Oh, Brother!

Chapter Four

After a week, Finn still hadn't mentioned to Dave that Kurt had asked about him. He just didn't want to see that hope in his eyes. Especially since he'd have to tell him what Mercedes said about him. Better to wait and just see if Rachel's idea worked out.

Not that he knew what Rachel's idea was… she wouldn't tell him. That kind of made him mad. Operation Kurtofsky was his idea… well Mr. Schue's but he came up with the cool name. Rachel was taking over. He was glad to have her help. He just wanted to know what she was going to do.

At least things were going better at home. Since Dave was his 'good' friend, and at his mom's assistance, Burt was no longer yelling every time the jock was mentioned. Kurt just seemed irritated, but Finn didn't care. Every chance he got, he talked about how great Dave was. Hopefully soon Kurt will see Dave as something other than his former-bully.

"Hey, Finn."

Brittany was staring at him with a curious look on her face. "Whatcha doing?" she asked.

"Just thinking."

"Oh…" she said. "Does it hurt?"

He didn't laugh. It was actually a good question. "No, not really. Although sometimes it makes my head feel really tired."

"Yeah, it always does that to me. I try not to think too much…"

Finn thought it best just to nod. No real reason to say anything.

"Are you really friends with that guy who slushies everyone?"

Is that all people remember about Dave? Everything he did wrong? Of course they did. Only a few people were able to look past that to see how much he's changed. "You mean Dave?"

'Is that his name? I thought it was 'Car' something. So are you friends with him?"

"Yes, Brittany," he said. "Dave and I are friends."

"Boyfriends?" she asked with an innocent look.

"What? No? I'm not gay, Brittany. Why would you think that?" He didn't say Dave wasn't gay… would she notice?

"I don't know. You guys are always together. Sometimes, Finn. It's hard to keep track. I mean Kurt was gay, then he wasn't, and then he was. I just can't figure it out. All that thinking… makes my head tired."

Finn smiled down at her. "I know. It's okay, Britt. Ready to go to Glee Club?"

She grinned at him, happy again. "Sure. I hope we get to use the magic Hat of Fate… How does it know who to put together?" she asked with wide eyes.

Finn decided there wasn't really a good answer to that.

~#~#~

Rachel scanned the hallway, glad that no one was paying them any attention. Of course, no one usually paid them any attention. Still, she had to be careful. This was a secret mission. Finn had been adamant that she not tell anyone. She was very excited about her idea. Not only would it bring Kurt back where he belonged, but Finn would be so impressed with her, that he would want to get back together with her. She ignored the nagging feeling that he was messing around with Quinn. Surely Finn wouldn't be crazy enough to fall for that again. Rachel shook her head. She had to focus on the matter at hand.

"But can you do it?" she asked.

Lauren Zizes rolled her eyes, obviously not understanding the true importance of this mission. Not that Rachel had explained everything to her. It was on a strictly need to know basis.

"Of course I can do it, Berry," Lauren replied. "That isn't the point. It's not that difficult. Why don't you do it yourself?"

"You're kidding, right? My place is in front of a camera. Not behind it. I'm a star. I don't edit. That's your job." Rachel said with a huff, flipping her hair behind her.

"Don't get your granny panties in a wad, Berry. It was just a question. What's in it for me?" Lauren had her arms crossed over her chest, and her eyebrows were raised in question.

"Well," Rachel said. "Kurt will come back to Glee Club…"

"And why would I care if Hummel came back? I don't even like Glee Club. You're gonna have to do better than that."

Rachel wasn't sure if she was being honest or just raising the stakes. Well two could play that game. "Don't give me that, Zizes. I know you like Glee Club. No matter what you say. You want to go to New York, don't you? You want to win Nationals, right?"

Lauren contemplated this. "True," she agreed, nodding her head slowly. "I would like to see the Big Apple. But winning some singing competition? That's your thing, not mine. Still, I need more. Maybe a box of Mallomars…"

"Fine."

"And… you don't fight me for the next solo. Is wants to stun them with the Zizes talent."

"Lauren, I really don't think with your voice…"

"Whatever. Then I'm walking." Lauren turned, and Rachel had to grab her arm to stop her. She looked around to make sure no one was watching.

"Okay, fine. You win. One solo…"

"And Mallomars." Lauren had a smug look on her face, and Rachel had the urge to scratch it off. Not like Glee Club… then why did she want a solo?

