Kurt blinked, the sun hitting his face from a part in the drapes. One of these days, he thought, Im going to remember to close those drapes before I get into bed.

He looked at the clock beside his bed. Seven-thirty. His dad would be there in less than an hour, so he better get out of bed and get ready. Maybe just one more snuggle....

Bang Bang Bang.

“Kurt, come open this door!” he heard his father yell. Kurt jumped, looking over at the clock that now said 8:45. He had fallen back asleep.

“Kurt, is that your dad?” Blaine asked, turning over under the rumpled blankets. He looked a bit panicked. Neither of the boys was wearing a stitch of clothes and they had fallen back asleep while cuddling together. Blaine jumped out of bed, throwing on the sweat pants lying beside the bed and tossing Kurts yoga pants to him.

“Im coming, Mr. Hummel,” he shouted, then helped Kurt into the bathroom, his clothes in his arms. Blaine pulled on a Dalton T-shirt that proclaimed him to be a member of the Polo Team and slipped his feet into his slippers on his way to the door.

“Sorry, Mr. Hummel, Kurt is in the bathroom and I was helping him get dressed. I guess I didnt hear you at first – please come in and make yourself at home. Ill just go and see if Kurt is ready,” Blaine struggled to apologize.

“Okay. Thanks, Blaine. We need to get on the road,” Burt said, looking around the room and frowning. “I thought they were putting another bed in here. Whats up with that?”

“Ah...were waiting for them to do that. Ill call the office this morning and see what the hold up is...” Blaine said, thinking he was lucky his back was turned or his blush would need an explanation, one he didnt want to provide right then.

Burt smiled to himself. He loved poking the bear – especially when they blushed as red as this Anderson kid.

“Have a good day, Blaine. Ill see you tonight,” Kurt said, pulling Blaine behind the door to give him a deep kiss before turning to catch up with his dad in the parking lot.

“Tonight, Beau. Love you,” Blaine said, hugging Kurt as close as he could get with Kurt in the wheelchair.

Blaine walked them out to Burts truck, helping him to get the wheelchair into the back. One more kiss to Kurt as Burt was locking the tailgate and they were off. Blaine walked back inside to get ready for school. He wondered to himself how he could miss Kurt already.

~KB~KB~KB~KB~KB~

Kurt was sitting in the wheelchair, his father pushing, when his name was called at the prosthetists office.

“Hi, Billy,” Kurt greeted the small man with red hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His dark brown eyes twinkled as he saw it was Kurt coming in. This was one of his favorite patients, a boy always full of light-hearted joking and real determination in his beautiful blue eyes. He reminded Billy of one of his own kids.

“Hey, Kurt. Wheres your usual escort? Dr. Andersons brother?” he asked, looking around.

“Hes in class. I brought my dad this time,” Kurt said, turning the wheelchair to see what was holding his dad up.

“Im here, buddy. Just stopped to chat with the receptionist about your appointment next month,” Burt said, walking in.

“Hello, Mr. Hummel, how are you today?” Billy asked politely. He liked Burt Hummel, not many parents showed as much affection with their kids as he did.

“Just fine,” Burt said, looking at Kurt once again.

“Tell me about the wrist and when you might be getting out of this snazzy little conveyance,” Billy grinned, tapping the left handle of the wheelchair.

“I have an appointment to have the cast removed today and for a check-up on the bruised kidney. If everything checks out, I can kick the chair to the curb. I can hardly wait, its been a long month,” Kurt said.

Billy helped Kurt up and then had him change into a hospital gown so he could check the fit on the prosthetic leg. He couldnt find any sores or places that had been rubbing. After checking about the comfort level, he had Kurt walk down the aisle in the exam room, watching each step.

“Okay, the basic leg is doing well. I know you were confined to the chair most of time since you got this new model, so I want to see you in a week after you start walking. I want you to use either your wrist-cuff crutch or a cane for the first month until youre used to the way this new foot feels. Now, I have a surprise for you,” Billy grinned. He loved making his patients happy.

