So... It's been a while.

I'm really sorry you've waited so long for an update, but I did warn you as to how bad I am with updates.

But it's the holidays so I think I'll manage at least one more chapter before I have to go back to school, so fingers crossed.

In other news MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you have a great day and re-watch all the Glee Christmas episodes as I most certainly am going to.

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, or Blaine would have kissed Kurt at the end of White Christmas.


Christmas vacation was coming to an end, and it was almost time for Kurt to return to McKinley. Saying he was nervous was an understatement. People obviously knew that he had been in a coma, but Kurt wondered how many knew what had actually happened. Everyone would at least know that it had to do with Karofsky. Kurt was judged and stared at and mocked every day, so the 'added attention' wasn't going to make any difference.

No, the real problem was Kurt's new ability. Kurt wasn't used to it. He hadn't really been out much, but last weekend Finn and Rachel took him to the park. A simple trip that shouldn't case stress, but it did. Ghosts were everywhere. Well, there weren't actually that many. Kurt had figured most people would want to 'move on to the afterlife'. There were still more ghosts then he expected. And it terrified him. He tried not to stare just in case they realised he could see them and decided to approach him. By the time they left, Kurt was paler then the ghosts. Not that the ghosts actually looked that different from the living. Their clothes were different. Kurt didn't know whether they were the clothes the people died in or not, but they must have been from the time the people lived in. the only noticeable difference was that they glowed. Kurt couldn't explain it any other way, they merely appeared to shine. Kurt found it beautiful, before he remembered that they were the spirits of dead people and that he shouldn't find that beautiful.

On the last day before school, his mom appeared. She looked sad, her smile obviously forced, and even though Kurt wanted to know why, he didn't want to intrude.

"I feel like I'm sending you off to kindergarten all over again." She had been helping Kurt pick out his outfit. Well, Kurt had of course picked it out weeks ago, but he'd use any excuse to get him mom to stay.

"Mom, can I ask you something?"

"You just did, but you can ask another thing." She laughed.

"You've been watching us, right? And I was just wondering... How did you react when you found out I was gay?" Kurt was worried to say the least. Surly she knew, and surly she would have said something by now if she didn't approve. He hadn't had the courage to ask his mom until now, but he had basically been wondering what she would think since he realised he was gay.

Elizabeth smiled sweetly, a genuine smile, "Kurt, sweetie, you know I love you no matter what. And I always had my suspicions." Kurt looked confused. Did she mean the 'sensible pair of heels' thing, or something else? "When I'd read you bedtime stories," She explained, "you used to insist that I read you 'Snow white'. After I'd finished it one night, you asked me where your prince was. I was shocked, but I answered: Out there somewhere. You'd walk around the house singing 'One day my prince will come'." Kurt smiled at that, relief washing over him.

"I was so worried you wouldn't approve. Most people don't." At that, Kurt's face fell. Memories of Karofsky and most of McKinley filling his mind.

"Sweetie, I can't tell you how much it pains me. Seeing people treat you like that. I promised to always help you, to protect you, but I couldn't."

Kurt reached forward and took his mother's hands in his own. "You can now."

"No. I can't." They sat in silence for a long time before Elizabeth explained, "I can't stay here Kurt. I'm putting you in danger."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm basically... On the run. We're not supposed to interfere with the living. I'm not going to go into detail, but I've been protesting, like I did when I was alive. Now the person I was 'protesting' against has employed someone who can see ghosts. Someone who can banish ghosts. I-it's nothing really, I just can't stay here."

Kurt was speechless. His mom was a ghost fugitive.

"I know it's a lot to take it," she continued, "I mean all of this has been a lot to take in, so I'm sorry that I've added to that, but please understand that I will always be there for you. If you really need me."

"Please don't leave." Kurt said in a small voice.

"Kurt, sweetie, I have to."

"I just got you back, I can't lose you again."

"You're not losing me. I'm doing this to protect you." Elizabeth lent forward and engulfed her son in her arms. Humming to him and rocking them slightly.

"I'm so scared mom." he admitted, tears silently falling, "What am I going to do? Why does everything bad happen to me? Why are there so many things wrong with me?"

"Sweetie, listen to me. There is nothing wrong with you. There never was and there never will be. You are you. And you are perfect, remember that." Kurt let out a choked sob, crying freely.

"I missed you so much."

"I know, I missed you too. Like I said, Lima Art Gallery if you need me. I can't promise I'll be there, but I practically live there. Well, not 'live' obviously, but anyway… I love you."

