“You’re amazing, Rachel. You’re going to blow them away today.”

She reached out for his hand and tugged him closer to her side.

“We’re gonna blow them away today.”

She smiled brightly and looked back at the stage. They stayed silent until, without turning back to him, she started to speak again.

“You were meant to be up there, Kurt. I know people have hurt you, but you’re so much stronger then all of them. We’re going to get out of this town, Kurt. And I can’t wait to see you shine.”

They both stayed silent and watched the stage, knowing it was their way out. Kurt closed his eyes and tugged at Rachel’s hand.

“Come on. Let’s go get some water and get back to the rest of the group. Come on, sweetie.”

Rachel was very compliant, as if still in a trance. They walked hand in hand weaving their way through the massive crowd, and when they finally got to the counter Kurt pulled her to stand next to him. When the lady behind it popped her gum and asked what they wanted Rachel snapped out of her quiet shock and into buzzing excitement.

“We’re going to need 4 bottles of water, 3 bags of lemon drops, two cups of lukewarm tea and I better get some raisenets for Lauren.”

She turned as she waited for her order to be filled out.

“We really are going to be amazing. I’ve seen the other choirs we’re competing against. Vocal Expressions is excellent but we have more presence then they do. Madison Avenue is also very talented, but they don’t have one strong vocal lead, and I think that will work to our advantage.”

They picked up their things and left, walking toward the changing room to get into their clothes and get into the auditorium to watch the other choirs. Rachel flittered around the room, checking to make sure everyone felt fine, giving lemon drops to help their throats, and telling every one to drink lots of water. Kurt took a big breath and put his hand on his stomach, trying to still the butterflies.

Kurt Hummel was very, very nervous.

What happened if he missed his entrance? What if he forgot the words? His whole team had worked so hard and now he had all of that ridding on his shoulders. He scanned the room, watching everyone interact in such a loving way. Puck smiling at Lauren, Mike holding Tina’s hand while they talked to Artie, Brit and Santana leaning on each other, Quinn smiling peacefully as she sat on the couch next to Rachel who was drinking her water and tea making comments about vocal health, and Sam and Finn who where making hand gestures and talking loudly about football. They had all become a family and he didn’t want to let them down. He watched them silently until his phone vibrated in his pocket, drawing him out of his daze.

Blaine
“I’m here. Can’t wait to see your hot ass on that stage. “

Kurt did a strange hiccup while his body decided if it wanted to stop breathing or hyperventilate.

“Go away!”

“Are you nervous?”

“Of course not. I’m Kurt Hummel. “

He took a deep breath and tried to swallow but his mouth had gone dry.

“You don’t have to lie to me, you know. I think you’re going to be amazing. I’m your biggest fan.”

The lights flickered and Rachel stood up to stand next to Kurt.

“All right, gang. It’s time to go out there and preform. As great as everyone else has been, we are better and everyone in this room knows that. With my amazing vocal talent and Kurt’s unique voice and everyone’s performance energy, they would be crazy not to realize that we are the best possible option. We’re just better.”

She smiled and grabbed Kurt’s hand.

“Let’s go.”

They walked toward the stage and took a breath before positioning themselves to sing their opening duet. Rachel didn’t let go of his hand and he turned back to smile at her as the curtain rose.

“I’m limited
Just look at me - I’m limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn’t do, Glinda
So now it’s up to you
For both of us - now it’s up to you..”

Kurt turned to look at the audience, his nerves drifting away as he let the music flow through him.

“I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good”

When he looked back at Rachel he could see tears in her eyes and he knew that this friendship would stay with him, even through a million life times. She closed her eyes and clung tighter to his hand.

”It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend…

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you”

Kurt smiled through tears in his eyes.

“Because I knew you”

They both turned back toward the audience, hands still being held as a lifeline between them.

“I have been changed for good”

Rachel pulled herself closer to Kurt and tugged at his hand until he was looking directly at her.

“And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the thing I’ve done you blame me for”

Kurt shook his head and smiled at her as tears streamed down her face.

“But then, I guess we know
There’s blame to share”

And both of them knew, everything they had said or done to each other in the past didn’t matter. Because they understood each other. Kurt knew how badly Rachel wanted her dreams to come true, and Rachel understood the passion that sometimes overtook Kurt. They understood each other and one day, they were both sure, they would get out of that town and they would do what they loved. Because there was no other option.

“And none of it seems to matter anymore”

Both of them could feel the key change coming and let it wash over them like a gentle wave on a beach. The music washed through them and they almost forgot where they were. The only thing keeping them grounded where their hands, which still held tightly between them.

They finished the song looking out at the crowed imagining their futures once they got to New York. That’s where they were going. Both of them could feel it.

“Because I knew you…
I have been changed for good.”

They looked into the other ones eyes as the applause filled the auditorium. This was only the beginning. Rachel still watched him as she raised her microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the New Directions!”

___________________________________________________________

The group practically skipped off the stage as they felt the adrenaline from their performance pumping through them.

“That was totally awesome! We got this competition in the bag!” Puck raved and pushed himself into the air on Finns shoulders.

