Dave hadn't taken Rachel seriously when she had suggested they have a party to celebrate his coming out. This was why he found himself so surprised when he found himself alongside Daniel and Peter (under the careful supervision of Rachel) hanging an net of silver twinkle lights in a large celebration tent in the Berry backyard.

Still, Dave had to admit, Rachel knew how to throw a party. The lights were the final thing to be put in place. The dozen or so tables were covered with fine table cloths in bleu de france. Tall hurricane cylinders sat in the center of each table filled with what looked like blue and silver Christmas balls of different sizes. Simple white plates and silver completed the tables.

"Who did you invite to this thing Rachel?" asked Dave curiously. The guest list to this party had been an article of the utmost secrecy to Dave.

"Absolutely everyone in Glee. Mrs. Pilsbury-Howell and Dr. Howell, Mr. Schuester,Kurt, Some of my dad's friends, The jazz band, A/V club, and Brad." listed Rachel.

Dave's face turned a rank shade of green.

"Did you say Kurt?" he asked calmly

"Uh...Yea?" she said not detecting anything wrong with her decision.

"Did you not think that him being here might cause...friction?" asked Dave. "He doesn't want to see me. I'd rather not lose any chance of him ever liking me in the future." he said.

"Look Dave," explained Rachel. "You two are going to have to see each other sometime. One doesn't sing his heart out for someone else in front of a group of strangers at Starbucks for nothing. It's been my experience that in these matters, you go for what you want." Rachel's eyes sparkled with the passion she spoke with. "You need to show him how much you've changed. Let him get to know the real Dave Karofsky. LOVE CONQUERS ALL!" she shouted.

"Yea...that sounds very after-school special...I'm not sure it'll work in real life." sulked Dave. "I just can't see him right now. I'll mess it up."

"Dave...do you know why I hate the Twilight books?" asked Rachel.

Dave gave a little shake of his head.

"It's because Bella is a whiny do-nothing who doesn't deserve Jacob NOR Edward." she smirked. "You are kind of being a Bella right now. Success comes in CANS not CANTS!"

Beyond thinking Rachel had read a few too many fortune cookies, Dave agreed with her. He wanted to talk to Kurt. He also didn't like the fact hat he was being compared to a fictional girl who is in love with a fictional vampire.

"Dave, the guests will be arriving in an hour. You should go upstairs and get ready." suggested Rachel.

"Whats wrong with what I'm wearing now?" he asked.

"You smell like a boy and need a shower...also, this is YOUR coming out party. You need to look nice. I've laid out your clothes for you." she said as a matter of factly.

"I can dress myself you know..." Dave started.

"Yes...I know; which is why I've laid out your clothes. Now, GO SHOWER!" said Rachel, no longer suggesting, but ordering.

Dave drudged up the stairs, getting more nervous by the minute.

Dave stepped out of the shower, muscles now very relaxed from the hot water. He grabbed the bottle of scar cream and began his ritual, slowly chanting his mantra to keep himself calm.

How doth the little crocodile Improve his shining tale.

He rubbed the cream into his scars; most of which were barely visible.

And pour the waters of the Nile over every golden scale.

He brushed his teeth and combed his hair.

How cheerfully he seems to grin, how neatly spreads his claws

He stepped into his clothes. Nice jeans with a royal blue button up.

And welcomes little fishies in with gently smiling jaws.

One look in the mirror told him he was ready to take on the crowd that waited for him outside. He took a deep breath, and down the stairs he went. Rachel was waiting for him at the bottom.

"You look amazing." she said.

"Why always the sound of surprise?" he asked. He would be insulted if it weren't for the fact that Rachel had been one of his rocks the last few weeks.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Yea. I am." replied Dave. They walked through the back door into a crowd of people, hands clapping.

"SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH!" the crowd chanted.

Dave stood before them, face read, smile wide. Dozens of eyes looked up at him expectantly. Kurt was there, looking adorable as usual, if not somewhat uncomfortable.

"Uh, I just want to thank everyone for coming and supporting me. Rachel, Mr. Berry, Mr. Berry, I really want to thank you for being here for me these last few weeks. Thank you so much of the support, love, encouragement and peace that you've given me. I know I've done some terrible things in the past, and I know there's no way I can make up for them all at once, so I'll take them one at a time. I'd like to take this opportunity to say to all of you that I'm truly sorry." He locked his eyes with Kurt's, both boys mesmerized. Lets all enjoy this party!" he finished.

Everyone clapped and cheered. Quinn, Santana, and Brittney all gave him a big hug. Finn and Puck gave him a double high five. Dave felt that he had a friend in everyone there. Everyone but Kurt...he was sure that Kurt didn't want to talk to him, but was determined not to push it. He wanted Kurt to make the first move to lessen the chance of him screwing it up.

Everyone had sat down to the gorgeous meal Daniel and Peter had cooked up; huge steaks, baked potatoes, and grilled asparagus, when Dave felt his phone start vibrating in his pocket. He flipped it open and read the new message. It was from a number he didn't recognize, but he knew it was local by the area code. The message read:

Meet me on the front porch in 5 minutes. We need to talk.

Dave felt his steak try to come back up, but he held himself together. He quickly excused himself from the table, muttering something about needing to go to the bathroom. He weaved in and out of tables, slowly making his way to the side gate.

Sitting on the porch rail was Kurt. His brown hair was glistening in the dusk's light. Dave walked up the steps, and cleared his throat.

"You wanted to see me?" he asked.

"Yea...I'm sorry to pull you away from the party...I just didn't want there to be as many eavesdroppers." replied Kurt.

"Whats on your mind?" Dave asked as he sat down on the porch swing.

"I just wanted to get a few things off my chest." the smaller boy said. "You may have changed Karofsky, but that doesn't mean I"m ready to forgive you. It sure as hell doesn't mean I'm coming back to McKinley." said Kurt, his voice growing slightly more high pitched.

"Kurt, can you please call me Dave?" he asked.

"Sure...I guess..." said Kurt a little sheepishly.

"Look Kurt..." began Dave. "I know I've been horrible to you. I know I have a lot to make up for. I'm not asking for your forgiveness. I'm asking for the chance to earn it." he finished, his eyes gleaming with truth, and sincerity.

"You'll have to do a lot to prove that we can be friends." said Kurt. At that moment, he slipped, and started to plummet into the bushes in front of the porch. Dave jumped up, and grabbed Kurt around the middle, pulling him back into his sitting position on the porch. Dave's arms were still around Kurt, almost in a hug. Their faces were inches apart.

"Well...That's a good start." whispered Kurt. Dave backed up and Kurt hopped off the railing. He smiled up at Dave a little, his blueish green eyes twinkling.

"Did you delete that text I sent you?" he asked.

"No.." said Dave.

"Good." replied Kurt. "Save my number."

With that, Kurt walked down the flagstone pathway and hopped into his car, and pulled around the corner.

Dave just stood there, thinking to himself. His pocket buzzed again. He pulled out his phone and read the new message.

Thanks for catching me when I fell. Hopefully, it wont be the last time.

A goofy smile played across Dave's lips, and he turned to go back to the party.