Kurt had finished his set, bowing to his audience before slipping off backstage. He traversed the tunnels behind, appearing sometime later in the bar. He made his way over to where he received his regular drink (whiskey on the rocks) from Puck who was, on that unusual occasion, bar tending. For someone who loved his bar so much he was rarely even there. Kurt gratefully took the glass that was slid his way as he leant against the bar, peering over at Blaine who was obviously studying the door right by the stage waiting for Kurt to reappear. Kurt laughed to himself seeing as after a certain incident he never used that door, no, he had made a habit of wanting to quickly disappear from places, a habit Puck had agreed to, giving Kurt knowledge of the secret passages within the bar allowing him to come and go unnoticed.

“So, you notice him?” Puck asked, evidently chewing on a piece of gum.

Kurt nodded, taking a sip of his drink. “Sure did. Never thought I’d live to see the day.”

Puck frowned. “I thought you’d like to see him, blast from the past right dude?”

“Exactly, he’s from the past, a place I can no longer be a part of.” Kurt looked glum, swirling the golden liquid about in his glass. “It’s better to put the past behind you and move on.”

“Man, this is not the time to go all philosophical on me.” Puck complained, turning to serve a customer. “I mean, so what? Dude the past may be the past but you shouldn’t spend your time running from it. Here you go sir.” He handed over the drink before turning his full attention back to Kurt.

“Who’s being philosophical now? Well whatever, it doesn’t matter, the point is Blaine and I, we unfortunately grew apart and I’d rather not bring up those painful memories as to why.”

“Dude, they weren’t painful just difficult. I’m sure Blaine will understand.”

Kurt only rolled his eyes. “Yes, he always does.”

“Come on, isn’t it time you got your head out your ass and talked to him? What’s it been a year?”

“Erm... seven and a half actually...” Kurt said quietly, looking sheepishly at his shoes.

Puck’s eyes widened. “Shit Hummel, you two were joined at the hip! It can’t possibly have been that long!”

“Shows how much you pay attention to my life huh?” Kurt smirked was he slightly wiggled his hips.

“What happened?”

Kurt sighed, cocking his head to one side. “Life, I suppose. I mean it was all going downhill anyway after we got caught up in that murder case. Then when dad got ill I just couldn’t deal with everybody, my life was ruined and I just wanted to be alone... It wasn’t only Blaine I pushed away, it was everybody else too.”

“Yes, but you got back in contact with everybody else.” Puck pointed out.

“Blaine was different.”

“Why?”

“Because he knew me too well.”

“Dude, and we didn’t?” Puck looked hurt but Kurt just waved it away with his hand.

“There are still some things that he knows that you guys could never understand.”

“Alright Mr, I choose to be alone forever, god you sound like a bad romance novel.”

Kurt just smiled. “That’s me, Kurt Hummel, the hopeless romantic.”

Puck hummed knowingly. “So, what do you think Anderson wants?”

Kurt quirked up the corners of his mouth, tipping his head back and downing the rest of his drink, slamming the empty glass back down onto the counter. Something mischievous flashed in his eyes as he leant forward toward Puck. “Let’s go and find out.”

Blaine went through as many emotions that were humanly possible before deciding on being anxious. He kept drumming his fingers on the table, staring at that side door right by the stage. Kurt was sure taking a long time to appear again. Maybe he was getting changed? Blaine secretly wished he wasn’t, seeing as that suit looked really good on him.

Blaine had watched as Kurt took to the stage and he had to admit, Kurt had barely aged a day since they had lost contact. There was that same smile; same blue eyes with a slight green hue in certain lights, the same porcelain complexion with rosy cheeks. Kurt was slightly taller but his waist remained narrow and he was still rather slim with his hair perfectly styled as always. Then Kurt opened his mouth and Blaine was reminded why his teenager self had fallen for him all those years ago.

But that was the problem. It was years ago and Blaine barely even knew Kurt anymore. All feelings had slowly faded away, yes there was that sense of nostalgia from when Blaine was younger but he had moved on. After Kurt, Blaine had many a relationship all of which he had most certainly been in love. He couldn’t lie though, the thought of seeing his first love after all this time was nerve racking, but no, Blaine was here to do a job.

