Author's Note:

This is a fic started for peacegal45. I can only post limited amounts right now because our contest isn't over yet, but more will be on the way! Basically we are working on our writing skills through the wonderful couple that is Klaine.

The story takes place between "Born this Way" (season 2) and "The Purple Piano Project" (season 3).

Spoilers: Shouldn't be any in there

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to their respective owners (almost all of which are not me)!

Enjoy!

~PG22

CHAPTER 1: ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE

It all began at glee club rehearsal one cold and rainy day.

"Alright, guys," Mr. William Schuester said enthusiastically, motioning for the group to settle down. Puck was shouting out something vulgar that was making most of the boys laugh, and Santana looked ready to kill him. Brittany and Mercedes were struggling to restrain her, and Will had to say specifically, "Puck, quiet."

When he finally had the attention of the whole room, he said, "Now, the song I picked out for today is just for fun, since you guys have been working so hard on the material for nationals." The group tittered excitedly as their leader passed out sheet music for Spamalot's "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."

"Alright," Mr. Schuester said. "I want Finn and Kurt on the solos for this. Everyone ready?"

"Yeah!" Puck hooted, and Santana shot him a glare.

"Mr. Schuester?" Tina inquired, her hand raised. "I have a question."

"Yes, Tina?" Will asked.

"What's the point of this song?"

"Well, it's Monty Python, so really, there is no point," Will said with a chuckle. "Basically, it's just a fun song about cheering somebody up when they're feeling down and forcing them to look at the positives of life, which is something we really need to work on in here."

"I know I could use some of that," Artie said thoughtfully, and Quinn, who was sitting next to him, nodded in agreement.

"Dude, Monty Python's amazing," Sam told Mercedes. Mercedes smiled.

"I know," she said. "Holy Grail is one of my favorites."

"'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,'" Rachel said to Finn. "That's quite a mantra." Finn, who as usual wasn't listening to Rachel's constant prattle, looked up like a deer in the headlights.

"What?" He asked, oblivious. Then, realizing his mistake, he quickly said, "Oh, yeah. Yeah, totally." Rachel rolled her eyes.

Nobody noticed that Kurt was unnaturally quiet this rehearsal or that he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open. He had barely moved since the meeting began, and even after being given a solo, he was still and silent.

"Alright," Mr. Schue said, bringing everyone back down. "Let's take it from the top. And five, six, seven - ?" It was then that he noticed Kurt's distant, glassy look and that the boy had yet to stand and join Finn up front.

"Kurt?" Will asked, brow creasing in concern. "Are you okay?" Staring into space as he was, the boy seemed not to hear him. Everyone shifted instinctively to stare at him.

"Uh, Kurt?" Finn asked. "Buddy?" He went around and snapped in the smaller boy's face a few times, suddenly pulling him out of his reverie.

"Hmm?" Kurt asked, snapping to attention and suddenly becoming alert. Will looked worried. So did the rest of the club.

"Are you okay, Kurt?" He asked.

"Fine!" He said hastily, pressing a hand to his forehead and wincing as he suddenly became dizzy. "Shall we begin?" He asked. Everyone looked a little uneasy.

"Okay," Will said, not one to want to pry. He figured that if Kurt really wanted to tell him what was going on, he would. "And five, six, seven, eight!"

It was blatantly obvious Kurt was not fine. His eyes were watering, his brow was furrowed in concentration, and his usually crisp soprano voice was raspy and throaty. He was not hitting his usual notes – and this song wasn't even that high! Kurt, meanwhile, was feeling sick to his stomach. He knew his voice was not up to par, and it was making him angry, but his body was hurting too badly for him to care about much else. When he turned away to sneeze roughly into his elbow in the middle of the song, Will decided that was evidence enough.

"Alright, stop!" Will called out. The notes from the piano died ominously. "Kurt, are you sick?" The boy shook his head gingerly, then closed his eyes as he felt suddenly dizzy.

"M-Maybe Puck should take the solo," he said meekly. "I think I lost my voice."

"Are you sure?" Will asked. "This is a good opportunity for you, Kurt." The boy nodded slightly.

"I'm sure," he promised. Will shrugged and looked at Puck, gesturing for him to come forward. The football player did and swapped sheet music with Kurt, who then migrated to the background. Will was feeling very concerned, but he had a rehearsal to head, so he let it go, starting up the music again.

Through the course of the meeting, Kurt got progressively worse. Bruise-like shadows were appearing under his eyes and he was feeling unbelievably cold despite the fact that he was positively dripping sweat from Mr. Schue's rigorous choreography. As he danced, he felt his stomach churn and his energy dwindle.

He was really feeling lightheaded when Mr. Schue had them run the whole thing from the top again. Halfway through the routine, Kurt saw black spots dancing across his vision. He noticed that all the boys were wearing tutus, and Finn was in a knight suit before he felt himself falling and saw the ground rush up to catch him.

Thanks for reading! More on the way soon, but until then, reviews are loved, treasured, and appreciated!