*Chapter 10: Christmas Eve Gala Part 2*

Finn and Rachel laughed softly in the garden. They were still underneath the gazebo in the garden. The sat on one of the benches, turned towards each other and hands intertwined together. "Rachel, how long do you think Kurt could distract Quinn?"

"I don't know." Rachel answered truthfully. "Probably not for long. In fact maybe we should get back…" Rachel stood and looked back towards the castle.

"No, don't go." Finn said, holding onto her wrist. Rachel turned back around and watched as he stood, his tall form looming over her. "Rachel, this is the truly the only time we've spent so much time together at one time, not even the Saturday we had months ago was like this."

Rachel blushed at the memory. True the two were selling his wares but on the carriage ride to the Anderson estate was eventful. Filled with sweet nothings, pecks, kisses, and endless flirting. "It was nice…"

"And so is this Rachel." Finn insisted as he raised her hands up and his thumbs rubbed at her skin. "And I don't want this to end yet. We still have minutes until the dinner… We'll go back when the time comes closer."

"Yes but Kurt—"

"I have to doubt in my mind that he'll be able to handle Quinn."

"Are you sure? I mean he's a Mystic but I don't think he could keep his façade for long."

"Let's hope for his sake he does, not only for Mr. Anderson's bet but for you as well, and for me. I would hate to be the focus of Quinn's anger."

"As would I."

"Enough of this talk of Kurt and Quinn…" Finn said suddenly. "Let's dance again."

Rachel giggled as he moved her to the center of the gazebo. "Let's hope you don't step on my feet again."

"I'm a horrible dancer, what do you want from me?" Finn laughed as his eyes stared down at the floor, conscious of his feet.

Rachel sighed contently and pushed herself closer to Finn as his arms closed tightly around them. Their little waltz had soon transferred to a gentle swaying motion as the two said in each others' arms. "I wish this could last forever Finn." Rachel said softly into his shoulder. Finn nodded in response.

The two stayed together, swaying to the music in their heads when Finn suddenly pulled away and stepped back one step. Placing one hand behind his back and raising the other towards Rachel, he bowed. "Perhaps we can stay like this forever Miss Berry." Rachel gently placed her hand in his, smiling lovingly at Finn as he straightened and stepped closer to her once more. "Marry me."

"What?" Rachel asked, thrown off guard by his statement.

"Marry me." Finn repeated. He floated down onto his knee. "Marry me Miss Rachel Berry… I don't love Quinn I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Rachel giggled to herself as a blush came across her face. "Of course I will Finn. I love you too." Finn rose to his feet and placed a kiss upon her lips, both of them smiling into the kiss. When they broke apart Rachel looked at Finn, eyes clouded with concern. "But how? How will we do this? With Quinn and the hatred between Dalton and McKinley and—"

"Rachel. Rachel." Finn coaxed softly as he rubbed his hands up and down her arms. "Don't worry okay? I'll think of something I promise you. If all else fails we elope."

"Really Finn? You'd do that?"

"Of course I will. I love you Rachel Berry."

"And I love you Finn Hudson." The two shared another soft and loving kiss before they slipped back into a swaying dance.

Inside the ballroom Mercedes and Wesley stood by a wall, more specifically a painting of the Ohio terrain with the river, the city of Lima, the farmlands of McKinley and the factories of Dalton all collaborated into one. "Isn't this nice Mercedes?" Wes asked as he smiled at her.

"Yes it is." Mercedes agreed. "I've never been to a Gala but this one is really nice. It's so fancy and rich."

Wes chuckled. "Yes it is rich. Rich with love, bets, drama, and a Mystic."

Mercedes giggled and wrapped her arms around Wes' arm. "I wonder how Kurt is doing with Miss Fabray though. I haven't really seen them since they danced a while ago."

"Perhaps he's chasing her around the castle as she searches for Mr. Hudson."

Mercedes could not help but laugh at the image of Kurt trailing a tense Quinn as she searches for her partner, Kurt acting like an obsessed fan. "Most likely but the image is just too much."

