note: Thank you to metaldragoness for the medical information, auburndammit for the Brit picking, and daftydraw, whose prompt led me to add a certain character in this chapter.

May 27, 2013

Burt spent the night at the loft. He got up early, as usual, called his aide in Washington, and had an hour-long phone meeting with her before taking a shower.

When he got out of the shower, Burt saw that he had missed a call. A voicemail from someone named Brody told him that Kurt's condition had been upgraded, and he was being moved into a new room, out of the ICU.

Burt grabbed a quick bite in the kitchen of the loft and took the subway to the hospital. He was frustrated. The doctor hadn't been able to tell him much the day before, and he really had no idea if Kurt would get his lost three months of memories back, or why he was so upset about Blaine.

Burt was praying that Kurt's comments about Blaine's bad behavior were a result of his disorientation, or his injuries, or maybe the meds. Because the things Kurt had said were just not right.

Cheating?

Attempted assault?

That didn't sound like Blaine at all. Blaine was devoted to Kurt. Immature, opinionated, but violent?

No. Couldn't be. Burt hadn't gotten through forty six years on this planet being that bad a judge of character.

This was the boy who had brought Kurt a huge bouquet of flowers last night. It turned out they weren't allowed in the ICU. Something about bugs and bacteria and patient allergies. But it was the thought that counted, right?

Adam was another story. Obviously kind and mature. Maybe too mature. He seemed to have a way of calming Kurt down. But Kurt had also broken his heart. Burt felt bad for the guy, falling for someone whose heart would always belong to someone else. Which was just as well, because he'd be damned if some punk he didn't even know was going to whisk Kurt off to live in another country.

Burt stopped at the main desk to find out out Kurt's new room number.

When he stepped off the elevator he heard screaming. He quickly scanned the room numbers on the doors.

The sound was coming from Kurt's new room.

Kurt's nurse and a big burly orderly ran into the room, with Burt close behind them.

He walked in to see Blaine sitting on the bed next to Kurt, holding his hands up in a position of apology and surrender.

"You have to get off that bed right now," said Jen.

"But I just wanted to sing to him!" said Blaine.

"Get him off me!" yelled Kurt.

"He has very painful injuries and you could hurt him!" said Jen.

"But Kurt..."

"Blaine, you're going to have to leave this room. Now. You're causing a disturbance," insisted Jen.

"But it's his birthday! I'm his fiancé!"

"NOW!" boomed Burt. "Blaine. That's enough," said Burt sternly. "You wait outside."

"Yes, sir," said Blaine, defeated. He walked out with his head down, only lifting it to glare at Jen on the way out.

Kurt was shaking.

"Tell me what you need, Kurt," said Burt.

"I need him to stay away from me!" said Kurt."I woke up and he was all wrapped around me, leaning on my shoulder, and it hurts..."

"Okay, Kurt. Okay. I won't let him in anymore."

"You promise?"

"Can we keep him out?" Burt asked Jen.

"We absolutely can," said Jen. "Dante, will you please stay here while I notify security?" she asked the big orderly standing next to her.

"Sure thing." He nodded.

"Thank you. I just don't trust him," said Kurt.

Jen and Burt shared a look before she left to find the security guard.

"I'm so sorry you have to go through this Kurt. And on your birthday," said Burt.

"It's my birthday?"

"Yeah. I got you a little gift." Burt held up the wrapped present.

"Will you unwrap it for me?"

Burt unwrapped a glossy hardcover book and held it up.

"It's a book about Broadway stars. What their childhoods were like. It has baby pictures and yearbook photos of all of them. Favorite pets. Childhood bedrooms. Stuff like that."

"Thank you Dad. That is so thoughtful. You'll have to read it to me though."

"Anytime, kid."

"I'm sorry I freaked out. He just really scares me."

"It's okay."

Change the subject. Keep him calm.

"So, what did you have for your birthday breakfast?"

Kurt grimaced. "Red Jello. Chicken broth."

"Can't we do any better than that? It's your twentieth birthday! Do I have to smuggle a birthday cake in here myself?"

"I'm not really hungry. They said I can probably have some real food tomorrow. But I'm kind of nauseous."

"I'm not surprised. You got punched in the gut, and you're on all these painkillers."

"Will you tell me what happened?"

"There's no rush. I'll tell you when you're ready."

"I am ready."

"You do seem a lot clearer-headed today. Okay. Why don't you ask me a couple questions?"

"Okay. How did I get hurt?"

"They told me you were outside a gay club, and you saw someone getting beaten up, and you intervened and they hurt you instead."

Kurt's face softened.

"What happened to the other person?"

"They just released him from the hospital yesterday. He was hurt, but he's okay. He wants to talk to you. He's the one who called the ambulance."

"What's his name?"

"Josiah."

"Josiah." Kurt concentrated. "I know a Josiah at NYADA. He's dating one of my friends in the Apples. Is he black? Tall? Really good looking? Beautiful eyes?"

