"Blaine! Finn! Breakfast is ready!" Kurt stacked the rest of the pancakes on a plate and waved their sweet aroma to his nose. "Mm... Dad, you must have a pancake. They smell delicious."

Burt grunted from the kitchen table and set his newspaper down. "Go ahead and give me one. Theres nothing quite as good as your cooking, Kurt."

Kurt giggled but was cut off by something slamming in Finns bedroom. "You cheated! You pushed me!" There was another crash and noisy huffing and swearing. "Get off! Youre crushing me!"

The door suddenly burst open and Blaine and Finn fell out, both of them smacking the floor. Finn yelped as Blaine wrestled him, getting him in a tight headlock. Burt pointed at them, "Guys, get up before you break something... probably each other."

Blaine pushed Finn down and struggled to his feet, brushing the front of his shirt off. "I didnt cheat," was all he said, and he went to Kurts side. He grabbed Kurts waist and ducked for a kiss, but Kurt swatted him.

Pinching his nose, Kurt whined, "You smell like a sweaty man!"

Blaine laughed and kissed his cheek, anyway, wrapping his arms around him. Finn walked past them and opened the fridge, "We were boxing on my Wii. He cheated and pushed me." Cracking open a pop can, Finn swigged it.

Kurt rolled his eyes, "Men." Patting Blaines chest to push him away, Kurt forked two pancakes onto another plate. He drenched them in strawberry syrup then handed the plate to Blaine. "Dad, where is Carole? And Cooper and Alicia? I planned a big breakfast for them, so you two-" he looked at Finn and Blaine, "-will have to eat the extra pancakes."

"I have no problem with that." Finn greedily licked his lips.

Burt checked his watch, "Carole left early. Busy day at work. I think Cooper said him and Alicia were going to look at cribs."

Kurt immediately left his spot at the counter and rushed out of the room, "I have to tell Alicia to buy a light pink one, then. Light pink is the new in for babies. Its a very soothing and pretty color... I can see why its so popular."

Finn frowned at the abandoned pancakes, then shrugged and went about making his own plate.

Blaine cut his pancakes and ate them slowly. He stopped chewing when he noticed Burt looking at him, "What?"

Burt folded his hands and put them behind his head, "I want to drive Kurt to school today."

Finn slapped his sixth pancake onto his plate, "Why? Kurts the best thing about carpooling! Id get bored without him." When Blaine frowned, Finn shrugged, "No offense, Blaine. You dont dance to every song that comes on the radio, though."

"Its just for today. Quit your complaining and eat a pancake." Burt returned his attention to Blaine. "I want to spend some time with my kid, thats all. Im going to miss Kurt as much as you are when he goes back to France." Blaines emotionless expression didnt change, so Burt made a gesture with his hand, "How about this? Ill call you when we get to the school and even walk him inside."

"He cant be left alone." Blaine muttered, taking another bite.

"I know that, Blaine. Im not stupid." Burt crossed his arms. "Do we have a deal?"

Kurt returned with a phone tucked to his ear, chattering about a baby bib he thought was especially adorable. Noticing that the guys were staring at him, Kurt pursed his lips and quickly ended the conversation. "Is everything okay?"

"Your dad is going to drive you to school today." Blaine said. "I want you to call me when you get to the parking lot. Ill come get you."

"Okay," Kurt smiled, stealing Blaines fork and taking a bite of his pancakes.

Blaine gave Kurt the rest of his breakfast and left the room. Walking back in with his and Kurts bags slung over his shoulder, Blaine grabbed Finns arm. "Get your stuff. I want to be at school before Kurt."

Going to Kurt, Blaine wrapped him in his arms and pressed their foreheads, "Youll be safe with your dad."

Kurt nodded, then glanced past Blaine when Finn stopped in the kitchen doorway. "Come on, Blaine."

Blaine pressed kisses to Kurts mouth, "Ill see you in a bit, sweetheart. I love you."

"I love you, too." Kurt tried to hold onto Blaine, but his fingers closed around nothing. Blaine followed Finn into the living room. Hurrying after them, Kurt murmured Blaines name. Blaine glanced over his shoulder and smiled, then strode outside with Finn and shut the door behind himself.

Sighing, Kurt turned and went to sit with his dad at the table. "Did you want to talk to me?"

