The next morning, Kurt opened his eyes and he looked around. Just for a moment he forgot what had happened last night. And suddenly it all came back to him. Reaching for his phone, he quietly got out of bed and snuck out into the hallway.

Kurt hit the speed dial on his phone and waited.

"Hey kiddo."

Kurt let out his breath, "Hi Dad."

"You dont sound to good there," Burt said with a laugh, "How did last night go?"

"Great, they made it into the top five," Kurt said as he leaned his back on the wall.

"Now Kurt, I know you didnt call to tell me how that band did," Burt said knowing his son to well, "Whats going on?"

And thats when Kurt told him everything. He left out a few details, but none that would have made a real difference. When he got to last night, he tried to down play his emotions as best as he could, but he knew his father would know. Some dads just knew.

"I see," Burt said going quiet.

Kurt knew he was probably sitting down now and thinking everything through, maybe even taking his baseball cap off that he always wears. That is something he was glad about. You were supposed to look at your mothers father to see what your hair would be like when youre older. And thankfully, his maternal grandfather had a full head of hair still.

"You really like this guy?" Burt asked with a laugh.

Kurt let his head hit the wall behind him, "Yeah."

Burt let out a laugh, "Kid, you have it bad."

"Tell me about it," Kurt sighed as he fell down to the floor. "I just dont know what to do."

"Did you talk to Blaine about it?" Burt asked him.

"No, I was too embarrassed about it," Kurt said.

"Kurt, I think you owe him something," Burt said, "I mean maybe you dont have to tell him everything, but I think you should talk with him."

Kurt knew his father was telling him exactly what he had been thinking. "I suppose."

"We both know its the right thing to do," Burt let out a laugh. "And Kurt, dont worry about me so much."

"What are you talking about?" Kurt asked confused.

"Finn was talking with Rachel last night, and she was telling him how you freaked out," Burt said over the phone.

Kurt groaned, "I just worry Dad. I mean when next school year comes Ill be in New York and if something happens to you, I dont think I will be able to handle it."

"You wont be alone Kurt," Burt told him, "You have Rachel, and now those other kids, and youll make new friends too. Ill be fine. I just need you to live your life. Ill be here when you get back."

Kurt felt a tear fall down his cheek and he wiped it away quickly, "Thanks Dad."

"No problem," Burt said and then there was some shuffling, "I hate to drop you, but its someone from the shop with a problem."

"Right," Kurt gave a small smile, "Ill talk to you later."

"Dont be a stranger," Burt said, "Bye son."

Kurt lowered his phone and set it in his lap. He felt a bit better after talking to his dad, but he still had to talk to Blaine. Thinking about what he would say to him though was difficult.

The door to the boys room opened and Blaine saw Kurt sitting on the ground. His legs were crossed underneath him and he was leaning over with his head in his hands. "Hey you okay?"

Kurt looked up, "Yeah, fine. I just talked to my dad."

"Thats good," Blaine nodded his head. He honestly didnt know what to say to Kurt himself.

"Im sorry," they both said at the same time, which cause them both to laugh nervously.

"Here, let me first," Kurt patted the ground beside him. Blaine gave him a small smile, "I really wanted to apologize. I think it was just one of those in the moment things."

"Kurt," Blaine said reaching over to take his shaking hand, "Its okay."

Kurt turned to look at Blaine, and when he saw the look in Blaines eyes he knew it was. "Okay."

"Good," Blaine smiled, "Besides it was a pretty good kiss," he bumped their shoulders together.

Kurt was about to say something, but then the door opened and Rachels head poked out, "Oh good you are both up. Maddie and I are going for a breakfast run."

"Alright," Kurt stood up and Blaine followed, "Make sure you get the coffee."

Rachel kissed him on the cheek, "Of course I wouldnt forget. Either of you want anything special?"

"You know what we like," Blaine said to her, as he leaned on the wall.

Rachel lifted an eyebrow at her brother, but he just smiled at her. "Im watching you," Rachel said to him.