He rummaged through a closet, reading the tags on various pieces that were carefully set on the styrofoam-lined shelves. Finding Kurts name, he took the piece out and showed it to Kurt, It was an extension to the prosthetic, a part that interchanged with the foot Kurt was using now. This new one was a curved piece of metal instead of a synthetic foot. It was for running and other more athletic pursuits.

“Let me show you how to take the other foot off and attach this one,” he told both father and son, showing the new foot to Kurt and directed him in putting it on.

Kurt stood up, walking a few feet. He was unsteady and Billy motioned for Burt to hand him a cane. Using the cane for balance, Kurt walked a few more feet down the aisle, then faster back.

“Wow! Its amazing! It sort of...I dont know...bounces? Like there is more spring in my foot when I step forward. Wow...” Kurt said, his eyes bright and twinkling. He looked at his father only to find he had tears in his eyes.

“Oh, Dad...its okay, really, it is...” Kurt soothed his father, stepping carefully over to lay a hand on his shoulder.

“Im not upset, Kurt. Just happy for you. I never knew they made these springy things...Id have gotten you one a long time ago,” Burt said, his eyes telling Kurt without words how much he loved him. Kurt leaned over and hugged his dad.

“Lets not dwell in the past. Lets look at all the bright things coming up in the future, okay?” Kurt said.

“Now youre going to throw my words back at me, huh, kid?” Burt laughed, wiping his eyes and smiling at Kurt.

“Well, theyre true,” Kurt smiled back.

“Burt, dont beat yourself up over this, that foot wasnt invented when Kurt had his amputation. Its new technology.” Billy added. “Now, dont wear this when youre riding the horse, it will slip out of the stirrup – use the other foot as we talked about. You know that with his amputation above the knee, it limits Kurts ability to do the things he might have done if it was below the knee. However, they have been able to make this flexible foot work with the newer above-knee legs and I think Kurt is a prime candidate for trying this out. How does it feel, Kurt?”

“Marvelous....like I went to sleep a caterpillar and woke up a butterfly,” Kurt grinned, walking down the hall one more time.

~KB~KB~KB~KB~KB~

Burt drove his pick-up back to Lima, Kurt sitting in the seat beside him. They took turns tuning the radio for a while, Burt listening to a different style of music than Kurt did until they finally agreed on classical. It reminded both of them of Elizabeth. Kurts mother loved to play classical music at home.

“So, how is Dalton?” Burt asked.

“I love it. Im not afraid to go down the halls, everyone is so polite, and at least theres a challenge in the classes. I think the teachers there actually love teaching. They seem enthusiastic and competent – a thing that hardly existed at McKinley where it was only one or the other.”

“What do you do after class – besides kiss Blaine?” Burt asked, getting the blush out of his son that he was trying for. He suppressed a smile.

“Trents sister is teaching me to ride a horse,” Kurt said, waiting for his father to show signs of being upset, but they never came. Hed forgotten that Billy mentioned it during his appointment. He had called Billy to ask about horseback riding a few days ago.

“Trent that I met?”

“Yeah, he has a bunch of sisters and one of them is teaching me to ride. Well, two of them actually if you count little Katie. Shes a freshman at Crawford,” Kurt detailed.

“Just how many sisters does Trent have? I thought you mentioned one of them is Coopers secretary,” Burt asked.

“Lets see, theres Annaliese, then Susan – shes Coops secretary - then Charlotte. I havent met her, shes off at college. Sheila and the twins Joannie and Janice, then Trent and his baby sister Katie. Seven in all, like the constellation,” Kurt laughed.

“Are you wearing a helmet when youre on the horse?” Burt asked.

“Yes, sir. Sheila wouldnt let me on the horse without one,” he answered, rolling his eyes.

“Thats good. Why do you want to ride a horse?” Burt asked. Kurt had never voiced that desire at all as far as Burt knew.

