AN: Hope you enjoy. Thanks to everyone who's left reviews. :)

Kurt hadn't looked at his phone all morning, but come lunch, he had turned it on and saw he had messages from Mercedes and Tina both. He was typing out responses as he neared the lunchroom. He felt a strong arm go around his shoulders and a fist against his cheek as he was pulled down a quiet hallway. When they had stopped, he looked over to his left and saw Noah Puckerman leaning his head to the side, appraising him. Kurt groaned.

"If you're going to throw me in the dumpster Puck, do it now so I'll have time to change before class."

Noah popped his piece of gum. "Nah, I need information. So is it true?"

"Is what true?" asked Kurt, cautiously.

"Look, I heard from my boy Mike this morning that you were totally banging my Jewish sister."

"You have a Jewish sister?" asked Kurt, mystified. He hadn't even known Puck was Jewish.

Puck rolled his eyes. "Rachel. You did know she was Jewish, right? We stick together."

"I did, yes."

"So... it's true then."

Kurt sighed. He knew this was starting soon, but he hadn't expected to at least Glee club that afternoon when everyone would jump them at once.

"Rachel and I spent some time together, and I think I might like her. But there is no... whatever it was you said," said Kurt, shaking his head. "Look, it's all a little confusing at this point."

"Girls are always confusing," nodded Puck. "Santana broke up with me because of my credit score. I don't even know what a credit score is." He let go of Kurt, who was relieved that he wasn't going to be put into a dumpster during lunch.

"I'll take a rain check on the dumpster," said Puck with a smirk as he headed away from Kurt. He would have never believed Puck of all people would be the first to question him on the nature of his relationship with Rachel. In a way, it was kind of... refreshing. At least Puck hadn't been mean to him about it. He decided to avoid the lunchroom for the day and went and found a quiet spot and started to text Mercedes and Tina back.

Rachel looked for Kurt at lunch, but didn't see him. He wasn't even sitting with Artie, Tina, and Mercedes. She checked her phone while waiting to pay for her bottle of juice. She smiled at the text he sent her. Kurt wanted her to join him. He had sent her a picture of the auditorium seats and Rachel paid for her drink. She started back out of the lunchroom and towards the main building.

"Huh, I wonder where Rachel's going," said Artie. "She has been sitting with us lately."

"Maybe she's got some homework to do," shrugged Tina. "The party did last for a while last night."

"Rachel was there?" said Mercedes. "I didn't even notice."

"That's because you two partied hard without me," said Artie grumpily.

"We'll make you some strawberry margarita mix so you can enjoy being hung over," muttered Mercedes.

"No thanks," said Artie. "I think I'm more of the bloody mary type. I like my tomatoes and salt."

"I know. You bury your fries in ketchup," said Tina, her brow furrowing as if in thought. "Mercedes, Rachel's a brunette."

"Oh please," said Mercedes, rolling her eyes. "Like Kurt would do anything for Rachel. Don't listen to Quinn and Santana."

"Tina could be right though," said Artie, popping a french fry into his mouth. "Kurt probably wouldn't leave Rachel to fend for herself if he thought she needed help of some type. She's still a part of our club."

"Maybe," frowned Mercedes. "And Finn was probably all over Quinn at the party. He may have took pity on her and offered her a ride home just to have something to do."

"And as usual, Quinn and Santana are blowing things out of proportion," said Artie. "Just to cause a controversy."

"You know, I still am curious as to where she's going," said Tina. "It's not like Rachel to not follow the lunch hour rules."

"Like we all haven't broken the rules at some point," said Mercedes.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" said Artie. "Let's follow her. I'm up for some sleuthing."

Rachel sat down beside Kurt in the auditorium where he was sitting there with his legs crossed. A small brown bag was laying on top of his boot. An egg salad sandwich lay half eaten as he was watching a video on his phone. He nodded at her presence and started putting it away. She smiled at the gesture. At least he wasn't going to ignore her being there.

"Hey," she said. "This is a nice quiet spot for lunch."

"I decided it was better than dealing with the others," said Kurt. "Tina and Mercedes have both texted me wondering where I was last night, and Puck confronted me about, well as he put it, 'totally banging his Jewish sister.'"

Rachel couldn't help but laugh at that, blushing at the thought.

"Don't mind Puck. I think he likes the idea of having someone to look out for."

"Well, at least he was nice about it," said Kurt. "And he didn't threaten me with physical harm this time. It was an improvement over our usual meetings."

Rachel nodded absently as she started to unpack her lunch. Sometimes it still bothered her to think that Puck and Finn had used to partake in the bullying that went on at McKinley. Her little compartmentalized lunchbox made Kurt do a double take.

