“David, let the record reflect the following songs received at least a plus-one majority among the Warblers in our secret ballot,” Wes says, “and will be considered by the council for use in our Sectionals performance: Beautiful Day; Bills, Bills, Bills; Firework; The Heart of Rock and Roll; Hey, Soul Sister; King of Anything; My Humps; and Paris 1919. Those of you who suggested these songs should be prepared tomorrow to discuss your nominations.”

Thad leans over to whisper, “We’re doing My Humps over my dead body. I don’t even know how a majority of Warblers voted for it.” Wes nods his head slightly in agreement.

David murmurs, “They just want to see Blaine have to perform it.”

Wes pauses before speaking to the group again. “The following songs failed to receive a plus-one majority: Acapella, Before He Cheats, Give It To Me, Use Somebody, and Whip My Hair. We thank you for the suggestions and wish you luck next time. Next on the agenda, we are pleased to announce our Sectionals competition. Thad, would you do the honors?”

“From the Continuing Education Program in Warren Township, we have the Hipsters. This is a new group made up of mostly senior citizens pursuing their GED.” There are a few puzzled looks at that, but no one says anything. “Our second competitors,” says Thad, “are the New Directions from William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio. They –“

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you. What’s the name of the group?” Jeff’s smile is too big.

Thad rolls his eyes. “The New Directions. Yes, we know what it sounds like. No, I don’t know if they did it on purpose.”

Jeff shakes his head and smirks. “New Directions.”

“Why, thank you Jeff. The council very much appreciates your thoughtfulness in volunteering to shelve sheet music tomorrow during your free period.” David is the one smirking now. “How kind of you.”

“What?” Jeff’s eyes open wide. “But I didn’t … you can’t … that’s not fair.”

“You’ll find the music on the counter next to the door in the music library. Now then, Thad, I think you were telling us about the New Directions?”

Like most of the guys in the room, Thad tries not to laugh. “Yes, absolutely. New Directions is competing for the second year after a prolonged absence. In the early ‘90s they took Nationals but haven’t done much since. Their current director was a member of that championship team and is working to bring them back.”

David jumps in. “Over the weekend we emailed invitations to leaders of both groups, offering to meet. Our hope is to foster an atmosphere of friendly competition and good sportsmanship.”

“We heard back this morning from both groups,” Wes announces. “The Hipsters have graciously declined our offer. Their leader, Mrs. Mildred Moore, said two of their members recently had to drop out for health reasons, so their group must use all available time to reorganize.

“The New Directions faculty director, Mr. Will Schuester, wrote back to say he loves the idea but will leave the decision to his students. He assured us they’d consider it today,” Wes’ eyes flicker to Blaine, “and said to expect to hear from Miss Rachel Berry, one of their co-captains.”

Blaine’s eyes bug out a little at that. Rachel? The girlfriend, Rachel, would be contacting them? He’d assumed he’d have to meet her eventually, but he hadn’t given it much thought. Until now.

“If New Directions agrees, our council will meet with their representatives. We would also like to include Warbler Blaine, since he’s our designated lead, unless he or any other member have an objection.” Wes pauses, and when no one disagrees, moves on.

“Excellent. We’ll keep you all apprised of their response. On that note we are adjourned. We’ll see you all back here for practice tomorrow afternoon.”

As most Warblers start up conversations while they make their way out, Blaine, Nick, and Jeff walk up to the council’s table.

“So the email didn’t mention Finn?”

Wes drops his voice so as not to be overheard. “Sorry, Blaine. No mention of Finn. All Mr. Schuester said was what I told you guys earlier.” He picks up his satchel and starts walking toward the door, with his friends right behind.

Jeff reaches the exit first and opens the door, holding it open for his friends as they file out. He waggles his eyebrows as Wes passes and asks, “So he didn’t say anything else? Anything juicy we can use to help our dear friend Blaine on his quest? Or, you know, anything we can use to gain a leg up at Sectionals?” He waits until everyone passes before shutting the door and catching up with Wes.

