Love Will Find Away
WOW! So I actually got one more pre-nano update in the can what do you know…anyway I am plotting working on a one-shot sometime down the line about Milo and Rachel first meeting though IDK if I'll post it here on or not (let me know if your interested) also I'm totes sorry once again for all the timeline jumpage, I swear if my promo banners didn't say Ark were split for TWO years I'd have them meet again like now, however the estimated time of an actual face to face is fall 2014 but that's not to say (like in this chapter) fluffy dream sequences will happen…. Also I am figuring that the gleeks are only 20 at this point despite the drinking that is going to ensue… Nate is an OC (I was pondering making him OLTL's Nate but my muse wouldn't cooperate) song used is Holding Out for a Hero by Frou Frou, the Latin in Artie's letter translates to 'My Love' and 'Forever and Always in My Heart'
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Winter 2014-
The holiday break had come and gone with no clues as to whom the mystery 'elf' had been.
"Maybe I'm just a Lima Looser after all," Puck commented as he looked over to Kristina on the morning that she was to leave to head back to Connecticut.
"Your not a Lima Looser," Kristina had assured him, "you just have insufficient evidence."
"Spoken like a true lawyer."
She just smiled and was on her way back to school, back to Yale, back to her new normal.
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Speaking of new forms of normalcy as the sun dawned on the year 2014 Artie was gearing up to immerse himself back into academia as he headed back to MIT after deferring his studies for a year. This was a good thing, as his heart needed some semblance of a distraction right? After all sure he'd seen Danni and given her a Christmas gift but was he ready to face his good friends Tina and Kurt or his beloved Kristina right now?
He'd just entered his dorm after talking the long way back from class (walking became a newfound hobby of his now that he could and all) and smiled at his roommate Nate who was sitting hovered his laptop.
"Cold enough for you?" the young man asked with a smirk.
Artie just let out a laugh.
"Not as cold as you think what with global warming and all."
Nate let out a laugh as he began to change the subject, bringing up some lecture that was coming up and how attending it would meet a requirement that they had for one of their classes.
Artie simply nodded as he put a plastic cup in the microwave to heat up some water to make a cup of tea.
"It's a date," he said with a smile.
"You know I'm straight right Artie."
"Yes, anyway you know what I meant."
Nate just nodded.
"Yea dude I do…. But speaking of dates Valentines Day is next week…I'm sure a stud like you has a plan up his sleeves right."
He had to laugh at that 'stud' comment. Yes, it was true in the month he'd been back at school in a non-wheelchair capacity there were plenty of eyes that turned in his direction as he studied at the student union but not the pair of eyes he'd longed to see.
Getting lost in a daze he began to think of the ghosts of Valentines past:
2010: Breadsticks, Kristina dressed to kill in that Red dress, Tina not looking to bad herself in that little purple number flirting with that Australian.
2011: Their first anniversary, being the geek he was he looked up anniversary customs and left a pansy at her locker that morning along with a card:
The meaning of a pansy is that the recipient is being thought about-Happy Anniversary
Later that day he'd presented her with concert tickets so that they could properly celebrate things over the weekend, and hey the first anniversary was paper after all.
2012: They were seniors and with that there were privileges, namely that they were able to skip school mid day where she'd set up a beautiful picnic lunch for them at Burt's garage where she presented him with a sweater vest she personally knitted for him, a sweater vest he still had in his possession and cherished greatly.
2013: How he spent the day post-op and in the earliest phases of his rehab…thinking of her…hoping she was thinking of him…
"Earth to Artie," Nate's voice spoke breaking him out of his thoughts.
"Huh."
"I said Valentines Day is next week, got any hot dates lined up."
He let out a sigh.
"It's complicated."
"Is it the girl in the picture?" Nate asked referring to Kristina's senior picture that sat on his desk besides pictures of his parents.
Artie nodded.
"Kristina," he began.
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"Artie," she said with a bite in her voice.
Sure when she returned to New Haven she'd been in a good place, maintaining her GPA and even going out in a social capacity however the date on the calendar looked back at her, taunting her. Tomorrow would have been their fourth anniversary, not that she was counting or anything.
She imagined that Artie being the dork that he was would of known that the symbolic gift for the fourth anniversary was flowers and he'd get her some, and lots of them. He'd also probably get her a piece of jewelry that contained the symbolic gem stone of Blue Topaz which she'd then smile and tell him that looking at the blue of the stone would make her think of the blue of his eyes or something else totally and utterly sappy.
