You have permission to kill me for making you wait so long. A few New Years resolutions - can you still remember New Year? - caused me to work harder for school and write more on my other stories and works. I just didn't have time or inspiration - I know, worst excuse ever for a fanfiction writer, we aren't allowed to say this - to update. I'm every so sorry.

Thanks to JoeyKangarooGirl and Ali for reviewing. JoeyKangarooGirl - I wish I would have told you this sooner, but as you now know, the story hasn't ended yet. Enjoy this chapter!
(Also, I'm not yet sure what to do with the storyline the Warblers have gotten, so the next update may take a while ... again. For this, you may blame the writers from Glee. How can they make some schoolboys so evil?)

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, and the quotes above the chapters belong to the show. I do not own the songs. I do own the main character, though.

Song(s) used: I should stop with adding this. But I like continuity, so this useless information will be appearing above every chapter.

Glee, actually

"Okay, well, a family is a place where everyone loves you no matter what, and they accept you for who you are."

"So how did you get an apartment?"

"Sebastian, I already told you five times."

"I still can't believe it."

"Well, me neither. That's McKinley for you."

"Explain."

"Again?!"

"Oh, come on, you can't expect me to believe this!"

"Okay. Brittany just approached me on the hallway and gave me this silver necklace with a key on it. Then she told me Coach Sylvester helped her and she mumbled something about the end of the world and I think she mentioned demons and dolphins too, but I'm not sure about that."

"You got an apartment?"

"SEBASTIAN!"

Her brother was laying on his bed, the book he was reading tossed on the ground after he heard her announcing special news. His green eyes had twinkled amused when she had nervously sat down on her own bed, folding her hands and telling him with controlled voice she had finally found a place to live. As soon as she revealed how she had gotten the apartment, he had just stared at her, his mouth literally fallen open. They had both laughed for a while, after which she had been forced to tell the story again a few times.

"So why are you telling me this now?" Sebastian turned and lay down on his back, staring at the white ceiling. He searched the floor absently with his hand, trying to find the book without looking at it.

She pushed it towards him with her foot. "Because I couldn't believe it either, so I first stalked Brittany for a day and heard about a thousand times how I was her friend and how I put a smile on her face by calling people names and how I reminded her of her ex-girlfriend, then she finally gave me the address which she had forgotten to add. Coach Sylvester ignored me, as usual, so I just said thanks and the next day I went to look for the apartment."

Sebastian looked at her expectantly. "That was the 21st, right?"

"How many times do I have to repeat myself?" she sighed. "Yeah. I went into the apartment, looked around, freaked out, said some nice curses and went back to Dalton." She shrugged and grabbed another one of the chocolates Trent had given them before he went home to celebrate Christmas with his family.

"But it's the 24th. Why wait all this time?" Sebastian had finally found the book, picking it up with a satisfied smile on his face. He put it on this desk, almost pushing off the box with chocolates. She caught it just in time.

"Because it was meant to be some kind of surprise! I first wanted to make sure Brittany hadn't bought a dollhouse instead. She would be able to do it. And after that, I helped Marley with setting up a good Christmas song to thank Coach Sylvester," she explained.

"I thought she was so horrible?" her brother questioned.

She chuckled. "Well, actually, she is quite funny. I don't know, how she curses the whole time and throws things around and tries to bring the Glee club down – it's all very enjoyable. As if our whole life is some kind of musical comedy-drama." The chocolate melted on her tongue and she smiled happily. Music was playing on the radio, the curtains were closed and some small lights were on. It was warm and cozy in the room.

The last month had been awfully confusing and stressful. Of course, the Warblers had won Sectionals on her birthday, but they hadn't celebrated anything because of the events with her father. She had been in the hospital for a few days, while Sebastian had been for a week. After that, Nick and Jeff had the intention of giving a party, but Hunter had convinced them to let it rest, since Sebastian could only lie on his bed for another week. When he had recovered, though, they had both involved with the court case of their father.

Eventually, after a long and tiring time of telling everything what happened over and over, he had been sentenced for five years. It had been news for a while, with big headlines. There were indignant reactions from many people, but the Warblers were the most in a huff, constantly complaining about the soft sentence. Hunter had claimed a few times he should have punched the man a few more times, but at those times, David came in and reminded them that by the time Howard Smythe was out of jail, he had nothing to say about his children anymore. Marie-Claire was always glad to hear this – she repeated it often to herself, but hearing it from someone else gave her this warmth in her heart.