"I always want to talk to you." Burt chuckled, "You say the most amusing things. Can I not spend some time with you? Its like a crime around here to take you away from Blaine."

Kurt laughed at that, "You were the same way with Mom. I could tell when you missed her... youd spend more time with me. Youd take me camping and toss footballs with me..."

"What do you mean, with you?" Burt snorted. "Id throw the footballs right to you but youd always scream and run from them. You remember when I took you fishing? I had to put blankets in the boat because you thought it was dirty, then you started crying when you saw that the bait was a container of worms. You made me row us all the way back and put the worms in the dirt."

Kurt covered his mouth to quiet his giggles.

"You know," Burt got up from his chair and rinsed his plate in the sink, "when your mom was pregnant, all I wanted was a son who played ball and got dirty. But Im really glad I got you, honey. Youve been a challenge, thats for sure, and youre expensive, but youve made me the happiest dad." Rubbing Kurts shoulder when he finished scraping his plate, Burt pulled Kurt to his chest. "Ill drive you to school when youre ready."

"I need to get my purse." Kurt stood and wandered out of the room. "Ill be down in a minute!"

Rushing up the stairs, Kurt was greeted by his tiny birds, both of them prowling the hallway. Pavarotti wiggled at the sight of Kurt, hopping onto his foot. Everett waddled after Kurt. "I wont be home for a few hours, but graduation is in a week! Then your daddy and I will be able to spend every day with you two!"

Everett chirped.

Snatching his purse, Kurt slipped it onto his shoulder. He heard the phone ring downstairs, and then his dads gruff voice. Sitting down on his bed, Kurt scooted Everett onto his finger and set him on his lap. He bent to collect Pavarotti, but Pavarotti was more interested in tugging his shoelace. "Oh, Pavarotti! I should buy more high heels. You steal all of my shoelaces."

He quickly tied his shoe and put Pavarotti on his bed, giving his birds kisses before he left. "Be good, my little birds. Dont try to eat my ribbons today."

He walked out of his room and down the stairs, "Im ready to go. Im sorry I took longer than I thought... Pavarotti untied my shoe."

Burt stuck his head out of the kitchen, "Honey, I have bad news. Caroles car broke down on the side of the road."

"Is she okay?" Kurt put a hand over his mouth.

"Yeah... shes fine. I have to go on the other side of town to check the car out, though." Burt punched something into his phone, "Ill call Blaine and tell him to come back."

"Oh, dont trouble him!" Kurt squeaked, "Ill be fine driving myself. The school is only a block away."

"Kurt." Burt said in a warning tone, "I dont want you alone, and neither does Blaine."

"But Ill be okay." Kurt assured him, "Dad, Ill be driving. Karofsky cant sneak into my car."

Burt winced at the use of his name, "Kurt, I just... I dont know, honey. Id feel better if I knew you were absolutely safe. And Blaine would lose his mind if he knew I let you go alone."

"Dad, please... go help Carole." Smiling as if that would help him, Kurt pulled his phone from his purse. "I have my phone. Ill call Blaine if I think anything is wrong. Its only ten minutes."

Physically struggling with that, Burt groaned and stuffed his phone in his pocket, "Fine. But, Kurt, you have to be careful. As soon as you get to the parking lot, call Blaine. Dont get out of the car, lock your doors... Ill get you pepper spray."

"Ill be fine!" Kurt said for the last time, "Dad, I dont want pepper spray. Now go. Youre making Carole wait."

Burt rolled his eyes and pulled his son into his arms, "I love you, kid. I dont want anything to happen to you."

Kurt smiled, "I love you, Dad. But the men in this family worry too much about me."

"Try convincing Blaine of that." Chuckling, Burt let go of Kurt and nudged him toward the door. "Get going, baby. You know how Blaine is about being patient." Kurt went to the door and twisted the knob, but Burt stopped him, "Hon, are you sure you dont want pepper spray? Ill get you a can."

Laughing, Kurt turned away, "I dont need pepper spray, I promise. Bye, Dad." Pushing open the door, Kurt stepped onto the hard pavement of the walkway.

He hummed a quiet tune as he opened his car door and scooted onto the seat. Closing the door behind himself, Kurt put his purse beside his leg and turned the car on. He pushed a button for the radio and flipped through the stations.

