Days melted into days and Kurt and Blaine got used to having Miss Holiday as their tutor. She was fun, sometimes strict, always approachable. She integrated the lessons with trips to museums, parks, and all kinds of entertaining places, mostly to keep the boys interested and to make sure they got out of the house. One day they went to Kendrick Woods Park, the park where Blaine was first introduced to his wheelchair, and they walked to the waterfall, Kurt pushing Blaine along the path.

“This is the place we had the picnic last summer,” Kurt was explaining. He and Holly tripped through the underbrush to spread the blanket in the clearing, then Kurt went back for Blaine to carry him over. Holly had set out the picnic, Blaine's favorite hummus with crackers, fruit salad, fresh vegetables. They ate and talked- more like old friends than like teacher and pupils.

The weather was changing, there was a bite to the wind that made it cooler in the shadow of the trees than it had been the first time they came. October was about to turn into November and while it hadn't snowed yet, they could tell it was on its way.

“Do you have plans for Halloween this year?” Holly asked the boys.

“Yes, the final preparations for our costumes are coming along. We're having a party – maybe you could come? Mr Schue is coming, and my parents will be there," Kurt smiled. He really loved dressing up for Halloween.

“Oh, that would be lovely!”

“There is a theme to the costumes, Miss Holiday. We're doing the house up like Rocky Horror Picture Show, and you can dress like any of the characters,” Blaine smiled. “Kurt is coming as RiffRaff.”

“Hush, Blaine! That was meant to be a surprise!” Kurt sputtered.

“Oh, it sounds like so much fun! You know how much I like to dress up,” Holly smiled. This was turning out to be a good time in her life. She had been moving from job to job, never putting down roots, but Will Schuester had called one night about a tutoring job for a kid that had been pretty ill, and when she found out it was Kurt Hummel and his friend, Blaine, she jumped at the chance. That Cooper Andserson was offering her more money than she had ever made in her life, was an added bonus. She was actually thinking about maybe buying a house and settling down at some point. My, how her life had changed. She was very grateful to Will for remembering her and suggesting her to Cooper.

They finished up eating and cleaned up. Holly offered to take the things back to the car, she wanted to take a walk around the lake just to soak up some of the sun's late season warmth, and left the two boys to rest on the blanket until she got back. She was just as amazed as anyone when she first met Blaine and Kurt and saw how close the boys were, but she thought it was sweet and encouraged them to be themselves around her. She got used to having them sitting intertwined on the sofa during lessons, holding each other or lightly kissing on occasion. It wasn't some bold display of affection, just seemed to be how they lived, so she just forgot about it after a while.

Left alone in the clearing, Blaine turned to Kurt, smiling.

“Do you remember that day, kitten?”

“Yeah, baby, I do. It was a hard day – with the wheelchair and all. I know Cooper felt awful that day. He wanted to help, but just didn't know how,” Kurt thought aloud."I guess none of us did, except maybe Finn."

“Cooper has always been my strength – when we were little, Dad was always gone. Then Mom was, too. Always in New York or Europe. Coop is 14 years older than me, so he just sort of took their place. Now he's gone,” Blaine looked so sad. “But you're here now, Kurt. And I know I can rely on you.” Blaine snuggled close to Kurt, ducking under his arm to be closer beside him.

“But you miss Coop, don't you?” Kurt asked. He kind of missed Coop, too.

“He was only supposed to be gone five or six weeks. It's been almost three months, and he used to Skype me almost every day, now it's once a week. All he says is that it's complicated. The business is having problems. Dad needs him. It's hard to keep going on without being kind of sad, you know? I mean, he promised he'd be back.” Blaine sighed. “But I know he has to do this. He has to take over one day.”

“What about you, Blaine? Where do you fit into all this?” Kurt knew the Anderson's owned a huge company, but he just hadn't thought about what that entailed exactly.

“Actually....I own a quarter of it,” Blaine said.

“A quarter...of the whole thing?” Kurt said, his eyes getting big. “Will you have to take over one day?”

“Yeah.”

“Ah, and you never thought to mention this to me?” Kurt looked at his boyfriend. He knew about the company, that it was an international conglomerate, but it was just sort of an abstract thought, he'd never realistically thought of Blaine having to take over one day.

