The next week seemed to fly by as Kurt was tossed back and forth from one area to the next. He was really enjoying being back home, around his family and friends once again, but it was time for him to find his own place. He loved Carole and his dad more than anything else, but if he couldn’t take being treated like a child once again. He had finally decided to break the news to the family tonight over dinner.

“Dad, Carole There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you guys.”

“Oh Dear God your Gay aren’t you! I knew it! I knew it! I should never have bought you that Barbie dream home when you were 8.” After a moment of silence everyone including Kurt starting laughing, this was why he loved his family. They would always be there for him no matter what.

“Ok, Ok, look Kiddo, what ever it is you have to say just say it. You’re a grown man now, Carole and I respect that.”

“Thanks Dad, well Mercedes has been helping me out the past week and I found an apartment over on 2nd street, a few blocks from the hospital. I know it seems fast but I think its time I got back out in the world on my own. Now don’t freak out, its only 5 miles away, and 4 blocks from the Hospital. So you’ll see me all the time still.” He paused and waited for a moment, his dad never took separation well, and big decisions like this could have a negative effect on his heart.

“Kurt, that’s wonderful! Carole and I knew you’d only be with us here temporarily, so every things ok. This will always be your home, and your more than welcome here anytime you’d like. I mean, look at your brother, he’s here 24/7. You’d never know he only lived 50 feet next door.” Kurt giggled at the thought of Finn on his own, that boy would never survive without his mama’s cooking.

“Oh look here, I took before and after pictures of John today. The finally cleaned him up some in the hopes he can be recognized. Were going to send this picture to all the missing person’s office in Columbus and hopefully they’ll pass it along the way.” Carole pulled out her phone and began to pass it around the table.

“Wow honey, he looks like a completely different person now.”

“Oh I know, I think a few of the younger Nurses have crushes now. Here Finn have a look and then pass it to your brother.” Finn took the phone, flipping back and forth from the before and after picture. He didn’t understand what the big deal was. They guy was in a coma, what did it matter whether he had a beard or not. Kurt’s cell started vibrating in his pocket, causing him to jump and giggle a bit, apparently the combination of his phone and tight jeans tickled.

“Oh hey its Mercedes, I’m suppose to be meeting her in a bit. I’ll be back later, love you guys.” Kurt was up and out the door before anyone could reply to his abrupt message.

“Here mom, I don’t think he got to see it before he left.”

“That’s ok sweetie, I’m sure he’ll see him on his rotation some time in the next few weeks. I just worry about this kid, he can’t be much older than you and Kurt. I know his mother must be going nuts right now.. I know I would be.” Burt could see the tears swelling in Carole’s eyes, she was taking them more personal than anything before.

“shhh, its ok. What matters is that your doing all you can to help this boy find his family. Now that his photo is out there, Im sure it’ll be no time before someone comes out to identify him.”

Carole just smiled as she layed her head on Burts shoulders, curling into the arm he had now wrapped around her shoulders. “ I hope your right darling.”


Mercedes pulled up to The Lima Bean, she hadn’t really came here that often since graduation but it just seemed like the perfect place now that Kurt was back. She parked her car and then headed inside, not surprised to see Kurt sitting in the same booth, in the same window that was and always been.. his spot. She had to admire him though, unlike the rest of the them, his appearance wasn’t at all much different than he had been in High School. He still kept his hair perfectly styled, his skin smooth and light, refusing to wear anything that his inner fashionista didn’t agree with. The really only difference was, he was a bit bigger, but she could tell that even though he was still slim, this new size in his was all muscle. She had seen help lift the larger patients, and watched how his biceps flexed against his scrub sleeves. The boy was hot, no doubt about it. But that’s’ what bothered her, how could someone this good looking be completely alone in life.
Kurt looked up from the magazine he was going through, to see Mercedes walk in. She was only a few minutes late, but he’d forgive her this time.

“Hey Beautiful!”

“Beautiful my ass white boy. I just got off a 16 hours shift, I need coffee and I needs it now!”

Kurt just smiled, he knew his friend so well. He slid the container of coffee across the table to her that he ordered a few minutes before. If memory served it was her favorite.

“Sweet baby Jesus, you’re a god Kurt!” She took the coffee, sipping on it and began to relax as the warmth ran through her body.

“So tell me why did you get stuck on a 16 hour shift, all they have me on 12 hour rotation.”

“One of the other nurse’s got married so were a bit short handed at the moment, plus I needed the extra hours. End of the month’s coming up and bills don’t pay themselves.”

“Tell me about it! I signed the papers on the lease today, so I’m sure I’ll be in the same boat your in before to long. But I mean, I had to get out of that house, I felt like I was 12 all over again.”

The time went by as the two shared stories, watching as Mercedes nodded off slightly Kurt decided to call it a night and follow his friend home. Once she was good and inside, he headed back to his dad’s. With the papers signed, he would be able to move in this coming up weekend. By the time he got in that night everyone was already asleep, and he knew he should be too but he just wasn’t tired. He decided maybe a book would help him sleep faster so after his nightly moisturizing routine, which was not as long and tedious as it used to be, he piled into his bed. He wasn’t sure on what book to read so he just grabbed the first one he came too.

