My interview was... strange. I was asked to write a paragraph 'extolling the virtue of trees.' And I still have no idea what the company is. So... um, yeah. I wrote about trees today! (And my mind just jumped to a story where Klaine are trees... I need to get out more)

Thanks so much for all the feedback on what you'd all put on your shirts if you did the Born This Way performance. Combined, we'd be: Egghead/Un peu fort, Opinionated, Chunky Monkey/Lebanese, Wide Load/Smart Blonde, Abnormal/Likes Both, Chubby Butt, Heteroflexible, Giant, Obsessive/Insecure, Miss Nobody, Trans, No Rhythm, Bipolar, Obsessive Fangirl/Hobbit, Coward, Not Good Enough/Not Pretty, Insecure, Awkward, Nose/Pigeon-Toed, Hermione, Looney Luna, Big Girls, Short ... and mine, which would be Self Harmer

Thank you all for being so open and honest, and just remember that these things may be the way you were born, or the way you think you were born, but they don't define you. And you're ALL beautiful, inside and out :) I know it's cliche, but it's so freaking true and I need you all to understand it. The fact that you were willing to put your insecurities up just because someone asked you to, it's fantastic :) I'd hug you all if I could. Instead, how about some fluff? ;)

From Captain Holly Short of the LEP: So I was thinking that the whole of New Directions should have bets going on when they will kiss and how and actually be there when it happens...but I thought it would be funny if it was set AFTER Original Song and Klaine had already kissed so what ND thought was their first kiss was nowhere near. And then there's the confrontion scene (which are always my favorite).

I love :) but I think Kurt would've called Mercedes straight after it happened and let her know all about it. So I thought I'd better have an overseer. This negates Born This Way and beyond as well.

Betting

"Did you see the chemistry between them on stage? Clearly something's going to happen soon!"

Mercedes walked into the choir room to see, as usual, the rest of the group arguing. "What's the drama this time? Someone get cheated on again?"

"We're talking about Kurt and Blaine." Quinn looked up from her sheet music, rolling her eyes. "Rachel thinks it's only a matter of time before they kiss but Mike thinks there's still going to be ages until they realize."

"Ah." Mercedes fought to keep the smile off her face as she sat down. "What about everyone else?"

"Well I think they'll get there in a matter of weeks," Quinn looked around at everyone else. "Puck says within the month. Finn -"

"Finn doesn't want to think about that." Finn shuddered. "So my vote goes for never."

Quinn rolled her eyes again. "Anyway, we're all a bit divided, though I don't know why we're even arguing about it."

Mercedes smiled as an idea came to mind. "So why don't you all bet on it then? You could even get into specifics on where and when."

Apart from Finn, everyone else looked interested in the idea so Mercedes walked over to the whiteboard, drawing up a table. "Okay, let's see..."

After ten minutes and a few squabbles, Mercedes stepped away from the whiteboard, surveying her work. "Everyone okay with this?" There were nods all around as they all examined the board.

Rachel - One week; onstage

Quinn - Three weeks; Kurt's house

Tina - Five days; Tina's party

Santana & Brittany - Two weeks; Dalton

Lauren - Three days; Blaine's house

Puck - One month; Kurt's house

Finn - Never

Mike - Six weeks; Breadstix

Sam - Two weeks; Breadstix

Artie - Five days; Tina's party

"What about you, Mercedes?" Quinn asked.

Mercedes smirked. "I'll be the impartial judge. And, if none of you win, I'll take the prize. Now, everyone chuck in a couple of bucks." She grabbed a bag and passed it around the room, making sure everyone contributed something. "Okay, we'll see what happens."

"What if we're not there though?" Rachel brought up a very valid point. "How will we know?"

"We all know Kurt's going to run screaming to Mercedes the second he gets some action. She'll have to let us know who wins."

Mercedes nodded at Santana. "Yep, I'll be sure to tell you when one of you wins." She pulled out her iPhone and snapped a photo of the board before rubbing it off as Mr Schue entered. Sitting down, she quickly attached the image to a text and sent it off to Kurt. A few seconds later, a reply buzzed in.

What's that for? - Kurt (and Blaine insists on his presence being acknowledged also)

Mercedes smiled at the signature before replying.

ND thinks they know you guys well. They're just missing a few facts - M

Halfway through Puck's rendition of Brown-Eyed Girl, her phone buzzed again.

