"I'm so glad we aren't sitting back there," Kurt said, snuggling into Blaine's side as they flew through the air.

"You and me both. They really aren't taking it well," Blaine commented, rubbing Kurt's arm.

"At least they got to perform," Kurt sighed, "they should focus on that."

"And Finn and Rachel seemed happy," Blaine shrugged. "So something good came from it. Seems like they refuse to focus on the positives of the situation."

"Blaine, they just lost Nationals. I can see how they would feel a little negative right now." Kurt reminded him.

Blaine shrugged. "But you know the Warblers would never turn against us – not even if we kissed on stage."

"But we'd never do that. Because that would get us thrown out of the whole competition and probably the state," Kurt replied, sighing slightly.

Blaine leant down and kissed him softly. "Hey, come on. Being in New York was better, right?" And when he gave Kurt that hopeful smile, he was damned to say no.

"Being in New York was OK," Kurt allowed, almost laughing at the comical way Blaine's face dropped. "But being in New York with you was perfect."

Blaine grinned and kissed him again. "And one day, you'll get to be with me in New York every day. This is our future, Kurt."

"I know," Kurt smiled, "I can't wait." Kurt captured Blaine's lips once more before he closed his eyes, fatigue washing over him. He fell asleep for the rest of the flight and only woke when Blaine started to shake him. "Are we landing?" Kurt mumbled tiredly.

"Already did babe," Blaine grinned and Kurt shot up in his seat, rubbing his eyes blearily.

"Oh," he blinked and Blaine chuckled.

"Come on, Finn will be waiting for us," Blaine said. Kurt nodded and motioned to grab Blaine's hand before remembering where they were and he sighed. He'd forgotten how easy being in New York was. "Soon," Blaine promised, noticing Kurt's hesitation.

They left the plane and found Finn already greeting Carol and Burt. "Boys!" Carol beamed and pulled them into a hug as soon as they reached her. "We missed you! The house was so quiet."

"We missed you too," Kurt grinned, pulling back. He went to Burt and hugged him tightly as well.

"Did you guys have fun?" Burt asked, releasing his son.

"We sure did," Blaine grinned, receiving a hug from Burt too.

"Responsible fun, I hope," Burt looked at Blaine accusingly, who blanched.

"Naturally," Kurt interjected, saving Blaine from further embarrassment.

"Glad to hear it. Come on, let's get going before the traffic builds up," Burt commanded, leading the way out of the airport.

A new school week started – Kurt and Blaine went back to Dalton while Finn went to McKinley, hoping that because they made it to New York, they would have gained a new level of respect. Kurt thought it was wishful thinking but decided against voicing his opinion. He'd heard all about how New Directions were perceived in McKinley and it perplexed him. In Dalton, the Warblers were like rock stars. He'd soon learnt that life in McKinley and life in Dalton were two completely different entities.

On arrival, Blaine and Kurt had been asked endless questions about their trip to New York and many of the Warblers had demanded to see pictures.

"I wish we could have gone," Nick sighed as he and Kurt headed to art class.

"It was amazing, Nick," Kurt gushed. "I felt so free, so clear of judgement. The only downside is that coming back has made me realise how unaccepting it is here. You, Jeff, Blaine and I will have to go together again."

"We finish school this year. Aren't you planning to move to New York after graduation?" Jeff asked.

"Yeah but we have to look for apartments and stuff," Kurt grinned, "so you and Jeff can help us, because I'm sure you'll be doing something similar."

Nick chuckled and nudged Kurt. "Sounds good." The two went into the class room and settled into their seats.

"Alright, boys, this is one of the few classes you have left to work on your final pieces so get working," the teacher said and the boys hurriedly pulled out their things.

Kurt was still in the process of raiding his bag for supplies when there was knock on the door. The counsellor, Janelle, stood in the doorway, her face eerily pale.

