A/N - This chapter will be switching POV's here and there.

Chapter 4 - Partners

Transferring school's had been hard on Blaine. He knew, from what Kurt had told him, that being here would be hard. Being so far from his friends at Dalton had left Blaine a little lonely. Until Kurt introduced him to the rest of the kids in Glee club. They were so different from the Warblers. So laid back and spontaneous. So different from each other and yet they cared for each other like family.

Each person bought something unique to the group that overlaid but not overlapped each other. Santana bought fire and passion. Brittany, which may or may not be Santana's girlfriend (Blaine couldn't get a straight answer on that), bought a childlike innocence with her. Rachael and Finn were everything Kurt and told him. Rachael was obsessed with being the center of everything and Finn just followed like a puppy to her. Tina was a shy girl but once you got her going she was funny and kind. Artie was very creative and pretty smart. He and Blaine had had some pretty good conversation when they worked together in class one day. Mercedes was one of those people that if you only meet once you would never forget her for the rest of your life. Loud and bold. Willing to take on anything life threw at her or her friends. Caring deeply for those close to her and not afraid to show it.

The only one that confused him was Puck. Puck was a master of hiding everything he was really feeling. But every so often you could see something in his eyes. Almost like loneliness. Maybe even sadness. Blaine had seen the other guy a few times though the school week. Even got caught by Puck when Blaine was checking him out. Instead of getting angry about Puck had just smirked at him. So teasing the jock a bit Blaine had openly flirted him Puck a bit. Looking back Blaine thought that might not have been a good idea. Now whenever the Blaine saw the jock Puck would just turn and walk away. Or in this last case all but sprint away.

Mercedes had just finished telling them a great joke when Blaine had looked up laughing and caught sight of Puck. Puck had stilled and just stared at Blaine for a moment till Kurt happened to look up and Blaine then twist around to see what he was looking at. The moment Kurt saw Puck the jock had turned around and quickly made is way back down the hallway. When Kurt turned back he was frowning.

"Kurt." Blaine said "Any idea whats going on with Puck? From what I've heard of him he seems to be acting kinda weird lately." Kurt looked at Blaine with a worried expression, though truth be told, only Blaine and Mercedes knew him well enough to see it. "I don't know Blaine. Puck has been different lately. Maybe i should go and see if he's okay."

Mercedes jumped in on that "Kurt honey, why? It's not like that white boy has done anything to deserve your concern and after everything he put you though why tempt more bullying out of him?"

"Mercedes, my dear, I do love you but your wrong this time. Yes Puck has been horrible to me in the past but he's the one who got the football team to leave me alone for the most part. He helped the other guys in Glee to get the hockey team to leave all of us alone. The least we should do is make sure he's okay. Were a team. and team members look out for each other."

Mercedes stopped and thought about that for a moment. Blaine could see she didn't like it put that she knew Kurt was right. Even Blaine had heard about how the abuse the Glee team got had been scaled way back thanks in large part to Pucks actions. "Well okay boo. Your right. Just be careful."

"I will Mercedes. Make up some excuse for me with our teacher this period. I have a feeling that whatever is going on won't be simple if our 'badass' is acting like this. I'll see you both in lunch." And Kurt left with a kiss to his girl cheek and a wave to Blaine. As Blaine and Mercedes made their way to the class's they heard a loud bang from down the hall. Both turning around the watched as Kurt peeled himself off a locker while some hockey walked away. Blaine wanted to turn back to see if Kurt was alright but Mercedes grabbed his arm and pulled him away saying "Don't worry about Kurt. If he was hurt then that 'Ice Queen' look wouldn't have formed on his face. And you know Kurt doesn't like to appear weak in front of people. See he's already stalking off with his cute white boy butt swinging." Blaine had to agree with her. Not that it made him feel better about what was happening.

888

Everyone was excited about Glee club this afternoon. For everyone else it was a chance to relax and sing. To feel good about something else in their lives. For Kurt it meant freedom. Freedom to be himself, freedom to no longer hid and freedom from having to watch his back to make sure no one was going to push him around. Well except for Rachael when it came time for a solo or two.

