"So he likes you?" Blaine asked frowning at his coffee cup.

"Is that all you got out of my entire explanation?" Kurt looked at him incredulously.

"-Er no, but I don't like him. I don't trust the guy at all." Blaine glared.

"I tried telling you that he's had a crush on me before, but you didn't believe me!" Kurt laughed at his um, boyfriend? Friends who just go out to coffee, hold hands, and kiss? Whatever they were, Kurt could see one thing about Blaine and that was that he was incredibly jealous. "Blaine are you jealous?"

Blaine's face brightened in shock, "What? No! That's absurd! Of course I'm not!"

"Blaine," Kurt reached across the table and grabbed his hand, "You have absolutely nothing to worry about."

"I know, I…I don't know what my problem is, Karofsky just makes me nervous I guess." Blaine's hazel eyes searched the little coffee shop before speaking in a low soft tone. "So Karofksy used to bully Sophia Lahela?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm, that's weird, why would he tell you that?" Kurt shrugged his shoulders in confusion, "Kurt, if Karofsky is part of this, why would he be telling you, a potential victim, about what happened in his past? Why would he make him self so vulnerable, it just doesn't make any sense?"

"Maybe he's trying to make me feel comfortable before he lures me in and kills me!" Kurt stated a possibility.

"Maybe, or maybe he has nothing to do with it and he really feels guilty for bullying her in high school now that she's dead. I still don't trust him, I would try to stay away from him if I were you." Blaine said.

"Yeah, I plan on it. Come on let's get Schue's coffee and get back to work before we get fired. I can't wait for you to meet my family tonight. I called my dad earlier and he said that Finn and Rachel were coming over for dinner as well!" Kurt smiled standing up and grabbing Blaine's free hand.

"I'm kind of nervous." Blaine answered honestly. The idea of meeting Kurt's family was nerve racking. Even though their relationship was just beginning he still felt the incredible need to impress Kurt's family, especially his dad. Kurt deserves the best and Blaine is far from that.

"You have no reason to be nervous! It's just my dad, Blaine."

"That's why I'm nervous," Blaine murmured softly.

"I'm sure he'll love you."

*********************************************************

Karofksy avoided them for the rest of the day. After they got back from the coffee shop, it seemed as if Karofksy was actually trying to stay away from the as much as possible. This was good for Kurt, because at the moment what he wanted the most was to not see him.

Kurt and Blaine were on their way to Kurt's family's house at the moment. It was already dark and the cloudy night sky suggested a snow storm. Kurt folded his knees to his chest as he looked out of the dark window at the passing trees. Although he was super excited to see his dad, he had a feeling that he would have to tell someone besides Blaine about what has been going on. He really didn't want to tell his dad. Although he would love to have someone else to talk to besides Blaine, he didn't want to worry his dad. His dad is getting old and he has already suffered from a heart attack a few years back when he was in high school.

"Kurt where am I turning?" Blaine asked from the driver side. Kurt knew he should have drove, but he was liking the not driving thing lately, since he moved in with Blaine.

"It's not this left, but the next one and then the house is the second one on the right." Kurt explained.

"Okay here's the left and then the second house on the right…the right…the right." Blaine talked to himself reminding him where he was going so he wouldn't screw up.

"Right here, Blaine." Kurt pointed to a medium size house with a car parked in the drive way.

Blaine pulled in and shut the car off. He turned to Kurt and fingered the red scarf around his neck.

"Do I have to go in?" Blaine asked in a small voice. He didn't know why he was so nervous to meet Kurt's dad, maybe because his dad was terrible to him. Maybe because his entire family hated him and he never understood what it was like to be loved unconditionally by his family.

"Blaine, what's wrong?" Kurt asked getting worried as Blaine's face twisted into a sad, pained look.

"Your dad has always been accepting of you right?" Blaine whispered.

"What? Of course he has, please tell me what's wrong." Kurt reached out and pulled Blaine's hand away from his scarf and clutched it between his two hands.