“No, he didn’t, but even if he had, we are Warblers, Jeff. We are Dalton men. We do not use other people’s mistakes or shortcomings to further our own agenda.”

Jeff pouts and scuffs his feet on the floor. “Not like it’s spying or cheating or anything,” he mumbles.

“I’m grateful you’re willing to go the extra mile to help the Warblers, but that wouldn’t be the way.” Wes smiles at his younger friend. “However, I will be prepared to listen during practice tomorrow as you lobby us to perform Heart of Rock and Roll.”

Jeff’s face lights up. “Oh my God, you have no idea. I have it all worked out in my head, and it’s going to be so good, I swear. Maybe I need visual aids.” He looks thoughtful for two seconds, his eyes growing wider. “Yes, I’m making visual aids tonight. It’s going to be amazing.”

“I recognized Nick’s handwriting on Paris 1919,” David says. “Unusual choice. I’ll be interested to hear what you’re thinking as to how it can be translated into a performance.”

“Allison went through a Velvet Underground, John Cale phase last summer, and the song stuck.” He turns to Blaine. “Jeff and I have a bet going on whether you submitted Katy Perry or Destiny’s Child.”

“I do love Katy,” Blaine replies, “but this time I proposed Bills, Bills, Bills. It would sound incredible with the Warblers.”

“I knew it!” Jeff cries triumphantly.

* * * * * * * * *

That night, Blaine is in his room, just finishing his homework, when he receives a text.

Wes, 9:08pm: Meeting New Directions tomorrow, 5pm, Sweet Aromas in Bellefontaine. Leaving Dalton at 4pm. Meet at the student parking lot entrance; we’ll take Thad’s car.

Blaine, 9:09pm: That soon?!?

Wes, 9:12pm: Only time they could all do it, according to Rachel. Specifically mentioned her co-captain can’t miss football practice any closer to the end of the week.

Blaine, 9:14pm: Who is “all?” Is their whole group coming?

Wes, 9:14pm: She didn’t say, but it doesn’t sound like the whole team.

Blaine, 9:16pm: I’m meeting him tomorrow. TOMORROW. What if it goes badly? What if it goes well? Do I tell him?

Wes, 9:20pm: There’s no reason to make this anything more than a friendly meeting. If he seems open to you telling him, take the opportunity.

Blaine, 9:22pm: I won’t sleep tonight.

Wes, 9:45pm: To All Warblers: New Directions accepted our invitation to meet. Tomorrow is the only time all parties are available, so official practice is cancelled. However, Ethan and Nick will lead an informal practice at the usual time for any who wish to attend.

Blaine, 10:48pm: Is it okay if I take a separate car tomorrow? Since I don’t know how things will go, I’d like to have the option of sticking around if the need arises.

Wes, 10:51pm: Understandable, but don’t get your hopes up, okay?

Blaine, 10:52pm: I’m not, I swear. Just planning for all contingencies.

Wes, 10:54pm: If you’re sure. We’ll still meet at 4pm to carpool.

* * * * * * * * *

Blaine parks next to Thad’s car outside the coffee place in Bellefontaine. He tries to keep himself from shaking too badly as he and David get out of his car, joining Wes and Thad who wait close by. The four make their way up the sidewalk to the coffee shop and through the door. Before they can even look around, however, Rachel approaches them.

“Hello. I assume with those uniforms you’re the Warblers. I’m Rachel Berry, star and co-captain of the New Directions. These are my fellow team members,” she says crisply as she gestures to a table behind her where Finn and two others sit. “Which of you is Wes Montgomery?”

Wes, though slightly taken aback, shakes her hand. “Pleased to meet you Rachel. I’m Wes. Thank you so much for accepting our invitation. Have you ordered something to drink yet?”

The only other girl with their group, the same one who’d asked for a ride when Blaine was at The Lima Bean last week, declares, “Yeah, we all have drinks. Rachel made us skip last period and leave way early, so we’ve been here for over half an hour.” She rolls her eyes.

David is all manners. “I’m so sorry we kept you all waiting, then.”

