~ CHAPTER 11 ~
Night at the Cemetery



"So you are saying that they both are faggots?" said Santana, her eyes wide.

Quinn and Santana were at Scandals right now, having a beer and discussing what made them change their hearts about Edward.

"Keep your voice down," warned Quinn. "You know as well as I there are a lot of spies of Sebastian in here. And I have a propensity to keep this fact a secret."

Santana observed Quinn from the top of her beer glass, her eyes narrowed in thought. "So...you don't find it...disgusting? You're actually OK with the fact that they are—you know?"

Quinn pursed her lips and sighed. "Seriously, I don't know what to think anymore, Santana. I grew up in a strict Christian environment. Yes, even if my Dad was a monster way before me. And from what I've heard growing up, it should be illegal or even unnatural but—" Quinn gave Santana an earnest smile. "But I saw them together. And the way they look at each other—the love in their eyes...it's natural. And definitely not disgusting. So, yes, I don't care. I have decided to help them, and I will."

Santana could only nod. Granted that she couldn't contain the emotions that swelled in her chest, and the respect that grew for the blonde leader-girl sitting across from her. She didn't mean to sound so conventional or judgmental about Kurt and Blaine. But keeping up the pretenses was necessary.

"I don't think its disgusting either," said Santana at last. "I mean—its love, right? It just happens."

Quinn giggled. "So, are you really going to help me?"

Santana nodded, a glint in her eyes. "I have some score to settle with Sebastard. So, yes. Count me in."

Quinn took both of Santana's hands in her own and sighed. "I feel much more positive now that you are with me. Oh—I almost forgot! What time is it?"

Santana consulted the wrist watch and said, "Almost 9 o' clock, why?"

"I gotta go—keep tabs!" Quinn said, getting up and pulling on her jacket. "You should talk to Brittany about this too. Then I'll take you to meet Dorothea, OK?"

Santana nodded. "OK."

Quinn hurried out of the bar and huffed in relief as the stench of human blood faded in the soft, warm breeze outside. She jogged with long strides down the street. Toward the Church again. She knew that she was still early, but who cares? She needed to pay respects as secretively as possible.

Even as she came in front of the church, she hesitated. Why was she here? The trip to the Church tomorrow had been painful, not because she was an unholy creature at the holy place. But because of so many memories.

Then she frowned in determination. It was just as much her right than anyone else's. And she couldn't just let Mr Jones get buried without having to pay respects.

Locating the same window, she climbed inside the Church. It was dark, lit only by the beams of light coming through the narrow, slit-like windows. She scanned the area once—it was silent as death. The coffin was still at the altar. She made her careful way towards it.

Just as she was about to lean down and peek in through the small window at the coffin, she heard the faintest, fastest rustle of clothes behind her. But even with her super fast reflexes, she was slow.

A slick, cold, sharp edge of a dagger was suddenly at her throat, a strong arm encircled around her, rendering her immobile to any counterattack.

"Move a millimeter," said a gruff but angry voice sternly, "and I will slit you throat."

She closed her eyes and tried to breath without moving much—not that she needed to breath, it was just an inborn reflex.

"Joe Hart?" she inquired.

"Yes," he said sternly. "Just because you think you can come in here—you unholy demon spawn—doesn't mean that I'll just let you disrespect the dead!"

"I didn't come here to disrespect him," she said slowly, clearly. "I was at the funeral too but—I didn't get to pay respects."

The arm around her suddenly vanished and she turned around with painful slowness, showing Joe that she meant no harm.

He still had a dagger at the ready, but he was standing a few steps back, his eyes narrowed. "So it WAS you," he said through clenched teeth, but still couldn't mask the doubt in his voice. "I thought I saw someone familiar but then I thought why would any of you be so foolish as to show up like that? Turns out you are foolish."

"I am telling the truth."

She didn't know if it was the certainty in her voice or the simple emotions behind it, but Joe lowered his hand and observed her critically.

"How come you are even able to come here?" he asked at last.

She shrugged simply. "I don't know. The first time I came here I was so sure that I was gonna get burned down to the ashes. A part of me even wanted to burn. But then, nothing happened, really. And ever since—I can come here and—it just eases my mind, I guess."

Joe was simply stunned. He didn't know what to say to that. "What do you mean? When was the first time you came here?"

She looked away toward the cross hanging behind the altar. The breathtaking replica of Jesus nailed onto the cross held her attention.

"Two weeks after I turned," she admitted softly. "I missed being human. I missed being alive. So I decided it was all or nothing anyways. If I burned, I burned. If I didn't—then at least I'll have one human experience to hold on to."

"Well, go ahead then," said Joe. "Pay respects. We have to get to the graveyard soon anyways."

Quinn looked back with surprise. Then she smiled. "Thank you."

Joe stood there behind her all the time she closed her eyes and said a little prayer. Then from within her jacket she took out a white rose and placed it on the mound of day-old red roses and gifts on top of the coffin.

"A white rose?" inquired Joe with an arched eyebrow.

"It's my favorite," she told him blatantly. "And thanks for letting me pay respects and not—you know—slitting my throat."

"Thanks for not draining my blood too," Joe said back without much hatred. "I know you coulda done that easily. But I'm thankful you didn't."

"Can you tell me what happened that night?" she asked, knowing that she was pushing her luck as it is. "When Mr Jones died. What exactly happened, I mean? I was otherwise engaged and I'd like to know your side of story too."

Joe contemplated about it and said, "Sebastian attacked us. We were just looking for Jack Anderson's body but—we got surrounded. And we fought. That's all."