Suddenly Blaine was drawn away from his thoughts as the chair beside him was pulled out only to be occupied by the very man he was waiting for. “Any particular reason why you’re here detective?” Kurt questioned, raising an amused eyebrow at Blaine’s surprise.

Blaine seemed to be at odds with himself; obviously Kurt’s appearance was unexpected seeing as Blaine kept eyeing the door that Kurt had never used. “How’d you... what?”

Kurt chuckled, shaking his head while Blaine frowned at him. Kurt beckoned Blaine closer, looking around before lowering his voice. “I’m going to let you in on a little secret, there are several ways of escaping detective, there’s never just one door.” He then placed a pint glass in front of Blaine, shrugging when Blaine gave him a questioning look. “You look like you could use a pick me up. Bad day at work?”

Blaine looked dejectedly at his glass. “I lost a partner today.”

Kurt’s eyes swam with sympathy as he sat back a bit, eyeing the supposedly empty chair next to Blaine. “I’m so sorry.”

“Well it happens.” Blaine waved Kurt’s reaction away, beginning to gulp down his drink.

“I always said he’d be an alcoholic.” The man beside Blaine spoke.

“You did kind of die today, so I’d expect that sort of reaction.” Kurt bit back.

“Pardon?” Blaine put his glass down eyeing Kurt suspiciously.

Kurt, having very little contact with people, forgot that he was probably the only one in the room who could see and talk to the dead. “I err... what was his name?” Great cover up there Kurt, well done.

“Benny. He was a great guy, good friend, the best of the best.” Blaine smiled at the memory.

“Why thank you, obviously I wasn’t that good seeing as I got myself killed.” The man, Benny, Kurt corrected himself, said.

“Shouldn’t you be out partying? Isn’t that what cops do when you lose one of your own?” Kurt was just making small talk, but it was what was needed if he was to uncover the truth behind Blaine’s presence here.

“Blaine’s a stick in the mud; trust him to be out working when he could be partying. Hell, why am I here when I could be enjoying my wake with the party animals? Not that I could interact with them of course. Hey, ghost whisperer, fancy being my... err... translator?”

Kurt ignored Benny, his mind whirling, trying to work everything out. So Blaine’s partner was killed and Blaine wasn’t here just to drown his sorrows but to do a job. This was definitely looking more and more worrisome for Kurt.

Blaine shivered. “It’s really cold, why is it so cold?”

“You get used to it.” Kurt laughed. “I mean, I’m around the dead all the time, or did you forget that?”

Blaine sighed, breaking up their charade. “Kurt, I’m sorry but what are we doing?” he said sincerely. “You can’t honestly be acting like nothing happened; like you didn’t just suddenly cut off all ties with me eight years ago.”

Kurt blinked, he wasn’t expecting that. All of a sudden, Kurt’s cold mask was put back on as he sat back in his chair, folded his arms and opted for a stony expression. “I don’t know detective, why are we here? As far as I’m concerned you came to see me and I’m pretty sure you don’t want to catch up with the good old days.”

“Fair play there Kurt. Now go on, ask him how I died.”

“Can’t I just track down a dear friend?” Blaine queried.

“Ask him. You won’t like it.”

“How’d Benny die, detective?” Kurt demanded.

“Please Kurt, you know my name, don’t be distant anymore and use it. Detective is so... formal.” Blaine tried to avoid the question but it wasn’t working.

“How’d he die?” Kurt repeated through gritted teeth.

Blaine exhaled, running a hand through his loosely gelled curls before peeping up at Kurt. “He was murdered.”

“It gets better, go on, say what I know you’re thinking.”

“How?”

Blaine chewed at his bottom lip; this was obviously going to be hard to get out. “Stab wound to the left side.”

“And the nature of this killing?”

“Serial killer. No traces.”

Kurt had a sinking feeling, his hands balling into fists. “Except for?”

“Kurt I said there were no traces.”

“Blaine your lying, don’t lie to me it isn’t fair.” Kurt said, his body beginning to tremble. “Tell me.”

“Irises, there were always purple irises on the scene.”

Kurt forgot how to breathe, his lungs constricting as the image of the purple flowers stabbed into his brain like a shard of ice. His vision swam and he could barely hear Blaine’s worried voice as he clutched his forehead. “W-when, h-how long...” Kurt stuttered out.

