(INT. Living room. Chris is on the couch in a t-shirt and sweats, watching the news. Darren walks in and grabs the TV remote, shutting it off)

CHRIS
What the hell?

DARREN
Something is up with you. Something big. You have to tell me.

CHRIS
Oh my god, Darren. I already told you it’s nothing! If there was anything you should know, I would’ve already told you.

DARREN
You have to talk to me, Chris! I’m not the stupid, ignorant child you think I am. You can’t go on hoping I don’t know something is up for the rest of time.

CHRIS
I swear to fucking god, Darren, just leave me alone! There is nothing going on that you need to know about.

DARREN
Oh, boy Chris, when you say shit like that it totally makes me feel better.

CHRIS
Just go away.

DARREN
No. Not until we talk about this. What is up with you?

CHRIS
(He stares at Darren for a moment, losing his strength and unable to fight anymore) I’m sorry.

(Chris lets out a broken sob and collapses back on the couch. Darren’s anger is gone and he hurries to sit next to Chris, wrapping one arm around his waist and hugging him tightly)

DARREN
(softly) Come on, Chris. Please tell me. I hate seeing you like this.

CHRIS
I’m so sorry.

DARREN
Don’t apologize. Don’t even apologize. Just please tell me what’s bugging you. I wanna be there for you.

CHRIS
I’m sorry you think I think you’re stupid.

DARREN
You’re deflecting.

CHRIS
Because you’re not stupid. You’re the smartest man I know.

DARREN
Chris…

CHRIS
Please don’t, Dare. I’ll tell you when I’m ready.

DARREN
What if it’s too late? What if someone hurts you because you didn’t tell me and then I’m crying over your casket at your funeral?

CHRIS
Don’t say things like that.

DARREN
If you don’t want to hurt me, then please tell me.

CHRIS
I will. Just…just not right now.

(Chris gets up and heads out of the room. Darren watches until he’s gone, and then the bathroom door slams shut down the hall.)

DARREN
(to himself) Fuck. I’m losing him.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-Two: Tears in Heaven
Scene 2

(INT. Chris is in his trailer, on his cellphone, looking out the window. The phone rings a few times before his mother picks up)

KARYN
Hello?

CHRIS
Hi Mom, it’s me.

KARYN
It’s so good you hear your voice! I’m sorry I wasn’t here the last time you came up, but your father said you and your sister had a lovely visit.

CHRIS
It was great. She insists on meeting Darren.

KARYN
Oh, yes, this mysterious boyfriend of yours that you haven’t introduced us to.

CHRIS
I know, I know. I need to bring him up. We’re both just busy.

KARYN
It’s ok, dear. I understand. How is your movie coming? We’re all so proud of you.

CHRIS
It’s coming along. We’re nearly done filming. I’ve made some good friends. Like my friend Ashley. She was just an extra in one scene, but I managed to pull some strings to keep her around.

KARYN
That’s wonderful.

CHRIS
How are things at home?

KARYN
Oh you know. The usual. We’re just trying to make it.

CHRIS
I’m sorry I can’t come around more often.

KARYN
Christopher, you don’t have to apologize for anything. Your father and I are so proud.

CHRIS
Mom?

KARYN
Yes, baby?

CHRIS
I love you, you know that right?

KARYN
Of course, honey. Is something the matter?

CHRIS
No. I just…I really miss you.

KARYN
I miss you too, Chris. So much. You’ll always be my beautiful boy.

CHRIS
I know. Look, Mom, I have to go. I’ll call you sometime soon, I promise.

KARYN
Alright. I love you.

CHRIS
I love you too. Tell Hannah I love her and miss her too.

(He hangs up and drops the phone in his lap, then runs his hand over his face.)

. ~ . ~ .

“No, Blaine,” Kurt growled, trying to focus his attention on the television in front of him. Blaine whined, trying to bury his face in Kurt’s neck and attach his lips to Kurt’s sweet, soft skin. Kurt nudged him away with his shoulder, and Blaine whimpered.

“But Kurt, a little making out never hurt anyone. Please.” Blaine batted those puppy eyes of his and leaned his cheek against Kurt’s shoulder.

“Not right now,” Kurt said, trying to keep his voice quiet. So far he’d managed to hide any hint of it getting strained, but it wouldn’t be much longer. He just had to make it through recording his and Blaine’s duet in a week. They’d both been looking forward to it for so long.