“Its allowing me to do something I thought I would never actually be able to do again. I havent been able to run since I was nine years old. This gives me the same feeling – of being free to go where I want, but more than that, its an adrenaline rush that burns my veins with the thrill of it. Sheila let me ride her polo pony while she was in back of me, holding on. It was a thing Ive never felt before, Dad, even if I never got to do that again in this life it would be enough,” Kurt explained, looking for a reaction from his dad.

“Just be careful, buddy. Thats all I ask,” Burt patted Kurts leg and turned back to the road as the light turned green. He hid the fact that he felt badly about Kurt not being able to run, but he could never figure out what to do about it. He wished hes have been the one to think of a horse.

They got to the doctors office a bit early and Kurt told his dad about the classes, the possibility of auditioning for the Warblers, and a lot about Blaine. Burt told his son how work was going, about some of the neighbors and his employees. They were laughing about one of the neighbors running after her dog through another neighbors garden when Kurts name was called.

Once more in an exam room, Kurt was happy to hear the cast was indeed coming off. He wrinkled his nose at the smell of the heated fiberglass as the doctor sawed it off, then again when the cast was removed and all the dead skin and sweat got fresh air.

“Why does it smell so bad?” Kurt asked, worried that his arm was infected or something.

“Dead skin, mostly. Without air, it doesnt slough off normally. I want you to go home and wash it gently with soap and water, apply a good moisturizer, and do not rub or pick at it. It will be fine in a few days, and rubbing it will make it sore and possibly cause an infection. Okay?” the doctor said, looking at Kurt and then at Burt.

“Yes, I can do that,” Kurt said, wanting to dig his nails in and scratch the next six layers of skin off. The doctor gave him a look of doubt, but Kurt smiled at him and reassured him that he could do it.

“Now, I need you to give me a urine sample. Can you do that?” the doctor asked and Kurt left the room.

“Mr. Hummel, I wanted to touch base with you,” the doctor said, looking stern and a bit worried.

“What about?” Burt asked, a thin line of cold shiver streaking up his spine. Those were the very words he had heard when he found out Kurt had cancer.

“Im concerned about Kurt returning to school. I want to say he was lucky this time, but being beaten is not exactly a sign of luck. He could have been hurt much worse, that is true, but this was bad enough. My daughter goes to McKinley and she knows Kurt. She told me about what he goes through every day there. If you werent aware of it before, you are now. I only want to make sure Kurt is being safe,” the man said.

“Ah...well, first: Kurt is no longer attending McKinley. He got a scholarship to Dalton Academy. I think hes safer there. He is happier than Ive seen him since he was a little kid. Honestly, my only worry now is that he wants to do the things the other boys are doing – like horseback riding. He wants to learn to play polo!” Burt said, a strange look on his face.

“And youre worried he will get hurt. I understand. You have a legitimate reason to worry, but the school clubs are not the same as professional ones. They wont let the kids do anything too dangerous, and they will make sure Kurt can ride well enough to play. Id let him. He needs to stretch his wings, Papa Bear,” the doctor said, patting Burt on the shoulder.

Kurt came back and the doctor left to examine the sample. He returned after a few minutes.

“Kurt, everything looks clear. No blood or protein so it looks like your kidney is doing fine. Im going to have you get a metabolic panel on your way out, just to be safe. Otherwise, youre clear. You can use a cane if your prosthetist suggests one, but I see no reason if you feel steady on your feet with the new leg,” he smiled at Kurt.

“Thanks, Dr. Pierce, I appreciate it. Say hello to Brittany for me,” Kurt shook his hand and they were gone.

~KB~KB~KB~KB~KB~

“What say we get something to eat?” Burt asked, driving through downtown on the way to their house.

“I...I thought I was going back to Dalton?” Kurt said, looking confused.

“Oh. I thought that since this is Friday that you could spend the weekend with me?” Burt hesitated, a sad look coming across his face for a second before he erased it was a big smile.

