Title: Limitless

Author: DeppleICk

Category: Glee X Percy Jackson Crossover

Pairings: (Thus far...) TinaXMike, FinnXRachel

Summary: There are things about Kurt Hummel that no one might suspect; things that make him different, special…and a little terrifying. But when one of those secrets threatens his life and the lives of others will he accept the help that follows, or will he continue to deny his destiny.

Notes: Set mainly in glee-verse but will include more Percy Jackson characters later on.

Chapter Five

A few minutes later and the bell rang. Students began to fill up the seats. There was no sign of Sam. Kurt was growing impatient, annoyed, and (truth be told) a little worried. He suddenly wished for camp, where not being early was being late.

Finally, just as the late bell began to ring, Sam stumbled in breathing hard. His skin was just the tiny bit flushed and a few beads of sweat shone on his forehead. Kurt's heart lurched, his mind immediately racing to fight/monster/threat.

Then Sam raised his head and his eyes immediately sought out Kurt. Something of his panic must have shown on his face as Sam shook his head slightly. Then, casually, he walked over to Kurt and sat down in the empty seat beside him and pulled out his notebook. Flipping it open, Sam's pencil met the page, angling it just so that Kurt could see what he was writing.

No monster. Just was on the other side of the school when lunch ended. Had to run.

Kurt tried to ignore the massive wave of relief that flooded through him. He kept his body angled forward as he scribbled out a message back on the corner of his paper.

I was worried. We need to prepare for when something really does happen.

Sam took a while to write back. Kurt tried not to look until he saw him lay down his pencil from the corner of his eye.

Agreed. Talk after glee?

Kurt didn't hesitate.

I'll give you a ride home.

Sam's response was a wide smiley face that Kurt would deny forever made him flush. He straightened his spine and tried to focus on the rest of the English lesson, though he couldn't stop his eyes from drifting back to Sam every few minutes. He frowned as he noticed Sam's posture go from happy and relaxed to guarded as they were handed their first assignment for the day. His shoulders tightened and his fingers turned white against his pencil. By the time the bell rang, Kurt could nearly feel Sam's frustration boiling over. He was surprised when the blonde didn't fly from his seat and rush out the door, as his feet had been jumping and his fingers had been tapping the entire class period.

"Ready to go?" Sam asked, turning to him suddenly.

Kurt blinked openly at him, honestly surprised that Sam was openly talking to him when there were still other people in the classroom.

"Huh?"

"History, we have that class next, right?"

"Uh…" What? "Y-Yeah. I'm mean yes, we do. Of course." Kurt's heart jumped. He couldn't believe Sam actually meant to walk with Kurt to their next class. No boys, not even the ones in glee, were ever willing to walk with Kurt in the hallways.

As if he had been poked, Kurt leaped into motion, collecting his things in record time. "Ah, right, let's go," he said, oddly nervous.

Sam smiled at him – and stop it Kurt! No crushing on straight boys! – and led the way out of the classroom. He walked side by side Kurt down the hallway. Kurt could help but glance hesitantly around to judge other people's reactions. Were they walking too close? Too far away? Did it look like they were walking together or just heading the same way? They had a respectable distance between them, but they weren't exactly far apart either. Maybe Kurt should step away a little –

"Man, I hate English."

Now Sam was talking to him – in public – surrounded by everyone else. Kurt might have died.

"E-English?" he stuttered not knowing what to say.

"Yeah. I mean, the stories are cool sometimes but all that reading. I'm just not made for that kind of thing. You know how it is."

Actually, Kurt didn't. With Latin being naturally infused into his bones and it being the father-root of a lot of languages, Kurt was naturally skilled at picking up languages. Also, as the son of Apollo he was even better with words than the normal demigod – hence his fourteen minute French Celine Dion son for the Cheerio's national title.

"I'm pretty good with English, actually," he said. "It's something I get from my father."

Sam looked surprised. He looked at Kurt like he couldn't believe it. "Seriously?" Kurt nodded. "Gods, I wish I had your dad. That would be sick."

Kurt didn't see why it was such a big deal. "You have that much of a problem?" he asked.