Maddie appeared next, "Hey guys, how is it going out here?"

"Just called my dad," Kurt said holding up his phone.

"Oh how is he?" Maddie asked him.

"Hes doing better," Kurt smiled at her. His dad was right, he would have friends in New York that would be there for him. He should listen to his dad more often. "Course I hope he didnt go back to work so soon."

Maddie let out a laugh, "I know the feeling, after my dad had to have surgery on his leg. He went back to work before the cast was off."

"We had to go and make sure he wasnt working," Blaine said with a laugh. "Imagine her dad telling her friend and boyfriend off that he was fine and didnt have to go home."

"I couldnt imagine my friends doing that with my dad," Kurt said with an eye roll.

"We would," Rachel giggled and patted his shoulder. "Come on Maddie, I need food."

"Me too, see you boys later," Maddie waved as the girls walked down the hallway and towards the elevator.

"Well I should shower since you know we have a big day today," Blaine said with a smile.

"Sure," Kurt nodded as he slipped in the door following Blaine inside.

Blaine looked over his shoulder, "Were you and Rachel going to wear those shirts again?"

"Maybe," Kurt smiled at him, "Or we could say we got another shirt too."

"Our biggest fans," Blaine said putting a hand over his heart.

Kyle was standing there with his arms across his chest looking at his two friends. "The girls went out for food."

"We ran into them in the hallway," Blaine said to him, "Im going to shower before they come back."

"Sure thing," Kyle nodded, "Someone should wake up Derby."

"Not it," Blaine said as he grabbed a pair of pants and clean shirt to run into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Kurt shuffled on his feet. He had never really been alone with Kyle and Derby, even if Derby was half awake.

"Hey, you want someone to drink?" Kyle asked him.

Kurt shook his head, "Nah, Ill wait for the girls to get back. But I have to check my email since I know my friends wanted to have an update from last night."

"Go ahead then," Kyle waved a hand, "Ill work on waking up this one."

Kurt looked over at Derby and nodded head, "You know, my brother Finn is impossible to wake up, but usually if we just…"

"Dump water on him?" Kyle suggested.

"Oh no," Kurt shook his head, "We tried that. What actually helped was on a Saturday morning, I ran in the room shouting how we were late for school. I have never seen him move so fast."

"Really?" Kyle smiled and looked over at his friend. "Anything else?"

"Oh yeah, Finn hates it when I play some of my classical music," Kurt shrugged, "Thats always a fun way to wake him up."

"I should write those down," Kyle laughed.

Kurt walked into the room he shared with the girls and grabbed his laptop. He went straight to his email and was looking at what his friends had sent him. He was busy emailing them all back when Rachel and Maddie arrived he didnt hear the whispering in the other room.

"Did you talk to him?" Rachel asked her brother.

"Yes we talked," Blaine said reaching for a coffee, but Rachel pulled it away, "Were fine. I promise."

"Good," Rachel handed over the coffee. She walked into the room and Kurt was sitting on the bed, "What are you doing?"

"Mercedes sent me this video," Kurt said starting to laugh, "Oh my gosh."

Rachel grabbed the coffee and bagels for them, before running over and jumping on the bed with Kurt. "Start it from the beginning."

"Okay," Kurt laughed as he started the video over, "Just watch carefully." He took the coffee and bagel Rachel offered him, and the pair of them watched videos until the band came in asking what was funny.

Everyone was relaxing on Rachel and Kurts bed, with Kurts laptop on the end while they watched.

"Man, I cant believe we go on stage in like four hours," Derby groaned as he leaned on Blaine.

"We are doing this to win," Blaine said to him and he nudged his friend, "I mean unless you want to quit and just leave now."

Maddie picked up a pillow and hit Blaine over the head with it, "Oh just shush you."

Rachel had her head on Kurts shoulder, "Hey, we should show them the other shirts we got yesterday."

"Good idea," Kurt got off the bed, he had to step over Kyle, but he found the bag pulling them out.