“Can we at least cuddle then?” Blaine asked, pouting. Kurt cursed him. Every time he pouted like that, his full bottom lip pushed out just begging to be devoured by Kurt’s mouth, Kurt felt his resolve slip just a little bit. Kurt cleared his throat and sat up a little straighter, then slipped one arm around Blaine’s back, pulling him closer. Like the adorable puppy he was, Blaine curled up next to him, snuggling into his side.

“I love you,” Kurt said, pressing a kiss to Blaine’s untamed curls. It was the truth. He really did love Blaine. He was pretty confident that if he ever truly lost Blaine, he’d never be able to love someone as much again. He vowed to himself never to let Blaine go over some petty fighting every again.

“Even if all my songs suck?” Blaine asked, teasingly.

“Hey, Anderson, stop it. If your songs sucked, I wouldn’t sing them. I asked you to write for me because you have real talent,” Kurt insisted. Blaine blushed a little, then pushed his cheek against Kurt’s chest, snuggling into him. He yawned exaggeratedly and slipped his arms around Kurt’s waist.

“I’m comfy,” Blaine said, his words muffled by Kurt’s shirt. “I’ve decided I’m never leaving this spot.”

“Well you’re going to have to soon because I have to pee,” Kurt said, although he made no move to push Blaine away.

“Stupid bodily functions,” Blaine muttered, reluctantly extracting himself from Kurt’s arms. Kurt smiled and leaned forward, kissing Blaine’s cheek lightly before standing and heading off to the bathroom.

Blaine sunk in the couch cushions. He wasn’t stupid. He knew why Kurt was avoiding sex. He’d heard Kurt’s voice crack the day before in the recording studio. Kurt had tried to push it off as his mouth being dry and needing more water, but Kurt had been going through fifteen huge water bottles a day for the last two weeks in an effort to keep his voice smooth. He knew Kurt was struggling, but they were so close to being done that Blaine found himself hoping Kurt could just hold out a little longer instead of telling his boyfriend he should rest.

He wanted Kurt to be able to finish the album so that Kurt could check one more thing of his list of dreams. He wanted to walk Kurt down the red carpet at the Grammys because Kurt’s album was that good. He wanted Kurt to have real solid proof that he’d gone through something horrible, and then gained his voice back. He wanted that for Kurt. Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be what was going to happen, and it weighed heavy in Blaine’s heart.

Because in reality, he just wanted Kurt happy.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-Two: Tears in Heaven
Scene 3

(EXT. Ashley meets Chris outside his trailer)

ASHLEY
Still not sleeping?

CHRIS
No. And Darren knows something is wrong.

ASHLEY
I thought I told you to tell him.

CHRIS
I will. But only because if I try and distract him with sex one more time I won’t be able to walk for a week.

ASHLEY
That was almost too much info. As much as I love you, I do not need to know what happens in your bedroom.

CHRIS
I’m sorry. Although, I think you should be aware, it isn’t exclusive to the bedroom.

ASHLEY
Ew. Never going into your apartment again.

CHRIS
Don’t worry. We clean it. I’ll have you know that both Darren and myself are particularly sanitary beings.

ASHLEY
You’re still men.

CHRIS
Well groomed, fairly clean men.

ASHLEY
Gay men.

CHRIS
Exactly.

ASHLEY
Seriously, though. Chris. You have to tell him.

(Chris pretends he didn’t hear her)

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-Two: Tears in Heaven
Scene 4

(INT. Chris comes home to find Darren standing in the living room, leaning against the back of the couch)

CHRIS
Hey Dare.

DARREN
Wanna tell me what this is?

(Darren holds up the last threat Chris received. The one that’s got him so afraid)

CHRIS
It’s nothing.

DARREN
This isn’t nothing. I’m tired of you treating it like it is. You need to face reality, Chris. Neither of us are safe.

CHRIS
It’s not you they want. It’s me. It’s just me. If you were in danger, then I would’ve already told you.

DARREN
If you’re not safe, then I’m not! Why don’t you understand that we’re in this together? I’m not going to let you go off and die because you want to protect me.

CHRIS
This isn’t a matter of life and death. This is just some asshole sending us letters.

DARREN
This sounds like a threat to me.

CHRIS
You know what, maybe it is. But it’s my problem.

DARREN
That’s your problem, Chris. You don’t understand that we’re in this together. You don’t understand that I want to be there for you, I want to protect you.

CHRIS
I don’t need you to protect me! You don’t understand that! I don’t need you!

DARREN
Chris, I love you, please don’t say things like that.

CHRIS
But it’s true. I don’t need you. You’re short, you’re whiny, you’re childish, you suck at cooking, you leave your underwear on the floor, you leave trash on the coffee table for me to pick up, you think you’re tough, but you’re really not. The only thing you’re good at is sex, and even then I’ve had better!