“A few months now. Kurt are you okay?” Blaine reached forward to take Kurt’s hand but Kurt quickly yanked it away.

“No I’m not okay! I thought they caught the guy that did it? He was in Lima so how... why is he here?” Kurt panicked. No, no, no! This can’t be happening, it’s impossible!

“I fear it’s a copy cat killer. Only this time we’re coming up with no evidence except for a dead body and that damn flower. Kurt, I need your help, I need... I need your gift to solve this.” Blaine pleaded.

Kurt’s head snapped up as he glared at Blaine. “No, there is no way in hell I’m doing this. I thought I wouldn’t have to deal with any of that ever again.”

“Kurt please...”

“I was accused of murder Blaine!” Kurt exclaimed making Blaine flinch. “For months I was on the top suspect list and because of that I couldn’t go to New York! My life was over the moment Becca came to me, the moment I got involved! The moment his victims decided it had to be me who helped them! Me to stop anymore killing!”

“You’re the only person left who can help us.” Blaine said seriously, his voice calm despite Kurt’s angry reaction. “The only witnesses to every killing were the victims and they’re all dead Kurt. Remember last time?  With your help they were able to solve the case, even if it was because you had to prove your own innocence. Kurt, you’ve done this before, we’ve done this before and we can do it again.”

“No.”

“What? Why?!”

“Do you really think they’ll accept me onto this case Blaine? The officers back then thought I was a fucking psycho! It was one of the reasons they believed I killed all those people! Do you know how hard it was when I had to go out there and track down a killer because no one was listening to me? I was seventeen Blaine, using information from the dead to help clear my name. I was almost killed myself in the process if you hadn’t got to me first.  I just... I’m sorry I can’t go through all that again.” Kurt stood up, chair scraping backwards as he spun round to leave when Blaine grabbed his arm.

“Kurt... please.”

Blaine’s chest ached when Kurt looked back at him, his lip quivering and tears in his eyes. “I said no detective.” The harsh tone in Kurt’s voice cut like a knife as he yanked his arm free from Blaine’s grip. “Now leave me alone!”

Blaine stared at the empty space where Kurt used to be long after he had left.  Sighing, Blaine buried his head in his hands before slamming his fists into the table top. “Damn it!”

“Yeah well, it happens. You gonna finish that?” Benny reached for Blaine’s half empty glass, his hand going straight through it. He sighed. “Figures.”

Kurt spent the night tossing and turning, the covers tangling with his legs as cold sweat appeared on his forehead. Images were rushing through his mind of dark woods, blood, bodies but above all else the colour purple. He could hear him, hear him laughing, hear the tearing of flesh the dripping of red water as it fell all around him. He felt their pain as they screamed, felt his own spiking through his nerves and then... black. It always ended in black.

Kurt sat bolt upright, panting as the darkness behind his eyes quickly dimmed to grey. Sunlight streamed from the broken blinds drawn over his murky window. Kurt’s room was bare, apart from his bed, wardrobe and vanity where his lotions and potions sat. Despite his lack of money, Kurt could always splash out on his skin care, some habits most certainly die hard.

“Damn.” Kurt murmured, wiping the back of his hand across his forehead. He hadn’t dreamt about those events for over five years, not since before he met Aaron, not since he had pushed the memories away never to be seen again. Damn Blaine and the New York police department’s inadequate ability to solve a simple homicide. Okay, maybe it wasn’t that simple, or just one homicide but still, there were people trained for this and Kurt wasn’t technically one of them. He says technically because he had in fact helped solve a case once, but that was only because he was lucky.

“Kurt?” Came Izzy’s sleepy voice from the doorway. Kurt moved his hand away from his face so he could see her where she stood, a Jelly Cat style rabbit tucked under her arm and rubbing at her right eye, yawning silently.

Kurt forgot his dream for now, throwing the covers away and getting out of bed to scoop Izzy up in his arms. “Hey honey, did you sleep well?”

Izzy nodded, nuzzling into Kurt’s shoulder. “Uh huh. I’m still tired though.”