"And you didn't kill Santana when she returned Kurt," she pressed.

"She wasn't doing any harm. And Kurt's important to us. So yes, it was not a good thing, killing one of Edwards pips just because we can. It'd come down on the whole town, then. Edward would have punished everyone for what a few people did. It didn't make sense in killing her, let's just say that."

Quinn nodded. It was the truth. Edwards really would have brought down his wrath upon the whole town if anyone of his elite people had died. It would have been a shock to his army.

"Can I ask you something now?" asked Joe suddenly. "Did you turn Jack Anderson, or was it Edward?"

Quinn looked Joe deep in the eyes and said, "I turned him. When we went after him to punish him for rule breaking we realized he had done this all in town's best interest and not because he had some motives against Edward. I couldn't bring myself to kill him. Neither could my girls. And we couldn't defy Edward also so we...came up with a middle course, you can say. That's why I didn't know about the fight in the forest afterwards. I was with Jack. I sired him."

Joe shook his head with a laugh. "So you heisted in killing a man—when you are a monster anyways—but chose instead to damn him for eternity. I really don't know what to say to that."

Quinn flinched at his blatant manner, or the way he said monster. "You don't have to say anything because it wouldn't matter. You can say that he's damned. But for me, he is going to be a person. A person who now has a second chance."

And saying that, she walked past him toward the Church door. Joe suddenly grabbed her by the arm, and she turned on him with a hiss, her fangs coming out, eyes blackening.

"Relax," he admonished. "I only want you to go through the back door. I can't have anyone seeing you right now."

And he ushered her to the back door of the Church and watched her go. Before she could disappear down the street, he called, "Quinn?"

She turned with a small scowl on her face. "Yes, Joe?"

"You can come here whenever you like. I'll leave that window cranked open from now on. You have as much right to be close to the Lord as anyone."

And he closed the door. Quinn stood there for a long time, looking at the church door. And she wondered. She wondered a lot.
-----


The next morning, I wake up early and realize that I was very well rested, and calm, considering everything I had heard last night.

I get outta bed and stare at the light shining through the window. Yep, your Hilltowny weather is back. Great. Then I remember that I have to get to school. I groan in defeat and drag my butt to the shower.

When I come downstairs, Finn is already in the kitchen, rummaging through cabinets and the fridge. He looks up at me with his wide owlish eyes and breaks into a grin.

"Hey bro," he says. "Dad told me about everything. Dude, you're like, my actual brother now. No more cousins, huh?"

I can't control the smile that appears on my face. Finn's raw enthusiasm is infectious. "Yeah, its pretty cool. But I wish you'd told me something. You know, a bit of warning...?"

His smile fades and looks mortified. "Yeah, about that. Dad said—threatened—that if I even made a squeak about it to you he'd ban me from visiting the Berrys and so I just—"

"Finn, that's OK. I get it."

He smiles in gratitude and says, "Golly, there's nothing to eat! And I don't want to wake up Mom."

"Get out of the way," I say with an eye roll. "Today's your lucky day, brother. 'Cause I'm making you breakfast."

"Noted," he says with a chuckle.

And in this domestic banter I find myself actually happy. Maybe having a Dad and a stepbrother wasn't a bad thing at all. Maybe I could come to accept all of this.



Only a few people attend the burial; the ones of my immediate inner circle and the Warblers.

This time when I see all of them, I see them with new eyes. Sue wasn't just Sue anymore; she was a woman who was my birth-Mom's best friend. Riley wasn't just a crazy overworked grandpa anymore; but a good friend and kindhearted elder of the group. Puck wasn't just a protector anymore; he was the dearest friend I knew I could rely on anytime.

Even Blaine wasn't just Blaine. He was a leader, the son of the man who had, or tried to, save my Mother. He was the confidant, the closest companion whom I could trust no matter what. He was the man that I loved with every particle of my being.

I stay with Mercedes through the whole ceremony. I worry that it all might be too much for her but she amazes me with her strength and willpower. She cries, but she holds herself together magnificently.

All too soon, it's over. There's no embellishment or ostentation. Just a simple burial in the Hilltown Cemetery. It's situated across the Memorial Hospital, a vast parking lot dividing the two places.

When we are finished with the burial and Mr Jones lay in his grave in peace, we start to walk out of the Cemetery silently.

Mercedes breaks the ice first. "You are so quiet."

"I didn't think it appropriate to say anything while the ceremony," I tell her.

"No, it's not what I mean. Your eyes. Usually I can see the curiosity in them, or questions. Now I can't see anything—just quietness."

I smile softly at her. "You are observant. Weird."

She bumped my shoulder playfully as we got to the parking lot. "Oh, come on, tell me what is it?"

So I do. I tell her. As she listens to my short explanation, her eyes become wider and her mouth opens in shock.

"So that's why you are special!" she exhales at the end of my tale.

"Wait—you mean you didn't know all this before?"

"Of course, not, boo! I knew bits and pieces here and there but if I had known the whole story I woulda told you before!" she shook her head, looking scandalized. "So that's why those sons of bitches want us to trade you for our freedom! Those fu—"

"Mercedes, I appreciate the colorful words you want to call them, but it still doesn't answer the major thing here," I say quickly, preventing her from uttering anymore cuss words because a few women walking ahead have turned to us with disapproving frowns on their faces.

"Annnnd what's that?"

"Me? And what exactly happens now?" I elaborate. "I mean, I still feel normal enough. And seriously—with all the training Blaine will give me—I'm not seeing myself defending the whole town against a Vampire army in near future either."

