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Chapter 23: and the winner is...
"Kurt."
Kurt whipped around and found Puck, Santana and Brittany standing in the door way with big smiles on their faces.
Brittany ran to Kurt and hugged him tightly.
"You were amazing!" Brittany squealed and Kurt chuckled. Santana sauntered up and gave Kurt a hug.
"Damn Porcelain, I forgot about the set of lungs you had," Santana grinned.
"Thanks," Kurt said, rolling his eyes.
"To bad they didn't show case your hot moves but we can't have everything," Santana shrugged. "Maybe you could give Blaine a private show. I know you still have you Cheerleading clothes."
Kurt blushed red and Blaine's jaw dropped.
"You were a cheerleader?" Blaine asked, his voice hoarse and Kurt flushed deeper.
"I think you broke him," Puck said gleefully, patting Kurt on the shoulder.
"Shut up," Kurt huffed and Blaine struggled to keep his mouth shut as the Warbler's sniggered behind him.
"Why didn't you tell us you could sing again?" Puck asked.
"I wanted you to be surprised," Kurt shrugged. "And I didn't want you to think that I was betraying you."
"You aren't betraying us," Santana said, rolling her eyes. "The Warbler's deserve you. We didn't treat you right and they do."
Kurt smiled at her.
"You're not too blame Satan-I mean Santana," Kurt grinned impishly and she laughed.
"You guys seemed a little off today," Kurt said, crossing his arms. Santana rolled her eyes.
"God, there was so much drama," Santana groaned.
"Quinn was upset that Rachel and Finn got to do a flirty duet," Brittany said.
"Isn't she dating Sam?" Kurt asked.
"Please, she totally cheating on him with Finn. I would know because I kissed a guy with mono then kissed Finn and then Quinn got mono too," Santana smirked.
"I see they removed the rest of your soul when they took out your appendix," Kurt said dryly and Nick, Thad and Cameron snorted with laughter.
"Oh honey," Santana smirked. "I wasn't born with one."
"So does Sam know?" Kurt asked.
"Nope. Thinks that Finn was choking and Quinn had to give him mouth to mouth," Puck answered.
"The education at McKinley needs some serious advisement," Kurt said, shaking his head.
"Everyone else was upset that they didn't get lead," Brittany said. "I just wanted to dance with Mike."
"You guys would have been awesome," Kurt told her and she beamed at him.
"Any way, we just wanted to congratulate you," Puck said. "You guys rocked."
"Thanks Puck," Kurt smiled.
"KURT HUMMEL!" Rachel screeched from the door way and Santana rolled her eyes.
"Here we go," Santana said and the Warbler's braced themselves.
"You! How could you! You are a liar and a disgrace! I can't believe you joined the Warbler's and you didn't tell me that you had your voice back!" Rachel screeched loudly.
"I didn't have to tell you anything Rachel," Kurt said coldly. "You and I aren't friends and I don't attend your school anymore."
"Your voice belongs to New Directions," Rachel growled. "You betrayed us! You should be ashamed of yourself."
"Shut up Rachel," Kurt snarled and the Warbler's flinched back at how fierce Kurt sounded. "I didn't betray you or anybody."
"Oh yes you did!" Rachel yelled. "You just helped the Warbler's nearly take our chances at Nationals. You fought well but we were clearly more superior than you."
Blaine opened his mouth to retort but Rachel powered on over him.
"And I can't believe you can hit the high F! You blew that note in our diva off."
"Of course I did Rachel," Kurt snapped viciously. "But you were to self centred to notice."
"Why would you do such a stupid thing?" Rachel asked.
"As much as I am used to phone calls to my house calling me a fag," Kurt growled. "My father is not. You see, I actually notice the people around me."
"And another thing," Kurt powered on over Rachel who opened her mouth to retort. "You aren't the only person in the world. At least the Warbler's notice my talent and are happy to share the spotlight around them unlike you. You are just annoying and you make everyone around you want to stuff their shoes down your throat."
Rachel made a squawking noise but Kurt ignored her.
"You Rachel Berry are a stupid, self centred, petty child," Kurt hissed. "And I hate you. I never want to have anything to do with you ever again, do you hear me? You are a manipulative child who burns everyone close to you."
Rachel gasped and Kurt brushed past her and out of the green room, walking quickly. He avoided people, using the shortcuts he and Mercedes had found out during their first time at Sectionals. He found a quiet abandoned hallway and leaned again the wall heavily and slid down it, knees to his chest.
He took deep steadying breaths. He couldn't believe what he had just done but damn did it feel good. It was about time some told Rachel that she wasn't the only star in the world. Kurt couldn't believe that it hadn't taken him this long to tell her off. Sure he had always been short with the girl, never having liked her and her superior attitude.
Sure everyone had told her off every known and then but this. This was so much bigger than that.
Kurt let out a hysterical little giggle and buried his face in his arms.
Kurt flinched slightly when he felt someone slide down the wall beside him and he lifted his head to see Santana smirking.
"Damn Hummel, that was hot," Santana grinned. "You should have seen her face."
Kurt chuckled and leaned his head back against the wall.
"That felt so good. I feel like I need a cigarette," Kurt said and Santana let out a bark of laughter.
"You should have seen Blaine's reaction," Santana smirked and Kurt lifted an eyebrow.
"He was hot too. Told Rachel that she was an awful girl and should be ashamed of herself and told her to get out."
Kurt mouth fell open in a little O and Santana smirked.
"Puck laughed of course," Santana said and they both chuckled.