"Yes, it's very comical."

Mercedes raised a brow at him and detached herself away from him. "Why do you always do that?"

"Do what?" Wes asked, pleasantly shocked by her question.

"Whenever I try to get to know you better and have an honest to God moment with you, it all seems to be going well and then you retreat back into your shell as Master Blaine's right hand man."

"I'm afraid I don't follow."

Mercedes sighed and rolled her neck once before looking back at him. "You are a very funny guy Wesley. You are sweet and caring and very smart. I love that Wes." Wes blushed slightly. "But then you say something like 'Yes, it's very comical'… That's a very Wesley Montgomery answer."

"But I am Wesley Montgomery?" Wes asked fully confused by now.

"I know you are." Mercedes said, becoming increasingly annoyed. "But I want Wes, fun, caring, sweet Wes. The guy I see when I dance with him, the one who calls me by my name and not Wesley Montgomery, the man that is always working and giving out orders." Wes stared blankly at her and she sighed quickly, moisture forming in her eyes. "You don't understand…"

Wes' eyes became very sad as he raised a hand to cup the side of her face. "I do… Somewhat. I know that you want me to be my true self and not the serious, working Wesley Montgomery."

Mercedes smiled and chuckled once. "That's what I said."

"But… No, you said something about…" Wes sounded slowly.

She giggled in result and leaned up to peck his lips with hers, he blushed instantly and she herself was blushing. "I find it ironic how you are so smart yet you didn't understand me before."

"Well I… You made it sound complicated."

"No I didn't." Mercedes giggled. "You made it sound complicated." She poked softly at his head. "In here." Wes sighed exasperatedly which caused Mercedes to giggle again.

Meanwhile Mike and Tina sat in chairs across the room and were recalling childhood memories to better know the other. "And that's how I found out I was an exceptional dancer, but sadly, not a good singer."

Tina nodded and chuckled at his story. "You can't be that bad. I'm sure if you practiced more."

"No…" Mike said shaking his head. "No, I-I don't think I will be able to sing well. Not like you or Miss Fabray or hell, even Finn, even though he's the exact opposite of me." Tine turned her head in inquisition. "He's a horrible dancer."

"Ah…" She sounded, nodding slightly. "Well why don't we practice now?"

"Now? Here?" Mike questioned, looking around the crowded ballroom. Tina nodded once more. "Oh, no, no-no… That isn't such a great idea."

Tina decided to ignore him. "Repeat after me… La, la, la, la-la, la, la…"

Mike breathed out and beneath his breath said "Okay… But you asked for it." He breathed in and then repeated the notes. "La, la, la, la-la, la, la…" Tina could not refrain her hands from coming up to block her eyes as his scratchy, strained singing voice sounded. "Sorry…" Mike apologized as she let her hands rest on her lap. "But I did warn you."

"That you did." Tina agreed, opening a fan to fan herself.

"Yes um… That aside, what's another memory from your childhood?"

"Well let's see…" Tina said slowly as she thought about a memory. "Well, there was this one time when—"

"Hello Chang, Miss Cohen-Chang." Puck greeted as he walked up to them, a curly haired, blonde woman on his arm. She wore a strapless pink dress, with an sewn on rose petal pattern on her corset around the hem, a pink dress decoration wrapped around her waist and dropped down to where a rose connected both ends of the decoration, a little hanging below the flower. The rest of her wide skirt fanned out and was layered with fabric with the same rose pattern on the fabric. "This is Starling Merchant." Puck said motioning towards the woman. "She is my just attained partner." Starling in turn giggled seductively and passed one hand down his arm.

"I can see that Puckerman." Tina said as she moved her eyes from the blonde woman to Puck. "Why, may I ask, did you just steal some other man's partner?"

"You have to proof of that." Puck replied, smirking at the angering face of Tina. For you see, Puck is her employee and if he went around stealing others' partners than both she and Quinn would be frowned upon for not keeping their employee in check.