She pursed her lips in thought. "This Blaine—should we trust him? To teach you to kill Vampires, I mean?"

I look away from her shrewd eyes. She, if anyone, would be able to read my face and guess my feelings for Blaine. I want her to, I really do. But, again, I'm scared of her disapproval. And I can't lose a best friend over it just yet.

"I trust him," I say shortly. "His Warblers have helped many times in keeping me safe. I trust him, so does Burt."

"Are you ever gonna call him Dad?" she asks me kindly.

"I don't know yet. I need time, I guess."

"Honey, can I say something?" she says and doesn't wait for my permission. "I just lost my father. So I can relate to your loss as well. Your Uncle brought you up and that makes him your father in everything but blood. But if I had a chance to have a father right now...or even an uncle, I'd be feeling so blessed. I'd be happy to have someone, that's all I'm saying." She looks at me in the eyes. "If you are lucky enough to have met your real father, after all these years, I think you should be happy too."

"I'll try," I tell her. "And 'Cedes? Can I tell you a secret?"

"Yes. Anything."

"I'm gay."

She looks at me sideways. There's grin on her face. "I was wondering when you'd be man enough to admit it to my face. Well, I sure wasn't hoping it'd be so soon."

I stop short at that. And this time I'm genuinely stunned. "You knew? Seriously, is it written on my face or something? Am I that obvious?"

"You are not obvious," she says with that same, true smile on her face (the one I decide I want to keep on her face for a long time, she needs it now) "I'm observant, as you said. I can see the way you blush when someone mentions a certain Warbler."

This time I am absolutely embarrassed. Geez, I thought I was good at keeping my emotions under. This was going to be a lot difficult than I initially thought.

As if on some divine cue, Blaine himself is making his way toward us where we stand by Michael's car. He is looking at Mercedes alone, keeping his gaze in check.

"Mercedes," he says politely. "I wanted to personally pay my condolences at your loss. I'm sorry."

Mercedes throws me a sideways look and takes the hand he's offering. "Thank you, Blaine. I will like to pay my condolences too. You have lost your father as well. I mean, he's not gonna be the same as before so..."

"That's OK. Ill luck, I guess." He looks at me now. And there's the teensiest smile on his face. "I was wondering if I could borrow Kurt for a moment. I have to talk him through our schedule for training."

Mercedes grins wide, still not giving away the fact to Blaine that I've told her everything. "Sure. By all means! And Blaine—please, instruct him well. He's my best friend and I will be sad to loose him so soon after just finding him."

Blaine gives her a smile, and tips his head a bit—what a gentleman! "I'll keep him safe with my life, Mercedes. I promise." I'm sure as hell that she understands the double meaning behind this sentence.

And then I find myself retracing our steps back to the Cemetery with Blaine by my side.

"Where are we going?" I ask him, trying to make it a casual conversation between two friends.

"Back to the Cemetery," he says with an eye roll. "I wanna show you something."

I smile. "Is it a thousand year old Vampire grave, because I'm definitely going to scream if something came out of it."

"You'll see."

And that's all that he says. There's this smile on his face that I've come to characterize as "devilish." It's a smile that comes with the eye-roll and a gleam in his eye. I think, I should be careful of this smile from now on.

But it's not at all what I expected. The boys are all there, just standing around Mr Jones grave in a loose circle. At first I think it's because they are loitering, giving the elders time to leave for homes so that they can escape to whatever place they want.

Then I spot a box in Mike's hand and two crates of beer in each Jake and Ryder's hands. From the Warblers, Jeff, Nick and Trent are also present, along with Felix Bosky from the check post.

I look at Blaine in question and he gives me the devilish grin again.

"Oh, look who have joined us!" Puck all but sang. "C'mere Kurt! Let me introduce you to the age old tradition of the town!"

And I find myself standing beside Mr Jones freshly closed grave, facing all the boys who are now sitting on the grass, shedding their
coats and ties or bowties, smiling at us sheepishly.

"Gentlemen, and no Ladies," says Puck and there are chuckles. "Let me present you, our savior, our beloved, Kurt Hummel!" Scattered clapping, some laugher, and Jeff wolf-whistles; Nick slaps him across the head, cutting him off mid-whistle. More sniggers.

"As y'all know," Puck continues, "that just before this man here," Puck gestures at Mr Jones grave with his thumb, "joined our ancestors in heaven—we was all sitting in Hummels den and getting all cozy with this young man here!" He slaps on the back of my shoulder, and in my dazed condition I almost fall face-forward. But Puck has a strong hold on me.

More sniggers. "Yep, folks. This one here just got SwwwoRNN!"

And I have my coat yanked off of me, so that I'm just in my white shirt (I hadn't worn any undershirt because of the coat and the humid weather that was back to haunt us) so that I feel a slight shiver run down my spine when the breeze passes through the light fabric.

Puck then goes on to yank my sleeves up to show the bandaged arm where I'd been cut to spill blood.

There are more cheers at the sight of the bandage.

But I suddenly feel dreadful. What if I'd healed myself again? What if I was not Sworn anymore? What if...?

And I bite my lips from screaming as Puck rips the bandage off my arm. I close my eyes just before the skin is revealed, hoping to hear startled gasps everywhere. But instead, there are just more cheers. I crack open an eye and see them all with the same smiles. I catch Blaine looking at me with that devilish, glinty grin. And I look down at my arm.

I have a SCAR.

"What...how?" I look at Puck, a blubbering mess that I am.

