Kurt found Rachel in the labs daydreaming in front of her computer screen. She'd been so lost in her daze that she hadn't noticed the screen saver had kicked on. Kurt could tell she was happy, her smile was content and dreamy as he watched her for a few moments before making himself known. He watched as she sighed to herself happily and bit her bottom lip. This might be easier than I thought. Steadying himself, he strode over to her and waited for her to notice.
It only took a few moments for her to see him and then she was up and out of her chair so fast that he barely had time to brace himself for her impact. She grabbed him by his shoulders and squeezed, forcing him to meet her smiling eyes. "You won't believe what happened to me today!"
She was so excited that he was afraid to bring up the subject of Finn and her dad. "Rachel I have to tell you something. It's about-"
She cut him off before he could say anything else. "Don't interrupt Kurt, this is important."
"So is this." He tried but failed to get her attention.
"I highly doubt that it's more important than this." She proclaimed, her smile growing as she moved back to sit at her desk.
Kurt watched his friend with disbelief. "Rachel, didn't you notice I'm here late?"
"As a matter of fact I did and you're lucky that I'm not upset with you." She smiled sweetly at him. "Do you know why?" When he shook his head and shrugged his shoulders at her she continued. "I was sitting here waiting on you earlier, when Finn showed up. He came down here and surprised me by asking me to have lunch with him. I had assumed that it would be like any other time but this was so perfect. He took me out to a secluded balcony that had a beautiful view of the city."
Kurt was itching to tell Rachel about his day and the kiss and her dad's reaction to it. But she continued her retelling of her lunch date with Finn.
"He even had a rose sitting in the center of the table. It's the most beautiful rose I have ever seen." She sighed dreamily, pointing toward where the flower lay on her desk.
Kurt looked to the flower in question, it was an exotic rose that grew on the mainland. Finn must have had to make a couple deals to get one of those. "Pretty." He said, softening to Rachel's story.
The smile she turned on him then was blinding. He stepped back, concerned about what she would say next. She surprised him when she spoke softly. "He kissed me." Her voice was softer than Kurt had ever heard her before and she looked ridiculously happy.
His jaw dropped in shock at the bomb shell his best friend had just hit him with. Gathering his emotions he smirked at her. We both received our first kiss today, he thought. Then another thought hit him. Did Puck and Finn plan this? Shaking the thought from his mind he turned his attention back to Rachel and gave her a brilliant smile to match hers.
He intended to congratulate her, but instead blurted out, "Me too!"
Rachel fixed Kurt with a glare so menacing it would frighten a starving wraith. "Finn kissed you too?" she managed to sound both threatening and hurt at the same time.
Startled, Kurt tried to back peddle their conversation in his head. Realizing his mistake he quickly tried to clear up the misunderstanding. "I meant I… I…" A blush began to creep up his neck to stain his cheeks. "I was kissed today too, by someone else!"
Rachel's tense posture immediately changed from threatening to overjoyed happiness. "What? Who?" she grabbed his hands in hers and was practically bouncing in place with excitement.
Kurt shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, not making eye contact with his friend. He was unsure how Rachel would react to the knowledge that Puck had been the one to give him his first kiss. He'd been evasive with her about his feelings toward the marine, partly because he hadn't wanted to take anything away from her relationship with Finn, and also partly because he'd been confused about Puck himself. His feelings toward the marine had gone from irritation to affection somewhere over the past weeks, and their time together on the planet had cemented the change. Kurt knew now that Puck was someone he could possibly grow to love, and share something with. He met Rachel's eyes finally and took a deep breath.
"Puck." He said.
He watched Rachel's brown eyes widen comically in shock. He would have laughed if he hadn't been scared to find out what his best friend thought about it. He wanted her to be happy for him like he was for her but with Rachel he never knew how to predict what she was going to do or think.
"I thought you hated him? I mean you two are always at each other's throats." She barely paused to take a breath. "How long has this been going on? Why didn't you tell me? I can't believe you didn't tell me!"
"Slow down Rachel. First, I did hate him but being around him so much kind of cured that. Between the jumper lessons and being around you and Finn, it just sort of happened. And I wasn't keeping anything from you. I wasn't really sure what was going on between us until today anyway." He looked to her apologetically, hoping she would understand. "When we were stuck on the planet things just kind of fell into place and-"
Rachel cut him off again holding up her hands to stop him. "Wait, on the planet? I thought you were just on another flying lesson?"
