Long AN: First of all, my usual apologies for the delay. I wanted to have this up last week, but in light of recent events I needed to figure out how to proceed. I'm still redoing the outline for the rest of the season and need to do some more rewriting for this episode.

This is what I have decided for my show: Finn, in this show, is just a supporting character so I'm slowly going to write him out. He'll be mentioned every now and then after this season but he won't show up in Lima or New York anymore; have excuses for not making it to Christmas etc.

If you've followed my stories you know that I disliked canon Finn and would have preferred it if he had gotten the Quinn treatment after season three. However, as much as I didn't like his character, I can't kill him off and it feels weird to still write about him in a future setting. At least not before I know what Glee intends to do. From a narrative perspective, I do think that Finn has to die on Glee, but if I take into account the feelings of the cast members and crew, I just don't know, and I'm glad I'm not the one who has to make that decision.

Secondly, I apologize in advance for my Mr. Schuester level Spanish. But my head canon is that Santana speaks Spanish with her mom when they are at home so I had to give it a try again.

2x08 Callbacks – Part 1

It's snowing lightly, the streets covered in grey slush, when Santana and Brittany help her mother move into her new apartment. The neighborhood they are in isn't inviting at all, and Santana worries a bit about her mom leaving the apartment at night.

The apartment itself is in a building that functions as a sort of half-way house for people just released from prison who have nowhere else to go.

Her abuela had offered, but her mom had been adamant about not moving back in with her mother.

With the rest of their money hidden in off-shore accounts and untouchable for the time being, her mom had agreed to move in here. For all her 'I'm from the Bronx' attitude, Santana has never lived in poverty or a dangerous neighborhood. Her mom took care of that. So it's hard being here now and seeing her mom in this environment.

It's not a place white collar criminals usually end up in, but Santana supposes it's better than prison.

The next step for her mom will be finding a job and Santana knows it won't be easy, won't be what she did before. She can't imagine her always well dressed mother working at a place like McDonalds but they've discussed the situation and Santana understands that her mom can't be picky, has to accept whatever job she can get.

It won't be easy with all those changes, but she is ecstatic that her mom is back. That she can see and hug her whenever she wants to. She hasn't given her father much thought in the past four years, doesn't really want him to come back, but her mom, her mom was her whole world and it broke something inside of her when she got taken away.

A bell like giggle brings her out of her musings and makes her realize that she's been staring out of the window for the past minutes.

Brittany is seated on the floor behind her, looking through their family photo albums for pictures to put up on the walls. The wallpaper has been ripped off in paces and Santana wonders briefly if it's difficult to put up a new one.Should have brought Hummel along. He'd probably know that kind of stuff,she thinks.

"Cariño, puedes poner esas cajas en la cocina?" her mother startles her, head poking out of the even smaller bedroom, and points at the two large boxes labeled kitchen.

Santana nods and turns around to face Brittany, whose eyebrows are furrowed in confusion.

"The boxes for the kitchen," she translates. "You want to help me?" Sometimes she wonders how her girlfriend – she can call her that in her mind so fuck off – managed to pass any Spanish exams the previous year.

They don't put the pots and pans away straight away, but smash them together first because Brittany finds the sound pretty. Once everything has found a new place, Brittany takes her hand, suddenly looking serious.

"Did you ask your mom yet?" her girlfriend whispers and Santana shakes her head.

She doesn't know if it's a good idea to burden her mom with this right now. Unfortunately, they've run out of options, which Brittany knows as well.

"But you said I can't keep him at school and my parents can't take him either," Brittany pouts.

Damn those eyes,Santana thinks and crosses the tiny living room slash eating area. Their photo albums are still all over the floor and Santana nearly steps on one of her mom holding her as a baby. Her abuela is the picture as well, looking extremely proud. Santana has to look away. Definitely not a picture for the wall.

"Que pasa, cariño?" her mom asks when she sees the look on Santana's face and stops putting her clothes away. (What's wrong, honey?)

"Es Brittany, mamá. Ella encontró un gato y lo mantuvo en nuestra sala en la escuela, pero no puede quedarse allí," Santana explains. "Britt quiere saber si el gato puede vivir aquí contigo." (It's Brittany, mom. She found a cat and keeps it in our room at school, but it can't stay there. Britt wants to know if it can stay here with you.)

