Love Will Find A Way...Chapter 5, 6 & 7

[usfgirl]

Winter 2014-
The holiday break had come and gone with no clues as to whom the mystery 'elf' had been.
"Maybe I'm just a Lima Looser after all," Puck commented as he looked over to Kristina on the morning that she was to leave to head back to Connecticut.
"Your not a Lima Looser," Kristina had assured him, "you just have insufficient evidence."
"Spoken like a true lawyer."
She just smiled and was on her way back to school, back to Yale, back to her new normal.
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Speaking of new forms of normalcy as the sun dawned on the year 2014 Artie was gearing up to immerse himself back into academia as he headed back to MIT after deferring his studies for a year. This was a good thing, as his heart needed some semblance of a distraction right? After all sure he'd seen Danni and given her a Christmas gift but was he ready to face his good friends Tina and Kurt or his beloved Kristina right now?
He'd just entered his dorm after talking the long way back from class (walking became a newfound hobby of his now that he could and all) and smiled at his roommate Nate who was sitting hovered his laptop.
"Cold enough for you?" the young man asked with a smirk.
Artie just let out a laugh.
"Not as cold as you think what with global warming and all."
Nate let out a laugh as he began to change the subject, bringing up some lecture that was coming up and how attending it would meet a requirement that they had for one of their classes.
Artie simply nodded as he put a plastic cup in the microwave to heat up some water to make a cup of tea.
"It's a date," he said with a smile.
"You know I'm straight right Artie."
"Yes, anyway you know what I meant."
Nate just nodded.
"Yea dude I do…. But speaking of dates Valentines Day is next week…I'm sure a stud like you has a plan up his sleeves right."
He had to laugh at that 'stud' comment. Yes, it was true in the month he'd been back at school in a non-wheelchair capacity there were plenty of eyes that turned in his direction as he studied at the student union but not the pair of eyes he'd longed to see.
Getting lost in a daze he began to think of the ghosts of Valentines past:
2010: Breadsticks, Kristina dressed to kill in that Red dress, Tina not looking to bad herself in that little purple number flirting with that Australian.
2011: Their first anniversary, being the geek he was he looked up anniversary customs and left a pansy at her locker that morning along with a card:
The meaning of a pansy is that the recipient is being thought about-Happy Anniversary
Later that day he'd presented her with concert tickets so that they could properly celebrate things over the weekend, and hey the first anniversary was paper after all.
2012: They were seniors and with that there were privileges, namely that they were able to skip school mid day where she'd set up a beautiful picnic lunch for them at Burt's garage where she presented him with a sweater vest she personally knitted for him, a sweater vest he still had in his possession and cherished greatly.
2013: How he spent the day post-op and in the earliest phases of his rehab…thinking of her…hoping she was thinking of him…
"Earth to Artie," Nate's voice spoke breaking him out of his thoughts.
"Huh."
"I said Valentines Day is next week, got any hot dates lined up."
He let out a sigh.
"It's complicated."
"Is it the girl in the picture?" Nate asked referring to Kristina's senior picture that sat on his desk besides pictures of his parents.
Artie nodded.
"Kristina," he began.
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"Artie," she said with a bite in her voice.
Sure when she returned to New Haven she'd been in a good place, maintaining her GPA and even going out in a social capacity however the date on the calendar looked back at her, taunting her. Tomorrow would have been their fourth anniversary, not that she was counting or anything.
She imagined that Artie being the dork that he was would of known that the symbolic gift for the fourth anniversary was flowers and he'd get her some, and lots of them. He'd also probably get her a piece of jewelry that contained the symbolic gem stone of Blue Topaz which she'd then smile and tell him that looking at the blue of the stone would make her think of the blue of his eyes or something else totally and utterly sappy.
Letting out a sigh she flopped down on her bed and began to cry, a longing to smash barware was also creeping up in her bloodstream, she was about to head to the student health center with the quarry that maybe she was bi polar like her father when Quinn peeked her head into the room, a phone in her hand.
"It's Tina."
Plastering a small semblance of a smile on her lips she took the phone from the blonde and held it to her ear.
"Hey T, what's up."
"Hey, K, so I was wondering any plans tomorrow night."
"That depends, did Kurt or Mike ask you to ask me this."
"Would your answer be any different if I say yes."
"Not really, I'd say the same thing…that I'm going to have a threesome, I think you know the guys…Ben and Jerry."
It took Tina a second to let what her friend say click before she let out a laugh.
"Blow them off, hang with me, we can do the whole I hate Valentines Day thing…. please…there is no way I'm playing third wheel to Mike and Mercedes…again."
She paused for a second thinking that a girl's night out would be just the ticket to forget her troubles.
