Mike had tried to convince the stubborn Noah Puckerman to give Kurt a chance, he really did. After Kurt and the Cheerio's rather, uh… interesting performance, he argued in vain with the jock that it wasn't Kurt's choice to do the routine.

Noah didn't see it that way.

"Look, dude, I know you're into this whole, gay power couple of McKinley idea, but it's seriously not going to happen. He's parading himself around, trying to get the attention of every guy in this school-"

"Are you listening to yourself right now, Puck? You seriously think Kurt did that routine just to show off his cute little ass for all the straight McKinley guys who have bullied him for years?" Mike scoffed, rolling his eyes at his friend.

Puck glared at him and turned around to look at the crowd of their peers behind them. Mike followed his gaze and noted how the jock may not be wrong after all; many of the guys were looking awkwardly at one another, adjusting their pants, or staring straight at Kurt as he hugged Santana. Even some of their basketball teammates were checking Kurt out, a fact that was clearly making Puck jealous.

"First off, don't call his ass cute, it creeps me out. And second, I'm pretty sure I'm right on this one. He's just a little whore," Noah argued, clenching his fists together as he returned to gaze at Mike angrily.

"Kurt's so not a whore," Mike chuckled, immediately stopping as Puck's harsh glare returned. "I think he's just trying to impress you, man. He wants you back, and you know it."

"I'm not impressed, Chang, so just fucking let it go!" Noah demanded, before stomping off to the locker room.

Mike sighed as he watched Kurt follow Puck. He hoped the smaller boy could work Puck out of this funk. It's obvious that he still cares for Kurt; Mike can just see it in his behavior. Even when he tries to ignore Kurt, Mike sees the "secretive" glances Puck always shoots towards the other boy. He's noted often the way Puck brightens just a bit when Kurt enters the room, despite his anger. Puck just needed to realize that it may have started out as a bet, but Kurt had genuine romantic feelings for the left tackle.

And Mike sure as hell knows that Kurt likes Puck, just as much (and if not more) than the jock likes him. Everyone knew Kurt was a good actor, but not even he could pull off dating Puck (even if it was for just a small amount of time) if the boy had still loathed the jock. At one point, Kurt probably despised his former tormenter, but it was clear to anyone with eyes that their feelings had changed.

He decided something right then and there as he watched Puck stalk out of the locker room, face set in a determined scowl that clearly insinuated he did not make up with Kurt; he was going to get the two of them together again.

Mike rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

Oh yes, Mike Chang was going to play match maker on this one, and he was determined to get those two stubborn fuckers to rekindle their romance.

Realizing that talking to Puck wasn't any better than talking to a brick wall (and the brick wall was a lot safer since it didn't have the ability to punch his lights out), he decided to start with Kurt first.

"Hey, Kurt!" he called as the boy headed towards the gym doors.

Kurt turned around and raised his eyebrow at him expectantly.

Not anticipating such a cold response, Mike stammered over his next words. "Um, yeah, so how are you after the whole Glee incident?"

"Just fine, thanks for asking. It doesn't make it any less shitty that Noah's already gotten cozy with you, now does it?"

Kurt flipped his short hair over his shoulder (which reminded Mike a lot of Santana's trademark ponytail flip) and sauntered out the exit.

"Kurt, it isn't like that!" Mike exclaimed as he followed the boy through the parking lot.

"Don't give me that bullshit Chang! I'm not blind; I see the way you two have suddenly become attached at the hip, those covert hugs you share when you think no one's looking. And just for your information, we never officially broke up. How does it feel to be a homewrecking rebound?"

Mike figured it probably wasn't a good idea to debate the concept of a homewrecking rebound, because how could he be a homewrecker if the two of them weren't together, and how could he be a rebound if they were still together? Shaking his head at the confusion, he answered Kurt's question.

"We aren't together, Kurt, I swear!" Mike pleaded, shocked at the conversation. Did Kurt really think he was into Puck? That was just… awkward.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, you freakin slut. Back off now while you have the chance, because Hummel's always get what they want, and this time is no different. That boy is mine, Chang."

Mike stared dumbfounded as Kurt strode to his car, started the engine, and peeled out of the parking lot without so much as a backwards glance at him.

Well shit, now what was he going to do?

Kurt slammed the door to his Navigator in anger. How dare Mike fucking Chang try to talk to him? It was clear that the Asian boy was throwing himself all over Puck now that he and the Jewish boy were temporarily separated.