And he seems to be holding back giggles at my expression. His glee affects the rest of the boys—and in the next few seconds there's nothing but the sound of uncontrollable laughter and mirth by the graves.

OK. Either they have drunk a lot already, or they are making fun of me. Whichever. I don't like it.

I round on Puck, my bitch-glare full on, and I nearly screech, "NOAH PUCKERMAN, stop giggling like a NUTJOB and EXPLAIN to me what is GOING ON?!!!!"

This seems to have an impression too. They are stopping now. I don't look at Blaine because—from what I have seen from the corner of my eyes—he's so adorable while he's giggling like that. I maintain my angry face for as long as they are all silent again.

"Oh, God, oh-kay, OK, Kurt, calm down," gasps Puck and raises both his hands in surrender. "Why don't you take a seat and I'll explain?"

I spot a space between Blaine and Joe and squeeze inside that space. Blaine gives me slow smile but remains otherwise decent. I keep my attention on Puck, though, not sure what I was about to hear now.

"Burt just told us this morning that he'd explained the whole thing to you," says Puck as seriously as the hidden-inside-joke would allow him to be. "And considering what Mr Jones said in his last will and testament, and the usual traditions, we had to invite you here. And we had to laugh at your face because—dude, that was priceless. I wish someone had their camera on!"

I am not amused. Because I still don't know what the fuck this is. "Puck...be a little more clear, will you?"

"Oh, fine. I'm guessing that you panicked because you probably thought that your scar was now healed...Am I right?"

I gulp at the ease with which he'd said that. I mean, all the more obvious that I was the freak of the crowd. "Yes."

"But you didn't except that you'd have the Scar, did you?"

"No."

"Ah, well that's because the dagger Burt used was pure silver," Puck said with an arched brow, a smirk on his face.

And I have a flashback of that night. Finn told me that the knife was really sharp and pure silver. Just one good stroke or slash at them will work...

"O.K." I nod like I got it. But I don't. "And...?"

Puck sighs but he isn't the one who explains. It's Blaine.

"Kurt...since you are half-Vampire or maybe quarter, I don't know, you scarred. Silver has such intensity that it penetrates Vampire's regenerative skin easily, making it unable to heal fast, or at all if used for long." He bares his arm, pushing his white shirt all the way up to his bicep. I noticed the small scar there...I've seen it before, sorta, slightly when we were...DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT!

"A human will scar because we don't have highly regenerative skin," Blaine explains further. "But the reason we used Silver is because it tells us who is of the blood and who isn't. Meaning who is one of us and who is the pretender. You are half-Vampire...so it's not surprising that you didn't fully heal." And he gives me the brilliant smile.

"If you HAD healed," says Sam, "it would've meant you were one of them, dude."

"We'd have killed you on the spot," says Joe. He seems to be staring at a tombstone not far from where we are gathered. There's a frown on his face—I don't think I'd ever seen him frowny before.

"OH, so that's it?" I say now. "You wanted to tell me this?"

"No, not that!" Puck says with clap, and a smile. "I almost forgot about the tradition!"

"What now?" I say with an eye roll. "You people seem to have a lot of traditions, you know."

"Hey, don't insult the traditions! Show respect!" Jake says gravely.

"It's a Brotherhood Initiation," says Puck with a flourish.

"Sorry, come again?" I say. "Another initiation? Really? What do you cut for this...the genitals?"

My joke earns screams of laugher and another wolf-whistle from Jeff. This time Nick doesn't slaps him, but giggles with the rest.

"No, dummy," mumbles Blaine in between the laugher. "It's like a drinking game, really."

I flash back to the last time I was drunk. And I decided that I didn't like this Initiation.

"It usually happens the night of the Swearing Ceremony," Puck is explaining. "The Sworn members of other families, or close friends of the member who is just Sworn, hold this meeting to ascertain or announce the member into the group. Or you can simply call it rip-off-the-bandage-and-show-them-you-have-scars Ceremony, a name I personally like."

I laugh at this too. And to make sure this announcement goes well; I raise my scarred arm high and revolve it for everyone to see. This earns me another round of laugher.

"Hey!" a voice suddenly says from somewhere behind us. We all turn around and find Finn and Michael running toward us at top speed. "You fuckers! You started without us!"

I feel suddenly embarrassed that we are around Michael's newly buried Dad, laughing and joking. But he doesn't seem angry. Or even worried that we are doing something illegal. In fact, if I'm not mistaken...that big paper bag he is holding looks like those parcels Millie makes at the Tavern. He's brought food to the party. Goodness—I LOVED this town!
-----


Blaine doesn't believe he'd seen Kurt laugh like this before. Not like right now, all inhibitions forgotten, his teeth showing, the eyes crinkled up with that glow shining through them. Maybe that's why they say that being in love makes one glow. Or maybe now, Blaine only had eyes for Kurt.

But he also hadn't seen any of his brothers so at ease either. Cooper had gone with Mrs Jones at his request because the Dalton House tonight was lonely. He hadn't told any of the Puckpeople, but he had sent Hunter, Thad and Justin on patrol near the Smyth Mansion right after the burial ended. If there was any sign of activity from the Smyths, Blaine would know, and they'd be ready. So naturally, his brothers were right now at ease and happy after long two days of misery.

He had known to some extent that Kurt's body was different, as he was Eliza's son. But when after the burial Burt had explained away all the things that Paul had reported to him over the years, Blaine wasn't the only one who'd been uncomfortable. He just knew that everyone was thinking the same thing. Was Kurt reliable enough to put all their hopes onto? Was he human enough? Or was he eventually going to end up as Edward's minion anyways?

