"He was so nervous," she giggled, "When we sat down to eat, he missed his chair and fell on the floor!"

Tina giggled sighing, "Finn's still lucky though. I think your two dads are a lot easier to handle than Mike's very Asian parents."

We talked more of the event and I was content as Lauren definitely drove a lot better than Rachel. As we neared Port Angeles, I felt my excitement grow. I sat in the middle, speaking to all of them. "Now just remember ladies, this is a semiformal event. We don't want to go all out just yet. Give those boys something to look at yes, but we still have to hold out for prom which is where we want to make a real statement. So, today's dresses should reflect a taste of what to expect come the end of the year."

I felt Rachel brush my arm, "You are coming to prom, right?"

Before I could answer, Brittany cut in, "Of course he is. He's going with me."

"Actually Brittany," I interjected, proud with the news I was about to deliver, "I got a call from Santana Clearwater, you know, from the res, confirming that you are in fact not going with me."

"I told you it wasn't true," Rachel murmured to Tina.

While Tina and Rachel gossiped, I looked out the window to find my dream revealed before my eyes: a shopping mall. An actual real life shopping mall!

I was so excited that Lauren was forced to let me out before she had even parked. I stood between Tina and Rachel, arms linked in theirs, as Rachel gave directions to where the dress shop was.

My face immediately fell. And not in the good way. I could have died.

"Is that it?" I asked incredulously. I could fit my entire wardrobe into that store. In fact, the clothes I was wearing were probably worth more than the entire store's items combined.

"I have bad news girls," I said quietly, "Given with what we have to work with, making you look good is going to be harder than I thought."

Rachel sighed, "Look, I know it's not much but worst case scenario, you'll help us design our own dresses if all else fails right?"

I gave her one glance all over and then let out a deep breath in response ushering her and the others inside into the much too tiny store.

Fifteen minutes later, I had almost made them try on nearly every dress worth trying in the shop. Which wasn't saying much, given the size of it. I was beginning to lose my patience. And the girls were starting to tell from my advice.

"Rachel, why must you insist on looking like a grandmother? Somewhere, Barbra is crying."

"Tina, ditch the fangs, you are not a freaking vampire."

"Lauren, go with the blue, we've already decided lemon makes you look like a meringue pie."

"Brittany, for all that is holy and Gaga, you've got the dress on backwards!"

Another fifteen minutes later and finally, finally, I had them looking—decent. Rachel had agreed to a dress that didn't look like it had been handed down. Tina's own individual gothic style was still apparent but she had agreed to forgo the cape. Lauren was spectacular in navy blue and even Brittany had somehow managed to look ravishing—when she put the dress on correctly. Although…

"You know what, I think we need to accessorize with some heels."

The girls cheered. Oh my. Shoe shopping. My next to favorite thing to clothes shopping. No, I didn't own any heels, save the ones I used to try on when I was three, but that didn't mean I didn't have an eye for them.

"Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! All four of you are doing it wrong! Haven't any of you girl's worn heels before?"

"One of my dad's can," Rachel said, "Inherently I should have got that gene. I didn't."

"I own the hell out of ballet flats Swan," Lauren shrugged, "I ain't used to wearing no heels."

Tina shrugged too, "Sorry Kurt, just boots and platforms on these tiny feet."

We all turned to Brittany who was looking at us curiously. "What?" she asked. "I trip when I wear my Havaiana flip flops."

I raised a hand to my forehead, "Great! So none of you know how to walk in them?"

I was immediately curious at the smirk on Rachel's face.

"What?" I asked her.

She looked incredibly smug, "Well—I was just thinking—why don't you just show us how to do it then?"

It wasn't bitchy, it was merely a request. I looked at them hesitantly, "What makes you think I know how to wear them? I just know you're doing it wrong, because I happen to watch ProjectRunway a lot and I've seen how you're supposed to wear them correctly."

The girls made awkward looks amongst each other, all of them angling to say something but Brittany approached me first, holding a pair of shiny red heels in her hand. "Maybe if you wear these ones, we can just pretend you're Dorothy and then it wouldn't matter that you were wearing them."

I raised an eyebrow, "I get the sentiment Britt, but I still can't try these on."

Five minutes later and I was converted. "I don't know how you girls talked me into this but—"

Lauren was fast to interrupt, "Oh shut it Swan and strut your stuff."

And so hand on hip and poker face on—I did. The girls clapped and cheered and yelled that I was incredible. It wasn't such a big thing—wearing heels. But the way these girls made me feel so masculine over effeminacy without passing any judgment, for merely accepting it, for accepting me the way I was, was in short, amazing.