“Cooper administers my part of it. I don't really inherit it legally until I'm 25. I guess I just don't think about it a lot. I've always known I have to go to college to learn how to take care of it, but Coop has just...always been there to do it for me. I know I lean on him too much, but since the illness it just seems like it's all I can do to get through each day. Adding the huge responsibility of the company to that is just overwhelming,” Blaine looked overwhelmed.

“We need to talk about this, Blaine. When Cooper gets back. I'm sure he knows what he's doing, but I bet he doesn't know you're worrying about it. Can I help in some way?”

“Of course, Kurt. If we're going to spend the rest of our lives together, you'll be part of it,” Blaine smiled.

They just sat for a while, cuddling close and watching the birds and the wind move the golden leaves through the trees. It was so peaceful here, with no sounds from the city, no factory smells. Blaine started singing quietly and Kurt joined in. That's how Holly found them when she got back.

The Halloween party started off with a bang. They had gone all out with decorations, transforming the house into a haunted castle. Everyone came as their favorite Rocky Horror character......including Burt as Brad and Carole as Janet. The music played, food was delicious and plentiful, and it was great. Puck had been dating Lauren for a while, so Kurt kept an eye on them...knowing Puck would find a quiet corner to get busy. Kurt didn't need any of that at the party. Tina and Mike were dancing closer than ever before, Finn and Rachel were back on again. Kurt didn't know any couple that went through more ups and downs than those two. Brit and Santana were very affectionate tonight. Hmmm.... Then Rory and Sugar, this was new. He hadn't noticed it at class this week. He looked over the people there, but someone was missing.

He slipped into his bedroom while Blaine was occupied talking to Nick and Jeff.

“Mercy?”

“Yeah, white boy. What do you want?” Mercedes didn't sound like herself.

“Ah, I thought you were coming to the party? Are you okay?” Kurt asked.

“I'm sorry, Kurt. I should have called. I don't feel well.”

“Don't feel well...or missing somebody?” Kurt asked in a soft voice.

“I...I just want to stay home. Goodnight, Kurt. And thanks for calling.”

Kurt stepped back out to the party. He leaned over to whisper in Blaine's ear. Blaine nodded, looking concerned. Kurt got his car keys and slipped out the back door.

Knock knock

Miss Jo answered the door, smiling when she saw it was Kurt - even dressed as Riffraff, she thought he was still the most handsome boy.

“I'm so glad you're here, sweetheart. Mercedes just isn't herself. I know you can get to the bottom of this.”

“I can try. Is it okay if I go up to her room?” he asked. She nodded.

“Mercy?”

“What are you doing here? Aren't you having a party?” she asked, rolling over and peering up from her bed.

“You know you're more important to me than any party. Okay, tell Uncle Kurt what's troubling you, honey child.” He said in a silly voice. She smiled at that.

“Just...girl flu, I guess," she said.

“OH, menstrual cramps. Sorry, Mercy. Want me to rub your back? That used to work. Before...hey, are you still on the pill?” he asked. He hadn't seen her every morning like he did for so many years, and she was never good at remembering them.

“No, I kept forgetting them, then I read so many things about how bad they are for you. So I just stopped,” she told him.

“Well, let's get you some Midol and then you can come to the party with me. I just can't have a party without my best friend.” He rubbed her arm. Half an hour later, she was feeling better enough to get dressed....in fishnets and a black sequined leotard. Kurt did her hair and makeup and they were ready to go. She wanted to talk to him, needed to confide in him...Kurt was her best friend, after all. But she just couldn't bring herself to tell him what she suspected was really wrong with her. Oh, well, it wasn't going away anytime soon, she'd have time. Cooper was due home any time. He was supposed to be home weeks ago, but he'd been delayed.

By the time Kurt got back with Mercy, the party was in full swing. They were actually playing “pin the tail on the donkey”, and Puck was twirling Lauren around with a blindfold on. She staggered towards the donkey, pinning her tail close to its rump. Everyone cheered and Brittney was up next with Santana twirling her. Who knew they could have so much fun with no alcohol and just kid's party games.

The night ended with everyone laughing and happy to just be together. They all seemed to know that this was the last Halloween they would all have together and they just wanted to make the most of it. Kisses and hugs all around. Finn took one look at Blaine drooping in his chair and offered to drive Mercedes home. She gladly accepted and Kurt tossed Finn the keys to the Navigator.

