Burt rushed into Kurts room, out of breath. He hurried to his sons side, grasping his hand and holding it tightly.

“Im here, Kurt. Im here with you, kiddo,” he said, his eyes searching Kurts face for any sign of alertness. He was deeply disappointed when he found none. Kurt still looked as if he had just fallen asleep, his face soft and relaxed. Burt wished he could see a small smile lurking in the corners of his sons mouth once again.

Kurts doctor walked in behind Burt, stopping to consult the computer that held Kurts chart. After browsing, he turned to Burt.

“Mr. Hummel, we are going to slowly wake Kurt now. The swelling in his brain has gone down significantly. He might be out of the woods soon, but only time will tell. He will wake in the next two hours we think, after I administer the drug,” the doctor said, “but it could be up to twelve hours, so be prepared.”

“How soon before we know if he has brain damage?” Burt asked. It didnt matter if Kurt did, Burt could never love him less, but he had such high hopes that his son would recover.

“We should know almost right away if it is major. You can expect small things, but were hoping nit wont be something that might impact his life,” the doctor said. He took a syringe out of his breast pocket and removed the cap. Taking an alcohol swab and cleaning off the port on the IV, he put in the needle and slowly injected the drug into the tubing.

Burt was gripping Kurts hand. He glanced over to see Blaine standing in the doorway with his father and brother. The look on his pale face was heartbreaking.

“Blaine, can you come hold his other hand?” Burt asked, wanting to hug the boy.

Blaine stood as if frozen for a moment, then stumbled as he tried to run to Kurts side. His father steadied him with a supporting arm. He walked Blaine to the far side of the bed and pulled the chair closer. Blaine came to Kurts side, leaning over to kiss his cheek and murmur in his ear.

“Im here, baby. Im holding your hand. Come back to me, Kurt, I love you,” he whispered.

He sat down in the chair, still holding Kurts hand.

The waiting had begun. All of the monitors hooked up to the sleeping boy were measuring and monitoring. The five men in the room all sat quietly, waiting. After twenty minutes, the doctor got up.

“I need to see a few more patients, but I will be on the floor if he shows signs of waking,” he said.

“What do you mean if?” Burt asked, whipping around to stare at the men.

“I meant when. When he regains consciousness,” the man corrected. “Please just push the call button and I will be right back in.”

There was a collective sigh as the doctor left the room. All eyes were on Kurt. They tried to be patient, but it was hard to wait after so many days.

“Im going for a walk. Dad, would you like to come with me?” Cooper asked. He could see that Blaine and Burt were doing all they could to hang on and maybe a bit of privacy might be called for. Thomas left the room with his eldest son.

“What are Kurts chances of waking up with no brain damage?” Thomas asked as they neared the end of the corridor.

“Its hard to tell. He had a significant blow to the head and that is just – well, its unpredictable at best,” Cooper told his father. Thomas frowned. He had really liked Kurt when he met him, and knowing how in love his son was, well, all he could do was pray that this turned out well for Kurt.

~KB~

“You holding up okay?” Burt asked Blaine as they sat on opposite sides of Kurts bed.

“Yeah, Im fine. They were going to discharge me today – the stitches come out in another week and the collarbone just needs to be supported and it will heal. My biggest – no, my only concern is Kurt now,” Blaine said, his grip on Kurts hand steady. “How are you?”

“Im fine. Carole will be back later tonight after her shift. The garage is fine, I left Floyd in charge and hes been working there since I moved to Lima. Like you, all Im thinking about is Kurt now.”

They sat in silence for a while, studying Kurts face for a sign of consciousness.

“Blaine, I know this might sound strange to you, but I was thinking. Why dont you try singing to him? Kurt talked about your voice all the time. I think it might reach him where speaking wont. What do you think?” Burt asked.

“I could try,” Blaine agreed. He started several times, but his throat was closing each time as he tried not to cry. He cleared his throat, the song inside waiting to burst out. He closed his eyes and opened his mouth with a prayer, hoping against hope that this might help.