Until-

"Nice shoes fag!"

Our mood immediately flat lined. We all looked up to see what was going on and I felt my body flush with embarrassment. Four burly Neanderthal looking men were staring at us from the outside of the shop. Two of them were doubled back with laughter. One of them was holding a beer. The one who had called out was looking at me like I had personally insulted him for wearing heels. He spoke again.

"Hey fairy homo, we were just wondering—shouldn't you be off somewhere sucking cock right now?"

I was too embarrassed to say anything so I kept my mouth shut. I felt Lauren however brush past as she moved in front of me protectively.

"Leave him alone asshole!" she hissed.

The men jeered but the ring leader took no offense. "Or what, Big Momma? You're going to go all Nutty Professor and sit on me? "

Lauren rolled her eyes. "Ummm... No. Here's what's going to happen. You're gonna see just exactly why I won my National Wrestling championship three years in a row."

She balled her fists but the guy still looked unimpressed—except Lauren wasn't finished yet. "You're also gonna get your eyes clawed out by a woman my girl Brittany is in cahoots with." She gestured to the blonde behind her who was looking so evilly at them that it was obvious Santana had taught her well. Lauren kept going, "Furthermore, you're gonna feel the wrath of Berry's twodad's when they hear what you've been calling my friend and oh yeah, you see my Asian bestie to the right of me? Vampire. Uh huh. Now scram!"

The biggest one of the lot spat on the floor menacingly as they walked away. Lauren placed a hand on my shoulder. "You okay, Kurt?"

"I'm f-fine," I admitted, still a little shaky. "Thanks for sticking up for me." And then, I just had to ask.

"Ladies, I have something to say." The words came out confident but I couldn't look at them and I struggled with how to correctly be articulate about this. "It's not er, is it obvious that I'm-"

"That you're lady fabulous?" Tina finished for me. "I don't know about 'obvious' but sure, we knew. But we don't care. We just never brought it up because it's never been a big deal for us. And look who you're hanging out with? Berry with her two dads, Brittany with her Santana rendezvous, Lauren with her no weave attitude and me,who would make out with anyone regardless of sex or gender… we're the least homophobic people in the world. It doesn't matter to us who you love, Kurt. We'll still always gonna love you regardless."

I wanted to reach out and hug her but I was still too shaky from the encounter. So instead I kept my head down. "My dad doesn't know," I told them quietly, even though I wasn't entirely sure why I was saying it.

"And he doesn't have to—not till you're ready," Rachel smiled.

I smiled back but only quickly, there was something nagging at me. "I'm so sorry I froze back there. I feel so pathetic." It was really insane what had happened.

But the girls wouldn't hear it. "It's all good boo, we've got your back." Lauren added. "Now I believe we haven't quite finished our lesson here. I didn't just drive all the way down here to return to Forks without shoes."

Later on, we planned to go to dinner at a little Italian restaurant on the boardwalk, but it was still too early to eat, so the girls were going to take their shopping back to the car and walk by the bay. I told them I would meet them at the restaurant in an hour—all this shopping for other people made me hungry to do some of my own. They were all more than willing to come with me but I didn't think they truly realized what they were getting themselves in for so I encouraged them to go on instead. They walked off to the car chattering happily and I made my way back into the mall.

The choice of clothes for men was even more dismal than it was for women. I should have expected as much but the selection was so poor even Burt wouldn't manage to find a shirt he liked over here. There had to be a normal clothing store somewhere in town.

I strolled through the streets, which were starting to fill now with traffic, and hoped I was heading towards downtown. I wasn't paying as much attention as I should to where I was going but I was distracted. I had had an amazing day, save one incident, and my thoughts quickly found themselves leading astray to Blaine. I wondered if his family did camping a lot. They must be really outdoorsy.

I continued south, towards a few shops that looked promising, but when I finally reached they weren't even clothing shops at all. Lost in my excitement, I suppose. I still had too much time to start heading back to the restaurant and I needed to stop thinking about him before I met back with the girls so I could talk coherently. I continued around the corner.

I started to realize, as I crossed another road, that I was going in the wrong direction. The buildings here looked mostly like warehouses. I decided I'd get to the next corner, and then try my luck on a different route on my way back to the boardwalk.

A group of guys turned around the corner I was heading for, dressed far too familiarly. As they approached me, I realized with sudden certain dread that I knew exactly who they were. They were joking loudly amongst themselves, laughing and punching each other's arms. There were more beers among them too.