DARREN
Don’t say things you don’t mean.

CHRIS
Oh, I meant every word of it.

DARREN
I can’t stay here if you’re going to do that. If you’re going to put me down like that.

CHRIS
Then go. It doesn’t matter to me.

DARREN
You said you’d never leave me, Chris. You promised.

CHRIS
From where I’m standing, you’re the one that’s doing the leaving.

DARREN
And you’re going to let me go?

CHRIS
If it’s what you want, then go.

(Darren stares at him for a long time. Then shakes his head and starts to head to the door. Before he goes, he looks back up at Chris. He’s crying.)

DARREN
You can stop me anytime now.

(Chris remains silent, and Darren hangs his head as he leaves)

. ~ . ~ .

It was obvious Kurt was straining. They were lined up for several post-season interviews about Bring on Tomorrow and their potential futures on the show. Their answers were rehearsed, predictable, and repeated several times over. They were both sad that it ended, they both looked forward to spending time with their costars at the start of the next season, and they both had their own projects to work on during the hiatus.

And yes, they were still together. Yes, they were working on projects together. Yes, they were both extremely good kissers.

No, they wouldn’t sign your baby.

But the more Kurt spoke, the more energy he was using from his voice. Blaine wanted to suggest to rest, but Kurt insisted that he was all right.

His number of water bottles per day went from fifteen to twenty in two days. He was making more trips to the bathroom in one day than Blaine did in a week. Since his boyfriend was unwilling to accept help, Blaine simply stood by, reassuring him and making sure he knew that no matter what, it was going to be ok.

Blaine would still love him.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-Two: Tears in Heaven
Scene 6

(INT. Chris is sitting on the floor in the hallway, his knees pulled up to his chest, sobbing.)

CHRIS
Why didn’t I stop him? Why didn’t I fucking stop him?

(He continues crying before he finally stretches one leg out and reaches into his pocket for his cellphone. He finds Ashley’s phone number and dials it. It rings several times before she answers)

ASHLEY
Damn it, Christopher, I was just about to go to bed.

(Chris just sobs into the phone)

ASHLEY
Chris? What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Where are you?

CHRIS
D-Darren left.

ASHLEY
What? Why?

CHRIS
I came home and he found the note and he was mad I didn’t tell him and we started fighting and I told him I didn’t need him and he left, but I do need him, Ashley. I need him so much. He’s everything and now he’s gone.

ASHLEY
Just stay where you are, Chris. I’m coming. Ok, sweetie? I’m coming and then we can talk.

CHRIS
Ok. Ok. Will you bring Darren?

ASHLEY
I don’t know where he is, but we can look for him when I get there.

CHRIS
I just need him so much. I’m so sorry.

ASHLEY
It’s ok. I’m just gonna hang up and I’ll be there in twenty minutes, alright?

CHRIS
Ok.

(They hang up and Chris drops his phone on the floor beside him. Pushing one hand against the wall, he starts to push himself up.)

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-Two: Tears in Heaven
Scene 7

(INT. As Chris stands, a shadow darkens the hallway)

CHRIS
D-Darren?

(He slowly turns around to see someone much bigger than Darren standing there. His eyes widen in fear)

CHRIS
Oh my god. Please don’t hurt me.

(The man steps closer, causing Chris to stumble backwards and fall with a cry. The light from the kitchen lights up his face. It’s Serena’s brother, Charlie.)

CHARLIE
I’ve been trying to figure out when I could get you alone. When that asshole Darren left, I found the perfect opportunity.

CHRIS
N-No. Please don’t hurt me.

CHARLIE
You killed my sister.

CHRIS
She was already dead!

CHARLIE
My mother didn’t even get to say goodbye to her daughter. My family is in shambles because of the grief. And you are the one who is to blame.

CHRIS
I just did what she asked! It was what she wanted!

(Charlie lets out an angry growl and kicks Chris hard in the side. Chris cries out and tries to get away, but Charlie reached down and grabs his ankle, pulling him back.)

CHRIS
Stop! Stop! Please, I’m sorry!

(Chris tries to kick his leg out Charlie’s grip, but to no avail. Charlie drags him across the floor to the living room. Once he lets him go, Chris tries to stand and fight back, but Charlie grabs his arms and slams him against the wall, his head hitting hard. He slides to the floor, a spot of blood on the wall)

CHARLIE
My sister was a good girl. She just wanted a happy life with the man she loved.