"It's kind of a long story." Blaine sighed.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to Blaine, I just wish I could help you." Kurt replied letting go of Blaine's hand but not letting his eyes leave Blaine's.

"Can we just talk about my problems later? Right now we should go inside, I know how much you miss your dad." Blaine smiled weakly. Kurt could tell that something was up but he decided to save it for later, he nodded and got out of the car.

The walked around the car and automatically grabbed each other's hand once they were close enough to each other again. Kurt smiled sheepishly at Blaine as they climbed up the front steps. They stopped in front of the light blue front door. Just as Kurt was about to ring the door bell the door opened and an excited Carole came out practically knocking them over hugging them.

"Oh my gosh, Kurt look how beautiful you look, I've missed you so much! Your dad and I have been so excited to see you and Finn." She turned to look at the other boy she had her arm around. Kurt looked at Blaine, who was frozen in his place. It looked as if he was trying to shrink as most as possible away from her. Kurt squeezed his hand.

"Oh you must be Blaine! Kurt mentioned that he was bringing a friend!" Her eyes searched over him as she smiled. She noticed them holding hands and let out a shriek. "Oh my God, Kurt!"

She threw her arms around them again pulling them close to her body as she mumbled little phrases. "You guys…oh my goodness. I'm so happy for you Kurt. You have to tell all about it later! Aw you two are so cute! Come in, come in, come in! We have to show everyone!"

She tugged on Blaine's free arm and dragged them into the house. Carole was over excited because she has seen Kurt go through high school. She saw how sad Kurt always was and now that he has someone that makes him happy makes her happy beyond belief.

Carole let go of Blaine's hand but continued walking. Kurt pulled Blaine to a stop.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry I didn't think she would ambush us like that." Kurt admitted.

"Yeah I'm fine. She's very enthusiastic." Blaine noted.

"That's Carole, my step mom. She's lovely." Kurt smiled. "Come on let's go before she notices that we aren't behind her anymore.

They walked to the doorway of Kurt's old living room, their shuffled closer to each other so that their shoulders were touching. Kurt took a step into the living room.

"Hi dad!" He grinned letting go of Blaine's hand and running over to throw his arms around his dad's shoulders. "I've missed you so much!"

"Hi Kurt." His dad said softly into his son's hair.

Kurt felt tears pricking in his eyes, he didn't know why he felt like crying. He didn't realize how much he actually missed his dad until his dad's arms were holding him tightly. Kurt buried his face into his dad's shoulder sniffling slightly.

"Kurt," his dad whined recognizing his son's trademark sniffle right before he was about cry. He pulled his away so he was facing him an arm's length away. "What's wrong bud?"

Kurt wiped at his eyes and smiled, "I've been under quite a lot of stress these last few weeks and I just miss you so much dad."

Burt pulled his son into a hug, crushing the same little boy who came inside crying when he skinned his knee, to his chest. He looked over Kurt's shoulder and saw the timid, brown, curly head man standing against the wall. He looked so small and his hazel eyes looked sad.

"Kurt, who's this?" Burt asked pulling away from Kurt again.

Kurt's face lit up as he turned to face the boy, "Dad, this is Blaine."

Kurt walked over to Blaine and took his hand. Blaine stepped forward and held out his free hand to shake Kurt's dad's hand.

"Hi, sir, I'm Blaine Anderson." He said shaking the other man's hand.

"Sir? I like you, you can call me Burt, Blaine." Burt smiled, making Blaine relax a little. Burt addressed Kurt awkwardly asking him about his and Blaine's relationship. "So are you two?"

"Er-" Kurt said nervously looking at Blaine for help. They never really discussed what exactly they were.

"Yeah, we are dating." Blaine said cutting Kurt off with a proud smile.

"Cool…um…yeah that's good." Burt turned around scratching his neck and sitting back onto the couch returning his attention to the game on the T.V.

Kurt wrapped an arm around Blaine's and pulled him to the kitchen. "Come on I'll introduce you to the rest of the family."

