Chapter Three

"So you are going to still be on the lease but you want to go back to a boring old town full of rednecks and assholes so dumb their IQs like every small town in North America," said Lydia as she put on her make up for the day. Kurt smiled softly. He could see why Allison loved her.

"I really don't have much of a choice," said Kurt, "Blaine's in Lima so that is where this life journey will start… I guess."

"What are you going to do in Lima," asked Allison, "you'll need a job and those are not that easy to come by these days especially with the hoops people have to go through."

"I will probably work in my Dad's shop and find a volunteer job or something," said Kurt.

"Shop," asked Lydia, "your dad sells clothes."

"No he is a mechanic," laughed Kurt, "I was taught basic car skills from him."

"A Mechanic," said Allison, "really? He knows his way around cars." Allison wiggled her eyebrows at Lydia.

"Oh hush," said Lydia, smacking her girlfriend on the shoulder, "I will have none of that teasing."

"Is it that shocking I know things about cars," asked Kurt.

"No, NO," said Allison, "Lydia and I just had this small talk a few days ago about you and mechanics. Just a little girl chat."

"Look," said Kurt, "I am off."

"We're coming," said Allison, "to the airport with you."

"You two don't have to," said Kurt.

The whole way to the airport was some giggling and laughing. He found the whole way there his nervousness was disappearing. The two girls hugged him goodbye. Before he knew it he was on a flight back to Lima. As soon as the wheels left the tarmac all his anxiety came racing back. He didn't want to go back anymore. Kurt knew it was too late. His plan was to call defeat. His family and friends were right. Blaine was the one. Blaine was the one. Blaine was the one. Through out the flight he could here people bitch and whine. All he did was stare out the window.

Just as he was grabbing for his luggage from the luggage belt he left someone bump into him causing Kurt to jump, "Jesus Christ."

"Shit I am sorry," yelped the man, his voice sounding familiar.

"I am fine," snapped Kurt, turning to the man who accidentally pushed him to see that it was David Karofsky. David winced.

"Fancy meeting you here again Kurt," said Dave as he started brushing Kurt off, "once again I am so sorry for bumping into you."

Kurt rolled his eyes, "Don't worry about it. It almost felt like old times." Kurt watched as the other man winced as his hands fell to his side.

"Look Kurt, once again I am so sorry," said Dave, "look maybe we should get coffee one of these days and catch up on new things. I heard you got into a very prestigious school in New York. That is exciting."

Kurt sighed, "I am sorry, David for being short. The flight got to me."

"I accept but you don't have to forgive me for our past together," said Dave mentally wincing it, "I was a huge shit to you in high school. You remembering that make sense."

Kurt nodded. "Look David I need to go. My Dad is waiting for me in the parking lot."

"Do you need help with your bags," asked Dave.

Kurt rolled his eyes before shaking his head, "No, David. I am fine but we should catch up sometime. I'll see you soon." Kurt smiled at Dave tersely before taking his bags and pulling out the handle.

Kurt slowly made his way to the parking lot area and soon saw his Dad's truck. He couldn't help but feel a wave of relief

"Hey Dad," said Kurt, hugging his Dad.

"Hey Kiddo," greeted Burt, "So how long are you home?"

"Probably until April," said Kurt.

"That's good. For what it is worth I missed you."

"I missed you, too. So how is everything," asked Kurt as they loaded things into the back.

"Things have been good," said Burt.

"Thank you Dad for letting me stay here for a while," said Kurt as they were getting into the car.

"You are always able to come home. Okay?"

Kurt nodded.

"So you know that friend of yours," said Burt, "Rachel? She's back in town."

Kurt sat up straight and stared at his Dad. "Oh really? How do you know that?"

"Leroy told Carole. Leroy and Hiram are divorcing each other," said Burt, "Sad. Cute couple."

"Carole must be thrilled," said Kurt, "She never did like how Hiram talked to Leroy. How did Rachel take it?"