Her mom sighs and Santana feels bad for asking because she knows her mom would do anything for her.

"Esto es realmente importante para ti?" her mom asks and Santana shrugs.

"Es importante para Brittany."

Her mom sighs again before she nods. "Si se me permite mantener mascotas, puedes llevar el gato aquí." (If I'm allowed to keep pets, you can bring the cat over.)

Santana wraps her arms around her mother's small body, reveling in their closeness. This is what she missed the most, just getting hugged by her mom.

Suddenly Brittany squeals behind them before joining their hug.

"Lord Tubbington can stay?" she asks, all wide eyed innocence and Santana can't stop herself, lets go of her mom and softly presses her lips against Brittany's.

It doesn't matter that her mom is watching them because she meant what she said. When Brittany is happy, Santana is happy as well.

They break apart eventually and the fond smile on her mom's face nearly causes tears to well up in her eyes. She blinks a few times, because Santana Lopez doesn't cry. She isn't that scared little girl anymore who had to watch helplessly as her mom got arrested. Whose dad bailed on her. And who got kicked out by the grandmother she adored. Her life is good now – there's no need for tears.

"You know what?" her mom says. "Let's take a break and go out for some real food. I'm starving and I bet you must be too."

Brittany is off immediately to collect their coats, scarves and gloves and Santana embraces her mom again.

"Estoy tan feliz de que estés en casa," she whispers, still fighting tears. (I'm so happy you are home.)

"Yo también, cariño. Yo también. He echado mucho de su vida y yo no quiero perder más." (Me too, honey. Me too. I've missed so much of your life and I don't want to miss any more.)

Room 217 is in total chaos. Clothes are strewn over two beds and every other available surface, but this time it's not because Kurt is looking for that one perfect outfit.

You see, his call back was two days ago and he hasn't heard back from the producers so far. So after cleaning the bathroom and dorm room twice, he is now rearranging his closet for the third time. Arranged by brand – courtesy of the second redo – was just confusing, so he is sorting his clothes by color again now.

Seeing as it is Saturday, he doesn't have classes to distract him and as it is, none of his friends are available either.

Blaine is rehearsing for his NYU audition at Wes' place, Brittany and Santana are helping her mom move, Jeff is out with his girlfriend, Quinn is gone as well and Adam is out shopping with his friend Trent. He knows all that because he called every single one of them.

For a bit he skyped with Mercedes, until she got called away for lunch and he and his dad are all caught up as well now. His dad had told him to stay positive, but it's hard when his phone won't ring.

Of course, when it does ring, he is in the shower, shampoo in his hair and phone lying on his bed. As he dashes out of the bathroom without turning off the water or grabbing a towel, he hopes Jeff isn't back yet. He is dripping water everywhere and shampoo trickles down the side of his face as he picks up the phone.

"Hello?" he answers, slightly out of breath.

"Kurt, hi, this is Mark Philipps, one of the producers of 'Oliver'," a male voice says. It's not the same person he spoke with the last time and Kurt is momentarily confused.

"Is this a bad time?" Mr. Philipps asks when Kurt doesn't respond.

He looks at himself in the mirror, standing there completely naked, with shampoo threatening to run into his eyes, while he is on the phone with a theater producer. It's definitely not the best time.

Kurt quickly wipes his forehead before he replies.

"No, I'm good," he states, anxious to hear what the call is about.

"Great. So I have good news and bad news for you. The bad news is that we'll be going with someone slightly older for the Artful Dodger. We'd love to have you as part of the ensemble however."

"Is that the good news?" Kurt asks as calmly as possible.

"You got me there. The second good news is that I have another project I'd like to discuss with you. Are you free for coffee tomorrow?"

"Absolutely," Kurt tells him, while his emotions are all over the place.

"Great. I'll text you the time and address. And just so you know. We were very impressed with you. Just not exactly what we were looking for in the end," Mr. Philipps adds.

"Thank you. See you tomorrow," Kurt replies before ending the call.

For a moment he just stares at his phone before he remembers that he is still stark naked and Jeff could come back any minute.

