Dec. 17, 2017, 6 p.m.
Come Hell Or High Water: Week 16 - The Voice
T - Words: 3,085 - Last Updated: Dec 17, 2017 Story: Closed - Chapters: 28/? - Created: Apr 29, 2015 - Updated: Apr 29, 2015 232 0 0 0 0
Hi everyone!
So sorry for the long hiatus. A reader pointed out some flaws I had in the story and I decided to take a break and think things through. Undortunately, my hiatus ended up longer than I expected but Im back now. Ive got a new perspective on things, and as long as people are still interested, Im willing to keep this story going.
A knock came on the door of Blaines office. "Yes?" he said.
A nurse poked her head in and said, "Doctor Anderson, theres a call for you."
"Thank you, Holly," Blaine followed her out and picked up the call. "Doctor Anderson."
"Doctor Anderson, this is nurse Stacy from the emergency room. We have a Kurt Hummel and Rachel Berry here that asked to call for you," the voice on the other end of the line replied.
"Im sorry, what?" Blaine almost dropped the phone. "What happened?"
"Um there was a bit of a... situation. If you could come down when you can, I can explain in further detail," Stacy told him.
"Ill be right there," Blaine hung up. He rushed to Holly and said, "Cancel my appointments for the rest of the day. There was a family emergency."
"yes sir," Holly nodded.
Blaine took off down the hall and called the elevator. Heart beating quickly in his chest, situations kept cropping up in his mind. What could have happened?
He found Stacy right away. She stood by, almost like she knew he would be there within three minutes. "You must be Doctor Anderson. Your husband said youd be right here."
"Where is he? Is he okay?" Blaine asked.
"Hes in X-Ray right now. They want to run a couple different tests. They stitched up a gash on his head, but he injured his knee as well," Stacy said.
"And Rachel?" Blaine gulped, his thoughts on the baby.
"Having an ultrasound down to make sure things are stable with the baby," Stacy replied calmly.
Running a trembling hand over his face, Blaine asked, "How did this happen?"
"Details are fuzzy. It sounded like they were ambushed by someone that was looking for them. Im not really sure," Stacy said. "Ill let you know when I hear something."
"thank you," Blaine replied. He found a seat in the waiting room and tried to distract himself with a magazine but it didnt work at all.
What could have happened? Were the police not there like they said they would be? Did this mean that they still knew nothing about Belle?
In time, Stacy came back and said, "Blaine, your husband wants to see you."
Heart pounding, he followed her back to a bed, where Kurt was propped up. His eyes were closed and his face was pale. The moment Blaine sat on the bed, his eyes fluttered open.
"hey," Blaine whispered, touching his hand.
"Hi," Kurt whispered, giving a weak smile.
"How are you feeling?" Blaine asked.
"Tired," Kurt admitted. "I have a terrible headache. My knee really hurts."
"What happened?" Blaine encouraged him.
"They took us... in a van... Couldnt see where," he trailed off, closing his eyes.
"Did they take the money?" Blaine asked, slightly confused. "Why werent the police there to help? They told us they would be."
"Never made it there," Kurt mumbled, closing his eyes again.
Stacy came around the curtain and said, "Hes a little out of it right now. Hes got a concussion, unfortunately. He hit his head pretty hard. We had to put in ten stitches."
"Kurt," Blaine whispered. Stroking the back of his hand with his thumb.
"We know that he injured his knee but Im not sure yet what the results of that will be," Stacy said. "Just hang tight for a little while."
"And Rachel?" Blaine asked, his stop turning.
"Shell be in momentarily," Stacy replied. She disappeared around the curtain, leaving Kurt and Blaine alone.
"I should have been with you," Blaine said, tears welling in his eyes. He squeezed Kurts hand tightly. "I thought it would be okay. I thought things would be fine with the police involved. Im so sorry I wasnt there with you, babe. Thus wasnt supposed to happen."
"Blaine," Kurt opened his eyes to look at him. They were unfocused and Blaine noticed a large bruise under his right eye. "We didnt know."
"I still should have been with you," Blaine could no longer hold back his tears. "Im so sorry, Kurt." He leaned forward, burying his face in Kurts chest.
After a bit, Stacy announced that Rachel had returned. "The ultrasound shows that there was no evident injury to the baby. She did well to protect herself. Her wrist was sprained in the process but itll be fine soon enough."
