On Sunday morning, Elaine announced that key members of the campaign staff were coming over for dinner after church and Blaine was expected to attend.

"How long will this last?"

"Honey, I don't know. You know how these things are. Just plan to be here."

Dammit. Depending on how long this ran, Blaine wouldn't get to visit Kurt. That would mean five long days before he could spend time in his heaven. The time he spent in heaven was the only thing that helped him survive hell.

He sent Kurt a quick text.

Stupid campaign stuff going on. May not get to see you today. Makes my heart hurt.

After church, the key staff members began to arrive. There was Megan who handled public relations and communications. Jack was the social media and online expert. David, Janice and Tim were all strategists and advisers. And then there was Phil Williams.

Phil Williams was James Anderson's closest adviser, strategist and friend. He had known James since college and was instrumental in helping him launch his political career. Blaine thought Phil was a creep. Even as a child, Phil was the one adult Blaine never tried to charm or talk to. The way Phil looked at him had always made him feel uncomfortable. After he came out, Phil had been a big champion of sending him away for deprogramming. Blaine never forgave him for that. Every once in a while, he would catch Phil looking at him, his eyes full of repulsion.

Blaine was hanging in the kitchen, helping his mom get things ready. He hoped to hide out there for as long as possible. Phil sauntered in.

"Hello Blaine. Haven't seen you in awhile."

"Hi."

"Where you been hiding?"

"Just busy with school."

"Uh huh. Sure."

Blaine looked at him. Phil had a smug look on his face. Did he know something?

"You know Blaine, you should stop by headquarters sometime to help out. Maybe make some calls or help with mailings."

Blaine didn't say anything. He hadn't done any of that stuff since he was 14 years old. Before he came out.

"We could use your help. Maybe I'll mention it to your father."

Blaine didn't flinch or change expressions. He remained silent. He knew bait when he saw it.

Phil waited but, nothing came.

"Yeah, I'll definitely mention it to your father." Phil walked out.

Jackass.

Blaine suffered through dinner and tried not to look too antsy as the dinner conversation turned to campaign conversation. He wanted to escape but he didn't want to draw attention to himself. Plus, every time he looked up, Phil was looking at him with that same smug expression. Blaine wanted to punch his face in.

Finally, when he knew he couldn't stand another minute, he turned to his mother.

"Can I be excused?"

"Of course, darling."

Blaine made a mental note to buy her a really good gift for Mother's Day.

Then Phil spoke.

"You know James, Blaine and I were talking earlier about him coming in to help with things down at headquarters."

Blaine froze. Why that motherfuc-...

James snorted. "Really?"

Blaine decided to just keep moving. He headed towards the steps. Behind him, he could hear Phil prattling on. "Sure. Keep your friends close and your children and enemies closer. Idle hands are the devil's playground."

Blaine practically ran to his room. He didn't want to hear anything else. His mind was growing dark. Phil better watch it. If he came between him and his time with Kurt...well, Phil would have to go.

By the time Blaine took a quick shower and changed clothes, the campaign staffers had split up around the house, working on different things. He slipped past his father's study and out of the house quietly but Phil saw him. He turned to Blaine's father.

"Seems like Blaine stays gone an awful lot these days."

"Mmm." James didn't look up from the reports he was reading.

"Where does he go?"

"Hmm? What?"

"Where does Blaine go when he's not here?"

"Oh, I don't know. School stuff, the club for tennis. I don't know and I don't really care. As long as he's not around here looking bored, annoyed and getting on my nerves."

"Are you sure that's where he goes?"

James looked at Phil in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you need to know for sure what he's up to."

James thought for a minute. "I guess you're right."

"Would you like me to find out?"

"Yes, do that. I don't need any surprises in the middle of the campaign."

The Phil run-in had left Blaine feeling dark and desperate. He needed to see Kurt. To hold him, smell him, touch him. He felt like an addict in need of a hit.

When Kurt opened the door, Blaine walked in and wrapped his arms around him.

"Well, hi to you too," said Kurt.

Everyone was home so they left the door to Kurt's room open as they sat on the bed.

