A/N: So so so sorry for the late upload. It's been hectic. Anyway, here is the next chapter. Thanks once again to all those people still with this story who favourite and alert and review. It means so much. I hope you're enjoying this story, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Sorry for the late uploads, and thanks to all the people who are still with this story. Enjoy lovies and reviews are wonderful and meaningyul things. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083.
Chapter Nine: The One with the Regional's
Rachel had been furious when Mr. Schuster showed up at school with a black eye. She immediately demanded to know who it was that had punched her precious Glee Teacher, only to be blatantly told off by Santana and Rory, for prying into other people's business. She knows it's a stupid thing to do, but it's the only thing she can think of. With Regional's happening tomorrow, she can't let her Glee Teacher be the one that takes the hits. This is why, two hours later, Rachel Berry got out of her car, and walked up the steps of Blaine's Aunt's house, knocking on the door, and shifting from foot to foot, hoping that it's not Kurt that answers, because she's not here for pleasantries... Blaine was the one to answer the door, immediately stepping out onto the porch, and away from the loud sounds, which must mean the Warblers and video games. She tried to smile, she really did, but there had been so many things happening in her life that she didn't think she'd ever smile again. She and Finn had been fighting about the amount of time the quarterback had been spending with Kurt and the Warblers, she was in the middle of a tantrum with her father's, and Jesse was bugging her about them getting back together. Blaine was the cherry on top of this bad day, and now she wishes it had been Kurt to answer the door, because she could just yell, and then leave.
'How is Kurt?' She managed to ask, arms falling to her sides
'It's been a good week. Could have been better, but we're focussing on National's, and Kurt has this surprise for everyone that I think is going to blow the judges away...' Blaine replied, forcing himself not to smile
'That's good. I'm glad he's doing better. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come here. It's wrong of me to do what I was going to. Good luck tomorrow,' Rachel said, smiling and walking off
'Just so you know Rachel, he should have known better. You all should have. I know what's been going on with you and Finn, and I'm sorry. Don't ruin this for us please... This is the first time Kurt has been... Kurt. Good luck tomorrow,' Blaine replied to Rachel's turned back, before turning himself, and walking back into the house, closing the door
Rachel burst into tears. Uncharacteristic of her, but what Blaine had said... she knows that it's going to take a very long time for Kurt to be alright, as she's been told billions of times before, but to know that he is starting to be himself again... She'd heard through the Glee grapevine that the Warblers had something special up their sleeves, and she wanted to know what, but she shouldn't have come here. The only other time she's been to this house, was when she and Kurt started mending bridges, and even now, she wishes she could take back alot of the things she's said. Of course, winning Regional's guarantees them a spot at National's, and her mind immediately tells her that she can't take anyone there with her, because she needs it more than they do. She needs it, so that she can prove to herself and her family, that she can do it, and that they can be proud of her. As she walked down the path, back towards her car, she could hear the soft sounds of a harmony coming from the den of the house she'd just left. If she listened carefully, she'd be able to hear Kurt's counter-tenor voice rise above the rest of them, but she couldn't hear the sound, nor did she want to, because crying once is enough for her, and she's going to meet Finn for their Friday Night Dinner date, which Kurt and Blaine had stopped attending two months ago... Perhaps it was for the better... Finn didn't really talk about Kurt, or anything that happened in the session's he's been too, but Rachel has been tightening the leash on him, forbidding him from attending, even though she knows Finn could break-up with her at any moment... The harmonies are drowned out by the sound of her engine, and before she can look back, she's driving off, heading towards the Hudmel house, preparing herself for another cold-shoulder dinner from her boyfriend...