“Well, we need to eat lunch before we head back. Do you want to go to that Thai place you like?” Burt tried to appear cheerful.

“Oh, Dad....Im sorry. Here. Let me call Blaine and explain. Im sure he wont mind changing plans. We were just going to go to the library and I can do that after class on Monday,” Kurt hurried to say, dialing his cell. He told Blaine and although he thought he heard something in Blaines voice, the boy agreed that some time at home with his dad might do Kurt some good.

“Okay, youve got me for the weekend,” Kurt smiled at his dad, his heart beating quickly for a minute when he saw how genuinely happy that made his father. “And I know you dont like Thai food, lets go to the diner on Market Street as long as you promise to choose something that is not fried in butter. Okay?”

“That, buddy, is a deal.”

Kurt walked into the house, feeling the calm that had always come down over him when he entered this place. Even on the worst days of McKinley, this had been his sanctuary. He was grateful it still felt like that. He wondered if the dorm room at Dalton would feel like this eventually.

After he had put his things away and changed into something more comfortable, Kurt came back into the den, finding his father just where he thought he would be – sitting in his easy chair watching television. He thought they had a good day together so far...good news at both appointments and then a meal with meatloaf for his dad and roasted veggie plate for Kurt. They had even shared a banana split afterwards in celebration of the positive things that happened today.

“Hey, Kurt. I thought youd gone to take a nap. I guess today has been pretty busy, huh?” Burt asked. Kurt sat down on the sofa, his legs up on the cushion.

“Yeah, but not too bad. Ah...I called the doctors office. Dr. Kim,” Kurt said, mentioning his oncologist. “They were able to schedule the annual PET scan for me this afternoon. I know its a month early, but I thought we might go ahead and get it over with,” Kurt said, a little afraid of Burts reaction. A PET scan was a diagnostic tool for detecting cancer. While the amputation got rid of the tumors, the doctors had suggested that Kurt have a PET Scan every year for ten years to be sure it hadnt come back. It was an emotional time for both Kurt and his dad, but each year the results came back clear.

“Okay, son. But tell me – why not have Blaine here? I mean, if hes your boyfriend, dont you want to lean on him?” Burt asked, but the answer he wanted wasnt something easy for Kurt to say. Burt wanted to know if Kurt was as close to Blaine as he appeared to be last week. Having sex implied that he was and Burt didnt want to find out that Kurt wasnt close enough to Blaine to want to share this. After his talk about making sex a way to connect with someone he loved, Burt was concerned that Kurt wasnt sharing this part of his life with Blaine.

“I dont want to scare him. I know hes supportive, hes taken me to appointments, helped me in every way he can. I believe it when he tells me he loves me – and I love him, too. But, Im just not ready to have him in on this. If the worst happens and I have cancer again, I need you there, Dad. You will know how to be with me if we get bad news. Much as Blaine cares about me, I dont want to have to hold him up while Im breaking down, you know?” Kurt said, looking for understanding in his fathers eyes.

“Yeah, son, I do. Ill take you,” he said, moving to the sofa to put his arms around his son. “You know that whatever happens, I”ll be there for you, dont you?”

“Yes, Dad. I know. I depend on it.”

“Hey, lookie here,” Burt said a while later, looking through the television guide. “Theres a polo game!”

Kurts eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Yeah, right here....Newport International Polo Assoc. presents USA vs. Ireland. Its on in ten minutes. Do you want to watch that until we have to go to the hospital for your test?” Burt grinned, happy to find something Kurt would watch with him.

“Ill get us some tea and bring in that plate of oat muffins,” Kurt offered and left to get it.

They watched the game, Kurt sitting with his laptop looking up the rules and various players on Wikipedia. Burt grinned the whole time, glad to be with his son – who hadnt shown any interest in a sport since the time they had watched curling being played at the Winter Olympics.

The two men cheered the USA team, yelling at the screen while they watched the players making goals and riding the horses.