"And Mallomars. But this video better be good."

Lauren smiled. "Oh, it will be." She started to leave and then suddenly turned back. "Question for you, Berry. If this video is supposed to be yours, then won't everyone be suspicious if it's too good?"

Rachel puffed out at that. "Everyone, of course, expects everything I do to be perfect. It's a curse really."

Again with the eye rolling. That girl has serious issues.

"Fine whatever. But were gonna have to stop meeting like this, Berry. People will think were dating or something. I have a reputation to uphold."

Rachel opened her mouth to respond but really didn't know what to say. Finally she broke the awkward silence… fine it was only awkward for her. Lauren didn't seem fazed at all. "I'll email you all the stuff I have together. Can you have it done by tomorrow?"

"I'll need at least three days. I have a life, you know."

"Fine," Rachel said. "Just remember… we were never here…"

Lauren shook her head as she walked away, and Rachel was sure she heard her mutter something about crazy Divas.

No matter. She didn't care. Finn had trusted her to fix this, and she was going to do whatever she could to get Kurt back. And then she would get Finn back. She was sure deep down that he still had feelings for her.

"Hey Rach."

Just hearing his voice sparked excitement that flowed through her. Still, she had to remain calm. She didn't want to scare him away. Not when they were getting along so well.

"Why hello, Finn. How are you today?" They walked down the hall side by side, and Rachel was reminded of all those times they would walk together as a couple.

"Okay, I guess. How's the plan going?"

"Very well. Don't worry about a thing. I have everything under control."

"What is your plan, Rachel?" Finn asked, stopping in next to his locker. "I don't know understand why you still won't tell me."

She gave him a small smile. "It will be easier for you to be surprised if it's actually a surprise."

"Oh, okay. Right." He smiled back and her heart melted. Finn was just so… perfect. "It's not me actually. Dave's worried. And he wasn't too happy that I told you… everything."

"Let me talk to him Finn." She placed her hand on his arm. It was just a friendly gesture… not an 'I wish you were my boyfriend again and not with that boyfriend stealing Quinn' gesture. He smiled back but he looked a little nervous. It must have been about the plan, and not the fact that her fingers were lightly stroking his strong forearm.

Finn removed her hand. "Well okay, Rach. See you later."

"Of course Finn," she said brightly, before smiling her dazzling Rachel Berry smile. He nodded slightly before going off to class.

~#~#~

"Dude, what the hell? I'm missing my lunch. And I'm hungry."

"I know, Dave," Finn said. "But Rachel wanted to talk to you."

They were in the choir room, and the bigger boy didn't look too happy about it. Finn tried to smile encouragingly. His crooked half-smile usually won people over, so he was surprised when Dave still looked irritated. He smiled full out then. Surely he could break through Dave's gruff exterior. But the other boy just frowned at him.

"Are you coming on to me, Hudson? I might be gay but that doesn't mean I'm interested…"

"Uh… no. Dude. I just don't want you to worry is all. Rachel has everything covered."

Even though the bigger boy still looked skeptical, Finn was really happy with how things were going. If only he could get Dave to realize… Weeks ago he could barely admit that he was gay, and that he had a crush on Kurt. Now Dave was at least able to talk about it.

Finn really wanted to help Dave. And hopefully get Kurt back at McKinley at the same time. He was sure Kurt would fall for Dave once he got over the whole 'bullied him for years, threatened his life, and drove him away from his school' thing.

Okay, maybe it would be a little harder than he thought.

"Hello, boys."

Rachel swept into the choir room with her usual cheerfulness. Dave just scowled at her, probably because she was so chipper. Sometimes that got to him, too.

"Finn, can you leave us alone?"

Finn could tell Dave shared his panicked feelings, and Dave looked uncomfortable.

"Not sure that's such a good idea, Rach," Finn said.

"Nonsense. David and I will be fine. Run along, Finn. Dave can call you if he needs backup."

Finn glanced over at Dave, afraid of his reaction, but he just shrugged.

"Okay. But if you guys aren't in the lunch room in fifteen minutes, I'm coming back to get you."

He looked from one to the other, not wanting to leave Dave, but not wanting to make Rachel mad either. He just wanted everyone to like him. Was that so bad?

In the end though, he just nodded at them both and left, the memory of Rachel's smug look and Dave's slightly panicked expression still stuck in his head.