"It's a date, see you tomorrow night."
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It was like something out of an old movie as he walked into the smoky club, his ears met with the sweetest sound he'd ever heard. Looking for the source of the sound he looked to the piano where Kurt was playing some old standard while a breathtaking brunette was singing it. The dress, the hair it was exactly like the party the night when Beth was born and it took his breath away. Her eyes locked onto his and a coy grin pursed her lip before she motioned for Rachel to take over as singer.
"What took you so long," Kristina's voice softly purred before he simply pulled her into a steamy kiss at the exact same moment his alarm went off.
It was just a dream…and what a dream to have on the morning of Valentines Day of all days. He looked over to his roommate who was in the process of getting ready for class making him kind of glad that despite the fact that he was a year behind in his friends he hadn't had any Friday classes scheduled making every week a three day weekend.
"You sure you don't want to come out tonight?"
"I'm sure."
"Because Cassie has a friend that's been asking about you."
"Tell her maybe some other time, just not Valentines Day."
Nate nodded telling him he'd see him later and with that he left.
Once alone Artie sat up in his bed.
Sure he shouldn't be reading into things but that dream on this day, it had to mean something bigger then the fact that he regretted the break up with every inch of his being. And that was when he decided to look up the greyhound schedule for busses from Boston to New Haven… if it was meant to be then maybe this could be the first day of their new beginning.
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She met up with Tina that afternoon at the Metro Court where Carly had so graciously put the two young girls up in a suite on the house.
"Look what I brought," Tina said holding out an all too familiar purple dress and smiling at Kristina, "what about you? Did you bring the goods?"
Kristina nodded as she removed the infamous red dress out of her bag suddenly glad that she didn't destroy it in one of her purge fests.
Handing the dress to Tina she in turn took the purple one and as they put on each other's dresses they marveled that they both wore the same size and had metabolisms that prevented them from gaining the freshman fifteen the previous year.
"So," Kristina said, "how do I look."
Tina bit her lip saying something was missing before unclipping the purple hair extension from her head and clipping it on to Kristina's a smile pursing her lips.
"That's more like it."
Kristina let out a laugh as they gathered their bags and soon headed over to Jake's.
Making their way over to the bar Kristina smiled.
"Hey Coleman, long time no see."
The scruffy looking older man looked at the pair of coeds and smiled.
"Kristina Davis my have you grown."
"Nice to see you again Coleman."
The bartender eyed her companion.
"And I see you brought a friend."
"Coleman this is Tina, Tina this is Coleman, ok introductions are done now can we please have a bottle of Tequila, two glasses."
Looking at the girls Coleman wondered if he should card them however they looked to be of age and so he began to get what the young Davis girl asked.
"E-excuse me," Tina nervously stuttered causing the bartender to turn around, "could I get a margarita instead?"
Looking from the cute Asian girl to the young mob princess the thought for a second before shaking his head.
"Sorry doll, the blender's on the fritz…would you like something else."
Tina let out a sigh, she was never really one for drinking something stronger then champagne or the occasional wine on special occasion and she didn't actually know how she would hold her liquor however she simply shook her head.
"Tequila is fine."
The older man nodded as he continued to get the alcohol and two glasses along with a bowl of limes.
"Thank you," Kristina said as he placed everything in front of them.
"Any other requests ladies."
Pausing for a moment a Cheshire cat grin crossed Kristina's lips.
"You wouldn't happen to have that Karaoke machine still would you?"
"As a matter of fact…"
Coleman smirked as he headed out back to fetch the machine while Tina smiled at her friend.
"So."
"So."
They sat in silence.
"Do you know how to take a shot T."
"Of coarse I do, I've seen it done on TV… lick it slam it suck it…right?"
Kristina nodded as they each poured a shot.
"Cheers," Kristina said as the two girls clinked glasses before spilling some salt on their hand, licking it, and tossing back a shot. After she took a suck of her lime Tina made a face.
"Too strong?" Kristina asked.
Tina shook her head.
"Could be it's just an acquired taste."
Kristina nodded as the girls sat in silence for a moment as Kristina scanned the crowd hoping to see someone she knew from her time in town, someone like Spinelli or Johnny or even Ethan despite the fact that his presence would conjure up thoughts of that night at Breadsticks.
Looking at one another they decided to toss back a second shot as Coleman returned with a smile on his face.
"So, you ladies doing alright?"
They nodded.
"Good…anyways I got the machine set up so whenever you lovely ladies are ready to put on a show go for it."
Simply nodding they eyed their glasses. Sure they were the National show choir champions of 2012 but still, a little more liquid courage would be needed.
