Okay, with taking seven chapters to get past the divergence point in my AU, I hope you'll stick around for me to focus through the rest of the school year on Dylofsky, and their friendship with Jamio.

And in case you're wondering, yes, the glee club will get popular. I mean, they can sing, dance, and even kick ass at football!

And I'll even throw in some Britana, maybe, in the remaining chapters.

Songs:

Me Against the Music, Britney Spears, (Zomba Recording), (Britana w/New Directions)

Knocked Out, Paula Abdul, (Virgin Records), (Dylan)

E.T., Katy Perry, (Capital Records), (Dave)

First Love (English), Utada Hikaru, (Toshiba EMI, Japan), (Dylan)


Love and Stupidity

So far the first day of school, with Dylofsky being together, was pretty damn good. Most people nodded as they passed, others gave a smile. Maybe it was because they were wearing each other's Varsity jackets, maybe because it was just such a shock to see Dave Karofsky not only with someone on his arm, but smiling and laughing without someone else looking like they'd just lost the will to live. And for a Sophomore Dylan had some pretty advanced classes: AP Physics, Sci-Fi and Mythology, U.S. History, and Latin 4. Oh, and Calculus.

How the hell are you in the same math class as me? Dave asked as they stopped at Dave's locker to turn in his text books, seeing as Dylan had bought eText versions of them for the couple.

Geometry and Algebra 2, Latin 1 and 2 in junior high, and blew the Seniors away in AP Chemistry last year, Dylan replied, smirking. "You can learn a lot when you can't walk on your own for several months and have a T3 line at home. Plus I did Trig at West Point during the summer."

Dave giggles at that and closes his locker, then gives his boyfriend a kiss. "And yet you're still a year behind? Oh, and some good news, kinda. I can still take you to junior prom - twice."

"Shen ma?" Dylan replies, eyebrows raised.

"I'm just over a semester behind, from me being the opposite of what I really am," he replies as he links arms with Dylan and nudges to the library. "Oddly, my grades weren't bad enough to keep me off the team."

Huh..? Well, we'll have next year too. I mean, if you want. Finn might be pissed though...

"Why would Finn be pissed? You gonna knock him out of being captain like Sam did?"

"Didn't Finn get on Beiste's bad side and get thrown off the team?"

"Leave it to Dylan Hardly to know what's going on everywhere!" Dave squeals.

"Oh, I'm starting to get a major clue." Dylan mocks with an insultingly gay lisp.

"Oh, let's follow your clue," Dave replies in exactly the same fashion, causing both teens to giggle and fall over each other, along with several people left in the hallway. Man, there isn't a single person who doesn't like South Park at this school!

...

The surprise assembly blindsided the glee club/football team, but they were excused from their fourth period classes. The text wasn't a surprise to anyone other than Santana and Brittany. It simply said Check ur locker & go2 choir room. All of their lockers had a box, which contained a Varsity Championship ring, and the girls had an extra item - a numbered ticket. Once in the choir room, Dylofsky stood behind a table with boxes, smiling a knowing smile. They each took a ticket and handed over a box. The boxes handed to Santana and Brittany were a little bigger. Each of the girls opened their box and took out a Varsity jacket of their own. Quinn smiled the brightest at this. The smile faded when Brittany and Santana just gasped and squealed.

"Oh my God Britts, look at this!" Santana said as she pulled out a familiar white pantsuit.

"I don't get it..." Brittany trailed off, pulling out her familiar suit.

"That's the surprise assembly," Dave said, smiling ear to ear.

"We set this up to both parade around in the awesomesauce that is us, and to make a fantasy into a reality," Dylan finished. "I taught every else the choreography, but you two already know it."

"And don't worry, Finn won't mess up," Mike added.

"Guys, that so sweet!" Santana said as she hugged Dave and Rachel, even though Rachel had that sad look she gets when she doesn't get a solo.

Mr. Schue just smiled and nodded, knowing there wouldn't be a riot this time. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Sue in a few days...

...

"... Without further waiting, here are the New Directions, this year's Conference Champions!" Principal Figgins said into the microphone as the student body cheered while making "Ls" at the football players who sat the game out. The cheering almost drowned out the opening notes to the song, when they saw Santana and Brittany were going to do a Brittney Spears number. Parings are Dylofsky, Jamio, Quam, Mike/Tina, Pizes, Finchel, Artcedes.

[Both] All my people in the crowd

Grab a partner take it down!

[B] It's me against the music

[S] Uh uh

[B] It's just me

[S] And me

[B] Yeah

[S] C'mon

[S] Hey Britney?

[B] Are you ready?

[S] Uh uh, are you?