(He kicks Chris again, two more times in the side, then grabs the collar of his shirt, pulling him up)

CHARLIE
Then you had to come in with your faggot ass and ruin everything for her.

(He punches Chris hard, then lets him collapse against the floor again. He proceeds to kick Chris until he is bloody, immobile, and barely breathing. Charlie kneels down beside him, then feels his neck to make sure he still has a pulse)

CHARLIE
Right to the brink of death. Exactly where you deserve to be. Fag.

(Charlie stands, spits on Chris, then as one final blow his stomps hard on Chris’s wrist, pulling out one final, broken scream from Chris before he blacks out from the pain)

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-Two: Tears in Heaven
Scene 8

(INT. Ashley walks through the door to find a quiet apartment)

ASHLEY
Chris? Are you here? The door was open.

(She is met with no response. She shrugs and starts to head down the hallway when something catches her eye. Blood on the wall.)

ASHLEY
(to herself) What kind of fight did you have with Darren?

(She walks past the couch and sees Chris lying there, his face swollen and bloody.)

ASHLEY
(screaming) Chris! Oh my god, Chris! Please don’t be dead. Oh my god!

(She kneels beside him and wants to touch him, but she doesn’t want to hurt him worse. He lets out a soft groan)

ASHLEY
Chris, please be alive. Please.

CHRIS
(barely audible) Dare…

ASHLEY
He’s not here. It’s just me, Chris. It’s Ashley. Who did this to you?

CHRIS
Ch-Ch…

(Chris doesn’t finish the word and Ashley panics, searching for her phone so she can call an ambulance)

ASHLEY
(softly stroking his bloody hair) It’s gonna be alright, Chris. I promise. Everything is gonna be alright.

. ~ . ~ .

Things were going fine. They were four days away from recording their duet. Kurt hadn’t spoken a word since the evening before when he wrapped up his last Skype interview, looked at his schedule on his iPad, and declared himself free. Kurt was just glad he didn’t have to explain to Blaine why he was keeping his lips sealed shut. He didn’t have to tell Blaine why he couldn’t have sex with him, or rehearse with him, or even kiss him that much.

They spent an entire day locked inside the condo, cooking and cleaning and cuddling. As the afternoon changed into evening, Blaine locked himself in the music room and started playing just for the hell of it. Kurt went around the kitchen – it was his night to cook dinner – and smiled softly to himself as he listened to the sounds of Blaine’s guitar and piano and singing.

His eyes stung a little with tears as he thought of all the opportunities he was getting when he couldn’t even make it through one song, and Blaine was locked in a room exploding with talent and no one seemed to care.

What made him different from Blaine? Kurt wanted the acting recognition that Blaine got, and Blaine wanted the musical recognition that Kurt got. What on earth could they do to fix that?

Letting out a soft sigh, Kurt didn’t dwell on it too much. They’d already decided that when one of them got recognized for something, they would share it equally with the other. Neither of them wanted to be more famous or richer than the other. In fact, some days they wished they weren’t famous or rich at all, that they could simply love each other in peace.

Kurt was pulled out of his thoughts when the doorbell rang. He paused, listening to see if Blaine heard it. Blaine did not, which meant Kurt would have to suspend his vow of silence long enough to greet whoever was at the door. He just hoped it wasn’t Mercedes looking for a girl chat.

Wiping his hands on the towel by the stove, he made his way to the door, his sock feet padding lightly against the carpet. Looking out the peep hole, he saw a small, unfamiliar looking woman. She looked older and she was shuffling around uncomfortably. Kurt stepped back and unlocked the several locks on the door, then pulled it open.

“How may I help you?” Kurt asked, his voice sounding scratchy and foreign from not being used.

“Um, hi,” the woman said. She was tiny, with Asian-like features and long black hair streaked with gray. Her cheeks were flushed like she had been crying, and beside her was a single bag covered in a gaudy rose pattern. It made the fashionista in Kurt cringe. “Does…does Blaine Anderson live here?”

Kurt looked at her skeptically, then turned his head to look inside the condo, listening for the sounds of Blaine’s music that were still playing. He looked back at the woman.

“Yes,” Kurt said. “He’s busy at the moment. Can I tell him who stopped by?”

The woman stared at him for a moment, then gave him a disapproving look. “Oh. You’re with him, aren’t you?”

“I hardly see how that’s any of your business,” Kurt snapped. His hand that was hidden behind the door reached for his cellphone. He had half a mind to text Puck, knowing the man would be there in less than ten minutes no matter how far away he was.