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He arrived in New Haven and froze. How was he going to pursue his ladylove when he had no clue where she'd lived? Lucky for him on Thanksgiving Ms. Pillsbury gave him her personal cell number in case he needed to talk, sure she'd have the address…and she did. Making his way toward the building that housed Kristina's new place he was once again grateful for his newfound mobility after all second floor, no elevator, she had to of done this to spite him…not that he didn't deserve it because he knew he was a total ass.
Sucking in a deep breath he entered the buildings lobby wondering what he'd say or do if her brother, or worse Quinn Fabray answered the door instead of Kristina…. Well he guessed he'd cross that bridge when and if he got there.
Making his way up the steps to apartment 2B his heart began to race.
Arriving at the door he knocked.
Nothing.
Again.
Nothing.
He wondered if they were peering out of a peep hole, deliberately ignoring him…however he assumed if they were in fact home they'd open the door as they'd be a smidge curious as to how in the hell he was walking and all that.
Moving back to the stairwell he took a seat on the top step thinking how he was fortunate he thought of a plan B as he pulled out a blank note card from his pocket and began to pour out his heart and soul:
Meus Diligo-
I suck.
I should never of wrote you that letter last year pushing you away like I did. The past thirteen months have left a huge hole in my heart that only you can fix. I know we probably will never be back to the place that we were back in High School and I can accept that…however if there is a glimmer of a chance that you'll take me back as your friend I'll gladly except that crumb. You won't be disappointed considering that… well your attending Yale I'm sure you can figure out how I got this letter into your second floor apartment. aevitas ac aeternum in meus pectus pectoris
Artie
Pausing for a moment he added a PS, leaving his phone number and telling her to call him sometime before he slipped the letter inside an envelope and scrawling 'Yale' on the cards front before slipping it underneath the door of 2B and heading back toward the bus terminal to see when the next ride back to Boston took place… fate would do the rest he thought.
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It took the two girls a while to decide what they wanted to sing however in looking through the songbook that Coleman handed them one particular song seemed to click.
The music began and the two girls looked at one another as Tina began to sing.
Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
She smiled as she looked on to Kristina who added:
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Tina then took on the next line while Kristina took on the one after that:
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night toss and turn and dream of what I need
The music picked up and the chorus began and the two young women began to sing.
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
They were getting into the music, dancing along, flirting with the male clientele laughing and having the time of their lives as the song progressed. By the time the song ended the girls were greeted by a round of applause and catcalls. They definitely had to get out like this more often.
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Michael wrapped his arm around Quinn's slim waist as they made their way back to their apartment. Tonight had been fun and Michael really wished that he and his girlfriend went out on more 'dates' together as opposed to going out as part of a group. From the look in the petite blonde's eyes he sensed she was thinking the same thing.
"Kristina's spending the night in Port Charles with Tina," Michael said.
"Uh huh."
He kissed her neck softly.
"I was thinking…maybe…we could slip into our PJ's, curl up on the couch in front of the classic movie channel."
"You're reading my mind," she softly said as they opened the door.
Michael made his way to his room while Quinn spotted an envelope lying on the ground with one single word that caused a chill to run down her spine.
Yale
Ok so it wasn't so much as the word itself but the familiar curl of the penmanship that caused the chill.
Artie was back….


Michael had been stunned as he walked back into the living room that evening to see Quinn frozen in place clutching something in her hands.
Walking over to where his girlfriend stood Michael placed a gentle hand on her shoulder as he began to brush back her hair.
"Quinn, what is it?" he asked.
"What is what?"
"Whatever it is your holding."
Biting her lips she knew that despite the fact that she'd promised the young man she'd never lie to him she couldn't hell him about the letter. In doing so Michael would probably inform Kristina who would in turn pursue things with Artie again and well frankly the blonde thought that her friend and potential sister in law deserved better.
"Oh this," she eventually said holding up the letter, "it's just some sweepstakes letter, I could already of one a million dollars that kind of thing."
Michael seemed to buy what Quinn had said as a smile crossed his lips before he lent over to plant a kiss on his girlfriend's neck.
"So, are we still on for snuggling and Turner Classic?" he asked.
Quinn nodded.
"Let me get changes first alright."
Michael nodded heading into the kitchen to make them some cocoa while she headed into her room to change and unbeknownst to Michael hide the letter in the back of one of her draws to read at a later moment and that was that.
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A few weeks had gone by since that Valentines Day evening and Artie had received no word from Kristina causing his heart to sink into a pit of despair wondering if perhaps his gesture proved too little to late.
He'd been alone in his dorm room for a moment on that March afternoon and so he decided to pick up his guitar and do the one thing he learnt to do while he was in glee club, sing out his feelings.