She was independent.

"MC?"

Dalton had accepted her, in a way. Though she didn't attend the school and wasn't allowed in the school building during classes, the headmaster had made some exceptions and she could stay in the room of her brother as long as he had no roommate. It had been hard to get the place, but Dalton eventually realized if they didn't take her in, she wouldn't have a house and they would make the news in a very negative way. So, bending their rules, which didn't exactly say a girl wasn't allowed to live at Dalton, only not attend classes, she had been welcomed in the student society with open arms, already being familiar with all the Warblers and some other boys.

"Claire?"

When she was turning sixteen, in a year time, she would be able to become an emancipated minor – with help from a good lawyer and some threatening with bad media reputation, the court had been convinced she could take care of herself. Avoiding some laws and making excellent use of some legal blackmailing – she didn't even know that was possible – she was free to live on her own at the age of sixteen, as long as someone could check up on her and her brother would keep a close eye.

"Claire!"

She looked up. Sebastian was staring at her, an eyebrow raised and his arms crossed. He stood in the middle of the room, wearing black jeans and a shirt with his Dalton tie and blazer. It differed slightly from the usual outfit, not having the right pants. She copied her brothers moves, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms.

"Trousers?" she asked smugly.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "We're having diner. The uniforms trousers don't look that nice."

"Well, it is a Warbler evening. You should wear the uniform," she answered.

He smiled. "Oh, come on, I can wear this. It's close enough, right?" She didn't respond, instead stood up and walked over to her closet. Sebastian eyed her curiously. "What? You are going to wear something special?" he wanted to know. She glared at him. "Okay, I'll leave. Remember – Hunter's here at six. And he doesn't like waiting."

"I know!" she exclaimed. "Get out of the room." Her brother indeed left. She smiled, then turned towards the closet. Marie-Claire never, ever, wore a skirt or a dress. Usually, she kept to jeans, short sleeve shirts and warm but simple sweaters or jackets. A pair of sneakers, a necklace and some bracelets, that was all. But tonight, she had decided to go for something special. Sebastian and she had quite some things to celebrate, and most of the Warblers would be there with them – apart from Trent, John and Harry, who were all with family. The latter three were now called traitors for the end of the year – which didn't last long – because of breaking some kind of Warblers tradition that the Christmas Eve diner was held together. Luckily, they had ordered her to come – not giving her a choice – and apparently Wes would be there too, so there was nothing to worry about.

She picked out a strapless, short dress, simply colored in the navy blue of the Warblers blazers. Around her middle, there was a red belt. The dress fitted quite nicely around her slim figure – it wasn't too short and the lower part was a bit wide, whirling around her legs. She actually liked the feeling of wearing something like this. It made her feel pretty. Marie-Claire was perhaps not the most outstanding girl, but she had her green eyes and attitude. With a dress and some make-up, she was at least noticeable. Grinning, she brushed her hair, added some lip-gloss and let the necklace with the key to the apartment slide around her neck. She touched it briefly before letting the key disappear under her dress. Then, grinning, she tied a Warbler tie around her neck. It didn't look particularly beautiful or hot, but the guys would adore it, she was sure.

She grabbed a jacket and left the room with a confident smile.

"So… You got an apartment as Christmas present?"

"Not again!" Marie-Claire groaned, rubbing her sleep. She glared angrily at Nick, who now shrugged with a small smile and turned towards Jeff, the blonde trying to eat a piece of wood that looked very much like a breadstick. David, from the right side, just pulled the thing out of the other Warbler's fingers and put it on his own plate, shaking his head. Meatbox was giving away a beat box show for Flint, who was actually not even listening but instead having more interest in Thad, the boy going on about Italy again. Luke and James were playing with some nuts that they had gotten with their food. The game looked like chess. Sebastian had been busy eye fucking some handsome waiter the whole night. Hunter, as captain of the Warblers and therefore the one who had to keep an eye on everything, didn't seem like he could take much more. He had been sitting unmoving for a few minutes how, his head buried in his hands, his fingers in his hair.

She grinned.

There was something about the Warblers that made her feel relaxed and happy, but the reactions of other people on the group singing guys in blazers was sometimes even better than the schoolboys themselves. Hunter, for instance, seemed like he had gotten a thousand white hairs in the months that he had been captain. The Dean of the school had really gotten a lot of grey hairs. Many girls found the blazers and ties hot, but once they got to know the Warblers, they were usually convinced that they were all gay. David had a girlfriend, but Thad, Flint and Meatbox, despite trying to find one, hadn't been able to get once. Several times they had been told that they were gay by a girl who hardly knew them.

