"What's it like?" Kurt asked Nick as they waited for the rest of the Warblers to arrive. Blaine and Kurt had arrived at eight thirty and were pleased that they weren't the only ones to arrive early.

"The competition?" Nick asked and Kurt nodded. "It's amazing and so much fun. Just getting up there on stage and performing." Nick trailed off with a dreamy smile and Kurt chuckled.

"Is it nerve wracking?" He questioned.

"Is this your first time performing?" Nick inquired, looking between Kurt and Blaine.

"Yeah, this is the first time," Blaine answered, taking Kurt's hand in his and twining their fingers together.

"You'll both be great," Nick assured them. "I mean, you picked up the choreography quicker than Cameron did." Blaine and Kurt chuckled. Cameron had only just stopped stepping on people's toes and gotten the moves down perfectly with a few days to spare. "Just don't picture the audience in their underwear. Thad did once and it scarred him for life."

Blaine Kurt laughed loudly and Nick joined in. His smile brightened when he saw Jeff heading towards him, a big smile on his face.

"Hi Nick," Jeff beamed, pulling the boy into a hug. "Kurt, Blaine."

"Hi Jeff," they chorused. Kurt looked between the two of them and smirked. They were clearly oblivious to each other's feelings.

It wasn't long before all the Warblers were ready to go and they loaded onto the bus. Justin did a head count and they were off.

"How you feeling?" Blaine asked as they settled into their chairs.

"Nervous," Kurt admitted.

"Me too," Blaine assured him and Kurt gave him a sceptical look.

"You don't look it," Kurt said dryly and Blaine chuckled. He grabbed Kurt's hand and placed it on his heart. Kurt could feel it palpating irregularly under his palm and he smiled. "OK, I believe you now," he said, withdrawing his hand.

"You two are adorable," Wes interjected, popping his head over the seat. He and David were seated behind them with Nick and Jeff to their side. Kurt and Blaine blushed, shooting a shy smile at each other.

"I'm getting cavities just looking at the two of you," David grinned.

Blaine wrapped an arm around Kurt, pulling him closer. The trip to the theatre wasn't long and when they arrived, the council immediately ushered them inside and signed them in. They were performing first and quickly headed to the green room to warm up. As the group went back stage Kurt eyed the stage nervously.

"You'll be great you know," Blaine said, coming up behind Kurt and laying his hand on his shoulder.

Kurt relaxed slightly under his touch but couldn't shake his nerves. "What if I forget the lyrics or mess it up?" He rambled, wringing his hands together.

"Hey," Blaine soothed, moving around to face his boyfriend. "You are going to do wonderfully. We've practiced together and I know you can do this."

Kurt saw the sincerity in Blaine's eyes and found himself relaxing. Blaine grinned, sensing Kurt's nerves fading. "Thank you," Kurt smiled at Blaine adoringly. "How can you always calm me down so fast?"

"The same way you help me," Blaine grinned, stepping closer.

Kurt opened his mouth to say something but Justin called out over the top of him.

"Alright Warblers, get on stage," he yelled and Kurt sighed. Blaine quickly pecked him on the cheek and stepped back.

"Courage," Blaine smiled and Kurt returned it.

The boys took their places on the stage and the curtain drew back, revealing the crowd and the bright lights shining on them. Kurt swallowed nervously and took a deep calming breath.

Courage Kurt told himself, thinking of Blaine. Justin stepped forward, the soloist for their first number and the music started up.

At first we started out real cool,(cool)
Taking me places i ain'tnever been
But now your getting comfortable
Ain't doing those things that you did no more
Your slowly makin me pay for things
Your money should be handling

And now you ask to use my car (car)
Drive it all day and don't fill up the tank
And you have the audacity
To even come and step to me
And ask to hold some money from me
Until you get your check next week