Well not really his feelings as when his fingers flew across the familiar strings he wasn't in the mood to sing something dark and totally emo instead he began to sing something slightly more upbeat, which worked well for his voice.
Your way too beautiful girl,
that's why it'll never work,
you have me suicidal, suicidal,
when you say it's over,
damn all these beautiful girls,
they only wanna do ya dur,
they'll have you suicidal, suicidal,
when they say it's over…..
He was lost in his song that he didn't even hear the door open until the sounds of Nate's applause broke him out of his spell.
"Damn Abrams," the younger man said as he tossed his messenger bag on his bed, "I don't know if I should be commenting you on how talented you are or stating the obvious that dude your in a funk."
A sliver of a smile crossed the young man's face as he placed his guitar on the floor before he shrugged his shoulders.
"Doesn't matter, both those statements are completely accurate."
Nate just nodded as he took a seat across from his roommate.
"Anyway you should totally considering signing up for the open mic night coming up."
Artie just shook his head at the thought of performing in front of an audience. Sure he'd done that countless times with New Directions back in High School but that was the old Artie.
"I mean let's face it chicks dig musicians and I've said it before and I'll say it again, you are seriously in need of a chick."
Artie bit his lip.
Frankly he'd been tired of Nate's notion that the best way to get over a girl was to let a new girl crawl under him…something he was sure Puck would say to him had they still been at McKinley.
"I still can't believe she didn't call back, I mean I pored my heart out to her Nate…MY HEART!"
Nate just nodded.
Sure he'd never actually read the letter that Artie had told him he placed under Kristina's door however his roommate seemed like an honest man and so he would take his roommates word for it.
Letting out a sigh Nate simply shook his head.
He was all for Artie meeting someone and moving on, hell he wouldn't even hesitate at creating an online dating profile for his roommate if he were asked and yet at the same time deep down a hopeless romantic was kicking and screaming to get out.
Nate couldn't stand the silence that was brewing in the room and so finally he let out a sigh as he looked into Artie's eyes.
"Are you a fan of the sox Artie?"
He gave his roommate a slow nod as he'd really never gotten into following professional sports despite his friends better efforts until he'd first set foot in MA.
"I wouldn't call myself a fanatical member of the nation but yea I like them why? Do you have tickets for opening day at Fenway or something."
Secretly wanting his roommate to say yes as he'd never been to a pro game before however Nate instead shook his head.
"I wish," he said letting out a sigh as he shook his head, "no, I was asking this cause well, the sox…well baseball in general has a rule you know…three strikes and your out."
Artie nodded.
He was well aware of said rule.
"And your point?"
Nate smiled.
"My point is, maybe you should do that with Kristina you know. You sent her a letter and she failed to respond correct."
"Correct."
"Well then do it again, and if there is no response again and if there is STILL no response well…."
"Well you want me to let you set me up on a blind date."
"Your words Artie not mine…"
Artie just smiled.
"You know Nate, that doesn't sound like a bad idea."
Smiling he began to pick his guitar up and haphazardly begin to play some music again.
"I know it's not a bad idea, haven't you realized I'm a genius."
Rolling his eyes Artie continued to play wondering what his roommate would think if he mentioned that he'd be willing to give open mic a shot as well.
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After her drunken Valentines Day escapade with Tina at Jake's, Kristina once more focused her mind on herself and her promising law career which was what brought her to a small coffee shop just outside of campus where she sighed as she slumped into a booth where she'd begun to bury herself in one of her texts suddenly thankful for her fluent understanding of Latin.
She'd been lost in the phrases when a voice spoke from behind her causing her to jump.
"Is this seat taken."
Looking around she wondered why this mysterious male voice asked this, as the shop wasn't full at all.
It was then she turned around to face a young man holding the same pre-law texts that she had been.
"I mean I find it better studying with a partner, but if you don't I understand."
Kristina just shrugged her shoulder. Truthfully she could of studied successfully either way.
"Sure you can join me, but don't think that becoming my study buddy now isn't going to make me less competitive when the time comes to apply to law school."
Taking a seat the young man let out a small laugh.
"It's not that we haven't competed against each other before."
Blinking a bit she tried to figure out what he meant until it hit her. The reason he looked vaguely familiar to her wasn't just that they were in class together but they had actually competed against one another at Sectionals Junior Year.
"Katy Perry," she said with a smile recalling the Dalton Academy Warbler's performance.
He nodded before flashing her a confirming smile.
"Spice Girls was it?" he then asked making the young girl flash back to their performance for that competition which was a medley of selections from the girl group along with those of the Backstreet Boys that came about much to the chagrin of one Rachael Berry.