Blaine had disregarded these thoughts the moment they entered his head. And when Puck had a few minutes ago ripped away Kurt's banged, he'd seen the faces of everyone change too. He'd seen that everyone saw the look of horror on Kurt's face, a very human horror. And he knew that they were OK now. They knew that the human side of Kurt will never be gone. Even if he was different.

That in itself had given him more confidence about his plans to train Kurt. Before he wasn't sure to what extent he could test Kurt and his strength. Now he knew that Kurt will be marvelous no matter what kind of hurdle he threw in Kurt's way. He just had to think of a suitable schedule now.

Beyond understanding of everyone else, while they laughed and teased Kurt, Blaine kept a close watch all around them. It was still light out, but he knew that during the celebrations and merrymaking so much time will pass that it'd be sundown by the time they went home. So he had to be careful. He scanned the area as usual, and found no sign of any spies or danger.

This Cemetery wasn't the only burial ground for Hilltown. There'd been an Old Graveyard too, which was located near Burt's filling Station. Once that graveyard had been clean and well cared for like this Cemetery. But ever since Edward came, there'd been reporting of many dead bodies leaving the graves, grave robberies and such. So the people had started avoiding that ground. It was now over run with encroaching weeds and tall tress. It would be matter of a few more years that the whole forest encroached upon it.

For Blaine, keeping watch in this systemized, neat Cemetery was easy. He saw no one. Yet. But then he thought he could feel someone watching from behind a tombstone not far from here. On close inspection he could see that it was a female, wearing black overcoat and had half her face concealed with a maroon woolen scarf. He thought that it might be someone else visiting. For she looked like she was standing with eyes closed, head bowed near the tombstone, praying.

But then he felt Joe tense beside him. He followed Joe's gaze and realized that he was looking at the half-hidden girl too. But there was recognition in his eyes. Blaine was about to slide closer and ask Joe who it was when Puck finished laughing and told Kurt to have a seat. Kurt promptly squeezed into the gap between Joe and Blaine, looking angry but with the traces of happiness lingering in his eyes.

Blaine smiled down at him—still not believing that someone so beautiful was now his. Or as much 'his' as he could be. But when had Kurt gotten angry? Then Puck was explaining away what Burt had told them earlier, and he saw as Kurt's eyebrows arched up in annoyance. And something else.

"Sorry, come again?" Kurt said. "Another initiation? Really? What do you cut for this...the genitals?"

Blaine was so shocked at Kurt's scathing and casual manner of a dirty joke that he barked in laughter like everyone else. Then with a jolt he realized what Kurt's arching eyebrow actually meant. He was being sarcastic, and with so much venom and wit that he looked to Blaine almost—sexy.

Yes, Blaine found Kurt's sarcasm extremely sexy. He had to look away for a while to control the rush of blood to his head and his whole body. Then he had to explain Kurt what the initiation really meant.

He tried, but all the while he kept constant eye—contact with Kurt as they talked. There was just no looking away from him. Only a nudge from Nick, so quick and slight to be discernible by anyone else, made him look away and control his face and the love he knew was evident there.

Then Michael and Finn joined them and it was pandemonium! There was a hustle to garb food everywhere and Jake distributed beers all around. Kurt politely declined his, his face twisted in unconcealed nausea and hatred that everyone had to tease and laugh at him again.

"What? Are you still a minor?" Ryder said mockingly.

"No, actually I'm going to be 18 soon," said Kurt with just a barest hint of pride in his voice. "And I don't want beer because the last time I drank I felt really bad when I woke up later. So I'd rather avoid it, thank you."

And then suddenly silence descended upon them as everyone popped open the wrappers and attacked the food. Or almost-silence because Puck and Mike were making obscene noises of delight when Millie's ever so delicious food hit their taste buds. Everyone was making appreciative faces too. And in that silence and peace, Blaine remembered why he had felt paranoid before.

He turned around to ask Joe again—but nobody sat next to Kurt. There was a gap in their circle. Joe was nowhere to be seen. He scanned the area again, keeping his expression relaxed because he didn't want to alarm anyone yet. He spotted Joe standing near the tombstone, talking to the girl standing behind it. And he relaxed a bit. Maybe Joe had a secret girlfriend or something.

But all through this, nobody noticed Joe's absence, which Blaine thought was weird. And he kept his eyes on Joe and the girl as he ate, waiting as Joe finally bid the girl goodbye and came back to them, sitting down and eating his food without anyone still realizing that he'd left at all.

Interesting...Blaine thought in mild curiosity.

He was half-hoping to ask Joe aloud, jokingly of course, about it. But he was silenced by the sudden buzzing in his pocket. He drew out his cell phone and squinted as he read Justin's name on screen. It was a text message. He clicked it open and nearly gasped...

From Justin:
Overheard a couple of spies in the woods ten minutes ago. The woods are full of them, we think something's up. Also, they were talking about where Sebastian could be. Seems he's missing. What do we do now?

Sebastian missing? Blaine thought with a flurry of panic. But in the next moment he was certain that none of his own Warbler—or even Puckpeople, he was sure—had been involved in any of this. Maybe, Sebastian was going through another of his rebellious execution. He texted Justin back.

From Blaine:
Keep an eye out and hear more. Return if I call, or anyone else sends for you. Keep safe.

From Justin:
OK.

Well this has been VERY interesting, Blaine thought with another bite out of the chicken.
-----


Quinn stood as far as possible while the burial ceremony was taking place. She didn't know why she'd come. She should be back with Brittany and Santana now, planning. But she didn't like the thought of missing out on Michael Jones burial. And she wanted to thank somebody too.