Nothing but commercials were on so he looked through his CDs. Choosing Beyoncé, Kurt took the CD out but it slipped from between his fingers and rolled under his seat. "Oh!" He bent over and searched for the CD, spying it under one of the floor mats.

He reached for it and grabbed it, but dropped it again when something nearby slammed. "Kurt!" Someone shouted, and he glanced up. His dad was running out of the house and gesturing harshly at him. "Get out of the car now!"

Confused, Kurt hesitantly did as his dad said and started to open his door. "Dad, whats wrong?"

Burt suddenly froze and whipped around, his jaw dropping. Kurt glimpsed in the direction he was staring and screamed when he saw a black truck speeding down the road, heading straight toward him. Covering his face, Kurt shrieked as the truck smashed into his car.

There was a crunching sound of metal and the cracking of glass. Hearing his own heart beating, Kurt peeked between his shaking fingers. A truck was very close to his car, the hood of it smashed.

In the drivers seat was a terrible looking man, his forehead bashed and his lips puffy and bloody. He struggled to open his door and almost fell out, and then he ran. A trail of blood followed him.

Trembling, Kurt touched his face again and felt wetness. He pulled one hand away and squeaked at the sight of smeared blood. Suddenly, Burt almost ripped the door off its hinges and he slid his arms under Kurts thighs. "Dad-" Kurt hiccupped.

"I know, honey. I know." Burt lifted Kurt from the ruined seat and cradled him against his chest. "Ive got you. Put your arms around my neck. Ill get you to the hospital."

Kurt closed his eyes and buried his face in his dads shirt, "Blaine... please... call Blaine."

"Ill get Blaine," Burt assured him, putting Kurt in his own car. "Dont worry, sweetheart. Ill call Blaine."

Burt got in on the drivers side and turned the key, backing out of the driveway. He rubbed Kurts knee, "Youll be fine, honey. I think you just got cut from the glass."

Kurt was so scared. He wanted Blaine to hold him.

Blaine leaned against the lockers, crossing his arms over his chest. "Were almost done here." He muttered, "Were graduating in a week."

Puck grinned and scuffed the floor with the tip of his shoe, "I hate to say it but high school wasnt too bad. I got through it with two of the best friends ever."

Swinging his arms around Blaine and Puck, Finn started walking down the hall, "I dont know what well do after graduation. We have to stay together. Im going to an acting school near Westerville but I want to live at home. What about you, Puck?"

"I dont know." He shrugged, "I was thinking about heading west... but leaving Lima seems like Id be leaving my whole life behind. Have you decided on your plans, Blaine? Are you going to France or not?"

"I-" Blaine started to go through the same old excuses, but he shut his mouth when his phone buzzed. "Hold on... Thats Kurt." He pulled his phone from his pocket and held it to his ear, pushing Puck away when he moved closer to hear what Kurt said. "Where are you, sweetheart?"

"Blaine?" Burts voice was breathy, and Blaine could hear a womans voice in the background. "Come to the hospital. Its Kurt... hes hurt."

Blaine almost dropped his phone, and Finn furrowed his brows, "Blaine, what is it?"

"Karofsky. He hurt Kurt." Blaine whispered, then burst into a ground-eating sprint.

Blaine shoved through the hospital doors and tore up the stairs with the guys right on his heels. "Blaine! You cant run in here!" Finn hollered, snatching the back of his shirt.

Ignoring him, Blaine scanned for the door Burt had told him to go to, and when he found it he slammed into it. "Kurt!"

It was very quiet inside, other than the shuffling of a nurse. Burt sat in one of the chairs against the wall, his head in his hands and his shoulders slumped. He looked exhausted. On the bed was Kurt, tucked under a thin sheet. "Sweetheart..." Blaine choked and rushed to Kurts side, gathering him in his arms. "How do you feel? Baby..."

Kurt squeaked, "Im okay. Its just a little scratch." He touched the bandage on his forehead. "See? Im fine."

"I dont care what it is." Blaine moaned and flopped beside Kurt, wrapping his arms around him. "This shouldnt have happened. I thought youd be safe. Im so sorry..."

"Its not your fault." Kurt shook his head.