"We we're but we went through the space gate, just to get the feel of it, but the jumper malfunctioned. We're fine but we were stuck until the rescue team came for us. Your dad and mine and Zelenka came and we fixed it and then left." He rushed to explain. "But when we got back Puck and I were left in one of the jumpers alone and he kissed me. It didn't go any farther then that before your dad yelled for my help."
She was quiet for a while and seemed to be taking everything Kurt had said in and deciding on how to process it all.
Not waiting for her to voice her thoughts Kurt steeled himself for what he was about to tell her. "And that's where I have something to tell you about you and Finn." He said, looking at Rachel and seeing she still seemed to be processing everything. "You can't let your dad find out."
That seemed to do the trick, she snapped out of her haze the instant Kurt said Finn. "Why?" her voice held an edge of hysteria. "Did he say something?"
"He saw Puck kiss me and he implied that if he found out you were kissing some marine then he would push him through the space gate and you would never leave your room." He tried to make it not sound as bad as it was but he was pretty sure he didn't succeed, if the horrified look Rachel gave him said anything.
Rachel started pacing back and forth across the length of the room, wringing her hands together, it reminded Kurt of how Rodney reacted to situations that grew too tense. Kurt watched her silently while she worked through the statement. Abruptly she stopped pacing and locked eyes with him. "What am I gonna do?"
Kurt had been wondering the same thing. He knew Rodney wouldn't rat him out to his dad, but if his dad found out about him and Puck he knew it wouldn't end well. He gave his friend the only advice he could come up with. "We just can't let our dad's find out. We should also make the guys get on our dads good side so when they do eventually find out they might at least hesitate before killing them, giving Finn and Puck a chance to run and hide."
Both teens stared blankly at one another for a few moments, then broke out into bubbly laughter, picturing the boys running from their dads. Once they pulled themselves back together Rachel tugged Kurt over to sit next to her. "That might just work." She was beginning to relax a little and looped her arm with Kurt's. "Now tell me about this kiss and DO NOT spare the details."
Kurt arched an eyebrow at Rachel and laughed at her serious expression. "Okay but only if you do the same." She nodded, smiling at him as they began to trade stories.
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
After safely depositing Rodney off in the jumper bay, in a much better mood, John made his way down to the labs to find Kurt. John was feeling relaxed and light as he took the transporter to the science labs. He was glad he had some much needed Rodney time before he had to face Burt Hummel. Burt was his friend but he knew what they were about to spring on the man was going to be tough on him.
"Did you happen to check your watch?" Rachel was asking an exhausted looking Kurt when John came around the corner and stopped at the open door to their lab.
"Rachel it's not a competition. And no, I did not check my watch; I was kind of preoccupied at the moment." He sighed in frustration at his friend.
"I know, I know, but I'm pretty sure I was first and that has to count for something." She lectured.
Folding his arms on the table in front of him, Kurt leaned his forehead down to rest on them and sighed heavily again. "Rachel, getting your first kiss before me doesn't make it better or worse. It doesn't mean anything. So please stop, you're giving me a headache."
John almost fell over when he heard Kurt's words. He had already learned from Rodney that Puck and Kurt had kissed but he had no clue that Rachel had been kissing someone too. He stood hidden in the door way for a moment longer, trying to discern who his daughter had been kissing, even if he already had a pretty good idea who it was.
"But it has to at least mean something, I'm sure of it."
Kurt groaned into his arms, in obvious distress from his friends continued insistence. "Rachel! Please. You win, you were first. Now just shut up."
Smiling triumphantly she walked up to the big white board behind her desk and started scratching out the answer to the complicated equation written on it. She seemed to be pleased by what Kurt had said and moved on to focus back on her work.
Deciding to save Kurt from Rachel's ridiculous musings, John walked fully into the room and shoved his hands into his pant pockets. "Hey you two. How's it going?"
Kurt's head snapped up at the sound of Sheppard's voice and eyed him cautiously. Kurt knew this was coming all day long and was hoping that John would somehow forget and they wouldn't have to do this.
