids. There are even boys studying at their tables!

"Come this way." said Hammonds, beckoning Kurt and his family towards a table occupied six boys that Kurt reckoned was his own age. His eyes skimmed over the group, noting that there was one blonde, one African-American, one with light brown hair and the other three had dark brown-black hair. Kurt found his eyes drawn to just one of these. He had gelled hair that was obviously normally curly, that was parted on the left. His hazel eyes were shinning with mirth. He looked up at the headmaster, trying to straighten his face, but Kurt liked his smile; it was warm and friendly. Kurt could feel his heart beating faster, and a flurry of butterflies seemed to be set loose when he met the boys eyes and he smiled at him.

Oh my god! He is…beautiful! Oh my god! How can that be? I better not be…yep I'm gone. Good God, I'm such a sucker for a pretty face. How did this even happen? One smile, and I've…yep. It's those eyes. I- God it's like he can read my mind.

"This is Kurt Hummel. He's a prospective student. Can he eat lunch with you?" the boys looked at each other before shrugging.

"Of course." one of the other boys, he had brown hair and rather square forehead, gestured to the empty seat next to him.

Oh god! It's diagonal to his!

"This is his step-brother, Finn, he's not prospective…he's just here for support.

No way. Oh hell to the no (as Mercedes would say)! He can't sit next to…oh god, he just did!

Finn sank down next to Blaine and extended his hand.

"Finn Hudson." Kurt sat down, watching his step-brother and the beautiful boy he was certain he had just fallen for.

"Blaine Anderson." they shook hands, and then Blaine extended his to Kurt. Kurt felt his heart stop beating as he touched the soft hands of Blaine Anderson. He noted that three boys, the black one, the blonde one and a boy with dark hair done in the same style as the blonde's, were all laughing under their breaths. Blaine rolled his eyes. "These are Flint." the one sitting next to him. "David." the black one. "Jeff." the blonde one. "Nick." the one with the copied hairstyle. "and Thad." the only one who hadn't said or done anything nodded last.

An uneasy quiet sunk over the boys, and they all ate awkwardly except for Finn and Kurt who had no food. Finn beat out a pattern on his legs, and Kurt sat, ramrod straight, staring at Blaine. He was disheartened to see that, after introducing the others, Blaine didn't seem inclined to make conversation with him, or Finn. The other boys began talking about Dalton stuff; lessons, sports teams…and the Warblers.

"We're gonna crush you." said Finn, suddenly, after listening to their conversation for a little longer. Kurt groaned, going pink at Finn's words, as the others, including Blaine, looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"Finn…"

"Why'd you say that?" demanded Nick.

"Finn Hudson," muttered Thad. "Of course!" all the Warblers looked at him, as if shocked that he'd spoken. "Male lead… New Directions," he added by way of explanation. He extended his hand to Finn and Finn shook it, enthusiastically.

"We're all Warblers." added Blaine, as Finn shook the hands of the other boys at the table.

"That's cool. We're looking forward to competing…we've never gone up against an a cappella choir before."

"We've heard that you're a pretty…varying choir…you like to shake things up." Finn nodded.

"Yeah, you could say that, right Kurt?" Finn turned to his step-brother, keen to bring him into the conversation, too. Kurt nodded.

"You're in the choir too?" asked Flint. Kurt nodded.

"Yeah." there was an awkward pause as the group of Seniors made their way over.

"David, we're going out, you wanna come?" David nodded.

"Yeah…'course."

"Blaine, you wanna come too?" Blaine looked up at Sebastian who was leaning against the table. He glanced around, temptation written all over his face. He glanced once at Kurt, who could feel his heart leap. It then sank further as Blaine nodded.

"Yeah…but, I can't stay long…I'll need to be back." Sebastian nodded.

"Of course." he extended a hand to Blaine which Blaine accepted.

"See you around Nick, Jeff, Flint…Thad." Thad nodded and waved at the other boys as they left. The moment they were gone he pushed his meal away. Nick took one look at him and pushed it back. They were soon engaged in a childish fight, shoving the plate between them.

"So…" said Jeff turning to Kurt. "what do you think of Dalton?" Kurt shrugged, tearing his eyes away from Blaine as he left with the others.