Back under the spray of the now lukewarm water he tries to make sense of his emotions. On the one hand he is sad because they only want him for the ensemble as well, but on the other hand he wants to jump up and down and shout it from the rooftops that he got cast in a professional production.

He talks things over with Blaine later that night when they meet up for dinner and after Blaine's positive response, he is pretty excited about the meeting as well.

He and Mr. Philipps meet the following afternoon in a small cafe near campus. Mr. Philipps is already waiting for him and Kurt immediately remembers him as the man who had praised his performance after his first audition. He looks young for being a producer, Kurt thinks, late twenties or early thirties at the most.

Before he approaches him, Kurt wipes his sweaty palms on his jeans, something he would normally never do to his wardrobe. But his nerves are getting the better of him.

"Hello Kurt. It's nice to meet you again," Mr. Philipps greets him.

"You too, sir," Kurt replies politely and sits down opposite Mr. Philipps after shaking his hand.

Mr. Philipps chuckles. "Please, call me Mark. Mr. Philipps is my dad."

Kurt nods before he starts to play with his napkin, needing something to occupy his hands with.

"You wanted to discuss a project?" he asks after he has his own drink in front of him. Mark pulls a large folder out of his messenger bag.

"Right. So, I'm working on a new musical with a friend of mine. The libretto is nowhere near done and it's going to be a while still before our composer will start on the music, but what I do know already is that you are exactly how I envisioned one of the male leads. I got inspired by 'Spring Awakening' and decided to write a musical for teenagers, about teenagers and featuring teenagers."

Kurt listens to Mark with wide eyes because no one has ever told him that he was exactly what they were looking for.

"So you want me to play a role in a musical that doesn't exist yet?" he asks and Mark nods.

"We already have backers and if all goes according to plan I want to start workshopping this thing in October. I know that's still far away but I want to get my cast together before the music is written. I want our composer to write the music based on the voices of my original cast."

"Wow," Kurt exclaims, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Songs created based on his voice. Maybe he should pinch himself to make sure he isn't dreaming.

"But let's talk about Oliver first. Rehearsal for the ensemble starts February 20 and the show will be on from March 22 till April 29. You'd be in rehearsal three days a week, always in the evening because most of the cast is still in school and on stage four days a week; twice during the week and twice on the weekends.

If you want to be part of the show a parent or guardian has to sign your contract because you are a minor. Okay?"

Kurt nods and makes a mental note to ask his dad if aunt Kate can sign the contract. He wants it done as soon as possible, before the producers can change their minds about him.

Sure, doing the show means not being able to be part of the school musical, but a real production should look even better on his college applications in a few years.

The only negative thing is that it will cut into his time with Blaine, but if senior year so far is any indication, his boyfriend will be super busy anyway. They've made it work so far, so he isn't worried that they won't make it work in the months to come.

"Oh, and don't forget to include your schedule so we'll know about classes and afterschool activities," Mark adds.

"Okay. I'll call my dad later tonight. I really want to be part of the show," he assures Mark who smiles brightly.

"Great. Now about my as of yet still untitled project. I'm going to email you the treatment so you'll know what it is all about. Please don't let anyone else read it or tell them any details. If your parents want a copy, however, I'll send them one as well. And all I would need from you till October is that you come in once or twice to sing for the composer so he can hear what you sound like on your own and with your duet partners. I'm meeting two more prospective cast members later, so I hope I can introduce you soon, if you decide to be part of this little adventure."

"Sounds great," Kurt replies, legs jiggling under the table in his excitement.

"Just one thing because I'm not a fan of unpleasant surprises. You wouldn't have a problem with having a male love interest, right?" Mark asks, and Kurt can't help it and snorts. Mark furrows his brows in confusion.

"I'm gay and have a boyfriend," Kurt explains, wondering briefly why admitting this was so difficult just a year ago.

"Cool, so no problem then," Mark jokes before his phone starts to ring.

"Shit. That's my next meeting." Mark grabs his phone and quickly silences it.