She simply nodded as she shook away the moment of happier times from her mind as she watched her companion hold out his hand.
"I'm Blaine by the way, in case you wanted to call me by something other then a nick name."
"Kristina and likewise," she said shaking his hand as a tingling feeling washed over her.
Were those sparks perhaps? She wondered as they begun to go over the material.
They'd been working soon for the greater part of an hour and they seemed to be two souls sharing one brain.
"Red Vine?" Blaine asked taking a break and reaching into his messenger bag to pull out the candy in question.
Until now, Kristina thought as she shook her head.
"I'm more of a Twizlers girl myself but thanks for the offer."
Blaine simply rolled his eyes at the blasphemy of her remark however they still continued to study for yet another couple of hours before Kristina noticed the time and the fact that she needed to head back to the apartment as the Providence crew was heading over and she was supposed to be the one that was cooking dinner.
Slowly she began to pack up her things when a thought filled her head.
'Maybe the morning period is over,' she thought, 'maybe I should ask Blaine out after all when a door is closed somewhere a window opened up and well…Blaine did make an adorable window.'
"I'll see you in class," Blaine said with a smile as he stood up to walk away before Kristina held her hand up to stop him.
"Wait, I was wondering…and feel free to say no to my impulses but well maybe would you like to go out sometime in a non school capacity?"
"Are you asking me on a date?" he asked as he looked over to the brunette who although beautiful wasn't his type, not that it was her fault or anything like that.
Kristina just nodded thinking that her asking skills were all kinds of rusty.
"Yea, like a date, but if your not into it I'm cool."
Blaine sucked in a deep breath wondering if he should openly tell her now that although he indeed wanted to hang out with her more that he was in fact gay and didn't want to lead her on however instead he simply smiled.
"No, I'm cool," he said as he picked up her cell phone that was sitting on the table and typed in his name and phone number.
She smiled picking up his phone to do the same before he headed out to go on his way.
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Nate had left for the evening to spend quality time with his girlfriend Cassie leaving Artie once again alone in his room. Sure he could of just as easily found something to do aside from sitting in his room alone, in fact he was pretty sure he heard that there was a LAN Party going down in the second floor lounge that he was pondering checking out however he had business he needed to attend to.
Opening up the small draw that sat on the side of his desk Artie picked out a fresh piece of stationary rolling his eyes for a split second that he was dorky enough to actually own stationary in this cyber age.
Picking up his pen he began to dramatically drum it against the side of his desk trying to figure out what he was going to write to her.
Kristina-
I don't know if you got my last letter but I hope that this one found you well. Like I said before I'm a huge ass. I promised your sister, Kurt, and well pretty much everyone we know that I wouldn't hurt you like Kiefer did and there I went hurting you albeit in the emotional sense. I should have been open and honest with you from the start and for that I am truly sorry. I get that your mad at me after all if I were you I'd be mad at you too however I'm sitting vigil, hoping that one day I can earn your forgiveness and at least win your friendship back.
With Hope-
Artie
Looking over at the note he'd just written he took a few moments to read it over making sure it was perfect and what he needed to say.
A smile crossed his face and soon he found himself folding the note into an envelope and sticking a stamp on it before grabbing his laptop and heading to the party making a pit stop on the bottom floor of the dormitory building to drop his letter off in the outgoing mail box thinking that in just a few days Kristina would hopefully hear what he had to say and accept his olive branch.
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"So he walks up to my table and asks me if the seat across from me was taken," Kristina said with a smile as she began to recall her interactions with Blaine to her roommates as well as Mike, Tina, and Mercedes later that evening.
She tried to read her friends faces however they seemed to all be showcasing mixed emotions. For example her female friends were enthralled while Mike was intrigued, her brother however well…
"This Blaine guy kind of sounds like a douche bag," Michael said shaking his head at his sister, "I mean 'Blaine' that's not a name it's a major appliance."
Kristina and the others in the room simply rolled their eyes and Tina spoke up.
"Quoting a John Hughes movie, seriously Michael."
The young man flashed a look to his sister's friend, a stream of choice words formulating in his mind however his train of thought was derailed when Mercedes spoke up.
"You know what we should do?"
And now all eyes fell upon her.
"We should look up videos of Dalton's group up on you tube during dinner, I mean nothing's on and no offence but we've seen all that's worth watching from your DVD collection too many times to count."
Mike crossed his arms.
"But I was looking forward to a viewing of Newsies without Kurt's wining complaints."
Leaning over he kissed his girlfriend's cheek.
"But this is fine too," he said with a smile as they finished up cooking in the kitchen and made their way back over to the living room where Quinn had managed to hook her laptop up to project on the television set and was now typing away on a search for videos of the Warblers.