"That looks pretty good," said Kurt. "What is it?"

"Crispy stir fried tofu with broccoli and carrots," said Rachel. "It has ginger, garlic, and scallions. And some jasmine rice. They're leftovers from dinner. I didn't have much time to prepare lunch this morning."

"I wish I could get my dad to eat like that," said Kurt, sitting back in his seat. "But I doubt he'd ever even touch tofu."

"It's delicious when done properly," said Rachel. "Maybe you could."

"Someday," said Kurt. He wrinkled his nose. "My dad is the beer and hamburger sort."

Rachel let it slide and she opened her container of orange juice she had bought in the lunchroom. At least Kurt's dietary habits seemed on the cautious side. His egg salad looked appealing. It didn't seem to have too much mayo and there was green leafy lettuce along with onion along with some apple slices and cheese in a bag next to him on the seat. They ate in silence for a few minutes, knowing it wouldn't be that far off before the bell would ring for their afternoon classes.

"Kurt, what are we?" asked Rachel as she speared a piece of broccoli with her fork. She held her fork up as she turned to look at him. He surprised her when he stole the broccoli off her fork. She laughed when he stuck it in his mouth.

"Well, I just stole part of your lunch, so that should be a hint."

"So you're my broccoli thief?"

"Seriously, who cooks in your household?" said Kurt, moaning softly. "I think I need to be adopted."

Rachel laughed at that. "I don't think Nana would like to have any more kids. Dad is enough."

"Your grandmother cooks for your family?" asked Kurt.

"Yes," said Rachel. "I think I need to invite you over tonight. She's coming to help cook some stuff for the weekend since my dads aren't here."

"So a dinner date then."

Rachel's heart skipped happily at the thought.

"I think Nana will like you," said Rachel. She picked up a piece of the tofu. "Here, try this and see if you like it." Kurt took the piece out of her fingers.

"I like it. Very crispy." He put his over his mouth while he chewed.

"You don't have to be modest Kurt. I think it's okay if I see you chewing."

"Bad habit," he said, pulling out some paper napkins from his bag. He offered Rachel one.

"Thank you. I can never remember to grab a paper towel or anything when I'm making my lunch," she said as she took it, wiping her hands. She finished off the rest of her drink before putting her lunchbox back into her bag. She reached for her compact and lipstick in her purse as Kurt checked the time on his phone.

"We've got about five minutes," he said as he put it back in his pocket.

"You want to talk or…" began Rachel.

"I'd like to talk for a minute," said Kurt. "I know it's been only about maybe 15 hours now and you've been really great, which is surprising. But I guess I'm wondering what are you getting out of this? You like boys like Finn... not exactly me."

"I do like Finn. He's strong and a quite capable leader," said Rachel. She pulled at the front of her hair, running it through her fingers. "But he's not quite there when it comes to being relatable. We don't exactly like the same type of things. You at least, can relate to wanting to get out of Lima and being in a place like New York where there's life and theatre and people... I don't think Finn deep down in his heart does."

Kurt nodded, keeping his head down.

"And you?" asked Rachel. "Please tell me I'm not an experiment."

"No," said Kurt. "I think… this is hard, considering it's you… but I think I do like you. Although I am not sure how much I'm ready for this to be out there yet."

"May I ask why?" said Rachel.

"Have you seriously not thought about the names they'll call us yet? The King and Queen of Gaydom? The jokes that you're my beard? Or worse? I mean, I know you've heard your fair share of lesbian jokes."

"There have been a few of those jokes thrown my way," said Rachel. "It's all stupid... pigheaded people who want to bring us down to their level. That it makes them feel better somehow. But it's all voices on the wind blowing hot air. A few brief seconds and it's gone."

"Just seems like those brief seconds last forever," said Kurt with a sigh.

Rachel reached over and hugged Kurt. Not just a brief, sympathy hug. But a long and tight, I need you to feel me sort of hug. He sighed and relaxed, which made Rachel feel better. She gave him a sympathy smile.

"Not what you were expecting from Rachel Berry, was it?"

"I was kind of hoping for something else," he said lightly, giving her a smirk.

"You boys," she said with a scoff, straightening her skirt.

"Kissing is nice," he said, though he looked unsure of what he was admitting to. "It was better than I thought it would be."

"While that is true, I just ate garlic and ginger," said Rachel. "It's not-"

But Kurt pulled her closer and she leaned into him as they kissed.

Back behind Kurt and Rachel's seated position in the auditorium, a trio of people were watching them from up on one of the balconies. They had followed Rachel from the lunchroom, and were surprised that she had met up with Kurt there. They were sitting there talking, and Rachel was smiling. Kurt seemed calm in her presence, even though it was Rachel Berry of all people sitting next to him.