They were black shirts with white trims and had the same Stereo Outcast logo only a bit smaller, but along with it was an older looking boom box in the center of the shirt.

"Those are awesome," Blaine stood up and held one up.

"Great," Kurt smiled, "Because we have some for everyone." He started tossing the shirts at them.

Derby pulled his current shirt off and put on the new one, "These are amazing man. You are now officially part of our team. I mean come on."

"Totally," Maddie nodded holding up the shirt, "And we get the ones from yesterday too."

"I have those," Rachel said reaching down and pulling the bag up. She tossed the shirts to them. "Now dont wear them out."

Blaine smiled, "Thanks guys. Hey, how much did these cost you?"

"Dont worry about it," Kurt waved a hand, "These are presents from us to congratulate your win."

"We havent even won yet," Kyle said to him.

Rachel just smiled at him, "Doesnt matter, we both just have that much faith in you."

Blaine hugged his sister, "Arent you sweet. The both of you," he gave Kurt a wink.

Kurt blushed and looked down at the floor as he twisted the shirt in his hands.

"Well, we need to get ready," Kyle stood up, "We have to check in and then we need to have sound check."

"We are going to go talk you guys up and hand out these," Rachel held up some flyers with the bands name on them.

Blaine looked at her and took one of the flyers, "Where did you get these?"
"It was Kurts idea," Rachel shrugged.

Kurt nodded, "Well you know when you go to another persons concert, sometimes afterwards there are people handing those flyers out."

"Its good PR," Maddie nodded, "Good thinking you two."

"With that," Blaine smiled, "We need to get ready to go and head over to the venue for sound check."

"Can we come?" Rachel asked excitedly.

Blaine shrugged, "Im sure we could get you in for a little bit."

"Yay," Rachel jumped and then she grabbed her Stereo Outcast shirt for the day,

"Im going to get this on and then the bathroom is yours Kurt." She ran into the bathroom.

Kurt smiled and went over to his things. He carefully unpacked his clothes choosing what he wanted to wear and repacked as he went.

"Dude, you are really organized," Derby said watching him.

Kurt shrugged, "It happens to be that my clothes organization it is just one of my many talents."

"Its true," Rachel walked out of the bathroom with the black Stereo Outcast shirt on. "We even challenged him while were at Nationals last year."

"Were you honestly that bored?" Maddie asked.

Kurt nodded his head, "Mr. Schuester banished us in our rooms because we were being punished for running around the airport."

"I suppose since you were acting like high school kids, he didnt take into account for the loonies that just do that all the time?" Derby asked.

Rachel shrugged, "It didnt matter anyways. We broke out and had fun anyways."

"Do I want to know?" Blaine asked her.

"Probably not," Kurt smiled, "Along with a lot of other things that went down at the Berry household while you were away."

Rachel leaned on Kurts arm, "Oh yes, because we are such parties."

"The partiest," Kurt said to her. "And now I have to get ready." He went into the bathroom.

Rachel turned to her brother and whispered, "What is wrong with you?" she hit him.

"Hey," Blaine rubbed his arm, "What is that for?"

"I wonder," Maddie asked with a raised eyebrow.

Blaine groaned, "Just drop it guys."

"Whats going on?" Derby asked, since he was sleeping last night and missed everything.

"Nothing," they all shouted.

Once the group got ready to go, they drove over to the venue. Kurt and Rachel got special backstage passes since they werent in the band, but each band was allowed to have a team with them.

"These are so cool," Rachel held up the badge and took a picture of it. "Totally going on my blog."

"Ill just reblog yours," Kurt said looking at his own. "And these are cool."

Blaine appeared at his side and lowered his voice so only Kurt could hear, "You know, you look really good in black."

Kurt gave a blush and smiled, "Thanks."

"Look, its that other band from New York," Rachel pointed them out, "Modern Dreamin right?"

"Dont look at them," Derby said turning Rachel around so she was facing the other way.

Blaine sighed, "We shouldnt be so rude." He gave them a look and walked over to the band. "Hey guys," he said with a smile.