"Puckerman," Mike sighed out, "would you and Miss Merchant care to join us in our conversation?"

"No." Puck replied coolly. "Talking about memories and Missus here trying to teach Chang how to sing and failing greatly? I'll pass. I have some courting to do." Starling giggled once more. "I'll see you later at the dinner." With that Puck turned and left with Starling.

"Well…" Mike drawled out.

At that moment Kurt walked quickly behind Quinn. She had wondered out of the ballroom and was not checking the entirety of the first floor of the castle in search of Finn. Though Kurt enjoyed the self made tour of the castle, what displeased him were Quinn and her angry ranting as she periodically turned back at him to express her anger in him. "Will you for the love of God stop following me?"

"I feel bad about making you lose sight of your partner." Kurt replied without missing a beat. "Please, allow me to help you search for him."

"Just leave me allow you crazed fan or whatever you are!" Quinn shouted back at him as she turned a corner. "I have to find him and make sure he's not with Man Hands Rachel Berry."

Kurt momentarily stopped and glared at Quinn. Sure he may dislike Rachel at moments but no one but he, Mercedes, Wes and Blaine even, call insult her. He continued again and caught up to her in moments. "Rachel Berry? Do you mean the same Rachel Berry that works for my cousin Blaine? I don't believe she has man hands. In fact I think they are quite feminine."

Quinn groaned. "I don't care. All I care about is my Finn."

Kurt exhaled silently. "They weren't kidding when they said you were just as obsessed as Rachel." He said to himself below his breath.

"What did you say?" Quinn snapped back at him.

"Hm?" Kurt sounded, acting innocent and confused. "I didn't say a word."

"Hm." Quinn scoffed. "Where could he be?"

"Might I suggest the bathroom?"

Quinn stopped in her tracks, Kurt nearly running into her. She turned on her heels and shook her finger at him. "Listen here Anderson—"

"Oh am I Anderson now?" Kurt asked sadly. "I thought we were good friends. We were going to make a musical collaboration together…"

"We are not good friends, you are a complete stranger and there is no way in hell I am working with you on a collaboration. Now I—"

"Well then do you believe that Miss Cohen-Chang will do a collaboration with me?" Kurt interrupted her again. "I would have much rather preferred you but Miss Cohen-Chang will be a great consolation."

"No!" Quinn hollered. "Now quiet and listen to me! I do not need, nor want, your help to go back to the party and control your partner. Finn is mine do you hear me? And you better pass the message to Man Hands Berry." Quinn then turned around on her heels again but this time she lost her balance and knocked into a statue of two birds flying together. The two moved to catch the statue but it merely stayed in a tilted position. Soon the floor rumbled softly and the wall next to where the statue sat upon a table opened up slowly, a dark staircase leading upwards. Kurt stared into the staircase but did not dare to walk in. Quinn turned and started to walk away and Kurt looked to her.

"Don't you want to know what this is or where it leads to?" He asked her, no longer trying to distract the blonde woman but in fact completely curious about the staircase.

Quinn groaned and turned once more. "What did I say before? I don't care about anything else except finding Finn, so if you excuse me…" She turned for the last time and then disappeared around a corner.

Kurt looked back into the staircase and looked down the halls. They were empty, not a soul nearby or sound being heard. Kurt then cautiously stepped into the staircase and made his way up a few steps before the wall behind him closed and everything fell into darkness. He whipped around and went for the wall and pounded on it to get it to open but then lights lit up magically in indentations in the walls. Kurt turned around slowly and eventually proceeded up the stairs. He looked into each indentation; they alternated on either side of him, and saw a regular gas lamp which had no gas in it at all, another indication that the lamps were magic. This caused suspicion to rise up in the shape-shifter. Why would there be magic used inside a human ran castle? He reached the top of the staircase where it evened off and where two indentations on the wall lit the whole area in a flood of light. Kurt stood before an old wood door. He ran a finger down the wood and found that the door was clean, no dust anywhere which indicated that this particular staircase is used quite often and cleaned regularly. Kurt examined the door some more and then he discovered an inscription on the door. Kurt leaned in and discovered that the inscription was written in Mystic. Using what he remembered from his records dels avantpassats and his readings he read aloud the inscription. "Els que entren, entren per la Pau." Kurt straightened and looked at the door. "Those who enter, enter for Peace." Kurt said again in human. Kurt breathed out nervously and slowly raised a hand to the knob. His hand had just wrapped around the knob before it opened suddenly and Kurt retracted his hand back.

