Burt couldn't take more time off work – Kurt's hospital bills would be coming in soon and they would not be cheap – and seeing as Kurt couldn't be alone at the moment, he had gone to the garage with Burt. It was much louder than he remembered and he was hunched over, trying desperately to drown out the noise.

Carol had dropped by, bringing the two boys lunch and was currently chatting with Burt. "How about if we come over for dinner?" She asked. "No Rachel this time. I know Kurt didn't handle that too well but I'm sure he and Finn could find something to do."

"Maybe in a few days," Burt answered carefully. "I know we haven't been able to see each other as much lately."

"First with Finn and now this," Carol murmured. "We can't let this put our lives on hold."

"It's not," Burt said defensively. "But Kurt needs time. This is a huge adjustment to him and for me too." Kurt bowed his head, biting his lip, "and I'm going to be there for him, for everything. I let this happen in the first place. It's time I took responsibility."

"Burt," Carol gasped. "It wasn't your fault."

"Feels like it," Burt muttered. "I should have known about the bullying. I should have taken a flame thrower to that school years ago."

"Burt," Carol admonished, "now the school isn't perfect but you can't destroy it. You weren't to know about the bullying."

"I should have seen that my kid was scared," Burt sighed in frustration. "There is no excuse."

Carol fell silent and the sound of someone fixing a car filled the garage. "I have to get to work," she said softly. "I'll call you later."

"Have a good day," Burt murmured. There were echoing footsteps as Carol left and Kurt then heard Burt's heavy ones head in his direction. "How's it going?" Burt asked, sitting opposite Kurt, pulling out the lunch Carol had brought them.

"Slowly," Kurt said quietly. "Dad?"

"Hmm," Burt grunted, pushing a sandwich towards Kurt.

"It's not your fault," Kurt murmured and Burt looked up sharply.

"What?" He asked.

"I never told you how bad the bullying was," Kurt continued. "It's not your fault. I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Kurt," Burt said softly. He quickly diverted away from the subject. "There's a sandwich in front of you."

Kurt pushed his books aside and reached out clumsily for the sandwich. They were quiet as they ate lunch, Burt looking at the book of brail that Kurt had been going over.

Kurt spent the rest of the day going over and over the brail, daydreaming about Blaine and patting Lucy occasionally. Kurt had also brought his cane with him and had a go of manoeuvring around the stick. Tap, tap, tap soundedas he moved it from side to side in front of him. Burt watched with careful eyes as Kurt walked around the shop. His employees' kept an eye out for him too, ready to help him if he was about to step into any dangers or if he left the garage by accident.

At the end of the day Burt stopped Kurt halfway through his lap around the garage. "Hey, ready to go?" Burt asked.

"Yes," Kurt nodded and heard Lucy padding up to him. Burt took the cane of Kurt and handed him Lucy's rein. The two headed to the car and slipped in, beginning the drive home. "You shouldn't put your relationship on hold with Carol because of me," Kurt said quietly and Burt grunted.

"I'm not. Our lives have changed Kurt – not as much as yours – but they have changed. We need time to adjust."

Kurt nodded and bit his lip. They were quiet the rest of the way home. They headed inside and Burt went to clean up while Kurt chose to lie down on the couch. Burt went upstairs and jumped in the shower and Kurt started drifting into unconsciousness.

The library was quiet – as it always was at McKinley – and Kurt was working away on his French homework. Burt and Carol were at his home at the moment and Kurt wanted to give them as much alone time as he could. The school would be closing soon and Kurt packed up his things, throwing his satchel over his shoulder and leaving the library.

Kurt sauntered down the hallway, glad that for once it was quiet, empty, and that he didn't have to worry about someone pushing him into the metal lockers like they did every day. He was passing the science wings when he felt a strong grip close around his upper arm and yank him sideways. Kurt gasped and looked around wildly as he was dragged into the science room.

A swift fist collided with his stomach and Kurt doubled over, the breath knocked out of him. So much for being left alone. He was shoved down, narrowly missing the counter table top and landed on the ground with a thump. A fist connected with his jaw and he groaned as he was pinned to the ground, a heavy weight on top of him. His head was forced straight and he gasped, fear turning his blood cold.

"You stupid little fag," Karofsky hissed, spitting in his face. "I'll make sure that you can't perv on me again. This is all your fault. You did this to me." Karofsky's paw of a hand forced his eye open and Kurt watched with horror as he brought a dropper up to his eye and a splash of liquid fell into his eye.

