Wanted to give a shout out to Keifersaur and their story 'Fireflies' (read it if you haven't because it's great!) because the 4th chapter included a song that I am now in love with and that inspired this whole story. The song is "Sweater Song" by Hedley.

This is set in the summer holidays after season 1... and may include some of the glee club as well as some new OC characters, but the main focus will be on Artie and Tina. There are definitely more chapters to come and I'll try to update as often as possible.

Disclaimer: I dont own glee or it's characters... *sadface*

It was a warm, breezy June evening and they were lounging in his backyard. His chair was pushed to the edge of the concrete path and he had planted himself on the grass, legs spread slightly to help him balance. She was right next to him, her legs curled under her as she ripped out grass from the ground. They had been there for a few hours now, had witnessed the sun set and the temperature drop.

"Do you have to go?" she asked suddenly, reached up to sprinkle a handful of shredded grass onto his shoulder.

He laughed, taking some and throwing it at her. "Yeah, it's real hard to get a booking at these things. I've been on the waitlist for like 8 months now."

"So, will it help?" she gestured to his legs, but spoke tentatively, not wanting to give the wrong impression.

"I'm not gonna come back walking." He laughed and she punched him lightly in the arm. They both knew that wasn't what she meant.

"It's like physio boot camp. I'll do heaps and heaps of exercises to work my legs, to reduce the strain of keeping them in a single position for so long," he explained, glancing back at his wheel chair, "Help with circulation and things like that."

"Does it hurt?" she asked, her eyes worried. She had shuffled a little closer to his side.

"Not really... It's just really tiring. Last time I went I was 13 I think... and in much worse shape. But they're gonna work these muscles a lot," he pointed to his lower stomach, "Because they're not totally affected. And of course -" he flexed his arm to show off his bicep and she giggled.

"You're going to come back all toned and hot aren't you?" she said, looking at him with a smirk. He raised an eyebrow in reply.

"You mean I'm not now?"

She burst out laughing before she could reassure him. Suddenly she shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.

"You're cold," he observed and swiftly took off him sweater, leaving him in just a T-shirt. She had wondered why he was wearing one, as opposed to her in a tiny singlet and shorts.

She looked at it, "But then you'll be cold." He shook his head and pushed it into her lap.

Smiling she pulled it over her head. Snuggling closer to him she kissed his cheek.

"Now I'll have to keep you warm," She smiled and he chuckled, turning his head slightly towards her.

She moved her legs so they rested over his thigh and was able to turn and face him better. She kissed him again, on the lips this time and he brought his hand to her waist to pull her closer as she cupped his cheek. After a moments though, he pulled away, leaving her staring at his lips.

"What?" she asked, ever-so-slightly out of breath.

"I'm pretty sure my mom's in the kitchen," he said, glancing over his shoulder at the kitchen window that overlooked the entire backyard, "and I'm really not ready for that conversation."

"We could go to your room?" she suggested, a smiling gracing her lips.

"And be that subtle?" he asked, before they both laughed again.

Sighing, she laid her head on his shoulder, "I should go soon, I have to wake up early. I don't know why I agreed to work at dad's office over the holidays!"

He chuckled, "Because he agreed to pay you."

"Oh yeah, that." She said smiling, before she remembered that he was leaving tomorrow. "Only for a month, right?"

She felt him nod, "Four weeks and I'm back."

"You'll skype?"

"Whenever I can." He agreed and she nodded in contentment. Before pulling away from him to get up.

Similarly, he pulled himself closer to his chair, and checked the brakes before pulling himself up. Her hand on his forearm, more for the contact than actual help.

"I'm gonna miss you, nerd." She said smiling, before leaning down to kiss him gently on the lips.

"I'll miss you more, dork." He replied grinning.

He unlocked his wheels and they went to the front door, through the kitchen so Tina could thank his mom for dinner.

"Have fun," she said at the door, holding out her hand.

He squeezed it, "you too."

It wasn't until the next morning that he realised she still had his sweater.

"Art, we gotta go!" His dad yelled from the hallway. He sighed, adjusting his glasses. It was ridiculously early, but they did need a 3 hour drive to get there.

He checked around his room, making sure his laptop and iPod were safely in his backpack and his phone in his pocket. Then wheeled himself out to the front door.

"Artie, honey, this was in the letterbox for you." His mom handed him a haphazardly wrapped parcel, before giving him a hug, "Have a good time. Be safe!"

He laughed and nodded, "Love you too, mom."

His dad helped him into the car and as he was packing the wheelchair into the trunk, Artie took the opportunity to open the parcel. It was a T-shirt. Her T-shirt, he knew because he had seen her in it. A baggy, dark blue shirt with music note scattered across the front. He picked it up and felt, something hard folded into it. Unfolding the T-shirt on his lap, he saw a thin CD case. Turning it over, he smiled at the list of songs, haphazardly written in her scrawl.

"That's from Tina, is it?" his dad asked, seating himself in the driver's seat and starting the engine.

Artie looked at him quizzically, wondering how he knew.

His dad laughed, "The smile on your face, Art."

He blushed, and looked down at his lap, folding up the T-shirt carefully. As they drove out of his street he looked at the time, 7:15 am, and couldn't help but think she must have had to get up horribly early to drop it off.

2 hours later, Tina was sorting through way too many files in the spare office at her father's work place. Hearing a knock, she pulled out her headphones and looked up.

"Hey Teeny, you doing okay in here?" her dad asked.

She nodded, but before she could say anything a yawn escaped. Her dad chuckled, "If you want coffee you can get some from the kitchen."

She smiled a thanks and he returned to his office down the hall. It was going to be a long day. She glanced down at her phone and saw the background photo smiling up at her. It was mostly him, his glasses taking up most of the screen, but you could see her eyes and a purple streak in the corner. A testament to her wonderful photography skills.

It would be a long four weeks.