The next day was a blur of tests and nurses and even a couple visitors. Burt and Carole stayed at his bedside almost the entire day, and Isabelle brought a lavish bouquet from his coworkers at Vogue in the evening. When he asked about work, she stopped him before he could even get the words out.

"Uh uh, Kurt. No way. There is no way you are worrying about work while you're on medical leave."

"But I—"

"Don't even try me, Kurt, you won't win," she pushed with a fond smile.

Kurt let his head hit the pillow. "Look at me, Isabelle," he complained, "I'm a mess. They haven't even let me wash my hair since I've been here. I can practically feel the grease dripping down my scalp."

Isabelle gave him a sympathetic smile. If anyone appreciated the art of looking polished, it was Isabelle Wright. "Well the good news is that even on your worst day you're still one of the most fabulous men in New York." She grinned and Kurt couldn't help but chuckle. "Listen," she began again, tone more serious, "You need to focus on getting yourself better. Don't worry about work. I did run the place almost smoothly before you got there," she added with a wink. "And don't worry about Aidan. If it's meant to happen, it will."

Kurt's jaw dropped ever so slightly. "How did you—"

Isabelle laughed. "Kurt, haven't you learned by now?" She leaned in to whisper, "I know everything." She leaned back and gave him that special smile she reserved for him. "Everything is going to be okay. It may not seem that way now, but trust me, things are going to shape up. For now," she continued, getting up off the bed and smoothing out her immaculate dress, "get better. Watch some comedies. Steal some ice cream from the cafeteria. You're Kurt Hummel. You're nothing if not resilient." She gave him one last smile before heading out the door.

Burt and Carole returned from the cafeteria not long after that. Funny enough, Burt had brought Kurt some ice cream.

He almost felt like he would be okay.

...

Tuesday came and went and Wednesday was there way too soon. Burt and Carole both looked guilty and regretful as they walked out the door, but Kurt insisted for the billionth time that he was fine. They promised to call as soon as they landed. Kurt couldn't help but think how, for all these years, he had been the one calling when his flight landed. Time really was flying.

Rachel visited him again that night, more for company than to actually help with anything. Kurt begged to have a Meg Ryan movie night, or at the very least a Nicholas Sparks marathon. Rachel had adamantly refused. Kurt realized that she probably thought it would remind him of Aidan and he would get emotional. She was probably right.

They settled on watching old episodes of the Carol Burnett show.

Right as she was getting ready to leave, Dr. Anderson stopped in the room. Suddenly Rachel seemed more reluctant to go.

"Oh, hello, doctor, how nice to see you again," she said with a "casual" hair flip. Dr. Anderson just greeted her and continued checking Kurt's monitors like it was no big deal. It dawned on Kurt that it probably was no big deal for him, because you can't look like that and not get hit on everywhere you go.

"No big performances tonight?" he asked Rachel, making her face light up.

"No, not tonight. Normally this would make me sad, but I've been so busy rehearsing lately that it's good to have some nights to relax."

Dr. Anderson nodded. "I hear that. In a career like yours, you take any break you can get."

The conversation probably should have ended there, but Rachel was just not letting that happen. "Well, I can't imagine it's any easier as a surgeon. I'm sure you're exhausted. I know I could never do it. It takes a special kind of person." Kurt didn't miss the way she batted her eyelashes at the last part. He fought to keep from rolling his eyes. Subtlety has never been Rachel's strongest suit.

"Well, I can't say it isn't rewarding." Dr. Anderson smiled pointedly at Kurt, who blushed ever so slightly.

Rachel checked her phone and groaned. "Well, as much as I would love to stay and chat, and really, I would, I'm going to miss the train if I don't leave now. Bye, Kurt!" she called as she blew him a kiss. "Bye Dr. Anderson." She gave him what was surely supposed to be a flirty wave but ending up just looking awkward.

Kurt chuckled as soon as she left the room. "Sorry about that, she means well, I swear."

Dr. Anderson cocked his head to the side. "Sorry about what?"

He must be joking. "The, uh, the flirting. She comes on a little strong, but she's great once you get to know her. Most of the time. Unless you were into that, just now. I mean, some guys are into that. Not that it's a bad thing. She's very beautiful, of course, so it would make sense if you were attracted to—"

"Kurt?"

Kurt stopped midsentence before flushing red. "Oh God, I'm rambling. I do that when I'm nervous. Not that I'm nervous now. So I guess I do it more than when I'm just nervous, it's just that—"

"Kurt." Dr. Anderson was smiling now. "It's okay."

Kurt smiled and shook his head. "I swear, Dr. Anderson, I'm not usually like this. Well, I kind of am, but I'm in a perfect position to blame it on drugs now, aren't I?"

The doctor laughed. "You are. And it's fine, Rachel kind of reminds me of my brother, actually." He shook his head and sighed. "Chances are I've already dealt with anything she could throw my way."

Kurt's heart sank a bit. Did that mean he had already considered a future with Rachel? Kurt had already assumed Dr. Anderson was straight, but he never actually thought he would be interested in her. It takes a very specific personality to coexist with Rachel. "So... You do like her, then?" The words sounded sad even to Kurt, so he took over damage control as quickly as possible. "Because, I mean, if you are I could set something up. You two would look lovely—"

"Oh, um," Dr. Anderson interrupted, looking slightly uncomfortable. Kurt had never seen him look uncomfortable before, only dreamy and charming. "That's very kind of you, Kurt, but I'm actually gay."

Oh.

"...oh."

The doctor laughed, easing the tension without even trying. "Yeah. But if any of my buddies are looking for someone, I'll let you know. She doesn't seem like the type to stay single for long."

Kurt grimaced. "Optical illusion. Someone as beautiful and as talented as her would normally have guys all over her, but then she starts talking and..."

"Ah."

"You see the issue."

"Yes, well, there's someone out there for everyone, don't you think?"

Kurt cocked his head to the side. He thought about it. "I... I really don't know."

Dr. Anderson looked sad before nodding. "No, there is. It just depends on being in the right place at the right time, I guess."

Kurt tried not to scoff. "I guess."

The doctor began making his way to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Kurt."

"I'll be here."

Dr. Anderson lingered at the door a moment before turning around. "If, uh, if you need anything, just let me know, okay?"

Kurt cocked an eyebrow. "Will do, Dr. Anderson."

He seemed to deliberate something before backing out of the doorway. "Call me Blaine."