The Warblers met in the common room early on the morning of Regional's, mostly for Wes' peace of mind, but also for a last minute practice of their set-list, which includes Pink, Maroon 5 and Katy Perry, much to the chagrin of David, who knows what Blaine is like with the Katy Perry songs, having serenaded Kurt with Teenage Dream, and then played it over and over, until finally asking the boy out. David is surprised that Kurt can still bear to be in the same vicinity as a Katy song, given that on most others that either he or ND performed, he either blocks his ears and sings loudly, or just leaves the room, which seems to be the "thing to do" now. Rory, Sam, Puck and Finn were staying at Dalton with Kurt and Blaine, and had been granted access to the Warblers for the day, as their support throughout Regional's. Finn had been fighting with Rachel, not that it was anything new, but after discovering that she had gone to Blaine's aunt's house to ambush them, he just couldn't let it go. She needed to be put in her place, and him walking out on Rehearsal in favour of the Warblers drove that nail in pretty hard.
Blaine and Cameron had been mucking around, being boys, when Wes entered the room, yelling for them to start behaving like Dalton students, and not like idiots, to which Blaine had responded by sticking his finger up at Wes, and sprinting to the other side of the room so the head council member couldn't wack him with the gavel, he carries around. Kurt was just watching his boyfriend, half listening to the conversation he was having with Brittany, half watching Blaine be an idiot. Puck, Finn, Sam and Rory were talking with Quinn and Thad in a corner, every now and then, one of them would look over at Kurt, meaning that their conversation was obviously about him... Again. Aren't they tired of talking about him? He's not that interesting. In fact, he's not interesting at all, and he doesn't know why people haven't figured that out yet... he doesn't know why Blaine hasn't figured that out yet, but he's prepared for it. He's ready for when it does happen, because he knows it will. There will come a day, and time where no one wants him anymore, and he'll have to deal with that. Finn, Britt and Sanny have been trying to make him understand that he's loved and wanted, by telling him all the time, but it only has meaning for so long before it becomes just another saying to make someone feel better for a little while. It's harder to distance himself from Blaine though, because he knows his boyfriend means it when he says I love you... usually it's followed by a make-out session and then sex, if they're in the mood, and it's one of Kurt's "better" days, as Dr. Paul has started referring to them as.
...
At ten, they pile onto the bus to take them to Regional's. Santana and Brittany sit with Kurt and Blaine, who are engaged in a conversation about something... Brittany can't really hear anything, they're whispering to each other, and she knows that her girlfriend can't hear, because she's talking to Puck, who is also helping Rory and Quinn make signs to hold up in support of the Warblers. This knowledge makes Britt smile, and snuggle closer to Santana, who just wraps her arm around Britt's shoulders and smiles, knowing that no one else gets to be with either of them like this. Finn is with Sam, going over football strategies, and talking about synchronised swimming or something... neither seems to be worried that Finn is still on the New Directions, and is competing against them today, or the fact that he's taking the Dalton bus with the Warblers, who are competing against the people who made Kurt's life the way it is now. Not to mention, Schuster, Pillsbury and Jesse will be there, and even though Sue is going to be there with the Cherrios (they're cheering for Dalton now), it doesn't calm Blaine's mind to the fact that one of the boys that attacked his boyfriend is going to be in the same venue as them, within ten metres of them, and on the same stage as them...
Wes stands, just as the bus turns into the parking lot of the hall, and begins checking off names, and making sure that everyone is wearing the right thing, doing the right thing, and knows where their rehearsal room is. Blaine, Nick, Jeff, Thad, Cameron, Puck, Sam, Rory, Quinn and Santana form a perimeter around Kurt and Blaine, with Brittany on Kurt's left, and Blaine on his right. They know it's stupid, but if it keeps Kurt safe, then they're willing to do it, and the countertenor hasn't said anything yet, so they assume he's just letting them do their bit. The minute they're inside, Kurt hears Rachel screech Finn's name, his step-brother nodding once to him, before walking off to join the New Directions group, who are just staring at them, some sneering (Jesse, Mike, Matt), others with guilty looks on their faces (Mercedes, Tina, Sugar). Blaine can't see them, which obviously means they can't see him or Kurt, which makes him feel a little better, but then Puck says something to Sam about Jesse and his blood runs cold, and grip on his boyfriend's hand tightens in silent support, and letting Kurt know that he's still there, and he's not going anywhere, especially when their protective circle suddenly stops and Santana pushes through to grab Brittany's hand, whispering something in her ear, which makes her stop also, and burst into tears.
