a/n: This is caught up to what I have posted elsewhere, but you can probably expect a couple updates per week still

Things at McKinley had calmed down quite a bit that week. The Warbler invasion and Rachel's moment in the spotlight were the hot topics of gossip for several days and Finn was starting to feel like he could breathe again. He'd planned on staying late to do some laps on the track, but by the time he got ready it was raining so he just went home instead. He knew his parents wouldn't be home until dinner time, but maybe he could talk Kurt into playing some Mario Kart or something.

Finn walked into the living room and froze when he realized that Kurt was not home alone. Kurt was lying on top of Blaine on the couch. He watched as his brother pulled Blaine's t-shirt over his head and heard him say "I missed you so much, missed how you feel."

Blaine's hands were fiddling with the front of Kurt's shirt, trying to figure out how to unfasten the straps holding it closed around his waste. "Fuck Kurt, you look so hot right now."

It was too much; he had to get out of there. He knew it was completely different, but he couldn't convince his brain not to go there. He could feel the hands holding him down and hear Schue's voice again, saying things. Finn dropped his book bag on the floor and took off. He let the front door slam behind him and didn't bother with his car in the driveway. He just started running down the street, and somehow running in the rain felt better, so he kept it up. He ran until he was gasping for breath and soaked in his jeans and puffy vest. He wiped the rain off of his face, trying to ignore the tears that were mixed in. Finn looked around and realized he wasn't far from Sam's house so he jogged the rest of the way and knocked, hoping his friend was home.

"Finn? What's wrong? You look upset and you're soaked," Sam said, as soon as he answered the door.

"I got freaked out and I just started running and I didn't want to stop. I wasn't too far from here, but I left my phone at the house. I'm sorry to just show up like this. I'm such a mess," Finn said, trying to shake some of the water off.

"Don't worry about it, Finn. Take a minute to catch your breath. I'm going to get you a towel." Sam left for a minute or two and came back with a towel and a bottle of water, both for Finn. Finn followed Sam into the kitchen and sat on one of the bar stools by the counter. Sam stood across the counter and waited for Finn to settle down. "Are you doing okay now? Do I need to call your mom?"

Finn drank a little bit, "No, I'll be okay. I'm not scared or anything now. Just cold and wet. I'm such an idiot."

Finn watched as Sam leaned across the counter and carefully put a hand on his shoulder, making sure it was okay to touch him first. "Hey, don't say stuff like that about my friend. Do you want to tell me what happened?"

"That was pretty sappy, bro. Even for you," Finn teased, before getting serious again and looking down at his still soaked shoes, "I went home early and I guess Kurt and Blaine thought they would have the house to themselves. I walked in on them."

Sam laughed, "Oh, did Kurt get mad at you? That is pretty embarrassing. I caught my sister and her boyfriend once."

"I um, didn't talk to him. When I saw what they were doing I kind of had a flashback and I just ran."

The blond boy squeezed Finn's shoulder before he asked, "So he doesn't know what happened? Did they even know you were there?"

"I dropped my bag and slammed the door, I don't know if they noticed. Shit, dude. Crap, Kurt is going to think I flipped because of the gay thing and I'm a terrible brother and it wasn't that. The crazy part of my brain just kind of took over." Finn slumped over the counter; he just kept messing stuff up.

"Hey, don't worry. We'll text Kurt and Blaine and tell them where you are. They are probably worried about you running out like that, especially in the rain. I'm sure they'll let you explain. First we've got to get you into some dry clothes. You're still shivering," Sam said motioning for Finn to follow him. They got to Sam's bedroom and Finn couldn't help but tense up a bit. He watched as the shorter boy dug around a bit before pulling out a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, "Here you go, these should fit you well enough," he said.

Finn looked around nervously, "I'm sorry, do you mind if I change in the bathroom?"

Sam looked concerned, but shrugged, "Sure, no problem. It's right across the hall, it locks if you push the knob in and turn it to the left."

"Thanks, dude. I'll be right back," Finn said, before closing the bathroom door and being sure to lock it. It was kind of a thing he did now, with the locks and the privacy.

When he was finished Sam was waiting back in the kitchen. "I texted Kurt. I told him you were okay and with me. I said I'd drive you home if you are okay with that," Sam said.

"Yeah, thanks. Let's go," Finn said and led the way out to the driveway.

When Finn and Sam got back to Finn's house the blond gave Finn another shoulder squeeze and told him to call him later if he needed too. Finn was glad they had been able to patch up their friendship after the whole Quinn thing, now he just hoped he could patch up things with his brother and Blaine as well.

This time Finn entered the house slowly and called out, "Kurt? Blaine? I'm home."

"We're in the living room. It's okay to come in, Finn," Kurt called out in response. Finn shuffled into the living room, his eyes on his shoes which were unfortunately a couple of inches below the bottoms of Sam's sweatpants.

