"What's going on, Dad?" Kurt asked, looking directly at Burt.

"I got a call from Officer Matthew Tudor," Burt said. "A court date has been set and he's requested that you attend."

"What?" Blaine cried. "No, that's not fair. Why does he have to go through it again?" He turned to look at Kurt, willing to him to argue back as well. But Kurt just sat, staring stony-faced at Burt, who was visibly becoming less and less comfortable under his son's gaze.

"Will Karofsky be there?" Finn asked and Kurt shuddered at the name.

"Matthew said that he will be," Burt said.

Blaine wrapped an arm around Kurt shoulder's and squeezed him, knowing that he would need the emotional support without being asked.

"Kurt?" Carol asked, trying to meet her stepson's eyes. But they looked worlds away, as if he had simply tuned out of the conversation around him "How are you taking this?"

Kurt took a deep breath and tried to organize his thoughts. "I would like this to be put behind us," Kurt decided with a tone of finality. "I need to do this."

Blaine smiled, pride shining in his eyes as he looked at Kurt.

"OK," Burt said, smiling at his son encouragingly. "He gave me all the details. It's on Saturday at ten o'clock."

Kurt nodded and made a noise of confirmation, but otherwise remained silent. The adults continued to talk about it while Kurt, Blaine and Finn went to the living room.

"I'm proud of you," Blaine said as he sat on the couch, pulling Kurt on to his lap. Kurt smiled and leant his temple against Blaine's.

Saturday came much too quickly for Kurt's liking. He stood in front of his closet, trying to find the perfect outfit to wear. Blaine came wondering into the room and wrapped his arms around Kurt's waist, resting his chin on his shoulder.

"Need help?" Blaine asked.

"I'm thinking a white shirt, grey waist coat with my black jeans. The outfit I wore to a funeral once," Kurt suggested, biting his lip.
"Sounds perfect," Blaine said, kissing Kurt's shoulder.

Though his injuries slowed him down – and he had to occasionally call on Blaine for help – Kurt still dressed carefully and methodically. He styled his hair carefully, trying not to think about the day awaiting him. Eventually he made his way down stairs, Blaine on his arm, where everyone was waiting for him. Annie and Edward were coming along; showing their support and Kurt couldn't deny that he appreciated it.

They took two cars to the court house and parked out the front. They went inside and Kurt looked around with wide eyes. This was all too real. Matthew Tudor met them in the foyer and nodded to the group.

"Thank you for coming Kurt," Matthew greeted and Kurt just nodded in response. "Let's get inside."

The court room was intimidatingly large and there were quite a few people already in there, acting as witnesses. Kurt took a seat and Blaine slid onto the bench next to him, squeezing his hand tightly.

Kurt's breath hitched as Dave Karofsky walked in. Kurt couldn't tear his eyes away – and it wasn't even because of his train wreck of an outfit. In fact, his casual clothes bore stark contrast to Kurt's memory. He didn't look nearly as threatening as he had that night; in fact he looked like a scared boy who was in way over his head.

His view suddenly became obscured as Blaine and Finn stepped in front of him. At first he was confused to as why but then realized that they were blocking Kurt so that Karofsky wouldn't be able to see him. It was touching and Kurt had never felt prouder of Finn. It was times like this that Kurt realised that Finn was really stepping up as a step brother.

"You OK, Kurt?" Burt asked, leaning in to speak to Kurt privately, though Kurt didn't miss the way Blaine leant back to make sure that he could hear his boyfriend's response.
"I'm OK," Kurt confirmed and dropped his gaze. Three sharp bangs sounded and Kurt flinched.

"This court is now in session," said a security guard and everyone stood as the judge walked in.

"Please be seated," the judge instructed, voice ringing through the room. Everyone sat down and looked to the front, Finn and Blaine slipping onto either side of Kurt. Blaine slid his hand on Kurt's thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze. At this, Kurt's eyes met his boyfriend's eyes and he smiled appreciatively, leaning down to lock their fingers together.

"This is the hearing of David Karofsky," the judge read out, "charged with kidnapping."

Kurt glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw Dave hang his head in shame, which Kurt frowned at. Wasn't Dave meant to be looking smug? Throwing menacing glances at him for escaping? Instead all he saw was Dave looking ashamed, in fact, he looked close to tears.

The judge went on with the police report and Matthew was called to the stand to share his experience and the information. Matthew relayed his story quickly and returned to his seat, and in his place, Karofsky was called up.

Blaine's grip on his thigh subconsciously tightened but Kurt didn't stop him; it was a reminder that he was safe with Blaine and no longer trapped by Karofsky.

"David, do you have anything to add? Share your side of the story, perhaps?" The judge asked, looking impassively at Dave.

Dave swallowed and looked around nervously. When his eyes caught Kurt's, he immediately dropped his gaze, looking ashamed.

"I don't know what possessed me to do such a stupid action," David admitted. "But I wish I hadn't done it."