Just up ahead, are three people Blaine never thought he'd see again... Burt, Carole and the one that started it all... Sebastian. Wes goes into head councilman mode, David and Thad ushering them off to their rehearsal room without another word, their protective circle around Kurt and Blaine tightening as they pass by, shooting dirty looks in the direction of the people who hurt their friend. Blaine wants to punch Sebastian, but he feels Kurt's grip tighten, almost to the point of numbness, and realises that if he lets go, he may as well be signing Kurt's death sentence, as much as it pains him to think about it, he knows that he, Santana, and the still crying Brittany had to remain strong, just until they get to the back room, and then they can talk about it. How dare they come here...? Carole and Burt he could understand but Sebastian? How dare he come to this place, where he knows Kurt has to get up on stage and perform...? Blaine thinks to himself as he follows Puck and Sam into the room, grip from Kurt's hand turning his almost purple.
'Are you alright Kurtie?' Brittany asks, sitting beside her friend around the small table in the centre of the room
'I want to punch something, other than that, I'm cool as day,' Kurt replied, smiling lightly when Blaine sat down beside him
'Get it out Kurt, you can punch me if you really need to,' Cameron said, earning a chuckle from Blaine, and a smirk from Kurt
'I'll keep that in mind,' Kurt replied, clenching his fists on the table in front of him, as Wes silenced the room and their final practice began
Finn and the New Directions are the first school to perform. The Warblers don't go out to watch, nor do they go to watch the second school that performs. When it's their turn to go on, Wes gives his usual pre-performance pep talk, and leads them out to the marshalling area backstage. Kurt is literally shaking as he walks beside Blaine and Brittany. The Warblers need this performance, and they know that it's dangerous for Kurt to be here, even up on that stage it's unsafe, because his father is in the audience, and so is one of the boys who attacked him some five month ago. Blaine doesn't like this anymore than the next person, but all they can do is be there for Kurt, and not let him out of their sight. The signal for them to go on stage sounds, and Brittany hugs Kurt, pushing him towards Blaine, who kisses his cheek, grabs his hand, and follows Wes onto the stage... They set themselves up, and Blaine steps forward to begin the song...
Oh, yeah
Oh!
Just shoot for the stars
If it feels right
And aim for my heart
If you feel like
And take me away and make it OK
I swear I'll behave
You wanted control
So we waited
I put on a show
Now I make it
You say I'm a kid
My ego is big
I don't give a shit
And it goes like this
Blaine, Cameron and Thad break into the chorus, spinning and dancing in formation, whilst the other Warblers move in their own formations, still harmonising.
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
Kurt steps forward, singing the next verse, much to the surprise of ND, ex-ND and his parents in the audience. Blaine can see Mr. Schuster's mouth drop open at the level Kurt can make his voice and smirks... We have this in the bag!
Maybe it's hard
When you feel like you're broken and scarred
Nothing feels right
But when you're with me
I'll make you believe
That I've got the key
Oh
So get in the car
We can ride it
Wherever you want
Get inside it
And you want to steer
But I'm shifting gears
I'll take it from here (Oh! Yeah yeah!)
And it goes like this (Uh)
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you (Uh)
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I don't need to try to control you (Oh, yeah)
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger (Yeah yeah)
I've got the moves like Jagger
Blaine and Kurt both sing Christina's part, smiling at each other as they dance around, laughing, smiling, and just forgetting everything else...
You wanna know how to make me smile
Take control, own me just for the night
And if I share my secret
You're gonna have to keep it
Nobody else can see this
So watch and learn
I won't show you twice
Head to toe, oooh baby rub me right
But if I share my secret
You're gonna have to keep it
Nobody else can see this (Ay! Ay! Ay! Aaay!)
And it goes like this
Take me by the tongue (Take me by the tongue)
And I'll know you
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you (Yeah yeah yeah!)
