"I remembered what happened Dad" Kurt was talking calmly but the paleness of his face told the story of how scared he was.

"Can you tell me about it?" Finn was impressed by Burt's restraint because he knew how much the man wanted Kurt to tell him.

Kurt nodded and Finn held his breath as his step brother began to speak.

"Those guys just came out of nowhere and grabbed us. We tried to fight back but they just..."Kurt trailed off then, his cheeks coloring up with shame.

"It's okay Kurt, you don't have anything to feel ashamed of" Burt could read Kurt better than anyone.

Kurt didn't reply to that and Finn sensed that Kurt didn't agree with his dad. He listened as Kurt continued to tell what he remembered from that night. Neither he nor Burt interupted as Kurt haltingly filled them in on some of the missing details.

Finn could see Burt getting tenser and tenser as Kurt spoke, but he was clearly trying hard to keep himself in check. When Kurt got to the part about one of the man stamping on his hand Finn saw Burt clench his hands into tight fists. He started to worry that Burt was going to pop a blood vessel with all the anger he was trying to keep under control. When Kurt started to cry as he spoke about watching that man kiss and grope Blaine he thought Burt was finally going to lose it but the man was like a statue.

"Oh God Dad why didn't I stop them?" Kurt choked out.

"You did everything you could Kurt" Finn was impressed that Burt's voice sounded so controlled, although maybe a little husky with emotion.

"But it wasn't enough was it?" Kurt's voice was bitter now.

"Don't Kurt, don't blame yourself for any of this. Terrible things happen and sometimes we can't do anything to stop them. All we can do is not let them destroy us after the fact. Do you think Blaine is at fault in any of this?"

"Of course not" Kurt seemed a little angry now.

"Then don't do that to yourself either. You are not weak Kurt and neither is Blaine and nothing that happened that night is going to change that."

Kurt looked up at his father with such love that Finn felt a small spark of jealousy, that he was quick to extinguish.

Kurt looked like he was about to say something but didn't get the chance because the door opened and a doctor walked in, clipboard in hand.

"Hi.. sorry, was I interupting?" he said clearly recognising that there was an atmsophere in the room.

"No it's fine" Kurt ran a hand quickly over his face, making sure all traces of his earlier tears were gone.

"Well let's see how you're doing then shall we" the doctor was all forced cheerfullness and it seemed out of place in light of everything they were going through right now.

Kurt submitted to the various checks the doctor carried out without complaint, anxiously waiting for the verdict.

"Well everything seems to be healing up nicely. Would you like to hear some good news?"

"More than you could imagine" Kurt said.

"Well then." the man seemed a little taken aback by the emotion in the young man's reply. "I think we should be able to let you go home tomorrow".

"Really? Doc that's fantastic" Burt smiled for the first time in a long while.

"Of course you'll need to take it easy but I don't see why not" the doctor smiled back.

"Thanks" Burt pumped the man's hand vigourosly as though he'd just told him the best news ever.

"Ermm you're welcome " Finn got the impression the man was starting to think they were all a little weird. "Well I'll leave you to it" he said picking his notes up and heading out of the room. As he opened the door he almost bumped into Carole and Blaine. He gave them a nod and left.

Finn was shocked at the appearence of both of them. His mom looked like she was barely holding it together and Blaine...well Blaine looked like a robot. Finn realised that was a rather childish description but it was the only word that seemed to fit. For someone who liked to come across as very controlled Blaine was actually very expressive, his feelings usually written across his face for all to see, which is why the blank look that he was sporting right now was so disturbing. Finn could see his eyes and the deadness in them was chilling.

Kurt held his arms out and Blaine walked wearily over to sit in his usual place by Kurt's side. He once again grasped Kurt's hand in his own and rested his head on the mattress. Kurt resumed his earlier act of running his hand through his boyfriend's hair, clearly trying to offer whatever comfort he could.

Finn watched his mom and Burt engage in a silent exchange so wasn't suprised when Burt walked over to her and said "Not here, we'll go get some coffee." Burt turned to him then and said "Keep an eye on them for me". Finn met his eye and let him know without speaking that he would do exactly that.

Finn waited until they left before he returned his gaze to the other two boys. A thought flashed through his mind that he immediatly felt guilty for, because for a split second he couldn't help but feel relieved that he wasn't either of them.