Expelling a rush of air through her nostrils, Quinn rubbed at her temples in mild frustration. Her essay involving the thematic idea of technology versus humanity within the contents of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World was proving increasingly difficult to complete, considering the boy that was sitting mere inches away, staring with more than just a little adoration glistening within his eyes.

Artie sat silently, barely making a peep outside of breathing, while his chin rested in his hands. In all consideration, he was the perfect company, not bothering Quinn and letting her focus on her work, but his presence alone was enough of a distraction. Not to mention that the distinctive scent that was entirely Artie Abrams pleasantly invaded her senses and tickled her brain. It took Quinn a couple whiffs to pinpoint exactly what he smelt like: freshly cut grass after a midsummer rain…or possibly he smelt more like he was on a boat holding an oyster with two tickets to that thing she loved.

Now she was replaying commercials in her mind? Yep…distracting.

"I'm never going to finish this because of you." She spoke without lifting her eyes from the paper.

"What am I doing?"

"Being…" Smirking, she brought her hazel-green eyes to meet his alluring blue ones. "…distracting."

"Me? Distracting?" Sputtering at the words, Artie grinned behind his mock of an injure expression. "I can't possibly be held responsible for the fact that you simply can't get enough of me." Playfully, Artie popped his sweater before haughtily dusting off the imaginary lint on his shoulder. "The affect I have on women is simply too powerful."

Raising a brow, Quinn clucked her tongue as a hint that Artie should rethink what he had said.

Patting a fist against his chest, Artie nervously cleared his throat. "I meant woman, not women. As in one woman. As in you. Only you." Laughing awkwardly, he finished with a cough and a crooked smile.

"Hmm..." Growling through tightened lips, Quinn returned her attention to the never going to be finished essay. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Artie smiling coyly. It was beginning to look as though her paper was never going to be written. "What?"

"I think it's time for a study break." Reaching behind his chair, he retrieved a plastic package from his backpack.

Quinn scoffed, expelling yet another rush of air. "That's what got me in this mess to begin with." She laughed sharply as he arched a brow. "Remember? Last night? You called saying I needed a study break...and then the break never ended. Sound familiar?" She struggled with keeping a straight face, but in all honesty, spending the entire night on the phone (half the conversation consisting of her saying she really should get back to work, him pleading for only a few minutes more, and her happily relenting every time) with Artie was totally worth blowing off her assignments...even if it meant spending her morning in the library.

Playing dumb, he shrugged. "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." Placing the package in front of her, he lowered his gaze sheepishly. "Here..."

Tilting her head, Quinn poked at the packaged with her pen. "What's this?"

"Something for you." He smiled as he nudged the bag closer to her. "Go on, open it."

"It's not going to explode is it?"

"Dang woman, don't you trust me?"

Smirking devilishly, Quinn cautiously opened the bag. She simpered at the sight of a sampler size box of Whitman's Chocolates. "My favorite." Her voice softened as she continued to grin in delight. "Thank you, Artie."

"You like?" He questioned bashfully. It was obvious that he hadn't had much experience when it came to giving gifts to girls. Quinn thought it to be cute, just as she did when he shyly presented her with the bright pink daisy.

Leaning over, she pressed her lips tenderly against his, not caring if anyone was watching. "I like." He smiled, tiny dimples forming in his cheeks, as she gracefully pulled away. "What's the occasion?" She asked as she worked on opening the box.

"N-nothing…" He answered almost too artlessly. "It's just you're…you're…looking particularly…" Scrunching his lips to the side, Artie stumbled through his thoughts in search of the perfect word that would garner him the best reaction. "…radiant this morning."

With a wrinkle in her brow, Quinn paused in mid candy to mouth movement as her internal red flag shot up. She had enough experience with teenage boys to know when something fishy was going on. "Chocolate and compliments?" She gazed on him with a knowing look. "You want something don't you?"

"What-?"

"It's either that or…you're worried over something." Her eyes fluttered. "This isn't about Sam is it? Cause I told you I don't-"

"It's not Sam." Dropping his head forwards, Artie rolled his eyes at the memory of the other boy's attempt at wooing his girl. "And let's not talk about him right now. Or…ever."