Marie-Claire chuckled. She sat between Nick and Hunter, with Sebastian opposite of her. Being the only girl in the company, she had gotten some weird looks from people – though the most priceless look had had to be the one from Puckerman. The two brothers were, probably together with their mothers, too in Breadstix. She had also seen Coach Beiste with Sam and Brittany, probably to tell them they weren't married.

"Hunter, just let them be," Wes advised the captain when he tried to interfere with a cuddle fight between Nick and Jeff. "Breadstix is used to them. They just need one night to go all crazy."

Marie-Claire studied the former councilman for a while. He had been famous for his high grades, gavel and perfect leadership over the Warblers. No one else had been able to keep the boys in line like him, not even Hunter Clarington from military academy. The two had been talking for a while, Wes giving Hunter advice on leading the Warblers to a Nationals victory without causing explosions or flying pigs. That was, apparently, much harder than it seemed.

"Speech!" Jeff suddenly shouted.

They already had one from Hunter. He wasn't a man of many words in situations like this and had simply toasted on a good Christmas and New Year, seconded by the entire group. More speeches weren't unfamiliar with the Warblers, though, so everyone turned quiet – after a few restless minutes – and looked expectantly at their blonde colleague. Who returned their looks, mirroring the emotion.

"Ehm, Jeff, you're supposed to speech now," Nick informed him hesitantly.

The blonde looked confused. "I want a speech, I'm not going to give one…"

Nick and Thad pulled the boy down. Hunter and Wes hid their faces in their hands and sighed heavily at the same time. Flint and Meatbox seemed to be discussing something, but they obviously weren't going to get an agreement. James started to stand up, but Luke pulled him down – luckily, because his friend wouldn't be able to stop talking once he got the chance to let his voice be heard. David and Sebastian were having a quiet conversation. Claire shook her head.

She knew that a speech should be held. To many things hadn't been discussed openly. Of course there had been rumors and messages spread from mouth to mouth, but the events that had happened lately had never been actually told, only gossiped about. Someone had to raise and tell everyone what the plans were for the next year. Loud and clear, without confusing Dalton gossip or awkward looks towards the Smythes if they could talk about it.

David and Sebastian had come to the same conclusion. They had even decided something else. Two pairs of eyes were focused on her. She could feel them burning but shook her head frantically, mouthing 'no'. Hunter and Wes had picked up the signal though and hope appeared on their faces. She groaned.

"Jeff, I agree. Speech," she said, raising from her chair. The blonde grinned and gave her a thumbs up, while she fistbumped with Nick and winked to Hunter, ignoring David and her brother pointedly. "Warblers –" she raised a glass "– once again together to celebrate. That's what you – we do the best, isn't it? We missed some parties, though. I haven't heard of a party for Hunter becoming the new captain and you finally getting rid of my brother, I haven't heard of a birthday party for myself or a celebration for the fact you won Sectionals." The Warblers mumbled a bit. "So, this is an all in one, right?"

Silence.

She rolled her eyes. "This is the part where you all loudly agree with me, but okay, we'll skip that. I get that we went through some shit lately." Even more awkward silence. She looked at Sebastian, who winked. He seemed to be the only one getting that she didn't want this to be a taboo anymore. "Let's leave that behind us. Sebastian and I are fine, he can dance and sing, I can judge and bitch, so no losses for the Warblers. My father is in prison and he'll be there for five years, never to touch us again, Hunter made sure of that. I'll stay at Dalton until I'm sixteen, then I'll move out but by no means leave you behind. This, dear birds, means we can leave the year finished behind us and focus on a new one, where we won't get beaten up and win Regionals and maybe even Nationals. Some of us will graduate and move on to college, others will stay at Dalton. As long as we all remember – once a Warbler…"

"… always a Warbler," the boys chorused like trained puppies.

Claire raised her glass once again. "A toast. To all of us." She knew she had gotten the attention of not only the boys, but also the other people she knew in the restaurant, and she would use that. "To Hunter, our new captain and hero. To Wes, our returned alumnus and the shoulder to lean on. To Sebastian, our co-captain and playboy," she mentioned the most important people on the table for all the Warblers. "I myself want to thank the Puckermans, for being badasses and my friends – good luck on their family reunion. Also, Brittany, thanks for giving me a whole. Sam, thanks for … being a nice guy, I suppose, Coach Beiste, thanks for being the best teacher we have at McKinley. We need more like you there. Now, guys. A toast." She smiled slightly.