“When you said polo pony, I thought it was one of those cute, shaggy little guys from Shetland. These look like big horses, Kurt,” Burt said, his imagination providing all kinds of accidents that might befall his son.

“No, thats just a word, I dont know where it came from. No, polo ponies are actually horses. I read that they are usually a mix of thoroughbred and Morgan horses. The one Im learning on, Rocky, is old and quiet. The Barnes kids have all ridden him...from Annie to Katie, eight kids. Hes gentle and slow. Im being safe, Dad. I promise,” Kurt reassured his father. Maybe he could take his dad to meet the horse when he took him home.

“Okay then.”

“Would you rather I played Lacrosse?” Kurt asked, knowing his fathers views on kids playing that dangerous game.

“No, Kurt. Im fine with you learning to ride the horse, I guess. Wear your helmet,” Burt grumped, looking in the bowl to get the last three kernels of popcorn.

~KB~KB~KB~KB~KB~

There was a little over an hour before they had to leave for the hospital to have his PET scan. Kurt had enjoyed watching the polo game with his father, but he was tired now. Maybe a nap would be called for here...just a bit of rest before the adrenaline rush of the test.

He had just laid down, having removed his jeans and shirt so he could remove his prosthesis and be comfortable, and snuggled under the blanket in his briefs when his cell phone rang. A photo flashed on the screen of Blaine in his pale blue cardigan and purple bowtie, looking as if he were lost in thought, a sweet smile on his face. Trent had taken the photo before they met Kurt, but it was still one of Kurts favorites.

“Hello, Beau! Did I call at a convenient time?” came Blaines voice.

“Any time is convenient if its you calling,” Kurt said, a smile in his voice that warmed Blaines whole body.

“Whats up? How did the medical stuff go?” Blaine asked, a note of anxiety in his voice.

Kurt told him about the new foot prosthesis and the wrist feeling funny without the cast and all.

“So, you can move your wrist, Beau? Like in a...ah, rhythmic motion?” he asked. Kurt sat still for a moment, wondering what Blaine was getting at – then the dawn broke and he blushed scarlet red.

“Blaine!” he whisper-shouted, not wanting his father to hear. Burt might be on the other side of the house with the football game turned up, or more likely asleep in front of the same game, but Kurt didnt need for him to hear.

“Yes, Beau? Something I can do for you?” he said, his voice getting a little slower, a bit deeper.

“Oh, yes theres something you can do for me, but youre there and Im here. I guess theres no way to really do anything, is there?” Kurt whispered, his heart starting to beat a bit faster as his imagination fed an amazing scene to his brain. He couldnt help but move his hand down to brush against the growing need in his briefs.

“You dont think so, baby? You dont seem to have much faith in me. Here I am, all alone with the door locked, in this nice big bed. The bed we were in together just last night as a matter of fact. I was lying down when I thought I caught a whiff of something...your cologne, the body wash you use that smells like jasmine and oranges...and there was this other scent...something earthy and wild – like you smell when I have my nose next to your thighs, drawing little maps up your leg for my tongue to follow...” Blaine rambled on, then stopped for a brief second, a small gasp and moan coming through the phone to wrap around Kurts cock. He reached inside his briefs, stroking twice to calm himself.

“Blaine? Its getting warm here, too warm to be wearing so much,” he cooed, a bit of distress seeping through in his voice.

“It is? At the risk of sounding cliché, what are you wearing?”

“My cherry red briefs, but dont worry, Im sliding them down my thighs now. They wont be in my way any more,” Kurt informed his boyfriend, sliding his hand over his hardening cock as he pulled the sheet and blanket back up over himself.

“Are you cold, Beau? Maybe we need to do something to make you warm – I dont want to risk you catching a cold,” Blaine sounded concerned.

“I wish you were here, Blaine. My body is cold here without you. If you were here, what would you do to keep me warm?”