Rachel came around the corner and gave a weak smile. She had a brace on her wrist and several bruises on her face and arms. "Hi Blaine," she said quietly.
"Rachel, I want you to follow up with your OB in a week to make sure things are okay. If you have any symptoms or notice anything at all, call your doctor," Stacy said.
"Okay," Rachel nodded.
When Stacy disappeared, Blaine pulled Rachel into a tight embrace. "Are you okay?" he asked.
When she pulled back, Rachel said, "Honestly, I think Im more emotionally scarred that physically. Ill be okay, really."
"And theyre sure the babys okay?" Blaine asked, his hands moving to her stomach.
She nodded, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "I really did my best to break my fall. Once I realized what they were doing, I knew what I had to do."
"Thank you," Blaine said, hugging her once more. "I cant imagine something going wrong with the baby as well."
"Hows Kurt?" Rachel asked. Her eyes shifted in his direction.
Another voice answered that question for him, "X-Ray shows that the patella was fractured in the fall. Seems the impact was more than your knee could take," a man came around the curtain. "Im Doctor Schwartz. I trust everything went well with your ultrasound, Ms. Berry."
"Yes, thank you," Rachel replied.
"So what does this mean for Kurt?" Blaine asked.
"It means that hell have to stay off that knee for a while. In some cases, surgery is required, depending on how the bone was broken. This was an easier situation, but he will be off it," Dr. Schwartz explained.
Beside Blaine, Kurt groaned. "I walk to work," he stated groggily.
"Until that concussion clears, you arent going to work," Dr. Schwartz told him. "I cant send you to work like this."
"What?!" Kurt jumped. Wincing, he closed his eyes and said, "I cant miss work. I have so much to do and not enough time."
"I cant send you to work with a concussion and you need to be off that knew for at least a week," Dr. Schwartz told him seriously. "Im sorry. Youre just going to have to take it easy."
Kurt didnt respond.
Blaine knew that was going to be a hard thing for Kurt to do. He placed a hand on Kurts shoulder and said, "Well get through this."
"You can sit home and watch musicals with me all day," Rachel teased.
"There are two police officers here to speak to you," Stacy poked her head around the curtain. "They said it was urgent."
"Ill be back," Dr. Schwartz excused himself.
Two men walked in and Blaine felt his chest tighten. "Were you the two involved in todays task?" Blaine asked bluntly. He was angry that they hadnt done their part in this.
"Yes," one of them replied. "Im Officer Doyle and this is Officer Lucas. We waited for you for some time before we knew something was wrong. We were informed that you w ere brought here."
"You were?" Rachel asked.
"Yes," Officer Lucas said. "Seems an old man called the police to warn us of an abduction he thought took place near the coffee shop. He said the people went to the hospital from there."
"You were our first guess," Officer Doyle admitted. "When you didnt dhow, we came to check out the situation. It seems we were right. Do you care to explain what happened?"
"We were heading to the coffee shop. We were taken by surprise, blindfolded and shoved in a black van," Rachel said with a shaky voice.
"Took the money," Kurt confirmed.
"They put us back in the van and dropped us off somewhere else. The street was empty but I think he saw it happen," Rachel concluded.
"Did you get the license plate number off the van?" Officer Lucas asked.
"No, we were blindfolded," Kurt said.
"And your injuries?" Officer Doyle pressed.
"Some were obtained while we were with them. Others were getting tossed from the vehicle," Rachel concluded. "They were really mean."
"Did they give you any information about Annabelle?" Officer Doyle asked.
"July first," Kurt mumbled.
"Yes, they said to have the next $150,000 by July First," Rachel sat down at the foot of Kurts bed. "They also said that this was planned. They knew Kurt and Blaine would have the police waiting. It was sort of a setup so you wouldnt be with them. I wasnt even supposed to be there."
"Is there anything else you can recall? Did you ever see their faces? Did you recognize a voice or suspect where you were?" Officer Lucas asked.
Thinking about their answer, Kurt and Rachel exchanged looks. "I had no idea where we were or who we were with," Rachel said. "We were blindfolded the entire time."
"I dont either," Kurt said.