"Hey, look who it is!" one of them called. "It's Lady-Face!" I glanced up automatically. Two of them paused, the other two were slowing. The closest one, the one who did the most talking, could have easily been in his early twenties. He was wearing a flannel shirt open over a dirty t-shirt, cut-off jeans and sandals. He took half a step towards me.

"Boo." He simply said. I quickly looked away and walked faster. I could hear them laughing and it chilled me to the bone.

"Why aren't you off sucking cock? Bet you're missing your fag-loving entourage now, aren't you, faggot?"

I kept my head down and rounded the corner. I could still hear their laughter as I left them behind me. I found myself on a sidewalk leading past the back of several warehouses, padlocked for the night. It was getting dark, I realized, the clouds finally returning and creating an early sunset. I'd left my jacket in the car, and a sudden shiver made me cross my arms tightly across my chest. Save for a single van that passed me, the road was empty.

The sky darkened further, and, as I looked over my shoulder to glare at the offending cloud, I realized with a shock that the two men were following me, making their ways towards me.

"Oh c'mon, we just wanna talk! We were just wondering something…"

I froze. My body was trembling with fear but I found the courage to talk. "What do you want?" I said, breathlessly, though in my panic it came out in more of a squeak.

"Well—you see, if you get into a fight with a gay kid, and he wins, does that then make him a man?"

"I d-don't know."

"Really?" the guy questioned sarcastically, "How about we find out?"

I shook my head frightened, and started walking backwards fast before turning and breaking into a small run. A chill that had nothing to do with the weather made me shiver again. I thought about throwing my wallet at them and then running as fast as I could but it was obvious that they weren't after me for money.

I tried to listen out for their footsteps but could hear nothing but my stammering heart. I had to constantly remind myself to breathe too. I continued with my almost run, focusing on reaching the next turn. The street ended at the next corner.

I didn't know what else to do. I knew they could outrun me in any case and was not sure why they hadn't tried yet. It seemed to take forever to reach the end and I didn't know how long I could keep this pace up. I had to remind myself that there would be more people once I got off this deserted street. I skipped around the corner with a grateful sigh.

And skidded to a stop.

The street was lined on both sides with blank walls. No doors, no windows. The next pedestrian was in the distance, much too far away. And lounging at the end of the street, were the other two men from the group, both watching with scary smiles as I froze dead on the sidewalk. I turned around to find the first two men from before so I couldn't go back. I knew exactly what was happening. I was being surrounded.

The distance between them and me was growing smaller. I praised all that was holy for my good high pitched scream, ready to use it, wishing I had something other than my too delicate hands to swing at them.

"Stay away from me!" I yelled but they snickered looming in closer.

"I say we start with his face. I'd kick him in the groin but he probably doesn't have one!"

I braced myself, feet apart, trying to remember through my panic what little self-defense I knew. Then a voice in my head spoke up saying I probably wouldn't have a chance against one of them let alone four. I tried to swallow so I could build up a decent scream but nothing came out. I felt the force of the first guy as he shoved me hard against his friend who caught me, holding my arms down painfully so.

Without anything to cover my face, I watched as the first guy held his fist to me.

Headlights suddenly flew around the corner, the car almost hitting one of them, forcing the others to jump back into the sidewalk. I was still pinned by the guy holding my arms but I yelled. The car turned around skidding to a stop.

It was amazing how instantaneous the choking fear vanished, amazing how suddenly the feeling of security washed over me, the second I saw him step out of the car. The look on his face was blazing. I'd never seen him so angry.

"Let. Him. Go."

I felt freedom and rushed over to his side. "Get in the car," he commanded.

I heard the lock click, the second I shut the door.

And then there was a monstrous yell. I spun my head instantly to look out the window.

Blaine was holding two of the men above his head who were both yelling profanities—but not for long—they were then thrown against the other two where they ended up as a heap of tangled bodies on the floor. Blaine then got back into the car.

It was dark in here, and I could barely see his face in the glow of the dashboard. The tires squealed as he spun around, accelerating too quickly, swerving towards the stunned men on the street. I caught a glimpse of them scrambling to get away as we sped for the harbor.

"Put on your seatbelt, Kurt," Blaine reminded and I quickly obeyed; the snap of the seatbelt was loud in the darkness. Blaine took a sharp turn left, racing forward, blowing through several stop signs.

But I felt utterly safe and, for the moment, totally unconcerned about where we going. I tried to study his expression but it worried me—he looked murderously angry. We had come to a stop.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"No," he answered immediately. "Kurt?"