In the doorway stood an overweight, white skinned woman with extremely dark, straight brown hair, nearly black that draped around her shoulders. She wore a strapless, fully black dress with a lace hem and a front snaps corset. The skirt was made completely out of black lace, with a black underskirt underneath, and was ruffled at and angle. Her shoes were black knee shin high black lace up boots and around her neck she wore and intricate black beaded choker. She glared at Kurt and roughly reached out to turn him around and grasp his arms roughly. Kurt hissed in pain and she forced him down the stairs, Kurt nearly tripping a few times. She threw him against the wall at the bottom of the staircase and reached up above her to click a switch that opened up the wall again, Kurt once again nearly falling as he tripped out into the hallway. She stepped out and the wall closed behind her. "What the hell were you doing in there? How did you find it?" She questioned him, glaring at him with her brown eyes.

"I... I... The s-statue." Kurt stuttered out as he leaned against the wall across from her. "I-I knocked into it... The wall opened I—"

"And you couldn't leave it alone." She bit back at him. "Listen here shifter," Kurt sucked in his breath as she continued, "you are not to repeat what you stumbled upon and you are not to ever come back to this hallway ever again is that clear?" When Kurt did not answer she got especially close to him and asked the question again. "Is that clear?"

"Y-Yes! Yes!" Kurt answered back loudly.

"Good." She muttered backing up away from him. "Now rejoin the Gala." The woman turned again and pushed the statue back, Kurt guessed that when the door closes it goes upright automatically.

"W-Wait." Kurt heard himself call out to her. She stopped but did not turn around. "How... How did you know I'm a shifter?"

She turned then and lifted her head slightly. "Because I too, am a Mystic." With that said she smiled at him and Kurt saw her canines transform into sharp, skin piercing teeth. This woman was a vampire. She turned around once more and walked into the dark stairway, the wall closing behind her immediately.

Kurt stood for a moment, recollecting his thoughts. He found himself numbly walking back into the ballroom where almost instantly he was met up with Blaine. Kurt immediately felt himself lighten up as he pushed back the events that happened moments ago away from his mind. "Blaine." Kurt called as he walked up to him.

"Kurt." Blaine greeted. "How is the Gala going for you?"

"Oh, good, good." Kurt answered, the staircase moment popping back in his mind.

"Have you danced with anyone else besides Miss Fabray?"

"No." Kurt replied simply.

"It's a shame." Blaine said, questioning wither or not he should continue on with his thoughts, his feelings. He did continue, but instead, he changed what he was about to say. "You probably should not have planned to distract Miss Fabray all night."

Kurt shook his head. "I don't mind. Really. And it's not for all night. Once the dinner started Rachel comes back with me and Mr. Hudson to Miss Fabray and that's how it will remain for the rest of the night."

"Good." Blaine nodded his head. "I would hate to think that your first Gala was ruined all night by distracting Miss Fabray in its entirety." Kurt shrugged, the staircase once again popping to his mind. He could not get the puzzle of it all out of his mind. Why was there magic in the castle? Why was there a Mystic, a vampire no less, in the castle? And there was no restraints on her that Kurt could have seen. When he did not speak up Blaine continued. "I had just finished talking with Karofsky a moment back and he gave the bet to me." Kurt's eyebrows rose at the news. "And better yet," Blaine continued, "he won't reveal you so that means you'll be free to come and go into Lima as you please."

"As a human of course." Kurt muttered.

"Yes..."

