Kurt and Rachel were catching lunch at the diner between classes.

"I'm so sick of scanning Shakespearean sonnets, ugh." Rachel complained, looking over her homework. "Let me copy yours?"

"Oh no, I worked hard on mine and you're not copying it, young lady —or anyone else's for that matter."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "It's not that big of a deal, Kurt."

Kurt raised an eyebrow at this little flair of attitude, amused more than anything else. It had been a little more than a week since they had made their "arrangement," and Kurt had mostly been enjoying having way less arguing about whose turn it was to bring the trash down to the dumpster out back. He remembered when he started with Blaine that there was a honeymoon period in which he seemed to be perfect in every way, dutifully avoiding reproach. He had guessed that was normal but that he shouldn't get used to this being this easy. This is the Rachel I remember.

"I believe plagiarism is in the student honor code, is it not?" he asked neutrally, taking a bite of his sandwich.

Rachel sighed. "Well, we'll see how helpful I am next time you need something. I thought taking a couple classes together meant we'd help each other out.

"I'm starting to think you need something, but it isn't homework help. Keep this up and we may just have to go stop by one of those sound-proof practice rooms before your next class." Kurt threatened quietly so none of the other patrons could hear.

Rachel flushed and looked away. She didn't think Kurt would really spank her in a practice room at NYADA, but she was pretty sure she didn't want to press her luck further and find out. "Okay-ay," she deflected. "It was just an idea. I'm just saying, some of these professors give way more homework than necessary. And they take credit off for every little thing."

"It's college, what were you expecting?" Kurt shrugged. "The semester's just barely started, we might as well get used to it."

Rachel pouted and returned her focus to her meal, annoyed that she wasn't garnering any sympathy here. But Kurt had waited so long to get into NYADA that he didn't have a lot of patience for whining about the workload. It's supposed to be challenging. That's why it's one of the best performing arts schools in the country, he reasoned.

The waiter came around with the check and Rachel checked the time. "Damn it, I've got to get going to Scene Study. See you at the gym after?" she asked. She and Kurt had been diet partners for a while now and keeping up with going to the gym three times a week had been part of their agreement.

"Oh no, I'm going to orientation for Adam's Apples."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "I told you I think joining that group's going to be social suicide—"

Kurt shrugged. "I like them."

Rachel put her cash on the table without pressing the subject. Sometimes she didn't get Kurt and his priorities, though.

Orientation was quick and fun and made Kurt nostalgic for his high school Glee club. It was good he was making friends, he figured, even if they were outside of whatever social circle Rachel deemed appropriate. And there was something undeniably sexy about Adam's accent. He could listen to him talk all day. He didn't really think he had a shot with him or anything, but it was sort of nice having a little crush. It had been awhile since he'd even allowed his eyes to wander.

"So glad you're joining us, Kurt!" Adam cheered as the meeting broke up.

"Me too." Kurt smiled. He leaned against the window and noticed Rachel by a hot pretzel truck, buying a snack. "Huh," he muttered under his breath.

"Something wrong?" Adam asked, putting a hand on his back.

Kurt looked back at Adam, taking a moment to note that he also approved of his shoulders, and he really needed to find a way to work his choice of cologne into conversation because Woah was it doing something good for him. "Uh… no." Kurt shook himself back into reality. "Just saw someone out there I didn't expect."

Adam grinned. He was always doing that. "Always a surprise around the corner in New York!" he said. "See you at rehearsal Monday!"

Kurt lingered a little, watching Adam leave, before he looked back out the window. Rachel was hailing a cab now. Transportation had been a heavily negotiated part of the budgeting portion of their arrangement. Rachel was becoming prone to taking cabs when she just didn't feel like walking a block or two to catch the subway, even though she really should be saving her money. When they were together she now knew better than to suggest it. Kurt shook his head. "That sneaky little girl." Kurt muttered.

When Kurt got home, Rachel was already there, reading a magazine on the couch.

"You're home early," she said, not looking up.

"You too." Kurt said, putting away his schoolbag.

Rachel's shoulder's tensed a bit. "Oh, well the yoga teacher let us out a bit early today."

"She did?"

"Yeah," Rachel said, shrugging.

"How was your ride home?"

"Uh, it wasn't too crowded on the train today, it was fine. " she said, turning the page of her magazine.

Kurt sighed. He walked over to Rachel and took the magazine out of her hand.

"Hey!" Rachel protested, surprised. "I'm reading that."

Kurt looked at her.

Rachel squirmed. "What?"

"I don't like being lied to."

"What? Wh—what are you talking about?"

"You didn't go to yoga, and you weren't on the subway this afternoon young lady."

Rachel's eyes widened. "You're spying on me now?"

"Do I need to be?"

"Kurt!"

"You blew off yoga, had a hot pretzel which you're not supposed to have, and then wasted money on a cab in the middle of the afternoon."

Rachel's jaw dropped. "I should be able to—"

"Lie to me?"

"No—I meant—"

"I'd be having a lot less issue with these things if you'd been honest about them, Rachel."

Rachel huffed, looking away. "You're being ridiculous. It isn't a big deal."

"Did you or did you not blow off yoga today?"

"Are you having me followed?"

"Answer the question."

"I was going to go, but I'm still a little sore from Cassie's class this morning,

so I thought—"

"That's a fine excuse but I think the words you're looking for are 'yes Sir.'"

Rachel shrunk. "I can't believe you're making a thing of this—"

"Of being lied to? Seems to me we had a whole long conversation last week about—"

"I didn't lie—"

"You made up a story about the teacher letting you out early!"

"I—I—" Rachel stammered. "That was just…a little fib is all."

Kurt rolled his eyes. Blaine had made an excuse about the difference between a lie and a "little fib" once last year and he'd spanked him good with the spoon on general principle over it. "A lie is a lie, Rachel. We talked about this. You thought because I wasn't going to the gym with you today you could get away with some things, and I'm here to tell you your expectations apply whether I'm there or not."
Rachel scowled. "I can't believe you're spying on me."

"I'm not, and I shouldn't have to. You know what the rules are and you're expected to follow them. I think you're testing to see what you can get away with now."

"I'm not—"

"We're done discussing this young lady. You will be punished for ignoring the rules and then lying about it. You got caught. You're getting spanked. Plain and simple."

Rachel crumpled a bit, feeling sorry for herself. This arrangement of theirs wasn't seeming so great all of a sudden.