They entered the kitchen and were greeted by the friendly chatter of Rachel and Carole. Carole was going on about how adorable Kurt and Blaine were with their matching scarves and Rachel was spinning around the kitchen asking Finn why he never did cute things with her. Finn looked absolutely miserable. He was sitting at the kitchen table with his head propped up on his hand. He saw Kurt at the door way and his eyes got wide, he mouthed 'help me'.

Before Kurt got the chance to say anything Carole turned around and noticed them standing in the door way. Kurt was standing to the side of Blaine, his arm still wrapped around Blaine's arm and his chin resting on the shorter boy's shoulder.

"See what I mean? Look, Finn, LOOK! Look how adorable they are right now, why can't we stand like that?" Rachel exclaimed stomping her foot down.

"Because Rachel I'm too tall to do that. You are too short for one of us to rest our chin on the other's shoulder. Don't blame this on me, I try!" He rolled his eyes and ignored Rachel who was now smiling at Kurt. "Hi Kurt how are you, hi-"

"This is Blaine. Hi Finn." Kurt interrupted introducing Finn to Blaine. "Blaine this is Finn my step brother and that is Rachel his fianc�. She's also kind of one of my good friends, I know that's hard to believe."

"Kurt, you know you love me!" Rachel smiled wrapping her tiny arms around him. She turned to Blaine and shrieked, "And you! You are so adorable! I love your curly hair!"

"Thanks. Hi Finn, hi Rachel." Blaine waved sheepishly.

"Well now that everyone is here, why don't you boys help us with dinner?" Carole asked.

"Ooh! Yay, what do you need me to do?" Kurt begged eagerly.

"Ew, no offense mom, but I'm going to watch the game with Burt, Blaine want to come?" Finn asked.

Blaine looked at Kurt, not knowing what to do. He wanted to spend time with Kurt, but he also wanted to give Kurt some time alone with his step-mom and Rachel. He also was pretty nervous about sitting in a room alone with Kurt's step-brother and dad.

"Go ahead Blaine." Kurt whispered in Blaine's ear and giving Blaine a sweet kiss on the cheek.

"Ok." Blaine turned and followed Finn into the living room. Burt was seated on the reclining chair next to the couch watching a hockey game.

"Hi Burt!" Finn said plopping down on the right side of the couch.

"Hiding from cooking?" Burt joked. He looked up at Blaine, "Blaine, you can sit down on the couch if you want. You don't have to stand there all night."

"Oh…I-uh thanks." Blaine sat down gingerly next to Finn on the couch. All of the boys awkwardly ignored each other settling their attention on the game in front of them.

**********************************************************

"WOOO!" A group of yells and wooos came from the living room, making Kurt jump a little. "Did you see that? Did you see that! YA!"

"Seems like the boys are getting along." Carole smiled stirring the soup in front of them. "Kurt, honey, can you get me some nutmeg?"

Kurt moved from where he was leaning against the counter to grab the little bottle of nutmeg. "Here." he said handing the bottle to Carole.

"So, Kurt, tell us everything." Rachel demanded excitedly sitting at the kitchen table folding her hands together.

"About what?" Kurt teased shrugging his shoulders.

"Oh stop teasing us Kurt, tell us all about Blaine! How did you two meet?" Carole asked.

"Well we have been working together for a while. Schue has always been pinning us against each other making us compete for his praise…No really I'm serious we used to be super competitive with each other at work. And then one day…I- uh" Kurt stopped nervously. How could he finish the story without adding all of the horrifying details of his stalker. He wasn't ready to tell them all of the details, not yet at least. He would have to wait until a little into the night if he was going to explain everything. "I guess one day I was really tired and Blaine stopped in front of my desk and asked if I was okay. He gave me his number and said to call him if I ever needed anything… And then I guess we just got really close."

Kurt crossed his arms across his chest and smiled, thinking of Blaine. "We actually really started our relationship this morning."

"What do you mean by that?" Carole asked raising her eye brow.