"Alright. I'm going to email you the following. If you don't get one of those documents, please let me know. The contract for Oliver, the treatment and another contract for the fall project. Please get back to me about the two as soon as possible," Mark instructs before he shoves his papers back into his bag and calls over their waiter.

Kurt follows him outside after Mark paid for their coffees where they shake hands again before Mark rushes off.

Once he is gone, Kurt pulls out his own phone and quickly composes a text to Blaine.

16:34 From Kurt:

I have amazing news!

16:35 From Blaine:

My room at 8?

16:35 From Kurt:

Can't wait!

Next he pulls up his dad's contact and calls his number.

"Kurt?"

"Hey dad. Remember that audition I told you about. They want me to be part of their show."

Burt can't stop pacing after getting off the phone with Kurt. He can't help it – he always worries about Kurt when he is in New York.

"Burt. Stop." Carole puts her hand on his arm and squeezes gently.

"It's going to be fine. Kurt's going to send you that contract and if you think everything's okay, Kate can sign it, all right?"

Burt nods, because they've been through this and he already pretty much gave Kurt his okay. This is what he son wants and he won't be the one standing in his way unless he thinks Kurt might be harmed in any way.

"What about the other thing though. If it only starts in October, why do they need his answer now?"

Show business is something he will never understand. He prefers his job in the garage. A car won't work, you find the problem and fix it. There are no risks to take, nothing much to lose.

"Hey, worst case scenario it doesn't work out and Kurt ends up disappointed. I think we should just read what it's about, and let Kurt make his own decision," his wife suggests and Burt nods again.

He is so grateful he met her because now he doesn't have to make decisions concerning his sons alone anymore. And speaking of sons.

"Did you try to talk to Finn about college again?" he asks and Carole sighs.

"He is still adamant that he won't go next year and refuses to tell me what he plans to do instead. Maybe he'll talk to Kurt when he comes home for Spring Break."

Burt doesn't like it, because Spring Break is still over a month away. He also doesn't understand what's going on with Finn. Ever since the baby incident and the break up with Rachel, his stepson has changed. Spends more time in his room and refuses to talk to him or Carole about the important things.

"Maybe I should tell him again that he doesn't have to college but needs a plan for what he wants to do instead," Burt suggests before heading to the kitchen to get a beer for him and a glass of wine for Carole.

Carole frowns when she sees his choice of beverage, but Burt shakes his head.

"It's only my second and I really need a drink right now. Couldn't your son have waited until after he moved out to turn into a moody teenager," he grumbles.

"At least they aren't acting out at the same time. Things with Kurt have been good, right?"

Burt nods before he follows his wife back into the living room. Loud rock music is coming from upstairs and Burt shakes his head.

"You don't think it's drugs, right?" he asks his wife, more worried than angry.

Carole immediately shakes his head.

"I really don't think so. Not after I told him how his father really died and how he reacted. I think he's just a little lost and doesn't want to admit it, especially not with how driven Kurt is. Must be hard to have a younger brother, who at sixteen has half of his life already planned out. I think all we can do is show him that we support him and are here to help him if he needs us."

Burt slowly nods his head. He didn't think so either, but who knew what went on in someone else's head. He hadn't expected to find his fifteen-year-old son hungover in bed with another boy either, but it had happened.

"So we just wait until he comes to us?" he sighs tiredly before he takes another long drag from his beer.

"The joys of parenthood," Carole replies, sounding equally tired.

After taking a brief break to celebrate Kurt's good news, Blaine's focus is back in his Tisch audition on Tuesday. He's chosen 'One song Glory' from 'Rent' for his audition song, and a short monologue Biff Loman does in 'Death of a Salesman'. According to Wes he is ready, but he still doesn't feel it.

Because even if he hasn't made up his mind yet about college, he needs to at least get into a college in New York.

Tuesday comes sooner than he wants and he drops by Kurt's dorm room in the morning for a quick kiss for good luck before he heads out. He is excused from classes today, so he can attend his NYU audition in the morning. His UCLA audition in a small off Broadway theater is the same afternoon and though he isn't religious, he prays that they both go well.

When he arrives in lower Manhattan and walks into the building where auditions are being held, a large group of students is already there – some doing vocal warm ups in the hall, others practicing dance moves. He spots Melanie, a fellow senior, a bit further down the hall already and smiles at her when she looks in his direction. She's a dancer, so at least she won't be competition for him.