“Not your fault,” the girl replies. “Go on and get yourselves something, though. Then we’ll do intros and stuff.”

Rachel whirls around to face the girl. “Mercedes! We agreed Finn and I would be the spokespeople.”

“No, we didn’t. You did.” Mercedes considers the Warblers. “Go on, boys. We’ll be here.”

David and Thad nod, and Wes says a quick “thank you,” before heading to the counter to put in their drink orders. Blaine hesitates for a split second, looking at Finn, before shaking his head and following the others. They each order a drink, and Wes buys several pastries and cookies they can share with the other group.

When they get back to the table and sit down, David introduces them. “Hi. I’m David Thompson, Warblers council member.” He points to his right. “You’ve already met Wes, our senior council member. To his right is Thad Stratton, the third member of the council.” David shifts slightly in his seat and points to his left. “And this is Blaine Anderson, our lead singer.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Blaine says, making eye contact with each person sitting across the table. His eyes linger a bit longer on Finn, but he tries not to be obvious about it.

“Welcome Warblers. As I said before, I’m Rachel Berry, lead singer and star.” Mercedes coughs, and Rachel glares at her. “On my right is Mercedes Jones –“

“Also a star and diva,” Mercedes interrupts.

Rachel continues as if Mercedes hasn’t spoken. “To my left is Finn Hudson, the other co-captain as well as our male lead.” Finn sort of waves, but he’s looking at the pastries in front of Wes and appears distracted. “And on Finn’s other side is Noah Puckerman –“

“Call me Puck.”

“– who is here for reasons unknown.”

“Just think of me as the group badass. I’m here to make sure you all don’t try and pull anything.”

“I assure you, that is not our intent.” Wes moves the platter of food to the middle of the tables that had been pushed together. “Now that introductions are over, please feel free to help yourselves. We ordered enough to be able to share.”

Finn sits up a little. “Awesome, dude! Thanks!” He grabs a napkin from the dispenser in the middle of the table and helps himself to several of the items on the plate.

David coughs and twists his head slightly toward Blaine. “Your boy likes to eat,” he murmurs before turning back around to face the table.

“While I don’t condone Puck’s threats, I am very curious as to why you wanted to meet. If this is some sort of psych-out,” Rachel says as she narrows her eyes, “it won’t work. We’re very good.”

“I, um, I’m sure you are.” Wes looks a little unsure of Rachel. “I promise we’re not here for any nefarious purpose. We just thought it would be a good idea to meet and get to know each other a little.”

Mercedes waves her hand at Rachel. “Sorry about her. We’re a little paranoid ‘cause last year another group came in and tried to mess with us. Sent someone to spy and even dated Rachel for a while. Then they egged her.”

“Oh my God, are you serious?” Thad exclaims. He, like the other Warblers, is horrified. “Did you report him and the team?”

“Nah. We invited them to our auditorium and sang at them,” Puck answers.

Blaine stares at him, then glances at his friends, who look just as shocked. “You … I’m sorry, but you sang at them?”

“Yeah,” Puck smirks. “But we totally got in their heads.” He holds up a fist that Finn promptly bumps.

“So, you, uh, you bested them in the competition, then,” David says uneasily.

“Oh, no, they still beat us at Regionals, and then they won Nationals.”

Wes sits up even straighter, if that was even possible. He’s obviously bewildered. “Vocal Adrenaline? Carmel High School’s Vocal Adrenaline? They’re the ones who did all that?”

“Yeah, dude,” Finn replies, talking around a mouthful of food. “Their leader Jesse St. Jerkface was the one who egged Rachel. And it was really bad, too, ‘cause sometimes she’s a vegan and –”

“Yes, thank you, Finn,” Rachel interrupts. She eyes the Warblers. “You’ll understand if we’re suspicious.”

Wes clears his throat. “Yes, I – I can see that. The Warblers have had their own run-in with Vocal Adrenaline, though too long ago for any of us to be a part of it.” He stops. “Maybe it would help to know a little about us.”