"I need to speak to Kurt," she explained quietly to the teacher and Kurt frowned. "Kurt!" Janelle called him over. Kurt shot a look at Nick who simply shrugged in response, looking concerned. Kurt slid out of his chair and headed to Janelle. "Come with me, Kurt," Janelle instructed gently. Kurt complied, following her out of the classroom and down the hallway, towards her office.

Once inside, he took a seat, feeling thoroughly confused. He had come to her once a week as she requested and racked his brain to try and find something he had done wrong.

"Kurt, we got a call from the hospital a few moments ago," Janelle explained, "I don't know how to say this, but your dad…he's been admitted."

"What?" Kurt asked dumbly, his brain refusing to process what she had said.

"Your dad was at work when he collapsed. It looks like a heart attack," Janelle told him calmly, though she was looking at him like she thought he was about to explode into a fit of emotion. Surely she knew him better than that by now. There were only two people who would ever see that, and he'd just been informed that one of them was lying in a hospital bed.

"A heart attack?" Kurt whispered, voice cracking, "No."

"Annie Anderson is on her way," Janelle told him. "She's going to take you and Blaine to the hospital."

"No," Kurt muttered, wrapping his arms around himself, desperate to have something to hold onto. "Not my dad."

Blaine suddenly came bursting into the room and was by Kurt's side instantly. "One of the receptionists just pulled me out of class," Blaine explained, breathing heavily. "Kurt, I – are you OK?"

"No," Kurt replied, hoarsely. "Not my dad. This isn't happening, Blaine. Please tell me this isn't happening."

Blaine pulled Kurt out of his chair and into his arms, holding him tightly. "It's going to be OK." But secretly, Blaine was worried. He'd paid enough attention in Biology class to know what a heart attack meant, which meant he also knew exactly how dangerous they were. He was sure Kurt did too.

Kurt was in shock as they waited for Annie, his body shaking with suppressed sobs as he held onto Blaine. She came quickly and hurried to her boys, kissing Blaine's cheek and looking Kurt over, clearly assessing how he was handling the situation. He was pale and shaking and Blaine guessed that his mother's assessment was 'not well'.

"Kurt, honey," Annie said softly. "I'm going to take you to the hospital OK?" Kurt nodded, looking thoroughly incapable of speech. "Come on," Annie instructed, leading the way out of the school.

Blaine led Kurt out, his arm wrapped around him, pulling him close. Everyone was in class which meant that, thankfully, they didn't have an audience. The one aspect in which Dalton was similar to McKinley was that they were suckers for gossip, and Blaine was sure that this would spread like wildfire.

Blaine slipped into the back seat of the car next to Kurt who just stared blankly out the window, shaking violently, looking paler than ever. The ride to the hospital took far too long and Blaine felt sick with nerves. Burt was a second father to him, he always had been and Blaine didn't even want to think about the possibility of them losing him. It would do irrevocable things to their family.

Blaine caught Annie's gaze in the rear-view mirror. She looked about as terrified as he felt. They arrived at the hospital and they all jumped out. Blaine hovered close to Kurt as they went inside. Kurt looked grim as he was informed that his father had been moved to ICU after slipping into a coma, but hurried to find him nonetheless.

When they entered the pristine room, they were unsurprised to find that Carol and Finn were already there. Carol looked a mess with her hair out of place and tear stained cheeks, though that was expected.

Finn looked like he had been punched in the stomach. They both looked up as Kurt entered and stepped aside when he approached Burt, knowing that he would need a respectful moment with his father. Kurt slipped his hand into Burt's, squeezing tightly.

"Dad?" Kurt greeted, his voice higher than usual and Blaine could hear the note of panic in there. "Dad, can you hear me?" Blaine squeezed Annie's hand before moving to Kurt. "Please wake up," Kurt pleaded, tears blurring his vision. "You have to wake up."

"The doctors said that he had a heart attack that was brought on by an arrhythmia," Carol told him, voice choked. Annie went to Carol and rubbed her back soothingly, offering her a tissue, which she gladly accepted.