His own audition isn't for another hour a guy with a clipboard informs him when Blaine approaches him and so he sits down next to a girl with dark brown hair, who's nervously tapping her fingers against the wall.

Blaine didn't intend to talk to anyone while he's waiting, but when he spots a WMHS sticker on the girl's bag he has to introduce himself.

"Sorry, but are you from Lima?" he asks the girls who looks surprised to be spoken to.

"Yeah. I'm sorry, do we go to school together? I think I would remember you," she replies and winks.

Blaine blushes, because while it happens often that girls flirt with him, he never really knows how to react.

"Oh, no. But my boyfriend is friends with the people in the Glee club there," he explains, to make it clear that he is neither available nor interested.

"I'm Blaine, by the way," he adds as an afterthought.

"Harmony," the girl replies and shakes his hand. "I'm actually in Glee. But like I said you don't look familiar." She shrugs.

As they continue talking Blaine learns the following. Harmony was invited to all Glee club parties but couldn't make it to the ones Blaine attended as well. Harmony knows who Kurt is, because they met at the homeless shelter in Liam. And thirdly. Harmony might dislike Rachel even more than Kurt does some times.

"So, I can't wait to get out of there. NYU is my first choice and I hope it works out," Harmony confides after she finishes a story about last year's Regionals.

Before Blaine can tell her about his own college dilemma – because for some reason it's really easy to talk to her – Harmony's name gets called and Blaine gives her an encouraging smile.

"Break a leg. And if you want some company before your next audition wait for me here until I'm done?"

Harmony nods and Blaine watches her walk away, shoulders squared and head held high. He doesn't know what it is about her, doesn't really have friends who are girls, but Harmony could be a good friend, he thinks. They have a similar sense of humor, they both listen to obscure indie bands and they both work hard for what they want.

Before long his own name is called and Blaine walks into a large classroom where applicants can warm up before they have to go on stage. There are nine other kids in his group, none that Blaine recognizes, and Blaine tries to focus on himself and not let them distract him.

He has talent – his teachers told him often enough – so now all he can do is give his best and hope for the best.

Quinn is lounging on a couch in the common room, music blasting through her ear buds. Christmas at home at had been uncomfortable and full of veiled criticism and even though she's been back in New York for a month now, she still feels slightly off kilter. Maybe because she can't shake the feeling that that wasn't it. That her family somehow had found out her secret and is just waiting for the right moment to strike. It's unsettling and not for the first time does she wish she had never gone to Lima the past summer.

When all of a sudden, someone gently touches her hand, Quinn nearly jumps a foot in the air and her eyes snap open. Nick is perched on the edge of the couch, looking startled by her reaction. He says something, but when she doesn't respond, he points at her iPod, lying on her stomach.

Reluctantly, she shuts the music off, because while she really likes Nick, she doesn't trust herself around him.

"Hey Quinn," Nick says, smiling at her. He is fiddling with his thumbs and Quinn wonders what he has to be nervous about.

"Hey," she replies, looking everywhere but in his eyes. "Did you need something?"

Nick inhales sharply and she notices that his hands shake slightly.

"Um, okay. So, ah, Valentine's Day is coming up and I don't think it's a secret that I like you and I think you like me too, so I was wondering if you want to go out with me Friday night? So that if all goes well we could have our second date on Valentine's Day," Nick stammers, a blush staining his cheek.

Quinn freezes because while secretly she was hoping he would ask her out, now faced with the reality, she is at a loss for what to say.

"I thought you are into guys," she deflects, but Nick just laughs.

"Yeah, I'm into guys and girls," he replies, shrugging it off as if it were an every day occurrence. "So, if that doesn't bother you, are you going out with me Friday?" he asks again, still looking hopeful.

And Quinn wants to say god yes, because it's been so long since a genuinely nice guy asked her out, wanted to take her to dinner to get to know her instead of using it to get into her pants. She's asked around about him, when she first noticed that she found him attractive and while no one was sure about his sexuality exactly, she did find out that Nick wasn't into casual hook ups.

