Everyone but Artie was gathered in the oh so familiar choir room. The room was fairly quiet as well. Some chatter over song choices and whether their hair looked okay was all that was heard. Then Finn got up and asked for everyone’s attention. Alright guys we need to practice the song one more time before we go to the stage to film it. Artie will be back with Puck in a couple of minutes said Finn. Are we singing without Kurt asked Rachel. Yeah the song is a surprise for Kurt sort of said Finn. Well I guess its okay said Rachel. He will be here when we film it Rachel said Finn. Dave is gonna sing with us. Karofsky David Karofsky is gonna sing with us sputtered Sam. Yes he did last night didn’t he said Finn. Well yeah but that wasn’t a rehearsed performance said Rachel. It will be fine stop worrying its not a competition shot Santana. OK said an indignant Rachel. When exactly will Dave and Kurt get here. Soon I think said Finn. Let me text him said Finn as he pulled his phone out and tapped the text into it. A minute later a text came back to Finn saying parking now. The Anderson’s are behind me.

A few minutes later every one was gathered in the choir room running over the song as Kurt and the Anderson’s sat quietly listening. Sounds great guys said Kurt after the third run through. No its not snapped Rachel someone is flat. No one is flat shot Mr Shuester from the door. Its perfect guys he said. Yeah said Brittany we rock now lets do this thing for our boy Blaine. How is he by the way said Santana softly. Kurt smiled and said last report he is well. His head has stopped leaking and his wounds are showing signs of healing. He is also responding to outside stimuli and gets agitated when I leave said Kurt. A collective AWWW fell from every mouth in the room. Artie broke the awwws and said lets go get this thing started so I’m not up all night editing it. The group got up and headed out to the civic center.

Kurts reflections

As they walked out into the all to familiar hallway Kurt couldn’t help but reflect back to his days here at Mckinley. He remembered his first day of school and how painful that cherry slushie had been and how much it hurt being thrown into the dumpster by Puck. Puck as if hearing Kurt’s thoughts turned and said yeah sorry about those dumpster dives dude. Huh what said a shocked Kurt. I said I was sorry for dumpster tossing you when we were students here said Puck. Oh ok its fine. I forgave you a very long time ago smiled Kurt. Yeah thanks said Puck. Kurt looked up a long the lockers on the left side of the hall. He had been slammed into this set at least a dozen times. Then the reached the intersecting hallway the very same hall Blaine had strutted down the day he transferred to Mckinley. Kurt smiled at this thought even though he had made a total fool of himself. He sure loved that dopey cheesy grin. Right now he would give anything to see it again. Soon they passed the offices of Figgans and Mrs Shuester. Kurt could see the name placards beside the doors. He had sat in the office to his right many times with Dave during his struggle with his sexuality. He had seen the strong and invincible football player crumble. He had sat in that very chair and watched Dave cry his eyes out over his sexuality. To this day only three other people knew and they would never tell. Right now one couldn’t if he wanted to. A soft sob at that thought escaped from Kurt causing the whole group to stop and turn around but it was Dave who again spoke. Whats wrong Kurt he asked quickly. Nothing just memories is all said Kurt. Oh of what he asked turning his gaze to where Kurt was staring. Oh I see said Dave. He suddenly remembered what had happened in there as well. That said Dave. Yeah said Kurt. Once outside Kurt’s mind was full of all kinds of swirling memories some good some bad. He remembered trying to recruit new members to New Directions on those steps and it worked they got Sam. They would have had Sunshine too but that whole crack house scandal kinda fouled that up. Thanks a lot Rachel thought Kurt. Those steps had seen many great performance’s his favorite where two by Blaine one was Somewhere only we know that Blaine and The Warblers had sung to him when he had returned to Mckinley. It was the first time he had seen Blaine cry. The second was Blaine’s audition for New Directions with Its not unusual where the whole burned piano incident had occurred. Kurt chuckled in-spite of himself at the thought of Blaine dancing with the Cheerios.

The group suddenly stopped breaking Kurt from his random reflections and memories. They were at the April Rhodes Theater civic center whatever it was called. Once inside it was a flurry of activity. People running this way and that grabbing props off the stage and turning on lights. Kurt took a seat by Mr Shue’s table. More memories flooded over Kurt as he sat looking up at the stage. A stage they had performed on. Well most of them had at least. They won their Sectional his senior year on that very stage with a very long and grueling performance. That had been a hard week for Blaine too he had lost his cool and actually tried to fight Sam. It was also when Finn and Blaine had made amends. To this day Kurt still didn’t know what was going on there. Mental note to himself ask Blaine about it when he was better. Just as his mind was wandering he heard his name be called. Yeah Kurt called from his seat. Come down front please called Artie. Okay called Kurt as he got up and moved down to the front beside Blaine’s parents the two coaches and the Shuesters.