Baby, Im amazed at the way you love me all the time,
And maybe Im afraid of the way I love you.

Burt smiled. Hed heard Blaine sing this to Kurt in Chicago. Maybe the memory of that day would stir Kurt into consciousness?

Maybe Im amazed at the way you pulled me out of time,
You hung me on the line.
Maybe Im amazed at the way I really need you.

Blaine choked up, unable to go any further. He couldnt sing any more without Kurt to hold his hand, without Kurt to love him. He put his head down on his arms as they rested on the side of the hospital bed. He couldnt take this much longer. He wanted Kurt back so badly, it hurt with every breath he took. He couldnt even cry, his tears were all gone.

“Hey, kid, dont despair. You did your best. You know Kurt wouldnt want you to grieve like this, dont you? Hed tell you to have faith. To trust him. Wouldnt he?” Burt asked. His own eyes were burning with unshed tears and he suddenly regretted asking Blaine to sing. Getting up from his chair, he walked around the bed and took the sad boy in his arms.

“Its going to be okay. I trust that Kurt will come back to us, Blaine. You have to hold on to that, hed want you to,” Burt said. Blaine hugged him, swaying together for a few moments before Blaine sat back in the chair. He was bone-tired, so full of despair, but he had listened to what Burt said and he wanted to take it to heart.

“Okay, Burt.....okay.”

They went back to their places, watching Kurts face as he seemed to be having some sort of inner struggle. Burt put a hand on his shoulder.

“Kurt, its okay. Were here for you, son. Blaine and I are here when you want to come back to us,” Burt murmured, not knowing what to say.

Several hours later, Burt was sound asleep on the cot they had put in the room for him. He was snoring lightly once in a while and Blaine found it soothing to hear. It meant Burt was still with him, keeping the vigil. Cooper and Thomas had gone home to eat and freshen up. They tried to coax Blaine to come with them, but to no avail.

Blaine had fallen asleep a few times, leaning on the bed next to Kurt. Hed even taken a quick cat nap on the cot when Burt begged him to. He wasnt really sleepy any more, just tired from all the worry.

“Kurt, baby...come back. Please?” he whispered. “You cannot go – you need to know how sorry I am about our argument. I was coming home to apologize. I should have been there, I should have saved you,” he whimpered, the feeling that he had to cry was strong but his tears were dried up. He was dehydrated and his body hurt. He had forgotten to take the pain medication a few hours ago. His eyes closed and he slowly lost consciousness, falling into a fitful sleep at the side of the bed.

Blaine dreamed that he was in a swirling mist, he couldnt see anything but the wisps of clouds all around him. He saw two figures coming towards him – his uncles, Andy and Buddy. They came and put their arms around him, telling him that he was going to be okay, that Kurt was coming back to him. It would be a while yet, Kurt was coming from a long, long way away. Blaine would keep his steadfast faith in the boy he loved. Then the mist cleared and his uncles were gone. He woke with a start, shook his head to try and clear it of the dream, and went back to sleep.

Blaine was still dozing when he felt it. Sitting up, he looked at Kurt, knowing he had felt something. It might have been a muscle twitch, or maybe a quick breath, but he knew Kurt was coming back into himself now. He took Kurts hand in his and held it gently, giving Kurt a tender kiss on his soft lips, and just waiting.

He wasnt tired or sleepy anymore, just quietly patient as he felt Kurt return to his body, felt his mind in motion once more.

“Cmon, baby, come back to me. I need you...” Blaine urged in a whisper, unable to quell his voice any longer.

“Blai....” came a scratchy breath from the bed. Blaine stood up, leaning over as he searched Kurts face.

“Kurt?” he breathed, hoping he hadnt imagined the noise.

“Sing?”

“Oh, yes...yes, Ill sing for you,” he whispered.

“Our song...” Kurt croaked.

Ill walk in the rain by your side
Ill cling to the warmth of your hand
Ill do anything to keep you satisfied
And Ill love you more than anybody can.