Sectionals -2010
"I remember that one," Mercedes said, "click click."
Quinn nodded and clicked the play button where they soon were entertained by the all boys acapella group singing:
Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever
You make me feel
Like I'm livin' a
Teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep
Let's run away and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back
My heart stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This is real
So take a chance and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back
"I can't believe you ever beat them," Michael said as he was met with his girlfriend and his sister's hands playfully slugging him on either side.
"Which one is he anyway?" Mike asked as Kristina pointed him out.
"Does he still look like that," Tina asked, "cause he's pretty easy on the eyes Kris."
Kristina nodded.
Sure she wasn't consciously paying attention when they were at the coffee shop but in watching the video she definitely had to agree with her friend that Blaine was rather attractive.
As they sat continuing to eat their pasta they clicked on a few more video's of the Dalton Academy Warblers as well as basked in the nostalgia that was their days in New Directions however seeing the way she and Artie were singing blissfully together drew Kristina to clearing their dishes.
"Can I talk to you in private?" Mike asked from behind her as she now stood in the kitchen.
"We're in private now," Kristina replied as she watched her friend stick his hands in his jeans pockets while he nervously teetered back and fourth on his feet.
"So I know I haven't asked, heck I haven't even gone shopping for a ring yet but would you be my best person?"
Mike's question took her by complete and utter shock.
"Best…Person…you mean…you…Mercedes."
"I hope," Mike said nodding.
"Well then the answer all depends on who your blushing bride's best person is."
"If your worried she's going to ask Artie don't be, I'm sure it's going to be either your step brother or Tina, Quinn being a total dark horse."
Simply letting out a laugh Kristina nodded.
"I accept," she said with a smile as her phone vibrated in her pocket.
Picking the phone up she spotted the caller ID reading:
BLAINE causing a smile to cross her face.
"Hello," Kristina said.
"Hello," Blaine replied on his end, "so I was wondering if you were free Friday night."
"Friday," Kristina simply said as Mike playfully slugged her to encourage her to go for it.
"I mean if it's too soon…"
"No, Friday's fine," Kristina said as the duo set up their date before Kristina and Mike re entered the living room where she smiled.
"I've got a date."
TBC


There were times that Kristina wished that Kurt had lived closer and now was one of those times as she began to ajust her web cam towards herself modeling the simple pair of dark jeans and pink top she had on while breathing in a slow succession of nervous breaths. Tonight was the night of her big date with Blaine and well to say she was nervous would be a bit of an understatement.
"I see you went with the less is more approach," her brother's voice spoke to her from his end causing her to let out a sigh as she looked down at her ensemble thankful in the moment that she had installed a web cam on her laptop as clearly she had no clue what she was doing.
"And what's wrong with dressing comfortably Kurt, I mean it's better then dressing like some kind of hoochie mama."
"Did you just say hoochie mama?" Kurt asked rolling his eyes as Kristina let out a laugh.
"You know I think I did," she said taking a seat, "In all seriousness though Blaine and I are just going to dinner and a student art showcase not some gala event…and besides cut me some slack, not everyone can be in a happy lovey dovey relationship with their High School sweetheart."
Kurt paused at his stepsister's comment and began to open his mouth when another voice rang out in the background.
"Kurtie cat, I'm back with…."
Her brother's face flushed a million shades of red as Matt entered the room freezing as he noticed what his roommate and partner was doing.
"Kristina," he simply said.
"Matt," she replied with a smile.
"I wouldn't be smiling if I were you."
"And why's that?"
"Yes Matthew," Kurt said as he crossed his arms, "why is that."
"Because, Kristina here has weaved some kind of spell and somehow convinced my best friend since the sandbox to ask her to be best person at his hypothetical wedding."
At this comment Kurt's eyes lit up like saucers, as this clearly was the first time he'd ever heard of these developments.
"Oh my god," Kurt said picking up his phone, "I can't believe Cedes…"
"Don't call her Kurt," Kristina said, "Mike hasn't popped the question in fact he hasn't even bought a ring which Matt brings up the reason he asked me to be his best person."
"I can't wait to hear it."
"He wants my female point of view."
Matt blinked still not getting it.
"He wants me to help pick out an engagement ring, figure out the proposal situation…"
"Basically have you propose to Cedes yourself," Kurt asked.
Kristina nodded.
"And then some, but I mean I owe a lot to Mike, I mean when we spent that month in Greece he took me out of a dark place."
Matt nodded.
"I understand," he said with a smile before he looked the girl over, "you look nice by the way not that you don't always look nice…."
"She's got a date," Kurt said, "pre-law, private education, let's just hope he's not another Kiefer clone…. you know I've taken up a new hobby right."