"The voice did sound familiar to me though," Rachel added. "Like Ive heard it a while ago but I dont know who it belongs to."
"No word on Annabelle?" Officer Lucas asked.
"They hardly mentioned her," Rachel said. "All they said was Kurt was an easy victim just like his daughter."
The statement made Blaines stomach turn. He didnt want to imagine what Kurt or Belle had been through, especially since Belle had been with these people for weeks.
"If you have any other information or if you recall anything that happened today, please let us know," Officer Doyle said. "Especially if you recall who the voice belongs to."
"Thank you," Blaine said. He reached for Rachels hand and said, "I really am sorry you had to go through this today."
"Its okay, really. We didnt know this was going to happen," she reassured him.
"And you cant think of the voice at all?" Blaine asked. "Anything that might give you a clue?"
"Ill do everything I can to think of it but I dont think Ive heard it in a long time," Rachel frowned. "Im sorry I cant do more for you."
"Its not your fault," Blaine reassured her. "Well figure this out."
"Its a good thing we have an elevator," Kurt said, as they entered the apartment the following day. He had been kept overnight at the hospital for observation. "I think I would die if I had to take the stairs all the time."
"And you guys think Im a drama queen," Rachel shook her head.
"Because you are," Kurt and Blaine said in unison.
"Youre not, honey," Sam said, kissing her forehead.
"Hmm," Rachel replied.
When Kurt sat down, Blaine took his crutches and set them on the floor at his feet. "Is there anything I can get you, my love?"
"No," Kurt said shortly.
"Do you guys need anything?" Sam asked. "Its been a rough week if theres anything Rachel and I can do for you, let us know."
"The only thing I need is Belle," Blaine said bitterly. "And thats not something were ever going to get at this rate." He turned to face to Rachel, "Are you sure you cant remember who the voice belonged to?"
Closing her eyes, Rachel said, "Im not sure. Its no one Im too familiar with. I would know if I knew the person well. I just feel like Ive heard it somewhere. I cant put my finger on where though."
"How is that ever going to get us anywhere?" Kurt tossed his hands up in the air. "Are we just supposed to sit around and wait for Rachel to remember? Belle cant wait that long."
"Kurt, Im doing the best I can!" Rachel crossed her arms over her chest defensively. "Ive been stacking my brain since yesterday."
"No, thats not the solution. Leave her alone, Kurt. Shes been through just as much as you," Sam snapped, wrapping his arm around Rachels waist.
Since the incident, Kurt had been in a terrible mood and Rachel had been overly sensitive. It was hard keeping them from getting upset with each other.
"Look, you guys have been through quite the ordeal. Lets just take a break and regroup tomorrow. Maybe we can come up with a solution," Blaine decided.
"Good idea," Sam nodded. "See you then." He led Rachel out of the apartment without another word .
Blaine turned to Kurt and took his hands, "Youve been through a lot. Maybe you should just go get some sleep."
"Yeah, okay," Kurt said quietly. He carefully moved into the bedroom and Blaine followed.
"Do you need help with anything?" Blaine asked. He didnt want to push Kurts buttons.
"No," Kurt said shortly, sitting on the side of the bed.
"Kurt, we are going to figure this out," Blaine replied. "Im not waiting another two and a half months to get this sorted out."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Kurt snapped. "I have no idea who we were with Blaine and Rachel doesnt either." Years formed in his eyes and his lip quivered, "Im just so tired of this. I hate that we went through all of that and got nowhere. Rachel doesnt know who it was any more than I do."
"But she does know," Blaine replied. "We just have to get her to remember."
"Thats not exactly an easy thing to do when we have nothing to go on," Kurt hissed. He bowed his head and sat in silence for a moment, letting his tears fall.
"Do you want to talk about what happened? Maybe it will help," Blaine cupped his hand over Kurts cheek and brushed a tear away with his thumb.
"No," Kurt said wearily. "I dont even want to think about it. The police arent going to find him anyway."
"Then well have to find the kidnapper ourselves," Blaine said slowly.
"And how are we going to do that?" Kurt raised an eyebrow.
"I dont know but well figure it out," Blaine said.
Kurt sighed in defeat, "I just hate this whole situation. I wish I couldve done more yesterday. Something to set this in motion. Instead were stuck in the same spot, only now Im off work."