Extending a comforting hand, Quinn brushed Artie's bangs to the side and out of his eyes. "Then what is it? As much as I appreciate the chocolate/compliment combo, I know something's up. I have a sixth sense for this sort of thing." She winked in hopes that it would quiet his uneasiness.

"I-I was wondering if it'd be cool if I went over to Kurt's tonight. I know its Friday and according to the guy code, Friday night equates to date night, but he has this…project…where my...assistance is required. I think I may have already agreed to it." By the end, Artie had adjusted his glasses twice and doubled the speed of his words . "I-if it's an issue, I-I can..."

Quinn's expression twisted in awe as she released a breathy laugh. "Are you seriously asking for permission to hang out with your friends?" She continued to snicker as Artie scratched at non-existent itches in an unconscious response to her reaction. Shaking her head, Quinn ended with a drawn out sigh. "Of course it's fine." Rolling her eyes, she lightly swatted him on the arm. "I meant to tell you that I'm busy anyways. I'm heading the abstinence education talk at my church this weekend." She shook her head again. "Really Artie, you don't have to ask for permission. Just letting me know is enough."

His hands began fidgeting in his lap. "It's just..." He sighed. "I have a tendency of messing things up with people I really care about. I don't want to do that with you."

Repressing the urge to release a very audible 'aww,' Quinn entwined their hands together and lowered her head, successfully capturing his eyes once again. "Then don't."

"Tick-tock Marky Mark!" Kurt's agitated voice resonated through the bathroom door. "I swear, paint dries faster than this."

Artie groaned as he fluffed his…ascot. Yes, ascot. Kurt insisted that half of what makes an outfit spectacular were the accessories...no matter how ridiculous or pointless they may seem. "Your bathroom isn't really…accessible. It makes things a little more difficult."

"That's an excuse if I ever heard one. Now get out here before I come in there and drag you out!"

Opening the door, Artie released a discourage breath and reluctantly presented himself in front of his so called stylist. Artie's highlighted hair may have been rather stylish, but the outfit Kurt chose? Not so much.

Artie wore a hideous puffy white shirt that made him feel as though he was Jerry Seinfeld's bastard child. A blinding 'Spiro disco blue' (a color chosen, apparently, to bring out his eyes, but only led to him getting that Eiffel 65 song stuck in his head) thigh length jacket covered most of the puff, but the jacket itself was riddled with more buttons, clasps, and zippers than Artie could count. What were those buttons on the shoulders for exactly? His hips were hugged by a pair of skin tight, white jeans that sat much too low for comfort (low riders plus sitting all day does not lead to fun) and did nothing, but showcase the scrawniness of his legs. And then there was the ascot. That blue and white polka dotted ascot. Maybe he hadn't been clear about the whole 'make me sexy' request. "I feel weird."

"Don't be ridiculous." Kurt scoffed, waving off Artie's obvious discomfort. "You, remarkably, look less like a Picasso and more like a Rembrandt."

"I look like a pirate." Artie bemoaned as he tugged uncomfortably at his collar. "And not the ninja beating kind."

Shifting his weight from foot to foot, Kurt rolled his eyes. "I can't say I wasn't expecting this. Points for trying." Sighing, he retrieved a large Hollister bag from under his bed and tossed it airily into Artie's lap. "Here. It's not what I would call the least bit fabulous, but it does straddle the line of our garden variety teen chic. I'm sure you'll approve."

Artie cringed with anxiety as he hesitantly peered into the bag. All he wanted was there to not be another ascot of any kind. If there was one, Artie had planned to high tail it out of there one way or another.

"Go." Kurt waved Artie away. "Fashion waits for no man."

After a fifteen minute battle with trying to strip out of the first cringe-worthy ensemble and another ten minutes after that to slip into the next, Artie exited the bathroom for a second time. Luckily, there wasn't any puffy shirt or polka dotted ascot. Instead, he was dressed in a plain white long sleeved shirt covered with a white trimmed, black over-shirt. The over shirt was left unbuttoned and Artie couldn't help, but continually tug on it, feeling as though it should be buttoned. His pants were also black and it was baggy with large pockets littered down the side of his legs. It didn't feel as weird as the last outfit, but something still felt a little off.