"I love you too."

After what felt like hours or crying and hugging, Elizabeth Hummel was gone, leaving Kurt alone once more.


"And it's official!" Mercedes shouted loudly.

"Kurt Hummel is back at McKinley!" Kurt got out of the car, with Finn's help, and practically jumped on Mercedes for a hug.

"Kurt, you've got to be careful." Rachel said, as she hugged Finn.

"Yeah, if you get hurt, I'm pretty sure Burt will kill me." Finn agreed.

"Your concern for me is overwhelming."

"Are you sure you don't want to wait a while longer before you go back?"

"Finn, we've been over this. There's no point in me staying at home."

"Yeah, no one's going to hurt him anyway."

"Yes, thank you Tina."

"Ok, but if you feel even a little bit tired or anything, just tell me and I'll take you home." Finn awkwardly clapped Kurt on the shoulder, before cowering away as Kurt called out in pain.

"I'll be fine as long as you don't touch me."

"Come on white boy," Mercedes carefully pulled him towards the school, "today you can enjoy a day without any physical harm."

"Or slushies." Tina added.

"Amen to that!"

"I'm so excited," Rachel practically squealed as she caught up with them, "It's the first day I've worn white in a really long time."

Kurt spent the whole day looking around anxiously. Everyone assumed he was worried about Karofsky and 'horrible memories' were coming back to him, causing Finn to give him many concerned looks. But really, he was looking for ghosts, he didn't tell anyone this, but it didn't stop it being true. He had found a few, mentally marking what they looked like and where they were, so he could avoid them. There were two middle aged men walking and talking together in the courtyard, Kurt didn't realise they were ghosts until they walked into the steps. And there was an old woman reading a book in the Library that Kurt remembers seeing in the 'Staff We'll Miss' section of an old McKinley thunder-clap. So far so good, Kurt thought, but after all, who would choose to stay on Earth forever, then spend that time in a school.

After hours of 'How are you doing?, people smiling at him in the halls, jocks literally cowering away from him and teachers offering him help to catch up, it was time for Glee.

Yes, everything's as if we never said goodbye!

We taught the world, new ways to dream.

Kurt gratefully accepted the standing ovation for his admittedly extraordinary performance and thoroughly enjoyed the Glee club's rendition of 'Somewhere Only We Know'.

"So welcome back Kurt," Mr Shue started, "We're glad you're okay and we're glad to have your voice back for Regionals. Speaking of which, I've got some ideas I'd like to try out."

Kurt tuned out Mr Shue's ramblings about what would be a good duet for Finn and Rachel, and soon was excusing himself to get something from his locker.

"I'll go with you. To help."

"Finn! We're in the middle of a duet here." Rachel all but whined.

"Fine, Tina go with him."

"I don't need help." Kurt was getting fed up with people treating him like he would break if he did anything for himself. All day Finn had barely even let him write for himself, and Finn writing for him wasn't exactly a good thing.

"I promised Burt I'd take care of you."

"And more importantly, I promised you I'd take care of you. Even if you try to go alone, I will follow you," Tina insisted, "stalk you even."

"Fine, you can walk with my, but I'm carrying my own stuff."

So there they were, rounding the corner and reaching Kurt's locker, when he saw him. Handsome, dashing, dapper... new. There were rarely any new kids that joined during the school year, so Kurt was intrigued. The boy was standing, staring at the notice board. Just standing and just staring. He hadn't seen Kurt yet, so Kurt took the opportunity to examine him further. He had gelled black hair, triangular eyebrows, tanned skin, gorgeous coffee-colored eyes and a strong jawline. He was wearing too-short pants, a sweater vest and a cute bow-tie. A strange sense of style, Kurt thought, but he was beautiful.

Kurt debated whether he should ask Tina about this new kid, or simply find out for himself. He didn't exactly look threatening or dangerous. If anything, he looked lost.

"Hey Tina, I kinda need the toilet and I can do that myself."

"So you don't need me? Fine," she said in mock-hurt, "I'll just tell Mr Shue, and Finn, where you are." She sighed dramatically, turning back towards the choir room.

"Thank you Tina." He called after her, laughing. Kurt took a deep breath and started walking, well limping, towards the beautiful-boy, surprised that he hadn't reacted at all to him and Tina talking.

And that's when he noticed. Another thing to add to that ever-growing list about this mysterious 'new kid'. He was positively glowing.