Blaine knelt down in front of him and took his hands, "You returned home safely with Rachel. Thats worth more to me than you know."
"Yeah," Kurt whispered.
"I cant imagine losing you too," Blaine said,
"Youre not going to lose me. No matter what happens, well always be together," Kurt said softly, meeting Blaines lips in a tender kiss.
Several days passed before Sam and Rachel came around. Sam sent Blaine a text message saying Rachel needed some space. It was probably a good thing, because Kurt was in a terrible mood all week due to being off work.
On Friday, Sam called Blaine that morning and said, "I think Rachel needs to talk about what happened. Would Kurt want Rachel to keep him company today?"
"Yeah, I think thatd be a good idea. Hes been cooped up all week and he could use the company," Blaine replied. "I cant get him to talk to me either."
"Great. Shell head over as soon as shes up for the day," Sam said.
"Okay. Swing by after work. I think the four of us should sit down and figure things out," Blaine told him.
He went through the day thinking about Kurt and how vulnerable he has been since the incident. It worried Blaine. There was so much he wished he could do for his husband.
When he entered the apartment later that evening, Kurt, Rachel, and Sam were seated on the couch. Kurt had his leg propped up on the coffee table, while Rachel sat curled into Sams side. A bowl of popcorn between her and Kurt.
"Blaine! Come see this!" Rachel called from the couch. She picked up the bowl and set it in her lap. "We got so bored, we dug out old home movies."
"Oh no," Blaine groaned.
"Oh yes," Sam smirked. "Im glad youre mom gave these to you."
"What are you watching?" Blaine asked, already embarrassed.
"Your first performance with the Warblers. Come watch," Rachel said.
Blaine sat on the arm of the couch beside Kurt, placing a hand on his shoulder. Kurt smiled weakly up at him. "Doing okay?" Blaine asked."
"Fine," Kurt nodded.
An image of Dalton Blazers appeared on the screen. Blaine was in front leading the group. This was there sectionals of the first year he performed, already leading the group. His family had all come down to support him. The Warblers performed two songs before leaving the stage.
The tape cut to the announcer giving the news that the Warblers had won and were moving on to regionals. The entire group jumped and cheered, as Blaine took the trophy from the announcer.
Once again, the tape cut to a new scene. A young version of Blaine stood before the camera holding the trophy. "Regionals, here we come!" he beamed.
"How does it feel?" his father asked from behind the camera. Blaine felt his stomach turn at the sound of his fathers voice. It was the first he had heard it since his father passed away.
"I cant believe we got here. I thought wed lose if I led the group," Blaine laughed.
"With your terrible voice," Cooper appeared on the screen, rustling Blaines hair. "Im just kidding. You were incredible. Someday you could join the music business and wed be Hollywoods best brothers."
"Cooper," his father said with a warning tone. "Its all in good fun. Your brother knows this isnt serious. Hes not going to make the same mistake you did."
Just like the boy in the video, Blaines face fell. His father had been disapproving from the beginning of his passion for music.
"Or maybe you could take Blaines interests more seriously like you didnt with me," Cooper flipped off the camera before disappearing.
"Are any high school competitions a serious thin?," another voice said. Blaines Uncle Timothy had appeared. "You couldnt be into something exciting like football?"
"Im terrible at football," Blaine commented.
"Just like your father," Timothy laughed.
A loud crash sent the popcorn bowl to the ground. Everyone stared at Rachel, who was now on her feet. She moved to the television and knelt down in front of it as Blaines father and uncle teased each other.
"Whats wrong, Rachel?" Sam asked.
"Its him," Rachel whispered.
"What?" Blaine and Sam asked.
"Its him," Rachel continued to stare at the screen. "It was his voice I remembered."
"My Uncle?" Blaine asked.
"Yes," she hissed.
"Kurt sat forward, listening intently, "it does sort of sound like that guy."
"I knew I had heard his voice, because I met him when Blaine and I dated," Rachel turned to face the couch. "He called me a Broadway bitch, because him and Michael thought I was ruining Blaines future."
"Rachel, hes my uncle. Why would he kidnap my daughter?" Blaine said, surprised. "Hes not that kind of person."
"Blaine," Rachel said firmly. "I know what I heard. His voice has been haunting me for days. Hes the man that has Belle."