CHAPTER 2

Since their night together, Mr. Schuester and Brittany had begun avoiding each other, neither one of them intending to talk about what had happened. People had been noticing this since the football game, making them highly suspicious that something was going on. Their discomfort around each other was also evident in the choir room, where they refused to make eye contact with each other.

"Mr. Schuester, is everything all right?" asked Rory.

"Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't they be?"

"You seem kind of stressed", said Blaine.

"You've been acting really weird all week, so we're kind of getting concerned", said Matt.

"Well, don't dwell on it, guys. We have Regionals to prepare for. Let's get moving on song selection and choreography. Girls, since you got to choose what songs we do for Sectionals, I'll leave that decision to the boys this time, and we'll combine ideas for Nationals."

"Mr. Schue, while that is motivating and all, we're still worried about you", said Hannah.

"Everything's fine, so don't worry", said Mr. Schuester, still looking at everyone but Brittany, which Amanda was quick to notice.

"You keep looking at everyone but Brittany, dude. What's the deal?"

"Deal? What are you talking about? There's no deal."

"So why won't you and Brittany make eye contact?"

Mr. Schuester sighed and looked at Brittany, who was only partially looking back at him.

"Now that that's out of the way, let's get to work."

They moved to start choreography, but Amanda wasn't done. She took a quick look at Brittany, who was standing in the back, away from Mr. Schuester, instead of up front with Matt to lead everyone.

"Britt, what are you doing way back there? Go back to the front."

Brittany wasn't paying attention to her, but everyone else had a look on their faces that said the same thing. Hesitantly, Brittany shuffled to the front and stood next to Matt, but still maintained a good distance away from Mr. Schuester.

"Okay, Brittany and I have already been working on some new stuff, so let's get to it", said Matt.

"Come on, guys, we have Nationals to get to", said Tina, and they proceeded to the basics of Matt and Brittany's choreography. At the same time, Rory shuffled close to Alexander.

"Hey, Alexander, can I talk to you after rehearsal? It's kind of important."

Alexander nodded in response and Rory went back next to Sugar, and Mr. Schuester watched as they worked, but he still felt plagued by that night he spent with Brittany. In addition to not knowing how or when they got there or what exactly happened, there was still the pressure of telling Emma. With their wedding coming up, Mr. Schuester did not know what to do.

INTERLUDE

"You want me to teach you how to fight?" asked Alexander. He and Rory had met on the bleachers of the football field, where Sue was coaching the Cheerios.

"Yeah, after what happened at the game, I kind of don't feel like I'm as tough as I need to be."

"You're strong enough, otherwise you wouldn't be here. You've got a working relationship with a girl, you've earned a place on the football team, and you don't back down from your enemies. Overall, I would say that you don't need to learn how to fight in order to be tough."

"Yeah, but physically, it's starting to get to me. Sugar's already starting to say that I need to learn how to stand up for myself, even if it means getting physical."

"Rory, to be honest, I think it would be better if you got training from actual self-defense teachers."

"Yeah, but you have to pay them, and I don't have a lot of resources."

"What about your family? Don't your parents have money that they can wire to you?"

"They do, but it usually takes a while to get here. I'd really like to get started as soon as possible."

"You're rushing into the situation without considering the consequences, the biggest of which is getting injured anyway and not having the money to pay for hospital visits."

"But with you teaching me, it'll be easy and fast. I'm a visual learner, so I don't think I'll have any problem."

Alexander's look of concern was very evident on his face, and Rory couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated.

"How badly do you want this?"

"As bad as any other thing I've called my passion."

"This isn't more important than Sugar?"

"No, but if learn how to fight, I can be a better, stronger boyfriend."

"This isn't bigger than your graduation?"

"No, but I expect that it will help me towards that."

"Then give me until tomorrow to give you an answer."

With that, he tipped his hat to Rory and left, and Rory listened patiently for the silent rumble of Alexander's motorcycle, eventually getting up to leave as well.