[Both] No one cares

[B] It's whippin'my hair, it's pullin' my waist

[Both] To hell with stares

[B] The sweat is drippin' all over my face

[Both] No one's there

[B] I'm the only one dancin' up in this place

[Both] Tonight I'm here

[B] Feel the beat of the drum, gotta keep it that bass

[B] I'm up against the speaker, tryin' to take on the music

[B] It's like a competition, me against the beat

[B] I wanna get in the zone, I wanna get in the zone

[B] If you really wanna battle, saddle up and get your rhythm

[B] Tryin' to hit it chic-a-tah

[B] In a minute I'm a take a you on, I'm a take a you on

Hey, hey, hey

[Both] All my people on the floor

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] Let me see ya

[Both] All my people wantin' more

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] I wanna see ya

[Both] All my people round and round

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] Let me see ya

[Both] All my people in the crowd

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] I wanna see ya

[Both] So how would you like a friendly competition

[Both] Let's take on the song

[Both] It's you and me baby, we're the music

[Both] Time to party all night long

[Both] We're almost there

[B] I'm feelin' it bad and I can't explain

[Both] My soul is bare

[B] My hips are movin' at a rapid pace

[Both] Baby feel it burn

[B] From the tip of my toes, runnin' through my veins

[Both] And now it's your turn

[B] Let me see what you got, don't hesitate

[B] I'm up against the speaker, tryin' to take on the music

[B] It's like a competition, me against the beat

[B] I wanna get in the zone, I wanna get in the zone

[B] If you really wanna battle, saddle up and get your rhythm

[B] Tryin' to hit it chic-a-tah

[B] In a minute I'm a take a you on, I'm a take a you on

Hey, hey, hey

[Both] All my people on the floor

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] Let me see ya

[Both] All my people wantin' more

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] I wanna see ya

[Both] All my people round and round

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] Let me see ya

[Both] All my people in the crowd

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] I wanna see ya

[Both] Get on the floor, baby lose control

[Both] Just work your body and let it go

[Both] If you wanna party, just grab somebody

[S] Hey Britney

[Both] We can dance all night long

[S] Hey Britney, you say you wanna lose control

[S] Come over here I got somethin' to show ya

[S] Sexy lady, I'd rather see you bare your soul

[S] If you think you're so hot, better show me what you got

[S] All my people in the crowd, let me see you dance

[S] C'mon Britney lose control, watch you take it down

[Both] Get on the floor, baby lose control

[Both] Just work your body and let it go

[Both] If you wanna party, just grab somebody

[S] Hey Britney

[Both] We can dance all night long

[Both] All my people on the floor

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] Let me see ya

[Both] All my people wantin' more

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] I wanna see ya

[Both] All my people round and round

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] Let me see ya

[Both] All my people in the crowd

[B] Let me see you dance

[S] I wanna see ya

[S] All my people in the crowd, let me see you dance

[S] C'mon Britney take it down, make the music dance

[S] All my people round and round, party all night long

[S] C'mon Britney lose control, watch you take it down

The audience goes wild, and at the end almost loses it. No one misses a step, and when the New Directions took a bow they got a not only a standing ovation but shouts of 'you rock' and 'encore!' Even Principal Figgins gave them a smile and a thumbs-up. Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury-Howell's eyes were beaming with pride, even in the dimly lit gym. The bell rang signaling lunch, and everyone, for once, took their time gathering their things before leaving. Mr Schue came backstage and tried for two minutes to speak before the shock of the applause wore off enough to speak.

"Guys, that was just... WOW!"

"Thank you Mr. Schue," Brittany said as she finally got her tie undone. "I get to keep this, right?"

"Of course Britts," Dylan said as he put his jacket back on.

"And Finn, you didn't even miss a mark during that!" Mr. Schue said, still shocked.

"It only took an extra hour of rehearsing, after the game," Finn said as he blushed, turning away from Rachel.

"So, who put this together?" Will asked yet another question.

"I did," Dylan replied. "As a reward for Brittany standing up for herself and Santana for finally putting Coach Sylvester in her place."

Quinn had stayed silent during all of this, but finally spoke as she stood in front of Rachel. "Rachel, remember last year, when you said I had talent?" She continues after Rachel nods. "I believe it now. I think I understand why you're so hungry for the stage now. You too Mercedes."

"I just can't believe you were right about the pain of rehearsals going away once you get used to it," Mercedes replied as she crossed and hugged Quinn. "I think I can take over for Beyoncé once I'm done with college."

"This is a good sign guys! I've never seen you so supportive of each other as I'm seeing you now," Will replied, smiling at how his students have grown up.

"Well, we're going to split now Mr. Schue," Sam said as he slid on his jacket. "We have Valentine's stuff to plan." He gives his teacher a hug before wrapping an arm around Quinn. There are generic goodbyes as they leave the stage, leaving Will to wonder what, exactly, has happened over the last week, and how much more difficult this could be with an additional four members...

...

"Ok, this week's lesson - Love Songs" Mr. Schue said with a little too much enthusiasm. "I want to know which love song you think is the best one and sing it for the class." Dave raises his hand. When given the floor he responds.

"Just an assumption we have to choose an American song, or at least one in English? Because there's like, three duets in two languages that come to mind at the moment."

"That would be much appreciated Dave."

"Damn," Dylan lets out. He takes a deep breath and shakes head. "Well, that takes about a dozen songs out of my consideration. I'm ready to set the bar Mr. Schue."

Catcalls and 'ohhhs' and 'ahhhhs' come from the other members of the New Directions. When Dylan just looks at them with a serious expression and confusion in his eyes, they quiet down.

"Wait, Dylan. You have something for your first assignment instantly after I assign it?" Mr. Schue asks.

"Yes. Is that unusual?" He gets nods from everyone but Rachel, but he ignores that. "Well, it's an old one, and I hope it doesn't make anyone have to change theirs. Paula Abdul, Knocked Out Dylan says. Damn you and your nice ass! comes the reply. "May I?" as he walks to Brad. Once he nods Dylan clears some more space and asks that no one gets in his dancing space, then calls "Hit it!"

He looks at Dave for these two lines.

Hope he's looking at me, 'cause I'm looking at him

Hope he's looking at me, 'cause I'm looking at him

Dylan does the choreography like the music video has, but better and completely smooth. It's Paula Abdul-meets-Koda Kumi-meets-Shakira

I was in love the moment that I saw you (ummm)

I followed you thru the crowd and I almost lost you

I was dying to tell you, but scared of your reaction (uh-oh)

But I can't hold back because I'm rushed with this thing called passion

You've got me knocked out turn me inside out

It's you that makes my heart beat

You've got me knocked out

Baby there's no doubt

You swept me off my feet

Dylan walks to the nearest female, Santana, for the first two lines, then past Sam for the last two. Neither seem to mind. Dave begins to look upset, but if Dylan's trying to figure out why it doesn't show.

I walked your way hoping that maybe you noticed (hi... hello there)

I don't want to move too fast, I don't want to blow it

Never did I think love could be so amazing (umm hmm)

But the things that you're making me do

It's driving me crazy

You've got me knocked out turn me inside out

It's you that makes my heart beat

You've got me knocked out

Baby there's no doubt

You swept me off my feet

You've got me knocked out turn me inside out

It's you that makes my heart beat

You've got me knocked out

Baby there's no doubt

You swept me off my feet

Dylan looks at Puck for the first two lines, Dave for the next two lines. During the last line he does some faux boxing and falls down to the floor, feet behind his butt, as if he'd been knocked out in a boxing match. He lock-pops back up three notes later.

I want us to be closer, boy I wanna be

Startin' somethin with you baby

My heart is steady knockin boy you've got my body rockin,

caught blow-by-blow, love T.K.O.

Dylan's eyes move to all of the glee club members attentively, but focus on Dave for these next two, and as often as he can for the rest of the song. Dylan can't figure out why Dave looks so disappointed.