Rachel's house was farther away, so Finn dropped her off first, walking her to her door and kissing her for a while before Hiram turned on the porch light. “I better get inside before they come out here to remove me,” she said, giving Finn one last hug.

“Goodnight, sweetheart,” Finn said, opening the door and handing her in to her father. Hiram smiled at Finn and said goodnight.

Finn walked back to the car, stepping in and seeing Mercedes had moved to the front seat. He put out his hand and took hers. “How are you doing, with Cooper gone and all?” he asked.

“Okay. But I miss him, Finn. Thank you for asking,” she said in a sad voice.

“Mercedes, I am worried about you. You never smile any more. You didn't even flinch when Rachel said she wanted to sing that Whitney Houston song. That just isn't like you. Can I help?” Finn was really worried. He knew that although she and Kurt were best friends, she hadn't been over to stay the night in months. They never seemed to say more than hello and goodbye in class, and she seemed lonely.

“Are you....are you sick or something?? he asked. He had gotten to her house, but parked at the curb instead of the driveway. She turned away, but he saw her shoulders shaking. He reached out to hold her, pulling her close.

“Mercedes, what's wrong? Do you want me to call Kurt?” Finn didn't know what to do.

“NO!! No, Finn. I'll be okay. I just don't feel very well right now. I need to sleep, but thank you. Don't mention this to Kurt, please. He has enough to worry about with Blaine right now.”

“Well, okay. But I'm here if you need me. I may not be as well versed in girl-talk as my brother, but I do care about you, Mercy. You can call me anytime. Okay?” Finn hugged her again.

“Thank you, Finn," she said, exiting the car and walking up the drive to her house. She turned around and waved before stepping in to the house. Finn shook his head. There was something definitely wrong.

Finn walked out to the patio the next day, bringing a glass of sweet tea to Blaine. Kurt was fixing some lunch along with Mrs Shaw and they were in deep discussion, so Finn took the opportunity to talk alone with Blaine.

“Did you notice that Mercedes isn't herself lately?” Finn asked.

“She did seem kind of quiet at the party last night. Why, did she say anything to you?” Blaine asked.

Fin shook his head. “Nope. Just that she wasn't feeling well. I think she misses your brother. Has he been in contact with you?”

“Not much. He was due home a while ago....like a month or more. Now he barely Skypes, doesn't return emails. I know he's busy, but this just isn't like him. I think something is wrong with the company, but he hasn't said anything. And he hasn't even contacted me in two weeks,” Blaine looked concerned.

“Blaine, I think it's more than missing Cooper. Mercedes had the flu or something a while ago. She was sick to her stomach, and now she misses school at least once a week. I see her some days and it looks like she's been crying. I asked if I could help, but she just pushes me away. And you saw her at the party....she barely spoke to anyone but Kurt. Has he said anything?”

“No. But I'll ask him.”

Kurt walked out to the patio with a tray of food, setting it down on the table and helping Blaine to pizza with whole grain crust and healthy toppings. Finn got a plate and piled it high with food, too, and they sat at the table, Kurt pouring juice for everyone.

Finn raised his eyebrows at Blaine, but got a negative head shake in return. Okay, Blaine was going to talk to Kurt alone. They spoke about the set list for regionals, how Rachel was handling all the new talent that was challenging her, then on to the chances for the football team this year. After lunch, Finn excused himself, a frown on his face. Kurt looked after him as he walked away, looking back at Blaine, who shrugged his shoulders. Kurt knew something was going on, just not what that something was.

“Want to go take a nap, baby?” Kurt asked. Blaine nodded his head.

They went into the bedroom, Kurt lifting Blaine onto the bed to help him take off his clothes. He unbuttoned the shirt, but Blaine stopped him.

“I know you can do this yourself, Blaine, I just want to...is there a problem?” Kurt asked, looking at Blaine in askance.

“I ….I just don't feel very well. Can you hep me to the bathroom?” Blaine said, looking away from Kurt.

“Okay, baby. Sure,” Kurt replied, wondering what was bothering his boyfriend. He carried Blaine in to the bathroom and left him there for some privacy, coming back to the bedroom to get the bed ready, close the drapes and call Aramis to come inside to sleep at the foot of the bed. He put some oil of lavender in the warmer and put on a playlist of quiet music. He knew Blaine missed Cooper and he was getting more anxious with the lack of communication. He would have to be very careful with Blaine now, the boy couldn't afford to have too much stress. Even the therapists has voiced some concern that Blaine's progress had all but stopped.

