Oh my gosh, y'all. I can't believe this story is over. I feel so sad and keep thinking that I've got to find some way to keep it going. The last two chapters have actually felt really rushed, like I should have made them into more chapters. I was jut anxious to take the story where I knew it was going. So, sorry for the rushed feeling and lack of detail. I actually would love to write about every day of their relationship, so look for new stories from me, and maybe this one, from Kurt's perspective.

Even if you've already reviewed, can you give me your review of the whole story? And please, please, please read the song lyrics. I am kinda guilty of skipping over them in other people's stories, but they are essential to the story here! Thanks for all the reviews, faves, etc. I love you all almost as much as I love Kurtofsky!

The McKinley High talent competition was always packed.

For as long back as people could remember, it was the most attended non sport event every year in Lima, Ohio.

Maybe because it was so hard to get a spot in the show; only ten were awarded. And the competition for first place was so fierce.

Maybe it was the frequent controversy that erupted as a result of the performances. It seemed that no talent show could pass without some kind of incident.

Last year Sue had wrangled a spot for the cheerios and almost set the auditorium on fire with her unauthorized pyrotechnics.

The year before that Brittany had a 'wardrobe malfunction' during her dance routine.

The year before that, it was something else and the year before something else.

No one remembered when it had begun, only that they couldn't get enough. Drama and controversy were not thick on the ground in their frozen little corner of Ohio. The talent show was talked about year round and was the most exciting event to hit the north east corner of Lima in the frost bitten first week of March.

Dave shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He was having second thoughts about coming here to apologize to Kurt. Well, not second thoughts really. He needed to do this. His nerves were just getting the better of him, and he couldn't stop sweating. He hadn't been able to eat lunch or dinner, but that didn't stop him from feeling nauseous.

God, what if Kurt didn't forgive him? What if he looked right through him? What if..shut it, Karofsky, he warned himself. Thinking like that would only make this harder.

He knew that the Glee club was performing. He had heard Hudson talking about it in the locker room. Something about a 'trial run for nationals'.

He knew that Kurt was going to be here. He knew that he couldn't leave without saying what he had come to say. Dave felt like a defendant in a criminal trial, asked to stand as the jury read their verdict.

There was no middle ground here. Either Kurt forgave him or he didn't. Either he had a second chance with the love of his life, or he spent the rest of his life in regret.

Dave would accept whatever the other boy decided. Kurt's happiness was the most important thing now. Even if that happiness meant he didn't want or need Dave.

The only thing Dave could concentrate on now were the words he needed to say.

THE TALENT SHOW

This year the acts were comparably tame compared to years past. There was no fire, no nudity, and no alcohol passed around the audience. (Oh yeah, that had happened one year too)

The Holson twins did their usual comedy act. It was their senior year, and their final performance drew the audience to their feet.

The cheerios had gotten a place again this year, and thrilled and titillated the audience with their rendition of "Hold it Against Me" the new Brittany Spears song.

But other than Sue Sylvester's bold choice in music, it looked like this year's talent show was not going to have its shining moment of controversy or excitement.

The Glee Club had performed an amazing rendition of the Beatles "Across the Universe", leaving a large part of the crowd wiping tears from their eyes.

It seemed that this year, the talent show had abandoned its sizzle and scandal, and set out to win the hearts of its audience, with sweet, funny and sentimental performances.

Now all that remained was the judging.

The Glee Club looked upon this as their first test for Nationals. If they couldn't beat out nine acts at their school talent show, they hadn't a hope of winning against over 50 other show choirs in the national competition.

They sat close together, on one of the front rows reserved for the performers, hands linked, awaiting Figgins ruling.

Figgins stepped up to the mike, drawing the collective gaze of the other thousand attendees.

"Attention, attention please. The judging has not commenced, as we have an 11th entry into our competition."

Shock waves rippled throughout the crowd.

An 11th entry?

There were only 10 on the program. And it wasn't like Figgins to break the rules. It had been only 10 acts for as long as they could all remember.

Clearing his throat uncomfortably, and asking repeatedly for silence, Figgins introduced the final act.

"Please welcome to the stage, Mr. David Karofsky"

To say that a stunned silence gripped the audience would be a gross understatement.

It was more of a paralyzed, shocked, disbelieving silence.

Dave Karofsky..performing in the talent show?

Hadn't he thrown a tomato at the freshmen group doing a mime routine the year before?

Nevertheless, it WAS Dave Karofsky who appeared from behind the curtain. It was Dave Karofsky who moved to the front center of the stage, dressed in corduroys and a button down shirt and tie, his hair neatly groomed.

Gripping an acoustic guitar under one arm, he looked anxiously over at the stage manager to the right hand of the orchestra pit and nodded.

Inhaling deeply, closing his eyes for a brief second, he stepped up to the mike.

"This one is for my sweet, delicious, ice creamed topped slice of pumpkin pie"

With this strange pronouncement, which no one but the Glee kids seemed to grasp, the lights dimmed.

The stage behind Dave abruptly filled with a black and white image. It was a quote, blown up enough to be visible to the entire auditorium.

The audience unabashedly strained closer, trying to scan the words, as soft familiar music filled the auditorium.