Hope he's looking at me, 'cause I'm looking at him

Hope he's looking at me, 'cause I'm looking at him

You've got me knocked out turn me inside out

It's you that makes my heart beat

You've got me knocked out

Baby there's no doubt

You swept me off my feet

You've got me knocked out turn me inside out

It's you that makes my heart beat

You've got me knocked out

Baby there's no doubt

You swept me off my feet

Dave instantly jumps to his feet and gives Dylan a hug, then thwacks him. "Dude, 80's? Really?"

"No Japanese, no Arabic, and no Romanian. That's all I could pull off the top of my head," Dylan replies in Mandarin, feeling a little cornered. Mike raises an eyebrow.

"That was actually pretty good Dylan, but I'm not so sure about the song choice," Mr. Schue says as he motions them to take their seat. "So, what did you guys think?"

"I didn't think you'd be that good, especially since your cut opened up a little," Sam said as he points to a red dot on the floor Dylan had just been dancing on. Dylan feels his face and can feel the slack in the butterfly tape.

"That was actually pretty good Dylan," Rachel adds. "But it was a little... 'all over the place' stylistically."

"Well, I look forward to everyone else's numbers this week," Dylan says just before wincing as Dave pulls the strips of tape.

"And for the rest of today we'll be going over established Love Songs," Mr. Schue begins the lesson. Puck scoots over and whispers to Dylofsky as they fix the tape on Dylan's cheek.

"Dude, that wasn't really good. And you seem to be the one in control Dyl," He finishes and scoots back to Laruen, unnoticed by Mr. Schue.

"He's right," Dave says. "If that's the song you have for me, the only one, I'm..." Dave trails off as he tells Mr. Schue that Patsy Cline's Never no More shouldn't count because it's strongly rumored to refer to closeted lesbianism, not real love. Will just raises his eyebrows, exhales deeply, and continues after crossing the song off the board. Only Janet, Rachel, and Dylan see Santana shift in her seat and shed a tear.

...

C'mon, talk to me sweetie? Dylan asks as he finishes up his homework. He isn't talking because he's using text-to-speech software for English. So far Tina and Puck had gone, and it was now Wednesday. Dave hasn't really talked, and has barely even given kisses on the cheek.

I still don't know what to say Dave replied, completely void of all emotion.

Was my song really that shitty?

... Yes. Sorry, but I have to re-rehearse my piece for glee club Dave cuts out and the silence returns. Dylan tugs, but there's no response, like tugging on a tanks' treads.

Taking off the headset Dylan finishes typing his English paper, a story about a woman that is either going insane or is shifting between two points in time, and makes a phone call. He wasn't expecting Santana to be on the other end, but he knew she was alone, and crying...

...

"David? Kurt and his friend Blaine are here to see you!" Mary called from downstairs. She points upstairs and nods to the boys. "It's the last door on the left," she tells them and asks if they would like a drink. Both Warblers nod and ask for water. She hurries to the kitchen and hands them a steel screw-top bottle and gives them a very light nudge toward the stairs.

"Dave?" Kurt asks as he knocks on the door. "I hope you don't mind that I brought Blaine. He needs to do something other than crying and beating himself up over what happened yesterday at the Gap."

"The 'Warbler's Gap Attack?'" Dave says with a playful tone. "Yeah, A coworker of my mom's was there. I would have gone with a... less suggestive song personally," he finishes as he gathers some sheet music.

Taking a seat on the couch that was in the room Kurt and Blaine glance at each other, to Dave, and back at each other. "Dave, what's wrong?" Blaine asks.

"Am I that obvious?" Dave replies, blushing slightly.

"Without the douchebag facade, yes," Kurt answers. "Is it something to do with Dylan?"

Dave nods. "Mr. Schue gave us 'Love Songs' for this week's lesson, and Dylan instantly jumped up and did Knocked Out."

Both Warblers do a spit-take and cough. "He did what song?" Kurt spits out, obviously insulted by what he just heard.

"He did not use that song?" Blaine half-shouts as he smirks and uses his pocket square to wipe his face and water bottle.

"Schue said we had to use songs in English, and Dylan doesn't really know many love songs in English," Dave says as he hands the sheet music to them. "Please don't say what's there, just let me know if you think I can pull it off."

"I don't know, I've never heard you sing," Kurt says as he eyes the sheets.

"I can't pull this one off, and I've done Teenage Dream," Blaine says. "Wait, you wanna do this one..?"

"It's how I really feel about him," Dave says. "Think about it: I shut down, became one of the guys that made me shut down, and pretty much forgot that everyone I cared about accepted me for who and what I really am."

Kurt wasn't familiar with this particular Katy Perry song, but when he finished reading the sheet music, he totally understood it. "Can we hear you try it? After we listen to the original of course."

"We can't give you pointers without a comparison. Of course I know the song, but for Kurt," Blaine says as he refolds the pocket square and puts it back in place.

Dave's face flushes as he nods and plays the song from iTunes, then clicking on the version with lyrics. When it's finished he clicks on the one he did at first and performs the song. He didn't once look at the sheet music and had every note just right, but it didn't feel right to Dave.

"You need a little work on the modulations, but from the sheet music it looks like those were done in-studio with autotune," Kurt says, looking to Blaine for support.

Blaine just stares at Dave for a minute. Just a few months ago he was shoving me into a fence, now I find he has a better voice than I do... "I agree with Kurt. That was stunning Dave."

Once again Dave blushes. He's still not used to being complimented like this. Sweet compliments, not ones when on the gridiron. "Thanks guys. You don't think it's too... odd?"

"For someone not in glee club, yes, it would be," Kurt says, tapping Dave on his knee and handing back the sheets. "For you - and don't get upset - it suits you."

Dave just smiles. "If things had been different, I might have sung this to you," as he takes the sheet music, puts it in a folder, and sticks it in his backpack. "Not that, you know..." Dave gets seriously flustered when he realizes exactly what he just said.

Kurt blushes and shyly smiles, sharing the likely thought Dave had. He glances at Blaine and could swear there was a flash of jealousy in his eyes, even if it was just for a plank second. Why do I know that phrase, 'plank second?' Kurt thought.

"If you don't have any other questions, we should be going," Blaine says with what Kurt knows is fake pleasantness. "There's a curfew of 9pm at the dorms, and we're working on something for Valentine's Day."