Kurt knees buckled and Blaine wrapped a strong arm around his waist to keep him up. Kurt shook in his arms and tears trailed down Blaine's cheeks. "I've got you," he breathed in Kurt's ear.

A nurse came wondering in and started checking Burt's IV's and monitors. "I'm afraid visiting hours will be over soon," the nurse informed them, looking apologetic. Kurt recognised the woman from when he was a child. It was Nurse Nancy, the same nurse who had looked after his mother. The thought made him feel both horribly sick and oddly comforted. A violent squeeze of Kurt's hand told him that Blaine had recognised her too. Nurse Nancy smiled sympathetically at Kurt as she moved about.

Carol leant down and placed a lingering kiss on Burt's cheek and then stood.

"Let's get you guys home," Annie said, wrapping an arm around Carol and leading her out of the room, Finn trailing behind them. Kurt moved to his dad, his legs feeling liquid, and kissed his cheek, squeezing his hand. He got nothing in response and tears ran down his cheek.

"Kurt," Blaine urged, gently. "We have to go."

"No," Kurt shot back, stubbornly. He knew his voice had taken a childlike tone to it but he couldn't help it. "I can't leave him! He's my dad!"

"I know babe," Blaine replied soothingly, wrapping Kurt back up in his arms again. "I know you don't want to leave, but we have to go. I'll bring you back tomorrow myself, OK?"

"But he's my dad," Kurt murmured, tears flowing down his cheeks.

"I know," Blaine said, his throat closing with emotion until his voice was barely there.

"He can't leave me," Kurt whispered, "he promised."

Blaine's heart broke into two. First Kurt lost his mother when he was eight and now he was faced with the possibility of losing his father too. It wasn't fair, not after everything Kurt had been through. Blaine wished he could find a way to take away all of Kurt's pain, though he knew he could do nothing but be there for his fianc� in his time of need.

"Your dad's strong," Blaine said, tightening his hold on his fianc�. "He can fight this; he'll be back with us soon."

Kurt felt more tears slip as he just stared at his dad. He looked like he was asleep, but Kurt knew he wasn't. It was so much worse. Nurse Nancy came in again and she looked sympathetically at Kurt.

"I'm sorry Kurt," Nancy said gently. "You have to go now."

Blaine nodded and muttered his thanks before tugging Kurt out of the room. Carol, Finn and Annie were waiting for them and they went back to the parking lot.

"Carol, are you OK to drive?" Annie asked. Carol shook her head. "OK, I'll drive your car. Blaine? Can you take my car?" Annie didn't wait for a response, already fishing out her keys and handing them to her son.

"Yeah," Blaine replied unnecessarily, taking them.

"I'll go with you guys," Finn said quietly and Blaine nodded. They slid into Annie's car, Kurt riding shot gun and went back to the Hummel-Hudson home. Blaine knew that until Burt got better, his family would be living with them.

When Blaine parked up, Finn jumped out and Kurt followed at a much slower pace. Annie and Carol pulled up behind them and slid out. "I'll make us something to eat," Annie said, leading Carol into the house. "Edward will be here soon."

They went in and Blaine followed Kurt, who immediately went upstairs. Kurt strode into his room and went straight to his stereo, sliding a CD into place. Blaine instantly recognized it as John Mellencamp – Burt's favourite artist. Kurt dived onto the bed, burying his face into his pillows and Blaine saw his shoulders shake as sobs racked through his fragile body.

Blaine went to Kurt and sat next to him, gently rubbing his back, listening to the heartbreaking sobs of his fianc�. It was like they were eight all over again, Blaine comforting Kurt just after his mum had died. Blaine lay down; his own tears falling. He pulled Kurt into his arms, allowing him to sob into his shoulder.

Finn was staring blankly at the TV; nothing seemed to be able to hold his interest. He was too worried about Burt. He'd only just got a replacement father and now Burt was about to be taken from him too.