“Kurt?” he heard from behind the closed door.

“Coming, baby,” he said, hurrying to help Blaine. He didn't sound very well, and Kurt didn't want him to fall. He opened the door to find Blaine standing a few steps from the toilet, shaking and tilting to the left, but walking. He made it two more steps and fell, Kurt catching him with a practiced arm. Blaine smiled a little, but not much.

“Looks like you're feeling better, huh?” Kurt enthused.

“Yeah. Sure.” Blaine just didn't look happy. Kurt lifted him and took him to the bed, sliding him under the sheets, dressed in just his briefs and a tank shirt. Kurt stripped down to the same and climbed in. He moved close, taking Blaine in his arms but not trying to kiss him or do anything other than hold him. Something was wrong, and he didn't want to make it worse.

“Is there something you need to talk about, baby?” he asked into Blaine's hair.

“Not yet. Can you just hold me for now, Kurt?”

“Of course, Blaine. I can always hold you. I'll never leave you, you know. I'll always be here with you. I love you, oh my god, I do love you so much,” he reassured Blaine. Blaine sighed and scooted closer, closing his eyes, holding Kurt too tightly so that Kurt looked at him in puzzlement.

It was dark in the room, the familiar scents and sounds made Blaine feel safe and comfortable. But there was the thing that had been chipping away at his confidence, making him wonder and feel anxious. It was the things he had heard, putting them all together. It made no sense, and he wanted to ask Kurt, but didn't know how to approach it.

Blaine listed the things in his mind: First, Cooper and Kurt fighting and Kurt admitting he had sex with Mercedes. That in itself made no sense at all. When would he have done that?...he was with Blaine just about every waking hour of the day. And after the argument when Kurt ran away somewhere with Aramis, he and Cooper were closer than ever. When Coop left, Kurt hugged him with tears in his eyes like he didn't want Coop to leave. So, if Coop knew Kurt was having sex with his girlfriend...? Then there was Cooper not calling. He was due home in September, but here it was November with no sign of him. Blaine had Skyped his mother just a few days ago, but she didn't know when Coop was coming home. He wasn't communicating with Mercedes, a fact Mercedes herself told him last night.

Now, with what Finn told him today? Mercedes had been sick...tummy issues. She had been moody and not speaking to Kurt. Blaine reached a conclusion. It was so far fetched, so awful, he could hardly even admit that it all made sense. But he loved Kurt and would stand by him. Obviously, Mercedes had sex with Kurt at the Summer Bash??? Cooper must have caught them and now Mercedes was pregnant? Blaine closed his eyes tightly. Tears began to fill his eyes, his breath came in shaking bursts. He began to tremble.

“Blaine? What's wrong, baby? Do you need your pain medication?” Kurt sounded panicked. Blaine couldn't even speak. He turned and pressed himself into Kurt's chest, just lost in the terror of what it all meant.

Kurt gently pushed him back a few inches to see his face. Blaine's brain was working, he had no words to speak, just kept crying, but thought about what he needed to do. He should be angry. Kurt had cheated on him..with a girl! It made no sense. But he would never leave Kurt. He would be there for Kurt, he could never stop loving him. Ever. So, he would forgive him and they would support Mercy in all they needed to do. There was money enough, and Blaine would pay for all the doctors, hospital, anything she needed. He only hoped and prayed that Kurt would stay with him. He blinked his eyes, trying to stop the tears from flowing, trying to calm his breath to say something.....anything...to Kurt. He looked up at the boy he loved more than he loved anything in this world, and spoke.

“Kurt? Don't say anything. Okay?” Kurt nodded, wiping the tears from Blaine's face, trying to kiss his cheeks before Blaine held up a hand to stop him. There were tears running down Kurt's face, too.

“I have decided. I will never leave you. Ever. No matter what. And you can tell me anything. No matter what. I will be here, remain with you through it all. Every step. Don't ever think I will not support you in any of this. We can get through it together.” He had just begun to babble, not having thought about how to tell all of his heart to Kurt. This was so hard, but he needed to get the message across before he wasn't able to speak again. The two of them always knew what the other was thinking, but that connection wasn't working right now, and Blaine didn't understand why. Kurt was looking at him, mouth agape, like he had lost his mind. He shut his mouth, waiting for Kurt to say something...say anything.