"It's only 6:12, and I do have something else to ask," Dave says as he slumps in his chair. "How the hell do I talk to Dylan about this? I mean, without, you know, making him cry or pissed off?"

Before Blaine can try to brush the question off and dismiss themselves again, Kurt gives an icy glare at him and presents a few options to his new friend.

...

Dave waited until lunch the last day of the assignment to talk to Dylan. It had been almost a week since he pulled away, and three days since they even really spoke. He didn't mean to startle his boyfriend, but he hadn't stopped keeping his mind closed off. Dylan almost re-cut his cheek on his locker when Dave's hand snaked around his stomach.

"Hey! -Dave?" Dylan asked as he opened his eyes and realized that he brushed the 'safe' side of the locker door.

"I didn't mean to just, you know, drop you like I did," Dave said, trying to use his eyes to say what he couldn't figure out how to vocalize.

"I messed up, I get it. Rachel, Puck, even Santana let me know," Dylan said, wishing he could just touch Dave's face and make Monday's idiocy disappear. "But I don't understand. It was just a crappy choice of a song."

"Actually, it was a bit insulting," Dave said, removing his hand and taking a stance anyone else at the school would have taken. "I became a bully, remember? Think about the song and the dancing, then remember our history Dyl, what I did to Kurt." Please, I need you to understand...

He hadn't heard Dave's voice for days, and it startled him more than the sneaky hand on his stomach. Then he was overcome with the emotions Dave felt about his performance on Monday, the shame and insult. How it reminded Dave of how his first 'kiss that counted' had to be done by force, in desperation. He started to tear up and looked to Dave's eyes.

You'll figure out how to make this right, you always do Dave said as he walked off, his eyes watering as he felt Dylan slide down the lockers, sobbing.

"Barely two months and I screwed up..." he practically whispered. He didn't notice Azimio walk past him. Or that he did a double-take, or that he was pulled to his feet and dragged to the empty auditorium.

"Hey, buddy, we gotta find a song for you that both doesn't come off as insulting and has meaning," Azimio said as he grabbed Dylan's personal tablet from his backpack and prayed that he was smart enough to have GoToMyPC. BINGO! He started to snoop through Dylan's music folder...

...

"Guys," Dave said as he walked into the choir room. Everyone quieted down. "I am going to perform, and I have a song." He walked to Brad, gave him his song choice, and for the first time Brad shrugged. Dave began to hand out sheet music and set his backpack down, leaving a chair between it and Dylan. Dave looked to Brad, who nodded, and then the band, who also nodded.

"Dylan," Dave said. "Pay attention to me while I sing this." Dylan nodded, a look of shame on his face. He glanced a look to Finn, who just hung his head, as well as Sam and Artie. Dave's dancing can only be described as fluid, physical emotion.

You're so hypnotizing

Could you be the devil?

Could you be an angel?

Your touch magnetizing

Feels like I am floating

Leaves my body glowing

They say, be afraid

You're not like the others

Futuristic lover

Different DNA

They don't understand you

You're from a whole 'nother world

A different dimension

You open my eyes

And I'm ready to go

Lead me into the light

Dave looked right through Dylan's eyes and into his soul. How could you not know how deeply I love you? He scanned the other members and saw their approval. Santana looked very unsettled when Brittany grabbed her hand.

Kiss me, kiss kiss kiss me

Infect me with your love and

Fill me with your poison

Take me, take take take me

Wanna be a victim

Ready for abduction

Dave briefly sees Santana as she's fighting back tears. No one else would notice it, not if they were unaccustomed to holding back tears because it would reveal a devastating secret...

Boy, you're an alien

Your touch so foreign

It's supernatural

Extraterrestrial

I mean it. No one has or ever will make me feel the way you do. You make me feel unique. Dylan begins silently crying, which makes Dave's eyes begin to water.

You're so supersonic

Wanna feel your powers

Stun me with your lasers

Your kiss is cosmic

Every move is magic

You're from a whole 'nother world

A different dimension

You open my eyes

And I'm ready to go

Lead me into the light

Kiss me, kiss kiss kiss me

Infect me with your love and

Fill me with your poison

Take me, take take take me

Wanna be a victim

Ready for abduction

A small sob escapes into Dave's singing. Only Santana, Brad, Dylan, and Will catch it.

Boy, you're an alien

Your touch so foreign

It's supernatural

Extraterrestrial

This is transcendental

On another level

Boy, you're my lucky star

I miss being in sync with you babe, Dave says.

I miss it too love... Dylan replies.

I wanna walk on your wave length

And be there when you vibrate

For you I'll risk it all

All

Kiss me, kiss kiss kiss me

Infect me with your love and

Fill me with your poison

Take me, take take take me

Wanna be a victim

Ready for abduction

I love you with everything I am... Dylan says.

Dave is ignoring the tears streaming from his eyes, not losing focus on addressing the glee club. I love you too Dylan.

Boy, you're an alien

Your touch so foreign

It's supernatural

Extraterrestrial

Extraterrestrial

Extraterrestrial

Boy, you're an alien

Your touch so foreign

It's supernatural

Extraterrestrial

Dylan's standing at the edge of the chairs when Dave finishes, crying and sniffling. Janet's looking at him, terrified. The only time she's seen him like this was when they first shared a shower on their only 'date.' Lauren can see this from her vantage point and puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder, which Janet places her hands on. Everyone else is just completely in shock. They have never seen Dave so close to breaking down before (other than Rachel and Finn), and they knew it started with Dylan getting hit with how absurd his song was. They finally realize that Karofsky no longer exists, just another teenage boy like themselves.

Dave crosses to Dylan, who is now staring at the floor, and lifts his head up with a finger under the chin. For a brief second Dylan avoids eye contact.

"I'm... ashamed, now that I know how much... that in your eyes..." Dylan barely whispers, but it's loud enough for the rest of the club to hear. Dave leans in and gives Dylan a kiss, setting off a new stream of tears.

"I'm not ashamed of you," Dave says lovingly as he takes Dylan's hand and leads them back to their seats.

Will wipes a few tears from his eyes and takes the floor again. "That, was very moving Dave, thank you."

First Love? Dylan asks.

What? Sing it? Dave asks back. Dave turns to Dylan and nods.