"Badly I heard and since that TV show of hers failed. She took to hiding because of it. She doesn't go out much."

Kurt winced, "I told her not to get into that. I will go see her as soon as I can."

"She's a good friend, Kurt."

Kurt smiled, "when she wants to be." Kurt sighed and leaned back. He had more to think about. When they got to the house, Carole was waiting in the kitchen. When he walked in she turned and smiled at him.

"Welcome home, Kurt," Carole greeted him as she took him in her arms in a hug, "How was the flight?"

"Long. Too many screaming babies," said Kurt, "You look lovely by the way."

Carole laughed, "You are always a charmer, Kurt. Is there a new man in your life?"

"Um, no. I am here for the year."

"Oh," said Carole, "Oh." Carole softly glared over her shoulder at Burt. Kurt stared at her. He had never seen her do that.

"Look I have to go unpack, okay? Then I am going to turn in for the night."

"The flight must have been long," Carole sympathized as rubbed his cheek.

"Thank you dear. You go unpack and you tell me all about New York."

"I missed you."

"I missed you too."

Kurt found putting his clothes away was quick and before he knew it he was tucked in bed ready for sleep. He tossed and turned. He had dreams of everyone being there in the old high school theatre. When he gets up to sing he sings with all his might the song 'I'm Still here' and then turns around to find no one there. He goes searching for them but they are gone and all that is left is no one.

When Kurt woke people were gone. Carole probably had a morning shift at the hospital. The house was quiet. He missed Finn and his lumbering ways. He felt a wave of sadness thinking about his brother, his hero. It would be nice to have his big smile around still. He was taken way too soon.

It wasn't long before he could hear the phone ring, "Hello?"

"Hey Kurt," said Rachel, "what are you doing?"

"I was just sitting down to eat breakfast. How are you?"

"I am as good as I can be," said Rachel, "I heard you were back in town. I need to talk to you. I was wondering if you could help me with a project I am working on. Can you drop by McKinley in the choir room?"

"Of course," said Kurt, "Can I ask what you are planning?"

"I am re-starting Glee club," said Rachel.

"What?"

"I will explain. There is this lady that wants to help with it. Just please come to the school."

Kurt sighed, "Okay." Telling Rachel no was hard to do besides he missed her. If he had to be her dog to be her friend, he would be her little beck and call dog. So he did what he was told. He might as well help Rachel. Glee club did help him find himself one time. Maybe it would again.

The drive to the school was short and it felt like he took a step or 15 back in time when this drive was a normal routine. He felt like he was taking steps back and not going forward like he was reversing his life. It wasn't until he turned onto a street that was at one point a 4-way stop was now a 4 way with stoplights. That wasn't like that before. That is different.

As he drove into the school he saw that Rachel was waiting for him in the parking lot. He could see that there hasn't been much of a difference in her. She still had that big smile that said she had a plan for something. She bounced up and down. As he parked, he watched her bounce up and down in her skirt. She waited just enough to let him get out and lock his doors before descending on him.

"Kurt how long are you home?"

"Probably a year. I really don't want to talk about it right now," said Kurt, "What was this about re-starting the Glee club?"

Rachel positively beamed, "I am glad you asked. I found out that when they didn't win last time around that Sue had the Glee club dismantled. It got me thinking how much Glee helped me. I thought I should bring it back because the students of McKinley need it."

"Is it because you want to give teens something back or because you want to relive the old days of Glee club," asked Kurt.

"I don't know what it is," said Rachel, "it's something though. Better than staying stuck in my room crying over my failures that I didn't ask for." Kurt nodded he could relate.

"Do you want to help me," ask Rachel, "I think this would be good for the both of us?"

"Okay."

Rachel smiled at him, "good. Now we just have to clean the choir room. You have to meet Marfa. She is a very nice woman. She found out about my re-starting Glee club and she wanted to help."