"Hey, guys," he muttered. Kurt was sitting on the couch and Blaine was perched on the very edge of Burt's chair, almost like he was afraid to actually sit in it. Any other time Finn would have found it funny, but he knew they were sitting apart for his benefit and he just felt guilty. "I'm sorry Kurt. You too Blaine. I know it seemed bad, but I didn't flip out because of you guys, I promise. I'm not that guy anymore, but I'll understand if you hate me."

Kurt was looking at him like he'd never seen him before, but it was Blaine who spoke first, "Finn, I don't think you understand. It's the two of us who owe you an apology, silly. It was impolite of us to do those things in the living room, but I just couldn't wait. Considering what Burt would have done had he caught us I consider myself lucky you walked in when you did."

Kurt smiled, "We're not mad, but we were worried about you. You ran off, literally, without your phone or wallet in the middle of a storm."

"You could have twisted an ankle or something and we wouldn't be able to find you," Blaine added and Finn was touched that he actually seemed to care.

"Yeah, I guess that wasn't so smart. Some memories just hit me all at once and I had to get out. You really aren't mad?" Finn asked, looking hopefully at Kurt.

"No Finn, but lets all agree that the living room is off limits for clothing removal. It's not like we want to walk in on you and ….um..some girl either," Kurt said.

Finn relaxed a bit and smiled sadly,"It's a deal, but I wouldn't worry about that happening for a while. The only thing the girls feel for me at the moment is pity. I can't really blame her."

Kurt gives him a curious look, but says nothing and Finn wants to get into some of his own clothes and take a nap before dinner so he gives Kurt a quick hug and after a moment's hesitation Blaine too before he heads up stairs.

The minute Finn was out of earshot Blaine turned to Kurt, "blame her? A particular her?"

Kurt smiled, "Oh, it's even better. I'll have to get you caught up, we have planning to do. I am an excellent matchmaker. Besides, I need you to stop me from breaking into Finn's phone and reading his texts."

"I suppose I can think of ways to distract you," Blaine said, moving back to the couch.

**
A few days later Finn was waiting outside the choir room for Kurt to drive them home. He'd barely had time to pull his trig homework out of his bag when Rachel ran out of the room in tears and Kurt stomped out behind her.

"Dude, what's wrong? Is somebody messing with you? I can totally take care of it, I've been dying to try out that thing with the thumbs that Wes taught us." Finn might be messed up a bit and freaked out from time to time now, but nobody messes with his brother.

"Figgins is saying that the glee club is cursed and he's disbanding it, even though Rachel and I had worked out all the Nationals stuff with Coach Bieste!" Kurt said, his back ramrod straight and his jaw tight.

"No way dude. That's not fair! We had to place and Regionals and we won! Why would we be cursed?" He didn't get it. Nobody got hurt during practice or anything, and those auditorium riots hadn't been completely their fault.

Kurt didn't really answer him, he just pulled his bag up on his shoulder and said, "Come on, let's go tell dad and Carole. Rachel's dads are going to check with the state show choir committee."

"Kurt, why aren't you answering my question? Why would Figgins think we're cursed?" Finn said, following his stepbrother out to the car.

Kurt turned back around and sighed, "Because of Mr. Ryerson and Mr. Schue."

Shit. Just when Finn thinks he's figured out all the ways this sucks there is always a new one.

It was a very busy night at Finn's house. Burt and Carole had spent most of the evening on the phone to the Berry's and to the school board members that were loyal customers of Burt's. The Berrys had thought to contact Shelby Corcoran who had proved surprisingly generous with information about funding standards and the requirements that schools had to meet for teams to compete at Nationals.

Both Finn and Kurt followed Burt into Figgins' office the next morning. Being there always made Finn pretty nervous. After all, it was usually because he was in trouble. This time, however, he hadn't slashed any tires or walked around in his underwear. Judging by the expression on Burt's face it was Figgins who was in trouble.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Burt asked. So his step-dad had decided not to bother with trying to be nice at first. Finn was cool with that.

"Mr. Hummel, I understand that the children were looking forward to this trip. You must understand, however, that the directors of the McKinley glee club have been of questionable character to say the least. I cannot in good conscience allow this to continue!"

Burt crossed his arms and glared at Figgins and Finn shivered a little. Burt had only been really mad at him twice, and he'd totally deserved it. His stepfather was scary when he was mad; when he was mad and protecting Kurt he was damn near terrifying.

"I don't think you understand. These kids have worked hard to get where they are with pretty much no support from this school at all. If anyone is responsible for the questionable morals of faculty members it is the person that hired Ryerson and Schuester to be around kids in the first place. That was you wasn't it?"

Figgins stuttered, and Finn wondered if he was going to freak out like he did about the vampire thing. "Sir, the district requires a faculty member of the sponsoring school to accompany the children on their trip. The glee club is currently without a director. You must understand."