"We have been really close for the last few weeks, being all flirty and spending every minute with each other, but we only kissed once. Actually that kiss kind of made us get in a fight, but it wasn't anything bad it was more about everything that was happening around us that caused the fight. This morning is when we decided that we actually really liked each other and needed to be together." Kurt explained.

"Aw how romantic!" Rachel cooed twirling her wedding ring around her finger.

"We are so happy for you Kurt, you seem so happy." Carole commented while taking the soup off of the stove. She opened the oven and took out some rolls. "Just need to heat up the veggies and then dinner will be all done!"

"It smells delicious, Carole. I've missed your cooking." Kurt said nervously avoiding Rachel's eye contact and rubbing at his collarbone. It was a nervous habit he had to rub his collarbone. He didn't know why he did it, he just did. He made a mental note to buy some more fashionable turtle necks to prevent him from rubbing it. Rachel eyed him suspiciously, she knew his nervous habits and she was on to him.

"Kurt, can you help me get something from my car?" Rachel asked.

"Why don't you get Finn to do it, I think Carole really needs my help cooking."

"No that's okay honey, go help Rachel. I'll be fine." Carole smiled from her cooking, she was completely oblivious.

"Fine." Kurt scowled.

He followed her through the living room and out the front door. It was cold outside, there was snow on the ground and the December wind was icy against Kurt's thin sweater.

"Kurt, did anything else happen after you called me about the missing pictures?" Rachel asked concerned.

"I should go check to see if Blaine is alright." Kurt turned nervously towards the door chewing on his lip. Rachel grabbed onto his arm.

"No, Kurt come on! You need to tell someone about this. What else has happened?"

"I have told someone about this. Blaine knows! That's why we got together because the day after the pictures happened he gave me his number and told me to call if anything happens. Then that next night something else did happen, so I called him and he came over. Stuff keeps happening Rachel! It has never stopped!" Kurt yelled frustrated.

"What else has happened?" Rachel asked lowering her voice.

"A lot. Woke up from a nap to find my room completely destroyed, papers everywhere. All the drawers were opened and it's contents thrown every where. We also found a picture of me that had these weird markings all over them and on the back it said something like 'I'm watching you Kurt'. There was also this weird scraping/ banging noise outside my window and then a dark figure was pressed against my window. It disappeared too quickly for me to see anything, but it also left a message behind written in blood or some kind of red ink saying 'tell the police and your dead'. That's when Blaine and I decided that my house wasn't safe anymore and I moved in with Blaine. When we went outside that same day there was no evidence of foot prints or the red writing, there was nothing. For some reason I looked into the woods by my house and saw something move across the field, so I ran after it. When I got to the edge of the woods I saw a blue and white striped scarf."

"Oh my God. Kurt you need to tell your parents, you need to tell the police!" Rachel said freaking out and running towards the door.

"No Rachel!" Kurt yelled grabbing onto her sleeve. "You can't tell. You heard what I said, the note said tell the police and I'm dead! Dead!"

"It's just trying to scare you."

"Well it's working!" Kurt shrieked, he turned towards the door again. "I need Blaine."

"At least tell your parents. Kurt please you can't keep this to yourself." Rachel begged.

"I will, just not right now. I don't want to worry my dad, you know how fragile his heart is especially after his heart attack back when we were in high school. He's getting old."

"You should tell him, Kurt. You wont help him by keeping this from him. This is important Kurt, your life is on the line!"

"I know, I know. I'll tell him later please just let me go find Blaine." Kurt pleaded.

Rachel smiled weakly and she put her hand gently on his shoulder, "Go get your man."

"Thanks Rachel." Kurt said. He meant more than he said. With that simple 'thanks' he said about how much he cared that she's his friend, how much she looks out for him, how much he appreciates how she wants to help, how much he is truly thankful for having her as a friend.

He gave her one last thankful smile and ran into the house. He walked into the living room and stood in front of the television blocking from Finn and his dad's sight.

"Where did Blaine go?" He asked in a stern voice placing his hands on his hips.

"Ahg Kurt! Get out of the way I can't see!" Finn yelled squirming around on the couch trying to see around Kurt.