"Yes?"

"Are you okay?"

I breathed in softly, "I am now," I whispered.

"Distract me, please," he begged.

"I'm sorry, what?"

He exhaled sharply.

"Will you hold my hand until I calm down?" He closed his eyes, one hand stationary on the wheel, one hand extended towards me.

"Um." I wracked my brain to work. And then slowly, I took his hand into mine. It was cold and felt like marble. Blaine sighed rubbing tracing circles around my hand with his thumb. Sighing, he opened his eyes.

"Better?" I whispered.

"Not really."

I waited, but he didn't speak again. He leaned his head back against the seat, staring at the ceiling of the car, gripping my hand just that little more gently. His face was rigid.

"What's wrong, Blaine?"

He let out a deep breath again. "I'm trying to convince myself that it wouldn't be helpful to turn around and hunt those…" He didn't finish his sentence, looking away, struggling for a moment to control his anger again. "At least," he continued, "that's what I'm trying to convince myself."

We sat in silence again. I glanced at the clock on the dash-board. It was past six-thirty.

"Oh shit, the girls will be worried," I murmured, "I was supposed to meet them for dinner!"

He loosely let go of my hand and started the engine without another word, turning around smoothly and heading back into town. We were still going too fast but weaving with ease through the cars slowly cruising back to the boardwalk. He paralleled parked into a space I would have thought too small for the Volvo but it was done effortlessly in one try. I looked out the window to see the lights of the restaurant, and my friends coming outside, pacing anxiously away.

"How did you know where…?" I began, but then I just shook my head. I heard the door open and turned to see him getting out.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm taking you to dinner." He smiled, waiting for me on the sidewalk. "But first go catch up to your friends, they must be worried about you."

"Rachel! Lauren! Tina! Britt!" I yelled after them, waving when they turned. They rushed over to me, the pronounced relief on all their faces. I saw Rachel's eyes grow wide when she saw who was standing behind me.

"Where have you been?" she asked protectively, "We've been so worried! We were just going to get the police!"

"I'm sorry, I got lost!" I explained.

"And then he ran into Blaine…" Tina piped up, gesturing towards him.

"Would it be okay if I joined you?" he asked in his silken irresistible voice. He had struck them speechless.

"A-actually," stuttered Lauren, and this surprised me because I had never seen her lose her cool. "We've already eaten. Perhaps you and Kurt should go on in. Are you right to get him home too Cullen?"

I had a feeling she was only doing it to give us alone time as the others were looking at her curiously but they didn't question her motives. Blaine simply nodded.

"Okay," Tina said brightly, catching on to Lauren's idea, "See you tomorrow, Kurt. Thanks for all your help today."

"Yeah," Brittany smiled, "Thanks for reminding me Santana's taking me to the dance. I almost took you. Awk-ward."

Rachel was furiously trying to sign that I call her later but the others were ushering her away quickly and I pretended I had no idea what she was going on about. I waved bye to my friends, waiting for them to drive away before I turned to face him.

"Honestly, I'm not hungry." I insisted.

He walked over to the door of the restaurant and held it open. "You're only saying that because you're still shaken up. You'll feel better with some food inside you, trust me."

The restaurant wasn't crowded; our host was male and flamboyantly gay which I only realized with the way he was undressing Blaine with his eyes. He welcomed him a little more warmly than necessary.

"Private booth for two," Blaine requested and at this the waiter looked a little shut down. He led us to a small partition of booths, all empty.

"Perfect," he said, flashing his brilliant smile momentarily. We sat down at the table silently but there was no awkwardness.

"C-can you do something for me?" I whispered, looking around to catch the same male waiter starting at Blaine.

"Yes?"

I sighed, "It might seem silly but—c-can you hold, my hand, so I can calm down?"

The comment earned me another brilliant smile, "It's not silly," he said and took my hand into his. The coolness electrified my skin and I flushed red; peering just in time to catch the waiter rolling his eyes before coming back to our table.

"What can I get you both to drink?" I didn't miss that he was only speaking to Blaine, who surprised me when he got my diet coke order correct.

The waiter walked off and I noticed Blaine had been staring at me the whole time, in wonder, so I finally caved. "What?" I asked playfully.

He shook his head, "Are you sure you're okay? I'm surprised you're not going into shock." He looked genuinely concerned.

"That won't be a problem," I told him, "I've gotten used to blocking out unpleasant memories."