"I'm sorry, baby," he cooed as he patted his car. "I didn't mean to hurt you; he just made me momentarily lose my temper."

After fixing himself a snack (apple slices and a bowl of grapes, because there was no way in Gucci he was going to let that tub of ice cream in the freezer go to his ass), he decided now was a good time for a talk with his best friend.

"Sweetie, that performance was fire! Please tell me you're calling with good news about Puck?"

Kurt sighed at Mercedes' hopeful tone.

"I wish, 'Cedes, but he shot me down. And then Mike Chang had the nerve to try and tell me they weren't together."

He explained the whole story to her, from the meaning behind his performance, to the talk with Noah, up until the end when he left the school parking lot after his rather bitchy one-sided conversation with Mike.

"You know I love you baby, no matter what, right?" Mercedes began sweetly.

"I know that, boo, and I love you too," he smiled into the phone. A guy needed a best friend like his.

"Well okay, now that we've got that covered, I think you're an idiot."

Okay, well maybe not.

"Did I miss something?" he pouted.

"I'm fairly certain Mike had the hotts for you not too long ago, and don't you dare tell me I'm wrong, because we all know how that goes. So-"

"But wouldn't he be trying to talk to me and not Noah?"

"Boy, you better not interrupt me again-"

"Okay," he snickered.

"Now listen closely. Mike and Noah are bros. They stick together, and yes there may be an occasional slip up when the bro code is broken, but those two have known each other for years. There is no way on this planet that Mike Chang has a crush on Noah Puckerman."

"But how do you know for sure?" he whined, seriously hoping she was wrong. He didn't feel like apologizing to Mike for acting like a possessive stalkerish girlfriend.

"Call it girl's intuition. Mike may be gay, but Puck isn't his type. And as for you and Puck, it's clear he doesn't want to see your 'bad ass slutty side.' You need to appeal to his intellectual and emotional side. Try finding an activity, besides Glee, that you both like to do together."

Before Kurt had a chance to respond, someone entered his bedroom and pounded down the stairs.

"Your dad wanted me to tell you that we're going to a basketball game and won't be back until late tonight. He said you could come if you want," Finn stated, giving him his usual big, goofy smile. "You should go, it'll be fun."

"Thanks, I appreciate the offer, but I have things to work on," Kurt answered, suddenly smirking.

Plan B was currently a go.

Kurt waited until Finn pulled out of the driveway and sped down the street towards McKinley High before he entered his Navigator. Quickly sending a text to Santana that he was going to miss Cheerios practice this morning and to please cover for him (of course promising that he owed her big time), he followed Finn's beaten up Honda Accord from a distance.

He watched as Finn ran into the gym before he pulled his car into the parking lot. Kurt tapped his fingers against the steering wheel as he waited for his target to arrive. The Cheerios always practiced in the morning on the football field, so he prayed that none of his teammates would notice his car parked in the lot.

You see, Kurt Hummel was a good friend/future step-brother. He always listened when Finn whined about all the problems the basketball team was having, from the stress of being so close to becoming district champions, to the frustration of always having to run extra laps because a certain team member could never get his ass to practice on time.

And as Kurt inspected a black Toyota Camry that came to a screeching halt next to him, he smiled in relief; everyone in this town was so fucking predictable.

"Morning, Ross," Kurt greeted as he smoothly slid from his plush car seat.

"Oh, hey Kurt," the lanky basketball player mumbled as he rummaged through his car, tossing various items into his gym bag. "I don't have time to chat, I'm late for practice again and Coach already has me doing extra laps after practice as it is."

Ross sat next to him in chemistry, and the two had become acquaintances after Kurt had tutored him several times during lunch before a quiz or test. He proved to be quite smart and picked up on things quickly, only needing help because he spent most of his time texting during class. The blonde boy was easy to like and always made him laugh with his impersonations of their strict teacher. He was the perfect target for his plot to get Noah back.

"So I heard you hurt your knee last night playing a pickup game with your brother," Kurt commented, casually leaning back against his car and completely ignoring what Ross just said.

"Huh?" Ross turned around, only to end up staring open mouthed at the crisp fifty dollar bill Kurt held in front of his face.

"Rumor has it you're going to be out a few weeks," Kurt added, pulling out another fifty dollar bill.

"Oh yeah, um it's sprained, hurts like a bitch ya know?" Ross agreed, nodding his head vigorously, eyes completely focused on the bills in Kurt's hand. "Doctor says I can't play in today's tournament either."