"I don't know where he is bud, I think he mentioned checking on dinner. Check the kitchen." His dad answered waving his hand for Kurt to move.

Kurt walked into the kitchen and found Blaine setting the table and chatting with Carole amiably. He walked up to Blaine and wrapped his arms around his waist from behind. Blaine made a little squeak and he turned around in Kurt's arms. Kurt pressed a light kiss to the tip of Blaine's nose and then leaned his forehead against Blaine's.

"Hi Kurt." Blaine whispered pressing his lips to Kurt's. Kurt kissed him back, his lips tingling with excitement, kissing Blaine may be one of the best things on earth.

Kurt pulled away licking his lips and smiling. "Hi Blaine."

"Where did you go?" Blaine asked.

"I talked to Rachel." Kurt smiled sadly his great blue eyes looking into Blaine's he spoke quietly barely heard over Carole clanging in the cupboards, "I told her everything."

"That's good," Blaine said softly, "When are you going to tell your family?"

"I don't know." Kurt spoke, they were still wrapped around each other. Their bodies pressed close together, "Blaine, I don't know if I can."

"Why?"

"I can't worry them. I just can't tell them." Kurt explained.

"You have to tell them Kurt. It's better if they know." Blaine said cupping Kurt's cheek.

Before Kurt could say anything Carole turned towards the table that Blaine was leaning against with Kurt's arms around his waist.

Carole jumped a little "Oh! You boys scared me. Why don't you tell everyone else that dinner is ready."

"Ok." Blaine smiled as Kurt let go of his waist and took a step back.

Kurt popped his head out of the door way and yelled "Dinner!"

He walked back over to the table and took a seat next to Blaine who was already sitting after helping Carole bring the food over to the table. The rest of the family came in and sat down. For the first minutes no one talked, everyone just ate. Occasionally someone would mumble how awesome the food was, but Kurt could barely even eat. He knew he should tell his parents but he just couldn't. Part of him was convinced that his dad's health was actually going to be harmed if he told him, but the other part was nagging. He was afraid that if he told even more people about it then more people were at risk of getting hurt. What if the stalker came after everyone he told? What if something happened to them in a ploy to get information on Kurt. What if something happened?

Kurt scooped some of the orange butternut squash soup onto his spoon and lifted it to his lips. He pressed the warm liquid to his lips then let the remaining liquid spill back into the bowl. He sighed taking a sip of his water.

"Kurt are you okay?" Carole asked from across the table.

"Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Kurt asked looking in shock at the members of the table.

"Dude, you've been scooping soup up for the last 10 minutes but you haven't eaten any of it." Finn stated biting off half of the roll.

"'M fine, Finn." Kurt said toying with his spoon with one of his hands. His other hand rested on his lap and his fingernails dug into his palm, another nervous habit.

"So Kurt, Blaine, how's work going?" Burt asked picking up another spoonful of mixed vegetables.

"It's good. Schue has had me kind of training this new worker but I haven't had to work one on one with him in a while." Kurt explained, "Nothing new."

"Oh is the new guy nice?" Carole asked.

"Is he cute?" Rachel asked.

"Oh my God Rachel, NO. I'm not sure if you forgot but this is my boyfriend Blaine." Kurt said pointing his spoon at Blaine. Blaine's hand crept under the table and grabbed Kurt's hand.

"How is your house?" Burt asked.

"It's…good." Kurt said hesitantly. Here is his chance to tell them everything. But he can't.

"Tell them." Blaine whispered squeezing Kurt's hand.

"Tell us what?" Burt asked curiously.

"Nothing." Kurt said quickly turning back to his food.

"No tell us, Kurt." Rachel pleaded.

"There is nothing to tell." Kurt stated. Blaine squeezed his hand edging him on. "Please don't make me do this."

"Do what?" Carole asked.

"Kurt, Blaine what is going on?" Burt asked.

"Nothing, Blaine can we just leave? I'm sorry guys. I need to go. Excuse me." Kurt murmured running out of the kitchen and up to his old room.