"Hey. What are you doing down here?" Rachel asked walking over to greet John.
Rocking on his heels he looked to Kurt. "I'm here because I need to talk with Kurt."
"Why?" she was genuinely confused why her dad would need to speak with Kurt.
Jumping up from his slouch in his chair, Kurt smiled reassuringly to his best friend. "It's fine Rachel I'll tell you later." He said to her as he passed her and followed John out of the lab. Rachel watched them leave and wondered what exactly was going on.
/ / / / / / / / / /
Kurt walked nervously next to John on their way to the conference room in silence. Once inside the large room Kurt had to ask the question that had been burning inside him. Fidgeting with the hem of his jacket Kurt glanced up at John. "We're going to tell my dad, aren't we?"
John timidly moved around the long table and sat in one of the big chairs. Trying to stall the answer to that question he fussed with the height of his chair for a few moments before looking to the young scientist. When he did gain enough courage to look up to Kurt's pale blue eyes, they were filled with enough worry to penetrate down to his soul. He didn't want Kurt to be hurt by the outcome of this conversation. "Yeah. I think after today it's time we told him Kurt. He deserves to know. I know we held off on telling him because neither of us knew how he would react to it but he's getting suspicious. He's just worried for your safety."
Kurt knew he would have to tell his dad eventually of his plan to join a gate team, if Sheppard permitted it, but today was a very emotional day as it was and he didn't think he was emotionally up to this. He was sure his father wouldn't take the information well. In fact Kurt was certain his father would be against it and not even give him a chance to argue his case. His father had certain ideas about him and he was unlikely to change his mind about any of it anytime soon. Resigned to his fate, Kurt joined John at the table and sat next to him.
Kurt sat fidgeting in his seat waiting on his father to arrive. Sheppard had told him that his dad was on the mainland helping Halling with some of the new construction on their houses and he would be back soon. Kurt was beginning to feel more and more nervous as the minutes ticked by. As of yet Sheppard hadn't given him a clear answer on whether or not he felt Kurt would be placed on a gate team. Kurt could tell that the Colonel was still on the fence about the whole idea and that only made him feel less sure about telling his dad. But this was something he really wanted and he wasn't going to back down without even being given a chance to prove himself.
Kurt's worried thoughts were interrupted when Burt burst through the doors. Burt had a presence about him that demanded everyone's obedience. Even to John the man always seemed to make him feel small. Burt looked around the room sensing the tension in the air. He knew this little meeting wasn't going to be something he wanted to hear but John had convinced him earlier to wait until he and Kurt could explain things to him.
Keeping his face void of any emotion Burt took the seat across from John and his son. Kurt had his head down studying the table top the moment Burt walked in the room and he couldn't seem to meet his father's stony gaze.
The two Hummel's sat in silence for a few terse minutes waiting on the other to start the conversation. John cleared his throat and let out a long breath, deciding to get things started. "Burt I know you have some questions and concerns about Kurt taking jumper lessons. That's why we're here." John didn't realize when he suggested they tell Burt that he would be this nervous. John reached out to the glass of water in front of him and took a couple desperate gulps, trying to settle his nerves.
Burt crossed his arms across his chest and waited. "I'm listening."
When no answer was forthcoming John nudged Kurt lightly, urging him to speak up. Kurt took a deep breath steadying his shaking nerves. "Dad…I asked John to… put me on a gate team. Before you say anything I know it's-"
Burt was on his feet, a menacing look directed at them both. "Hell no!" He turned and pointed at John. "No way are you putting my kid in danger. I knew you were up to something with all of these lessons."
"Dad! It wasn't John's idea it was mine. Don't get mad at him. I want this." Kurt was on his feet now too, begging his dad to listen to him.
Burt was shaking his head and dismissing Kurt before he could explain any further. "No! That's final. You're my son and you are too young." Burt was angry the two of them had kept this from him. He couldn't believe they tried to go behind his back, especially John, someone he trusted and considered his friend. Burt was shaking with fury when he met John's eyes. "How could you even consider this? Kurt isn't like you or me…or even Rodney for that matter. He doesn't belong out there. Why would you even let him think he could?"
