You've lost it

by The Graphite Centurion

For most of his life, Arthur Abrams has been in a wheelchair. But that hasn't stopped him from achieving his dreams. However, when he's given the opportunity of a lifetime, will he take it or will he play it safe? Mostly Kartie but there's a fair bit of Finchel and Quick too.

2. Decisions

Hey there Terrans, hope you're all doing amazingly well today. Welcome to the second chapter of '' You've lost it ''.

Now I think I've bored you enough with this intro card, please enjoy!

It had been a week since Artie told Kitty about the email he had received and it had become a sort of elephant in the room. The young woman didn't want her boyfriend to feel that he needed to have experimental surgery to see if he could walk again. She always knew that it was his biggest dream to be able to not just walk, but dance. So, if this was what he wanted to do then she'd be supportive of him 100%.

The problem was that it was Kitty Wilde. She needed information, especially if it involved someone she loved. Unfortunately for her, Artie wasn't an idiot and would be able to see if she was prying. Thankfully, she knew someone close to Artie who could get information out of him…Finn Hudson. Despite them having very little in common, after he temporarily took over Glee club, the two kept in touch, and routinely saw each other at the monthly Glee lunches.

The woman was in fact video calling him and Rachel right now.

'' Oh my god Kitty did you seriously buy a catsuit?'' Rachel laughed.

'' Hey, my man got a huge cash bonus after his last gig at a Bar mitzvah, I had to reward him somehow didn't I?''

'' I guess so. But I never really pictured Artie as a clothes guy. He usually only has one look; librarian chic'' Rachel shrugged.

'' Are you serious? You wore a reindeer sweater all throughout high school'' Finn joked.

'' Hey, when you find a look that works.''

'' Fair enough. So Kitty, you told us that you needed my help'' Finn said, changing the subject.

'' Yeah. So listen, Artie's hiding something from me, and I need an outside party to get the info for me, that's where you come in Finn.''

'' I don't follow.''

'' Tomorrow at your school is career day right?''

'' Yes?''

'' Excellent. Here's what you're going to do. You're going to invite my boyfriend over to speak about his career as a videographer and afterwards, you're going to pry him for information about his spinal procedure.''

'' What procedure?'' Rachel asked.

'' Some guy in Switzerland offered him treatment for research purposes. If it works, Artie will be able to walk again.''

'' And if not?'' Finn raised an eyebrow.

'' Not sure. But I know that he'll try to spare me from having to think about that, so that's where you come in Hudson.''

'' I don't know. Lying to one of my friends, that just doesn't seem right to me'' the man rubbed the back of his neck.

'' Oh please Finn, all you have to do is forget your morality for a few hours. You do that all the time when you grade papers'' Rachel refuted.

'' You told me that my moral compass was one of the many things you love about me.''

'' It is, but for the sake of our friends, channel your inner Puck.''

Finn sighed as he looked at his girlfriend and then at one of his best friends. '' You're damn l love you Rachel.''

-x-

Despite having performed in front of huge crowds for over five years, Artie Abrams was still a bit nervous about speaking to a group of teenagers. This was apparent right now, as Artie was busy giving a talk about the arts to some of the kids in one of Finn's music classes.

'' So if you think about it, everything you guys love, Instagram, Facebook-

'' Facebook sucks!'' a student interrupted, earning a chorus of laughter from his peers.

'' Watch it Evan, you're this close to me publishing your grades on the school website!'' Finn snapped.

'' You wouldn't'' Evan retorted.

'' Really'' Finn smirked, walking over to his desk and pulling out a sheet of paper. '' Evan Schmidt, Math-

'' Alright, I'll shut up'' Evan interjected.

'' That's what I thought. Artie, continue.''

'' Anyway…So my job is to make sure that everyone gets to see how amazing life is through pictures and videos. You, what was your name again, Evan?'' Artie pointed to the aforementioned student. He wore a black beanie, black shirt with a yellow flannel tied around his waist, ripped jeans and high-tops.

'' Yeah?'' Evan answered.

'' You like movies?''

'' I guess. Why?''

'' Well, if it wasn't for people like me, movies like Endgame, Black Panther and Fast and the Furious wouldn't exist. We're the unsung heroes who you don't see.''

This was met with stony silence.

'' Alright let's give a hand for Artie shall we?'' Finn started clapping, but to no avail.

Soon the bell rang, Finn's students shooting out of his classroom.

'' They seem nice'' Artie said, as Finn wheeled him out and into the teacher's lounge.

'' They're an absolute nightmare dude. That Evan guy ? He's my nicest student.''

'' Yikes'' Artie responded, the pair entering the lounge.

'' I know. Gah, I wish I didn't work here.''