"Finally!" Kurt tossed his magazine to the side and threw his hands in the air. "I was beginning to worry you flushed yourself."

Scrunching his lips to the side, Artie fidgeted with his shirt. "I don't think that's possible…"

"Will you leave that alone." Kurt smacked Artie's hands away before taking a step back and inspecting the new look. With a lopsided shrug, he nodded. "Not bad. Take a look for yourself." Kurt wheeled Artie over to one of his full length mirrors. "It's not everything I was hoping for, but it's not bad. Acceptable even."

Worried at what he might see, Artie squeamishly lifted his gaze, forcing his eyes to take in his reflection.

He blinked. Then blinked again as he was pleasantly surprised by what he saw. "Not bad?" A crooked grin formed. "You be straight trippin', yo! I look downright…pouncable." He let loose a raspy growl and scratched at the air in front of him. Artie had to admit, he looked good…even if he was feeling more than a little uncomfortable in the get-up.

"Kurt? You down there son?" Burt's voice filled the room as he descended down the stairs. "Carole wanted me to remind you that-" Upon seeing Artie sitting there, Burt cocked his head to the side and awkwardly, in the parent sort of way, tried to introduce himself with a handshake. "Oh, hi. I'm, uh, Kurt's dad."

"Um, yeah…" Artie furrowed his brow, worrying that Burt's strong handshake would crush his fingers. "We've met."

"Dad!" Kurt's eyes widened with embarrassment as he held his hand out in presentation. "This is Artie. He's in glee club. The one in a wheelchair. Any of this ringing any bells?"

Taking off his cap, Burt rubbed at his balding head. "Right, right. Artie, I'm sorry. I can be pretty dumb sometimes. You know, getting older, the mind's the first thing to go."

"It's okay Mr. Hummel." Artie smiled politely.

"Oh, no, call me Burt. Mr. Hummel makes me feel old." Bringing his hands to his hips, Burt chuckled. His eyes shifted back and forth between the two boys and before he could censor himself, his mouth was fumbling with the question he both did and didn't want to ask. "Um, so are you two…uh…are you…you know…are you two like…"

"Dad!" Kurt's entire expression widened in horror.

Burt adjusted his posture as his mouth continued to speak without consulting his brain first. "It-it's cool if you are, I-I mean…you know I love you, son, and you don't bring many guys over. It-it's nice to…what I'm trying to say is-"

"Dad, you need to stop talking. Like, now." Crossing his arms, Kurt released a sharp disconcerted breath. "Artie's not my boyfriend, thank God."

"I'm someone else's boyfriend." Artie felt the need to clarify…then he felt the need to continue to clarify. The whole situation became one giant pot of awkward with more than enough word vomit for added seasoning. "A girl someone. I mean…Kurt and I, we're just friends. Platonic friends. Not that I wouldn't...I...I have a girlfriend." Hanging his head low and staring at his knotting hands, Artie thought it would be best to just stay quiet for the rest of the conversation.

Sighing, Kurt dragged a hand down his face and shook his head. The more they tried to not be offensive the more they teetered on the line of becoming. "Did you need something?"

"Right, right." Burt said, clearing his throat. "Carole asked me to remind you that her moist-whatevers…"

"They're called moisturizers." Kurt's head continued to shake.

"Yeah, that. She's almost out and needs you to pick some up the next time you go to wherever it is they come from."

"Is that all?"

Burt nodded and was about to leave, but he couldn't stop staring at the boy in the wheelchair. "I'll leave you boys to it…but before I go, I gotta ask." He turned to face Artie. "How did you get down here? I've been trying to figure it out, and I-"

"Slowly." Kurt interrupted.

"Very slowly." Artie added. "Finn helped."

Burt laughed within an exhale and nodded. As he started to leave, Kurt ran over to the banister and stopped him.

"Hey Dad?"

"Yeah son?"

"We're going to need help getting him…out."

Cracking a smile, Burt nodded again before taking his leave.

"And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the man that raised me." Kurt took a deep breath before focusing his attention back to the life sized dress-up doll. "Anyways, we're not here to talk about me. All that is left are the finishing touches." He said, removing Artie's glasses.

