William McKinley High School hadn't changed at all since Kurt was last here. It was kind of soothing, actually.

Okay, there was one key difference. There was a strong anti-bullying policy at the school, and for now everyone seemed to be leaving him and Blaine alone. Yes, there were the odd turned up noses at their PDAs. But Kurt and Blaine were still struggling with being out of protection range of each other, and their overly heated make out sessions when they were actually able to be together probably warranted some irritation.

Right now, Kurt was making a serious effort to not climb up onto Blaine while they kissed in front of Blaine's new locker. They heard someone clear their throat, but made no move to stop making out until the same voice called out, "Kurt." It was Dave.

Now Kurt and Dave did come up for air. Although the three boys were finding it kind of awkward maintaining their tentative friendship now that things were more or less back to the way they had been, this was the first time they'd seen him since the charges against him had been formally dismissed. "Hi, Dave," Kurt smiled. "Congratulations."

"Yeah," Blaine agreed. "Great news."

"Thanks." Dave seemed more puzzled that pleased, though. "Did you guys know that guy I shot was getting better right before he died?"

Kurt nodded. "We heard. The guy that attacked us at the campground is dead too."

"Has anyone else seen the guys they're supposed to have watching us?" Blaine worried. The Federal Task Force hadn't yet tracked down everyone involved in the conspiracy, now being termed the Homophobe War. With the news that the conspirators were killing off loose ends, it seemed like they still weren't out of danger. "As much as I don't want to be baby sat, it would be nice to feel like we haven't been left completely to our own devices."

"I catch a glimpse of them now and again," Kurt assured him. "They don't want to be too intrusive." Kurt was honestly grateful for that, so he didn't point out the reason for the hands -off approach was that they were basically bait for the conspirators.

"They could be a little more 'intrusive' today," Dave complained. "This is my first day back, and I feel like everyone is staring at me."

"They're just jealous," Kurt told him; the first time he'd included Dave in his prideful diffidence, rather than directing it at him.

"Sure they are," Dave chuckled, unconvinced. He looked over his shoulder. "I gotta jet. And it looks like you two have your own stuff to take care of."

As Dave walked away, Kurt could see that yes, Mercedes was headed straight towards them. This was Kurt and Blaine's first day back too, and they were expecting a lot of fuss being made.

Mercedes gave Kurt a big hug. "You know, as glad as we all were that you came home safe, seeing you back here where you belong is even better." Not to leave Blaine out, she hugged him to. "You make my boy happy or I'm going to hurt you."

Blaine laughed, although Kurt could tell there was something off there. Kurt was determined to ask his boyfriend what was wrong when they were alone.

"So, Glee club is still meeting at the same time," Mercedes told them. "Which is today, after classes, Blaine. I expect to see both of you there."

Kurt and Blaine looked at each other, uncomfortable. "We shouldn't-" Kurt began.

"Mercedes, we kind of left the Warblers in a bind," Blaine told her. "I really wouldn't feel right joining New Directions. At least, not this year."

"Oh." Mercedes didn't look happy with that development. "Well, what about after Regionals? That way you won't have to go up against the Warblers."

"Sure," Kurt agreed. "Assuming you win, which you have a good chance of doing."

"Actually, Kurt maybe you should join now." Kurt turned to Blaine, surprised by his boyfriend's suggestion. Kurt had gotten used to working with Blaine and he couldn't quite believe Blaine was suggesting he do this by himself.

"It wouldn't-"

"Kurt, this is your team," Blaine insisted. "The rest of the Warblers aren't going to say anything about you going back to New Directions. Don't worry about it." He looked so certain and happy, unless you could see what was going on behind those eyes of his. There was something wrong there, and Kurt couldn't figure out what it was.

"I don't know." Kurt would honestly have loved being part of New Directions again. But the idea of not sharing it with Blaine made his stomach clench.

"Just get through Regionals, and I'll be right there. Win or lose," Blaine promised.

Dave had been avoiding Azimio's calls and texts ever since he got they'd been rescued. His former best friend clearly wanted to talk about everything that had come out (especially Dave). But Azimio wasn't letting anything slip in those messages except for need 2 talk, and that just wasn't enough for Dave to feel comfortable bringing it up.

Now that Dave was back in school though, it was going to be damn near impossible to avoid Azimio forever. It was really annoying. Even if Azimio was noticeably pissed off, at least Dave would know what to expect.

And there he was again. With his damn annoying poker face. Dave pretended not to see him and hurried outside. Not really sure where he was going, except he was determined to be somewhere he didn't have to think too much.

What did it say that this was the first time he had to leave school to do that?

"S'up, Queerofsky?" Just perfect, one of those assholes from the hockey team.

Dave had completely forgot that by ducking out the door he had, he'd be putting himself right in front of the dumpsters he himself used to toss guys not so long ago. He didn't think that he had anything to worry about as far as that went (one of the advantages of being a lot less twinky than Kurt). But he wasn't looking forward to this.