Dylan raises his hand and as soon as there's a pause in Mr. Schue's speech asks "May I rescind my pitiful performance from Monday and do another number instead?"

"Is it an actual love song Dylan?" Mercedes asks. "Because, so far you have a crap record."

"Yeah, well, mostly," Dylan replies as he takes out some sheet music and hands it to the band. "This would apply if I never moved here, and it will to most of you too."

"Ok, so what song is it then?" Mike asks.

"First Love by Utada Hikaru, English version," Dylan replies as he puts a hand on Brad's shoulder. "And it's time for you to enjoy a performance by one of us. Please, join the group," his voice filled with respect and sweetness.

Brad looks at Dylan oddly, then looks to Will, who shrugs and nods. "Thank you," he says as he vacates the bench and sits in the empty seat between Finn and Artie.

"I hope this one's better..." Dylan says as he starts playing the piano, then stops. He motions Finn and Puck over, who help him move the piano so he's facing most of the group. He begins to play again after removing the sheet music, so he can read his friend's expressions. Dylan's voice easily puts the piano at the proper volume level.

Once in a while

You are in my mind

I think about the days that we had

And I dream that these would all come back to me

If only you knew every moment in time

Nothing goes on in my heart

Just like your memories

How I want here to be with you

Once more

Dylan allows his emotions to flow into his voice, feeling the same emotions from Dave and seeing them on his face, as well as seeing it on others. We'll have to talk to Santana sometime...

You will always gonna be the one

And you should know

How I wish I could have never let you go

Come into my life again

Oh, don't say no

You will always gonna be the one in my life

So true, I believe i can never find

Somebody like you

my first love

Everyone has begun to tear up, even Brad. Dylan's sure the band's tearing up too. Rachel's expression has become unreadable, her eyes clouded by a thick sheet of tears.

Once in awhile

Your are in my dreams

I can feel the warmth of your embrace

And I pray that it will all come back to me

If only you knew every moment in time

Nothing goes on in my heart

Just like your memories

And how I want here to be with you

Once more

yah yah yah

You will always be inside my heart

And you should know

How I wish I could have never let you go

Come into my life again

Please don't say no

Now and forever you are still the one

In my heart

So true, I believe I could never find

Somebody like you

My first love

oh oh

You will always gonna be the one

And you should know

How I wish I could have never let you go

Come into my life again

Oh, don't say no

You will always gonna be the one

So true, I believe I could never find

Now and forever

Dylan wipes the keys down and carefully closes the lid before standing and walking over to Dave, then collapses into him. This time everyone's sniffling and wiping their eyes. If it hadn't been for Dylan looking at Brad to see his reaction he would have missed seeing Santana begin sobbing when Brittany tried to grab her hand again. Everyone else seemed to be too lost in their own feelings and tears to notice.

"That, was more what we were expecting Dylan," Mr. Schue says, slightly choked. "Ok, guys? Thoughts?"

"That, was a little too intense," Santana sobs out as she quickly saunters out of the room, a hand over her mouth.

"What about what you said when Noah and I did Need You Now?" Rachel asks through her own tears.

"It still applies Rach," Dave replies, eyeing what seems to be Scott Cooper scurrying down the hallway, crying and Rachel at the same time. "But, I didn't feel anything from your number other jealousy."

"He's right Rachel," Tina says as she moves from cuddling Mike to just holding his hand.

Lauren, holding Puck close to her, Puck enjoying being buried in her Ruben-esque wonder, adds "I agree. You were just manipulative."

Dylan begins to leave to find Santana, but stops to look at Rachel. "I... This is something we can all relate to, because to us, our first love's... just so intense. Especially when we have a chance to be with them completely." He leaves the room to find the 'hardcore' Latina...

Dave speaks to draw everyone's attention. "That was a song I can be happy with. Before I basically killed my good side by shoving him into an impossible labyrinth, I felt that way. Now... we came back to each other."

Everyone begins to nod and hug each other, including Dave. When Dave hugs Brittany he whispers to her "You and Santana need to talk to each other about how you feel about each other. I'm willing to help if you want."

Brittany briefly smiles and mouths 'what feelings?'

...

After a fight in the girl's bathroom, in Spanish, Santana finally agreed to follow Dylan to where ever he was going. She briefly muttered something along the lines of 'nice to be in here without having to have sex' while he grabbed an orange duffel bag from his locker while she took a spare cel battery out of hers, and they ended up under the bleachers.

"Heeey skanks," Dylan called. "I need to borrow your spot. Two cartons of Newports, two six-packs of Miller High Life, and $100 enough for an hour?"

"What are you two gonna do, talk about your feelings over flannel clothes?" Ronnie says angrily.

"You think you can just bribe us?" The Mack says as she tries to shove Santana, but is blocked by Dylan.

Dylan looks her over, up and down. "It's this or I show you how a real man pleases a woman..." he says as he stares her down, invading her personal space with a seductive grin. "And Sheila can join too."

The Mack takes the cartons as Ronnie snatches the Benjamin out of Dylan's hand. Shelia takes the beer. As they're leaving Dylan clears his throat.

"Hate to bug, but spare a square?" he asks. The Mack tosses her pack at him.

"There's three. Have fun butches," she sneers as the Skanks leave.

"That was easy," Santana said as she took a seat. She nearly punched Dylan when he took a cigarette and lit it.

"That's right, these taste like shit!" Dylan seethes as he exhales his first drag in a year. He's not coughing though.

"So, what do you want, for me to admit I'm a giant dyke or something?" Santana says as she stands and snatches a drag off the Newport.

Dylan takes an unlit one and hands it to her, which she takes. "It's not like that Santana. I want you to at least admit it to yourself. We can work on others later."

"How's your Spanish so good? Aren't you from Michigan or something?"

"Yeah, but Spanish was my second language. And I mean it in the non-insulting way, but I'm gonna use the word 'tortillera' because I doubt anyone here will understand it."

"Fine. Not that it matters much. I am kinda a dyke," Santana says laughingly as she takes another drag. "You're afraid I'll end up like Karofsky, aren't you?"

'That, and that you may miss out on a good thing with Brittany. I mean, she's the only one so far that hasn't been a cunt to you, or demanded sex on a date, right?"

With this, Santana begins to tear up again.

"And, it can't feel... good, to be with all those guys when you're not really -"

"And what the fuck would you know about that, huh?" She shouts out, loud enough to send Dylan a step back.