A first he felt nothing, but then the burn erupted and he howled with pain. His other eye was forced open and Kurt bucked wildly but he was no match for the weight of his tormentor. Kurt screamed and howled and then the weight was gone from his body but the burn was still pooling in his eyes. Kurt brought his hands to his face and curled up. Karofsky kicked him one more time before Kurt heard his retreating footsteps.

"Kurt!" Burt yelled and Kurt bolted up right and gasped for breath, shaking all over. Kurt twisted and turned, hands reaching out for something solid but found nothing. He let out a sob and Burt grabbed his hands, pulling him into a hug. Kurt sobbed wretchedly and clung to Burt, shaking against him.

"You're safe Kurt," Burt murmured in his ear. "You're safe, just breathe." Kurt tried to suppress a sob and shuddered violently, pressing himself close into Burt's protective embrace. "It was just a dream." Burt had come down the stairs after his shower to find Kurt twisting and screaming in his sleep. Burt knew instantly that he had been dreaming of the attack. He had yet to tell Burt the details of it, not wanting to put stress on his heart. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," Kurt moaned against Burt's shoulder. His shoulders shook as he cried, still reeling from the dream.

The phone rang and Kurt whimpered at the sound, his hands coming up to cover his ears. "I'll get it," Burt said, pulling back gently.

"I'll be downstairs," Kurt told him hoarsely, body still shaking. He hesitantly got to his feet and stumbled his way to the basement. Burt watched him warily before hurrying to get the phone. Kurt blundered down to his room, Lucy following at his heels. Kurt bumped into his bed and crawled onto it. He reached blindly for the bear Blaine had given him and held it close, curling up into a ball and burying his head into his pillow.

Kurt struggled to regulate his breathing, on the verge of a panic attack. His dream was a memory of the attack, the last thing he would ever see. It was Sue Sylvester who had found him. She had been rowing with Will when the two of them came striding down the hall and heard him crying and screaming in pain. They had rushed in and found him curled up on the floor. Sue had yelled at Will to phone an ambulance and Kurt passed out from the pain before the paramedics had arrived. He hadn't heard anything from either teacher but he didn't expect to.

Kurt took deep shuddering breathes, thinking of Blaine to try and help himself calm down, tears still streaming down his cheeks. Kurt heard footsteps and Burt was by his side in an instant, rubbing his back. "Who was it?" Kurt asked, eager to get his mind off the attack.

"Carol, she just got off work," Burt answered, "wanted to talk about a dinner date."

"Did you make one?" Kurt inquired, breathing still laboured.

"Not at the moment," Burt said.

"You should," Kurt shivered. "Call her back. I'm OK."

"You're shaking like a leaf, kid," Burt grunted. "It can wait."

"No, I'll calm down," Kurt assured him, shaking his head, taking deep, steadying breaths.

Burt waited until Kurt had stopped shaking and his breathing had returned to normal. "OK, I'll be upstairs if you need me," Burt said and stood up. He cast another look over his shoulder at Kurt before heading back upstairs to call Carol.

Kurt whimpered and groaned against his pillow. His heart was still beating uncontrollably fast and he was drenched in a cold sweat. He clutched the bear tighter and Lucy whimpered somewhere to his left. He felt the bed dip and Lucy's scent washed over him. He felt gentle licking on his arm and he shakily held a hand to pat the dog. Kurt tried to visualize his room, the way he had last decorated it. He could see it in his mind and he opened his eyes but saw nothing but darkness. Kurt buried his head back into his pillow and fought the sob that threatened to escape him.

When Burt got off the phone he hurried down stairs and found Kurt lying on his bed, Lucy sprawled next to him, gently rubbing the dog's fur, his other hand clutching the bear Blaine had given him tightly. "You alright Kurt?" Burt asked, coming in.

"M'K," Kurt mumbled, still stroking Lucy. "Did you make a date?"

"Yeah, next Friday," Burt told him, watching Kurt with mournful eyes, thankful that Kurt couldn't see the look he was giving him because he knew that Kurt would hate the pity.

"Good," Kurt nodded.

"Finn's coming too," Burt continued. "Family dinner."

"Sounds nice," Kurt nodded again, swallowing thickly.

"You need anything?" Burt asked and Kurt shook his head. "Right, I'm going to start on dinner," Burt announced.

"I'll come up," Kurt said quietly, "beats sitting in the dark with nothing to do."

Burt's heart clenched and Kurt made his way off the bed, Lucy following him. Burt placed a gentle hand on Kurt's shoulder as he led him up the stairs. He'd always be there to support his son, no matter what.