He stopped, his eyes on Kurts face as his boyfriend blinked a few times. Blaine felt a bit of guilt at not calling the nurse, but he overrode that with the desire to wait until Kurt woke up and recognized him.

“Let me see those baby blues, Kurt,” Blaine laughed, so overjoyed he was giddy with excitement.

Kurt opened his eyes, holding up his other hand to block the sunshine. Blaine quickly turned and closed the shade to block the brightness. Kurt smiled up at him.

“Oh, my God...” Blaine heard from the doorway. He looked up to see Finn standing there, his mouth open in awe as he watched his brother wake up. He stayed where he was, not wanting to intrude on Blaine and Kurts reunion.

Blaine gave him a grateful smile and turned his attention back to Kurt.

“Blai...” Kurt tried to say, moving his hand to his throat and giving Blaine a sheepish look. “My throat hurts,” he mouthed. Blaine got his cup and poured some water into it, holding if for Kurt to drink.

“Hey, now, not too much at once, honey. Just a little bit at a time,” Blaine told him, trying to keep his hands from trembling. He was a ball of adrenaline, the excitement of Kurt waking up – and knowing who he was – thrilling him to his very core.

“Blaine. Tell me....” he croaked, though it sounded better after the water.

“Tell you? You mean where you are?” Blaine asked.

Kurt nodded.

“In the hospital in Westerville, baby. You fell down the stairs. We think Dalton might have tripped you with his leash. You hit your head and a few other things, but youre going to be fine,” Blaine quickly outlined it for him.

Kurt looked around, seeing his dad asleep on the cot and Finn waiting in the doorway. He motioned at Finn to come closer.

“Hey, little bro,” Finn said. Kurt scowled at him. Kurt was three months older than Finn and not likely to let him forget it. Finn grinned.

“Tell me?” Kurt said again, feeling the bandages on his head.

“Do you recall we had a fight that morning? I left for school and you were moving your clothes into the spare bedroom,” Blaine said. He didnt want to go over this, but it might help Kurt to remember.

“Oh....” Kurt looked sad, wiping his face with his hand. “Sorry, Blaine....so sorry...” his voice faded.

“Dont worry about it. Were good, right? That was just a bump in the road. Right?” Blaine said, looking hopeful. Kurt nodded.

“Love...you...my ...baby...” Kurt croaked, then drank more water and held his throat.

“I love you, too, Kurt,” Blaine said, leaning over and hugging Kurt. Kurts hands went to run his fingers through Blaines silky curls when he stopped dead, pulling back to stare at Blaine.

“What?” Blaine asked.

“Your...curls?” Kurt managed to ask, his eyes looking sad. “What...happened?”

“Nothing for you to worry about,” Blaine started to say – until he looked at Kurts face. “Okay, no secrets. I wrecked the jag.”

Kurts eyes stretched wide and his mouth opened. He stared at Blaine, the question plain on his face.

“I was in class and after I found out you hadnt come to school. I got worried when your cell went to voicemail and drove home to apologize for our argument. I never made it. I woke up here. Trent had also gone to check on you and found you at the bottom of the stairs with Dalton yelping. He called an ambulance. I woke up here....” Blaine detailed.

Kurt just looked at him.

“You okay?” Kurt asked, suddenly noticing the bruises on his face and his arm in a sling.

“Yeah, I was lucky, I guess. Some gashes from the windshield, broke my collarbone. Im mending. The poor jag, though...I rolled it when I hit a truck,” Blaine said, his face a picture of misery and regret. Kurt reached up and took his hand, squeezing it.

“Your dad towed it to his garage. He thinks he might be able to fix it,” Blaine said, full of hope. “I havent seen it yet – Ive been here with you, Babe.”

Kurt smiled at that and tried to adjust himself against the pillows.

“What?” Kurt yelped as he tried to move and put his hand on his belly. He felt bandages and a sharp pain underneath them.