In the distance they could hear the warning bell that all teams needed to get back on the stage.
"We should go. I want to see Rachel's face when you beat us," Santana smirked, standing back up. Kurt got to his feet and dusted himself off.
"You don't know that," Kurt frowned.
"Oh please, you have it in the bag," Santana scoffed. "Now let's roll. You're hobbit boyfriend is worried about you."
"Oh he will be," Kurt said, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth. "How did you find me?"
"I followed the trail of rainbows and virginity," Santana said deadpanned and Kurt scowled at her.
"This is not my first time here Kurt," Santana rolled her eyes. "I needed a private place to get my mack on with Britt's."
Kurt shook his head and linked arms with Santana. Together they walked through the hall and to the back stage. All three teams were already standing there, waiting for the judges to return. Santana and Kurt both walked on, still linked and strode past Aural Intensity and to their spot. Kurt stood on the edge of the Warbler's, next to Blaine who was looking relieved and Santana stood on the other side of Kurt.
Kurt was relieved to see that Rachel was on the other side of New Directions but he didn't miss the glare she was sending his way.
"Are you OK?" Blaine whispered in his ear.
"I'm OK. Promise," Kurt whispered back, subtly squeezing his arm.
The judge came on stage and rambled on, thanking the judges and so forth. Finally, she got to the announcement.
"In third place. Aural Intensity!"
The crowd cheered and Aural Intensity looked disappointed.
"And the winner is..."
Kurt squeezed Santana's hand and Blaine's arm.
"The Warbler's!"
Kurt let out a squeal and was suddenly swept up into a group hug by the Warbler's.
"NO!" Rachel screamed and suddenly Kurt was yanked back from the group hug and was face to face with a very pissed off looking Rachel Berry.
"This is all your fault," Rachel hissed. "You've ruined my life!"
"You ruined your life," Kurt hissed back. "You selfish bitch."
"You've taken my dream away from me. You are going to regret this Kurt Hummel!"
Rachel was suddenly pushed back and Santana was in front of her. She raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face. Rachel stood there, shocked, before narrowing her eyes. She launched forward and pushed Santana, forcing her back, stumbling into Kurt. Rachel attacked again, shoving her back again. Both Kurt and Santana went stumbling down the stage and Rachel was on top of them, screaming and both Kurt and Santana were fighting back (mostly hair pulling).
After a few minutes of confused fighting they were all being yanked apart and held back. Rachel was being held back by William Schuster who looked angry. Santana was being held back by Puck and Santana was yelling in a different language. Kurt didn't know who he was being held back but suddenly he was being pulled away.
He was led down a hall and pushed into a room with a desk and chairs. It was the judging room. Rachel, Santana and Will came in next, the door slamming behind them.
Kurt realized that he been pulled back by none other than Sue Sylvester who had been coaching Aural Intensity.
"Sit, all of you," Sue said fiercely. Santana and Kurt sat next to each other while Rachel sat opposite them, glaring.
"What has gotten into you," Will demanded. "Never have I seen such a display of behaviour. I expected better then all of you."
"They deserved it," Rachel hissed.
"You deserved it you selfish bitch," Santana snapped. "How dare you talk to Kurt like that."
"This is delicious," Sue said, amused and Will shot her a withering look.
"You had no right to act like that," Will said angrily. "What happened?"
"Rachel," Kurt sniffed, "Thinks that she is better than everyone and told me I ruined her life and that I was a traitor for joining the Warblers and not going back to New Directions."
"Is that true, Rachel?" Will asked.
"Yes and it's the truth," Rachel hissed. "He just destroyed my chances of becoming a star."
"Oh that is it," Santana scowled and tried to launch herself over the table. Rachel screamed and Kurt grabbed Santana around the waist and hauled her back.
"Oh Will," Sue said with a smirk. "You do teach an interesting bunch."
"Rachel, I can't believe you," Will said, disappointed. "You should be happy for Kurt."
"It's OK Mr Schuster," Kurt said coldly. "I think we've all learnt by now that Rachel only thinks of herself."
Sue let out a laugh and Will sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I'm disappointed in all you," Will said. Rachel, Kurt and Santana didn't look ashamed.
"It's time to leave," Will said. "Kurt, you need to get back to the Warbler's. Rachel, Santana, get back to the bus."
They all stood and Rachel left first in a huff. Santana waited until she had disappeared before she left with Kurt. By the time they reached the main hall, nearly everyone had left. Blaine, Wes, David, Nick and Jeff had waited for Kurt. Kurt felt suddenly embarrassed at what had happened.
"Best regional's ever," Santana smirked and Kurt chuckled. They hugged and Santana sauntered off.
Kurt went to Blaine and the others, not looking them in the eyes.
"Well, that was the most interesting competition I've ever been to," David said.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to ruin our win," Kurt said sadly.
"You didn't ruin it Kurt," Blaine said, putting a finger under his chin and forcing him to look up. "Rachel did. She had no right to what she did and you weren't even involved in the fighting."
"Santana is scary," Wes shivered and Kurt cracked a smile.
"That's not even her worse side," Kurt said and Wes shivered more violently.
"Come on, time to get back," Blaine said softly and they headed to the bus.
Kurt was quite on the ride back, Blaine stroking his hair softly.
"Don't let Rachel make you feel bad Kurt," Blaine said softly. "You've done nothing wrong. You should enjoy that we are going to regional's in New York."
Kurt cracked a smile and leaned into Blaine.
"New York," Kurt breathed.
Wow! This chapter took a life of its own! Please review and tell me what you thought!