Blaine growled, scoffing and Burt made a gruff noise of disbelief in the back of his throat. Kurt ignored both of them, listening attentively to Dave. He needed to hear this.

"I want to apologize to the family for everything I put them through," David said, voice sincere and Burt shook his head roughly.

"Is everything in the police report accurate?" The judge asked.

"Yes," David answered honestly. Kurt's eyebrows shot up with surprise.

"This court will take a brief recess," the judge said, banging his gavel once and standing. David was led off the stand and ushered out, his family right behind him.

Everyone stood and Kurt took a moment to gather his thoughts before standing too and slipping out into the hallway. Kurt watched as Dave was led into a private room with what looked like his lawyer.

They were all standing around, Burt ranting about how an apology would fix nothing, getting himself worked into a state.

"Burt, you need to calm down," Carol soothed and Kurt could only watch in silence. There was a brief commotion in the hallway; by the looks of it, David's mother had fainted. Everyone turned to look, craning their necks to see and before Kurt realized he was doing it, he was slipping away from his family and heading to the private room that Dave was in.

He snuck in, shutting the door behind him. Kurt looked up and saw the surprised looks of Dave and his lawyer piercing him.

"Kurt?" Dave was looking at him with disbelief.

"Can we talk?" Kurt asked, his voice sounding distant in his own ears.

Dave looked to his lawyer and who nodded in response. Kurt took an open seat across from Dave and sat down heavily. "I'm sorry," Dave blurted out, dropping his gaze.

"Why did you do it?" Kurt asked, looking at his attacker pointedly.

Dave took a moment to answer. "I don't know. I was scared. I'm confused of who I am and then you came along and were so openly comfortable with who you were it pissed me off," Dave admitted, refusing to meet Kurt's eyes, his next words coming out as a whisper, "and I was attracted to you."

Kurt winced at that but shook it off, needing to remain in control. "So you kidnapped me?" Kurt asked, voice shaking.

"It was stupid. I didn't know how else to deal with it," Dave sighed sadly.

"Talking usually helps, even asking a question. How about 'hey, I'm Dave and I'm having a sexuality crisis, can you help me out?' Even that would have been better than what you did," Kurt said, voice rising in pitch as he worked himself up.

"I know," Dave replied, head hung with shame. "I panicked."

"In the extreme," Kurt berated him, shaking his head. "Do you have any idea what you have put me through? My family? Blaine? Do you know how worried they were?" Dave said nothing but Kurt caught a glimmer of tears welling in his eyes. He sighed. "I don't need to tell you this, do I? You know what you did. There's no point dwelling on the past." Dave looked up, shocked. "You need help and to be educated," Kurt continued.

"What?" Dave asked, voice uncharacteristically high with surprise.

"I'm willing to make sure you don't get a long sentence, maybe a couple of months in prison to think about what you did and then you are to get help and get educated about your sexuality. You need to figure out what you are," Kurt told him, firmly. "If you don't, then I'll demand the maximum sentence."

Dave looked to his lawyer who was looking shocked but quickly wrote down what Kurt was saying.

"You would do that? After everything I've done?" Dave asked.

"I know how hard this is," Kurt said slowly, "and I'm not condoning what you did, the exact opposite actually. But in a town like this, you need help and you deserve a chance of getting it."

"I-thank you," Dave's eyes glistened with tears as he looked at Kurt. "Thank you so, so much."

"Would you be willing to speaking to the judge privately about this?" The lawyer asked when Kurt didn't reply.

"I think so," Kurt replied, nodding at the lawyer, who nodded in kind and stood.

"I'll request a private meeting now," the lawyer said, exiting the room. Kurt followed his lead and Dave did too, trailing behind the lawyer out into the hallway.

"KURT!" Burt yelled and Kurt looked up to see a series of expressions; shock, fear, anger.

Kurt looked at Dave one last time before heading back to his family.

"Kurt," Dave called out quietly, so quiet that he almost missed it. Kurt stopped and turned, meeting Dave's eyes. "I really am sorry," Dave said, ensuring that only Kurt could hear him. Kurt nodded once and kept walking.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Burt demanded as soon as he reached them. "You just disappeared! We were worried something had happened."

"Are you OK? Did he hurt you?" Blaine asked, looking as if he was about to have a panic attack.

Kurt went to Blaine and stroked his check with his thumb, feeling his boyfriend relax under his touch. "I'm OK. Sorry I worried you," Kurt told him, quietly.

"Kurt," said a voice behind him and Kurt turned to see Dave's lawyer behind him. "The judge has accepted. You need to come to the chamber now."

Kurt nodded, but everyone else looked confused.

"I'll be OK. I'll be back soon, don't panic," Kurt said to Blaine, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll explain in a minute."

"Kurt?" Burt asked, looking confused.

"I'm fine, I just need to do this," Kurt told him, willing his dad to understand.