"I'm dyslexic," replied Sam, glowering. "Reading kicks my ass."

It was Kurt's turn to be surprised. He'd never heard of a dyslexic demigod before. No wonder Sam was so agitated in class.

Kurt thought he knew what it felt to have a rough time in school. He couldn't imagine having ADHD and trouble reading. A surge of sympathy welled up in Kurt at the thought. He decided right then to do something he knew would regret later.

"I could tutor you," he found himself saying and preened inside when Sam turned to him grinning.

"Seriously? That would be awesome!"

Heat rose in Kurt's cheeks. "No problem," he said. He did not look at Sam. He didn't think he could bare it if he saw the other teen smile.

They arrive at the history room shortly. Kurt hung back as Sam entered the classroom, trying to preserve some of the other boy's dignity. It was ruined when Sam stopped a few feet in front of him and inclined his head.

"Where do you want to sit?"

Kurt was again stuck by the impossibility of the question. He wondered if the entire time he spent around Sam it would be with him feeling as though the floor was constantly ripped out from beneath him. He blinked, wide-eyed; comprehending but being unable to respond. Mute in the face of Sam's simple, easy question. Struck silent by the ease at which it was asked, as though anyone might have and Sam just happened to be there.

Sam waited for Kurt's response. When one wasn't forth coming, his eyebrows furrowed a little before the orbs beneath them caught on something.

"Well, there's Finn and Puck. Let's go sit by them."

Kurt had no choice but to follow. With those simple words of acceptance and normalcy he had tied a chain around Kurt's wrists and declared himself Kurt's master. Kurt would have done anything for Sam in that moment, just so that he could always keep that one second where he was treated like a normal human being, a common friend.

Then they reached the back table where Finn and Puck sat and reality crashed in. He saw them looking at him curiously. Sam sat down, a boy they had just met, and they accepted him without question. Their eyes said they couldn't fathom why Kurt was there.

"Hey, Kurt, need something?" asked Finn. He was smiling. His smile was awaiting Kurt's response, a piece of news of a request. He didn't think that Kurt just wanted to sit down because Kurt never sat with Finn and Puck, it simply didn't happen.

"I – " said Kurt. I what? I want to sit down? I want you to treat me the Sam just did, like I'm a real living being not a walking talking stereotype?

"Here's a chair, Kurt," said Sam suddenly, yanking over a seat from the neighboring table. They were supposed to fit two, but people crowded around them with they friends all the time. Everyone but Kurt.

Kurt took the chair and sat down. He had the corner of the table and he did not look up from it to watch Finn and Puck's reactions.

"Thank you," he said to Sam, knowing the teen wouldn't understand.

"Sure," answered Sam. "Hey, did you ever figure out that level on Call of Duty, Puck? You know, the one with the…"

Kurt let the conversation drift over him. As class began, he pulled out his book and worked diligently on his small portion of the desk. He answered when Sam asked him a question but otherwise remained silent.

He looked up only once during the entire period, just as the bell was ringing.

Finn caught his eye. The expression on his face was curiously blank, but his eyes were two puzzled lights shining out a question. Finn wanted to know what Kurt was doing at his table. Finn's eyes quietly demanded a reason for why Kurt would wander into his section of the world when they were out in public, not at home or in Glee. His eyes said that there must be an exaggerated reason that Kurt would approach him.

Finn's eyes couldn't understand that Kurt didn't have one.

Later that day Kurt sat beside Mercedes and Tina in glee, pretending to listen to their gossip and nodding in the correct places. He just wasn't feeling the drama right now. His eyes kept on slipping to the front row, where Sam sat.

It was a relief when Mr. Schue entered, though the Spanish teacher had recently begun to rub Kurt the wrong way for no particular reason. He was just tired of the same message of unity when it had become overwhelmingly obvious that the glee director had his favorites, Finn and Rachel, and that the rest of them were seconds. It had never used to bother him like it seemed to do now.

Mr. Schue was oblivious to Kurt's ire. He started the meeting with his usual energy and optimism.