Right on cue, the waiter returned with a basket of breadsticks. Seeing it suddenly made me homesick for Lima.

"Are you ready to order?" he asked Blaine.

"Kurt?" he asked. The waiter turned unwillingly towards me. I held onto Blaine's hand even tighter as I flicked through the menu. "I'll just have the salmon penne, thanks."

"And you?" he turned back to Blaine with a smile.

"I'm fine with just the coke," he said. Of course he was.

"Let me know if you change your mind," the waiter insisted coyly as he walked off. Blaine was still looking at me, "Drink," he insisted.

I took a few sips obediently but I hadn't realized how thirsty I was and downed the entire thing. Blaine pushed his drink towards me.

"Thanks," I muttered. Iciness swept through me and I shivered.

"Don't you have a jacket?" he asked.

"Yes," I answered before realizing I had left it in Rachel's car. "Oh—my friends have it."

Blaine was already out of his jacket before I could blink. It was the first time that I had taken real note of what he was wearing—a beige turtleneck that accentuated the lines of his muscles. He handed me the jacket snapping me out of my reverie.

"Thanks," I said shyly, wrapping my arms into the jacket and desperately reaching for his hand again. The jacket felt cool around me, the way it does when you first put it on for the first time during winter. It also smelt amazing. It wasn't cologne I recognized. In fact, I wasn't even sure it was cologne.

"You look really nice in blue," he commented, thumb circling my hand again, "It brings out your eyes."

I looked down, flushed with embarrassment of course. He pushed the basket of breadsticks towards me.

"Really, Blaine, I'm not going into shock."

"Maybe, but you still look shaken."

"This is nothing! Honestly I just—I feel really safe around you." I had been mesmerized into confessing the truth again.

He looked disappointed at this but didn't voice it. "So have you come up with any more theories? Or are you still stealing from comic books?" He leaned in closer to me.

The waiter interrupted my answer with a fresh plate of penne. He didn't stay long, obviously realizing that he had no chance. I still wasn't even sure I had any.

"You were saying?" pressed Blaine.

"Why are you in Port Angeles?"

He smirked, "You didn't answer my question."

"And now you know what that feels like. I might tell you later in the car if… if you pay for dinner."

"Done."

I sighed, leaving a moment's pause between us. "Thank you, Blaine. And I'm not talking about the bill." I stared into his honey eyes. "I mean, well, that's twice now that you've saved my life."

"Let's not try and aim for three. Agreed?"

I smiled and simply nodded. I didn't realize my other hand had been resting idly on the table until he took it with his own free one. Both our hands were joined now resting in the middle of the table and Blaine leaned in as close to me as he could.

"I followed you to Port Angeles," he admitted, speaking in a rush. "I've never tried to keep a specific person alive before but it's probably because… well, it's you."

He paused. I wondered if I should be bothered that he was following me—at least that was the sane logical reaction—except I felt a surge of pleasure instead.

"And here I sit… because of you." I paused. "Because somehow you knew how to find me today…?"

He stared at me, then at my untouched plate, and slowly let go of my hands.

"I'll tell you what," he said, "If you eat, I'll talk."

Well, that seemed a fair enough bargain. I quickly began on my pasta.

"I was keeping tabs on Rachel, and at first I didn't notice when you took off on your own. Then, when I realized you weren't with her anymore, I went looking for you at the men's clothing store. There was only one. But you weren't there either and I grew anxious. I had no reason to be worried but… I was."

He was lost in thought, seeing things I couldn't imagine.

"I started to drive in circles, still… listening. The sun had set so I got out following you on foot. And then—"

He stopped, clenching his teeth together.

"Then what?" I whispered. He continued to stare over me.

"I heard what they were thinking," he growled, "I saw your face in their minds." His hand suddenly flew forward covering his eyes. "It was very…hard—you can't imagine how hard—for me to simply leave them alive and take you away to safety." His voice was muffled by his arm. "I could have left you with your friends but I was afraid—afraid I would have come back for them."

Finally he looked up, his eyes seeking mine, full of his own questions.

"Are you ready to go home?" he asked.

"I'm ready to leave," I answered, grateful that we had the hour-long ride home together. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to him.

He left the waiter a generous tip and then we walked to his car where he opened the passenger door for me. I watched him walk around the front of the car, amazed, yet again, by how graceful he was. I probably should have been used to that by now—but then I had the feeling that Blaine was the type of person who just constantly amazed you.

It was still cold but I was warm in the car as I was still in his jacket, breathing in the scent of it when I thought he wasn't looking.