After Speaking with Puck outside Kurt had got though his morning class's then meet with Blaine and Mercedes for lunch. They didn't push too much to find out what had happened between him and Puck and all Kurt would say is to them "It's not my place to tell you nor would I ever break a promise." The rest of the day was filled with worry. Worry over how Puck would cope with being bi and hoping another Dave wouldn't be born. Worry about the fact that Puck was into Blaine. Worry about if he should help them come together or make sure to keep Puck away. Of course all this worrying might be for nothing. Blaine was a natural flirt. He just not be into Puck at all. Puck may just be going though a phase and next week things will be back to normal. As for helping or hindering. . . Kurt would do whatever those two felt best. If they both wanted to try something Kurt would support them. If either wasn't interested then Kurt would help make it know and help the other get over it. If the both weren't interested then it would be even simpler. But Puck was. And now Kurt to find out if Blaine might be as well.

So Glee came about. After another speech about team work and stepping up to be even better Mr. Schue introduced Blaine to the group. Everyone had already meet Blaine of course but this was the first time they had all been in the same room since Blaine had transferred. Once Blaine sat back down Rachael had of course asked if she could preform a song with Finn. Knowing it would another love duet from the two Kurt happily tuned them out. Instead he watched Puck closely trying not to be obvious about it.

If you didn't look hard you would never have seen it but Puck kept sneaking glances at Blaine though the whole Fincheal duet. But if you weren't looking then he would have appeared just as sullen as always.

The sickly sweet duet came to a close and Rachael didn't seem to know that the clapping was more for it being over then for the talent behind it. Blaine leaned over and whispered "Thank god that's over. Their good but does Rachael always look that psycho? Seriously it was like seeing a lion stalking a gazelle! Or maybe a Griffie. Finn's tall enough after all." Kurt stifled his laughter with his hand before whispering back "No that's the look she saves for Finn. Any other time its not that bad." Looking behind Blaine Kurt saw Puck trying not to smile. It seems Blaine had talked loud enough for it to carry to Pucks ears.

"Okay guys, guess what time it is?" Said Mr. Schue holding up a hat. The entire room except Blaine moaned at the dreaded Hat of Fate. "Whats with the hat Kurt?" Blaine asked kinda confused why a hat would would make the people in the room look sick or angry.

Wile their teacher worked on wiring names and adding them to the hat Kurt said "Mr. Schue has this whole team work thing he does. In order to promote us working better together he pulls peoples name from the hat to randomly pair them up to work on a performance. It's a good idea. . . in theory. But more often then not you end up working with people you can't stand. The groups preform well but most of the time you just get on each others nerves for the week."

Blaine looked thoughtful and a little worried when he glanced over to Santana and then pained when he looked at Rachael. Before turning a hopeful smile on Kurt. Then Mr. Schue started calling out the pairs: "Tina and Quinn, Artie and Finn, Mercedes and Blaine . . ." Blaine looked relieved when he shared a quick smile with Mercedes ". . . Rachael and Santana. . . " Everyone looked over in time to see the Latina scowl at the hat of fate, Kurt wouldn't be surprised if by tomorrow the poor hat would be ripped to shreds and scatted over the choir room. ". . . Mike and Brittany, and last we have Puck and Kurt."

"Well" Kurt thought "At least this time only two pairs dislike each other."

"So for the next two weeks i want you guys to work on songs. each group will sing 2 songs. Its like each person getting a solo with someone to back them up. So I'm giving you two weeks since each group needs to come up with 2 numbers. Now here's the hard part. You have to pick the song that best describes your partner and have them sing it not you." Mr. Schue smiled at all the kids ignoring the collective moan that ran though the room. "Now go find your partner and get started!"

With a roll of his eyes Kurt stood and walked behind Blaine to sit next to Puck. Everyone else moved about to do the same thing. everyone started talking except Santana and Rachael. Santana looking like she was going to kill someone and Rachael looking afraid about what she might have to sing about herself.

"So should i like find the gayest song and have you sing it for everyone?" Smirked Puck.

"There's more then being gay to me Puck. Besides I was thinking maybe that would fit you better." Kurt said with a smile at the stricken look on Pucks face.

"Dude! Don't bring that up here!" Puck hissed at Kurt with his fists clenching at his sides.

"Puck dint worry. I was only teasing you like you were me." Kurt saw Pucks hand relax and Puck smiled a bit. "We don't really know each other so I'm not sure what to choose for you to sing." Seeing Puck open his mouth Kurt rushed on in before the jock said anything "Don't worry. Ill find something badass for you. Come over to my place tonight and we'll start working on it."

"Sure. Ill be there around 6."

A/N - So this one went a little long. I'm open to suggestions on what each person should sing. Just remember that they have to sing something there partner choose for them. I already have Pucks song picked out so feel free to send my ideas for the others.