"Considering that I didn't get the choice, more than you," Dylan replies venomously.

Santana stomps out what's left of her cigarette and tries to leave but is spun around by Dylan. She's held in place with a very very slight grip, easily escaped from, but she doesn't move. Dylan stares into her eyes, like he's trying to tell her something. Santana finally understands that there is something he's never told anyone, something he's still not over.

"For a split second... I tried... to like it. When I remembered that... it was a punishment, a way to shame me..." he trails off as his voice leaves him.

Santana wraps her arms around Dylan tightly and begins to sob, unleashing all of her anger, sorrow, frustration into him. He returns the embrace, being careful to not squeeze too tightly. He rubs her back, reassuring her that someone was here for her. She begins to dig her nails into his back, not caring if he screamed. He simply gave her a quick squeeze.

"I'm a big boy Tana," he whispers in her ear. "I can take it, and I don't hit ladies." This embrace lasts long enough to hear the soccer team start to take the field. The two walk to their cars, their only hiding of what just happened being wiping a few stray tears from their eyes.

...

"So, Brittany was worried about Santana," Dave said as he plopped back on the bed, "and I told her that they needed to talk about their feelings. Not that it's a bad thing, but knowing someone knows a secret of yours is a bit..."

"- unsettling?" Dylan finished, turning to Dave and smiling like a moron. "It's less personal to use our voices, but it has its advantages..."

"Oh?" Dave asks as he pushes Dylan flat on his back and straddles him.

"Believe it or not, your voice is sexy, deep . And it's very seductive," Dylan says as he tries to grab Dave's face to pull him down. He's stopped when Dave playfully grabs his wrists and pushes them to the mattress.

"You're just sexy in general," Dave replies with a slight playful growl. He keeps one hand on the immobilized wrists, slides the other under Dylan's back to cup the back of his head, and begins to kiss his neck. Dylan lets out an excited, catlike purr of approval.

"Umm, how'd you know I like aggressive?" Dylan pants out, writhing under Dave.

"I'm pretty good at figuring things out," Dave growls as he begins nipping at Dylan's collar, moving down. Before he can really do what he wanted, his free hand feels a tell-tale bump on Dylan's side, where Santana was squeezing. He bolts up, releasing Dylan's hands.

"What's wrong?" Dylan asks.

"You, have bruises? From what?" Dave asks, more concerned about where they came from than worried about being cheated on.

"Oh," Dylan replies as he feels where Dave's hands just were. "Santana kinda lost it, in a good way, and used me as a kneading board. I told you that."

"Ah." Dave lays back down. "Well, this seems to be our sex life at the moment."

"Is it that bad?" Dylan asks as he turns the tables. "I like the 'let nature take its course' path myself," he says as he slowly goes for Dave's lips. Dave allows this for a minute, then breaks away.

"I'm sorry, but..." Dave trails off.

Dylan closes his eyes and sighs, then lays next to Dave and faces him. "Are you still upset over my moronic song choice on Monday?"

"It's not really that, I think," Dave replies, trying to cuddle Dylan. "I'm just, I don't know... Why are you helping Santana freakin' Lopez?"

"Because... I guess I just feel, sympathy for her," Dylan replies, slowly allowing Dave to wrap his big, strong arms around him. "I see a kind, non-bitchy woman under her cuntiness."

Even though he's behind Dylan, Dave's smirk is still seen. "Santana and kind don't usually, well, ever, go in the same sentence without 'not' being there too... wait. Is she..?"

"Looking over the fence on our side? ...yeah..." Dylan replies, interlocking their hands.

Dave reviews his memories, wondering if he really knew before now, and decided that yes, he did in fact know. "Will you out her if it comes to that? Nah, you won't." He gives a kiss to the back of Dylan's neck and gives a quick, playful bite to his ear. "You're too kind to do that."

"I just... I don't want anyone to have to live in the closet. I don't want... I don't want our kids to have to go through what we went through."

Dave smiles into Dylan's broad, solid back and says "And Santana might help with that?"

"Well, if I'm the father, I'm actually hoping Brittany would be the surrogate. An army of Howard-Karofsky red-head kids, tempers and all!" Dylan playfully says as he turns around to face Dave.

Smiling ear-to-ear Dave replies "I like that idea," as he moves to continue the kiss he ended just moments earlier. "I'm back in the mood now..." he says as he begins to slide his sweats down, staring at Dylan.

"And I'm the freak-o here?" Dylan playfully says as he sits up and buries his face in Dave's hairy chest, doing his best to leave a trail of hickeys, encouraged by the grunts and moans coming from Dave's throat.

...

"No way Mr. Schue! She leaves, now!" Dylan shouts, joining the crowd in their insult of having Coach Sylvester in the choir room.

"She tried to kill Brittany Mr. Schuester!" Rachel yells, taking the former cheerleader's hand.

"And the bitch's tried to destroy this club from day two! Remember us being spies?" Santana says while saying 'fuck you' to Sue with her eyes.

"Guys, she's staying. I'm hoping music will help her get over her depression," Will says.

"It's her own fault Mr. Schue," Janet says. "She's a self-absorbed whore who's only -"

"- Janet, shut up!" Will yells. "She's staying."

"If she double crosses us, and she will, I get a lead Regionals," Dylan replies as a demand. This gets a death-stare from Rachel and Mercedes.

"Fine, whatever Dylan. Just keep your mouth shut," Will replies. "Now, this year's theme for Regionals is 'Anthems.'" Sam raises his hand and Will allows him to take the floor. After some mumbling about how awesome Justin Bieber is he begins a number. Dylan and Dave just smirk and make silent insults during the number.

...

"Holy shit! How much is that?" Azimio shrieks as he helps put the bar back on it's mount.

"Let's see, those are all 45lbs, and there's 8, sooo," Finn says.

"360lbs," Artie says as he wheels himself to the sinks.

"It's not that much guys. I mean I was able to do 20 reps," Dylan says as he stands up, not looking at all strained. "Hey, what's going on over there?"

"They're asking Sam to join his Bieber band," Dave says. "Seriously?"

"He's not a great singer, or a dancer," Rachel says. "I think he has some kind of implant that uses subharmonics to manipulate girls."