Burt snorted, "I don't have to understand squat. I know for a fact that the football coach is more than willing to take them on the trip, and we've been assured by an expert that any faculty member qualifies. Here is what you better understand: Finn's mother and I decided not to sue the school district and you personally over your negligence in employing Schuester. If you want it to stay that way I suggest you cooperate, it will be cheaper than my lawsuit. "

Figgins slumped back in his chair and Finn could tell he knew when he was beat, "Fine Mr. Hummel, what are your demands?"

"Good, now you're catching on: First, the glee club is permanent. They will be funded for this trip and any other the same way every athletic team in this school is funded. Second, they will go to Nationals with Coach Bieste. I will arrange for appropriate chaperones among the other parents. And just so I don't have to come back here: My son and his boyfriend will be attending prom and you will ensure they are just as safe as any other student and guest at that event," Burt finished, staring down the other man.

"Very well. It seems my hands are tied. I will notify Coach Bieste of her new responsibility and budget."

"You do that," Burt said, "Come on boys, let's get some chili dogs and I'll sign you back in for your afternoon classes."

**L**

Rachel was exhausted by the time she got home that evening. The day before had been a very trying day for her budding career and she had shined at both tap and voice lessons this afternoon as well. As pleasant a diversion as having Wesley Kim serenade her in front of the McKinley student body was she was well aware that she was very much alone. As if she had projected her thoughts across the country her phone began to blast "Bohemian Rhapsody". She sighed and picked up the phone.

"Hello, Jesse," she said heading into her bedroom and closing the door. Her dads were well aware of what he had pulled last year and she doubted they'd be happy to find the two of them were on speaking terms again.

"Rachel, you sound tired. Have you been pushing yourself too hard in rehearsal? You know you don't have any true competition at that school."

"Jesse be nice! I am simply taking your words to heart. If anyone who matters is going to pay attention to me I must develop my natural talents far beyond the level necessary for Lima, Ohio," she replied sharply.

"Ah, attention. Is that what you were getting from Wes Kim and the Dalton Warblers?" His voice wasn't harsh exactly, but she could hear something in his question that was not entirely joking. Jealousy perhaps? That was what she had expected to gain from the charade after all.

"Oh, you saw that?" She tried to sound innocent, but they knew each other better than that. Of course he had seen it. She doubted he had deleted the google alert they had set for each other's names. She certainly hadn't, even if she told herself it was simply to enjoy his fade into obscurity.

"It was hard to miss. I've seen it from three different angles, and the third one makes it clear one of you has attracted the attention of a Warbler. Good for Kurt, he looks happy," and she can hear the teasing in his voice, but he's being sincere too and it kind of warms her heart towards him a little.

"Do you know everything?" she huffs, but she's smiling into the phone and she's not even surprised.

"Of course I do, I'm Jesse St. James," he said, and she could hear the smirk in his voice.

It disappeared completely when he continued, "Seriously though how are you doing? Or maybe I should be asking how Finn is doing?"

She paused at the question and her smile dropped, "Who told you! I didn't say anything."

"I'd say you just did, but that's not really fair. I'm not some outsider, Rachel. It's just not hard to figure out who else would have trusted him enough to be hurt like that."

"You can't tell anyone! Please tell me you haven't," she said, tugging nervously at the hem of her sweater.

"No, and I won't. Nobody deserves that. I want you to know that you can trust me with this. You'd know if I talk, so you can consider this a test. How is he doing?" She wasn't sure if she should talk about, but really the big stuff was pretty much out in the open already.

"He's been dealing with it remarkably well, actually. The school brought in a real therapist, Dr. McKenna. I've been to see her a few times myself and it really helps. He's quit New Directions, but I hope he'll change his mind. He's stronger than he thinks he is."

"Good, I mean it when I say I hope he comes back. Are you together?" His question surprised her, he seemed to know everything else after all. She tried to think of their last conversation and if he had a reason to think that was the case. She briefly considered lying, but she was really sick of playing games.

"No, we're not. He was seeing Quinn before this, but she wasn't very supportive and he dropped her. I had thought that maybe...but I think he was right when he said we were better off as friends. I can't believe I'm telling you this," she said, shaking her head.

"Everyone needs someone to talk to, even the supremely talented. I should know. I'm going to be home on Friday. Can we talk in person?"

She shouldn't be so surprised; he'd said he wanted to talk to her in person the last time they spoke. She wasn't sure she should. He'd broken her heart, but she was curious about this new Jesse who seemed to care about other people. "I suppose we can have coffee. Saturday at 11? I might even decide to let you buy me lunch."

"I'll keep my fingers crossed. Your mercy is a gift," he tried.
"Jesse," she snapped, and she could hear him laugh on the other end of the phone.

"Okay, okay. No bullshit. Sorry. It's a process, you know. You can't expect me to stop cold turkey," he said.

"Saturday at 11. The Lima Bean on Market St., " she said. That was as much encouragement as she was going to give him for now.

"Thanks, you won't regret this," he said.

She smiled, "Oh, you'd better hope not. Noah has been waiting for a year to get his hands on you, and if you are really horrible I'll let Santana handle it."

She was pretty sure she could hear him swallow nervously, so she hung up the phone.