Kurt wondered, once again, why the guys had decided it was a good idea to sing an a cappella rendition of "Take On Me," no matter how well it fit with that week's assignment, 'stretching your vocal capabilities.' He cringed from the opening words, instantly wondering with horror who would be singing the ridiculous high notes and how the hell he'd be able to do it.

His fears were realized as Puck began to sing the chorus. Rachel, next to Kurt, had her eyes squeezed tightly shut and held her hands inches from her ears, at an optimal distance for attempting to block out the noise should it get too painful for her apparently sensitive ears to handle. Mercedes stared at the spectacle in front of her with utter mortification. Tina had her mouth hanging open. Lauren held her head in her hands.

They were all surprised when Puck managed to hit the notes spot-on; however, they were not so shocked that they couldn't react. There were cheers and applause and a loud whistle from Santana. Lauren looked impressed as she clapped slowly.

The boys bowed in the cheesiest possible manner when they finished, amidst laughter and more applause from Kurt and the girls.

Mercedes leaned over and whispered to Kurt: "Was that a challenge, or just an invitation?" When he looked at her questioningly, she nodded at Dave, who had just sat down right in front of them.

Kurt waved her away, blushing. "Stop it!"

Mr. Schuester continued clapping as he made his way to the stage. "That was great! I guess you guys really took my assignment seriously."

"Course," Puck said, smirking. "That assignment was a challenge if I ever got one, and Noah Badass Puckerman does not pussy out of a challenge."

"Language, again."

"Cats."

Mr. Schue sighed. "Fair enough. We'll see what the girls and Kurt have planned tomorrow."

000

Honestly, they didn't have much of a plan. Or any plan at all.

An hour later, the girls were all gathered in the Hummel-Hudson living room, crowded around Kurt's iHome, all clutching various mp3 players. Pandora played quietly from Kurt's iPhone, which currently occupied the aforementioned iHome's dock, as he flipped through his dad's CDs. And tapes. And records.

How are we supposed to stretch our voices? It's not as if any of us can go much higher than what we've used, and I've already used my low range once before… He moved on to the shelf that housed Finn's CDs, with only the artists that he loved enough to pay the extra five dollars for a case and booklet. Finn was quite fond of blasting them at full-volume when their parents weren't home, so Kurt knew at least the chorus to most of the songs.

He grabbed one he recognized, and turned it over to the back, scanning the titles until - perfect.

"Hey… girls? How do you feel about some My Chemical Romance?"

"We've done them before," Quinn sighed. "While you were away."

Away. As if he had just taken a vacation. As if they always knew he'd be back. Kurt's heart swelled with love for his friends.

"Was it from The Black Parade?"

"No, why?"

"Because it's a well-known fact that each MCR album is entirely different from the rest. Did you do something from Danger Days?"

"Yeah…"

"We're doing 'Famous Last Words.' No arguments."

000

"You realize this song is about suicide, right?"

"It's about not attempting suicide."

"Still…"

"Not every song is going to be about butterflies and unicorns, Rachel."

"Still… Do we have to sing about suicide?"

"Now that you asked that, yes, we absolutely do."

000

"You're not going to dye your hair for this, are you?"

"Don't be absurd. I'll wear a wig."

"A white wig."

"Yes, look."

"…You own one?"

"…One must always be prepared, no matter what fashion requires."

000

It went well for a last-minute song choice without much practice. Tina took lead on most of the song, except for the end. Kurt pulled out all the stops with putting emotion into his part, and sang the second half of the fadeout with tears streaming down his face.

It wouldn't be the first time he'd sung while crying.

He ended up on his knees, and was hit with a strong feeling of déjà-vu. A year ago he was up there singing 'Rose's Turn' to an empty audience, falling to the floor at the end in much the same manner.

This time, though, he wasn't alone.

He was surrounded by his friends; the girls onstage and the guys in the audience. His dad wasn't hiding in the wings; he was waiting at home, ready to hug Kurt when he returned from school, and then pull back so Kurt could see the endless love and pride in his father's eyes.

Kurt smiled softly and watched a tear drop to the black stage beneath him. He chanced a look out at the audience and choked back a half-sob, half-laugh; they all had tears in their eyes, and Puck was staring openly in awe.

Finn stood first, clapping slowly and loudly. Puck got up next, joining the applause with an expression that made it seem as if this applause was the single most noble thing he would ever do in his life. Soon everyone was on their feet, and Kurt felt someone slam into him and wrap their arms around him. The squealing in his ear betrayed that it was Rachel, just in time for him to be mobbed by the other girls.

"That was incredible!" Rachel whispered into his ear.

Kurt let out a short laugh, unsure of how to respond. The whole performance was a blur, only slightly because he had spent half the time fighting back tears.

No one had to know where those tears came from.

000

But of course Dave would approach Kurt the next morning.

Kurt panicked briefly when he noticed Dave heading straight for him in his mirror, because there were some things he was just not ready to discuss, and making out with is former bully was one of those things.

"You were crying."

It took Kurt a moment to realize Dave was talking about "Famous Last Words." "Yes, David. Wonderful observation, that. It's a wonder you're not already a college graduate with that intellect."

"Why?"

"It's called sarcasm, Dave."

"No, I mean, why were you crying?"

Kurt sighed and shuffled through his books for something to do. "It's a sensitive issue for me."

"Suicide?"

"Not committing suicide is the subject of the song, but… yes."

"But… crying?"

"I know what you're thinking. And you're almost right."

"So… are you-?"

"No." Kurt grabbed his French book and closed his locker. "But I was."

"Is that how you got… that scar? On your neck."

'Yes. I tell everyone it was a surgery. In truth… I tried to kill myself a few weeks after my mom died. My dad found me with a knife to the back of my neck. If he hadn't come in, hadn't reminded me that I still have something - someone - to live for, even if it's just one person, I would have done it." He scrubbed at his burning eyes. "I was eight years old."

"Jesus."

Kurt nodded. "They say that in near-death situations, your life flashes before your eyes, and makes you regret whatever brought you to that point. My dad really is my life, ever since Mom died, so I guess it's true."

Dave picked up Kurt's hand, then let it go and grabbed his sleeve instead. "Come on." He pulled Kurt down the hall, into the empty team locker room. Once the door closed, he pulled Kurt into a hug.

"David…"

"You looked like you needed a hug," he explained. "I would have done that right then but…"

"I understand. Thank you."

Dave moved back and leaned against the wall of lockers. "I, um, I've never… tried, or anything like that, but I've thought about it, so I kinda… I don't wanna say I understand or I know how your feeling or whatever, 'cause I hate it when people say that, but… I get it, I guess."

"Promise me something?"

Dave looked him in the eye. "Anything." Kurt couldn't even pretend his heart didn't skip a beat at that.

"Don't ever try."

"You promise me the same thing and it's a deal."

Kurt smiled and nodded. "Deal." He held out his hand to shake on it, but as soon as Dave grabbed his hand, Kurt pulled his own back quickly, dragging his middle finger along Dave's palm.

Dave jerked his arm back and grabbed his hand. "What the fuck was that?"

"Gay handshake. It's the only way to truly seal any promise between two gays."

"I feel kind of violated."

"That tends to happen your first time. But we have a deal here, right?"

"Yeah."