Kurt couldn't believe his dad was talking about him like he wasn't standing right in front of him. His eyes burned with unshed tears as he watched his dad refuse to even hear him out. He had known his dad would be against it but he didn't think he would act as if his feelings didn't matter.
John tried to calm his friend by placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "He's a part of the science staff Burt. He came to me and asked for a chance and I had to at least see if he could handle it. Burt, I haven't even made my decision yet." John's voice was steady and held a calming tone, but it didn't seem to help in soothing Burt's anger.
Pulling away from John, he squeezed the brim of his hat with both hands, shaking his head again Burt tried to push his anger down before he really erupted. Releasing a deep breath and balling his fists at his sides, he locked gazes with John again. "You're damn right you haven't made a decision because it's not yours to make, it's mine. Kurt may be one of your scientists but he's my son and he's only seventeen."
Kurt couldn't take it anymore. He was standing right in front of them and they were acting as if he were invisible while they continued to decide what was best for him. Shaking with the angry energy coursing through his veins, Kurt walked up to his dad and forced him to acknowledge his presence. When Burt looked down at his son, Kurt made sure he wouldn't look away by stepping right into his dads personal space. Kurt was hugging his arms around his chest nervously, preparing to stand up to his father. "In three months it won't be your decision. I'll be eighteen and John can make his decision then." Kurt looked his father directly in his eyes and refused to back down. He hadn't wanted to use that against him but his father left him no choice.
Burt was thrown for a loop by Kurt's words. He couldn't believe Kurt was acting this way. He only wanted to keep him safe and he didn't believe Kurt actually knew what risks that being on a gate team held every time they went off world. "Kurt you just see the sparkle and glamour of the missions. You don't see the dangers and death that come with a mission that's gone badly. You aren't made for it. You're better suited for the lab and you could always go once in a while once everything is deemed safe. Lots of the scientists do that. That way they can still go off world. That's what you want right?" Burt tried to reason with his son.
Kurt bristled hearing his father's remarks, did he really think that little of him. "No dad, that's not what I want. I'm not made of glass I'm not going to shatter." His voice broke on the last word. The tears that had been threatening to fall the entire time did so now. The hot tears burned his cheeks as they streamed down his face.
Burt tried to reach out to him to draw him into a hug but Kurt pulled away and turned his back to his dad. Burt sighed and looked to John, who had been standing quietly to the side watching the confrontation between the two of them. "All lessons are to stop immediately and I don't want to hear any more about this nonsense." Getting a sad nod from John as confirmation, Burt turned back to Kurt waiting for his reply. After a moment when he didn't get one he called out to him. "Kurt."
Kurt was trying to stop his tears from falling but he was hurt by his father's easy dismissal of him.
"Kurt!" Burt said his name again, demanding him to acknowledge him. Kurt turned red rimmed eyes on his father and waited for him to say what he needed to say. "No more of this. I'm serious. You understand?"
Kurt didn't but he nodded anyway. That was enough for Burt because he turned back to John and told him he was going back to work and with that he turned and left the room, leaving John and Kurt alone in the deafening silence.
John was hoping his friend would react differently but he had known how fiercely Burt Hummel loved his son and he would never stand to see his son in danger if he could prevent it. John hoped that Kurt understood where his father was coming from and not take this to badly. Looking to Kurt now John wasn't sure he did. Walking up to the upset boy and putting his hand on his shoulder trying to calm him Sheppard looked at his tear streaked face. "Kurt he's just upset. Give him a few days to cool down and he'll come around."
Brushing the tears from his cheeks and shaking his head at John he smiled sadly. "No he won't. But that's fine because like I said he won't have a say in it in three months. So expect to hear from me again. I want this and I deserve to be given a fair chance."
John was shocked by Kurt's determination and a little impressed. He smiled down at him, squeezing gently on his shoulder and nodded.
Straightening up and running his hands down his uniform, trying to smooth out the wrinkles, Kurt turned his hurt and angry presence into one of calm and clarity as he finished putting himself back together. With one last swipe of his fingers through his bangs Kurt strode out of the conference room looking as if none of what just took place in the last half hour had happened.
A little envious that he couldn't do the same, John left the conference room in search of Rodney, hoping he could instill in him some of the calm he had lost in the last half hour.