"Such a shame," Kurt added another fifty to the ones already in his hand. "Don't tell anyone about our little arrangement here and this third friend of mine is all yours."

"Sounds good, bro." Kurt cringed at the term, but willed himself to focus on what Ross said next. "Coach is going to run your ass into the ground the next week or so, but you chose this fate!" Ross grabbed the two fifties from Kurt and stuck them into his pocket. "Guess the deal is sealed."

Kurt laughed. "Yeah, thanks, Ross. Here you're going to need these." Kurt handed the other boy a set of crutches Finn brought when he moved in (apparently the quarterback was accident prone) and a knee brace. "It's clean, I promise."

"It smells like strawberries," Ross remarked, sliding the brace over his left knee and taking the crutches from Kurt. "Do you think Coach is gonna want a doctor's note?"

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot." Kurt pulled a note out from his backpack. "I used to get sick all the time, so I just ended up scanning the note, and with a little computer skill, adjusted it for any purpose."

"Awesome, I need a reason to get out of gym." Ross paused, taking the time to look Kurt up and down. "You know, you never struck me as the type to want to join the basketball team."

Kurt sighed, figuring he might as well tell the truth. Ross never seemed to care that he was gay, unlike many of the other McKinley students. "I'm trying to get a boy…"

"You and Mike would be a great couple, dude! You should totally go for it; I've seen him checking you out at lunch."

"Oh my gosh, ew, no, I am not into Mike. My taste is way better than that," Kurt explained, shuddering at the thought of him and Mike together. Despite what Mercedes seemed to think, Kurt was completely sure the Other (and inferior) Asian was trying to creep all up on his man, which was something he could not handle.

"Please tell me it's not Finn again, isn't that like incest at this point?" Ross laughed as he pulled his cell phone out.

"No, it's Noah." Kurt rolled his eyes as Ross looked up in confusion. "Puck?"

"Oh yeah, Kurt, you have such awesome taste in men," Ross sarcastically replied, laughing as Kurt glared at him. "Look, I need to go into the gym, the guys are starting to blow up my phone with all their texts bitching me out for being late… again."

Kurt followed behind Ross as he hobbled to the gym door on his new crutches.

"I hope my acting skills impress you, Kurt." Ross winked at him before entering the gym. "Here goes nothing!"

Kurt watched from behind the bleachers as Ross began talking with the basketball coach. Coach Johnson was like a less fierce version of Sue Sylvester (strict and demanding, but with more ethics and less use of a bullhorn), one of the many reasons why the basketball team always won more games than the football team.

He couldn't hear what the two were saying, but the man did NOT look happy. Kurt took a deep breath before walking over to Ross. All of the other players had gathered worriedly around the handicapped boy after he entered the gym, many looking concerned and upset. Kurt tried not to glance over at Noah and Mike standing near the back of the group.

"Coach Johnson, I think I have a solution to your problem. I would like to audition to be on the team."

Several of the guys snickered at his statement, but Kurt kept his gazed focused solely on Coach Johnson.

"Who the hell are you?" Coach Johnson demanded.

"Kurt Hummel, sir." He stuck his hand out for the man to shake."I'm also Finn's future step-brother," he added for good measure.

"Ah, I see. Finn, where you at boy?" Coach Johnson yelled loudly, causing a few of the boys to grimace in pain as they rubbed their ears.

Finn nudged his way past the other players and came to a stop right beside Kurt, giving him a confused look. Kurt smiled reassuringly at the lanky boy, praying Finn would use some common sense and help him out.

"This boy here says you're about to be related. Have you seen him play before?"

"Oh, um…" he looked back to Kurt for help. Kurt tried to discreetly nod his head quickly, hoping no one noticed. "Yeah he's pretty good, Coach."

"Thank you, son." Coach Johnson turned his attention back to Kurt. "And why should I let you try out when I have plenty of boys who have been sitting on the bench all year waiting for their chance to start?"

"I'm a superb three point shooter, a skill which I can see all of your other players lack."

Kurt didn't know this for sure, but Finn had gone on and on to his dad about how amazing Ross was at shooting from long distances, and considering the way Coach Johnson's veins throbbed angrily in his forehead, Kurt was pretty sure his assumption was correct. Because why else would Coach be so stressed if he had a decent substitute to replace Ross?

After hearing Kurt's last statement, the assistant coach jumped up from his seat on the bleachers and approached their group.