You triflin',good for nothing type of brother
Silly me,why haven't I found another
A baller, when times get hard he's the one to help me out
insted of, a scrub like you who don't know what a man's about

can
you pay my bills
can you pay my telephone bills
can you pay my automo'bills
then maybe we can chill
I don't think you do
so you and me are through

now you been maxing out my card(card)
give me bad credit,buying gifts with my own ends
haven't paid the first bill
but you steady heading to the mall
going on shopping sprees
peprpetrating to your friends that you be ballin'

and then you use my cell phone(phone)
callin who ever that you think at home
and when the bill comes all of a sudden you be acting dumb
don't know where none of these calls come from
when your mamma's numbers here more than once

The applause was deafening and they all beamed at each other as the curtain closed. Kurt felt that he could breathe easier and Nick was suddenly tugging on his arm, dragging him offstage. "You were great, Kurt," he beamed.

"You too," Kurt grinned back.

"See, I told you," Blaine teased, coming up behind them with Jeff, Wes and David.

"Come on, let's go watch the other performances," Wes said, heading off in direction of the audience. They hurried after him and quickly took their seats, Kurt and Blaine sitting down together. Blaine reached out and took Kurt's hand, threading their fingers together. Kurt smiled and squeezed Blaine's hand.

Vocal Adrenalin took the stage and everyone fell silent. The music started and the Warblers' jaws dropped.

"They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, 'no, no, no'
Yes, I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know, know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab, I won't go, go, go,"

Blaine and Kurt shared an uncomfortable look. Any chances they had of winning were firmly over.

"I'd rather be at home with Ray
I ain't got seventeen days
'Cause there's nothing, there's nothing you can teach me
That I can't learn from Mr Hathaway

I didn't get a lot in class
But I know we don't come in a shot glass

They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, 'no, no, no"
Yes, I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know, know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab, I won't go, go, go,"

Vocal Adrenaline danced across the stage as they sung, note perfect. Every one of them looked like brain-washed robots, but boy, could they sing.

"They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, 'no, no, no'
Yes, I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know, know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab, I won't go, go, go."

The applause in the audience was like thunder and everyone took to their feet, jumping up and down and catcalling.

"Oh sweet Gaga," Kurt breathed. "They were good."

"Yeah," Blaine murmured.

"We're doomed," Jeff moaned, head falling into his hands and Nick rubbed his back, his own eyes wide.

Vocal Adrenaline descended off the stage and Oral Intensity took their place. They were good, although the performance was not as powerful as Vocal Adrenaline's had been, it was still breathtaking. When all three groups had performed they made their way back on stage and waited for the results.

"Thank you everyone for coming," Rod Remington smiled at the crowd. "Each club performed admirably but there can only be one winner." The teams held their breath, waiting. "And the winner is...Vocal Adrenaline."

Vocal Adrenaline screamed with delight whereas the other two teams visibly deflated. Justin put on a brave face and went to congratulate the other teams. Vocal Adrenaline just smirked at him and ignored his out stretched hand, turning their back on him.

"How rude," Wes growled and Kurt and Blaine sighed.

Justin came back, looking downcast. "Everyone, let's get back on the bus."

The Warblers made their way back, hardly speaking. They climbed on the bus and took their seats. After a few moments, Justin kneeled on his seat and called for everyone's attention. "Even though we didn't win today, I'm proud of how hard we all worked," he announced, smiling softly. "I'm proud to be a part of such a wonderful team."

Everyone clapped and cheered and Justin grinned.

They made their way back to Dalton and Annie was waiting to pick them up. She smiled at them and waved at the group of boys.

"Hey mum," Blaine grinned. "This is Wes, David, Nick and Jeff."

"It's nice to meet you, boys," Annie beamed.

"Pleasure to meet you Mrs Anderson," David greeted politely.

"Call me Annie."

"Oh, there's my mum," Jeff said, waving to his mum. "Nick, are you coming home with me?"

"Yeah," Nick grinned. "See you guys on Monday."

"Bye Nick," Kurt smiled and Nick patted his shoulder before walking away.

"We had better be off too," Annie said. "Your dads' are tinkering with the lawn mower and I don't trust them not to add any additional features to it."

Blaine and Kurt sniggered along with Wes and David. "See you Monday," Blaine grinned and they headed to the car with Annie.