The shifter sighed and shook his head. "Thanks but no thanks Master Blaine. I still want to stay where i should belong and I do not belong with these humans."

"But Kurt... You do, you belong—"

"I don't Blaine." Kurt said strongly. "I just don't."

Blaine stayed silent for a moment, looking straight into the glasz eyes of his shifter, the being he has fallen in love with. "But you belong with me." Blaine whispered. Kurt's eyes widened and Blaine closed his eyes and sighed. "But if it is what you want... Then I won't stop you. I shall see you at dinner... Cousin." With that Blaine turned and walked away from the shifter.

Kurt reached out to Blaine and opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. His arm fell to his side. Suddenly from the corner of his eyes Kurt caught the sight of Santana's dress. Turning his head he saw her not but fifteen feet away with Karofsky. Kurt's curiosity rose again and he, momentarily forgetting about Blaine, walked over to the two.

"Karofsky I can't believe you would do this to me!" Santana was yelling at him. But it was more of a quiet yell as she did not want others to hear, thankfully Kurt, being an animal shape-shifter, had exceptional hearing. "You are the only thing that is keeping my reputation stable. Without you it won't be long for the others to figure out my crime."

"Lopez..." Karofsky drawled out, he obviously intoxicated but yet sounding strangely intelligent. "Do you think I care? Really? I only went along with this for my own reputation, and let's face it, the rumors, which are truths as you and I both know, of you were only covered up by the rumor of Anderson's and mine's bet, again another truth that blew over. Now that the rumor of the bet is gone, the whole Royal State will go back to the rumor of you and your shifter and I can't afford to have that anymore affiliated with me."

"You can't do this to me Karofsky."

"I believe i just did." Santana scoffed loudly and slapped him in the face, causing some looks from those around the pair before she stormed off out of the ballroom. Karofsky shrugged to himself and took another swig of his ale which Kurt just then realized he was holding in his hands the whole time. He stumbled out of the ballroom as well and Kurt, going against his instinct followed Karofsky through the lobby and into another quiet hallway. Karofsky whipped around then and glared at Kurt. "What?" He exclaimed. "What? What do you want... Shifter?"

Kurt stayed silent for a moment before speaking. "I wanted to make sure you're okay. I may be a Mystic but i still have compassion." Karofsky scoffed as a result, taking another swig from his ale. "You should stop drinking Karofsky." Kurt warned. "You're too drunk already."

"Why would I care?" Karofsky asked, swaying on his feet and he moved to lean against a wall. "I didn't want to come to this-this stupid Gala anyways."

"May I ask why?"

"No."

They stayed silent for a while, the only sounds coming from the ale as Karofsky took periodical swigs from the alcohol. Kurt moved forward towards Karofksy after the silence and looked Karofsky dead in the eyes. "Karofsky, listen to me. I know that you may be in a harsh mood because Miss Lopez juts left you but—"

Karofsky laughed loudly then, his laugh ending with a hiccup. "We were never even together. I was her beard! A stupid little cover to hide the fact that she is a homosexual and is in love with her shifter Brittany Pierce." Kurt tensed. His bond sister? Kurt thought of Artie and his own feelings towards his sister. This is going to cause some complications Kurt thought as Karofsky continued. "No... No I'm not upset. I'm liberated!" Karofsky took yet another drink from his ale. "You know... I use to hate Mystics... I used to think them as just game or animals you can trade and sell and shit like that but now... Oh now... Now i walk into my barn and I always stop before that God forsaken halfbreed merman and I think 'There's a soul that needs someone, there's a soul that needs me' and for once, for once I'm needed for him and he, he doesn't look at me like the others does. He looks at me... He looks at me like I'm his fucking knight in shining-fucking-armor for saving his miserable Mystic life and I don't know what to do Kurt... I..." Karofsky's head fell forward. "I don't know what to do..."