"Whatever Rachel," Quinn says as he turns off the treadmill. "Whatever it is, he has a power over us young females. Which means..."

"We're screwed if they do another number?" Janet says as she straddles Azimio on the bench of the benchpress layup, gives him a kiss, and gets up to spot him.

"Pretty much," Quinn says as she slips her towel around her and heads to the quartet of boys at the sinks and wraps her arms around Sam. When he grabs her hands she lays a kiss on him and saunters off. "Love you Sammy."

"I love you babe," Sam says with a huge grin, watching her strut into the showers. He doesn't see Quinn and Finn give each other a quick glance

Quinn almost decides to not shower when she sees Rachel out of the corner of her eye, but instead chooses to not talk to her. This was going to be harder than she anticipated. Rachel takes a stall right next to hers and begins talking.

"Quinn, why did you tell Sam you loved him, when you're still interested in Finn?" Rachel asks in a surprisingly thoughtful tone, catching the blonde off-guard.

"I do love Sam, Rachel," Quinn spits out, speeding up her shower. Rachel places a hand lightly on her shoulder.

"Quinn, you don't need this," Rachel says in a truly placating voice. "It's one thing to make a bad decision, like you did with Puck, but it's another to choose something bad. Like I did when I made out with Puck..." she trails off as she pulls her hand back and re-wets her hair.

"As usual Rachel I have no idea what you're talking about," Quinn remarks with a sneer as she rinses her hair again. "I'm not going to cheat on Sam!"

Rachel looks into Quinn's exposed eyes before speaking. "I saw the opposite just a minute ago Quinn." Rachel then lightly grabs one of Quinn's hands. "Finn... isn't for either one of us, and he's not something to be won. You're too dominating for him, and I'm... too ambitious and self-absorbed..." Rachel releases Quinn's hands and leans against the shower wall between the water knobs.

Quinn looks at Rachel, stunned that she would admit something like that out loud, much to her. "Rachel, haven't you been trying to 'win' him back? And I'm not going to -"

"- Yes you were. At least thinking about it. Sam really loves you Quinn, enough to follow you even now that you're not in a popular group," Rachel says as she wipes a tear from her eye. Or maybe it's a stray soap sud?

"We are popular now, the glee club and the football team. Which, to be clear, I never saw coming!" Quinn replies, smiling.

"We don't have to be enemies Quinn, and I really do care about your relationship," Rachel says as she locks eyes with Quinn again. "It kills me to see you suffering, like you were last year when Jacob blabbed about your pregnancy."

"You never told me how you got him to shut up at all," Quinn says as she slowly turns her shower off.

Rachel begins to blush as she pushes off the wall and turns off her shower. After toweling off her hair and face Quinn can see that she is indeed crying. "I... he wanted, something, of mine. Something... used..."

Quinn quickly gets her towels in order and moves to Rachel's stall to embrace her. "That perv!" she says as she separates long enough to ask "Panties?" When Rachel just nods Quinn reconnects with the embrace. "Thank you Rachel..."

Rachel just nods as she tightens her grip on the blonde. "I think we can be friends, good friends." She pulls out of the embrace and takes Quinn's hands in hers. "And I can help you with your singing, so you have more to fall back on. Of course only if you want to, you know, to be even better than you already are..."

Quinn looks at Rachel with a newfound respect. Here I thought she was going to be in my way, and now she's trying to help make a path of my own for me. "I think we can try that..." The girls share one more hug as they wipe tears from their eyes and dress back in to join their friends.

...

"Wait. Four Biebers?" Dave asks. "Do we even need one?"

"This is kind of creepy," Sue says, looking like she just saw a pile of sugar labeled "Health Food."

"So, we'd like to show you the new and improved Justin Beiber Experience," Sam says as he, Mike, Artie, and Puck run to the stage, the girls running after them. Finn, Dylan, and Dave just give each other puzzled looks.

During the performance the girls never take their eyes off their boyfriends, other than Santana, who just looks relieved to be distracted from her own thoughts. Finn takes an aisle seat and just pouts while Dave and Dylan keep up with the choreography effortlessly in the back, despite never seeing it before. At the end of the performance Brittany and Tina climb on stage and slather Artie and Mike with affection. Rachel and Quinn give each other a quick hug before Quinn goes on stage to hug and kiss Sam, while Dave and Dylan give each other a quick kiss, take each other's hands, and walk back to the choir room. Finn keeps pouting as she sees Quam walk past him, hand in hand.

...

"Don't get me wrong, flannel's ok, but..." Dylan says as he prepares to give Coach Sylvester's anthem idea a go.

"I don't know, it's not bad. And Burt doesn't seem to mind," Finn replies as he adjusts his red beanie.

"Come on, this actually looks pretty nice. And you look pretty manly in it," Dave says as he gives Dylan a slap on the back and a one-armed hug from behind.

"If I wanna look manly I have biker outfits and my grave robber costume," Dylan replies as he grabs Dave's arm with both of his hands.

"That must look hot," Lauren comments as she cups Pucks face and smirks, making him raise his eyebrows.

It's a few hours after the performance, which is pretty boring actually, that the group discovers that Sue indeed was playing them. She's now coaching Aural Intensity. It wasn't a surprise to most of the gleeks, but it started a war as Dylan and Rachel were arguing about if Mr. Schue actually had to give him a solo. It got heated when he forced an impromptu diva-off using Sarah Brightman's version of Phantom, which he won singing Christine's verses.

"Well, I see you have a full range," Rachel says, extremely despondent. They hug, but instead of saying "you know you're good Rachel," just a bunch of screeches come out, causing Rachel to reel back in pain.

"What the hell was that?" Rachel demanded, obviously offended.

"screecch, crraaaackking" is all that comes out of Dylan's mouth. He rubs his throat and swallows, causing him to wince. He looks to Dave with pleading eyes.

Dave stands behind Dylan and speaks for him, which only Finn seems to get at the moment. "I can only do that for about ten minutes, then..."

"Wait, Dylan, what's going on?" Mike asks as he puzzles things out.

"It's just a thing we've had for awhile," Dave says as Dylan plops back into his chair. He looks to Rachel and smiles. "And I'm sorry Rachel. Sometimes I just get too competitive."

"It's ok Dylan. It doesn't bother me that much knowing that you couldn't do an entire concert now," Rachel says as she goes to hug him again before taking her seat agian.