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
(Oh, yeah)
I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
They finished with a standing ovation, and quickly moved back into their final formation to start their next song. Blaine winked at Kurt, as he walked past to stand beside Wes, earning a small smile from the other boy. Nick and Jeff stepped forward to sing the next song, and even though Blaine was meant to be singing to the audience, his focus was on Kurt, as they began harmonising the chords to Pink's Perfect...
Made a wrong turn, once or twice
Dug my way out, blood and fire
Bad decisions, that's alright
Welcome to my silly life
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss, no way it's all good, it didn't slow me down
Mistaken, always second guessing
Underestimated, look, I'm still around
Kurt looked at Blaine at that line, both smiling at each other, before they were pulled in opposite directions by Wes and David. Blaine sang the chorus to Kurt, maintaining eye contact, knowing Kurt would understand.
Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than, less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing you are perfect to me
You're so mean when you talk
About yourself, you are wrong
Change the voices in your head
Make them like you instead
So complicated, look how big you'll make it
Filled with so much hatred, such a tired game
It's enough, I've done all I can think of
Chased down all my demons, see you do the same
Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than, less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you are perfect to me
Wes and David took the rap part of the song, moving to either sides of the stage and acting like gangsters or "cool people" as Wes always said
The whole world stares while I swallow the fear
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in lying and we tried, tried, tried
But we try too hard, it's a waste of my time
Nick and Jeff came back in to sing the verse, Kurt and Blaine moving forward to sing with them, whilst harmonizing and dancing with the other Warblers
Done looking for the critics 'cause they're everywhere
They don't like my genes, they don't get my hair
Strange ourselves and we do it all the time
Why do we do that? Why do I do that? Why do I do that?
Kurt sang solo for the last two verses, the rest of the Warblers returning to their original formations as Kurt stepped forward, letting the lyrics control his actions, getting his feelings out through song, not making eye contact with anyone in the audience
Ooh, pretty, pretty, pretty
Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than, less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you are perfect to me
You are perfect to me
You're perfect, you're perfect to me
Pretty, pretty please if you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than, less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you are perfect to me
The noise at the end of the song was loud, and people clapping and whistling was all that filled their ears as they made their way off the stage. Blaine caught a glance at Rachel, who looked as though someone had kicked her cat. She knew that without Kurt, they wouldn't have a chance, even with Mercedes; she knew they were still screwed. Blaine smiled to himself as they made their way back to their rehearsal room, waiting for the verdict of who would make it to National's...
The schools gathering on the stage was the hardest part of the day for Kurt. He would have to not only be on the same stage as ND, but as Jesse St. James and Schuster. Blaine wanted to hold his hand, but didn't think people there would much accept that, so he went for standing shoulder to shoulder with his boyfriend, making sure he was in between a bunch of Warblers. By some strange occurrence (Blaine thought that it had been because the judges had been bribed) Sue Sylvester was announcing the winner. Blaine smirked as Rachel's eyes widened, and she shot a look at her boyfriend, who was almost cringing, tossing between whether or not to be proud that he didn't tell, or guilty.
'In Third Place... Crawford County Girls School... there has been a change to the judging this year, and due to outstanding performances from both schools, McKinley and Dalton will both be going to Nationals,' Sue said, throwing the card and walking over to the Warblers, who hurried off the stage...
Sebastian watched as the Warblers made their way off the stage, his eyes not leaving Kurt's figure, walking with Blaine and Wes. He could feel Jesse watching him, and turned to move towards the boy, who was talking with Rachel and the black girl, whose name he thinks is Mercedes... Finn had already left, the only way to control himself from punching the boys in the face. Jesse and Sebastian broke away from the New Directions, and left the hall, pushing through the crowds to get out the front. The bus was nowhere to be seen as Jesse and Sebastian scanned the car park. Neither had any idea what they would do if they came face to face with Kurt, but they were positive if they got caught, it would land them back in jail... giving up on finding Kurt today, the two made their way back to ND, who were complaining about Finn being a "double agent" and immediately formulated a plan in their minds... they were going to use ND to turn Finn against Kurt, the perfect plan... If only they'd thought of it earlier...
A/N: Thanks, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Songs are Fucking Perfect by Pink, and Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5. I do not own them. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083. D.