“You know you didn’t have to wake up until I came to get you right?” Kurt pointed out, walking them into the kitchen, plonking Izzy down into a chair before going to rifle through the cupboards for her favourite cereal.

“You were shouting.” Izzy said quietly. “I thought you were hurt so I woke up.”

Kurt stopped what he was doing and turned to look at Izzy, sighing heavily. “It was just a nightmare, nothing to be worried about. You get nightmares too sometimes.”

Izzy nodded, beginning to kick her legs back and forth. “Yes but when I have a nightmare I stay in your bed. Next time you have a nightmare you can stay in mine if you want.  Bunny will protect you from the monsters.” She lifted her rabbit above her head by his arm to prove a point.

Kurt smiled. “Thanks for the offer Izzy, but some monsters I have to face alone.”

Izzy cocked her head to one side, staring curiously at Kurt. “But you don’t have to. You could always ask daddy to help.”

Kurt took a deep breath, shaking his head. “Daddy’s gone Izzy, he can’t help me.”

“Why not?” Izzy questioned, watching as Kurt filled up a small white bowl. “You told me that the invisible people come to talk to you b-because they need help, that it’s because you... they... to look for something and that help doesn’t erm... help can’t... help looks for, no help does not find... not look erm...”

Kurt opened the fridge and grabbed a carton of milk, pouring it over Izzy’s cereal. “Help doesn’t find you, you have to find it.” He placed the bowl in front of Izzy, handing her a spoon and going back to sort out his own breakfast, putting two slices of bread under the grill, praying it didn’t suddenly decide to spontaneously combust.

“Yes. So ask daddy for help against the monsters.”

Kurt leant against the counter, folding his arms across his chest. “It’s not that easy Izzy, your daddy is far away and probably doesn’t want me disturbing him.”

“Why not?”

“Just because okay? Now finish your cereal, you’ve got to get ready for school.” Kurt snapped.

After that nothing else was said on the matter, Kurt removing his toast out from under the grill, dropping the slightly blackened bread onto a plate and taking a seat in front of Izzy. She had quickly recovered from Kurt’s annoyed tone with her, munching happily on her breakfast and chatting away.

“Mrs Melrose said auditions for the play are today. I want to get a part but I’m really little and we have to just be the erm... chairs?”

“Choir.” Kurt corrected, crunching his toast.

“Yeah, but if I’m really good I get to have a solo just like you did in school, right Kurtie?”

Kurt chuckled. He had had his moments in Glee club and officer Krupke didn’t exactly have an amazing solo in West Side Story, but it was still sweet that Izzy had listened to his ramblings about his old school life. “Of course.”

“Then I’m gonna be just like you.” Izzy beamed proudly.

“Just like me.” Kurt muttered, the smile fading from his lips. He hoped not. Izzy wasn’t going to be a failure; Kurt would make sure of it.

Both failed to notice the gradual decrease in room temperature, too busy talking idly together. It wasn’t until the salt shaker on the table slid over the surface and when the cupboard doors began to creak open that the presence in the room was noted. Kurt just rolled his eyes and Izzy carried on as if nothing was happening.

“You know, they all try that and it really doesn’t do anything.” Kurt said, drumming his fingers irritably. “And you’re going to show yourself sooner or later so it might as well be now.”

Taking her cue, Izzy slid from her chair. “I’ll go get ready for school.” She bounced out the room, humming to herself happily.

“You’re really no fun are you?” Benny pouted, showing himself to Kurt from his place sitting on the counter top. He was throwing an apple up in the air which Kurt swiftly caught mid drop.

“Don’t touch my things!” Kurt reprimanded. “And just a warning, if you can start picking up objects and have worked out how to hide yourself from me then it means it’s going to be harder for you to cross over.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever.” Benny said, not really interested anyway.

“You won’t be saying that when you’re roaming the world for an eternity!” Kurt retorted, moving to clear the table.

“I’m not stupid Ghost whisperer, I know the drill, besides, I have a year to get everything in order and it’s only been a day.”

“Good, so why don’t you go and get your affairs sorted, say goodbye to your loved ones, go to Hawaii or Tahiti or do whatever it is you want to do before you disappear, and leave me in peace.” Kurt made a shooing gesture towards Benny. “Choose whatever route you like, the door, wall, ceiling I don’t really care.”