The Warblers raised their glasses, joined by the few people from McKinley who were present. "To all of us," they repeated. "And a new year."

"I can't believe you brought us all to a gay bar," Hunter complained for the thousandth time, facing Sebastian. The green eyed boy ordered another strong alcoholic drink and smirked, winking at his captain.

"We need to get you fixed," he answered smugly. "Not even remotely bi-curious doesn't suit you." He handed Marie-Claire a coke. She frowned. "No alcohol for you," Sebastian told her.

"Sebastian, a month ago you were laying in a hospital bed. I'd say the same to you," she responded, though she took the coke and sipped from it. It was a miracle they even got into Scandals. This had probably to do with the shameless flirting of her brother with the bouncer and their fake IDs – the good ones, not the ones Sebastian had leant Kurt and Blaine on their trip to the bar. Still, when Marie-Claire looked around her and saw the baby faces of the Warblers, she had to laugh. Scandals simply didn't care for the age of their customers.

"No, seriously, why are we here? This was supposed to be party…" Hunter sighed.

She almost pitied him. Almost. "Because the party can't be at Trent's, Sebastian and mine house is kind of … out of question, let's say it like that, and you don't want to share your living room."

"Have you seen these guys? They'd probably have body shots on the floor and sex on my couch. And I wouldn't even want to know what would happen in the bathroom," the captain shook his head, glancing at Nick, who was pushing another guy away from Jeff, shouting angrily. He sighed. "Sebastian?" The Smythe grinned and shrugged. "Oh come on…" Hunter raised and walked towards the fighting trio.

Marie-Claire took another sip from her drink. "He doesn't get it, does he?"

"Dalton parties or the Warblers?" Sebastian asked.

"Both," she grinned. "He has much to learn."

"I can't believe my fifteen year old sister is sitting in a gay bar with me, discussing how an older guy doesn't get how his friends from an all boys school party – which usually includes alcohol, sex and truth or dare together with seven minutes –"

"You are my brother, Bas," she interrupted him, laughing slightly.

Her brother winked, then glanced at a guy. "That's the waiter from Breadstix," he realized.

"Well, go them him, tiger." She rolled her eyes.

Sebastian hesitated. "Claire, if you dare to get into trouble..."

"This is a gay bar, bro. You'd better keep an eye on the birdies. I don't have a –"

"I get it," her brother cut her off. "Damn, you owe your vocabulary to me." With a last look at her, he disappeared in the dancing crowd. Marie-Claire looked at his brown hair, soon losing the sight on it. She smiled a bit sadly. Her brother had known she could take care of herself, yet lately he had been more protective over her. The reason was obvious and she understood him, but sometimes she caught him sitting in a corner, his eyes staring into nothing, with a pained expression on his face. Those were the times she just wanted to walk towards him and hug, keep him close. But the roles were different. Her brother wouldn't let her comfort him. Once he noticed her, he'd put on a mask, he'd be the one embracing her or just putting his walls up by making some kind of horrible sex joke. She never got through him.

"MC?" She looked up, saw Hunter sitting next to her once again, a concerned expression on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked her.

"Why wouldn't I be? I'm not the one having to keep an eye on a bunch of children who don't know how to take care of themselves," she responded quickly, before realizing she was exactly doing the same as she had just thought about Sebastian. A chuckle escaped her.

Hunter smiled. "You laugh more now," he stated.

She raised an eyebrow. "Why would that be?" Sarcasm dripped from her voice. "You too, though," she then said. It was true. Now Hunter was longer on Dalton, a smile crossed his face more often. She liked it.

"It's more peaceful here," Hunter said absentmindedly.

She frowned. "Than on military academy?"

Hunters eyes widened. "That – yeah." She wondered if he hadn't wanted to say that. It sure seemed like it. "So, what's happening at McKinley?" he switched subjects.

She didn't press, didn't ask about his former school or the fact that he didn't want to discuss it. Instead, she just went with his question. "You know they aren't competition anymore, right? No spying needed." She finished her drink. "It's fine, I guess. Brittany and Sam kind of married but actually didn't, Artie had some trouble but I'm not sure what, Finn is walking around depressed because he doesn't see Rachel the whole time, Marley is having her perfect Christmas, the Puckermans are fixing family stuff, Coach Sylvester is having a sudden mood switch which won't last long, Tina is still being a bitch, Blaine is going to New York for some godforsaken reason."