Blaine stared at Kurt's family and friends who were shocked and confused. He ran his fingers through his hair.

"I shouldn't have said that. I'm so sorry excuse me." Blaine apologized running after Kurt. He didn't know exactly where he was going but he ran up the stairs and started down the hallway. He found Kurt in the second bedroom on the left sitting on a bed. He walked in tentatively.

"This used to be my old bedroom." Kurt explained crossing his legs. Blaine sat on the bed next to him. "They remodeled it into a guest room, but the set up is the same. I miss them."
"Why wont you tell them, Kurt?" Blaine asked softly.

"I'm scared."

"Of what?" Blaine asked placing his hand on Kurt's knee.

"What if I tell them and the stalker finds out and hurts them. What if some how the stalker uses my friends and family against me, what if it captures everyone I love and tortures them until they help him get me. I can't live if anyone gets hurt because of me, Blaine I just can't." Kurt explained scratching at his wrist.

Blaine reached out and grabbed Kurt's hand to make him stop, "Kurt stop, your hurting yourself and it's scaring me. I'm not going to force you to tell them, but these 'what ifs' are just what ifs, you don't know what will happen, that's why you take chances. I think it would be better to tell people, with people you have numbers. The more people who knows your secret, the more people who will protect you and do what ever they can to stop this sick person."

"The more people I tell the bigger threat I become to expose this person's secret and the bigger possibility I will be their next victim." Kurt ignored Blaine's remark on self harm, he wasn't hurting himself on purpose, was he? It was just a nervous habit, right?

"Kurt you need to calm down before you work yourself into a panic attack." Blaine said pulling him into a hug. "Everything is going to be okay, I promise."

"That's a hard promise to keep especially with the circumstances right now." Kurt mumbled into Blaine's warm neck.

"I promise." Blaine repeated, "Come on let's go downstairs, we left your family pretty confused."

They got off the bed and clasped hands. Together they walked down stairs and into the living room where everyone was seated. The television was off meaning they were talking, talking about Kurt. Kurt mentally prepared what he was going to say in his head. He needed an excuse to allow his to leave and explain earlier.

"Carole, do you need any help cleaning up?" Blaine asked politely.

"No, thank you though, darling that is very nice of you to ask. We already cleaned up." Carole responded sweetly, looking at Kurt with motherly eyes. "Kurt are you alright sweetheart?"

"Actually no, I'm not feeling too well. Blaine and I are going to get going, it's getting pretty late." Kurt explained.

"Are you alright kiddo? It's not the flu is it?" Burt asked.

"No, no I think it's just a cold." Kurt lied. He hated lying to his family like this, especially his dad. Ever since his mom died he tried his hardest not to lie to his dad because he knew he would always regret it eventually. Thinking of his mom, Kurt pulled at the locket he now constantly wore around his neck ever since his room was raided.

"Kurt? Is that…is that Lizzy's locket?" Burt choked. "I didn't know you still wear that, I thought you just kept it in a safe place."

"Right now the safest place is around my neck." Kurt said softly. "I hate to leave I miss you all so much, but we have to go. I'll visit again soon, I promise."

"Ok bud, drive safe. Nice meeting you Blaine." Burt smiled saying goodbye.

"Wait Kurt, let me get you some left over soup. You barely ate any and if you are sick, this will make you feel better sweetie." Carole gushed, running into the kitchen. She came back out with a Tupper Wear container filled with the butternut squash soup. "Here you go Kurt. I love you."

"Thanks Carole, I love you too." Kurt thanked.

They all said their goodbyes as Kurt and Blaine grabbed their coats and walked out to their car.

"I love you all so much." Kurt spoke softly one last time before getting into the car. Blaine started the car and backed down the drive way, the Hummel-Hudsons all waved goodbye from the front steps.

"Are we going home or do still want to go to your house?" Blaine asked.

"Let's just go home." Kurt said softly, his heart warmed as he called Blaine's house 'home'. It was home, anywhere with Blaine was home, whenever he was concerned.