The lead singer, was a girl they hadnt met, looked at him, "Youre that guy from that loser band right?"

Blaine just kept his smile on his face, "Sure am. I just wanted to wish you good luck today. You know may the best band win and all that."

"Thats why were here," the guy who talked to them last night said.

"Okay, well have fun today," Blaine waved and walked away.

Derby grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the other bands hearing range, "What the hell was that?"
"I was trying to be nice Derby," Blaine said with a straight face.

"And obviously it worked Babs," Kyle said crossing his arms over his chest.

Maddie took Blaines hand, "Hey, how about we work on that song a little bit, you know the new one, we did last night."

"Nah, it wont be ready in time," Blaine shook his head, "Well just go with the songs we have as planned."

"What songs are you doing?" Rachel asked him.

"Its a surprise," Derby said to her while he wiggled his fingers.

Kurt looked at him, "Are you trying to do jazz hands?"
"Try is the right word," Rachel nodded her head and then they high-fived.

"Do we want to know?" Blaine asked her.

"Probably not," Rachel giggled.

Blaine shook his head, "All these inside jokes you two have are getting annoying now."

The duo just smiled, "Oh just wait brother, there will be hundreds more," Rachel said and then took Kurts hand. "We were just doomed to be friends from the start no matter how hard we fought it."

"And fought it we did," Kurt nodded his head. Rachel hit his arm playfully.

"Stereo Outcast!" a voice boomed out, "Youre up first for sound check."

Stereo Outcast took the stage and tested out their instruments at first. Kurt and Rachel were leaning on the stage watching them.

"What song should we sing?" Blaine asked them.

Rachel laughed, "Shouldnt you be practicing the songs you are going to sing tonight?"

"Nah," Kyle shook his head, "This is just to see how we sound. So name a song, any song."

Kurt and Rachel thought for a moment and looked at one another. "Teenage Dream!"

Blaines eyes widened and he glared at his sister, "Geez Rach, you have to tell him everything."

"But you were adorable in your uniform," Rachel said with a giggle.

"She had a point," Maddie shrugged.

Blaine rolled his eyes, "Fine, Teenage Dream. But I am just doing a few verses." He turned around and gave a nod to Derby. Derby counted off and began to play. It was a more punk rock version of the song, Kurt noticed right away, but they made it work.

You think Im pretty without any make-up on

You think Im funny when I tell the punch line wrong

I know you get me, so I let my walls come down, down

Before you met me, I was alright

But things were kinda heavy, you brought me to life

Now every February youll be my valentine, valentine

Blaine started playing around with Kurt and Rachel who were dancing in front of him. Kyle ran over to sing next to Maddie.

Lets go all the way tonight

No regrets, just love

We can dance until we die

You and I, well be young forever

You make me feel like Im living a teenage dream

The way you turn me on, I cant sleep

Lets runaway and dont ever look back

Dont ever look back

My heart stops when you look at me

Just one touch, now baby I believe

This is real, so take a chance

And dont ever look back, dont ever look back

Derby hit the final notes and they all jumped up to end the song. They all started laughing.

"Are you kids done?" the guy running the sound checks.

"Yeah," Blaine laughed, "Sorry, we were just grooving."

"Groovy," the guy said with an eye roll.

Derby jumped on Blaines back, "Babs, your nerd is showing."

"I will let my nerd flag fly," Blaine said to him, "Now get off me before you break my back."

"Sure thing man," Derby said hopping off Blaine.

"One would think since he is the smallest one we wouldnt climb on him like we do," Kyle said unplugging his guitar.

Maddie looked at him, "He sort of has the pounce look to him."

"Thanks Mads," Blaine rolled his eyes at his friend as he jumped off the stage to stand next to Rachel and Kurt. "I swear, you would think you know your friends."

"Just hang around Brittany for a few days and then you will be asking yourself that daily," Kurt said to him.

Rachel nodded, "Probably more than twice a day."

"I sort of miss her antics already," Kurt gave a small sigh, "Remember her legendary Fondue For Two?"