As they walked into the choir room the whole place was covered in dust. Kurt could see cobwebs touched everything. The whole place looked like it hasn't been touched in years.

"Wait why did they just cover this place up? This classroom could have been used," asked Kurt.

"I don't know. Coach Sylvester has always done things that never made sense," said Rachel. Kurt went and grabbed cleaning supplies and they slowly got to work cleaning the dust off everything. Making things like they never left.

As soon as they finished cleaning three hours later, they say and started brainstorming.

"Ah isn't it my favorite little porcelain and college dropout," said Sue as she walked in. "What brings you here to clean a classroom up?"

"Sue, you know why. We are re-forming the Glee club. The school board super intendant has given us permission with me paying for it all," said Rachel, as she placed up a board that they were making that spoke of some plans of Glee club, "So you don't have to worry about money from the school being used."

"I heard something like that is and I am telling you that you are not."

"No, we are," persisted Rachel not looking at Sue.

"While I feel sorry for your hardships that you came on by your own doings with Porcelain losing his soul mate and Prima Donna here having lost everything to her own greed I am not going to be easy on the both of you. By trying to re-start that eye sore you two are making yourself a powerful enemy," said Sue, glaring at them. Both Kurt and Rachel gulped. "If you think when your pitiful little Glee club has seen the worst of Sue Sylvester you are wrong, I am going to rain fire upon you and you will wish for death when I am done with you." Sue grabbed their sign and broke it with her knees before picking up a wastebasket and emptying the contents on the floor. "I am the thing that will be - "

A burst of laughter came from behind Sue. "Really, is that what you call that display? Here I thought you were a fully grown woman having a temper tantrum." In the door way stood a woman with a modest haircut and a cute little casual suit underneath the jacket was a shirt that had a star trek reference.

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Marfa," said Rachel, "Sue was just on her way out the door."

"I am sure she was. I am Ms. Marfa Volkof and you are Sue Sylvester, the supposed great terror of the school that everyone is always talking about. Oh I am so, really, really scared of you." Marfa burst out laughing, "No, wait, that is a lie. You are as about as scary as a six foot tall child. You are not what I was expecting."

"What were you expecting," asked Sue.

"When I was told you were this big scary person I thought you were someone formidable and yet here you are you stand before me weak, you're pathetic dear. I don't really believe my eyes when they say that someone like you would be dangerous. I am going to suggest that you step down or I will be the one going after you. Because you might think you are the boogie man but let me make this clear, I am and you better be paying attention." Marfa circled around Sue. She was looking her up and down sneering.

Sue shifted. "If you don't think that you are anything as bad as I am-"

"I am telling you to step down. You try to destroy these two and you will deal with me," said Marfa, "do you understand?"

"I will destroy this Glee club," said Sue.

Marfa burst out laughing. "Oh my god, you are kidding me right. You have got to be. It's funny because I am laughing. Sue, you are really too much. Fine if you want to be my enemy then I guess with your permission I am going to do my stuff." Marfa said as she walked Sue into a wall. Fear was now in Sue's eyes.

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to do the very best that I can," said Marfa, "You see I am bit of a gambling gal myself. I guess I am a lot like you or what you think you are see metaphorically speaking the sound of rolling dice is music to my ears and I don't play fair. You see it's real entertaining to have lives on the line like yours, not. See that really just fits me just fine."

"You don't know who you are messing with," said Sue.

"See I don't think you comprehend the position you are in. You have a daughter think of her safety because I can destroy all of your happiness. You wouldn't have a prayer when I am finished."

"You don't know what you are dealing with," said Sue.

"I doubt it. I have had worse then you," said Marfa into her ear, "Run." Sue nodded and walked from the room fast.

"Oh my god," said Kurt, "I have never seen that woman run from anything."

"Oh you must be Kurt. I am Marfa. I am so glad that I will be working with you as well. How are you dear?"

"I am good," said Kurt, yawning.