Inside the theater

The hustle and bustle had died down and Artie and Mike had set up the four cameras on tripods around the stage and two more near the back. Artie was busy giving out stage directions and fussing over the curtains as Kurt settled in towards the back to watch only to be called up to the front a moment later where his former teachers counselor and Blaine’s parents now sat. Where was his own dad and Carole Kurt thought as he sat down in the chair. They were here a minute ago. A moment later they appeared and sat down with Kurt. The room was suddenly very quiet too quiet even. What was about to happen Kurt thought.

Then Puck and Sam walked out on to the stage each with a guitar in tow. They stopped in front of the two mics near the front of the stage and began playing at the same time. Kurt recognized the tune right away. Not Alone by Darren Criss. The adults beside him had all scattered leaving him with the two sets of parents to watch this impromptu performance.

Puck started the song.

I’ve been alone
Surrounded by darkness
I’ve seen how heartless
The world can be

With Sam joining in a moment later.

I’ve seen you crying
You felt like it’s hopeless
I’ll always do my best
To make you see

Dave appeared next and sang his part straight to Kurt.

Baby, you’re not alone
Cause you’re here with me

All of the girls and Emma walked out onto the stage and joined the song.

And nothing’s ever gonna bring us down
Cause nothing can keep me from lovin’ you
And you know it’s true

Shannon and Sue walked out together singing next. So that was where they all went Kurt thought.

It don’t matter what’ll come to be
Our love is all we need to make it through

Finn and Mr Shue appeared adding a third guitar to the mix.

Now I know it ain’t easy
But it ain’t hard trying

Artie and Mike joined the mix of voices now. Kurt felt hot tears coming and tried to wipe them away. This was so very touching.

Every time I see you smiling
And I feel you so close to me
And you tell me

Lastly the Warblers appeared and they sang alone at first before repeating the chorus with everyone else.

Baby, you’re not alone
Cause you’re here with me
And nothing’s ever gonna bring us down
Cause nothing can keep me from lovin’ you
And you know it’s true

It don’t matter what’ll come to be

Our love is all we need to make it through

Rachel stepped forward and took the lead for the second verse.

I still have trouble
I trip and stumble

Dave stepped forward and sang with her. Kurt couldn’t help but smile and think about how far Dave had really come in the past few years.

Trying to make sense of things sometimes
I look for reasons
But I don’t need ‘em
All I need is to look in your eyes
And I realize

Mercedes and the rest of the women sang next to Kurt who now had tears running down his face despite the smile he wore.

Baby I’m not alone
Cause you’re here with me
And nothing’s ever gonna take us down
Cause nothing can keep me from lovin’ you

Artie Mike Jeff Wes and Sebastian sang together. Wow Kurt thought they sound pretty decent. He still wasn’t to fond of Sebastian but they had put the differences aside a long time ago.

And you know it’s true
It don’t matter what’ll come to be
Our love is all we need to make it through, ooh

Will stepped forward and sang alone for several lines. Kurt felt his heart beating in his neck this was almost too much for him.

Cause you’re here with me
And nothing’s ever gonna bring us down
Cause nothing, nothing, nothing can keep me from lovin’ you
And you know it’s true

The final lines and harmonies were done by Nick Quinn Dave and Santana. And it was soo beautiful to Kurt.

It don’t matter what’ll come to be
You know our love is all we need
Our love is all we need to make it through

The last notes rang out through the theater and then it was quiet except for the sounds of feet leaving the stage. Artie suddenly walked out onto the stage. He still used crutches but he was coming along well Kurt thought. While Artie stood there the rest of the group came around and gathered into the seats. Artie finally spoke. His story was first Kurt assumed as he shifted in his seat. What timing he thought as he felt the familiar pang of a full bladder. This never happened to Kurt this was a Blaine problem and an annoying problem at that. Ugh Kurt muttered a little too loudly as he stood up to leave. The sight of Kurt standing and stepping past his dad and Carole caught Artie’s attention. Hey Kurt he called where are you going? I have got to hit the mens room. I am sorry my bladder is screaming you know how it is said Kurt. Aight den hurry back Artie replied. I will try said Kurt as he headed up the steps and out of the theater.