BLAINE:

I couldn't stand to watch my little sister lying in a hospital bed because of me.  I listened to the beeping of her damn heart monitor over and over like it was supposed comfort me but I just wanted to pick to the stupid machine up and throw it against the wall.  This was entirely my fault; Riley wouldn't be here if I could have just kept my mouth shut.

The memories of that night flooded into my head.  I remember the panicked look on Riley's face as Dad threw his empty beer bottle and she began to realize how bad it was going to get.  I tried to protect her but I was a failure.  As I pictured that night I closed my eyes just like Riley did when Dad started to punch the hell out of me.  I knew those were images that I could never help erase from her head.  I had worked so hard for a whole year to never let Dad hurt Riley the way he had hurt me; I had worked so hard to make sure she never figured out the full extent of what Dad had done to me, she didn't need to live with that kind of fear.  I even started sleeping in her bed every night to make sure that he wouldn't come sneaking in there and hurt her.  All that hard work had been put to waste within two minutes because I selfishly wanted Kurt to know me and where I come from. 

My mind began to wander to when I had found her the next morning on the kitchen floor.  She was bent over in a huge puddle of water with so much fear in her eyes it sent a punch to my stomach.  I hadn't gotten the chance to ask her what had happened with Dad and why she was lying in water but I doubt she would remember based on the degree of her concussion.  Hell, I don't even remember what items I was able to slam into the two duffle bags before Kurt pulled me out of the apartment to get Riley to the hospital.  Reaching up over the bed I grabbed her hand and gave it a light squeeze the way I had for so many years now, the only difference is that she didn't squeeze back.

Riley and I had always kind of been on our own.  I mean, our dad hadn't ever hurt either of us until last year but he always had a temper, and Mom never did anything to stop it.  My mind lingered over my favorite memory of being with Riley: For her eighth birthday and all she wanted was a Barbie.  Mom and Dad had gotten her some nail polish thinking she would really like it, but I knew better.  The day before her birthday I stole twenty dollars from my mom's purse then snuck out to the store and bought the prettiest Barbie I could find.  After her birthday celebration was over and everybody was in bed I snuck into her room and gave it to her.  I had never seen her face light up the way it did when she opened that present.  That was the day I knew I would do anything to make her happy.  The next day my parents found out about me steeling the money and my dad yelled at me.  Riley never touched that Barbie ever again.

"Hey honey, how are you doing?"  The sound of Carole's voice made me jump back to the present.

"I've been better."  Riley had been in the hospital for two days now.  Yesterday she was rushed into x-rays and all these scans that I didn't understand the name of.  She had a sprained wrist, a broken rib, and a serious concussion, all because of me and my big mouth.

"Kurt was hoping he could talk to you."

"I can't leave her right now.  What if she wakes up?  I don't want her to be alone."  Riley had just come out of surgery. 

"That's why I'm here.  I will call you if she wakes up."

"You promise?"

"I promise." 

I stood up with tears filling my eyes and kissed Riley's forehead before heading out to meet Kurt in the hallway Carole stopped to pull me into a hug.  I could feel her warm hands rubbing up and down my back and wondered if all mothers did that when they were trying to comfort someone; mine never did.  When I reached Kurt in the hall he didn't have to say anything to me; I just fell into his arms with my head buried in his shoulder before I started sobbing.

"Kurt, this is all my fault."

"Blaine, honey, don't ever think that.  How were you supposed to predict that your dad was going to lose his mind?"  My stomach rose into my throat in guilt.  I had known exactly what was going to happen when I told my parents about Kurt.  It had happened one year ago, too.  But back then I was able to protect my sister.  Last night I had failed.  "Besides, you don't have to worry about your dad anymore.  My dad finally got through to child services and they agreed that because you and Riley are old enough to make the decision on your own as to who you want to live with.  My dad is setting the house up as we speak."

"Kurt," I was trying so hard to fight the lump in my throat.  "That is really very nice of you and your family.  But I can't just ask you to move aside and make room for two more people in your house.  Plus, I don't like the idea of Riley having to stay in a house with so many people.  She is going to be really fragile."

"That is already taken care of too.  Finn has been talking with Rachel and her dads have agreed to let Riley stay with them.  And don't even try to argue with me it is already set up."

"But, I don't want to be away from her.  She is going to need me, now more than ever."

"Look, Finn goes over to Rachel's house all the time anyway.  You can just go with him in the mornings before school and come back at night, or the other way around.  Really the only time that you two would be away from each other is when you're sleeping." 

I had never told Kurt about what happened with my dad a year ago, therefore I had also not told Kurt about how I was always sneaking into Riley's room and sleeping in her bed to make sure that she was safe.  Being apart at night might be the worst part for her.  But I knew that I couldn't protect her for forever.  Maybe this was the first step.

"Thank you, Kurt."  I looked up at Kurt and kissed him.  Feeling his soft warm lips gently pressed against mine made my heart warm.  It was exactly what I needed right now; just to know that someone was there for me even though I couldn't be there for my own sister.  The kiss was gentle and loving but felt very different, there was a sort of vulnerability behind it.  I pulled away only to wrap my arms around Kurt and hug him again.  He pulled me tight and we just stood there intertwined in each other's arms for several minutes.

"Blaine. She's waking up."  Carole's voice was faint, but I heard her and immediately ran to Riley's bed.