She stayed far out of sight till people started clearing out. She saw Kurt leaving alongside Mercedes. And then Burt gathered around his people together, Warblers too and started explaining something to them. She moved closer and caught Burt's voice easily. With every word that she heard, her eyes grew wider and her hopes for saving these people looked brighter.

"So that's why Edward wants Kurt!" she said to herself in triumph. "That's his plan all along. He wants revenge on the Texas Clan!"

Her path looked clear now. She knew exactly what she had to do. But there was still the question of how good Kurt really was. But she disregarded this one with a shake of her head. The most important thing right now was to earn their trust, then help them out of this hell hole.

She suddenly felt vibrations in her coat pocket. She drew out her phone and it was a call from Santana.

"Where the fuck are you?" said Santana on the other end the moment Quinn picked it up.

"Cemetery," said Quinn. "I'll explain later. I gotta—"

"Nope! Edward's called a meeting tonight." Quinn felt her unbeating heart jolt. "He's demanding explanations about all that's happened in the last few days. Also, Seb is nowhere to be found."

Quinn had to exercise a lot of self control to not growl. "Sebastian is missing?"

"Yep. Edward got hold of a few of Sebastian's boy pals and tortured a few things out of them. He's not happy. And Sebastian is obviously not facing Edward while he's pissed."

"He's here then?" Quinn asked the obvious question.

"I don't think he'll be at such an obvious place. Edward's sent out spies to search for him but Sebastian won't be that careless. I think he's gone underground for a few days to wait out this one."

Quinn agreed. Sebastian was really a coward when it came to confronting problems. He'd definitely be hiding somewhere. Quinn even had a few guesses about where his hideout might be, but she had other pressing matters to deal with now.

"Stay close to Andy," she ordered Santana. "Have you talked to Brit?"

"I have. She's all for saving the unicorns," said Santana, her voice growing soft and fond.

"Good," said Quinn. "I'm trying to seek their trust now. The sooner we ally with them, the better. I'll return shortly."

"Ok," said Santana. "I'll make sure nobody notices that you are missing too. And, please for the good of this universe, try to make it before Edward calls the meeting!"

"Have I ever been late to Edward's meetings before, Santana?" Quinn said with annoyance.

"Just be there," Santana said, and Quinn knew that she was rolling her eyes. "Later."

It wasn't long before the boys gathered around Michael's grave. A few minutes later, she spotted Kurt and Blaine coming back inside the cemetery and joining the crowd around the grave.

Quinn knew little of the customs these humans followed but, from what she could hear over the wind, this was another celebration in Kurt's honor. She witnessed as Puck explained about Kurt's situation to everyone, exposing the scarred arm.

Then she caught Joe Hart's eye.

As slightly as she could, she signaled him to join her soon. She dared to go nearer still and stood in front of a unknown tombstone, pretending that she was praying. She knew that Blaine or any of the Warblers might have spotted her by now. But she hoped that the fast approaching night, the clouds and her scarf will keep her identity a secret. As she hoped, Blaine looked away after probing her closely, mixing with the laughing boys again.

But Joe looked stressed and angry. He signaled her to leave, but she resolutely stood her ground. Then when the boys were lost in greeting Michael and Finn in their midst, she saw Joe garb the chance and make his way toward her as quickly as possible.

She hid behind the tombstone and waited.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" he rumbled the moment he reached her.

She knew that Joe really wasn't an uncouth person, but that he was really angry right now.

"I came to visit Michael's grave, also because there's one more favor I must ask of you," she said hastily, earning a slight surprised look on his face. "Please, it's important, or I would never have come in Warbler's presence and you know that."

Joe crossed his arms on his chest and looked down at his feet, his dreadlocks falling around him like a curtain. "What is it now?"

"Can you get Blaine and Puck to meet us? The Trinity, I mean," she said and he looked up at her sharply in disbelief. "Only them—and maybe Burt and Sue if you can. We've some more news about Edward's plan for Kurt and we just want to warn you people earlier on."

"Are you out of your dead mind?!" he snapped through his teeth, and stole a look over his shoulder at the boys who were now settling down in a circle to eat. "How am I supposed to do that? They'll ask all kinds of questions!"

"Just tell them that I cornered you and insisted," she said, knowing well that he had a point. "I know you don't want to lie for me but it's for everyone's good that we must meet."

Joe shook his head to himself, battling the idea in his head. Quinn knew that she could compel him with her powers if he refused, but the idea seemed ghastly to her. Because this was Joe. The same boy who'd let her live this morning and allowed her to visit the house of God as if she was also a human. She just couldn't bring herself to do anything bad with him.

"OK, I'll see what I can do," he said finally. "I have no idea why I'm helping you but this better be good. If you tried to betray me, or backstab any of us, rest assured I'll hunt you down personally and kill you in the worst manner known to mankind!"

She knew that his threat was legit. "I won't betray you. I promise."

He nodded. There was silence by the grave now. The boys were eating their food with care and hunger evident in their hurried eating motions.

"When do you want to meet them?" he asked.

"Soon," she said. "They can pick the time and place. I'll be visiting the Church after midnight. Every night. You can let me know what they decide then."

Joe gave her another quizzical look and said, "OK. Now get out of here before someone notices!"

She was out of his sight so fast that he almost flinched at the speed. But he didn't know that she was still near, watching him as he made his way back to the circle and started eating.