"Oh you are tired," said Marfa, putting a hand over his forehead. Kurt pulled back from the woman.

"I am sorry I just got in a few hours ago from a flight," said Kurt, "It has been a long day. I had an 8-hour flight and hour car ride. I guess it's catching up on me."

"Oh you poor dear," said Marfa, "Look Rachel you are going to drive my car and I am driving you home. You can start worrying about the Glee club after you look after yourself."

"I am fine," said Kurt yawning again, "Look I can drive myself home."

"Let others worry about you for just a second. We are a team, we are going to take care of each other and that means you as well," said Marfa, "don't you agree Rachel? This is the right thing to do."

Rachel stared at her before shaking her head, "yeah I will do that."

"Good girl." Rachel beamed sitting up straight like as if she was given a gold medal.

Kurt was pulled from the room and dragged down the hallway. Kurt tried telling them he didn't need to sleep but they ignored him. It was nice he thought. Kurt soon found himself in the passenger seat of his car with Marfa beside him driving out of the school. Kurt gave her directions to his house. It didn't take him long before he was being shoved into the house and before long he found himself in bed asleep.

He found that a few hours later he woke up and felt refreshed from his sleep. When he woke up he found that the smell of food was in the air. He sniffed. It was some pasta and Carol's spaghetti sauce. Kurt got up.

"Hey Honey," said Carole as he walked into the kitchen.

"Hey Carole do you need any help with anything," said Kurt. Kurt started to clean up the mess she made for making the sauce.

Carole pushed him away from the mess, "oh hush, and don't worry about that. You just got in and already are looking for work. Look, take the next few days to get yourself used to Ohio again and then you can start helping around the house again. Besides the flights here must have been hard on your body."

"I just signed up to help Rachel with her plan on reviving the Glee club," said Kurt, "or I got volunteered in by Rachel. How did Rachel know I was in town?"

"I told LeRoy on one of our coffee dates where we gossip about children and bitch about the latest news in our lives," said Carole, "LeRoy was a strong supporter for Burt and me after… Leroy is a very good friend and good man."

Kurt nodded, "I hope I can be as good as someone like that."

"You already are sweetheart," said Carole kissing his forehead, "You have grown into such a strong and caring man."

"Dad thinks I screwed up with Blaine," said Kurt.

"Burt can be a little narrow minded about certain things but you take after your father in having a good heart and when you meet someone new and he sees how much happier you are with that person then he is going to like that man in your life just as much as Blaine. Break ups are a part of growing up."

Kurt nodded, "I think I am going to go out tonight. Maybe see Rachel and see if she is busy."

"You mean visit Scandals," said Carole, dryly.

"Carole," yelped Kurt.

"What I was young too and I know it is the only gay bar in this town," said Carole, "I was young once too and it isn't the worst bar you could go to. If there was a gay bar for women in the area I would go."

"But you are not a lesbian," said Kurt.

"Not only lesbians date other women," said Carole, "I dated a few before I met your father and after Christopher. Nothing really worked out to being someone I could bring home to meet Finn."

"I never knew," said Kurt.

"It was never this big of deal," said Carole, "I never thought about bring it up before now because I am with your father."

"I just never suspected it," said Kurt, "Does dad know?"

"He does and he had questions and we dealt with it," said Carole, "Look don't think about it. If you want you can stay in and we can play games. But if you are up to it go out and have a night on the town. Go to Scandals and have a good time. You deserve the happiness you can find in this world Kurt. Go out and have some fun. You are now legal."

"You are my hero Carole," said Kurt, "I am going out. I haven't been to Scandals."

"Legally," said Carole. Kurt turned and stared at her. "I am a friend with the main bar tender. He has seen pictures of my kids and their partners. After kids we adults don't just shrivel up and have our whole lives revolve around our child."

Kurt laughed, "I am going to wear something nice and can handle sticky."

Carole winked, "Good choice."