Rachel and Quinn smiled at each other from across the room. “You were great,” Quinn mouthed and Rachel blushed.

Everyone was so happy, and Kurt couldn’t stop smiling. Everything seemed so perfect. He looked around and saw Mr. Shue walking toward the middle of the room where a vase of red and white roses took up half the table. Had that been there before they performed? Shue took a look at the note and turned to look at Kurt.

“They’re for you. Who is this, Kurt?”

He held out the card and Kurt felt his heart drop.

Kurt,
You were absolutely stunning up there. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. Not that I ever would. I’m always watching you, baby. Always.
Blaine”

Kurt swallowed nervously. He had a horrible feeling something was about to happen and his stomach felt unsettlingly empty.

“Isn’t that he guy that was stalking you?”

He turned to look wildly at Mercedes.

No. No! NO! No no no no nononono! This could not be happening. Why couldn’t Kurt just say anything? Why was nothing coming out of his mouth? He looked around the room, begging silently for someone to understand. Tears filled his eyes and he knew that no one could help him.

“Kurt, have you told your Dad?”

Kurt choked out a little sob. They were taking this all wrong. Why didn’t they understand what he was saying?

“It’s okay Kurt.”

Mr. Shue pulled him in for a side hug.

“We’ll take care of you.”

“NO!” was all Kurt could think.

_________________________________________________________________

Kurt paced frantically in fear as he listened to the beeps on his phone.

“Come on Blaine, pick up!”

What had just happened? How did he let that happen? What could he do now?

_________________________________________________________________

“What is this, Kurt? What do they mean someone’s been stalking you?”

“H-he…he started texting me and….I’ve never actually met him…but we’ve talked.”

He looked at his Dad, pleading for him to understand.

“He’s not bad. I promise he’s not.”

“Then why can’t he talk to you like a normal person would, Kurt? God, what if he actually did something to hurt you? What if he’s an old man with sick intentions? No. No way am I letting that happen.”

Kurt sobbed brokenly, gasping for air.

“Dad-”

“you tell him that if he ever comes back, or if he ever tries to talk to you again I’ll call the cops and I’ll make sure he never comes back.”

____________________________________________________________

“Hello beautiful. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Kurt sobbed once, trying to take in enough air to be able to speak.

“Kurt? Kurt, baby, what’s wrong?”

“He knows. He knows! My Dad found out about you. I don’t know how to explain it to him. He doesn’t understand. And I can’t tell him everything because hereally wouldn’t understand. I love my Dad but he’s just so….ugh I can’t even think of a word. He just doesn’t understand, Blaine! I keep saying that, but-“

“KURT!”

Everything went still. Kurt stopped pacing the only sounds that could be heard where the tiny hiccups left over from crying.

“What is it, baby?”

Kurt felt his heart drop into his stomach and every part of his body had a heavy, dull ache crawling through it.

“He says I can’t talk to you anymore. That you have to leave.”

Blaine grabbed onto the wheel of his car to steady himself and watched Kurt’s eyes. He seemed to be looking right at him, but he knew Kurt couldn’t actually see him.

“I won’t.”

“You have to. He said he would call the police, Blaine. Please, you have to go.Please.”

Both boys hearts where breaking. Why couldn’t people understand? Why did they feel the need to intrude on what wasn’t theirs?

“I love you, Kurt. I’ll only go away if it’s for you. If you can tell me that you haven’t felt anything in the months you’ve been talking to me. If you can tell me you don’t love me. If you can honestly tell me goodbye and mean it, I’ll leave. But only for you, Kurt. Not because of anything else. Just you.”

Kurt took a breath. Could he do it? He had to protect him. That’s just what you do when you care about someone. You put their needs above your own and you make sure they don’t get hurt.

“Goodbye, Blaine.”

Blaine shook his head frantically, all the color draining from his face.

“Bullshit,” he whispered. “Bullshit!”

“I don’t-“

But I do

“love you.”

___________________________________________________________________

It had been two months and Kurt heard nothing from Blaine. There was no text messages, no flowers, no communication at all. Kurt felt more alone then ever. He felt smaller and more less sure of his footing. He only talked to Rachel and even though she could tell he was hurting, she had no idea what to say. She let him cling to her like a lifeline, reminding him that there were things out there for them, they just had to survive this.

Then Kurt started getting sick. Everyone thought it was the flu, but Kurt and Rachel knew better. They knew that not having Blaine was making him physically ill. He wondered if Blaine was going through the same thing. Did he love him enough to feel like this?

He was lying on the couch, idly watching the news, trying to keep his mind off Blaine and his food in his stomach when he heard something that would change his world.

“Blaine Anderson, 17 year old son of Jacob Anderson, CEO of Marketing Inc, was in a car accident this morning on his way to school. He is now in critical condition…”

Kurt didn’t hear the rest. He was too caught up in looking at the picture on the screen. It was the boy from the music store all those months ago. This was his Blaine.

He pulled his legs closer to his chest, trying to hold himself together.

Now he really was alone.