AN: So, if any of you have been missing my updates I've been on vacation. Hope to be more regular come next week. Meanwhile, here's a special treat for you all. Hope you enjoy it!

Prompt: Sparky the Computer - "You know, you look very stressed. This is not good." - 'Babylon 5'

Regionals was fast approaching and as always before a competition tensions were rising. We all had our ways of coping, even if we didn't see eye-to-eye on them. What could I say, longer practices and micro-managing relaxed me. As did table tennis, which I was about to have a few friendly games of with David. First I wanted to seek out our newest Warbler, who had seemed more stressed than the rest of us lately. We definitely needed him at his best for the upcoming competition.

Walking past one of the study lounges, I spotted him craft supplies spread out at a table.

"So is this your stress reliever?" I asked casually, as I walked into the room, causing Kurt to jump and drop the glue gun and the box lid he was holding. "Sorry," I told him.

"It's no problem. I just didn't think any one else was around," Kurt said, picking up what he had dropped.

"A valid assumption as most of us are trying to avoid school work at this time of day. What are you working on?"

Kurt ducked his head, a slight pink hue coloring his cheek.

"You'll laugh," he said softly.

"Try me," I insisted, stopping behind one of the empty chairs and resting my hands on the back of it.

"I'm making a casket to bury Pavarotti in," Kurt replied, staring at the lid he held in his hand. "It seems the least I could do after letting him down, and in doing so let the Warblers down who entrusted him to me."

"Pets die sometimes, Kurt, even with the best of care. You're taking the death of the bird way too hard."

"What if it's an sign that I'm going to let you guys down at Regionals. I mean, you guys handed me a solo, and I've never done a competition solo before, and if we lose it'll be all my fault."

Though I had promised not to laugh, I couldn't help it at this point. The sound did get Kurt to look my way though.

"You promised not to laugh."

"I did. At what you were doing and I didn't. What I'm laughing at is the fact that you're putting so much significance on the death of a bird. First off, we didn't hand you the solo, you earned it. Maybe if we had given you one at Sectionals then we would've won not tied. Secondly, try your best and you won't let any of us down. Thirdly, if we lose, we lose as a team. We're in this together."

Kurt nodded, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Want to play table tennis?" I offered.

"I think I'll finish this."

"Okay. Just try to relax. Things are going to be fine," I told him before leaving the room.

Yes, tensions were definitely rising before the upcoming competition. It was my job to not let that get to us, which meant I needed to relax with some table tennis.