Kurt walked down to his room and changed.

Scandals was like a piece in a time capsule. The place hasn't changed at all he drove up and he could hear a song that was playing the first time they ever went. He remembered that night well. Blaine danced all night with Sebastian. He parked right in the same place he parked his escalade. He remembered how frisky Blaine was after and how many 'no's' and 'stops' it took before Blaine got pissy and walked off. It was another time he was in the wrong. He drove after Blaine and got him to get into the car and drove him home. Blaine sulked on the way home and didn't talk to him for days because of Blaine's embarrassment. It was almost the worst date night ever other than the one where they broke up again. Kurt felt both nights were all his fault.

He showed the bouncer his ID as he walked in. He noticed that tonight there was a cowboy theme going on and not the drag queens. Kurt mingled.

"Hey have you been here before," asked a man coming up to him, "you look new?"

"Somewhat I just got back in town," said Kurt.

"Can I buy you a drink because someone as good looking as you looks like a man who needs a drink in his hand," said the man grinning. Kurt rolled his eyes the man was rakishly good-looking and very debonair in looks. He had dark brown hair styled messy and a twinkle in his eyes brown eyes that said mischief. He was the best-looking man Kurt has ever seen in his life. He looked like a perfect combination of Chris Evans, young Robert Downey Jr, and Jenson Ackles all put together.

"I am sorry but I am not interested," said Kurt rolling his eyes.

"If you are ever wanting to change your mind," said the man smiling, "here's my card. Someone as good looking as you is worth getting to know." The man pulled out a card and hand it to Kurt.

Kurt glanced down at the name on the card. It said the man was a fortune teller and named Hubert VonSmith. "I will think about it Hubert."

"Please call me Bert."

"I am less likely to call you now for anything but friendship," said Kurt.

"Why," asked Hubert.

"My Dad's name is Burt," said Kurt.

Hubert laughed, "that makes sense. Well this is awkward. I will see you around."

"I will," said Kurt as he bumped into another person. Kurt turned around saying, "oh I am so sorry," only to come face to face with Blaine.

"Kurt," said Blaine, his jaw tensing. Kurt looked Blaine up and down. He looked good. He looked angry.

"I am out of here," said Hubert behind him, "because I smell ex."

"Hi Blaine," said Kurt.

Meanwhile across the room, Dave could see Blaine talking to Kurt when he felt a hand come down on his ass.

"Hey hot stuff," said the man smiling.

"Mark I told you no the last time," said Dave rolling his eyes, "and the same goes as this time. Besides I am with Blaine and you have a wife with two kids at home. So not interested."

"Ah you know me besides it looks like he is talking to hot ass," said Mark.

"His ex, now I am going to talk to my boyfriend and you will try to learn to be a decent human being," said Dave as he walked away hearing Mark's laugh behind him.

"Carole came out to me. She's bi," said Kurt, "Dad knows."

"What," said Blaine blinking back, "What are you doing here Kurt?"

"At Scandals? I came to have a fun time, a drink," said Kurt.

"No I mean Lima, and it's not to tell me that Carole is bi."

"I'm sorry," said Kurt, "I want you back."

"Yeah well you ruined everything," said Blaine, "and you can't have me back. Besides I found someone new."

"Oh," said Kurt as his heart dropped.

"Hey is everything okay," said Dave.

"David," said Kurt, his jaw tensing before turning to Blaine, "who is this new person in your life as your boyfriend. Please don't be Sebastian."

"It's me Kurt," said Dave before kissing Blaine's cheek and wrapping an arm around Blaine's back, "It's probably new to you."

"How long have you been dating Karofsky," asked Kurt. Dave winced.

"A few months now," said Blaine, "Dave and I are happy together."

"I am his Yogi to his boo bear," said Dave joking trying to lighten up the mood. Blaine rolled his eyes. Dave coughed into his fist, "Look we are all adults here. We can still be friends, right?"