"I need those!" Wildly, Artie grabbed unsuccessfully at the air. "I want to impress Quinn, not compress her by running her over."

"Contacts Artie. Use them. Love them. They are your friends." Leaning forwards, Kurt propped his elbow on Artie's handlebars and rested his chin in his hand as he scanned Artie's reflection. "I must say, I do know how to dress a man. Quinn is going to melt like pudding in your hands when she sees you."

"You really think she'll like it?" Squinting, Artie stared at his blurry reflection as he worked on willing his hands to not tug on his clothing.

"Trust me, Artie." In a effort to get Artie to stop fussing, Kurt placed a friendly hand on the boy's shoulder. "The girl won't know what hit her."

"So what was is it like? The sex?"

Quinn hung her head forwards and clenched her jaw. When she agreed to lead the abstinent talk at her church on a weekend she normally didn't, she hadn't been forewarned that she would be doing it alone...with a room full of over church-ed and undersexed preteens. "As I've said, it's not about the sex. It's about whether or not you are physically, mentally, and emotionally ready for something so...sacred." Sacred may not have been the word Quinn would have chosen, but the term went over well with the older cheerio donating church goers and as far as she was concerned, what the wallet holding members wanted the wallet holding members got. "Take it from someone who knows. You won't regret waiting, but you will regret not waiting."

"You regret having a child then?" One of the petite blond girls who sat in the front had question after question. If Quinn wasn't feeling the rush of panic over having to answer such personal inquiries, she might have said the girl reminded her a bit of herself.

Remaining composed, Quinn answered honestly. "I regret not being ready to have a child."

"So, you're saying your daughter was a mistake?"

Quinn swallowed hard. If someone asked her that a year ago, she would have answered with a hearty and resounding 'Yes,' but things were different. Her life was different. Where she was emotionally was different. Who she was inside and out…was different. She wasn't at the stage where she considered Beth to be a blessing quite yet, but she did reach the point where her daughter was no longer what she consider to be her 'bastard child.' Beth was her daughter, Quinn could admit it now. She couldn't bring herself to do anything about it, but admitting it was a start. "What I did was a mistake. Bringing life into this world was not."

"Yeah, but-"

"Look at that, we're out of time." Quinn cut the girl off before she would be forced to answer another round of questioning that she wasn't prepared for. All she was supposed to do was talk about abstinence, not talk about her own feelings over past…events. She wasn't ready to go there yet...even with herself.

Once everyone left, Quinn avoided her own lingering thoughts about the discussion and pulled out her phone. She smiled as she noticed a text from Artie.

"I miss you. How was your talk thing?"

Feeling her mind ease a bit, Quinn texted back. "Can't wait to see you. Tell me something happy please. I need something happy."

It took less than a minute for him to respond. "I have a surprise for you. Come to school early."

"Really? What is it?"

"Have you never learned the meaning of the word surprise?"

"Another chocolate/compliment combo?"

"I'm not divulging any details. You're going to have to wait and see."

Quinn bit her lip as she thought about what Artie's surprise could be. He certainly had a way with making her feel special and all those other girly feelings that Quinn didn't believe she would feel again. Before she could respond, her phone buzzed with another message.

"I'm going to call you…I miss you and I want to hear your voice."

Less than ten seconds later, her phone was flashing with Artie's name. Laughing, she answered. She didn't say 'hello,' instead she said the only thought inhabiting her mind at that moment. "You make me happy, really happy. Don't change, okay?"

"Just wait until you see your surprise. You're going to have to invent a new word for what you're going to be feeling."

Cradling the phone between her ear and shoulder, Quinn gathered her belongings and headed out to her car. "Really now?"

"Really…"

A/N: Another NLT shout-out. The second outfit Artie wears is supposed to be one of the outfits Kevin wears in the "Karma" vid...it's also my current icon. =P

I find Kurt to be an incredibly difficult character to capture, so please let me know what you thought! Also, I'm not a fan of the explanation of how Artie got into Kurt's room, but I was told to go with a "glee style explanation" so, yeah...it lead to that...sorry.

Thanks for reading! And an extra special thank you to all of those who have reviewed, favored, and/or alerted!

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