“I heard the little girl earlier say that you help people like me and that’s why I’m here. Or was that a lie?”

Kurt glared at Benny before giving in. “No, it’s not. But usually I help by telling the dead what their supposed to do, help them contact people or whatever but by the sounds of things you’ve got that covered.”

“What if I told you it’s not that sort of help?”

“I am not killing anyone, going on dates with you and your girlfriend as a way for you two to talk to each other or burying anyone alive.” Kurt said nonchalantly, deciding that the pile of plates in the sink needed washing up.

“Have people actually asked you to do that?”

“You’d be surprised.”

“Well whatever, that’s not what I want. I just need you to do one little itty bitty favour and I can move on.”

Kurt momentarily stopped what he was doing, eyeing Benny curiously. “And what’s that?”

“Agree to help Blaine solve the case.”

Kurt visibly stiffened. “No. Detective Anderson is perfectly fine on his own.”

“You and I both know that’s not true.”

“No means no, I said it to Blaine and now I’m saying it to you; I made a vow to never be involved with something like that ever again and I’m going to stick by it.”

“What are you, scared?”

Kurt dropped the plate he was holding, turning to Benny with so much anger and hurt in his eyes that it caused Benny to flinch. “Damn right I’m scared!” Kurt exclaimed. “I witnessed everything last time; saw every body; was told every story and recount of each murder in all its bloody detail.”

“Then you know why you have to stop it. You know that after each kill the method of death gets slightly more horrific then the last.”

Kurt took in a sharp breath, staring down at his feet. “I know.” He confessed sadly. “I just... I lived through one of those methods and I just... I don’t want to be in that situation again.”

Benny looked thoughtful, well as thoughtful as a dead person could. “They may not admit it, but the entire New York police department are stumped on this case and until you agree to help with the investigation I’m not leaving.”

“I can put up with you for a year.”

Benny scowled. “If you don’t do this Kurt, there’s a chance that Blaine will die.”

“Yo, you look like hell man.” Artie commented, looking up at Blaine from his microscope.

Blaine ran a hand through his hair, he knew he looked rough with his messy unkempt curls and blood shot eyes. “I was up all night going over the evidence.” And drinking, he failed to add.

“Hoping something would jump out at you huh?” Artie said, wheeling himself out from behind the metal desk. He was wearing a lab coat; clear plastic goggles perched on the top of his head. They were surrounded by beakers and liquids, scientific equipment and evidence picked up from crime scenes. Artie was definitely gifted in the lab and Blaine knew if there was anything of significance to find then find it Artie shall.

“Unfortunately nothing particularly screamed ‘case solved’.”

“I thought you said you may have a lead?” Artie frowned.

“Yeah well my lead refused to be one.” Blaine chewed his lip, leaning against one of the lab benches. He picked up a stress ball Artie kept lying around and squeezed it. God he was so... agitated.

Artie raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Blaine shook his head, knowing full well that nobody in the NYPD knew about Kurt. “Nothing, it doesn’t mean anything.”

Artie didn’t seem convinced but decided not the question Blaine any further. “You may not have something but I do.”

Blaine’s face instantly lit up, following Artie as he moved back behind his work bench. “The irises you picked up from the scene had a very tiny amount of sediment on the roots and after running some tests I can possibly narrow down the garden centre from which the Irises were bought by the type of compost used.”

“So that means we might actually have a breakthrough?”

“Maybe. There’s still the issue of narrowing down which garden centre.”

“They may have been home grown as well.” Blaine pointed out.

“Well yes there is that.”

“Which means it’s going to be even harder to actually find anything.” Blaine huffed.

“Well at least it’s a lead. Months of nothing and finally there’s a chance we can actually catch this killer even if it’s just slim; when one piece of evidence is revealed, another shall appear. We’ll catch them, I know it.”

“Let’s just hope it’s not too late.”

 “Kurt, where are we going?” Izzy asked from the back seat of the car.

“I just have to make a quick stop at the police station before I take you to school okay Iz?” Kurt explained. He really didn’t want to do this but he knew he had little choice either way.

“Are you in trouble?”

“No, at least not yet.”