“I’d like to think it is,” the woman said, straightening up and give Kurt a hard look. “I’m his mother.”

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-Two: Tears in Heaven
Scene 9

(EXT. Darren is knocking on a door, and after a few moments, it opens to reveal Chuck)

CHUCK
Dude. It’s like, after midnight.

DARREN
I need a place to stay for the night.

CHUCK
Fight with your boy toy?

DARREN
Yeah. I’ll go back in the morning though. Beg for forgiveness. All that crap.

CHUCK
You better hope he takes you back. Mama will kill you. She really likes this one.

DARREN
So can I come in?

CHUCK
Oh, yeah. Come on.

(He steps aside and lets Darren in.)

CHUCK
So what did you fight about this time?

DARREN
Just how he thinks he can’t trust me to know shit. He treats me like I’m a kid, and I’m three years older than him!

CHUCK
How big of a thing was he hiding to make you leave?

DARREN
He’s been getting threats. Like letters and stuff. It’s been really upsetting him and he didn’t tell me because he apparently doesn’t need me to protect him.

CHUCK
He’s been getting threats and you just left him all by himself?

(Darren’s head snaps up to look at his brother, his eyes wide)

DARREN
Oh my god. What’ve I done?

(A tense moment of silence passes between them, and then Darren’s phone rings in his pocket)

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-Two: Tears in Heaven
Scene 10

(INT. Hospital waiting room. Ashley is sitting, looking around nervously. She wants to call Chris’s family, but the only person who’s phone number she knows is Darren’s. Chris has been in surgery for half an hour, so she pulls out her phone and calls Darren. It rings exactly four times before he answers)

DARREN
Ashley? What’s up with Chris?

ASHLEY
Um…Darren…I’m at the hospital right now. Chris is in surgery.

(She hears a disturbing choking sound before Darren speaks again)

DARREN
Is he…what happened?

ASHLEY
I think you should just come.

(silence on the other end of the line)

ASHLEY
Darren?

DARREN
Yeah. I’m sorry. I’m coming.

(There is a click. Darren hangs up. Ashley stares at her phone. Now all there is left to do is wait)

. ~ . ~ .

Kurt flew through the condo, the door hanging open as he ran through the living room, then down the hallway. He skidded to a stop and pounded his fist on the door before opening it. Blaine was inside, on the floor, looking up at him with worried eyes.

“I think you need to come out here. Now,” Kurt said. Blaine scrambled to his feet, responding to Kurt’s frenzied look. Kurt grabbed his hand and pulled to the doorway, where the woman stood just inside, her hands clasped in front of her.

“Mom?” Blaine squeaked, stopping upon seeing her, his feet rooted the ground. His grip on Kurt’s hand grew impossibly tight, pulling him closer. Blaine’s eyes stayed wide and he cleared his throat, saying in a much calmer voice, “What are you doing here, Mother?”

“Oh Blaine. You…you grew up so…handsome,” she said, a loving smile on her face. She tried to step closer, to extend a hand towards the son she hadn’t seen in seven years, but Blaine stepped back, tugging Kurt with him. Kurt stayed close to Blaine, recalling stories of how Blaine had been kicked out and disowned when he was eighteen for being gay and pursuing a career in music.

Now this woman was here, trying to talk to him. As far as Kurt was concerned, she didn’t even have the right to look at him, let alone touch him. She’d rejected everything that made Blaine who he was, everything that got him where he was.

Blaine was tense beside him, his palm sweating as it pressed tightly against Kurt’s. In a calm, reserved voice, Blaine said, “I hardly think you have a right to be here.”

“Blaine, honey, I left your father,” she said. Blaine stared at her, just blinking, his long eyelashes seeming to weigh down his eyelids with each downward movement of them. Kurt studied Blaine’s expression, waiting for his reaction so Kurt knew what to say or do.

“Why?” was all Blaine asked.

“He…I…I wanted to see you. I knew you were on television. All the ladies were talking about it. But every time you were on an interview or something, I’d turn on the television to find the channel had been temporarily blocked and the password had been changed. Your father…he didn’t want me watching. I couldn’t do that, Blaine. I just needed to see what my son looked like after so many years. When I brought it up to your father, he said that we have no son to see, and that I should forget it. My heart broke, and when I told him I couldn’t stand it anymore, he…he hit me. So I left him.”

Blaine’s mother explained the story thoroughly while both Kurt and Blaine listened. Kurt wanted to hug Blaine when he saw tears forming in the corner of his beautiful hazel eyes, but Blaine blinked them away before Kurt could do anything.