Well, we'd better give them what they want. I assume you're staying quiet until it all blows over? P.S. Blaine says hi. I actually cannot shut him up, he's an attention whore - Kurt and Blaine

Hi Blaine :) and yeah, I've got a good idea actually. - M

Do tell. - K&B

Mercedes smiled as she typed away, watching the oblivious teenagers around her.

"Tina!"

"Kurt! It's so good to see you! Hi Mercedes! And it's nice to finally meet you, Blaine." Tina stepped back allowing Kurt, Blaine and Mercedes to enter the house. Mercedes smiled as Kurt made introductions, stepping through into Tina's den where the party was in full swing.

"Thanks for inviting us, even though this is your winning Regionals party and we lost." Kurt nudged Blaine in the ribs. "Well we did, Kurt!"

"KURT!" The majority of New Directions converged on the laughing boy, Mercedes and Blaine stepping away neatly to avoid being crushed in the mass. Mercedes looked at Blaine smirking.

"So, ready for tonight?"

Blaine smirked back, something Mercedes still wasn't used to seeing from the dapper boy. "Absolutely. Just let us know when it's time."

Kurt broke free of the group and made his way over to Blaine and Mercedes. "I think an hour is plenty of time for us to get 'buzzed'," he said, grabbing a couple of drinks off the table. "As long as Blaine only has one and we don't have a repeat of Rachel's party. Remember, we only want them to think we're getting drunk."

Blaine raised his eyebrow. "Yes, mum."

Mercedes shuddered. "He'd better not be your mum! Don't want that mental image in my head, thanks." Kurt and Blaine looked at each other before bursting into laughter. Mercedes looked at the two happy boys and decided it was her cue to leave them be for awhile. Stepping away, she walked over to where Rachel and Puck were sitting.

"So, how are we feeling about our bet?" she asked, pulling up a seat next to them.

"I for one think that it is only a matter of days. Dalton are performing this weekend and I have heard rumors of another heart-wrenching duet between Kurt and Blaine. I don't think their emotions will be able to handle that, and they'll have to do something."

Puck rolled his eyes. "Although Berry is overly emotional as usual, I think she has a point. It'll probably be sooner than I thought, which sucks 'cause I wanted to use the money to take Lauren out. She's bummed cause she's already lost."

"You guys talking about the bet?" Artie wheeled up, a drink in hand. "I've got a good feeling about tonight, I mean look at them." He gestured towards the two boys who were sitting on the edge of the stage, laughing about something. "They're getting sloshed already."

Mercedes smiled as Kurt leaned against Blaine's shoulder briefly, before straightening up to gesture wildly about something. She knew they were happy together and part of her wished they didn't have to put on their act tonight. But they were both looking forward to it, and truthfully so was she.

"SPIN THE BOTTLE!"

Mercedes groaned, shoving a hand over Rachel's mouth. "No, Rachel. Not this time."

Rachel shrugged, pulling away and weaving across the room. Mercedes looked around at the various states of the New Directions group. Quinn and Finn were curled up on a couch together, chatting to Brittany and Santana who were sitting across from them. They all held drinks and were looking considerably looser than they had at the start of the night, but Mercedes knew they weren't quite drunk. Tina and Mike were another story, slumped in a corner giggling together. Rachel was dancing with an equally drunken Sam, while Puck and Lauren made out on one of the couches up the back. She turned around to see Kurt whispering in Blaine's ear, both of them smiling and decided it was time.

Standing up, Mercedes made her way over to the two boys, just as Blaine collapsed into Kurt's side in laughter. "He's not drunk is he?" she asked, gesturing to the hysterical boy.

"He's had a little," Kurt shrugged. "Just enough to make him cheerful."

"Hey, Mercedes." Blaine had finally calmed down and was sitting up again. "Time for us to put on our show?"

She laughed. "Yeah, I think so. Just stay there." Jumping up onto the stage behind them, she grabbed the microphone. "Okay, everyone! I think it's time for karaoke. Who's first?"

"ME!" came the yell from the back, Rachel standing unsteadily before Sam pulled her back down, shaking his head.

"Perhaps not. How about -"

"Us?" Kurt had jumped to his feet, pulling Blaine up. "We love singing, 'Cedes!"

Mercedes smiled and handed over the microphone. "Go for it boys." She jumped off the stage as Kurt picked the song and the music started playing. The rest of New Directions crowded in, pulling up seats or collapsing on the floor as the two boys started to sing, Kurt taking the lead.