“Open your bedside drawer, Beau, and get out the bottle I left there for you,” Blaine instructed, reaching down to run his fingers lightly over his erection as he imagined Kurt doing the same. He popped open the lid to his bottle of lube, making sure it was close enough to the phone that Kurt could hear it.

He did, and his cock got all that much harder. He let a moan escape, putting the thick blanket over his head to muffle any awkward sounds that might escape and make their way to Burt.

“Put some of that slick stuff on your hand, baby, and slide your fingers down your thighs. Make your fingers do what you know I would be doing if I was beside you right now...are you doing it? Are you massaging your strong legs and just teasing a bit – stroke that bit of skin just behind your balls...yes....like that, baby...use both hands if you need to...run your fingertip around in a circle, imagine its my tongue just barely touching the tender skin at your opening. Stroke your thick cock now with the other hand, hold yourself firmly, but not too tight. Oh...yes, Im doing it, too...imagining its your long fingers tracing along the vein from root to crown, over and over as your body shivers with each touch. Mmmmmmm, so good, right? I can make you feel so good, baby....”

Blaine stopped to gather air into his lungs. He was hot and very horny, missing Kurt so much. Hed been lying in bed supposedly for a nap but he could not stop thinking about Kurt and his pale skin, his long, wet tongue and what he could do with that talented tongue. He took another breath, closing his eyes to imagine what Kurt looked like just this very second. His imagination was more than adequate in conjuring up that image.

“Blaine...dont stop...tell me more..what are you going to do now?” came the soft but plaintive voice over the cell phone.

“Dont let go, Beau...were only beginning. How hard are you, Kurt? Could you push inside me now? Or do you need more time, more stroking that beautiful cock. Is it straining towards me? I love it when it does that – as if it knows whats coming next, as if it knows me and how much I want it down my throat....Mmmmm...” Blaine continued, Kurt holding himself in a firm grip, the lube making the strokes slick and the friction beginning to make the warmth coil in Kurts belly. He wanted more, so he whined and Blaine was quick to recognize Kurts way of asking for more.

“Now, add more lube to your left hand, and make your way back to your ass, parting your sweet cheeks to let my fingers in, skating in circles around that sensitive place, the one that only I have touched, only I have put my warm tongue on and tasted all of you, Beau...and I have to stop and calm myself down before I have gone past the point of no return . Once I taste your skin, once Ive had you down my throat- panting and moaning for more, and my hand is stroking, massaging, keeping up the perfect rhythm as I push gently inside you - touching where no one else has ever dared to, that place you have saved for me and me alone...rub gently, baby, make it feel good like you know I can...”

Kurt was whining, moaning and his mind was full of all the things he and Blaine had shared, and many things he wanted to share. He was arching his back, his fingers buried in his ass, his other hand stroking faster as Blaines words wove a dream inside Kurts head.

“More....Blaine dont leave me here...carry me through to the end....are you touching yourself? Tell me...” Kurt begged, needing more of Blaines voice, more of his control to get this finished.

“Im pulling, massaging, stroking myself, all the time thinking youre here and doing all the exploring, all the seduction, setting the rhythm of my heart. Im in the same room with you, Beau, and we are making such sweet love – pushing another finger inside you,” Blaine said as Kurt did just that..and moaned so loud he had to cover his mouth to keep it from being heard.

“Oh, Kurt...is it that good for you? Squeeze just a bit tighter, remember how it feels when you have prepped me with your own fingers, then you push inside me, and I moan...it is so good, I never want it to end....but I cant stop it, the rhythm is relentless – the ocean tide, the sun setting, every living thing has a rhythm and I know yours, dont I, baby? Stroke yourself to that rhythm – the same one Im using and we are getting closer. Arent we, baby?” Blaine asked, his voice coming in shallow pants as he and Kurt pumped and curled their toes in unison until Kurt couldnt believe that hed touched that sweet spot inside – a place only Blaine had ever touched and it sent him flying into the sun, his semen coming in great clots and strings, the warmth of the liquid pooling in his hand and running down his wrist as he cooed and moaned at Blaine, thanking him, praising him...thanking the stars for bringing Blaine just for him.