For the safety of the boys, she searched the area around the Cemetery for the spies Edward had sent tonight, and found no sign of them. They'd be looking for Sebastian around the forest, naturally, or some other deserted place. So with a relived heart, she left the human boys in Cemetery and made her way for Edward's meeting half an hour earlier.
-----


I am probably the only one sober tonight. Everyone else is drunk. And yes, Blaine too.

But he seems to be able to hold his liquor a lot better than, let's say, Jeff, who along with Mike and Felix is trying to pull off an amazing stunt that required standing on one leg and then doing a back-flip. These two have fallen so many times in the last hour that if not because of liquor, they'd surely loose a limb because of their falls. Rory is glassy-eyed and grinning, not doing much else. Puck and Trent are in an unsteady argument about how to behead a Vampire while he's distracted due to the fire on his body. Jake and Ryder seem to be giggling uncontrollably, to a point that they both have tears running rapidly through eyes. Blaine, Joe, Finn and Michael are having arm wrestling matches. Blaine and Joe win each of them. While Michael and Finn have started wringing their mutilated hands by now.

Nick is the only one beside me who is quiet and almost-sober. He is staring into space, an expression of utter serenity on his face. So I slide close to him and decide to start a conversation.

"Hey, Nick," I say and he jolts his attention back to me with very wide eyes.

"Oh, hey, Kurt! How's it going?"

I chuckle at his clueless-ness. "I'm feeling fine. Better, actually. I'm not sure why we have gotten drunk, though?"

Nick gives me toothy grin. "I think they've forgotten about it too!" He points to Puck and Michael individually. "But that's good. Forgetting. Especially when one's in pain and sadness."

"I didn't know him well," I say looking at Mr Jones' grave. "But he was a good man from what I knew of him. He'll be missed."

"I'll drink to that!" Nick said, raising his third beer bottle and drinking it whole in one pull. "Ahh...I think I've filled my quota of drinks for the entire year tonight."

I laugh at that. "Why, don't you drink usually?"

Nick gave me another grin. "Not if I don't want to spill my dirty secretes out to everyone. That's how I came out to the Warblers accidentally. I was drunk."

I choke on my laugher and look at him in trepidation. "What do you mean 'came out'?"

"Kurt, you are looking at the ONLY, openly gay person in this entire town," he announced solemnly. "Which is why my parents kicked me out. And Warblers took me in."

Rory is listening in on our conversation, and he doesn't look really shocked. Or maybe he's just too beat drunk to care. But he nods like he knows.

"Yep," says Rory. "Was all over the news and across the town, that. The Duval's precious son defies the natural way! It was the headline for days."

Nick doesn't look much hurt. "Ah, it was bad! But Millie didn't think so. She fed me for weeks after I got homeless. But then Warblers accepted me and—well. I don't want anyone's approval anymore. I'm Happy..." His gaze travels over Jeff tenderly; the same serene expression comes on his face.

And now I finally know why their friendship seems so different and intriguing to me. They aren't just friends. They are lovers!

"So...you are OK with this?" I round on Rory to ask him.

He raises his beer bottle to me in half-toast, or a parody of it. "It's Love, Kurt. No rules, no instruction on how to do it. It is what comes naturally to a person. And if it comes unnaturally—who are we to care?"

And this gets me thinking. A lot. If Nick really was openly gay in the whole town, and if every boy here KNEW this, and was still OK with it...could it mean they'd be OK with me also? But before I can get anymore inspiration from Nick's story, Puck stands up and makes his stumbling way to Michael's grave, placing a hand on the freshly turned earth in half-reverence, half-sleepiness.

Everyone notices and starts shushing everyone in their own drunken assertiveness. So that suddenly the whole area is hissing with "Shhsshhh" noises. When last of the shushing dies out, Jake drawing his shhshhh longer than anyone else's, Puck raises both his hands to the sky.

"Oh, Fuck, it's nightfall!" Puck chokes out in sudden realization, and I laugh along with Nick and Rory.

But seems like our drunken companions really didn't know it was night already. They look up at the sky and give out shocked noises and looks all around. Blaine slides closer to me and puts his arms around me protectively, his eyes are huge and pupils blown like a puppy-dog.

"I've got him!" Blaine announces in a slur. "He's safe everyone! I've got him!"

There are more noises, some of appreciation, some of relief. "Good job," I hear someone say. "Oh, good!" I hear Jake sigh.

Puck looks at Blaine and points at him seriously. "Good on you Gargler! This is our treasure!" He points to me. "We have to keep him safe! And...shit, what was I gonna say...?"

Nick clears his throat and says, "Brotherhood Initiation, Puck."

Puck nods suddenly like he remembers. "Yes, that! So...this is really awkward but...Michael, will you do the honors?"

Michael seems to be drunk, but now that the moment is here, he is serious and sad. He stands up uneasily too and faces his father's grave. Then he looks at us.

"Whenever someone was Sworn," he says somberly, "It was my father, who ripped off the bandage from each of us. He initiated us into Brotherhood over years and years. Heck, he's initiated half the town!"

"True," says Jeff. "He did that for me when my parents were alive."

Michael looks at the Warblers and smiles, "Even tough you guys aren't close to us—but the recent events have allied us as one against the enemy. I'm glad that you joined us tonight."

Ryder goes "Wooot!" and starts clapping. Everyone follows his example. Jeff snuggles beside Nick and starts clapping too. Nick openly pulls the blonde boy in his arms and kisses the top of his head affectionately. Which prompts Mike to wolf-whistle and then we are having a sudden whistling competition of sorts. Then Michael starts shushing everyone and there we go with "Shhhshhh" all over again. I am perpetually grinning at these boys, and I must say, watching them drunk is a rare gift of nature. I just wish my cell phone had a video camera, so that I could have enough blackmail material on each of them.