The man, whose name Kurt didn't know, was at least a foot shorter than Coach Johnson and reminded Kurt somewhat of a mouse.

"Those Carmel boys seem to swing the other way, maybe this boy here would be a good addition to our team, at least until Ross can play again," the assistant coach whispered to Coach Johnson, clearly trying not to be overheard by the players (which he obviously failed at.)

"What do you mean, Gilbert? They like playing with more than just one kind of ball?" Coach Johnson asked in his regular speaking voice (which translated to very loud.)

Kurt felt himself blushing as the team all laughed uncomfortably. He refused to look over to see how Noah was reacting to his presence.

"Um, well, you could put it that way, but yes I'm pretty sure, right boys?" Gilbert asked, turning to address the team.

Most of the guys nodded.

"Yeah, Coach Johnson, half of Carmel's team hit on us last year after the game. It was kind of awkward," Finn helpfully supplied. "I bet they'll all be in love with Kurt by the end of the game."

Kurt shifted his feet nervously. His attempt to join the team was to show off his basketball skills (which we did have, thank you very much) and not to "parade himself like a piece of meat" in front of the Carmel boys.

Feeling a moment of weakness, he shifted his gaze to look back towards Noah. The muscular boy was glaring at the ground, his jaw clenched in anger.

Ugh, he just couldn't win, now could he?

"Well, alright. Gilbert, set the boy up on the three point line, and let's see what he can do!" Coach Johnson commanded, clapping his hands together. "The rest of you, run some laps you fat asses. My grandma is in better shape than you, and she's been dead for twenty years."

"Coach, you can't seriously let him try out? He's one of those fruity Glee kids. There's no way he's better than me at three point shooting." Kurt glared at the jock who had spoken, a rather short boy with black hair and acne.

Just as Kurt was about to let out one of his infamous bitchy retorts, complete with comments on why he was superior and of course advice to rid his face of those dreadful zits, a voice stopped him in his tracks.

"You got a problem with Glee kids, Hubbard?" Noah shoved his way to the front, standing several feet away from Kurt but face to face with the boy who had just spoken. "Finn, Mike, and I are in Glee and we're the top three scorers on this team. Are you trying to say we're suddenly too fruity to play ball? Maybe we should just quit and see how many championships you can win without us."

"Puck, dude, that's not what I meant," Hubbard stuttered, holding his hands up, "I mean, you three aren't like him."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Noah leered over the boy, causing him to shrink even farther back.

"You're not gay!" Hubbard cried, throwing his hands up in front of his face. "Please don't hit me."

"Look at me when I talk to you, Hubbard," Noah spoke in a low, tense voice, which Kurt hated to admit, but he found it fairly sexy. When the jock didn't move, Noah grabbed the boy's arms, roughly pulling them down so he could stare him in the eye.

"What if I was, Hubbard, what would you do?"

"Nothing, it's your choice, whoever you love is your business!" Hubbard cowered. Kurt heard several of the guys gasp.

"And don't any of you forget it," Noah addressed the rest of the team after letting Hubbard go. "You heard Coach, start running laps you pussies."

Kurt smiled as Noah turned to face him, only to frown at the dark look over the jock's face.

"What the hell are you doing, Kurt?"

"I want to play basketball, I thought that was obvious," he remarked casually, hoping the boy wasn't going to yell at him again.

"Whatever just leave me alone." With that, Noah joined the rest of his teammates as they jogged around the outer edges of the court.

Sighing, Kurt jogged to the three point line and grabbed the ball Gilbert handed him.

"Gilbert, get this boy the tightest uniform we have, boys we have ourselves the fifth starter!" Coach Johnson exclaimed after Kurt made seven shots in a row, all from different areas of the court.

"Do they make uniforms in child sizes?"one of the jocks joked, earning a high five from a rather bulky teammate as they headed to the locker room.

"Kurt, you were amazing!" Finn complimented at the end of practice.

"Thanks, Finn, you were great too."

"Why didn't you tell me you played?" Finn whispered once they were out of ear shot of everyone else.

"I haven't in a while, my dad used to make me play when I was younger so I could be more 'social' and 'one of the guys."

"Well, it's a good thing you did. It's awesome that you decided to join the team right after Ross got hurt, we would be shit out of luck without a three point shooter.

Smiling at Finn's innocence, Kurt headed to class, anxious for his big debut in the Carmel game this afternoon.

A/N: Sorry for such a long wait, I've been busy! Hopefully the chapters should be up faster from now on.

Review please :)