"I don't know, I haven't seen very much. I really need to come, but…"

"It's expensive?" guessed Flint, half watching Nick and Thad attempting to stuff food into each others' mouths. Kurt had also caught the peculiar scene, and Finn had raised eyebrows.

"Yeah…what are they doing?" Jeff, who was downing his water in large gulps, wiped his mouth.

"Getting the other to eat." Kurt looked between them, and guessed that this was something personal, and normal as one of the passing boys steadied Nick's shoulders, and allowed Thad to stuff the fork into Nick's mouth. Finn opened his mouth, clearly ready to question that, but then decided to not bother.

"Are you coming to lessons?" asked Flint picking at his pasta. Kurt shrugged, shaking his head.

"I don't think so…Mr Hammonds is trying to get a scholarship sorted for me."

"Scholarship?" said Jeff choking on a piece of cake. "He's trying to get you a scholarship?"

"What of it?" said Kurt, defensively, crossing her arms across his chest. "Just because I can't afford this place doesn't mean I don't deserve to be here?"

"Whoa!" said Jeff, holding his hands up in surrender. "Calm down! I just meant that it's practically impossible to get a scholarship mid-term, especially as no one has left." Kurt took a deep breath.

Okay, let's calm down. He didn't mean to attack you, he was just making a point that you didn't let him finish. You're also snappy because you've just fallen head-over-heels for some boy and he's got a boyfriend or some sort of love interest.

"Oh, right, I'm sorry…I just…people kind of…"

"You…you don't need… to explain." said Thad gently, seemingly stumbling over the beginning of the sentence, having eaten half of what was on his plate, and again he received bemused looks from the remaining Warblers. "If you've… been b-bullied then..." he seemed to struggle for the right words, and Nick took over.

"Just tell us if there's something, you know like a topic of conversation, you want us to avoid." there was a pause in which Finn rose an eyebrow, and Kurt smiled in gratitude.

"Um, okay, thank you." the boys nodded.

"Kurt, Finn, would you like to come with me?" Hammonds had stood up, he surveyed the table. "Where's Blaine?"

"He went with Sebastian." Hammonds 'hmmed' under his breath at Flint's response.

"Right, good, good. Just make sure he makes it to my office on time."

"Sir." he stared at the two boys, and Kurt and Finn got to their feet. Kurt glanced down at the boys who looked ready to jump into a discussion of their own. He sighed to himself, following Finn, his dad and Carole away.

I guess that, like every school, Dalton's got it's cliques. Looks like I just meant some of the popular kids, if what Hammonds said about the Warblers was true; if anyone are the "it" crowd it's them.

"Come on, we'll never make it if you don't hurry." Blaine shared an excited look with David. The two of them broke into a run, rounding the corner of the accommodation buildings, and over the river that cut through the grounds. They stopped as they reached the wooded area that marked the end of Dalton grounds. Blaine could feel his heart beating like crazy. Both him and David had been hanging around with Wes and Sebastian since they'd been orientated by them when they came, but they'd never been invited to their hideout before today.

"Need a hand up?" Sebastian was in one of the lower branches, and Blaine gladly took hold of the proffered hand, allowing himself to be pulled up to Sebastian's level. David was energetically pulling himself up towards the others.

"Will you stay next to me?" asked Blaine in a faint voice. Sebastian nodded.

"I'll be right beside you," he whispered, soothingly. "trust me." Blaine nodded, and followed Sebastian's lead up the tree.

"Welcome to the tree house." It was built across several flattened branches, spanning four trees. Blaine's mouth fell open, and he gawped at the seniors.

"You made this?" he said, examining the wooden walls that were plastered with pictures, and the rug covered floor. Wes checked his watch.

"We only have a couple of minutes, but we thought you'd want a look before you were initiated."

"Initiated!" exclaimed David, glancing at his idol with wide eyes. Wes smiled, gently, and put an arm around his shoulder.

"It's nothing, David, you'll be fine." Blaine looked at Sebastian, squeezed his hand.

"All that stuff about Dalton we've been teaching you…it's all been leading up to this. You are going to be amazing, and you're going to carry it on for us." Blaine nodded.

"Okay…I'll do it." Sebastian smiled at him.

"Thank you, Blaine. Thank you."