"How did it go?" Annie asked the moment they were all in the car.

"We came in second," Blaine told her.

"Oh good job," she smiled. "I'm so proud of you boys."

"Thank you," Kurt grinned.

"As congratulations, we are going out for dinner tonight," Annie announced.

"Yes!" Blaine cheered and Kurt chuckled.

"Kurt, do you have an outfit at our place?" Annie asked. "Or did you want me to swing by your place?"

"No I should have something," Kurt smiled and Blaine grinned. They talked about the competition as Annie drove them home. When they got there, they jumped out and headed into the house. "I'm going to get changed," Kurt said, quickly heading upstairs. Blaine got a drink of water before following him.

He headed to the spare room to find Kurt and paused in the doorway as his mouth suddenly became extremely dry. Kurt was just wearing his tight blue jeans and was about to pull on a shirt. He turned suddenly and blushed as he saw Blaine.

"Hi," Kurt greeted, voice coming out higher than usual.

"Hey," Blaine said, stepping into the room and shutting the door so it was left just ajar. "You were amazing today."

"Thank you," Kurt smiled. "You were, too. You looked like you were having so much fun up there."

"I was," Blaine grinned, sliding his hands to rest on Kurt hips. "Don't think I couldn't see you smiling up there, too."

Kurt chuckled and leant in to kiss him sweetly. Blaine hummed and deepened the kiss, pulling Kurt closer. He pulled back and started placing kisses along Kurt's cheek and down to his neck. Kurt tipped his head back, exposing more of his neck to Blaine and clutched at his boyfriend's arms. Blaine started to suck and nibble at the sensitive spot on Kurt's neck.

"Don't you dare leave a mark," Kurt moaned softly and Blaine grinned against his skin.

He moved away and pulled Kurt back into another kiss. Kurt drew back, grinning mischievously before pressing his lips to Blaine's neck. Blaine's breathing grew heavier as Kurt licked at the skin and sucked gently.

"You're so good at that," Blaine panted and Kurt chuckled, sending vibrations up his neck.

He eventually stepped back, grinning widely and Blaine whined, reaching out for him. "Our parents are down stairs," Kurt reminded him, pulling on his shirt. "Maybe later."

"I'll hold you to that," Blaine warned and Kurt smirked.

"I hope so." Blaine wiggled his eyebrows, eliciting a chuckle from his boyfriend. "Come on, I want to say hi to my dad," Kurt said and headed down stairs with Blaine in tow.

Burt and Edward were out in the backyard, bent over Edward's lawn mower, tools spread around them and they were deep in discussion.

"Hi, Dad," Kurt called and the two men looked up.

"Hey, kid," Burt smiled. "How'd it go?"

"We came second," Kurt answered.

"Good on you," Edward beamed.

"What are you doing?" Blaine asked, cocking his head curiously.

"Fixing the mower," Edward said, glaring at the machine. "It broke down."

"Annie's under the impression that you are adding to it," Kurt told them.

"We may be improving it while we are here," Burt shrugged and Kurt rolled his eyes.

"Don't tell your mother," Edward said to Blaine. "What she doesn't know can't hurt her."

"Too late," Annie said, coming out with her arms crossed.

"Oh, hi sweetie," Edward beamed and Burt snorted.

"Both of you need to clean up and get ready," Annie said, looking amused. "We're going out for dinner to celebrate."

"We'll be right in," Edward assured her.

"You better be," Annie warned, her threat not needing to be voiced; everyone knew there would be trouble if they failed to comply with her wishes.

Edward and Burt nodded and Annie grinned, turning on her heel and stepping back inside. Edward and Burt eyed the mower, wondering if it was worth it to feel the wrath of Annie Anderson. They decided it against it and packed up the tools, heading inside to clean up and get changed.

Blaine quickly changed out of his uniform and came back downstairs to find Kurt flipping through a magazine. Blaine slid into the chair next to his boyfriend and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pulling Kurt so he was leaning against his chest. Kurt hummed happily and flipped the page, content with Blaine just holding him.