Letting out a sigh she flopped down on her bed and began to cry, a longing to smash barware was also creeping up in her bloodstream, she was about to head to the student health center with the quarry that maybe she was bi polar like her father when Quinn peeked her head into the room, a phone in her hand.
"It's Tina."
Plastering a small semblance of a smile on her lips she took the phone from the blonde and held it to her ear.
"Hey T, what's up."
"Hey, K, so I was wondering any plans tomorrow night."
"That depends, did Kurt or Mike ask you to ask me this."
"Would your answer be any different if I say yes."
"Not really, I'd say the same thing…that I'm going to have a threesome, I think you know the guys…Ben and Jerry."
It took Tina a second to let what her friend say click before she let out a laugh.
"Blow them off, hang with me, we can do the whole I hate Valentines Day thing…. please…there is no way I'm playing third wheel to Mike and Mercedes…again."
She paused for a second thinking that a girl's night out would be just the ticket to forget her troubles.
"It's a date, see you tomorrow night."
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It was like something out of an old movie as he walked into the smoky club, his ears met with the sweetest sound he'd ever heard. Looking for the source of the sound he looked to the piano where Kurt was playing some old standard while a breathtaking brunette was singing it. The dress, the hair it was exactly like the party the night when Beth was born and it took his breath away. Her eyes locked onto his and a coy grin pursed her lip before she motioned for Rachel to take over as singer.
"What took you so long," Kristina's voice softly purred before he simply pulled her into a steamy kiss at the exact same moment his alarm went off.
It was just a dream…and what a dream to have on the morning of Valentines Day of all days. He looked over to his roommate who was in the process of getting ready for class making him kind of glad that despite the fact that he was a year behind in his friends he hadn't had any Friday classes scheduled making every week a three day weekend.
"You sure you don't want to come out tonight?"
"I'm sure."
"Because Cassie has a friend that's been asking about you."
"Tell her maybe some other time, just not Valentines Day."
Nate nodded telling him he'd see him later and with that he left.
Once alone Artie sat up in his bed.
Sure he shouldn't be reading into things but that dream on this day, it had to mean something bigger then the fact that he regretted the break up with every inch of his being. And that was when he decided to look up the greyhound schedule for busses from Boston to New Haven… if it was meant to be then maybe this could be the first day of their new beginning.
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She met up with Tina that afternoon at the Metro Court where Carly had so graciously put the two young girls up in a suite on the house.
"Look what I brought," Tina said holding out an all too familiar purple dress and smiling at Kristina, "what about you? Did you bring the goods?"
Kristina nodded as she removed the infamous red dress out of her bag suddenly glad that she didn't destroy it in one of her purge fests.
Handing the dress to Tina she in turn took the purple one and as they put on each other's dresses they marveled that they both wore the same size and had metabolisms that prevented them from gaining the freshman fifteen the previous year.
"So," Kristina said, "how do I look."
Tina bit her lip saying something was missing before unclipping the purple hair extension from her head and clipping it on to Kristina's a smile pursing her lips.
"That's more like it."
Kristina let out a laugh as they gathered their bags and soon headed over to Jake's.
Making their way over to the bar Kristina smiled.
"Hey Coleman, long time no see."
The scruffy looking older man looked at the pair of coeds and smiled.
"Kristina Davis my have you grown."
"Nice to see you again Coleman."
The bartender eyed her companion.
"And I see you brought a friend."
"Coleman this is Tina, Tina this is Coleman, ok introductions are done now can we please have a bottle of Tequila, two glasses."
Looking at the girls Coleman wondered if he should card them however they looked to be of age and so he began to get what the young Davis girl asked.
"E-excuse me," Tina nervously stuttered causing the bartender to turn around, "could I get a margarita instead?"
Looking from the cute Asian girl to the young mob princess the thought for a second before shaking his head.
"Sorry doll, the blender's on the fritz…would you like something else."
Tina let out a sigh, she was never really one for drinking something stronger then champagne or the occasional wine on special occasion and she didn't actually know how she would hold her liquor however she simply shook her head.
"Tequila is fine."
The older man nodded as he continued to get the alcohol and two glasses along with a bowl of limes.
"Thank you," Kristina said as he placed everything in front of them.
"Any other requests ladies."
Pausing for a moment a Cheshire cat grin crossed Kristina's lips.
"You wouldn't happen to have that Karaoke machine still would you?"
"As a matter of fact…"
Coleman smirked as he headed out back to fetch the machine while Tina smiled at her friend.
"So."
"So."
They sat in silence.
"Do you know how to take a shot T."
"Of coarse I do, I've seen it done on TV… lick it slam it suck it…right?"