"So, Dylan. What solo do you want to do?" Will asks.

"I was thinking we can get some input from Rachel, considering that technically she won," Dylofsky replies.

"I uh... well, we can't beat Vocal Adrenaline with dancing, and with Kurt being with the Warblers, we can't really out sing them. And with Coach Sylvester forcing her way to coaching Aural Intensity..." Rachel begins.

"Here we go with another duet I'm not a part of," Mercedes starts.

"Or me," Tina says, staring at Rachel.

"What, you want us to start singing songs about Abraham and Issac Ms. Tel Aviv?" Santana adds, squeezing Brittany's hand.

"Just be quiet Harpy!" Rachel snaps. "We need to write original songs, something the other clubs either can't do or won't bother with.

"Please, you're joking?" Brittany says as she turns to look at Rachel. "None of your ideas ever work Rachel. I say no."

"Everyone else?" Tina says, noting that Dylofsky and Quam haven't raised their hands.

"Fine. We can cheer Kurt and the Warblers when they get to New York," Rachel says as she sits down defeated, again. The bell rings and the club begins to disperse. Will lets the defeated five stay as he heads to the teacher's lounge, eyeing an apology for being shot down.

"Look, Rachel, we know your idea's great, but we need to show them you're right," Quinn says, sitting next to her.

"I mean, we have to be able to do better than most of the crap that's on the radio now, right?" Sam says as he places a hand on Rachel's shoulders and gives a supportive shake.

"I'm a better composer than a lyricist, so let me know what kind of music you want and I'll help," Dave says for Dylan as Dylan places a hand tentative on Rachel's knee.

"Thanks guys. I'm flattered, but I don't know how to write a song," Rachel says as she takes everyone's hands in support. "You'll help me, right?" Everyone nods.

"You should set the bar for the solo though. And don't use it as a way to take anyone for yourself other than the audience," Quinn says as she stands. "Just... use the pain you're avoiding to help you. I'm pretty sure Amy Lee uses her personal pain to make the great music she does for Evanescence."

"Thanks Quinn. I'll keep my fingers crossed," Rachel replies as she gives Quinn a genuine smile of appreciation. Quinn smiles back as she and Sam leave.

"We're here too Rach," Dave says as he gives her a hug. "And remember, the song can be about you, but it needs to connect with the listeners." Dylan nods and smiles as they leave the choir room. When Rachel finally leaves the room, there's no one in the hallways.

...

As Finn was leaving the choir room Puck was coming in, wincing at how painfully dull and childish Rachel's first song was. He nodded to Finn and gave him a fist bump before taking a chair, flipping it backwards and taking a seat.

"So I hear you've got the house to yourself for the weekend?" he says to a surprised Rachel.

"My dad's are on the Rosie O'Donnel cruise - how'd you know that?" she asked.

"It's my job to know stuff like that. So, how about a party, just us glee kids, get a little drunk..." Puck nudges.

"No, no, no drinking! Oh my God don't tell anyone about this Noah!" She almost cries back.

"Okay, now I can see why no one's ever gotten past second with you," he says as he places his hands on her shoulders. "Rach, you're boring. You can't get to the top unless you just let go and take chances!"

"Like when Kathy Bates did that nude scene?" Rachel asks.

"Yeah, both of those!" Puck spits out, shuddering. "Reconsider? It won't cost you a thing."

"Hmmm. A real teenage-high-school party?" Puck nods. "Okay! But only the glee club!"

"You won't regret this Rach!" Puck says as he trots out to tell the other gleeks.

Within an hour the gleeks are aware of the party and are finding a way out of it. While there's a conversation between Santattany and Artcedes, they decide to bring in their newest couple.

"Dylofsky" comes the first answer, in unison.

"Hey, Santattany and Artcedes here. You coming to the party?" Brittany asks.

"You bet, but only if there's booze. I can't handle her on her home turf without her dads there," Dave says as Dylan looks at him surprised.

"Well, sweeties, booze won't be an issue," Dylan says. "My old West Point ID gives me as much booze as I want at 20% off."

"Hey, Puck here. Did you say discount? And how does that work?"

"Instructor's license, and no one bothers to check the dates on it. You have no idea how good I can be with a keg tap," Dylan says as he looks at a now surprised Dave. Dylan's face says and he mouths 'what."

"Well, I'm in if the rest of you are in," Mercedes says as she raises her eyebrows to Artie.

"Sure, if there's gonna be booze," Santana says as Brittany nods.

"But it's 'Alcohol Awareness Week,'" Brittany says, more looking for approval than why.

"Yeah, and I'm totally aware of how awesome and fun alcohol can be," Santana happily replies.

"Then let the Rachel Berry House Party Train Wreck Extravaganza commence," Mercedes says as the gleeks hang up and sigh.

"Dave, this could seriously suck," Dylan says as he re-locks arms with his boyfriend.

"How so, just because Rachel's the most boring girl we've ever met?"

"Well, something tells me you're the type that gets girly when you're drunk..." Dylan trails off as he just looks at the expression on Dave's face and smiles.

"Then you'll just have to deal with it, 'cause we're both drinking," Dave smirks and dives in for a kiss. After a minute or so they both smile and nod, then continue toward their classes.

During the course of the day Rachel and Dylofsky argue about which types of booze should be there, and the couple play along with her. They get Finn and Kurt - who's going to be there as the result of blackmail - to be designated drivers, so Dylofsky just decide to load up a keg and case of Vodka, Tequila, schnapps, and Jaeger in Dylan's van. It can still seat 5, or 10 if they're laying down and the driver doesn't turn too sharply.


(Added 13-OCT-2011): I updated to iOS5, and the damn backup got corrupted! I have to rebuild all my playlists, so this chapter is a few days late. Also, I just got a notifier window that iTunes (10.5) crashed... That hasn't happened in the two and a half years I've been using Win7...

(Added 15-OCT-2011): Had to erase and rebuild all my playlists again as my phone was set up as new and the cover art was randomized. Grr! Now it's fine.

(Added 21-OCT-2011): Sorry this update's taken so long, but I thought I would just add a little more, then had to take care of some business in Fresno (long trip since I live in San Diego). I ended up not even getting seen for the business, and I just cut some stuff from this story to start the next. I hope you enjoyed it!