"Lying here with you so close to me,

It's hard to fight these feelings

When it feels so hard to breathe,

Caught up in this moment,

Caught up in your smile,"

Mercedes felt Quinn sit down next to her, watching the two boys. "It's going to happen tonight, isn't it?"

"Something's going to happen for sure." Mercedes avoided lying outright as she continued to watch.

"You know something, don't you?" Mercedes was saved from answering as Blaine began to sing his part.

"I've never opened up to anyone,

So hard to hold back,

When I'm holding you in my arms,

We don't need to rush this,

Let's just take this slow

"GET SOME, KURT!"

Mercedes rolled her eyes, as did Kurt and Blaine. Kurt glared at Santana who was leaning unsteadily against Brittany, then they broke into the chorus, turning to face each other.

"Just a kiss on your lips

In the moonlight,

Just a touch in the fire

Burning so bright

And I don't want to mess this thing up

I don't want to push too far"

Mercedes realized Quinn was still waiting for an answer and turned to her reluctantly. "Yes, I do know something."

Quinn smiled. "I'm not going to ask. I was never a huge fan of going along with the bet, I just figured it would be fun. Plus, it takes a bit of a moron to look at them and not be able to see that something's already happened."

Mercedes looked to the stage where Kurt was singing to Blaine, their hands lightly twined together. "Yeah, it does."

"I'm just playing along because Berry's reaction when she finds out she's lost will be priceless. Especially because she's drunk." Mercedes chuckled along with Quinn before they turned their attention back to the boys who were finishing up their duet.

"Just a shot in the dark,

That you just might

Be the one I've been waiting for,

My whole life,

So baby, I'm alright

With just a kiss goodnight."

Kurt looked at Mercedes and she nodded. He smiled in return before leaning in towards Blaine, gently kissing him on the lips.

The room erupted. Tina jumped off Mike's lap and started cheering, "I WON, I WON!"

"You mean we won!" Artie rolled up grinning.

"HOLD THE PHONE!" Rachel came storming up and jumped onto the stage in front of Blaine and Kurt, who had broken apart by this point and were watching with amusement. "Look at them!"

Everybody looked. "Um, okay?" Santana finally said. "We were looking at the hot make out scene that you JUST interrupted, what in particular about it?"

"Look at where they're standing. THEY'RE ON A STAGE!" Rachel flailed her arms wildly. "That means I win TOO!"

"No way!" Tina began yelling at Rachel who jumped off the stage to get into her face. Artie and Mike tried to get in between them, Tina started crying and Rachel turned her ire to Mike who was all too happy to get into a fight.

"OI! SHUT UP!"

Everybody froze and turned to stare at Blaine who was watching them all amusedly. "Thank you. I think Mercedes has something to say."

Mercedes jumped up onto the stage, giving Blaine a smile. "Thanks white boy. Tina, stop your sobbing. Rachel, sit down and shut up. None of you won."

"WHAT? But -"

"She said shut UP, Berry!" Santana marched over and pushed Rachel back down to the ground, sitting on her lap unsteadily. "Okay, she's not going anywhere."

"You going to tell us why, Mercedes?" Artie looked at her, one of the few who had stayed sober and could actually think to ask proper questions.

Mercedes turned to Kurt who smiled and nodded. "Because that wasn't their first kiss."

The room stayed silent to her surprise, allowing Kurt to step forward. "Blaine actually kissed me the week before Regionals. We've been dating this whole time."

"Why didn't you TELL us?" Finn called out from the couch, looking totally confused.

"Yeah," Puck added, a giggling Lauren on his arm. "Why the big secret?"

Blaine and Kurt looked at each other, Blaine raising an eyebrow as he turned back to address the group. "Guys... it was on Facebook."

Mercedes took the opportunity to hold up her phone, logged into Facebook and open to Kurt's profile where a photo of him and Blaine sat next to the sentence: 'Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson are in a relationship.'

"Well... crap."

Mercedes looked around at the rest of the inebriated group who were all grumbling and turning their attention back to their respective partners or inanimate objects. She caught Quinn's eye who was smiling softly, then turned her attention back to Kurt and Blaine who were staring into each other's eyes. She jumped off the stage and left them to it.

After all, she was shouting the three of them to Breadstix the next night. And New Directions were paying.

I enjoyed this one :D wayyyy too much. Especially Kurt and Mercedes' texts with attentionwhore!Blaine.

The song is Just A Kiss - Lady Antebellum. Absolutely beautiful song, go check it out. And it was requested by Kat3418 for me to write it in to a scenario like this :)