Kurt did not get to see Dr. Anderson for the rest of the day, but he could not stop thinking about him. He could not stop thinking that Dr. Anderson seemed to care about him in a way that nobody outside of his family ever had (Of course the Glee club listened to his problems but no one had noticed how bad things had gotten until Karofsky had beaten him up). So this was something completely new to him. Smiling for what seemed like the first time in months Kurt slipped the piece of paper containing the Doctors phone number under his pillow, it was something private after all - feeling a lot better about the days ahead he picked up the latest issue of Vogue and started planning what he would be wearing as soon as he got out of this dreaded hospital gown!
-----

Blaine started his shift feeling shit - today was the day that Kurt Hummel was to be discharged from Hospital. He was worried about him, High School is a very cruel place, teenagers can be cruel and the facalty are not much better. Being gay comes at a heavy price, and Blaine felt the need to protect Kurt from that.

“Hey Kurt”

“Hi Dr. Anderson.”

Blaine noticed that Kurt seemed more cheerful than he had the past few days, it made him happy to see Kurt this way.

“How are you feeling about being discharged today?” Blaine asked.
“I have pretty mixed feelings actually” Kurt replied “I mean it’s great that I get to go home and I can finally wear something that isn’t half dress – half disaster. But school’s going to be tough.”
“I understand how you feel, but remember that if you need me at anytime just send me a text, I really do care about you Kurt. You don’t deserve to be treated this way.”
Kurt felt himself blushing slightly “Thanks Dr Anderson.”
“Blaine – Call me Blaine, I don’t go around calling you Mr. Hummel do I?”
“I guess not, thank you Blaine.”

Hospital policy stated that Doctors and Nurses had to allow patients to be discharged by their families with no interference from them. This meant that Blaine had to get on with his shift and allow Kurt to be discharged by his Father, who at first glance appeared to be a man he didn’t want to get on the wrong side of. But Blaine just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to check up on Kurt one last time.

“Kurt your Dad and his wife…”
“Carole.”
“Carole will be here to pick you up at around 2.15. Have you got everything you need?”
“Yes, I didn’t bring much with me anyway.”
“Are all copies of Vogue intact?” Blaine chuckled.
“Of course! Blaine Anderson what do you take me for? A slob?”
“No of course not, merely checking that’s all. However I really have to get going, I have a busy day today.”
Kurt apologized, flustered “Oh god, of course you do, I’m so sorry for pestering you.”
“Ok first thing – stop apologizing, second thing – you are not pestering me!”
Kurt felt a sudden rush of gratitude towards Blaine “Thanks again”
“Of course Kurt, hopefully I’ll speak to you again soon.”

Blaine left to start the rest of his shift, but his mind wasn’t at all in his work.

2.15 rolled around a lot quicker than Kurt had expected, before he knew it he was being whisked into the arms of his Dad and Carole and was being filled in on all the latest Glee club scandals by Finn on the way home.

“And of course Rachel had one of her drama episodes because Mercedes got some solo, Santana had another smack down with Lauren over Puckerman, Sam’s lips seem to be getting bigger every day and Sue has gone on a mad rampage – but we all know that’s nothing new. But honestly, it hasn’t been the same without you dude, I swear when I see that punk Karofsky I’m gonna kick his ass so-“
“Finn!” Carole intergected “The last thing Kurt wants to talk about right now is that boy!”
“Actually Carole, that is something we all need to discuss” Burt glanced at Kurt through the mirror.

Kurt had known they would have to talk about it sometime, but he didn’t feel like being interogated tonight. “Dad, I know you want to know what happened, but honestly I just want to forget it. Mr. Schue must have told you anyway, so why do you have to hear it from me?”
“I know you want to forget if Bud, but I need to know what that asshole did to you! You matter Kurt, don’t forget that ok? We don’t have to discuss anything now if you really don’t want to. So all I will tell you is that Karofsky has been suspended, so you can go back to school feeling safe. But if anything like this starts up again you come straight to me, you understand! I don’t want to find out because you have been attacked, it hurts me Kurt.”
“I promise Dad.”
“Thank you, I just want to keep you safe kiddo!”
“I promise Dad.”
“Thank you, I just want to keep you safe kiddo!”
“I know.”

Kurt lay in bed staring at the celling, it hadn’t dawned on him how worried he actually was about returning to Mckinely. Yes Karofsky would no longer be there, but what about the other kids, who pushed him into lockers, taunted him, slushied and ridiculed him. Being in the presence of Dr. Anderson had made him forget all these things, but with school drawing closer it had all come flooding back. Then he remembered something that made things seem a little brighter,
OUTGOING MESSAGE: Hi Blaine, it’s Kurt Hummel. Are you awake?
INCOMING MESSAGE: Hey Kurt! Is something wrong?
OUTGOING MESSAGE: Yes, it’s my first day back tomorrow and honestly I’m terrified. The last time I was in that place I was beaten to a pulp, Karofsky has been suspended but there are others who hate me just as much as he did. I don’t know if I can face it.
INCOMING MESSAGE: Kurt,
OUTGOING MESSAGE: Yes Blaine?
INCOMING MESSAGE: Courage!