Kristina let out a little laugh as she remembered Kurt talking about his ninja skills on Christmas and how Puck had even given him some weaponry as a present.
"Yes, I know all about your hobby and if I need your ninja skills I'll definitely let you know."
"You do look good by the way Kris."
"Thanks Kurt," she said with a smile as she logged off to finish her date prep kind of glad that Quinn and Michael were out on their own date night that evening.
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He must have been somehow inebriated when he decided he wanted to do this as he entered the already crowed bar along side Nate and his girlfriend Cassie, guitar in hand.
"So," Nate asked, "got any idea what you want to sing yet."
Artie swallowed back a small lump that began to form in his throat as he took in that question. Short answer he definitely had an idea as to what he was going to sing as he'd done something he never dreamed that he would do, he composed his own song he planed to debut that evening even if it was just for himself.
"I've got it narrowed down to a short list," Artie said with a smile as he kept a poker face in tact. Truthfully he had no clue how he'd even managed to compose his own number as his head had been a million miles away all week and in that moment it stayed far away from the club. Making his way over to the bar to order a cherry coke he once again began to think of Kristina Davis.
He wondered if she had received his second letter yet? If she was in fact ignoring him or if she was trying to muster up the strength to face him again.
"Here you go," the young red head behind the bar, said sliding him his drink with a glint in her hazel eyes as they fell to the guitar that swung over his shoulders.
"You here for open mic?" she asked causing him to nod as he pulled his wallet out to pay.
"Don't bother, your money's no good here," she said with a smile as Nate slid up on the bar stool beside him.
"In that case I'm going to have a beer on my boy Abrams here."
"Can I see some ID?" the red head asked and Nate happily obliged before the young woman told him how much he owed.
"I told you it was on Abrams."
"Sorry, only the talent gets free drinks, unless you plan to sing."
"You wouldn't want to hear me sing," Nate said tossing his money on the counter while looking over to Artie.
"Your getting your drinks comped and all your drinking is a cherry coke?" he simply said as he rolled his eyes with no further comments.
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Kristina arrived downtown at the spot she and Blaine had agreed to meet at to find him already waiting for her on a park bench dressed in the same preppy chic style she'd seen in her classes and that day at the coffee house.
"For you," he said with a smile holding out a single flower out at her.
"Thanks," she said with a smile before nervously rocking back and fourth on her heels.
"Nervous?" Blaine asked as a half smile crossed his lips.
"Just a bit, yea."
"Don't be," he said in a reassuring yet totally sexy tone as he held out his hand for her to take, "so what does the lady want to do first."
Man he was a charmer.
"Well, I was thinking of maybe the art exhibit first?" Kristina spoke in a statement that sounded more like a question.
"As you wish."
Entering the gallery moments later the duo knew they were definitely in for an interesting night as they looked upon the brightly painted pink walls that surrounded them.
"I think we just walked into Barbie's dream house," Blaine said.
"Either that or we just drown in a vat of pepto bismol take your pick," Kristina replied with a smile as they began to look around at the exhibit which true to Blaine's comments was all about the famous doll however despite the pink walls a lot of the displays were somewhat darker.
"I can't believe people would drop that kind of money on jewelry made of mangled doll parts," Kristina said after they had spent a good hour perusing the exhibit, making small talk.
"What? You wouldn't want to accessorize yourself with a bracelet made out of dismembered Barbie hands?"
"God no, though if my friend Tina were the one making it my tune may change."
"This friend sounds rather interesting."
Kristina smiled.
"Tina is definitely a character. She may seem like just some shy meek girl next door when you first lay eyes on her but in reality she is pretty much the next Gothic Asian Martha Stewart."
"The next one?"
"You know what I mean," Kristina said with a smile as Blaine pointed to a small bar and grille that was a usual hot spot for the Yale crowd not that Kristina would know being reclusive for the longest time.
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Listening to the handful of acts that had come and gone from the stage he didn't know weather he should feel nervous or relieved after all the singers that patronized the club were a far cry from the Rachel's and Kurt's that his ears had gone accustomed to hearing on a regular basis. Speaking of, he wondered if either of his friends had made it big yet.
Pausing he realized his mind was wandering and took a sip of his coke trying to snap his mind into focus especially since he'd just heard his name being called over the PA system. It was his time to take the stage.
Sitting down on the center of the stage he began to adjust the guitar around his shoulder.
"Hello," he said into the mic causing a blood-curdling squeak to fill the club. Being the former AV club president he quickly was able to rectify the reverb as he began to speak once more.
"I'm Artie Abrams," he said, "and this is I'm The One."