“Oh Mr. Potter, the times we have had together.” He cracked open the worn out copy and began to read. Of course he knew what book this was, it was a constant reminder of his broken heart. He’s tried several times to force himself to move on, going on dates, random hook ups with guys he met at the clubs, but after all was said and done, he could never stop his mind from drifting back to that one place in time and wondering… what if.


As soon as Kurt got to work the next morning, he was surprised to see Carole running about the Nurse’s station with this look of excitement in his face. As soon as he entered the glass office she turned around, realizing it was him and embracing him in a tight hug.

“Good morning to you to. I might I ask what’s the occasion?”

“Oh my god Kurt! The missing person’s center called, the believe they might have found a match with the photo I sent them and a description of young man who disappeared right around the same time. The guys parents are on their way here right now, to see if they can identify him.”

Kurt was shocked and Carole’s excitement was starting to rub off on him.

“Wow, that’s amazing. This is what you wanted.”

“I just want closure for his family Kurt, I can’t bear the thought that what if that was you or Finn. It’d kill me to lose one of my son’s Kurt.” Kurt felt the tears in his eyes, it was on rare occasions that he would refer to Carole as mom, mainly only special occasions. It was something she never pushed, she knew that Kurt had a mother, and that she had no desire to ever replace Elizabeth.

“I know Mom, I know. We love you too.” He felt her squeeze him harder as he said those words. They separated after a moment and waited as she dried her eyes, the family would be here in a few minutes and they needed to be presentable.

Kurt, Carole, and Mercedes, who’d heard about all the excitement and decided to show up on her off day, stood and waiting outside the room while the family entered. From where they were you couldn’t see much, the glass only allowed you to see from the waist up, so they just had the top portions of family to see. Not really sure on what to say or do everyone just stood and waited, Carole reaching over and taking Kurt’s hand in her own.

Kurt watched sadly as the mother collapsed in tears in her husbands arms and then as they were lead out by Dr. Colfer. They gathered a moment in front of everyone just holding each other, before the man that came with them spoke.

“I know this is hard for you Mr. and Mrs. And..” he was cut off by the husband rather rudely, but no one blamed him. This was a lot to take in.

“Just give a us a moment to gather our thoughts Thomas.” He leaned down and kissed his wife on the forehead before wrapping his arms around her.

“Mr. Andrews, is this patient your son, Henry.”

“No, that’s not our boy in there. That’s someone else’s baby on that bed.” Kurt watched as all the hope drained out of the couples face. He could tell that more than anything they wished that would have been their son, but fate just didn’t have it planned out that way. Mrs. Andrews began to cough a bit from her tears so Kurt went and grabbed her a glass of water. She thanked him and handed it back. The orderlies came in and were pulling the bed out of the room, moving John back to his normal area when everyone stopped at the sound of the glass hitting the floor.

Turning to see what happened, Carole saw this look cross Kurt’s Face. It was an emotion she couldn’t recognize, the only thing she could do was watch and stare as her soon backed against the wall, paler than she had ever seen him.

“Sweetie, are you ok?”

Kurt couldn’t make himself speak, he could only stand there and stare at John as they rolled him down the hallway. Carole began to worry about Kurt, something was seriously wrong. He’d never acted this way before.

“Kurt baby, what is it. I need you to tell me what’s wrong?” The fear and tension in her voice was evident now, Mercedes tried to speak to Kurt but nothing anyone said got through to him. He just stared down the hall, and watched as the bed rolled down and around the corner into the elevator. He opened his mouth to speak and felt as thought no matter how hard he tried, he much he fought the emotions to scream and cry, he couldn’t force a sound out. He began to slump and slide against the wall until he was sitting flat on the floor, watching as Carole and Mercedes sat with him.

“Mercedes, go and get Dr. Lewis. Something’s got to be wrong here. He’s never been like this before.” Mercedes stood up and began to leave when Kurt reached out grabbing hold of her Pants leg.
“Kurt honey, talk to me. What’s wrong.” Just watched as he simply just lifted his head up to her, watched as his watery eyes quivered a moment, breathing deeply.

“That was him.. Mercedes.” They were both confused now, neither of the two knew what he was talking about.

“Him? Him who?” Kurt smiled slightly out the side of his mouth, not a happy smile but more of a sad, lonely smile.

“Honey, are you talking about John? Don’t worry about him, sure its upsetting this wasn’t his family, but I’m not gonna give up now. Just wait and see, we’ll find his family before too long. I promise.” She knew it was an idle promise as it left her mouth, she had no way or knowing if they would ever find John’s family but she was positive that she wouldn’t give up no matter the cost.

“Blaine.” He mumbled.

“Sorry sweetie, what was that. I didn’t quite hear you.”

“His name is Blaine.”