As Wes explains Dalton’s honor code, Blaine surreptitiously studies Finn. He doesn’t look any different than his pictures online, but he’s more of a jock stereotype than Blaine anticipated. Then again, they’ve only been around each other for a few minutes. Anyone can look like a stereotype when considered for only a brief period of time. Blaine just needs to keep an open mind.

“So, like, you can’t get away with anything?” Puck is saying when Blaine tunes back in. “Teachers can’t be everywhere all the time. I’m sure stuff goes down.”

Thad looks absolutely affronted. “Of course not. If a teacher or administrator isn’t around, a fellow student will step up.”

“Seriously?”

Out of the corner of his eye, Blaine sees Wes look down at his pocket and pull out his vibrating phone. “My apologies. Normally I wouldn’t do this, but I need to make a call. Pardon me.” Wes leans over to David, and Blaine hears him say, “Warbler 911 text from Nick. Be right back.” David nods head slightly.

Blaine decides it’s time to change the subject. He tries to think of a way he can get to know Finn better without being obvious. “So Finn, Puck, your letterman jackets indicate you play football?”

Finn brightens. “Yeah, man, I’m quarterback, and Puck’s a tight end. We’re doing good this year with our new coach. She’s awesome.”

“Your coach is a woman?” Blaine remarks, pleasantly surprised. He reasons that if Finn is okay with bending gender stereotypes, maybe there’s hope.

“Yeah, I was skeptical at first too, but she’s doing really good. We’ve won, like, every game so far.”

“I wasn’t skeptical, I was –“

“Hang on, Nick.” Wes is back, standing over the table with an irritated look on his face. He glares at the New Directions. “Did you think we wouldn’t find your spy?”

“Spy? What spy?” Finn appears genuinely confused. “Did we send a spy?” he asks Rachel, who also seems puzzled.

“We absolutely did not.” She stares at Wes. “What are you talking about?”

“Right, so you expect me to believe you didn’t know that your teammate, Kurt, is at Dalton right this second?” He glances down at his fellow Warblers. “Nick caught him loitering in the hallway.” Thad, David, and Blaine all raise their eyebrows almost simultaneously and turn skeptical gazes on the New Directions members.

Mercedes looks skeptical. “Are you sure? That doesn’t sound like him.”

At the same time, however, Puck exclaims, “I can’t believe he did it! He’s got bigger balls than I thought.”

“NOAH!” Rachel yells.

Mercedes leans around Rachel to look Puck in the eye. “What do you mean you can’t believe he did it? What did you do?”

Finally noticing that several pairs of angry and/or confused eyes are directed at him, Puck shrinks in on himself a little. Blaine briefly glances over at Finn only to find him with his head down, eyes trained on the table in front of him. Puck shakes his head almost violently. “This totally isn’t my fault. I didn’t mean for him to actually go. I was just kidding.

“We’re doing that stupid guys sing girls songs thing in glee, and Kurt was getting all excited ‘cause this is like his big gay dream or something.” Thad glances at Blaine, eyebrows raised, but the latter is too focused on Puck to notice. “He was talking about, like, feathers in our costumes, so Artie said Kurt dressing up in a ball gown is what everyone would expect.” Puck’s voice drops a little. “And then I, uh, I sorta told him to go be useful and spy on the Warblers.”

Mercedes and the Warblers stare daggers at Puck. Rachel, however, is looking at her boyfriend. “Finn? Finn,” she questions quietly, “what did you say?”

Finn keeps his eyes on the table. “Nothing.” He shrugs his right shoulder slightly. “I mean, Kurt just left, so…”

Wes clears his throat and speaks into the phone again. “Hang on, Nick. It appears they didn’t send him, so this may not be what we thought it was. … Oh you did? … Yeah, okay.” Wes holds the phone away from his mouth. “Nick heard most of that. He’s sending Jeff to get Kurt something to drink.”

Blaine barely registers what Wes says. He’s so angry he’s starting to shake. Normally Blaine thinks he does a pretty decent job at keeping his temper in check, but with this – he’s been through that. He’s been the one picked on for being the gay kid, and damn it all if he’s going to sit there and keep quiet if it’s happening to someone else. “What is wrong with you? Are you really that homophobic?”