“Hey, can you turn up the heating, its mighty chilly back here.” Came Benny’s obnoxious voice. God the more Kurt heard it the more he was tempted to call an exorcist whether he believed in them or not.

“You’re dead; you can’t feel anything.” Kurt quipped. Izzy was used to this by now so somehow knew the comment wasn’t aimed at her.

“It was a joke! Man you’re worse than Blaine!”

“I’m sorry for my lack of humour in the face of getting involved with a mass murderer!” Kurt shouted, making the car swerve slightly.

Izzy yelped as the seatbelt cut into her chest and Kurt quickly gained back control. “I’m so sorry sweetheart, are you okay?” Kurt reached behind him to pat Izzy on the knee.

“I’m okay. Are you?” Izzy replied sincerely.

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

“She knows you’re not.”

Kurt didn’t respond for a while, opting to drive in silence and allow the world to rush by him.

“Benny?”

“Hmmm?”

“Did you see who it was? The person who killed you?”

“You know the dead can’t remember faces from the time of their death Kurt, and this one is particularly blurred.”

“How convenient.”

“Tell me about it.”

Trent looked up as the doors swung open, readying himself for the worst. Manning the desk for the NYPD had its many drawbacks. He was pretty sure he’d had every lunatic off of the streets from New York come in here for every reason under the sun from ‘My neighbour stole my cactus’ to ‘I think my teacher is an alien’ all that kind of thing. Of course there were normal issues and it was Trent’s job to deal with the filing and sorting through everyone’s problems, putting them in order of priority.

When Kurt walked in with Izzy in his arms, Trent released a grin. Kurt was a regular visitor of his, always coming in to keep track of how Blaine was doing. Trent sussed that Kurt was feeling guilty about abandoning Blaine all those years ago and as soon as Kurt found out Blaine had moved to New York, he made sure to find out about how he was doing every month or so. Blaine himself had been trying to track Kurt down but Kurt was very good at hiding. If only Blaine knew that Kurt turned up at NYPD every now and again just to make sure that Blaine was doing okay.

“Hey there Izzy!” Trent beamed, reaching under his desk to hand over the lollipop he kept there just for her.

“Hi.” Izzy said shyly.

“What do you say to Trent Izzy?” Kurt prompted, hoisting her up higher on his hip.

“Thank you Mr Trent sir.”

Kurt laughed as Izzy buried her head into Kurt’s shoulder. “Hi Trent, how are things?”

“Hectic as per usual and tense what with the current case going on. Everyone’s miserable and nobody really talks to each other anymore. I guess the party yesterday was a big break for the department, even if it was for a morbid reason.” Trent burst out.

“I’m very sorry for your loss.” Kurt apologised. “But I have to tell you that Benny is a pain in the arse.”

“Hey!”

“Oh, so he turned up then?” Trent raised an eyebrow leaning an arm on the desk in front of him. Besides Blaine and Kurt’s family, Trent was the only other person who knew about Kurt’s secret. How he found out, Kurt had no idea, but it didn’t matter because Trent was amazing at keeping secrets and Kurt was relieved he didn’t have to hide himself from him.

“Yeah, the guy won’t leave me alone.”

“So he’s with you know then?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Hey Benny, we all miss you.”

“I don’t do sentiments. Sorry kid.”

“Benny said he doesn’t do sentiments.”

“He never did.” Trent smiled weakly. He knew Benny was probably just waving off Trent’s comment to make it less hard on him. It was always hard when you lost a friend. “So, heartfelt moments aside, why are you here?”

Kurt hesitated. Was he really going to this again? “Here, I need you to give this Blaine.” Kurt handed over a piece of paper, Kurt’s elegant scripture flowing across the white.

“Finally decided to give in to temptation huh?”

“This isn’t of my own volition, it’s just some things can’t be avoided.”

Blaine was resting his back against the fence that ran alongside the school once again feeling anxious. As soon as Trent had handed him the note from Kurt, Blaine’s chest had automatically tightened. After Kurt’s storm out yesterday Blaine had doubted whether he’d be able to see him again so Kurt’s instructions to meet outside a local school had been more than a surprise.