He had no idea how Kurt was taking it. They were a new family and Kurt was about to lose his only blood family. It was like that fairy tale, what one was it? The one with the girl who can't keep her shoes…Cinderella! Though obviously, Burt was way cooler than just a pair of shoes. And Kurt totally couldn't pull off a ball gown and oh God, did that make Finn Prince Charming or an ugly stepsister? But apart from that, the two stories were completely similar.

The door bell rang and Finn got up to answer it. He was surprised – but thrilled – to see Rachel on the other side holding a small container.

"Hi," Rachel greeted softly. "I just came by to see how you were." She leaned up for a kiss and Finn complied, leaning down to meet her halfway. "The whole Glee club sends their regards," she informed him, "but we agreed that I was the best person to send. I mean, they would have agreed…if they were talking to me. Santana is, I guess, but loudly and in Spanish. I have no idea what she's saying, but it sounds really threatening."

Finn chuckled and opened the door wider to let Rachel in. She slipped past and looked around the house. It was the first time she had been there and she desperately wanted to make a good impression on Carol.

"How's Kurt taking it?" Rachel asked as Finn led her into the living room.

"Hard," Finn replied. "I mean – it's his dad, he was always going to."

"He's your dad too," Rachel reminded him.

"I know, but he was Kurt's first. That doesn't mean he means any less to me, but this is harder on Kurt than it is on me," Finn explained, shrugging. Rachel smiled sympathetically at Finn and leaned into him.

Carol came wandering out of the kitchen and looked surprised to see Rachel. Upon noticing her entrance, Rachel jumped to her feet and hurried to Carol.

"I'm so sorry to hear about Burt. I made you some of my famous cookies to ease your pain," Rachel said, holding out the container. Carol took it with a small smile.

"Thank you so much, er…" Carol floundered, looking that Finn desperately.

"Rachel, Rachel Berry," Rachel informed her, smiling graciously. "Rising star, soon-to-be Broadway legend, the list goes on. And you're Finn's mother. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"You too, Rachel," Carol smiled at her, though it looked slightly pained. Rachel was certainly going to be harder to get on with than Quinn ever was.

"If there is anything you need, don't hesitate to ask," Rachel told her, smiling sympathetically. "I'm happy to help you and Finn in anyway."

"That's sweet, dear," Carol smiled, briefly touching Rachel's arm, "but I think we've got it covered. The Anderson's refuse to let us cope on our own."

"Damn straight," Annie called, coming out of the kitchen. "Burt is family and so are you. It's our job to take care of you."

Carol smiled softly and Rachel's grin faded a tiny bit. "I'm sure I can find something to help with," she powered on. "After all I am now Finn's girlfriend and I want to take care of him."

Annie looked a little surprised by Rachel's intensity and was saved by answering as Blaine came wondering down the stairs.

"Hey Mum," Blaine greeted tiredly. "Do we have any aspirin?"

"For you or Kurt honey?" Annie asked.

"Both," Blaine sighed. Rachel took in his red eyes and tear stained shirt, feeling immediately sympathetic. Annie disappeared into the kitchen and Blaine turned to Rachel. "Hello Rachel. Here for Finn?"

"Yes, and to offer my help," she replied with a smile.

Blaine nodded. "That's nice. I'm sure we could use all the help we can get. Anything to make this easier."

Carol smiled at Blaine and touched his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. Annie came back with a glass of water and a few pills of aspirin, handing them to her son.

"Dinner will be ready soon and Kurt will need to eat," Annie instructed.

"I'll try to get him to come down," Blaine told her and retreated back upstairs. Rachel watched him go, wishing she could do something to help both him and Kurt.

Annie moved back to the kitchen and Carol followed her. Rachel went back to Finn and cuddled into his side.

"I know it sounds stupid, but I keep praying that Burt gets better. It seems like the only thing I can do to help." Finn sighed and Rachel's eyes lit up. She had the perfect way for New Directions to help.