"You think you're smart?" Dave sneered. "I don't really like smart."

"What about smart-ass Hummel? I heard that actually gets you off."

"You know what gets me off?" Dave asked. "Putting my fist in someone's face. And guess what? You're just my type."

"You don't scare me, DAVE," the hockey jock snarled. "We both know when it comes down to mano a mano that you're one mano short. Of course, I don't trust you not to grab my ass so I brought along some insurance."

Dave looked around to see much of the hockey team closing in on him. He huffed angrily at the odds.

Damnit, he might see the inside of that dumpster, after all.

Kurt found himself back in that familiar old choir room, facing thunderous applause when Mr. Schue announced, "First of all, let's all welcome back Kurt."

Everyone was thrilled that he'd be performing with them again, though of course Rachel could be counted on to ask, "I thought that with your boyfriend going to school here that he'd be joining us as well. Isn't he?"

Kurt explained Blaine's reasoning, despite the fact that he himself was unsure of it. Everyone accepted the logic therein though, and Rachel immediately turned to Mr. Schue to announce, "While having Kurt back is definitely going to help us in competition, without Blaine with him I think it's too early to make any assumptions. Therefore, I humbly suggest that our best option is to write our own original songs to perform at Regionals."

There wasn't a lot of support for Rachel at this. Kurt was definitely tempted but, "When you say 'our' original songs, who do you propose-"

Before Kurt could get his thought out though, Blaine burst into the choir room. Initial pleasure at seeing him dissipated when Kurt realized how alarmed Blaine was. "Kurt! You've gotta come quick."

Kurt was already standing and putting his messenger bag on his shoulder. And expecting the worst. "What's wrong? Are they here? Where the hell are the cops watching us?"

"I don't know," Blaine told him. "All I heard was Karofsky, Azimio, and bashing."

"That didn't last long," Artie sighed. They all knew about Dave coming out, but the general consensus at school was that he wouldn't be able to stick with being a good person.

Kurt didn't know what to say to that, so he just ran out of the choir room with Blaine. A couple of the others followed, but Kurt didn't slow down long enough to find out who. They didn't know where they were going, but there was a steady trickle of hockey players bolting into the school from the parking lot. And though Blaine balked at going where they were running from, he headed there anyway.

The answer to Kurt's question about police support came when they got outside. As they approached the mob of kids near the dumpsters outside, Kurt saw that there was indeed a plainclothes officer cuffing what looked like what was left of the hockey team's captain. Dave was there but Azimio was standing between them, his knuckles bruised and his eyes watering.

Kurt and Blaine hurried over to Dave, but Azimio beat them to the question of "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Dave seemed unhurt, just flabbergasted. "You know I could have handled him."

"I know. I just-" Azimio paused, momentarily overcome. "You could have DIED, man! You're my best friend. I don't care that you're a fag. And I'm not going to let some asshole throw you in a dumpster."

"Well, it would have been nice if you'd mentioned it before now. Like in one of the billion pushy texts you sent me."

"We've been friends for ten years," Azimio countered, almost crying. "I shouldn't have to tell you I don't hate you."

"Yeah." Dave bowed his head, embarrassed. "I still liked hearing it." And suddenly they were hugging.

Kurt leaned his head on Blaine's shoulder and sighed. It was actually kind of nice, but he couldn't let things go without commenting. "This would be a lot more heartwarming if Azimio wasn't still calling him a fag."

Blaine chuckled, playfully shoving Kurt off of his shoulder. "Don't ruin this Hallmark moment with your cheek."

The cop yanked the hockey player to his feet and hauled him away. As the crowd broke up (Azimio and Dave walked off together, shoulder to shoulder), Kurt decided to pull Blaine aside before he went back to Glee. "Can I talk to you about Glee club. Because it feels like you're pulling away from me."

Blaine's cheeks flushed. "I'm not, honestly."

"Then what is it?" Kurt asked. "Because something's bothering you, and I'm wondering if that's the reason you're so happy to have me doing something away from you."

Blaine was honestly shocked by Kurt's hypothesis. "That's so totally not the case. Don't you remember what our therapists said about not being so co-dependant with each other?"

Kurt had to force himself not to grumble. "I do."

Blaine smiled sadly at him. "So let's ignore the fact that I want to throw a temper tantrum every moment you're out of my sight. And pretend that I actually mean it when I say I think you need this."

Kurt looked up at him surprised. So that was what had been bothering Blaine earlier. Not that he wanted Kurt to go. But Kurt had needed to go, and Blaine had needed to let him go. If only for a little while. "I suppose I'll have to be as brave as my boyfriend then, won't I?" He gave Blaine a big hug.

Blaine's face froze even as his body stiffened uncomfortably. "I think we've established I'm not brave."

"No we haven't. You're being ridiculous."

"I-"

Kurt looked at Blaine, his eyes blazing with love and certainty. "Yes you are. Don't ruin this Hallmark moment with your cheek."

Blaine didn't.