Rachel bristles. “I have two gay dads who are soulmates, and –“

“I wasn’t talking to you, Rachel. I was talking to those two.” He points to Finn and Puck.

“They’re idiots.” Blaine turns his eye on Mercedes, who also appears unhappy. “Look, as Kurt’s best friend, I don’t know what he’s thinking right now or why he listened to Puck of all people. But I can tell you that Finn and Puck are both idiots, and yeah, they’re both a little homophobic.”

Finn finally looks up. “Am not! I’m over at Kurt’s house all the time!”

Mercedes gives him a withering glance through narrowed eyes. “Yeah, you’re there because his dad’s dating your mom, not because you’re there to hang out with Kurt. And before you and Puck joined glee, you were right there tossing him into dumpsters and shoving him into lockers and calling him names with the rest of them.”

“You were what?!” Blaine cries, his voice going up an octave. He feels sick to his stomach. His soulmate is a bullying homophobe. Oh, God.

“I apologized for that!”

Puck, Finn, and Mercedes start bickering while Rachel stays oddly silent. Wes leans over to Blaine. “Can you believe this?” Blaine whispers. “Them? Him?That’s my soulmate, and I – what am I supposed to do with this?”

Wes shakes his head. “I know this is a lot to take in, but I think you should get back to Dalton to meet with Kurt. Jeff and Nick can keep him there until you arrive.  David, Thad, and I will stay here and sort this out.”

“What? Why?”

“Think about it Blaine. Why spy on the Warblers when he knows we’re meeting with his teammates?”

He takes a moment to think it through. Why would this guy go to Dalton right now? There’s no reason, not if his goal is to try to sneak into practice or listen to them rehearse. Surely Kurt would know that with several of the Warblers gone, he wouldn’t get much information. And if he’s doing this without his team’s knowledge, what’s the point? Unless he’s… Oh. Blaine’s eyes grow bigger.

When Wes sees that Blaine has it figured out, he murmurs, “You’re in the best position out of all of us to understand him and what he’s likely going through. He could use that right now, I’m sure.”

Blaine takes a deep breath before nodding. “Yeah, okay, tell Nick I’m on my way,” he whispers as he stands up, grabbing his coffee.

“Nick,” Wes’ voice is back to normal. “Blaine’s heading your way. Ask Kurt to stay but make it clear it’s his choice.”

“No! You can’t do that!” Mercedes stands, as if to stop Blaine. “I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it. You can’t go after him.”

Puck starts to stand up as well before stopping at Blaine’s fierce look. “The dude’s kinda little, ‘bout as little as you, really. He’s not gonna be much in a fight.”

That’s it. Blaine has had it. These people are neither completely ignorant nor evil. These are people who appear to know right from wrong. They must understand on some level that they are contributing, both actively and passively, to an environment that makes it okay for the gay kid to be verbally and physically abused. Things were supposed to have gotten better after the soulmate research was released, but Blaine has to remind himself sometimes that not everyone is willing to give up old prejudices.

Plus, if Blaine’s being honest with himself, he’s utterly disappointed in Finn and really scared of what this means for their potential relationship. If a relationship is even possible. If a relationship is even what Blaine wants now. He feels betrayed, though rationally he knows that isn’t the case.

“You think I’m going over there to beat him up? Are you kidding me? You,” Blaine points at Puck, “say crap like that to this guy, after you used to physically assault him, and then try to what? Defend him from me? So it’s okay for you to harass him, but when it’s someone else you suddenly grow a conscience? Do you even know how harmful and hateful you were being? What you’re doing to him, even if he acts like it doesn’t get to him?

“And you, Finn, seem to be under the misapprehension that because you didn’t actually do or say anything this time that you’re less at fault. Well, guess what – if you sat there and watched as others tried to tear him down and you didn’t try to stop it? You’re just as responsible and just as much to blame.”