Kurt nodded, "I am going to go to the bathroom."

Dave watched as Kurt walked out of the bar. "What is up with him? He seemed a little blue."

"He wants to win me back," said Blaine, gritting his teeth, "he left me and now because being single isn't what it's cut out to be he wants me back. Why? Over nothing."

"Blaine, you told me you guys were fighting constantly that isn't nothing," said Dave.

"He took a few criticisms and thought they were over board," said Blaine.

"Blaine what happened had happened," said Dave, "He obviously was stressed with things like you were. I mean he's here. School started at NYADA so maybe things were hard for him after. He probably realized he did things in the wrong and wants to make amends the only way he knows how and there is nothing wrong with that. Right?"

Blaine shook his head angrily before looking at Dave's earnest face. Blaine's anger slowly melted away. "Yeah, right."

"Not everyone is a bad person in this world you know and Kurt is one of the good ones," said Dave as he hugged his boyfriend and kissed his forehead, "break ups are tough babe and I can't imagine what it is like breaking up with someone you dated forever. It probably is tough for him too."

Blaine snuggled up to his boyfriend and buried his head into Dave's shoulder. Blaine felt ground by Dave's scent. He smelt of sandalwood, vanilla and cinnamon.

"You know I am on your side of this right?"

"I know I'm sorry. When did you become so smart," said Blaine.

"Therapy and time. Some good dates like you," teased Dave before kissing his forehead. Blaine smiled before kissing Dave on the lips.

"You are the safest, kindest person I have ever met," said Blaine, "thank you for loving me. I love you."

"I love you too. You don't have to thank me for that."

"I know. I screwed up. I should have told Burt or Rachel about us," Blaine said, "he probably would have known about us." He could feel Dave tense up.

"Yeah you probably should have but what is in the past is in the past," said Dave.

"I didn't tell them because I like having you to myself," said Blaine, "You make me feel special and you are special and this is special. Is that okay?"

"Yeah that is fine," said Dave, "You tell people about us when you are ready, okay?"

"I am ready now," said Blaine, "I want the whole world to know about us."

When Kurt got outside he got into his car and burst into tears. He cried before picking up the phone and pressing a number that was supposed to be Rachel's.

"Hello," said Olaf.

"I'm sorry I got the wrong number," said Kurt about to hang up.

"Is this Kurt," said Olaf, "It midnight."

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have called you," He said, trying to hold

"You're crying," said Olaf, "Dude you didn't seem like a crier. Is there something that is the matter?"

"I'm in Lima," said Kurt, "I ran into Blaine and asked if he wanted to get back together."

"Kurt that is the biggest mistake you could make, dude. The guy and you broke up for reasons, reasons that matter."

"I know but others…"

"Fuck others," said Olaf, "when it comes to you and your relationships you get to decide what is healthy and not other people. It's hard and dude I am here for you. Okay?"

"We just met a few weeks ago," said Kurt, "Why do you want to be there for me so bad."

"Because you're a good person and I want to help."

"What if I made a mistake? What if he is my one," asked Kurt.

"I don't know what to tell you man. I doubt he is your only one out there. There are other fish in the sea you just have to look. Look I have holiday time coming up and I'll take it where you are to help you out bro by the way where are you again," asked Olaf.

Kurt smiled into the phone, "I'm in Lima, Ohio."

"Okay," said Olaf, "When I get holiday time I am coming to visit."

"Why," asked Kurt, "the flight here is a lot of money.

"You need a friend and well I guess I am that person you need. Besides you will put me up for room and board, right?"

"Yeah, definitely," said Kurt, "I'll talk to you soon, okay?"

"Yeah sure be safe."

"I will," said Kurt before hanging up. After hanging up Kurt felt a little better. Before doubt came creeping in. Kurt groaned to himself for rambling on about his issues to Olaf. Olaf didn't need his issue. He drove home cussing himself out for doing so.