Kristina nodded as they each poured a shot.
"Cheers," Kristina said as the two girls clinked glasses before spilling some salt on their hand, licking it, and tossing back a shot. After she took a suck of her lime Tina made a face.
"Too strong?" Kristina asked.
Tina shook her head.
"Could be it's just an acquired taste."
Kristina nodded as the girls sat in silence for a moment as Kristina scanned the crowd hoping to see someone she knew from her time in town, someone like Spinelli or Johnny or even Ethan despite the fact that his presence would conjure up thoughts of that night at Breadsticks.
Looking at one another they decided to toss back a second shot as Coleman returned with a smile on his face.
"So, you ladies doing alright?"
They nodded.
"Good…anyways I got the machine set up so whenever you lovely ladies are ready to put on a show go for it."
Simply nodding they eyed their glasses. Sure they were the National show choir champions of 2012 but still, a little more liquid courage would be needed.
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He arrived in New Haven and froze. How was he going to pursue his ladylove when he had no clue where she'd lived? Lucky for him on Thanksgiving Ms. Pillsbury gave him her personal cell number in case he needed to talk, sure she'd have the address…and she did. Making his way toward the building that housed Kristina's new place he was once again grateful for his newfound mobility after all second floor, no elevator, she had to of done this to spite him…not that he didn't deserve it because he knew he was a total ass.
Sucking in a deep breath he entered the buildings lobby wondering what he'd say or do if her brother, or worse Quinn Fabray answered the door instead of Kristina…. Well he guessed he'd cross that bridge when and if he got there.
Making his way up the steps to apartment 2B his heart began to race.
Arriving at the door he knocked.
Nothing.
Again.
Nothing.
He wondered if they were peering out of a peep hole, deliberately ignoring him…however he assumed if they were in fact home they'd open the door as they'd be a smidge curious as to how in the hell he was walking and all that.
Moving back to the stairwell he took a seat on the top step thinking how he was fortunate he thought of a plan B as he pulled out a blank note card from his pocket and began to pour out his heart and soul:
Meus Diligo-
I suck.
I should never of wrote you that letter last year pushing you away like I did. The past thirteen months have left a huge hole in my heart that only you can fix. I know we probably will never be back to the place that we were back in High School and I can accept that…however if there is a glimmer of a chance that you'll take me back as your friend I'll gladly except that crumb. You won't be disappointed considering that… well your attending Yale I'm sure you can figure out how I got this letter into your second floor apartment. aevitas ac aeternum in meus pectus pectoris
Artie
Pausing for a moment he added a PS, leaving his phone number and telling her to call him sometime before he slipped the letter inside an envelope and scrawling 'Yale' on the cards front before slipping it underneath the door of 2B and heading back toward the bus terminal to see when the next ride back to Boston took place… fate would do the rest he thought.
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It took the two girls a while to decide what they wanted to sing however in looking through the songbook that Coleman handed them one particular song seemed to click.
The music began and the two girls looked at one another as Tina began to sing.
Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
She smiled as she looked on to Kristina who added:
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Tina then took on the next line while Kristina took on the one after that:
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night toss and turn and dream of what I need
The music picked up and the chorus began and the two young women began to sing.
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
They were getting into the music, dancing along, flirting with the male clientele laughing and having the time of their lives as the song progressed. By the time the song ended the girls were greeted by a round of applause and catcalls. They definitely had to get out like this more often.
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Michael wrapped his arm around Quinn's slim waist as they made their way back to their apartment. Tonight had been fun and Michael really wished that he and his girlfriend went out on more 'dates' together as opposed to going out as part of a group. From the look in the petite blonde's eyes he sensed she was thinking the same thing.
"Kristina's spending the night in Port Charles with Tina," Michael said.
"Uh huh."
He kissed her neck softly.
"I was thinking…maybe…we could slip into our PJ's, curl up on the couch in front of the classic movie channel."
"You're reading my mind," she softly said as they opened the door.
Michael made his way to his room while Quinn spotted an envelope lying on the ground with one single word that caused a chill to run down her spine.
Yale
Ok so it wasn't so much as the word itself but the familiar curl of the penmanship that caused the chill.
Artie was back….
TBC
I know this was a bit choppy and the end was a total cliffhanger but I was halfway done with this and needed to finish up before NaNoWriMo. Anyway any ideas/suggestions for what you want to see happen in this epic verse of epicenes is much loved. Special hugs to Gina, Beth, and Katy for letting me bounce ideas off of them…anyway see yall December 1st or once I reach my 50K nano goal whatever comes first!