"You scared us, Kurt." Puck sat at the end of the bed, "When Blaine told us you were hurt..." Sighing, he rubbed his nape, then glanced at Burt, "What happened? How did Karofsky get to Kurt if you were with him?"

"I wasnt with him..." Burt muttered lowly, avoiding Blaines wide eyes. "I got a call from Carole... she said her car broke down, so I was going to fix it. I told Kurt he could drive alone as long as he was careful... Karofsky came speeding down the road and smashed his truck into Kurts car."

Blaine closed his eyes and inhaled sharply, but he didnt say a word. Instead, he collapsed on Kurts chest and squeezed him, "I cant lose you."

"Im okay." Kurt said again, stroking Blaines hair.

"What happened to Karofsky?" Finn sat in the chair next to Burts. "Where did he go?"

"I dont know." Burt shrugged, "All I was worried about was getting Kurt to the hospital. I wasnt looking for Karofsky. Authorities have been checking things out and they said he must have run off. They should be tracking him."

"If he ever comes near my little brother again..." Finn curled his fists.

"Mr. Hummel?" The nurse quietly spoke up. "Visiting hours are almost over. Anyone who isnt family has to leave."

Burt grunted, "Well, these three are all family. I want you guys to keep your mouths shut, though. Kurt needs his rest."

"Mm hm..." Kurt snuggled into his pillows. "I feel a little tired. I think Ill take a nap." He stroked Blaines hair, "Dont move." Holding Blaine to his chest, Kurt laid his lashes on his cheeks. After a few minutes, his face softened and his breathing was deeper.

Blaine rolled onto his other side and rested his cheek on Kurts stomach, pressing kisses through the blanket. Finn stood and cleared his throat, "Puck, you want to go get coffee?"

Puck and Finn left. After a moment of keeping quiet so he didnt have to face Blaine, who also wanted to be silent-Burt sighed, "Im sorry, Blaine. I didnt mean to let this happen."

Blaine didnt say a word, and his emotionless face didnt give Burt any indications of whether he was forgiven or not.

Folding his hands, Burt slumped in his chair, "Im really glad nothing happened to him... other than the scratch." He cleared his throat and scratched his neck, "I lost Elizabeth in a car wreck."

Blaine flicked his eyes to Burts face. Burt stared at his sleeping son, "It was snowy... She was driving home from rehearsals. A drunken man lost control of his car. He died on impact. His car burst into flames and flipped over... I dont know, fifty times? They said the body was almost unidentifiable. Elizabeths car skidded into a rail. Almost every bone on the left side of her body was broken. They said she screamed and cried... but when they put her on medicine at the hospital she got enough of her voice back to beg them to tell me and Kurt that she loved us... that she wanted me to keep being a good dad to Kurt. She died when she went to sleep... Ive never told Kurt any of that."

Blaine blinked, "Why are you telling me?"

Burt rubbed his face, "For a long time after she died, Kurt wouldnt smile. He wanted me to sing him this song... I Want to Hold Your Hand... every night. His mom used to... shed bring him a glass of warm milk, talk about his day with him, and then shed sing to him. The first time he smiled was when he put on a tape of her singing that song and he sang along with her."

Getting to his feet, Burt shrugged. "I guess I just want you to know that I want Kurt to end up with a man who will protect him. Wont let things like this happen. I did... and theres never been a day that I havent regretted it... that I dont miss her. If Id just gone with her... not settled for Ohio because I felt like I wouldnt fit in..." He raised his eyebrows as he pulled his jacket on. Blaine uncomfortably cleared his throat.

Burt hobbled over to Kurts bed and smoothed his sons hair, then glanced at Blaine again. Blaine finally opened his mouth, "Im sorry." was all he said.

Burt shrugged again, "Me, too." He bent to kiss Blaines forehead, then shuffled out of the room.

Sighing, Blaine ran a hand over his hair and laid his cheek on the pillow. Sliding his fingers through Kurts, Blaine hummed softly, "Yeah... I want to hold your hand. Oh, please, say to me... youll let me be your man... and, please, say to me... youll let me hold your hand..." He nuzzled Kurts cheek with his nose, "And when I touch you... I feel happy inside. Its such a feeling that, my love, I cant hide..."

A sweet smile curved Kurts lips and he cuddled into Blaine.

Blaine kissed Kurts cheek, "I want to hold your hand."