“How did you find me?” Blaine asked. “Our address and phone numbers are unlisted. We’re almost impossible to trace.”

“Almost,” she said. “But not completely impossible. I hired a very good private investigator.”

“You had someone stalking us?” Blaine shook his head in disbelief.

“Not entirely…”

“What were you hoping? That you could show up at my door after seven years of pretending I didn’t exist and expect me to run into your arms like…like…like nothing happened?” Blaine pulled his hand away from Kurt’s, much to Kurt’s dismay. “Because I spent four years living on the streets and living with guys I didn’t even like, but I had to pretend to because it meant having a place to stay.”

Both Kurt and Blaine’s mother gasped. Kurt knew about Jesse, but he didn’t know about what happened before or after Blaine met him. The details of Blaine’s past were fairly vague as far as Kurt knew them.

“I was homeless, I was hungry, and I was taken advantage of so many times it would make you throw up to hear about them all,” Blaine sneered, stepping closer to his mother. Her eyes were filled with tears now, one hand up covering her gaping mouth.

“Blaine, I…”

“I’m not done yet!” Blaine snapped, his voice getting louder. “You never once stood up to him when he asked me all those times if I’d found a girlfriend yet, and then hit me when I said I was gay. You didn’t defend me when I said I wanted to follow my dream, and you don’t even accept me for who I am.”

“That’s not true. I accept you just fine for being…like that,” she said, her voice weak in defense.

“You can’t even say it, can you?” Blaine said. “Say it, Mom. What am I? Say it!”

“You’re…you’re…you’re gay.” She cringed as the word escaped her mouth. Blaine was almost shaking with anger.

“I don’t know what you want from me,” Blaine finally said. “You saw me. I’m here. I’m famous. I make a lot of money. I’m living in this gorgeous condo with the love of my life. Now you can go.”

He started to try and shuffle her out, but she sputtered and managed to get him to stop.

“Blaine, please, honey, I don’t have anywhere to stay!”

“You should’ve thought about that before you showed up,” Blaine growled.

“Now wait one second!” she shrieked loudly. Blaine finally stopped pushing her and gave her an unhappy look. “I left the man I was married to for thirty-two years for you. I accept you as my son, and I accept that my son is gay. And I’m sure, if you give me the chance to stick around, I know I can grow to love your…”

She motioned towards Kurt and Blaine gave her a disapproving look.

“Boyfriend,” Blaine filled in. “Soul mate. Lover.”

She tried to hide a wince, as she looked over Kurt. In truth, she didn’t feel the urge to hate Kurt as she had with the other boys she’d seen her son with back when he’d been in high school. Kurt wasn’t threatening, and he was just effeminate enough that she could convince herself that her son wasn’t the girl of the relationship.

“Please, Blaine. I want to be in your life again.”

Blaine seemed to consider it for a moment longer, then he stepped around her and closed the door.

“We have a spare bedroom,” he said. Then he glanced over at Kurt. “If it’s alright with you, baby.”

Kurt smirked, knowing he was using the affectionate term to try to wear at his mother’s patience. He nodded once and clasped his hands behind his back, then watched as Blaine showed his mother into the condo.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-Two: Tears in Heaven
Scene 11

(INT. Hospital waiting room. Darren comes in, followed by his brother)

DARREN
Ashley! Where is he?

ASHLEY
Still in surgery.

DARREN
What happened?

ASHLEY
(angrily) I don’t know. He called me after you left him and asked me to come, and by the time I got there he was lying on the floor, covered in a blood and barely conscious.

DARREN
Oh my god…you don’t think…

ASHLEY
Someone broke in. The door was open when I got there.

DARREN
This is all my fault. I should’ve never left.

ASHLEY
Damn right you shouldn’t have. He might not even make it and the last memories he has are of you leaving him and someone beating him to death.

(Darren’s eyes widen and he begins to shake. Now he is convinced this is entirely his fault. Ashley sees the pain in his expression and gets up to comfort him)

ASHLEY
It’s ok. He’s not gonna die. He loves you, no matter what. He would never want you to blame this on yourself.

(Darren hugs her back, but he’s so in shock from it all that he isn’t even crying)

DR. EMERY
Excuse me? Are any of you the family of Chris Colfer?

(Darren pulls away from Ashley and raises his hand, not trusting himself to speak)

DR. EMERY
May I speak to you in private?

DARREN
He’s not dead, is he?

(Dr. Emery shakes his head, then Darren follows him down the white hallway a little ways)

DR. EMERY
He sustained many injuries. Three broken rips, a broken wrist, internal bleeding, a collapsed lung, and there is swelling his brain.