Kurt was practically in shock. He had no idea what Blaine was babbling about. Of course they were never going to leave each other, would always support each other. But what was this event Blaine was referring to? Kurt lifted his hand to Blaine's forehead to check for fever. He was damp and warm, but not feverish. He was shaking, but it appeared to be from crying and anxiety, not from illness. Kurt thought for a moment to call Carole and get Blaine a sedative. They had some, Carole could administer it, but since they hadn't needed it in months, Kurt was not comfortable suggesting it yet.

He got up out of bed, patting Blaine to reassure him, and stepping into the bathroom. He got a washcloth and wet it down with cool water and went back to Blaine, sitting on the edge of the bed. Blaine was hyperventilating, his face buried in his hands, leaning on his knees. Kurt gently pulled Blaine closer, washing his face with the cool cloth. He hummed quietly, rubbing Blaine's back in small circles. Blaine jerked and sobbed, but finally started to calm down. Kurt put his arms around the boy, thinking of how small he looked right now. How he was missing Cooper, how his parents have never really been there for him. He imagined how difficult it would have been to lose his own father after having to live without his mother for so many years. Missing Coop was probably the same.

Kurt moved to the top of the bed, leaning on the quilted headboard, then gathering Blaine into his arms, pulling him onto his lap. When Blaine's breath had calmed and the shaking had stopped, he said, “Okay, baby. I'm here, I'm never leaving you. Ever. You know you can tell me anything, right? We've always had that, haven't we? I don't know what happened to change that, but we need to find out. Now, tell me everything from the first. And I will listen, and I will believe in you. I love you, Blaine.”

So Blaine told Kurt everything, from the overheard fight with Cooper to Finn's fear that Mercedes was pregnant. Kurt's eyes were filled with tears by the end of it. He had no idea what to say. How could all of this happened, how could Blaine have come to these conclusions? Somehow, this seemed like it was his fault.

“Blaine, first, please believe me, if Mercedes is pregnant, it could not be mine.” Blaine just looked at him, trying to believe what he was being told. Kurt could see the hope in his eyes.

“I should have told you all of this before. I don't know why I didn't. It goes back to the day we had the fight over Rachel's kiss. I was so upset that you thought you might be bisexual...not just because I was jealous, but of something in my past that I have never understood or dealt with. It is true that I had sex with Mercedes. But it was when we were 15. It was on Thanksgiving, and I still don't know how it happened. She was my best friend, we were having a sleep-over, so I was in bed with her. We had been sleeping in each other's beds for years. But for some reason, we just let our hormones take over that night. I have never before, and never since had sex with a girl. I told you about kissing Brittney. I am not aroused by girls. I still don't understand why I  was that night. I only want you, Blaine, for the rest of my life.”

Blaine pulled Kurt closer, snuggling his nose into Kurt's neck. He left a few kisses and waited for him to continue.

“Mercedes and I have had a few discussions about that night over the years, but we've never brought it to closure. I think we just think about it as being in the past. I know I do. I still don't understand why she told Cooper.”

Kurt continued, “The night of the birthday party, you and I were sleeping and I woke up to hear some unusual sounds – coming from the hot tub. I recognized them as Mercedes. I knew what they were, having heard her make those same sounds on our Thanksgiving...ah..well, you know. Then I heard Cooper. I didn't want to think about it, so I just came back to bed. I didn't think about it again until now.”

“Oh, Kurt....you think Cooper? Oh.....and now he isn't even talking to us? Do you think he knows?” Blaine paled.

“I don't know. But we are going to put an end to all this secrecy. See what it almost did to us, Blaine? Thank you so much for coming to me. Oh, my god...how did you have the courage to do that , thinking what you did? You were ready to stand by me, in spite of the fact that you thought it was my baby? Oh, Blaine, what did I ever do in life to deserve you???” Kurt gasped, throwing himself into Blaine's arms again, kissing him until he thought they would both suffocate. Happy tears ran down his face, he just had no idea how to express his love for this beautiful, wonderful, loyal, loving boy in front of him.