"So...now that Dad is no more," says Michael again, there's abrupt sadness around us. Drunk or no, we all understand the gravity of this situation, "It falls on me to Initiate Kurt. My father's will demanded this duty of me—and it's the one duty I intend to do with my last breath."

"We're proud of you, Michael," Finn slurs.

"Amen," Trent half sings.

Michael looks at me and says, "Kurt, come up here." And he offers me his hand.

I take it and stand up beside him. Then he says to everyone else, "People, I give you Kurt Hummel. One of our brothers."

And they start clapping again, but with more purpose than before. Finn has such a proud smile on his face that I feel tears prick my eyes. And Blaine's puppy dog eyes are shining with a strange light as he looks at me. It's the kind of light that was in Burt's eyes when he talked about Elizabeth. The light that my Father had when he remembered my Mother. It was—I couldn't be certain any more—Love.


I really don't know how we got home tonight. It isn't much late, just 8 o' clock by a rough estimate. But the town is already deserted. Silent. Eerie. Now that the Warblers are out of their element, I do my best to somehow keep my arms around Blaine and Puck—who are the most drunk of this lot—and keep my eyes on the way, on shadows.


Beside me and behind me, my friends are supporting and clutching at each other, stumbling as they walk. Finn had bravely offered to drive us all in the only car available, Puck's. But as I am not that good a driver, and he is very drunk, I offered that we walk and play it safe. Nick and Michael had agreed.

But now walking through the spooky town, I wasn't sure if it had been a good idea. Because Blaine is no help to my poor nerves. He keeps humming in the back of his throat, something that is suspiciously like a song. A song I've never heard before. But I've been so out of touch with the outside world that I wouldn't even recognize it if it is a new tune.

And he keeps nuzzling my neck, just at the hollow above my collar bone. It tickles like hell—and not to mention the other warmer feelings that spread throughout my body at his touch.

Puck is walking sleepily on my other side. Though he keeps stopping short and I have to yank him forward again and again.

"Hmmmm," Blaine murmurs against my neck. "Kurt...Kurrrrrtt....Hmmmm."

"Yes, Blaine, we are almost home," I say to him, trying to keep my voice steady. "We're at my street almost. Just a bit of more walking, I promise."

"But..." He says again, a lot comprehensible now. And with a jolt I realize he's actually singing, like he was humming. "Everyytthying changes now....you're mine...Hmmm my worrrrds are left...Hmmm...I just mmwanna tell you I....but it's the...hardest thingmmmm." He buries his face in my neck again, humming again.

And just as I round my street, I stop short. I really don't know if its my 20/20 eye sight (or half-Vampire prowess, a voice in my head suggests. I ignore it) but I can see my street clearly.

The living room light of Mercedes' house in on, they must be having dinner. I wonder if Cooper is with them still, or maybe the other Warblers have taken him up the hill already. The den light of my house is on as well. But right by the base of the tree that grows near my window, there's a strange shadowy shape in the yard.

All I know is that it's not Dave Karofsky. Or Santana. It's someone more shapely, curvy. I'm certain that it's a female. And someone familiar, but where have I seen this woman before?

"Woss goin' on?" Finn grumbles as he stumbles to me, almost knocking Puck over. "Why are you staring at the dark?"

"There's someone there..." I whisper. But Finn is unable to see anyone in his dazed condition. "I thought it was..."

Then Blaine gives a lurching shove, and stands straight. Some of his Warbler instincts kick in even in his drunken state. He stands straight and steady, as he stares right at the tree. So, he could see too?

"Whooss there?" Blaine suddenly demands, slurring but the anger detectable. "Come forward!"

But then with the speed of smoke in the wind, the figure disappears, vanishing to the other end of the street and to the fields beyond.

"Come on," I say when Blaine suddenly moves to follow the woman. I make a grab for him and he willingly steps back in my arms. I feel a rush of pride at being able to persuade him so easily. "Let's go inside."

All I know is that it was someone really familiar. Someone I have seen a few years back? But that would mean she was from my life outside Hilltown! No, that's impossible. It's been only me and my Dad Paul since last 3 years. There had been no woman near us. I must be loosing my mind.

Burt is really shocked to see so many teens at his door in such state. He gives me a smile full of pride that I had, at least, not gotten drunk. Then Burt calls everyone to come and get their kids safely back home.

Thad and Justin come to collect Blaine, and Cooper from Mercedes' house. There was this uncomfortable moment when Blaine simply refuses to let go of me, looking at me with those wide, puppy-dog eyes. Only when Hunter grumbles something in his ears is that Blaine finally focuses on the right things and let goes of me. But not without giving me that searing look, like I am the only one in this world. It leaves me blushing and gasping. But I'm great full that Burt has his hands full in ushering Puck and Jake outside to Riley who's come to pick them up. The rest are driven home by their parents or siblings in their cars.

"I'm glad this is over," Burt says, when everyone's gone, pointing at me and Finn who's dozing on the sofa. "This would have been a grand celebration, Kurt. But I hope you appreciate that—"

"I do!" I say at once, and it's true. "I'm really grateful that even though Michael must be sad, he was brave enough to carry out this initiation for me."

I almost tell him about the woman in the yard. I almost tell him of my feelings about Blaine. And I almost call him Dad. But I don't.

Instead I just say, "Good night," and stay in my room for the rest of the night.