DARREN
(trying not to cry) Oh my god.

DR. EMERY
Given his identity, it’s been requested that he recover in a private room. You can see him now, but there is not telling when or if he will regain consciousness.

DARREN
What if he doesn’t? What happens then? What if he dies?

DR. EMERY
There are several options we can explain if the time comes. If he has any other close family, it’s probably best to inform them as well. But for now, if you would like, I can take you to see him.

(Darren nods. He glances over and motions for Ashley to come as well. He doesn’t want to face Chris alone. Dr. Emery escorts them down the hallway to a room with a large white door that is closed. He nods solemnly to Darren and Ashley as he opens the door. Darren takes a deep breath and steps inside, looking over at Chris, who is lying on the bed, his face paler than usual and bruised. His chest rises and falls unevenly. He doesn’t look good. Ashley stays by the door as Darren pulls a chair up next to Chris’s bed)

DARREN
Who could do this to you? Who could hurt your beautiful face?

(He grasps Chris’s hand, gasping at how cold it feels. He looks up at Ashley)

DARREN
His skin is so cold.

(He looks back at Chris, running his fingers lightly over his bruised arm.)

DARREN
I’m so sorry, Chris. I should’ve never left you alone. You don’t deserve this. I was such an idiot.

(His face twists with the effort not to cry, and he grips Chris’s hand hard. Suddenly, Chris’s breath hitches and he lets out a small gasp. Darren sits up, thinking he’s waking up, but instead the heart rate monitor begins to beat faster and faster. Nurses fill the room, trying to pull Darren away from Chris as the room fills with hurried and hysterical shouting)

DARREN
What’s happening? What’s wrong with him?

NURSE 1
Sir, we’re going to have to ask you to step back!

DARREN
What’s going on? Help him! Please!

NURSE 1
Sir! Please step back!

DARREN
Chris!

(The beeping speeds up until it becomes constant, then the machine flat lines)

DARREN
(screaming) NO! Chris! No can’t do this to me!

(Darren collapses onto the floor, letting his hand fall from Chris’s. He is completely broken)

DARREN
(still screaming) You promised you’d never leave me! You fucking promise!

. ~ . ~ .

Blaine’s mother, or Carla as she preferred Kurt to call her, managed not to annoy either of them very much. Blaine and Kurt spent a long time discussing what to do since neither of them wanted to live with her, and they felt too guilty by leaving her homeless, and the divorce and the private investigator had left her penniless. They agreed they would by her a condo not far from their own, but significantly smaller and not quite as new.

Until then, however, she ended up being quite a help. After prying from Kurt the reason why he didn’t talk much, she’d brewed him a rather disgusting, but helpful tea that had soothed his throat. She and Blaine annoyed each other well, as she tried to avoid any conversations of Blaine’s “gayness” and he tried to shove it in her face at every moment.

Despite this, it didn’t take her long to fall in love with Kurt, and the day before Kurt and Blaine were to record the duet, Carla came into the living room to see them cuddling on the couch, and without even batting an eyelash she said, “You two should get married.”

Blaine and Kurt looked at each other, neither of them saying anything, but both of them thinking that hey, that didn’t sound like a bad idea.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-Two: Tears in Heaven
Scene 12

(INT. Hospital room, looking down on the nurses trying to save Chris, and Darren collapsed on the floor, sobbing brokenly, Ashley in the doorway, turned away as she cried. The focus turns to see Chris standing, looking unscarred, staring at the scene before him. There are other people there, too. Older people he doesn’t recognize, three small children, a teenage boy, and Serena. She’s watching Darren, holding a baby in her arms.)

CHRIS
What are you doing here?

(They all look over at him)

SERENA
How could you leave him, Chris?

CHRIS
Am I…dead?

SERENA
Yes. That’s your body (points to his body on the hospital bed.) And that’s your friend crying over there (points to Ashley). And that’s a man whose heart is now so broken he’ll never find happiness (points at Darren).

CHRIS
So you’re all dead?

OLD WOMAN
I am Darren’s great grandmother. Him playing the piano for me is the last memory I have.

LITTLE GIRL
Darren was my first boyfriend. We were six years old. I died in a car accident.

TEENAGE BOY
Darren was my first kiss. I died of alcohol poisoning senior year.

LITTLE BOY
Darren was my bestest friend. My parents told him I went to live with my grandma, but I really died of cancer.

SERENA
(holds up the baby in her arms) And this little bundle of joy is Allison. She would’ve been Darren’s daughter. She has his eyes and his curly hair.