“Kurt? Oh...Kurt Im so, so close...talk to me, Beau...” he begged, teetering on the edge and wanting Kurts voice to be what pushed him over the edge.

“Blaine...oh, that was good...remember the first time I took you into my mouth? It was like heaven had opened the skies and brought down your idea of a perfect angel. Remember how I took you so deep into my mouth, humming and squeaking at the new sensations...and then I got down to business and learned to suck you so hard...I touched your balls, then took them in my hand to massage in the gentlest way while I kissed my way into that pink asterisk of pleasure, licking slowly and sucking as I moved back to let you stop if you wanted. You didnt and pulled me closer as my tongue continued – and I added a finger...” Kurt suddenly heard Blaines breath change to a shallow moaning, saying small things, loving things, things that made Kurt blush with desire and want, in spite of the fact that he had come less than a minute ago.

“Come for me, baby,” he said into the phone, whispering it so Burt couldnt hear, “Let that warm wave come over you as I push myself around you, your cock down my throat....” and he heard Blaines high-pitched whine that meant he had fallen over that edge, had given so much, but saved just enough strength to do this.

Afterwards, both of them lay quiet in their beds, eyes closed as they rode the way back to calm.

“Blaine? I love you. I feel so much better now. Ill sleep well tonight – and I know you will, too.”

“I will, but its never the same if you arent with me. I need your arms like the earth needs rain and sunshine, Beau,” Blaine said.

Kurt giggled. “Until the Twelfth of Never?” he asked, recognizing the lyrics of a song his father used to play on the radio. Blaine erupted in laughter.

“Leave it to you to know some obscure song by a crooner from your grandmothers time,” Blaine got out between giggles.

“Johnny Mathis is not obscure, Mr. Music Snob. Ill have you know that my dad has excellent taste in music,” Kurt said, defending his father.

“Okay, sure, Kurt. I think Ill leave it at that then...” more laughter.

“I need to get moving now – my appointment at the hospital is in less than an hour and I need to wake my dad up,” Kurt said, not wanting to hang up the phone, but recognizing that he had an obligation.

“Okay, Beau. You know my heart is with you, okay? And if you get scared, or any other reason, just call and Ill be there for you,” Blaine said. “Bye for now.”

It wasnt ten minutes before Kurt was back in bed, his clothes back on as he fell asleep.

“Kurt!!! Time to wake up, son. We need to go now if were going to make your appointment,” Burt called through the locked door.

“Ill be right there, Dad,” he said, adjusting his bowtie.

~KB~KB~KB~KB~KB~

Kurt and his dad entered the hospital at one thirty, ready for the test. The admitting nurse took them to the radiology department where Kurt changed into a hospital gown and ugly blue slipper-socks. The nurse placed an IV for the radio-isotope to be injected.

“You okay, Kiddo?” Burt asked. He remembered every time hed had to bring Kurt here, the days he had to hold his son down so they could insert the vein catheter for the IV, the times Kurt was brave and trembled all over even while he held his arm still for the nurse to insert the IV; or the last few years when Kurt bravely held up his arm for the sharp poke. He thought all of those times would sort of melt into one memory, but no. He remembered every single one of them.

Burt recalled all the details, even remembering the plain walls with institution green paint that preceded these new walls with faux-cheerful flowers and woodland creatures in the waiting room. He idly wondered how many hundreds of thousands of dollars the hospital administrators had spent on expensive sculptures and art pieces that were strewn about the hallways of the newly redecorated facility.

“Yeah, Im fine, Dad. You know Ive done this before, right?” he tried to kid his dad, but Burt didnt smile.

“Yeah...youre an old trouper,” he said, placing his hand on Kurts shoulder.