Thad waits until Blaine finishes then says quietly, “I don’t know how you guys do things at your school, but we would never harm another student. Dalton has a zero tolerance bullying policy; even if we wanted to, which we don’t, the school would never allow any of us to harm another student, regardless of whether or not he attends our school. We’d be kicked out immediately.”

Finn looks confused again, which Blaine is starting to think might be his default setting. “But, uh, if you’re not going there to mess with him, why’re you leaving?”

“I’m going over to talk to him, because obviously he needs someone who’s willing to actually listen.”

Mercedes appears offended at that. “I listen.”

“And someone who understands.”

“Most of us get picked on for being in glee, Blaine,” Rachel says softly. “We all understand.”

“Are any of you tortured for being gay?” No one answers. “Well, that’s something I can understand.”

Four pairs of eyes widen with surprise. “Wait, you’re –“

“Yes, Finn, I’m gay. And if my guess is correct, Kurt isn’t at Dalton to spy on the Warblers.”

It takes a second to sink in, but when it does Mercedes slowly sits down, looking shocked. “Oh. He’s…“ She glances at Rachel, who has her head in her hands. Mercedes looks back up at Blaine. “Right, okay. Go.”

“Yeah.” He turns to David. “I’ll see you guys back at school.”  He heads for the door.

“I don’t understand. If Kurt isn’t there to spy, what’s he doing?” Finn asks.

The last thing Blaine hears before he opens the door is Mercedes’ quiet reply. “He’s there to check out Dalton.”

* * * * * * * * *

The forty-five minute drive back to school is bad for Blaine because it gives him too much time to think. He’s determined to put aside his own issues and be a resource for Kurt, though. He doesn’t even know the guy, but some things transcend the normal rules of friendship. Things like homophobic assholes in the middle of Ohio who make life miserable for the gay kid. He’ll deal with his complete disappointment and fears about Finn later.

When Blaine arrives at the practice room, though, there’s no sign of anyone who isn’t a Warbler. He spots Nick and Jeff at a table in the corner and heads over. Jeff sees him coming and stands up.

“Hey Blaine. I’m sorry, but he left about ten minutes ago.”

“Oh.” That’s unexpected. “Did he say why?”

“It was my fault.” Jeff is obviously miserable. “We were talking, trying to keep him here like we were supposed to. He knew someone wanted to talk with him, but he still thought it was about the spying. We didn’t mention why you wanted to talk or that you were coming from the meeting or anything, just in case he bolted. Then I … we were talking about our friends, and I said it sounded like his glee club flipped out a little when they found out he was here.”

“Jeff!”

“I know, I know,” he moans, sounding as if he might cry. “I didn’t mean anything by it, I wasn’t even thinking, but he got this look on his face and said he had to leave.” He stares down at his feet. “I’m so sorry, Blaine. We asked him to stay.”

“I was really starting to like him,” Nick says. “Kind of quiet, but sort of funny and wry. Smart and a little sarcastic. I don’t think he’s really planning to transfer, but I do think he’d fit in here if he wanted. It’s too bad he left.”

“Yeah, it really is. It’s okay, though.”

Jeff looked up. “It is?”

“I’ll still reach out to him, still offer to be a friend. He has to be on Facebook, right?” He stiffens, thinking back to the meeting just an hour earlier. “You guys didn’t see his teammates. Only one of them seemed to be at all sensitive to what Kurt must go through, and I don’t think she truly gets it. The rest of them just pile on, from the sounds of it.”

Nick smiles at Blaine. “I’m glad you’re going to try to get in touch. I think it would be good for him. He seemed lonely.” He pauses, and then his eyebrows shoot up as he remembers the meeting. “How did it go? What’s Finn like?”

Blaine groans. “God, don’t ask, please. It was bad. Very, very bad, and I don’t have the energy to relive it. The other guys should be back shortly. Ask them for a full account when they get in.” All of sudden he’s exhausted. He turns to leave, calling out over his shoulder, “Thanks for your help, guys. I’m going to grab something for dinner to take up to my room and try to decompress a little. See you in the morning.”