PART TWO
Kurt took a deep breath and squared his shoulders before walking into Glee. It wasn't his fault that his clothing wasn't dry yet. It wasn't his fault he had gotten slushied twice in one day, ruining his back up outfit. And it certainly wasn't his fault that the only passable thing Miss Pillsbury could find in the school's charity closet was this.
Hideous. Green. Sweater.
Kurt flashed Sam a warning look when he walked in even though it was probably pointless. He wasn't fooled by the blonde's lazy smile or carefully contrived innocent expression.
"Ribbit."
Kurt pointedly ignored Sam as he stepped up to the back row to join Mercedes. Finn Hudson, coming in behind Kurt, did not.
"Dude, did you just croak at me?"
"What? No, man, it's cool. Just had a frog in my mouth."
Kurt sputtered on the sip of water he had just taken.
"I had a frog in my mouth once." Brittany added, much to Kurt's chagrin and Santana's disgust.
"I think you mean you had a frog in your throat." Quinn smiled sweetly as she looked from Sam to Kurt. "Something in your throat, too?" Kurt glared. Quinn didn't mind. She wasn't a stupid girl, after all. She saw the way Sam's eyes had followed Kurt during his jazz solo. And she knew Kurt had wanted to sing with him. Personally, she thought they would make a cute couple.
Will Schuester walked in, excited about this week's assignment. "So, this week you're all singing songs someone else has picked out for you. Let's shake things up a little. Get out of your comfort zone. Challenge yourselves." He motioned Kurt and Rachel to the front of the class. "First up, Rachel singing Kurt's selection."
Kurt carried the sheet music over to Brad while Rachel addressed the rest of the Glee members.
"I'll be singing 'Love Comes From Unexpected Places'—by Barbra Streisand."
Will's face fell. He had really expected more from these two.
"Rachel singing Streisand. Wow. What a challenge."
"Santana."
"Seriously, Mr. Schue." Kurt was surprised by Mercedes' objection. "Why do we have to listen to Rachel sing another Barbra song?"
"Because you haven't heard her sing under my direction." Kurt replied snippily.
He finished the final changes to the music for Brad then returned to his seat by Mercedes. Rachel was babbling about the greatness of Barbra Streisand. He rolled his eyes at her non-stop chatter.
"Rachel, dear, shut up and sing."
Rachel smiled warmly at Kurt. Ever since their duet he had been, well, not really less bitchy towards her but there was an underlying affection that softened the snark. He had called her "dear". And, Rachel's eyes sparkled as she took a breath for the first note, he had given
her this—Barbra!
Love comes from the most unexpected places
Kurt stole a glance at Sam. Even in profile, he could see the slight flush of color on his cheeks and a quiet, secretive smile playing across his lips.
In someone's eyes you've never met
Who wants to get to know you
In someone's smile you can't forget
And if the music plays on in your mind
Take all the love that you can find
And if love takes you in
Take all the love that you can find
And hope it comes again
This was going so well! Rachel's instincts told her she should power through the next part, filling the room with sound. She caught Kurt's finger wag and slight head shake admonishing her not to change what they had practiced. It was an effort, but Rachel remembered what Kurt had said, this song was about control not volume.
Mr. Schue tensed, fully expecting Rachel to go diva on this part and start belting the notes. It was too bad. Up to this point, Rachel had captured the expressive, lyrical quality of the song in a way he didn't know she was capable of singing.
Will's mouth dropped open in surprise. She didn't do it. She held back. He looked over to Kurt who smiled and gave Rachel a slight nod of approval. Rachel let the last note fade. The effect was profound. Like dropping a pin in a perfectly quiet room.
"Damn, girl, you brought it."
Rachel grinned at Mercede's compliment and the sudden, sincere burst of applause that followed. She threw her arms around Kurt in an impulsive hug. He carefully disengaged himself and tugged the wrinkles out of his sweater.
"Oh, Kurt, I'm so sorry! Is it a McQueen or Jacobs?" Rachel was pleased to show Kurt that yes, she, too, could learn who the fashionable designers were. Although, she had no idea why Sam doubled over laughing at her comment. Or why Kurt was eyeing her that way. "What?"
"I think it's a Jim Henson." Sam managed to gasp out between laughs.
Jacob stood in the doorway watching Rachel Berry press herself against Kurt Hummel. Disgusting. He should be the one getting that hug. He should be the one getting the kiss on the cheek. But no, she had laughed at him. His angel of music had laughed. Not that he blamed her. It was Hummel's fault. Kurt with the cutting comments who had flayed his self-esteem with one quick witted barb about his clothing. In front of Rachel Berry. Well, he'd see what Rachel thought of Kurt once he broke his story.
A/N: Love Comes From Unexpected Places written by Kim Carnes and Dave Ellingson, sung by Barbra Streisand.