I grabbed Riley's hand and watched as she slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room trying to make sense of where she was.  She stopped moving only when she saw me.

"Hey, you." That lump in my throat stopped my words as tears began to fall openly down my face.  I hated seeing my little sister like this; she was in a hospital gown with her head completely covered in wrap.  Her face was still cut up, although, the bruises had turned from a dark purple to more of a green color now.  Her eye was the worst part of what I could see.  Every time I looked at her eye I could distinctly remember how hard our father had hit her.  The memory of her falling so helplessly to the ground replayed in my head and all I could think is that she was trying to save me.

                "Blaine," her voice was so weak it made me feel sick, "Blaine, where am I?  What happened? Where is Dad?"

                "Riley, it's okay. You're in the hospital.  It's all over now."  I wasn't sure which statement of mine confused her more; the fact that she was in the hospital or that it was all over.  "Burt, Kurt, and I came and got you from home after Dad had come after you.  You've been in surgery and in recovery for a couple of days."

                "But where is Dad?  He is going to be so pissed."

                "Riley.  Burt got us out of there.  We never have to see him again."  I couldn't exactly identify the look on her face.  But that look didn't matter because I could see her trying to put her arms out to hug me.  I sat down next to her and pulled her into a tight hug.  She winced in pain.

                "Oh. I'm so sorry, Riley.  I completely forgot that he broke your rib."  I let her go and let her fall back onto the pile of pillows the nurses had prepared for her after her surgery.  I sat on the chair next to her bed and I did my best to answer all of her questions.  Kurt and his family went to wait in the waiting room.

--

                Two days later Riley was released from the hospital under the order of only getting out of bed to take a twenty minute walk every hour to make sure her torso was getting enough movement, but not too much, so her rib could heal properly.  I felt bad when we drove up to Rachel's house because I realized that she had only met Rachel once or twice when she and I were planning a surprise party for Kurt's birthday last month. 

                "Blaine.  Are you going to come in with me?"  I could tell that Riley was trying so hard to stay strong but was completely terrified of staying in a house away from me.

                "Of course, Ri.  I won't leave you until everything is all settled here.  Then I gotta go to Kurt's and get everything settled with social services.  Remember?"

                "Ya, I know.  Just don't leave me yet."

                I walked around the car and helped her out of her seat.  Together she and I walked up to the front door where Rachel was waiting for us.  Riley hadn't let go of my hand. 

                "Hey, Riley.  It's nice to see you again."  Rachel was sweet as always as she hugged us both and opened the door and invited us into her home.  Kurt walked up a few minutes after us with Riley's small duffle bag of belongings I was able to grab for her that day.  It wasn't much at all but Rachel was more than willing to share her things considering the circumstances.

                "She is staying in the guest room in the basement, right?"  Kurt wasn't addressing me but his voice still helped settle my nerves and sent butterflies throughout my stomach.  Rachel nodded and Kurt walked past us and reached up and gave my arm a quick supportive squeeze.  The three of us turned and followed Kurt down the stairs into her basement. 

                I saw the stage and the couches that had been a part of my foggy memories from the night Kurt brought me to Rachel's party and I had gotten drunk and spent the night at Kurt's house.  Kurt walked into the bedroom across the basement before quickly exiting to come meet the three of us.

                "I think you two should go in and get her settled before we leave.  My dad is talking to the social services people right now but they are going to need you Blaine in about half an hour."

                "Right. Okay."  I gave Kurt a quick kiss and walked with Riley into her new room.  I had expected it to be completely over the top like Rachel, but the colors and the way it was decorated was actually really calming.  The walls were a light brown color with a deep red accent from the comforter on the bed.  There was, of course, a bright pink bedazzled iHome setting on the night stand, an obvious choice of Rachel. 

                Riley and I spent the next twenty minutes in silence as I helped her unpack the few things in her duffle bag and hang some clothes in the closet.  It reminded me of the many nights Riley and I would quietly escape to one of our rooms after Dad blew up.  Neither of us would say anything as we both occupied ourselves with tiny unnecessary tasks; she and I just needed to be alone together.  There was a light tap on the door before Kurt poked his head through.

                "Hey, Blaine.  I hate to do this but it is time to leave."

                "Okay, just let me say goodbye, then we can go."  The door closed with a quiet click and I turned to look at Riley.  She had tears streaming down her face and she ran across the room and pulled me into a hug.

                "I will call you as soon as I'm done with social services. Okay?"

                "You promise?"  She sniffled from her tears.  I just wish there was something I could do for her to make everything better.  Her life had changed so much in the last week and it was literally all my fault. 

                "I promise." I gave her forehead a light kiss before walking over to the door.  "Don't be afraid to call for any reason, even if it is the middle of the night.  I can be here in ten minutes, okay? I love you."

                "Okay.  I love you, too." 

                I turned and walked out of the room hearing the click behind me.

                "Rachel, do me a favor and..."

                "Don't worry, Blaine.  I will be here."

I grabbed Kurt's hand; I had used all my energy to stay strong for Riley and now I knew that Kurt was here to stay strong for me.  Kurt and I walked hand in hand up the stairs with Rachel following behind us. 

                I gave a quick "Thank you" to Rachel and her dads one more time before Kurt and I got in the car and drove away.  I didn't take my eyes off the house until we turned the corner toward Kurt's house.