Hunter looked at her, his mouth hanging slightly open.

"Welcome to McKinley. It's even worse than Dalton – sometimes," she muttered.

"They married?"

"Not really."

"Why?"

"Something with the apocalypse."

Hunter shook his head. "At least it doesn't get boring," he offered. "And I think Blaine's godforsaken reason is Kurt, right?"

She shook her head. "Leave it to you to be up to date with all the blackmail material. You probably studied with Sebastian. Anyway – yes, Kurt is his reason. It was horrible, though. He kept spilling all his troubles over me and then kept apologizing. He's horrible sometimes. But then again, he thinks I'm traumatized or something."

"So you have friends," Hunter randomly concluded.

She looked at him, feigning hurt. "Yes," she answered. "Why?"

"Nothing. No seemed out of place at McKinley. But even since you ran out of the hospital to go to some practice, you suddenly fit in there. And there were so many people visiting you that day just after the attack. Also people from McKinley." Hunter ordered a beer. "You want some?"

She shook her head. "Are you jealous?" she wondered, looking at the expression on Hunters face. She couldn't quite understand it. There was something sad about it, but he also was more relaxed.

"No way," Hunter responded loudly.

So he was.

"Why?"

"I'm not."

"Hunter."

"I –"

"Hunter."

"Okay, I just thought that the Warblers … us … you know, where kind of you only family?"

She narrowed her eyes, then understood. "You felt special and don't anymore?"

"Just skip school and study psychology already," Hunter sighed defeated.

She winked at him. "Hunt, you guys are my family." She smiled a bit at him, then turned towards the dancing crowd, watching her brother. Her green eyes scanned the people for a while, but disappointed, she didn't find anyone to turn her Smythe charms on. She rolled her eyes watching Flint stumbling around, Thad laughing hysterically in a corner and Meatbox loudly shouting for a microphone. Drunk Warblers were stereotypes. Wes and David were sitting in a corner, though, not being drunk. The Asian guy was looking at the Warblers with unbelief written all over his face – his show choir had changed a lot. David was probably talking sense into him.

"MC?"

"Huh, what?" she questioned, realized she had completely missed Hunters words.

"Why can't you be like any other girl…" the guy sighed.

Her face fell a little. "I'm not even going to answer that."

Hunter rolled his eyes. "I said; what about a date?"

"What, with who?" she answer, caught off-guard, wondering what he was talking about.

Hunter threw his hands in the air. "You. Me. Diner. Movie. Seriously, MC, I can't even simply ask you out on a date without getting some stupid remark."

She smirked. "You're asking me out? You know you are two years older than me and also a friend of my brother? The latter one is definitely a hook-off." She remained silent for a while. "Hunter, you're not really my type," she then answered sincerely.

"Give me a chance? I mean, you should like me. Have a crush on me or something. I'm a bit older, hot and athletic. I've got muscles and I'm from an all boys school. Also, I've saved you once. How much more to you want?" he asked.

"Well, not –"

"Oh come on," Hunter sighed. "One date? I'll change your mind. Why don't you fall for me?"

Claire shook her head, smirking. "You don't have breasts."

"Oh."

She started to laugh. "Don't … oh god, Hunter, at Dalton you must have a good gaydar, otherwise you won't come anywhere in that school. Don't tell me you didn't even consider?"

"I didn't," Hunter groaned. "Fuck, MC, you're making things so damn complicated."

"I know. Do you see any girl around here? I don't know why, but here in Ohio, girls stay in the closet even more than the guys do," she commented.

Hunter clenched his fists. "Fuck. Ah, I hate this. Okay, one date?"

"Hunter, I just told you I'm lesbian."

"You might be bi."

She raised an eyebrow.

"One date? Come on, if you think you can turn me gay, I think I can turn you straight." Hunter grinned confidently.

"You know how homophobic this sounds, right?" she said.

"Just answer the question!"

"Sure."

"What?"

"One date. Sure."

"Fuck. That was even easier than I thought."

"I choose, you pay?"

"This one time."

"Okay. Watch out for Bas, though."

"Why?"

"Because he's going to skip the 'if you hurt her'-talk and rip your head off immediately."

"I can take him."

"And all the other Warblers?"

"Oh fuck."