"That was an awful show," Rachel laughed.

"Youre just jealous that she never asked you to be on it," Kurt teased.

Rachel stomped her foot, "I am not."

"So are," Kurt waved a hand.

Maddie was standing next to Blaine, "I sure hope you are as confused as I am, because that entire conversation did not make any sense."

"It was," Blaine nodded, "Maybe if we move away slowly, they wont notice."

"I have embarrassing stories about you," Rachel said in a sing song voice, "I wouldnt say anything else."

Kyle looked over at Rachel, "See thats why you brought her along."

"Im starving," Derby said as he made his way over to them.

"Food it is," Blaine nodded his head.

The group went out to eat at a random restaurant nearby. They ate their food and made their way back to the venue. More people were showing up and it was getting busier.

"You get ready, why we work the room," Rachel said pulling out the flyers they had made. Kurt gave Blaine a smile and followed after Rachel.

Kyle shook his head and laughed, "You got it bad dude."

Blaine scrunched his eyebrows, "What are you talking about?"
"Oh god," Maddie shook her head, "Come on, lets go and get ready."

Rachel and Kurt worked the room and handing out flyers to everyone as they waited in line outside and then around the rooms inside. They ran out of flyers with just a few minutes until the show started.

They started to push their way to the front and made their way towards the stage. Rachel turned to Kurt and started to jump up and down, "This is going to be amazing."

Kurt let out a laugh and couldnt help but love the way Rachel supported her brother, and he would support her. He knew he had that type of relationship with Finn, but it was different. Rachel and Blaine just clicked when they were together and it was sort of amazing.

The emcee came on the stage and introduced the first band. It was the band from New Jersey and they sang their two songs. They were impressive, but Rachel and Kurt swore that Stereo Outcast was better.

Two more bands went and then finally it was time for Stereo Outcast to take the stage. The emcee approached the microphone, "And now all the way from New York, is Stereo Outcast!"

The crowd started yelling as the band took the stage. Blaine and Kyle looked at one another hoping that it was a good sign. Maddie gave a laugh as she hooked up her bass and started to strum. She looked at her band mates and gave them all a nod.

Blaine turned with his back to the audience and looked at his friends. They all gave a silent nod and then he nodded towards Derby. The music started to play and Blaine turned around to face the audience. He glanced down to see Rachel holding her camera pointed at them.

"Hello everyone," Blaine yelled over the music, "We are Stereo Outcast!" The room yelled and Blaine began to sing.

Lets go to class to kick your ass
Youre not too sure if you can last
Without going back to your work
But its alright cause youll be trying not to die
And youll be trying not to lie
Because youre sitting next to her
Well, baby, I dont mind

Kyle started to sing along with Blaine adding in some more vocals.

So you thought your name was called
From half way down the hall
From the dude with a basketball in his hand
And you think he might be waiting
But behind him is your raven
Singing "Nevermore" Im laying him down
Well, baby, I dont mind
Cause its not hard to be spending my time
With someone who will let me go, dont care no more
I just want to get out of here to play some rock and roll

Blaine started to jump and Maddie was jumping too. Rachel and Kurt in the audience were screaming along with everyone else.

Its a high school rock out
Its a fucking knock out here
And nobody cares
So, everybody scream at the top of your lungs
Cause nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody really cares

Well, its prom night again
Be polite to my friends
Cause we like to pretend that were cool
And thats just fine, we like the music
Cause the rock and roll enthusiasts
And bands are having a hell of a time
And it makes me go crazy, out of my mind
Just what am I doing here
Wasting my time with someone who will let me go
Dont care no more?
I just want to get out of here to play some rock and roll, oh baby

The audience started getting louder and Stereo Outcast kept playing. They were finally feeling like they belonged up on the stage.

Its a high school rock out
Its a fucking knock out here
And nobody cares
So, everybody scream at the top of your lungs
Cause nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody really cares

Well, the song is sung and all is done
And everyone is having fun
But in comes Mr. Sad-As-Can-Be
And hes got problems up the wall
But nobody cares at all
Because we dont want to catch his disease
But its cool cause everybody says

Derby stopped drumming for the bridge and pointed to the audience to sing along, and they did.

