Disclaimer – still don't own Glee

Hello dear readers, welcome to another new chapter, still not quite the end yet, but getting closer

And my wedding is getting closer, it's a massive stressful headache boys and girls, don't bother with the whole wedding plans debacle, just go to Vegas and do it that way so you don't have to worry about everything **deep breaths**

Chapter 41 – Wheelchairs and Waxing

After third period, Kurt was walking alone through the corridor when Karofsky swarmed by and knocked the books out of his hand.

"Oops," the large oaf of a boy sniggered.

Biting down on his tongue so as not to make any retort, Kurt bent to gather up his books.

"Here, let me help you with that," Karofsky offered before kicking one of the books across the hall.

Managing to pick up one book, Kurt held it close to his chest, truly missing his ability to turn invisible. He made to reach for the book Karofsky had kicked away but the bully snatched it up first and held it up out of his reach.

"What are you gonna do about it, homo?" Karofsky challenged.

The students milling by were either ignoring the scene or watching on in amusement. Feeling his cheeks flush with embarrassment, Kurt went up onto his tiptoes in an effort to take the book back. Karofsky only laughed in his face as he kept the book out of his reach and knocked the other book back out of his hand.

"You can't stop me, Hummel," Karofsky claimed. "I can do anything I want to you and there's nothing you can do about it."

"Just give me my book back," Kurt snapped at him.

"How about you get on your knees and beg me for it," Karofsky jeered.

"Like me on my knees would you?" Kurt dared to say earning himself a glare in response.

"You want your book, gay boy?" Karofsky asked. "Go fetch," he told him throwing it across the corridor. "Go on," Karofsky said slapping Kurt around the face. Not hard enough to truly hurt, but enough to be annoying. "Go on," he repeated with another light slap. "Be a good gay bitch," he slapped the other cheek. "Fetch it, Hummel," he slapped him again.

"Hey, leave him alone," a new voice said and Karofsky turned to sneer at Artie in his wheelchair.

"Or what?" Karofsky laughed. "You gonna roll over my feet? Damn, I'm really scared now."

"Apologise to my friend and give him his books back," Artie commanded wheeling himself forward and glaring up at the bully.

"Artie, don't," Kurt warned. "He's not worth it."

Artie refused to back down so Karofsky ended up kicking him out of his chair. There were some horrified gasps from the on-lookers and a few negative comments about Karofsky's behaviour, but nobody other than Kurt made any move to help Artie.

As Kurt knelt at Artie's side, he didn't bother asking if the boy was ok. He knew the answer would be no. His glasses were askew and his eyes were screwed shut with embarrassment. His fingers were digging in to the tile of the corridor and Kurt was sure if Artie still had his powers that blue bursts of electricity would be erupting from his fingertips.

Quietly, Kurt helped Artie back into his chair and then picked up his books before wheeling Artie outside so they could both get some fresh air.

"Karofsky's such a jerk," Kurt said unnecessarily. "Thank you, for standing up to him," he added. "It was really brave."

The boy in the wheelchair remained silent, glaring down at his own legs as if they were a deadly enemy and Kurt didn't have any idea as to how he could possibly comfort him.

XXX

"Hey," Finn greeted catching up to Rachel halfway up the stairs.

"Hi," the Cheerio replied.

"Someone on the Football team said the Cheerio's are gonna start singing now," Finn said. "Is that true?"

"Actually it is," Rachel informed him. "Coach Sylvester believes adding vocals to our routines will give us an added edge at Nationals."

"But Coach Sylvester hates singing," Finn pointed out.

"I know, I was shocked by her decision too," Rachel agreed. "But since the New Directions won at Regionals and are set to compete at Nationals I guess she's changed her mind. We're winners, even if it is at Show Choir, and Coach Sylvester appreciates winners. I'll be singing a Celine Dion medley while standing at the top of the pyramid."

"That's kinda cool I guess," Finn said. "So, um, how's Artie doing?" he asked.

"I wish I knew," Rachel replied with a sigh. "He won't reply to my texts, he won't return my phone calls, he ignores my emails and facebook messages. Every time I've stopped by his house his mum's apologised but told me he doesn't want visitors. And since he came back to school he's just been avoiding me. I don't even understand why now that I can't read his thoughts. I just wish I knew what I was doing wrong so that I could fix it."

"You're not doing anything wrong," Finn told her. "This is a male pride thing."

"What do you mean?" she asked as Finn followed her to her locker.

"Before the whole Choir Room thing," Finn explained. "Artie was in his wheelchair. He was used to it, he accepted it. Then this crazy thing happens and he's out of that chair. He can walk, he can run, he can dance. It changed how people saw him and it changed how he saw himself. Then to have that taken away, to be back in that wheelchair again… I can't imagine how frustrating that must be."

"And he's back in the wheelchair because he saved me," Rachel said quietly as she closed her locker. "He must hate me now."

"He doesn't hate you," Finn replied. "Guys don't jump in front of cars for girls they hate."

"So why won't he talk to me?" Rachel asked.