It had turned three o’clock when children began to spill out the school, Blaine keeping his eyes peeled for Kurt. He was a bit confused about the chosen location but once Kurt appeared surrounded by an array of kids everything fell into place. It took awhile; the children running around Kurt’s legs and tugging at his coat to try and gain his attention. Kurt just smiled at them, saying something Blaine couldn’t hear. The children looked suddenly disappointed and slowly they all dispersed to their parents. Well, all but one.

“Kurt!” Blaine called, jogging over.

Kurt looked up to see Blaine in a tight black T-shirt and grey faded jeans. His muscles bulged as he moved and Kurt felt his breath hitch. Since when had Blaine become so... defined?

“Kurt, who’s that?” Izzy whispered, pulling on Kurt’s pant leg.

“Shhh. Just hang on okay?” Kurt told her, waiting until Blaine was finally standing in front of him, panting slightly.

“Kurt, hi.” Blaine got out.

“So... you got my message?”

Before Blaine could reply Izzy stepped forward, holding out her tiny hand. “I’m Izzy, who are you?”

Blaine blinked looking down at the little girl. She was around six or seven with long blond hair pulled up into a French plait down her back. Izzy didn’t look like Kurt and Blaine was pretty sure Kurt wasn’t in any position to adopt. Maybe Kurt was picking her up for a friend?

“Hi sweetie, I’m Blaine.” Blaine shook Izzy’s hand, a little unsure. He watched as Izzy tilted her head up slightly, a mannerism that was so obviously Kurt.

“Kurt calls me sweetie sometimes too, sweetie and honey. How do you know Kurt? Are you the Blaine he asks Trent about? Coz he asked about you today before school. I like Tuesday because Kurt comes to teach us French. Do you like Tuesdays Blaine?”

Blaine just stared at her open mouthed. What question was he supposed to answer first? And he had no idea what this thing about Kurt and Trent was about. “Erm... yes?”

“Some people don’t like Tuesday but I think it’s a great day.” Izzy started playing with the bottom of her coat and swinging back and forth.

“Izzy, honey, why don’t you go and talk to Mrs Melrose for a while? I need to speak with Blaine privately.” Kurt asked her.

Izzy pouted, but searched out her teacher who was on duty and still chatting away to a parent, running over to her.

“She’s surprisingly obedient.” Blaine mused.

“When she feels like it. I think she just knows I’m having a hard time so doesn’t want to be difficult.” Kurt responded, keeping an eye on the little girl.

Blaine didn’t ask about Kurt’s supposed ‘hard time’, that could be a question saved for later. “Is she yours?”

Kurt rubbed absentmindedly at the back of his neck. “Legally yes, but physically no.”

“So... she’s adopted?” Blaine said slowly.

“No, well sort of.” Kurt kicked at the dirt, trying not to make eye contact. “Can we change the subject?”

“Why?” Blaine scowled at Kurt.

“Look Blaine, you wanted me to help you with this case and that’s all I’m going to do. I don’t want any emotional attachments. I’ll be there until its case closed then we can go our separate ways again okay?” Kurt wrapped his arms around himself, suddenly looking small and uncertain.

“Kurt...”

“Just so you know I’m only doing this because your friend is pissing me off and won’t go away.”

“My friend? You mean Benny? Benny came to you!” Blaine exclaimed.

“Yes now give me your hand.” Kurt instructed, diving into his pocket.

Blaine frowned. “Why?”

Kurt just gave Blaine his ‘bitch please’ look, grabbing Blaine’s arm and scribbling on it in sharpie pen. “That’s my address. Bring all the evidence you have and I’ll go through it with you.” He then capped his pen before calling over to Izzy. “Iz, it’s time to go!”

“Kurt, please, talk to me.” Blaine knew this was going to be hard, opening up new wounds as it were, but he wasn’t expecting Kurt to act so... cold. Hesitant, yes, but not this. Kurt was closed up behind many barriers, Blaine could tell and despite being hurt by Kurt in the past, Blaine noticed Kurt was suffering now.

“We’re not close anymore Blaine, in fact you’re a stranger which, I am sorry to say, is what I intended you’d be; why I broke contact with you. There’s nothing to say.” Kurt said with a shrug, picking Izzy up as she ran over to him. “I’ll see you tomorrow around five. Don’t be late.”