CHRIS
Is this really happening?

SERENA
You’re dead, Chris. And you have about twenty seconds to decide whether you’d live here, where us, and watch him the rest of his life, or whether you’d like to go back and fight to stay with him there.

CHRIS
What happens if I lose the fight?

SERENA
Then you’re gone forever.

CHRIS
I don’t look good.

SERENA
Fight.

CHRIS
But what if I lose?

SERENA
Fight. It’s worth it. Look at him. He’s dying without you. He needs you.

OLD WOMAN
Go, please. I can’t stand to see him hurting.

LITTLE GIRL
Please. He loves you.

CHRIS
How do I go back?

OLD WOMAN
Just go back to your body. Go, quickly. You’re running out of time.

(Chris looks at each of them, the nods. He hurries over to where Darren is sitting, sobbing, and he kneels beside him)

CHRIS
I love you, Dare. This might be the last time I see you. I love you so much. No one has ever made me feel like you do.

(He kisses the top of Darren’s head, then stands and walks over to his body. Glancing over at Serena, she nods at him encouragingly.)

CHRIS
I’m sorry, Serena. All of this is just screwed up.

SERENA
I’ll take care of Charlie. You don’t worry about getting hurt again. Just please, go back to Darren.

(Chris takes a deep breath, then climbs onto the bed, hovering over his body, and then he lets himself fall in)

. ~ . ~ .

The time had come for the duet to be recorded, and Kurt was nervous. He’d been nursing his throat with silence and tea, and he was sure he could make it through the duet. They entered the studio with their hands clasped, and began their pre-recording meeting with Artie. Once they decided how the song was going to be sung, and that Kurt and Blaine wanted to record it together, as they’d practiced, instead of separately, they stepped inside and got set up.

The music started, and Blaine looked over at Kurt lovingly. Kurt felt his heart skip as he reached out, taking Blaine’s hand. Their fingers twined together, just as their hearts and souls had done. Blaine’s thumb stroked over the back of Kurt’s hand, and Kurt took a deep breath as he began to sing the first words.

Blaine’s eyes were glued to him as he sang the first verse, it’s worse a declaration of love. Blaine had written each word of the song carefully, stringing them together with meaning, dedicating each and every word to the only person he could see himself having a future with.

Kurt squeezed his hand, ending his verse as Blaine picked up. Their eyes were locked as though they were physically incapable of looking away. They went into the chorus together, their voices blending perfectly, reflecting the chemistry they had in every other aspect of their lives.

Taking a breath, Kurt swayed a little closer to Blaine, his chest expanding as he got ready to belt the final note of the chorus. His voice was steady, strong, without a quiver in it.

Until suddenly it wasn’t anymore.

It was just like before. He felt light headed and his throat closed suddenly. He felt like he was choking as he gasped. His knees trembled and he collapsed to the ground, one hand clutching Blaine’s as his other hand clawed at his throat.

As he finally got a breath in, he looked up at Blaine, his cheeks flushed horribly and his eyes brimming with tears. Blaine looked horrified as he sunk to his knees beside Kurt. He reached out to cup Kurt’s cheek in the palm of his hand.

“Can you…?” Blaine asked softly. Kurt drew in a raspy breath, then cringed and shook his head.

They both knew what this meant.

They both knew that this was it.

Kurt Hummel’s career as a recording artist was over before it had even started.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Twenty-Two: Tears in Heaven
Scene 13

(INT. Hospital room. Darren’s sobbing is heard over the sounds of the nurses and doctors and machines. Suddenly, the constant, flat beeping is interrupted. Everything falls silent and the beeping returns, showing signs of a steady heartbeat. Darren scrambles to his feet, launching himself at Chris.)

DARREN
Chris! You’re alive!

(He grips Chris’s hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it softly. The room falls silent as Chris’s mouth opens and closes, taking in soft, gasping breaths. Darren watches with wide, tear-filled, hopeful eyes. Chris groans softly and turns his head towards Darren.)

CHRIS
Dare…

DARREN
Chris, baby, I’m here. Chris, please wake up.

(Chris’s not swollen eye flutters open, looking up at Darren. He smiles softly)

CHRIS
Hi.

DARREN
(crying) You asshole. I thought you were going to leave me.

CHRIS
Never. Love you.

DARREN
I’m so sorry. I never should have left you.

CHRIS
Not your fault.

DARREN
Promise me we can work through this.

CHRIS
Promise.

(Darren smiles, then leans down and presses a kiss to Chris’s forehead.)

End.