"We need to go." said Liam, hand combing his blonde hair over. Wes nodded.

"Come on, David." the two of them headed down, out of the tree house, followed by Liam and the others.

"Blaine, wait a second." Blaine turned back to Sebastian.

"Can't it wait, Bastian, I have to go. Hammonds wanted me in his office." Sebastian beckoned him towards him, and Blaine felt himself pulled into his personal space.

"It won't take long." Sebastian took one of his hands and curled their fingers together. "Did I mention that you were beautiful?" Blaine felt his jaw slacken, and his cheeks heat up. He lost all power of speech.

"Um…yeah…I mean…no…I mean…I just…I…you…" Sebastian began to laugh, and Blaine could feel himself almost swooning over the sound of it.

"I'll take that to mean that the compliment was well received.." Blaine nodded mutely, watching Sebastian's face, which was smirking slightly. He straightened Blaine's tie and smoothed his collar. "You look good in a suit and tie." with a final wink he left the tree house, leaving Blaine red faced and flustered in the tree house. He waited there until he was sure that his legs wouldn't give way part way down, before hurrying down, seeing Sebastian waiting for him. Sebastian offered his hand to him. Blaine took it, and they ran towards Dalton.

"Blaine, good of you to join us." Blaine looked, sheepishly, at Hammonds as he slipped inside his office.

"I'm sorry, sir, I was, um…distracted." Hammonds raised an eyebrow.

"Yes…I'm aware, please be discreet Blaine, you know the rules." Blaine nodded, his face which Kurt noticed had already been quite pink, flushed completely scarlet.

"Yes…sorry. Oh, hello Kurt, Finn." he nodded at the two boys and moved to a corner. Hammonds was staring at Blaine with an intent expression, and Kurt was beginning to feel uncomfortable. There was something being said between them, that none of the Hummel-Hudsons weren't meant - or able - to understand.

"Now, Blaine, this is Kurt."

"Yes, I-"

"He's been bullied." Blaine looked at Kurt, and Kurt tried to fight the flush that was creeping into his face as he was studied by those beautiful eyes. It saddened him, that they dimmed after a second. He offered Kurt a sad smile that still seemed to act like a vice on his heart, constricting it and making functioning impossible.

"I'm sorry…so was I…that's how I ended up here." he glanced around the office, and Kurt wondered why Blaine's eyes didn't meet his. "Are you coming here because of that?" Kurt met his eyes, breath hitching, and nodded.

"Yes…at least I want to." Blaine frowned, before turning to Hammonds.

"Sir?" Hammonds sighed.

"Mr Hummel cannot cover the costs…he needs a scholarship." Blaine frowned.

"Oh…are you good at singing, academics…sport?" Kurt snorted at the idea of sport, and got the impression that Blaine didn't think he was a sports person, but had said it just to be polite and non-judgemental.

"My academics are good, but singing is really my thing." Blaine nodded, an uncomfortable look settling across his face.

"I see."

"Blaine?" Blaine looked up at Hammonds, a torturous expression passing across his features. "I know I should never be asking you to do this, but…" Blaine shook his head, furiously.

"Sir, I would love to, but dad…he'd never let me…you know." Hammonds nodded.

"Naturally, of course. I was just hoping…I never wanted to do this, but I was thinking of asking Luc…" Blaine felt like he'd been stung, he leapt to his feet. Kurt stared at him, wondering what was going on. What was Hammonds asking him to do? Blaine took a couple of steps towards the door, and Kurt looked at him with pleading eyes. Kurt wasn't sure why, but he knew Blaine was the only way he could get into Dalton Academy, and Kurt needed Dalton. Blaine shook his head at Kurt, and Kurt felt his father stiffen.

"What's going on?" he demanded, looking between Hammonds, Kurt, and Blaine. Hammonds sighed, leaning forward.

"Blaine is the only student at Dalton with a merit based scholarship…the others have them because of financial reasons…Blaine has it because he is an exceptional singer." Kurt could tell that his father was getting angry, and Blaine just kept shaking his head.

"Sir, I'd give it up in a heart beat-" Kurt's own heart leapt at that. "-but my father won't! After mum, and Cooper he thinks that, well he'd just never, you know…" Blaine sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. Hammonds nodded.