Blaine was leaning against the headboard, Kurt was sitting beside him, his head resting on his shoulder. Blaine was holding his hand tightly. Kurt didn't notice how dark his eyes were. He was just listening to Blaine's words.

"I love you Kurt. I love you so much. I need you...more than anything. Without you...I don't know what I would do. Being with you is the only thing that helps me get through days like this."

Blaine suddenly sat up, causing Kurt to sit up as well. Blaine stared into Kurt's eyes. Kurt felt mesmerized by Blaine's expression. But, why were his eyes so dark? How could someone's eyes almost change color completely? Blaine's voice was quiet but the compelling tone was there.

"You're mine Kurt. You belong to me. I love you."

"Yes, Blaine. I know."

"Do you Kurt? Do you understand?"

"Yes, Blaine. Of course. I love you too."

Blaine relaxed against the headboard again, pulling Kurt's head to his chest, holding him, almost too tightly.

"As long as you understand that you belong to me."

"Yes, Blaine. I understand."

Outside the door, Burt quietly moved away before the boys realized he'd been standing there. Listening.

On Thursday morning, McKinley High School was buzzing. It was all everyone wanted to talk about.

Someone had beaten the crap out of David Karofsky.

Like, really beaten the crap out of him.

Like, beaten him so bad that he was in the hospital and not expected to leave anytime soon.

Mercedes was dancing at Kurt's locker when he arrive that morning.

"OMG! Did you hear?"

Kurt had not. His world revolved mostly around Blaine these days. If it wasn't Blaine related, he tended to tune it out.

"Someone beat the hell out of Karofsky last night."

"What? When? Where?"

"Well, the version of the story I believe is that Karofsky left school yesterday on his way home. Halfway there, someone ran him off the road. Then they jumped out, pulled him from his truck, dragged him to the woods and beat the boy senseless."

Kurt looked horrified.

"But...why?"

Mercedes looked incredulous. "I know you did not just ask me why? Why do you think, Kurt? Because he's a jerk! The way he treats you and other people around here. He finally got what he had coming to him."

Kurt knew he should be leading the celebration parade but, he couldn't help it. He felt bad. Sure, he was glad someone finally taught him a lesson but...running him off the road? Beating him in the woods? It all sounded so awful.

That night at dinner, Finn gave a full report on just how awful it was. Coach Bieste had talked to Karofsky's parents and shared the details with the team.

Karofsky's left leg was broken along with his right arm. Most of his ribs were cracked. He had two black eyes, a broken jaw and they had knocked out two teeth. He had internal bleeding that was critical but not life-threatening. He couldn't hear out of his left ear. The doctors thought the hearing might return but couldn't be sure.

They had no idea who had done it or why.

Kurt looked at his plate. He had always dreamed of revenge against Karofsky but this...this was scary.

"You okay buddy?" Burt could see Kurt's internal conflict. Even Burt was struggling with the news. As Kurt's parent, he was thrilled but, also as a parent, he couldn't imagine what the Karofskys were going through.

"Yes. It's just...kind of sad."

"What?" yelled Finn. "Are you kidding me? You of all people should be thrilled!"

Kurt didn't say anything.

That night he told Blaine about it.

"Wow Kurt. That is something. Oh well, he deserved it."

Kurt was quiet.

"What's wrong?"

Kurt sighed. "Everyone keeps saying he deserved it and...I guess maybe he did but..."

Blaine felt panicked. This was not the response he was expecting.

"But what?"

"It just seems so awful."

"The way he treated you was awful."

"I know but...I don't know."

Blaine could feel his love for Kurt grow ten times bigger. The boy really was the embodiment of heaven. Only a heavenly creature could feel compassion for someone who had made him miserable.

"Well Kurt, I think he deserved it. All of it and I'm glad someone finally taught him a lesson. Now, maybe he will leave you alone, assuming he ever comes back to school."

"Yeah. I guess. Unless he comes back angrier and looking for someone to extract revenge from. Then I'll be in trouble."

"Nah, that won't happen."

"How do you know?"

"Trust me. He will never touch you again."