'' Then quit.''

'' Its not that easy bud. I need the money.''

'' But doesn't Rachel make enough for you both?''

'' Yeah, but what kind of man would I be if I couldn't provide for my girlfriend?''

'' One who sees that in the 21st century women can be providers too?''

'' I meant besides that. Look, I love teaching, you can thank Will for that. But I can't keep hating myself every time I leave my home in the morning.''

'' Then talk to Rachel dude. Isn't talking one of the best parts of your relationship?''

'' Yeah true. Can't believe the teacher's getting homework'' Finn rubbed the back of his head.

'' Well believe it.''

'' Wow, Kitty's really rubbing off on ya isn't she?''

Artie shrugged. '' Guess so.''

Finn reached into his pocket, after feeling a vibration from his phone. Turning it on, he saw a command written by text.

Do it! It read.

'' So, anything new going on in your life?'' Finn asked, sitting down.

'' Nope. Just enjoying my life, you?''

'' Not really. But back to you, any surgical stuff going on?''

'' Actually, yeah. I can got email from a Swiss researcher. He and his team are conducting experiments with a spinal implant from Germany.''

'' Oh wow, so, what does that have to do with you?''

'' He wanted to know if I was interested in being a test subject. He says with my condition, I'm perfect for it.''

'' Well, are you going to go through with it?'' Finn discretely started to record the conversation. He'd never let it on, but Kitty did kind of scare him sometimes.

Artie raised an eyebrow. '' Actually I am. Look, I know if I'm truly honest, I've thought, of making peace with being in a chair for the rest of my life, but I hate it. I miss my body, I miss moving without wheels.

'' I know.''

'' How?''

'' Every sectionals, regionals and nationals performance. I saw you looking at the rest of us dancing. I could tell how you felt. Especially when you saw Mike's sweet moves.''

'' Thanks'' Artie deadpanned.

'' Nice sarcasm. Look dude, have you talked to Kitty about the procedure?''

'' I have, and she supports me. But there is something I'm not telling her.''

Finn went wide-eyed. '' Oh yeah, what's that?''

Artie took a deep breath. The night I got the message, I responded to the researcher, Christian Hans. I told him I'd be up for it, but I'd have to-

'' Ha!'' Kitty yelled, kicking in the door.

'' Jesus Kitty, where'd you come from?'' Finn gasped, clutching his chest.

'' I followed Artie here. Because my dad works for SWAT.I have some, let's say borrowed equipment.''

'' You were spying on me? I thought you trusted me!'' Artie refuted.

'' Oh, don't try put this on me Arthur, you kept the fact that you accepted the offer from me. How do you think that makes me feel?''

'' Kitty, I-

'' Don't even'' Kitty stormed off, the sound of her footsteps echoing throughout the halls.

'' Bummer dude. To think, you were the inspiration to nerds everywhere, outside of Leonard from The Big Bang Theory.''

-x-

A few hours later, there was a rattling at Kitty and Artie's front door, which was subsequently opened by Artie.

'' Hey'' he smiled, wheeling himself over to where his girlfriend was, at the kitchen table, working on lesson plans.

'' What?'' she spat.

'' Come on, talk to me.''

Kitty turned around. '' About what, you making this major life changing decision without me?''

'' I asked you, and you said you supported me.''

'' I lied. I'm terrified. You're the love of my life Artie. If anything went wrong, I don't even want to think about it.''

'' Why weren't you honest with me?''

'' I don't know, why didn't you tell me you said yes?''

'' I didn't.''

'' I know, I just said that-

'' I didn't say yes completely'' Artie interrupted.

'' Excuse me?''

'' Before you barged in, I was going to tell Finn that I said yes, but I'd have to see how it would affect you.''

Kitty smiled sweetly. '' You seriously weren't going to make this decision without me?''

'' Of course not. Kitty cat, you're the most important person in my life, there isn't any world in which I wouldn't be talking about this with you. Look, I'm also terrified. I'm not exactly sure how this will turn out. I may be able to walk again, and I may suffer more spinal damage. But I need to take this shot. It's a once in a lifetime chance.''

Kitty sighed. '' You sure about this?''

'' I am.''

'' Well then, I guess I'll be the dutiful girlfriend and follow my man.''

'' And I'll be the dutiful boyfriend who listens to his girlfriend.''

'' Aww, I have you trained so well.''

Ah Kitty, she's so sassy, it makes her fun to write about. Thanks for reading Terrans and sorry about the spamming. I have big plans for this account and by putting up my most successful stories from my old account, I can gather popularity.

Until next time stay safe, stay awesome and if you live in SA like me, be prepared for thunderstorms.