He began to play the opening notes on his guitar before his voice began to ring out:
Even though there's still the sound of you humming inside of me
You know I'm not too sure with you in my bloodstream
Changing every piece of me
I'm wondering what do I cure
And I fall silent like a deadly sin, a lie you cannot see for what it isAnd I'm the one remaining
Remembering the moment I fell in love
And I'm the one just saying
Knowing the past can't be undone
And I'm the one remaining
Everything changes; now you're gone
He sucked in a breath of air as he tried to divert his mind from the montage of memories that was flickering on the film screen of his mind….
No matter what I try to mask
I can't explain the past and the love you've given me
Staring out at an open road, I've been broken
I don't wanna look back, face it honestly
Giving in is easy when it's said and done
With little hope left for what's to comeAnd I'm the one remaining
Remembering the moment I fell in love
And I'm the one just saying
Knowing the past can't be undone
And I'm the one remaining
Everything changes; now you're gone
As he began to play a miniature interlude on his guitar he wondered what she was doing at that very moment….
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"Ok," Kristina said mid meal with a smile on her face as she was falling for her date more and more with each passing moment, "lets play a game, I ask a question and then you honestly answer it and so on and so fourth."
"Sounds like fun."
"Ok, question one favorite color."
"Blue…my turn, favorite food."
"My homemade cannoli…favorite book."
"Your going to think I'm a dork when I answer."
"Try me."
"Harry Potter," Blaine said with an adorable smile, "though contrary to what you think not all boarding schools are as totally awesome as Hogwarts is."
Kristina held back a laugh with no success.
"You think I'm a dork…don't you?"
"Not at all, I mean my cousin Spence loves those books…then again he's twelve."
"Well he has good taste."
Kristina just nodded.
"Anyway, next question."
Kristina was about to open her mouth however Blaine interjected.
"It's my turn."
"No it's not, you asked if I thought you were dorkey."
"Not fair that wasn't a real question."
Kristina shrugged.
"Anyway, so why did you end your last relationship."
"Can I take a dare instead?"
Kristina shook her head while Blaine sucked in a breath.
"Well…he…"
"He?"
"Kristina, I don't want to lead you on, I asked you out on this 'date' because I wanted to get to know you more….as a friend….I'm gay."
"Of course you are…. I mean the first guy I date was abusive, the second guy abandoned me and the third is gay…. Like mother like daughter right…at least your not a serial killer are you Blaine?"
He was in shock at his companion's tearful rant as he shook his head.
"No, I'm not a serial killer, however I meant it, you're a sweet girl and I want to be friends if you'll let me."
She paused as she looked into his eyes, which despite his confession caused her to go weak in the knees.
She just nodded before turning her frown into a half smile trying to hold back a laugh.
"You'd think having a gay step brother my gadar would be in tact."
"You have a gay brother…. Is he single?"
"No, however it's a shame that his boyfriend is practically family at this point because the two of you would look so cute together."
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"Kristina?" Michael called out as he and Quinn entered the apartment after heading back from the theater, the movie they planed to see being sold out.
No answer.
"I guess she and Blaine are having a good time," Quinn said.
"I hope not too good of a time," Michael replied kissing his girlfriends cheek.
After his lips pulled back she noticed the mail hadn't been collected from the box that day and so she headed out to check it while Michael mentioned looking to see what movies were on demand at the moment.
"Bill…bill…sweepstakes…advertisement…no…no…"
Kristina Davis
The taunting scrawl of the second letter from Artie Abrams looked up at Quinn…taunting her as she entered the living room.
"Anything good?" Michael asked.
Quinn shook her head as she breezed into her room and popped open her drawer and ripped open the first note reading it to herself as she'd now been curious as to what Artie had to say which lead to this persistence.
Meus Diligo-
I suck.
I should never of wrote you that letter last year pushing you away like I did…
So Artie apparently was sorry for what he did. However it was this line that peaked Quinn's curiosity.
… You won't be disappointed considering that… well your attending Yale I'm sure you can figure out how I got this letter into your second floor apartment….
'Yes,' Quinn said looking at the elevator which was perpetually broken and had been on that Valentines Day evening, 'how did you get up to the second floor unless you can…no…impossible.'
It was then she placed letter one in an envelope and placed it back in her draw before she opened up this new letter.
Kristina-
I don't know if you got my last letter but I hope that this one found you well. Like I said before I'm a huge ass…
Again Quinn had to comment the boy for taking responsibility of his actions.
Sucking in a breath of fresh air Quinn picked up the phone not caring that Michael was in the next room and began to dial a familiar number.
"Hello," Puck said from the other line.
"Hello, it's Quinn, I need your bad ass PI skills."
TBC