But she can't. She wants but she can't. Her brain refuses to let her form the words. And in the end, she doesn't have to say anything, because Nick takes her silence as a rejection, causing his face to fall.

"Oh, okay. I let you get back to your music," he mumbles, before he pretty much runs out of the room.

"I'm sorry," she calls after him, but knows it's too late.

Her eyes quickly scan the room before she spots Kurt a few seats over, pretending like he hadn't just overheard their exchange. She sighs and beckons him to come over.

"Why didn't you say yes?" Kurt asks, after sitting down next to her. "I thought you liked him."

Quinn takes another look around. The common room is fairly empty and she doesn't think anyone else overheard her talk with Nick, but still. There are thing that can't be discussed out in the open.

"I, I," her voice refuses to work and she swallows around the lump in her throat.

"Let's go for a walk," Kurt suggests and Quinn nods gratefully.

"Is it really that obvious that I like him?" Quinn asks, as they walk down the street, snowflakes dancing around them. It's warm today so the snow melts when it hits the ground and Quinn is glad she is wearing her waterproof boots.

Kurt shrugs. "I wasn't sure but the way you looked at him when you thought he wasn't looking..." he trails off.

"I like him," she admits, " but I can't go out with him. He'll want sex and I could get pregnant again," she finally confesses her fear.

"But there's condoms and stuff," Kurt says, his face turning a bit red. Quinn's surprised he looks that uncomfortable, because she was certain he and Blaine are already doing it.

She nods though. "Yeah, but I looked it up. Some people get pregnant even though they're on the pill and use condoms. And I can't got through that again, I can't."

A tear trickles down her face and she quickly wipes it away. Shouldn't she be over it by now? It's been months, so why is she still feeling like this?

Kurt's gloved hand sleeps into her eyes, and the old Quinn Fabray would have yanked her hand back, because she needed no one's pity. But now, she is glad for the support, for friends who don't expect her to be perfect all the time.

"You know, going out on a date with him doesn't mean you have to sleep with him immediately. Or at all," Kurt remarks, but Quinn knows what guys want from her. Hasn't met one yet who wasn't after getting into her pants.

"He might be okay with it for now, but I'll have to put out eventually," she mutters, but looks up when Kurt squeezes her hand.

"Why don't you get to know him a bit better, before you condemn him? Because if you feel like you can trust him, you should tell him the reason why you are hesitant to be with him," her friend suggests.

They've arrived at Central Park and though it's pretty dark already, plenty of people are still walking around. Most of them seem to be couples, walking hand in hand and smiling softly at one another. Quinn kind of hates them.

"Why are you alone tonight. Shouldn't you be making ridiculous plans for Valentine's Day," she sneers before she can stop herself. Once a bitch always a bitch, it seems.

Kurt doesn't bitch back, though but just gives her a sad smile and squeezes her hand again.

"Blaine's in Boston because he has an audition for a school there, early tomorrow. And right now I'd rather be making ridiculous plans for you and Nick. You deserve to be happy too, Quinn."

But does she really? She knows it was her only option, but she feels guilty about it. Doesn't feel like she should be happy after she destroyed a life before it even had the chance to begin.

"Quinn, listen to me. I can't even imagine what you must be going through, but you deserve to be happy. You're only sixteen - you can't beat yourself up about this forever." Kurt's voice has taken on a pleading tone and Quinn nods numbly.

"I guess it could be fun to go out with him," she muses.

"So, you'll think about it?" Kurt prods and Quinn nods again.

"But could you tell him I wasn't saying no, I just need some time to think about a few things. I don't want him to think I'm an insensitive bitch." Even if you are her mind adds, but Quinn tries to ignore that voice.

Kurt's response is to hug her and Quinn just stands there and lets it happen, because Kurt gives ridiculously good hugs.

Snowflakes land all over her face as they stand there, arms wrapped around one another. She feels safe here, in her friend's arms, because she knows she can count on him. She has so many people in her life now who want to support her, and for that she is forever grateful, because she doesn't know how she would have survived the fall without them.

AN: There will be one or two more parts. I didn't want to make you wait any longer and this episode is still not finished, so you are getting the part I'm happy with for now.