“You lacerated your liver in the fall. Dont worry, youre going to be fine. They had to operate to close the tear, but it was successful,” Blaine explained, taking Kurts hand from under the covers and patting it. “Dont mess with it. Do you hurt?”

“Not so much,” Kurt said, lying back and closing his eyes for a moment. He was dizzy and tired, but didnt want Blaine to leave him. “Dad?”

“Your dad has been here the whole time. Want me to wake him? Hed skin me alive if I didnt let him know youd woken up.”

Kurt nodded and Finn went over to gently shake Burts shoulder.

“Hmmm?” Burt hummed, still sleepy.

“Burt, wake up – Kurt is back with us,” Finn said quietly.

Burt jerked up, stumbling as he launched himself off of the cot.

“Kurt!” he shouted, hurrying to his sons side. “Oh, Kurt, youre back!”

Blaine moved back to allow Burt to hug his son. Tears spilled out, dampening his blue plaid flannel shirt. “My boy....”

Kurt tried to smile, but he was so tired. His eyes wanted to close and it was a chore to keep them open to see his dad.

“Dad...” he croaked.

The little gathering was joined by the hospital staff. Kurts nurse heard the racket from the room and came running, then alerted Kurts doctor. The staff crowded in, moving Blaine and Burt into the hallway with Finn while they examined Kurt.

Blaine paced nervously. He was dead tired, but not willing to leave Kurts door until he heard from the doctors.

Burt tried to reason with him, saying they would leave word at the nurses station where they would be waiting, but Blaine could be very stubborn.

“Blaine, if you dont come with us to rest, Ill just have Finn pick you up and bring you,” Burt threatened. Blaine gave Finn such a glare that the boy stepped back a few paces.

“Blaine...please come with us,” Finn tried. “Its only just down the hall. If you dont come, do you want me to tell Kurt you arent taking care of yourself?”

Finn said it in a quiet and gentle voice, but it got Blaines attention. He frowned, but agreed to go with Finn to rest. They went to the waiting room and sat in the comfortable upholstered chairs. Blaine leaned on Finn and was asleep in minutes.

It was half an hour before the doctor came looking for them. He smiled as he told Burt and the boys that Kurt was better off than they had thought, that he was going to have a full recovery. He needed to stay a while to be sure he was keeping on the right track, but would probably be discharged by the end of the week. Blaine couldnt stop the smile from breaking out on his face.

Kurt did keep on the right track, getting better by the day. He greeted Thomas Anderson like a long lost relative, hugging him and telling how happy he was that Blaine had his father for a while. Trent and Sebastian had come each day while they boys were in the hospital and continued to do so. All of the Warblers and a few of the McKinley crew also came. Kurt began to imagine he needed to go home just to get some peace.

“Well, are you ready to leave?” Burt asked on the last day.

“Oh, Dad, you have no idea. I can hardly wait to get back to my apartment!”

They had argued for two days about where Kurt would go when he left the hospital, but he and Blaine were stubborn and Burt finally allowed his son to make his own decision. He was 18 now, after all. An adult as far as the state of Ohio was concerned.

“Cooper will be coming by once a day for a while to check on him, but I think were going to be fine, Burt,” Blaine said.

Kurt was overjoyed to be up and walking again. He took Blaines hand and said goodbye to the staff and climbed into his Navigator. He reached out and held Blaines hand over the console as they drove home.

“Are you okay to drive, Blaine?” Kurt asked.

“It was hard the first day, but Im okay. I know the accident was my fault, and the driver of the truck was fine. I didnt even scratch his bumper. Im okay to take you home now, Kurt,” Blaine said, looking over at Kurt when he was stopped at a traffic light. Kurt looked back, sorrow in his eyes.

“Im fine to drive, baby,” Blaine said again, hoping it would convince Kurt.

“But...the sling? Your collarbone is broken, doesnt it hurt to move your arm?”

“Yes, but since this is an automatic, I dont actually need my arm to drive. I can steer with one hand. If I get to feeling worse, Ill let you know. I would not put you in danger,” Blaine promised.