I shall forget, to have thee still stand there

Remembering how I love thy company

And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget

Forgetting any other home but this

Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare

Every eye was on Dave. He'd never been the recipient of such concentrated attention by anyone, much less a thousand someones.

Paradoxically, rather than increasing his nervousness, his fear fell away.

It was impossible to tell from the auditorium, but as every eye was trained on him, Dave's eyes were locked with the frozen blue gaze that stared back at him in shock from the front row. Leaning into the mike, strumming the stripped down chords on his guitar, he sang these words directly to his beloved.

A strangled smile fell from your face
It kills me that I hurt you this way
The worst part is that I didn't even know
Now there's a million reasons for you to go
But if you can find a reason to stay

Just as Dave hit the chorus, the quote faded from the background screen. In its place was a picture. It too was blown up big enough for the whole auditorium to see. It was him and Kurt, sprawled out in Kurt's backyard, wrapped in each others arms.

Suddenly the words of the chorus resounded with meaning for the dazed boy sitting in the front row. Dave sang them with a pleasant, husky bass, infusing each note with bittersweet longing.

I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know that I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
Believe that I can change
I'll keep us together whatever it takes

Shocked ripples were working their way quickly through the audience. The picture on the screen changed again. It was him and Kurt again, this time kissing, snuggled on the couch for movie night.

It was impossible to ignore the rumblings of the crowded auditorium. Some reacted loudly, voicing their disgust. Others clapped preemptively. Some of Dave's football friends put their heads down, cheeks flaming with embarrassment for their friend.

Dave didn't see or hear any it, his eyes focused only on his Kurt, whose head was bent. The fact that he hadn't walked out yet gave him the bravery he needed to keep singing

Taking some creative license with the lyrics he sang

You said "If we're gonna make this work
You gotta let me inside even though it hurts
Don't hide the broken parts that I need to see"
You said "Like it or not it's the way it's gotta be
You gotta love yourself if you can ever love me"

I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know that I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
And give me a break

Voice breaking on the next lyrics, Dave put all of his heart and soul into the huskily intoned words .These were the words he needed Kurt to hear.If he heard nothing else, if he never forgave him, Dave needed him to hear these words. He felt them so strongly, so deeply, it was as if they were engraved upon his heart.

I'll keep us together, I know you deserve much better

But remember the time I told you the way that I felt
That I'd be lost without you and never find myself
Let's hold onto each other above everything else
Start over, start over

The pictures were changing every few seconds now. From Kurt and Dave laughing over Burt's burned dinner, to Kurt and Dave slow dancing in Kurt's bedroom, to Kurt and Dave falling asleep in Dave's bed.

I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
and believe that I can change
I'll keep us together whatever it takes

The last drawn out note came to a close, and the screen paused on the last picture. It was Dave and Kurt, lying under the stars. Eyes mostly closed, arms wrapped around each other, Kurt had only been able to raise the camera enough to get a hint of the star strewn sky and the expression on their faces.

No one in that auditorium, not matter their beliefs, reactions, or feelings, could deny what was written on the faces of those two boys.

Love.

Oblivious to the steady swelling of audience reaction, Dave abandoned his guitar, jogging down the side steps of the stage, half walking, half running to the front row.

Reaching Kurt's seat, he saw that his head was still bowed, his small frame shaking.

Overcome with fear, apprehension, and pain, Dave kneeled down and blurted out the first thing that he could think of.

"I'm sorry I wore sneakers with this outfit. I couldn't find my loafers"

Idiot! Karofsky couldn't believe he'd just come out to his entire community, sang a love song to a boy in front of everyone he knew, and was now kneeling in front of him, talking about…sneakers?

No wonder Kurt wouldn't look at him. He was probably just as appalled at his stupidity.

Had he really think a little song could make up for how he'd hurt Kurt?

Some things can't be unspoken or undone.

Turning to leave, he almost didn't feel it. He almost got to his feet and walked away.

But he did feel like. The brush of a smooth hand against his.

Looking steadily into the downcast face of the love of his life, Dave waited, his heart twisting in misery.

Drawing a deep breath, Kurt slowly raised his face.

Dave drew in a shocked breath. Kurt's face, which he kept pristine with the application of dozens of skin care products, looked ravaged.

Tears were pouring down his face and his lips were twisted into a grimace of pain. His cheeks were flushed beyond their usual pale pink, to a deep, burning red.

The small hand that had stopped Dave from leaving was shaking. Drawing another painful breath he spoke,

"I.I've missed you so much, I almost couldn't bare it. I can't fall asleep without you. I love you, and I need you, I forgive you and I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. And I am going to burn those sneakers, I don't know how they escaped my notice."

Taking a deep shuddering breath, he seemed incapable of further speech.

Dave was stunned. He had never expected Kurt to still love him. He had hoped..no, prayed even, for forgiveness. Getting his boyfriend back had really always seemed way beyond the realm of possibility.

Wiping away his own tears, he felt Kurt grasp his hand.

It was all the invitation Dave needed.

In front of the half delighted, half outraged view of the Glee Clubbers, Dave reached around the smaller boy's body, gathering him up and pulling him into his arms. Gazing into the red, swollen eyes of boyfriend, he knew that he had never seen anything more beautiful. Running his hands through the perfectly styled hair, he leaned in and whispered "I love you so much. "

And then he kissed him.