"Alright guys, I know that I didn't set an assignment for this week so we'll keep this short and let you guys get home early." Some heads perked up at that. Puck in particular actually focused in for once, turning his attention away from Santana's riding skirt.

"I'll start by saying that I'm very happy about the addition of our two new members – " The entire club applauded, Kurt included. Sunshine and Sam ducked their heads and smiled, red dashing their faces. Mr. Schue continued, " – Yes, quiet down guys. Let me finish. Like I said, it is great that we found some new members, but we shouldn't give up just yet. I want you all to keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. You'll never know when you'll find the newest member of New Directions. I want us to be as strong as we can be and new blood may be the key for beating Vocal Adrenaline and winning Nationals."

More cheers. Everyone paid attention as their fiercest rival and ultimate goal was mentioned. Kurt forgot about Sam momentarily and straightened up – New York.

"Alright. Fourteen is great guys, but we can be even more. Spread the news that glee club is gaining. Next week, we start glee club for real. Now, go on, get out of here. I'll see you all tomorrow."

With that they were released. Half of them shot out of their seats and were gone in a second. The rest chatted as they packed up. Kurt had almost forgotten about giving Sam a ride home until he walked out into the hallway and found Sam waiting for him, leaning his frame against the lockers his head thrown back, eyes in contemplation. The eyes came back down and focused on Kurt immediately, but the soprano couldn't help but wonder what the demigod had been thinking.

He took a gamble. "Gucci for your thoughts?"

Sam shook his head. "Not important. Just thinking." He pushed off the locker and fell into the space beside Kurt's side as if it had been waiting for him. Maybe it had. The thought made Kurt so dizzy he forgot to worry about someone coming out into the hallway and seeing them alone together. They started walking.

"What were you thinking about?" he asked. He tasted his own boldness on his tongue and found it strange by the intimate words he rarely had confidence to speak. For all of his confidence, Kurt rarely dared to break into a level of personal thoughts and feelings. If he didn't ask, one could not respect and answer of the same sort in return.

Sam merely shrugged. "It's really not that interesting. I was just wondering about this whole situation. I mean, what are the chances that two people like us would end up in the same small town in the middle of Ohio? It's doesn't seem quite real. It's like a cosmic joke the gods are playing."

Kurt cast his eyes ahead. He answered dryly. "Unless their trying to get us killed I doubt the gods had anything to do with this. And since I can't think of anything I did to make them want to smite me, I'm certain to say that this is just one, big coincidence that has royally messed us over."

Sam snorted. "Yeah, I don't think I even registered as a blip on the gods' radar." Kurt didn't miss the bitterness. He tucked the moment away and didn't ask.

They made it to Kurt's car and Sam clamored it. Kurt liked the way he did it – naturally, as if he did it every day. He forced himself not to think about it.

As they drove to Sam's house they talked about a patrol schedule. Both of them agreed that they needed one and they needed one fast if they wanted to survive what was to come and protect their families and friends. They exchanged information – emails, cellphones, home phones, emergency contacts, addresses, safe places, alternate addresses – and talked about what would happen if a monster did attack. Obviously, the first thing to do was to help the other fight it off but, if that failed, they both agreed that the next step would be to call in reinforcements and get their friends and families the hell out of there. They worked on cover stories for if one of them ever needed a bail out.

By the time Kurt pulled up in front of Sam's house they were running out of obvious things to cover.

"I think this will work," said Sam, sounding as though he hadn't been certain until that moment.

"If we're smart," agreed Kurt nodding. Sam opened the Navigator door and slipped out.

"See you tomorrow."

"Bye."

Sam closed the door. Kurt pulled away. He felt light and normal. It was an odd thing to feel.

The next day Kurt arrived at school as calmly as he was able. He arrived without Finn and so found himself staring up at the sky in the dumpster in a matter of minutes. He climbed out of the dumpster and shook the business off. Whatever. It had happened before. He could take it.

He found Mercedes at his locker and smiled graciously at her. He had missed her, though he had just seen her yesterday.

"Good morning, Mercedes," he greeted. She yawned.

"Morning, Kurt."

"Tired?"

"Mm. I was up late texting Sunshine. You know that girl is really beginning to grow on me."