"Of course, I should have known that if it was down to you…" Kurt let the silence hang between them, feeling uncomfortable.

At least he wanted to give it to you. At least he wanted to help you. Now, it looks like you're going to have to battle him for it. Whether I have tumbled head first in love with Blaine or not, I can't not get into Dalton. I need to come here. Dalton's my only hope.

"I guess then I have no choice but to ask Luc to get you to audition for it, again." Blaine nodded, swiftly. Kurt could see the heartbroken look in his eyes. Kurt opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn't find the words.

"Okay, sir, that's fine." Hammonds nodded.

"Thank you, Blaine." the dark haired boy shrugged.

"Is that all, sir, it's just that I'm missing English…" Hammonds' face fell into a relaxed expression, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Well then, I shan't detain you." Blaine smiled, nodding at the Hummel-Hudsons, he left.

"Thank you, sir." said Carole, the moment the door closed. Hammonds shook his head.

"I shouldn't have bothered asking him, I forgot that, quite naturally, his father would be in charge of this kind of thing. He's quite happy to loose it fair and square, though…if you're very lucky, he might just go easy on you." Kurt smirked.

Go easy on me? Bring it on full force, I could take him no problem.

Kurt buckled up the seat belt in Burt's car. He was next to Finn who had taken out his iPod, and was busy inserting his headphones into his ears, no doubt preparing for the two hour drive back to their house. Kurt sighed, and sank into his seat, knowing that when they hit the road his dad was going to start talking about Dalton, and the audition and Blaine.

"So, what did you think of the school?" it wasn't the question Kurt had been expecting, and he shifted slightly.

"Um…it looks amazing. The architecture was just-"

"Kurt, I meant the students." Kurt pause, thinking back to lunch time.

"They seemed okay, I mean…" he shrugged. "Yeah, they seemed nice."

"Just nice?" asked Carole, twisting around in her seat to speak to him better. Burt kept glancing at him through the rear-view mirror. Kurt nodded.

"Yeah…they were all Warblers, and they seemed kind of…they told me if there was a topic of conversation that I wanted to avoid then I should just tell them…they were understanding." Burt nodded.

"You didn't seem your normal self, though, Finn looked like he was doing more talking than you." Kurt shrugged.

"I don't know…I just…"

It was kind of scary being there. It was their ground…I was completely at their mercy, if they'd wanted to do anything I'd have been powerless. At least at McKinley I'd have some form of escape route…I'd be hopelessly lost at Dalton.

"Kurt?" Kurt smiled at Carole.

"It was just a bit intimidating. I think they meant to be nice, but they kind of acted half like I wasn't there, you know? It was like they didn't really care that I was there or not…" Burt frowned, his facial expression tightening in displeasure. Carole sat back into her seat.

"I'm sure it's nothing, from the way it looked the Mr Hammonds rather dropped you and Finn onto their table, they probably weren't sure what to do." Kurt nodded.

"Yeah…that makes sense."

"What are you going to do for your audition?" Kurt pause, tilting his head to the side in though.

"I'm not sure…"

Maybe I'll consult Rachel, this is the kind of occasion she'd have the perfect song for. It's almost as important an occasion as my NYADA audition will be. This school could save me. I can't screw this up. I have to be at my best.

"Well, I'm sure you'll be amazing!" Kurt smiled at Carole.

"Thank you, but I always am." Burt let out a hearty chuckle, and Finn looked between them all in confusion, the Dashboard Confessionals music, turned up too loud, having deafened him to their conversation. Kurt plucked the iPod from his fingers.

"Oi!" Calmly, Kurt unlocked it and turned down the volume on click wheel, before relocking it and chucking it back.

"You're going to be deaf by thirty." he said, and Finn rolled his eyes, crossing his arms across his chest and sinking lower in his chair. Kurt smirked, and pulled out his own iPod.

I'm gonna make it into Dalton. I'm gonna find a song in my extensive, amazing, library, and I'm gonna knock their socks off. Then this Luc will have to give me the scholarship…and when I'm at Dalton I can make things up with Blaine, and just maybe I'll actually get a boyfriend.