"What do you think they're talking about?" asked Tina.

"Something about food," said Artie. "I can't hear very well from up here."

"Me either," said Mercedes. "But if she thinks she can steal our best friend away from us…"

"Um Mercedes," began Artie. "I think Kurt can have as many friends as he wants. We don't get to decide for him."

"And it's not like Rachel has any," said Tina. "Maybe they started talking last night at the party and hit it off."

"I still don't like it," grumbled Mercedes.

"Well, you're not going to like them sharing food either," said Tina, dangling her feet off the edge as she pointed down to the pair. Mercedes sighed and sat down beside her.

"Maybe they are becoming friends."

"I think it's good for all of us to be friends in some way," shrugged Artie. "We can bond as a club."

"Especially all of us," agreed Mercedes. "We've got to band together against the cheerleaders and the football players."

"They're not all bad," said Tina. "Mike's cute."

"Matt isn't too bad either," said Artie. "He told me that he likes the Jazz Band."

"They're packing up," said Mercedes.

"Yeah, it's almost time to go back to class," said Artie, checking his watch. "We probably need to get going too, especially with that lift..."

"Whoa," said Tina as she watched Rachel give Kurt a hug.

"Something the matter with a hug?" asked Artie, looking at Tina.

"No, it's just… I didn't think Kurt was the affectionate type."

"Well, Rachel seems to be. Maybe she's a hugger."

"And Kurt's enjoying it," said Mercedes. "He-"

But before Mercedes could even finish what she was saying, both Artie and Tina slammed hands over Mercedes' mouth. They all three watched as Kurt pulled Rachel closer to him and kissed her.

And kissed.

And kissed again.

They went back in for another one, but the bell rung. They lingered for a moment as Rachel caressed Kurt's face. They gathered their things quickly and headed out of the auditorium.

Up on the balcony, Tina was holding Mercedes down by the shoulders and Artie was barely hanging on to keeping her quiet. Once the door had shut, they both let her go.

"Oh hell no!" said Mercedes. "She—he-"

"They were kissing," said Tina. "Kurt was kissing Rachel. Ew."

"Ew?" said Artie. "I mean its Rachel, but aren't you being a little judgmental?"

"But Kurt… he's gay right?" asked Tina.

Mercedes shook her head. "Kurt has never said. But I mean… look at him."

"So?" said Artie. "He likes nice jackets and scarves. And weird… hats."

"But he doesn't dress like say Finn and Puck do."

"I don't dress like Finn and Puck do," said Artie. "Does that mean I'm gay?"

"Well no," said Tina.

"Then why does it mean Kurt is?" said Artie.

"Shouldn't we be going to class?" asked Mercedes.

"It doesn't," said Tina with a sigh. She looked down at her combat boots. "I guess we all thought Kurt was. Especially after he turned Mercedes down."

"Maybe he likes Rachel," said Artie. "I mean, while she has her dramatic storm outs, she's very fierce and quite capable at getting what she wants."

"Which at the moment is Kurt," said Tina, pulling her feet back up to tie her shoes.

"With those kisses, I'd say they were about 50/50," Artie said. "Maybe they realized they had some chemistry."

"But doesn't Rachel really like Finn though?" asked Mercedes.

Artie shrugged. "Maybe she doesn't anymore."

"Okay plan," said Tina. She pushed her blue tinged hair behind her shoulders. "While I think Quinn really wants us to do something… which probably means some sort of sabotage, I don't think we should."

"What makes you think she does?" asked Mercedes. "She's probably just after gossip."

"Either way," said Tina. "I think…" She paused. "I think we should let Kurt have the right to chose what he wants. With as much as we know, they could have been keeping this a secret for some time. And they just got caught when one of them saw Kurt taking Rachel home from the party."

"So you think they've been in a relationship?" said Artie, giving Tina a strange look. "What crack have you been smoking? And where can I get some to sell?"

"Artie," said Tina with a warning tone. Mercedes laughed at the look she was giving him. He shrugged it off, looking smug. Tina rolled her eyes.

"I'm just saying," said Tina. "I think we should let them be. It's obvious… whatever they are… they're being quiet about it."

"I can see why they might want to play it safe," said Artie. "Things tend to get over-dramatic around here."

They both looked at Mercedes. She glared back at them.

"Look, I know sometimes it comes off like I try to own Kurt…" She sighed at her words. "I guess it's just hard when you just have that one friend. And we just found each other."

"I think we can all sympathize," said Tina. "Artie's my one friend too."

"Same here chica," said Artie.

"So yeah, I think we should sort of… protect Kurt and Rachel for the time being," said Tina. "Just till maybe they can figure things out. We don't have to tell Quinn and Santana a thing."