Before he even switched on the TV Brandon Anderson knew something was wrong. He switched on the TV, the local news station talking about a school shooting and his blood ran cold with the thought 'please don't be McKinley'. When his prayers weren't answered as the front of the familiar school he'd finally agreed to let his son go to when he'd begged and pleaded, telling his dad Dalton wasn't where he belonged any more showed up on the screen his knees almost buckled. In his mind his father's voice, stern and angry told him, 'Andersons do not show weakness, do not show emotion' and he stayed on his feet, Brandon Sterling Anderson would not collapse at the sight of that school where his son might not even be. The shooting was over, the shooter neutralised and his heart twinged when he saw the picture of the girl, she was just a child, flickered onto the screen. The newscaster was about to hand over to the sheriff, names of children his son's age and younger among the victims but he wasn't listening, couldn't listen. He was about to grab his coat and call his wife, ready to head down to the school to check whether his own child was there when the phone rang. He picked it up with a breathless voice and asked. "Blaine?"

A gruff, less familiar but still welcome voice spoke and he sighed. "Hey, this is Burt Hummel, Blaine's here. He's okay but pretty shook up, he needs you."

The line clicked off and Brandon looked at it for a second before shouting up the stairs for his wife. She must've been watching the TV in their room because when she almost vaulted down the stairs her mascara was running and her curly hair was a little frazzled. He couldn't blame her.

The drive to the Hummel's wasn't familiar to either Brandon or Deborah and as he drove he wondered about it. His youngest hadn't exactly been his focus when he was young. He'd been busy with his business, gaining money and deals was what captured his attention more than the little boy that seemed to suddenly appear in his house. He loved his sons, they were his pride and joy but as his father taught him when he was alive, emotions were weaknesses and the Andersons were not weak. Blaine was needy, sweet and happy, but needy, emotional and lacked a lot of confidence. His life didn't help the boy. As a youngster Blaine wasn't like the other boys. He loved sports, sure but he also loved music, dancing and acting which of course gave him a connection with Cooper, but a connection the older boy sometimes used against him. Blaine was also not interested in girls and he confirmed all of their fears when he came out then the awful phone call from the hospital on the night of the Sadie Hawkins dance. Since then he and Blaine had drifted apart even further, he had to admit he hadn't handled any of the situation well but he wasn't an emotional man. That had been drummed out of him since he was a boy himself. Blaine preferred the company of his boyfriend and that boyfriend's family over his own. They'd all met once or twice and Burt's number was in his cell phone but he couldn't call Blaine his friend the same way Kurt did his father. Maybe this mess could change things.

They pulled up at the Hummel's and walked in, the door was open. Kurt was hugging Blaine and Burt's hand was on Blaine's shoulder with his other arm wrapped around his wife. They all greeted each other then Brandon placed his hand on Blaine's other shoulder and his son raised his head. His wide hazel eyes were filled with tears and his tanned face was pale. He hiccupped then rushed into his father's arms and Kurt stepped back to Burt and Carole as Deborah wrapped her own arms around her son. "It's ok son, you're ok. We'll fix this." Brandon whispered to his son and saw Kurt smile over Blaine's shoulder and he smiled back at the boy he still hoped would be his son in law someday.

"Dad," Blaine's voice came out as a whimper against his father's Armani shirt. "My leg hurts."

Five pairs of eyes widen and look down at Blaine's pants where a dark patch is forming low down at the bottom of his calf through his red Cheerio pants and their breath stops.