Its a high school rock out
Its a fucking knock out here
But nobody cares
So, everybody scream at the top of your lungs
Cause nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody, hey!

Once Blaine yelled out the last hey, Derby started to pound on his drums again.

Its a high school rock out
Its a goddamn knock out here
And nobody cares
So, everybody scream at the top of your lungs
Cause nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody really cares

Nobody cares
Nobody cares
Nobody cares

The audience went insane when they finished their song. Blaine ran over and whispered something in Kyles ear. Kyle gave a nod and then motioned something to his band mates.

Blaine walked up to the microphone again, "You guys really know how to make us feel welcomed," he laughed. "Our two biggest fans are in the audience today, well besides our parents."

Rachel and Kurt jumped up and down because for some reason once Stereo Outcast was on that stage they had become rock stars.

"We hoped you like our last song," Blaine said, "And this next one was inspired by one of our favorite Disney movies and dont judge before you hear it!"

Stereo Outcasts instruments started to blend together and the song intro sounded amazing. Blaine gave a wink towards Rachels direction hoping she got it on her camera.

Say goodbye to the halls and the classes
Say hello to a job and the taxes
The weekends with old friends spilling into 9 to 5 routine
Tell me how you feel over and done with
Like your life is a map with no compass to guide,
At the bar drinkin way too much
We sing along to "Forever Young".

So here we go again
Wishin we could start again

Blaine started jumping on the stage with Maddie and Kyle joining in on the background vocals. Derby was pounding on the drums. They were having fun with the song.

Wendy run away with me
I know I sound crazy
Dont you see what you do to me?
I wanna be your lost boy
Your last chance, a better reality

Wendy we can get away
I promise if youre with me, say the word and well find a way
I can be your lost boy, your last chance
Your "everything better" plan
Oh, somewhere in Neverland
(Somewhere in Neverland)

Kurt couldnt help but smile as he heard the lyrics. He remembered Blaine telling him about how he loved Peter Pan and the song made sense. Smiling up at Blaine, he received a smile back.

Well start a life of the plain and the simple
Of great times with far better people
And weekends with our friends
Laughing about the wine that stains their teeth
Well talk about how your parents separated and
How you dont wanna make the same mistakes as them
Ill say its all about stickin it out
And trying to feel forever young

So here we go again
Wishin we could start again

Blaine looked back down at his sister and Kurt. He looked right at Kurt and suddenly they were the only two in the room. And then thats when Blaine realized, he was starting to fall for his little sisters best friend.

Wendy run away with me
I know I sound crazy
Dont you see what you do to me?
I want to be your lost boy
Your last chance, a better reality

Wendy we can get away
I promise if youre with me, say the word and well find a way
I can be your lost boy, your last chance
Your "everything better" plan
Oh, somewhere in Neverland

Blaine started to clap his hands high above his head. Kyle and Maddie were doing the same while Derby took over for his drum solo. He couldnt look at Kurt yet. He had to keep his composure as he sang until the end of the song.

So here we go again
Wishin we could start again

Wendy run away with me
I know I sound crazy
Dont you see what you do to me?
I want to be your lost boy
Your last chance, a better reality

Wendy we can get away
I promise if youre with me, say the word and well find a way
I can be your lost boy, your last chance
Your "everything better" plan
Oh, somewhere in Neverland
Oh, somewhere in Neverland
(Somewhere in Neverland)

The song hit the last chords and the band all jumped to end the song. The audience went insane, the group had won them over and they couldnt shake the feeling of being on top of the world.

It was a blur, as they were rushed off the stage and the last band took the stage. Soon all five bands were stage and they were giving the final awards out. Third went to the band from Oregon, but then second and first was paused. There was a tie. One of the first ties in history for Band Slam between Modern Dreamin and Stereo Outcast.