Kurt looked at the drunk and broken Karofksy. Once again going against his instincts he closed the space between the two and awkwardly hugged the larger human male. Karofsky tensed immediately at the Mystic's touch but soon relaxed and cautiously wrapped his arms around the Mystic. Kurt stayed there, still, frozen, his body neither tense nor relaxed as the two stayed in their embrace. As Kurt started to pull away after a good moment or two Karofsky quickly moved his hands up to Kurt's face, well, bottle and hand to his face, and slammed his mouth onto Kurt's. Kurt's eyes widened and he felt Karofsky's tongue try to pry its way into the shifter's mouth. Kurt shook his head and shoved back on the human. He had lost his balance and slammed against the wall across from him. Karofsky panted across from him and then moved forward once more. Kurt shook his head and quickly moved and thanks to Karofsky's intoxication he ran into the wall and that is where he stayed and Kurt glared at him.

"What is wrong with you?" Kurt yelled at him, devastated that his first kiss was wasted on a human, on any being, like Karofsky. "You know what's wrong with you? You are conflicted!" Kurt answered for Karofsky as Karofsky's head was flat against the wall and his body was hunched over and his arms hanging limply below him. "You are conflicted that you may possibly have feelings for the halfbreed and you know what? You probably do. And what more, you are just so upset because you claimed that you are not a homosexual, you aren't gay, and it frustrates you because you were wrong about yourself. You have feelings for the halfbreed merman, maybe even love him, and you are just so devastated that you can't control your own body, your own heart. You just kissed me Karofksy but I bet you were thinking about the merman." Kurt scrimmaged around in his brain for the name of the merman. "Samuel..." Kurt said slowly, seeing if that was it. He nodded to himself. "You were wishing it was Samuel... Weren't you."

Karofsky's body shook with sobs, tears streamed down his face and landed in near silence to the floors. "It's just... His parents... They were killed for being in love and I don't want him to go through that again... I don't want him to see me get killed and then he get killed... I can't..." He chuckled darkly to himself. "That is... If Sam even loves me back..."

Kurt nodded and slowly moved back to Karofksy, placing a hand on his back as he neared. "He does I think... I know that I would love whoever saved me... In fact... I do..." Karofsky lifted his head and looked at Kurt. Kurt smiled softly. "And I understand the fear of being killed, I do Karofsky... But I would rather have my moment with the one I love and die because of it, than to die without ever having it."

Karofsky stared back at the floor and straightened suddenly. He wiped at his eyes and exhaled greatly. "You're right Kurt..." He looked at Kurt and returned his smile.

Kurt smiled earnestly in return. "Of course I am. Now..." Kurt reached for the ale and without much restrain Karofksy released the bottle and handed it wordlessly to Kurt. "You'd better stop drinking for the rest of the night..."

Karofsky chuckled softly. "Yes, tomorrow will definitely have one hell of a hangover." Kurt only nodded in response. "I'm sorry Kurt... For kissing you like that..."

Kurt sighed and gave a half shrug. "I guess it's okay... I guess... You were, and partially still are, a troubled man and you just had to express yourself."

"Still it was wrong and I apologize."

"Well, apology accepted Mr. Karofsky."

"Damn Anderson taught you well."

Kurt smiled at the comment. "Thank you, he sure did." The two smiled warmly at each other, an unspoken friendship starting up between them. "Now come on Neanderthal, dinner's about to start soon."

"Oh what great joy." Kurt chuckled at that and together the two walked back to the ballroom where sure enough the dinner bell had just rung and all in attendance to the Gala funneled into a door that led into the grand dining hall.

Part two of three of the Gala. Part three will be the dinner part. Everyone is all gathered in the dining hall to enjoy the last bit of their night before Christmas and of course the drama never stops until everyone goes to sleep.

Sneak peek into chapter 12:

Kurt glanced down at the necklace in his hands, tears clouding his vision. He knew that he meant a lot to Blaine, but he did not know he meant this much to him. "Kurt..." Blaine said softly and the shifter raised his head to look into those hazel brown eyes he loves. "Kurt... I love you."

Hope you enjoyed that sneak peak and PLEASE REVIEW! REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!