Blaine was never sure why he roomed with Thad, but he knew that he liked it, a lot. His roommate, who barely spoke, allowed him to do whatever he wanted in, and always listened if Blaine needed some time to vent, or just someone to help him sort out what he was feeling. Thad was also non-judgemental, which meant that, if Blaine felt the overwhelming need to sing Katy Perry at the top of his voice, or quote Harry Potter for a day, he'd never be mocked or teased for it. It allowed him to make his room a sanctuary, and he appreciated it. Even when he'd find Thad's socks in the most unlikely places, he still never regretted taking Hammonds' advice to share a room.

So, right now, with Kurt and Sebastian clogging his mind, he definitely needed someone to unload onto, and there was Thad working away at his desk.

"Hey Thad." Blaine swung down onto the bed, lying on his front and staring up his friend. Thad held up a finger, scribbled down something onto the piece of paper he was working on, put the lid on his pen, and, throwing that onto the table, turned to face Blaine.

"Y-Yes?"

"I'm getting such…I dunno, from Sebastian!" Thad's features didn't change. He just nodded, slowly, and waited for Blaine to continue. Blaine took a deep breath. "It's like, he's always flirting with me and telling me I'm beautiful, or whatever, but he's never even suggested going out!" Blaine groaned in annoyance as Thad just stared at him, "and Hammonds wants me to give up my scholarship." this time the eyebrows flickered upwards in disbelief, before returning to normal.

"To-to-to Kurt?" Blaine nodded, ignoring Thad's more prominent stammer.

"Yeah…to Kurt." Thad tilted his head slightly, and Blaine knew that he could sense that there was more Blaine wanted to say. "And it's like, I wanna give it to him 'cause, like, he's being bullied, and he looks so kind of, I dunno, sad…but at the same time, I kinda…I don't need the scholarship, but dad…you know what he'd be like if I lost it!" Blaine rolled onto his back, staring at his now upside down friend imploringly.

"Why do you…what…what do you…need?" Blaine frowned, propping himself up. He stared at Thad, wondering what was causing him to stutter and pause so much in Blaine's presence. Then he sighed, stuff like that just happened with Thad.

"I don't know whether I should-" Blaine was cut off by the door flying open, and his other friends coming.

"Hey there Blainey!" said David, flopping down next to him. "What did Hammonds want?" Blaine sighed, turning to face Flint, Nick, Jeff and David.

"He wanted to me to give my scholarship to Kurt." mouths dropped open around the group.

"Seriously?" said Nick, raising his eyebrows in plain disbelief. "He thinks your dad would just let you give it up!" Blaine shrugged.

"I think he forgot…then he realised, and so now we have to battle it out in front of Luc." the other Warblers looked at each other, contemplatively.

"Look, unless that kid is Amazing there's no way, he's getting it off you." Blaine smiled at Flint.

"Cheers, but…I was thinking, should I bomb it?" the boys looked scandalised.

"Blaine!" said David. "You can't "bomb it"!" Blaine frowned.

"Why not?"

"Warblers! We need you to be the lead, we can't if you throw it away in front of Luc!" Blaine sighed, not having thought of that before. He bit the inside of his mouth, and the others frowned in thought.

"Could we postpone it, the audition, thing, until after Sectionals?" asked Jeff after a couple of minutes. Blaine looked up at him, eyes lighting up.

"Yes! Sectionals is this week, after all."

"B-b-but what…abbbout Kurt?" all eyes in the room flitted to Thad, most of them puzzled or shocked.

"What's up with you?" asked Nick. Thad swallowed and shrugged.

"He makes a good point, though." Thad smiled, gratefully, at Flint who just nodded in return. "If Kurt's being bullied than we need to get him somewhere safe…and Dalton's safe." they all fell silent again, pondering the dilemma until something sparked inside of Nick's eyes.

"Get Wes and Sebastian to Hammonds' office, I have a brilliant idea."

Just stay calm. Karofsky can't get at you whilst you're in a car, if comes towards you, you just drive off. God damn it! Why the hell is Rachel still inside of McKinley? Just keep your head down, Kurt, just keep hidden until- YES! There he goes, just wait until…he's out of sigh.