"He needs time," Finn said. "Being out of that chair made him cool and popular and stuff. Now he's back in it people just see the chair again. He's lost something that most of us take for granted. He's probably angry, upset and embarrassed. He needs to accept that he's in the chair again and be ok with it."

"When did you get so insightful?" Rachel wondered.

"I used to be the most popular guy at this school," Finn reminded her. "Then I joined Glee Club and it changed the way people saw me. And the way I saw myself. I know that doesn't compare to the whole wheelchair thing or anything but I sort of get it I guess. At least a little. Or as much as I can without knowing what its like to be in a wheelchair."

"Finn, you're a genius," Rachel exclaimed with a wide grin.

"Um… that's not really something people say to me," Finn replied in confusion.

"You've just given me an idea for our next Glee Club assignment. Come on, help me find Mr. Schue," she dashed off towards the Spanish room and Finn followed, still unsure about what was going on.

XXX

Exiting the girls' bathroom, Quinn caught sight of Matt leaning up against the wall seemingly waiting for her. Scowling slightly, she turned on her heel and walked away in the opposite direction. Turning the corner, she looked over her shoulder to see if he was following. Not seeing him, she smiled in triumph before nearly colliding with him.

"Excuse you, you're in my way," she told him, not bothering to question how he managed to get in front of her.

"Are we ever just gonna talk about it?" Matt asked her.

"There's nothing to talk about," Quinn answered before carrying on her way. She kept looking over her shoulder, expecting Matt to be following her, but he didn't.

XXX

Arriving to Glee Club arm-in-arm with Mercedes, Kurt smiled as he watched his boyfriend play guitar.

"Hey look, the hottest guy at McKinley just walked into the Choir Room," Puck stated and Kurt blushed at the compliment while Mercedes giggled.

"I think the hottest guy at McKinley was already in the Choir Room," Kurt told him.

"Aww, thanks baby," Puck grinned.

"No problem, sweet kitten," Kurt kissed his mouth while Mercedes giggled more at the pet name. "Mmm, you have no idea how much I needed that," Kurt said in reference to the kiss.

"I could guess," Puck replied cupping Kurt's ass as he kissed him deeper.

"Urgh, so gay," Santana remarked as she entered the room.

"Oh like you don't find two hot boys making-out to be a turn-on," Puck retaliated.

"I'd rather see two hot girls making with some sweet lady kisses," Santana responded and Puck just quirked an eyebrow, impressed by her admission. While it could hardly be called a 'coming out' moment it was still remarkable progress for one Santana Lopez.

A nervous looking Rachel entered the Choir Room next, fiddling with the hem of her Cheerio skirt as she took a seat beside Mercedes.

"You ok, Rach?" Mercedes asked her.

"I had an idea for this weeks Glee assignment," Rachel answered her. "Finn kind of gave me the idea actually. We've already talked it over with Mr. Schue and he's agreed. I just… I just hope I've done the right thing."

"Freaking hell, Berry, speak English, not Jewish," Santana complained.

"Jewish isn't a language," Puck pointed out.

"If you don't shut up I'll cut off your dick and make it a language," Santana threatened.

"That doesn't even make sense," Puck mumbled in Kurt's ear before nibbling on the lobe.

"Noah, that tickles," Kurt tweaked his boyfriend's nipple through his shirt before taking his hand and guiding him into a seat.

"So what is this weeks Glee assignment?" Mercedes asked Rachel just as Tina, Mike and Brittany arrived.

"You'll see," Rachel answered.

A few minutes later, Mr. Schue arrived with Artie wheeling in behind him.

"Ok, everybody," Mr. Schue clapped his hands together excitedly. "Let's welcome back Mr. Artie Abrams."

Head down, Artie wheeled himself beside Matt not making eye-contact with anyone and Rachel tried not to feel hurt by the action.

"Now, we've got a lot of work to do in preparation for Nationals," Mr. Schue said. "Every vocal run, every dance step, its all important. Some people in the room have stronger vocals than others. Some people's voices are more suited to certain genres than others. Some people are more athletic and some people are more talented dancers. You all danced wonderfully and on your feet at Regionals. And you will all dance wonderfully together at Nationals too. In wheelchairs," he clapped his hands and members of the AV club pushed a number of wheelchairs into the Choir Room. "Everybody grab a chair," he instructed. "Finn already came up with a great song idea. I think it would really work with Puck and Tina on lead vocals and Artie, I was hoping you would do the choreography for this number?"

Everybody looked to Artie for his response, Rachel waiting nervously, praying the wheelchair assignment had been a good idea.

"I guess I'll see what I can come up with," Artie agreed offering a faint smile.

"Ok, we'll need more space for this number," Mr. Schue said. "So its off to the auditorium. In your chairs," he added when Brittany made to stand back up. "For the next week I want you all to stay in your wheelchairs so you can better appreciate your choreographer. Now, to the auditorium, let's go."

Puck and Mike were first out the door, racing down the corridors in their wheelchairs, ignoring Mr. Schue's admonishments.