“All right,” Kurt hummed, looking out the window. He trusted his boyfriend. “Wheres Dalton?”

“Your puppy is fine. He is staying with Trent for now, but hell be back home as soon as you say,” Blaine smiled at Kurt.

The light turned green and Blaine hesitated, then slowly drove around the corner.

“Whats wrong?” Kurt asked, getting a little worried.

“Nothing...” Blaine said, concentrating on driving.

“Is that the corner?”

“Yeah, it is. I ignored this traffic light...and paid the price, I guess,” Blaine said.

“But youre here with me now, so dont dwell on the past, honey. Okay?” Kurt encouraged.

“Im trying to let it go,” Blaine said quietly.

The Navigator fell into silence as the two pulled up into their parking place in back of their building. Blaine got out and came around the car, opening Kurts door for him. They made their way inside, glancing around at the foot of the stairs. Trent had come back the afternoon of the accident and with Sebastians help they scrubbed the blood stains from the concrete. There was no longer any evidence of the accident.

“Lets get some supper and get to bed,” Blaine suggested. He was still tired and could see that Kurt was, too. They needed their own bed.

~ ~ ~ KB ~ ~ ~

“Want to watch a movie or something?” Blaine asked when he got into bed. He had helped Kurt get washed – still no shower until his stitches came out – and into his favorite blue pajamas. Blaine did the same, wearing his Batman pajamas Kurt had given him for his birthday.

“Yeah, maybe. Just put anything in, Im not sure Ill be able to stay awake to watch it or not.”

Kurt was unsure what to say. They had forgiven each other for the fight, Kurt couldnt recall what it was about and Blaine didnt say, even if he did remember. Kurt noticed that all of his clothes were back in their shared bedroom, not one thread left in the storage room where he had dragged them during the fight. He missed the big puppy with his fluffy fur, but it was probably better to wait for his incision to heal before letting Dalton back into the apartment. One joyous jump could mean a ruptured belly and Kurt wasnt on board for that.

Blaine slid in a movie. The credits came on as Blaine handed Kurt a dish of ice cream, then picked up his own bowl and got into bed. He leaned against the headboard, next to Kurt but not touching him. They had not done anything but a few kisses and holding hands since before the accidents.

The movie started: Bringing Up Baby, one of their favorites. Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant were perfect in this screwball comedy, and Blaine had begged Kurt for a week to get him his own leopard for a pet. Kurt smiled at the memory. They sat in the same bed now, not looking at each other, not touching, watching Kate and Cary playing golf and then going to a party where he ripped the back half of her dress off.

They finished their ice cream, placing the bowls on the bedside tables. Blaine leaned against the headboard, but was not near to Kurt. One would glance at the other, maybe smile. It wasnt until Hepburns character put the needle on the record to play the theme song that they even acknowledged the other.

Blaine sang along:

I cant give you anything but love, baby

He turned to Kurt, who joined in:

Thats the only thing Ive plenty of, baby

Then both of them sang along with the rest of the song, reaching forward to touch hands and eventually ending up holding each other.

Dream awhile, scheme awhile, youre sure to find
Happiness and I guess, all those things youve always pined for.....

“Kurt, Im sorry. I didnt know what to say, if you were still angry at me – if you wanted me to be close to you?” Blaine said.

“Im not angry, and I do want to snuggle. Can we do that now?” Kurt asked, his voice hesitant and full of hope.

“Yes, of course. Lets turn this off and go to sleep, okay?” Blaine suggested.

Kurt was in his arms in a flash, pulling the blankets up under their chins.

“Ah, Blaine, this is where we were meant to be.”

They cuddled, then kissed for a while, getting to know each other once again. It was a very short time before they were both sound asleep.

~ ~ ~ KB ~ ~ ~

“Andy, we did the right thing – sending Kurt back, didnt we?” Buddy asked, holding tightly to Andys arm.

“Yeah, I think we did,” Andy answered.