Kurt watched Karofsky drive off, with some of his jock friends, no doubt to get a McDonalds or something, and hopped out of his car. He brushed off his clothes, and snatched up his portable CD player. He needed to get Rachel's opinion on the songs he was thinking of doing because if anyone could give him constructive criticism, it would be her. Annoying diva or not, Rachel had a good voice, and her taste in music was similar to Kurt's which meant she was likely to have already sung the songs he was thinking of.

"Hello." he snuck into the auditorium, having made his way nervously down the halls. Rachel jumped, a hand flying to her heart, before she turned to see Kurt.

"Oh, Kurt." she rolled her eyes and moved over to hug him. Kurt gratefully embraced the small diva, after putting down the CD player. She looked him up and down. "I was expecting to see Dalton uniform on you…not the clothes you left in." Kurt sighed, moving over to lean on the piano.

"We had a problem…" Rachel raised an eyebrow, going to stand opposite him. "Even with the money from the honeymoon, we still couldn't cover the tuition fees." Rachel clapped a hand over her mouth.

"Oh no! What are you going to do now?" Kurt sighed, dramatically, and looked at her.

"Well, Mr Hammonds - the headmaster - has offered me the chance to get a scholarship." Rachel's eyes fell on the CD player, and a smile slipped onto her lips.

"Oh, I see, you have to audition for it." Kurt rolled if eyes.

"If only it were that easy. No, I have to sing for it against the boy who is the only person at Dalton with merit based scholarship." Rachel frowned. "It means he doesn't have the scholarship because of the money…it's because he's amazing." Kurt could feel his heart just beat a little bit faster at the thought of Blaine. He wondered what his voice sounded like, was it as smooth, and silky, as how he spoke? Would it soothe Kurt in the same way?

"Kurt." Kurt snapped out of his haze, and noted that Rachel was smirking at him. "So, what's he like?" Kurt frowned at her, suspiciously, and she threw her hands up. "You obviously like him…you got that dreamy look on your face." Kurt flushed.

"Okay, I barely know him, like, not at all actually, but…I don't know!" he groaned. "What's happened to me?" he demanded. "It was like I took one look into those hazel eyes and I…I just fell!" Rachel smiled, reaching across the piano she patted Kurt's hand.

"Is he gay?" Kurt nodded.

"Yeah…well, he hasn't said it, but he said that he moved to Dalton because he was bullied…and I think he likes somebody." Rachel raised an eyebrow.

"Who?" Kurt shrugged.

"Just some guy who came over and asked him if he wanted to go somewhere, and he said yes." Rachel frowned.

"What he was like, this guy?" Kurt shrugged.

"I dunno…brown haired…"

"Was he hot?" Kurt paused, having not considered it before.

"I…yeah, I guess he kind of was…but he wasn't beautiful, not like Blaine." Kurt looked back at Rachel and noted that she was biting the inside of her cheek, clearly hiding a smirk.

"You've got it so bad." she said, shaking her head. "But, you can't let a boy - no matter how beautiful - stand in your way of getting into Dalton. So-" she clapped her hands together in a business like manner. "-what were you thinking of singing?" Kurt smiled, rubbing his hands together.

Whatever relationship we had when we were in New Directions, it looks like Rachel is someone I can count on…I should probably call Mercedes, though. She looked kind of upset. No, wait, got to stay focused…when I'm safe and in Dalton, I can make things up with her.

"Alright, well, I was thinking - because I want to showcase all of my voice - either Defying Gravity or My Heart Will Go On." Rachel looked at him critically.

"Can you hit the high note in Defying Gravity?" Kurt raised an eyebrow imperiously.

"Yes, I can, and if you must know, I threw it away for my dad…because of what people were saying." Rachel nodded, once.

"Well, then, I guess that would be quite a showstopper. I wouldn't do My Heart Will Go On, you want something more powerful than that." she sighed for a moment before her eyes lit up. "I have the perfect alternative." Kurt felt a smile spread across his face as she moved over to the player, and began to flick through the songs.

I knew I did the right thing coming here. For better, or for worse, it looks like the New Directions still have my back…and if I go up against them at Sectionals, well, I'll sing for them, and for all the times that we've shared together...

Next Time- Surprise: Kurt gets an unexpected offer from Dalton Academy, and starts to see that there's far more to the Academy than first appeared. Whilst a phone call from out of the blue forces Blaine to rethink his previous decisions…