"Ow, damn it, this wheelchairs going to ruin my manicure," Santana complained as she chipped a nail before she'd even wheeled out the door causing a few of the others, including Artie, to glare at her. "What?"

"You could try being more sensitive, Santana," Mercedes advised her. "You're in a wheelchair for a week. Not for life."

"Oh and when am I ever sensitive?" Santana challenged. "Being a bitch is my thing. And I have never treated Artie differently whether he's walking or wheeling and I don't intend to start treating him differently now. So my lack of sensitivity is actually just a demonstration of how I treat him exactly the same as I would treat anyone else. If Artie's got a problem with that I'm sure he'll tell me."

"Is she allowed to say that?" Finn asked uncertainly as Santana wheeled on ahead.

"Girl makes a fair point," Artie admitted. "She's a bitch to everybody. If she wasn't being insensitive about the damn wheelchair she'd just find something else."

"Artie, I'm really looking forward to the choreography," Rachel said in an effort to strike up a conversation.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," Artie answered despondently.

"Damn that was cold," Mercedes remarked with a shiver as Artie caught up to Mike, Puck and Santana.

"Haven't you two managed to talk at all?" Kurt asked Rachel.

"Are you guys even still dating?" Brittany wondered.

"Those are the first three words he's said to me since the accident," Rachel answered.

"Just give him some time," Tina told her.

XXX

Arriving home from work, Burt Hummel instantly spied the letterman jacket draped over the back of the sofa informing him that Noah Puckerman was in his house. Hearing a loud cry come from his son's basement, his blood boiled and he stampeded towards Kurt's bedroom. Bursting through the door, he came to a standstill as he saw Kurt cackling with amusement while Puck howled in agony clutching at his leg.

"Hey," Burt boomed. "What the hell is going on down here?"

"Hi dad," Kurt smiled innocently. "I was just giving Puck his first leg wax. Did you want to help?"

"What?" Puck hissed through clenched teeth, rubbing over the sore area of his strong leg that was now hairless.

"Um, no, err, I'm just gonna head upstairs," Burt replied backing away. "Deadliest Catch is on."

"Ok, well have fun," Kurt told him as he applied another waxing strip to Puck's leg.

"Yeah, um, you too," Burt replied awkwardly, wincing in sympathy as Kurt ripped more of Puck's leg hairs away. "Damn," Burt muttered to himself as he closed Kurt's bedroom door behind him and readjusted his baseball cap. "Would have been less awkward if I caught them having sex."

XXX

Raking her fingers through her hair, Rachel paced the length of her bedroom as she called Artie's number for the eleventh time in the space of ten minutes.

"Knock, knock," Quinn said to announce herself. "Any luck?"

"Still no answer," Rachel put the phone down and dropped back onto her mattress. "God, Quinn, I think I've screwed everything up."

"Come on, don't say that," Quinn comforted joining her friend on the bed. "You need to stay positive and look on the bright side of things."

"Things don't seem so bright without Artie," Rachel replied. "He's the first boyfriend I've ever had and he's in a wheelchair because of me. How do I make it work from here? Musicals, Disney Movies, Taylor Swift songs, none of that has prepared me for such a situation."

"I wasn't prepared to cheat on my boyfriend and get pregnant either," Quinn said. "But it happened. And initially I did not react well. I was angry and I was scared and when people found out it was mortifying. I lost my spot on the Cheerio's, I lost Finn, my popularity and my parents kicked me out. For a while there I didn't think it would ever get better. But it did."

"How?" Rachel asked.

"I had you," Quinn answered. "I lost everything but I had you to get me through it. Now Artie's lost everything too, for the second time in his life. But he has Rachel Berry to help him through it, just like I did."

"But he won't even talk to me," Rachel pointed out.

"So stop talking and do what Rachel Berry does best," Quinn replied. "Sing to him. Stand outside his bedroom window throwing pebbles if you have to, it doesn't matter, just make the boy listen."

"What shall I sing?" Rachel asked and the best friends squealed in excitement as they hugged each other before looking through Rachel's CD collection for inspiration.

XXX

Finally, Kurt finished waxing Puck's legs.

"There we are, all done," Kurt told him leaning in for a quick kiss.

"Fuck, how the hell did you get me to agree to that?" Puck asked.

"I do believe I promised you a blow-job," Kurt smiled and Puck smirked.

"That's right, you did," Puck gripped Kurt's chin lightly to pull him in for a longer kiss. "Too bad your old man's upstairs."

"Trust me, he won't venture down here again tonight," Kurt assured him as he pulled down Puck's shorts. "Just don't be too loud," Kurt instructed as he held Puck in place by his hips as he stretched his mouth around the head of his boyfriend's penis.

"Oh yeah," Puck moaned in a whisper. He pulled a pillow over his face so he could bite into it instead of crying out in pleasure. There was still a painful stinging in his legs from the waxing but in a weird way it heightened the pleasure of having Kurt's mouth working on his cock.

To Be Continued…

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Love and Hugs, IceQueenRia xox