“All right, theres gonna start now,” Kurt said when a nurse he recognized walked into the room. “Why dont you go to the waiting room? I think they had the sports channel on when we walked by,” Kurt said.

“Okay, Ill see you in a couple of hours,” Burt said, hugging his son and nodding at the nurse.

“This time were going to do both a PET Scan and a CT at the same time. It makes it easier for the doctor reading it, and it shows more,” she said, wheeling Kurt down the hall to the chilly room where the equipment was set up.

“Ready?” she asked, syringe full of murky pink liquid in her hand.

“Sure,” Kurt said. The nurse injected it into the IV tubing, not his skin, so it didnt hurt. There was a funny overly warm feeling as the fluid rushed through his veins, making him feel as if he had to use the bathroom, but he knew it would stop in a few moments. He remembered years ago crying because he thought hed wet himself the first few times he felt it. He closed his eyes and tried to think of something, somewhere else as he waited for it to dissipate.

He closed his eyes and thought of riding the horse, not even aware of Sheila holding him as the huge animal ran across the meadow. It was like flying. Then he thought about Blaine. The sweet smile he got whenever they were together, the confused look if Kurt kidded him, the joy he felt when Blaine took him in his arms.

“There, all done for now. Is it still feeling warm?” she asked.

“A little, but much better,” Kurt admitted, glad he was through that part.

“I have the timer on, Ill get you into position in about fifty minutes. You can read or watch television if you like,” she smiled at Kurt.

“Thanks, I brought my kindle,” he said, settling into one of the comfortable chairs in the room. He was reading a new book, The Land of Stories. Trent had suggested it and he was reading the book, glad to find a few minutes of quiet to enjoy it.

The time was gone quickly and the nurse was back, leading Kurt to the table he was to lay on for the test. He settled down, trying to squirm into a comfortable place for the lengthy test. He closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep so it would go faster. They used to dose him with Valium to keep him sedated while they did this, but he was so used to it now he didnt need it.

“And, done!” he heard through the speaker. He had managed to doze off, but wasnt deeply asleep.

“There, you doing okay, Kurt?” the radiology tech asked.

“Yeah, fine,” he said, “How did it go? Do you have to redo anything?” he asked. If he moved during the scan they sometimes had to redo parts of it.

“No, youre an old pro. It was great. You should have all the results by Monday morning. Youre free to get dressed and leave as soon as we remove the IV,” the tech told him.

“Dad? Im done,” Kurt said to his father, touching his arm lightly to wake him in the waiting room.

“Okay, lets get going. I bet youre glad to have that done for another year.”

“You have no idea...”

Back home, Kurt put the finishing touches on the quiche he made for supper. He had been a bit worried about this new recipe, using less egg yolks than usual, but it seemed to have come out just fine.

“Wow, what smells so good?” Burt asked, walking in the kitchen.

“Quiche Lorraine. I took out all the unnecessary stuff and were left with all the deliciousness,” Kurt grinned. Burt rolled his eyes.

“Please. At least tell me theres bacon and cheese in it somewhere? And no tofu?” Burt said in a grumpy voice.

“Dad, you know me better than that. I used two real organic eggs and four real organic egg whites. Then fresh cream, gruyere cheese, mushrooms, and....ah....soy bacon bits. But I swear, youll never notice,” Kurt looked hopeful, his eyes big and begging.

“I know it will be wonderful, kiddo,” his dad smiled, giving his son a warm hand on his shoulder. “I set the table for us. Is iced tea okay with supper?”

Just as Kurt was setting the serving bowl of broccoli and cauliflower on the table, his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. It was late for anyone to be calling, well after eight in the evening, but he took the phone out and looked at the caller ID. It was Mt Caramel Hospital in Columbus. Kurt had never been there, but he thought it might be one of the radiologists that read the PET Scans. He sat down, braced for bad news - they would have waited for Monday if it was negative - and swiped his thumb across the screen to answer the call.

“Hello, Kurt Hummel speaking......”