Kurt felt another slight stab of jealousy. He bit it back as he answered voice purposely light. "Oh really?"

Mercedes laughed at him. "Oh come on Kurt, I can see you turning green right now. Don't you worry. You're still my bestie for life."

Some of Kurt's jealousy faded. He scowled at her for calling him on it. She laughed at him again, then took his arm and pulled him down the hallway towards his class.

"If it makes you feel better you and I are going to the mall this weekend and are going to shop and shop until we just can't shop no more."

Kurt sniffed, defeated. "Shame, Mercedes. You know that I have no limit on shopping tolerance. The mall is my stage and everyone else, merely backdrop."

"Except me," she said quickly. "I'm the Juliet to your Romeo."

"More like the Good Witch to my Wicked, but yes."

They both snickered. Kurt felt relief to find that their friendship had not wasted away as much as he had feared it had during the summer. Her found himself falling back into easy conversation with her and was glad for it.

The day passed by smoothly. This time Kurt saw Sam a few times in passing. Kurt nodded, but always hurried on, afraid that Sam would do the unthinkable and approach him for conversation in the halls. He spared the blonde the choice, at least until English rolled around.

He sat down at his regular spot and was not surprised when Sam sat beside him and began talking. Sam liked to talk and Kurt liked to listen. In class he saw Sam's frustration mounting and was reminded that he had promised to tutor Sam. They need to talk about that too.

During history Kurt followed Sam to the back table and took his corner of the desk without comment. He could feel Finn's eyes on him sharper than they had been yesterday but forced himself to ignore it. Puck, at least, seemed indifferent to his presence – but then Kurt had suspected for a while that Puck cared less for social conventions, even one such as this, than he let on. His badassness seemed less from a desire to be big and mean (though that existed too) than a habit of not caring a lick about people's opinions on him so long as they feared them. Since Puck was currently the number one badass in the school, Kurt's presence at his table didn't threaten him in the least.

Everything was going smoothly. All the way up until the point that Kurt turned a corner on his way to glee club and found a line of jacketed jerks lying in wait for him. They were a wall of red and white separating him from protection. The hallways were emptied, school was over. Kurt eyed them wearily, his eyes on the ringleader, Karofsky.

"You're in my way," he said primly.

The football players sneered. Karofsky was especially incensed. He took to huge steps forward, raised his hands, and pushed. Kurt could have dodged. He couldn't have ducked under the lumbering arms and brought the bully to the ground with a simple step of his foot and an elbow in the back. He could have, but he didn't. The lockers rattled with the forced of his body. Karofsky was suddenly very close and very threatening.

"You're forgetting your place fairy," the jock spat. "We don't like the way you're hanging with that new kid, Evans. He's one of us, faggot, and we don't like you being around him, infecting him with your homo bullshit. We don't want another one of you fags in our school and we don't like the way you're turning Evans into a cocksucker like you."

If Kurt was thinking, he would have said You can't turn someone gay, idiot. He would have had a sharp comeback that would go over their heads but make him feel better about himself. But Karofsky was in his face and his words were sinking into Kurt's skin. The accusation struck – because Kurt had been afraid of it all week himself. He couldn't open his mouth to defend himself. He was frozen by the barrier of Karofsky's body and the viciousness of his words. He shivered.

Karofsky sneered and hit his chest, slamming Kurt back against the lockers. He stepped back suddenly and looked very smugly around him.

"Consider this your only warning. Stay away from Evans, fag."

The slushies hit him from all sides. The ice sunk into his bones and left him shivering, unable to control himself.

Kurt slid down the wall and sat without moving. His body shook with something more than cold. It wracked through him like horrible disease, jerking his flesh against his will.

**Author's Note:**

Well, I did it. I did actually write this chapter, even when I didn't think I could. If you're surprised, imagine myself. I didn't think I would ever work up the persistence to finish this chapter and here it is.

I would apologize for the long wait but that would imply that I would not do it again. I will try, but I can tell even from writing this that it will probably be another long wait until the next installment. Maybe. Maybe not.

We'll all just have to wait and see.

Chapter Six