He walked away with the lawyer, taking deep steadying breaths. He didn't want to be alone with Karofsky so he pictured that Blaine was right behind him, whispering words of comfort and support in his ear. He knew that his dad would be pissed and that Blaine would be questioning his sanity but he needed to do this.

Karofsky was already there with the judge and Kurt stood away from him.

"Mr Hummel, it has come to my attention that you wish to offer Dave Karofsky a deal," the judge said, looking at him with disbelief, expecting Kurt to defy him.

"Yes," Kurt answered.

"What is the nature of this deal?" the judge asked.

"I want him to serve some time, because he deserves the consequences of his actions," Kurt said, jaw set. "I also want him to be educated about his sexuality and go to a support group."

"That seems fair," the judge said, nodding. "Dave, does that sound fair?"

"Yes," Dave answered, nodding.

"Alright, Dave, I'm giving you four months in juvenile hall for the kidnapping of Kurt Hummel. Once your sentence is complete you will be required to go to a support group and become educated in your sexuality. If you don't comply with these, you will be sent back to juvenile hall. I'm also issuing a restraint. You are not allowed within 50 feet of the Hummel-Hudson home or the Anderson's home. Do you understand?"

Dave looked the judge in the eyes as he nodded. "Yes, I understand."

"Very well, I'll set up a transfer for juvenile hall in three days," the judge said and Dave nodded.

"Can I go?" Kurt asked, no longer wanting to be in the chambers or within miles of Karofsky. He'd been willing to help him, yes, but there was no denying that the boy still terrified him.

"Yes, Mr Hummel, you may go," the judge said with a nod. "Thank you for coming in today."

Kurt nodded and practically ran out of the door, refusing to look at Dave as he left.

Blaine was pacing outside, a worried look plastered across his features. He had no idea what was going on and he didn't like it. Kurt slipped out of the judge's chambers and towards his boyfriend. Blaine stopped pacing and hurried to Kurt, scooping him up into his arms and holding him tightly.

"What happened? What's going on?" Blaine demanded. The rest of the family crowded around him, eager to hear what had happened.

"I made a deal with Karofsky," Kurt told them.

"You did what?" Burt thundered.

"Dad, please," Kurt urged. "Karofsky is going to spend four months in juvenile hall. When he gets out he has to get help. He's also not allowed within fifty feet of our houses."

"Why did you do that?" Burt demanded. "Why not let him get a full sentence?"

"Because he's struggling too," Kurt said quietly. "You know how hard it is to be gay in Ohio. Look at all that Blaine and I have gone through."

"Kurt, he kidnapped and could have killed you," Blaine said, agonisingly patronisingly. "I don't care if he's struggling, he shouldn't have done it and he deserves to suffer the consequences."

"He is, he will," Kurt assured Blaine, gently fingering one of Blaine's curls and tugging gently. "Juvie won't be easy for him and hopefully he'll think about what he did."

"You're too kind, kid," Burt said gruffly.

"I think Kurt was very brave," Carol told him, gently. "That took a lot of courage, sweetie and Dave Karofsky should be very thankful for what you did."

Kurt nodded and looked to Blaine. Kurt could see that he was struggling to understand what he did. "Can we go home?" Kurt asked.

"Of course," Carol said, taking Burt's hand and tugging him toward the exit.

Blaine and Kurt followed with Finn, Annie and Edward bringing up the rear.

"I still don't get how you could do it," Blaine said, shaking his head. "He put us through so much, but he put you through so much more."

"He's struggling, Blaine," Kurt replied, "You remember how confused we were."

"Yeah, but I didn't kidnap anyone," Blaine snorted.

"Because we had each other," Kurt reminded him, squeezing Blaine's hand. "He has no one. I can't imagine trying to come to terms with being gay without the support of family, especially in a town like this. I'm not excusing what he did because it was wrong. I just...Jeez, Blaine, I just want to help him. No matter how serious his crimes, everyone deserves help. I couldn't bear it if I denied him that."

Blaine slowed and really thought about it. "You're right," Blaine said, looking at Kurt in awe. "You Kurt Hummel, are the most amazing man I have ever met. I'm proud to have known you, let alone be with you."

Kurt looked at Blaine with adoring eyes and leaned into him, smiling when Blaine wrapped his arm around Kurt's shoulders. "I've always loved you, Blaine, and I always will," Kurt replied, voice completely sincere.

"I love you Kurt, nothing will ever change that," Blaine said and he leant down to press a gentle kiss to the skin behind Kurt's pointed ears.

Kurt smiled and let Blaine place a kiss on his cheek. All too soon Blaine pulled away. They were still in public; they could have a moment back at the house, away from prying eyes where it was just the two of them. The way it had always been and the way it would always be.

Kurt missed Dave Karofsky standing behind them, eyes full of heartbreak. He longed for what Kurt and Blaine had; he prayed for it. They were his shining beacon of hope through the darkness of trying to discover himself. He only wished that one day; he could have even a second of what they had. Because, to him, it looked pretty much perfect.