Burt laughed. "You really do sound more awake today. I talked to him on the phone. I have no idea if he has beautiful eyes or anything, but he's eager to see you when you feel up to it."

"Tell him I can see him any time he wants," said Kurt. "I hope he's okay. Now for my next question. Am I really dating Blaine again?"

Burt inhaled sharply. "You sure you want to get into this now?"

"Yeah. Are we really engaged?"

"You are," said Burt. "But when you saw Adam yesterday, you acted like you were dating him. Adam told me you had broken up with him a few weeks ago."

"I still can't believe it," said Kurt sadly. He paused, and Burt waited for several long moments.

"Do you want to ask me anything else?"

"Not right now," said Kurt, leaning back and closing his eyes. "Could you read to me?"

"Sure." Burt picked up the book and began to read.

"Patti Lupone was born on Long Island..."

Before long, the soothing tones of Burt's voice had lulled Kurt back to sleep.

There was a loud, shrill beeping sound, and Burt saw that Blaine had left his phone on one of the chairs. Kurt let out a whimper at the high-pitched noise. Burt jumped up and picked up the phone and tried to turn it off.

These kids and their damn fancy phones. How do I turn this thing off?

Burt pressed a few buttons and the screen lit up with text.

Luke: I'll be here naked and waiting at 7. Don't be too long.

Burt's chin dropped.

He managed to turn the sound off. Furious, he stood next to the bed and watched Kurt's face relax again into a calm expression as he slept.

He had to go find Blaine, and yell at him. Or maybe calm him down. Or both.

Why me?


Adam was searching the hospital gift shop for something for Kurt's birthday when he spotted a young man out of the corner of his eye. He was handsome. Tall, long legs, big white smile, fair skin, hair almost the same color as Kurt's, in a similar style. Adam's aching heart clenched at the reminder.

"Hey there," said the other guy with a broad, almost predatory smile.

"Hi," said Adam indifferently.

"Visiting someone?" said the guy, in a tone more flirty than concerned.

"My...friend," answered Adam distractedly. "It's his birthday and he's not doing so well."

"I'm sorry," said the other guy, a bit more sincerely. "I'm looking for something for my aunt."

"Can't go wrong with a teddy bear." Adam smiled a little sadly. He picked up one of the little bears on the counter, held it up and showed it to the guy.

The young man looked Adam up and down hungrily, and held out his hand to shake. "I'm Sebastian."

Adam shifted the bear to his left hand, and reached out with his right to shake Sebastian's warm hand.

"Adam."

"Your friend is a lucky guy," Sebastian said pointedly, raking his eyes over Adam's t-shirt that hugged his chest and arms. He seemed surprised when Adam's face suddenly fell. "And I really do hope he's okay," added Sebastian sincerely.

"Thank you. I hope your Aunt is okay too," said Adam.

"Oh, she's great. She just had a baby. I'm here in the city visiting schools. Fordham, Sarah Lawrence, Hofstra. I just had an interview at Columbia," Sebastian bragged, lifting one hand and brushing it through his hair, casually flexing his bicep under his dress shirt.

"Impressive," said Adam, suddenly blushing just a little when he realized Sebastian might think he was flirting back. Adam was much too sad about Kurt to flirt with anyone.

Sebastian noticed how the blue of Adam's t-shirt matched his eyes, and he breathed in sharply.

"Thanks," said Sebastian. "Say, Adam..."

Adam's phone rang with an unfamiliar tune. "Excuse me. I need to take this."

"How is Kurt doing?" Adam said to the person on the phone.

"Thank you! That is very good news indeed." Adam was grinning now.

"Hold on. Let me write that down." Adam reached in his backpack for a pen and a notebook and scribbled something down. "Okay. Got it."

"I'm actually downstairs. I'll be up soon. Thank you so much, Mr. Hummel."

"You too. Goodbye."

Adam turned to Sebastian. "Well it was lovely meeting..." Adam's voice died in his throat when he saw Sebastian's shocked face, his eyebrows knit together, his forehead creased with worry.

"Kurt Hummel? You know Kurt Hummel? From Lima, Ohio?" asked Sebastian.

"You know Kurt?" asked Adam.

Sebastian nodded. "Yeah, I'm from Ohio. Is he the guy you're visiting? What happened to him?"

Adam watched the expression on Sebastian's face and considered for a moment before answering. "He was attacked outside a club."

"Shit," muttered Sebastian. "Was it a gay club?" Sebastian's jaw tightened and anger flashed in his green eyes.

Adam nodded glumly. "Yeah. This place called the Nines. He saved another bloke that they had gone after first, apparently."

"Wow, Blaine didn't say anything," said Sebastian.

Adam's expression turned cold. "You know Blaine?"

Sebastian had the grace to look embarrassed. "He just texted me last night. Never mentioned it."

Now it was Adam's turn to look stunned.

"I don't get it," said Sebastian. "Maybe there's trouble in paradise."

Adam shrugged, unsure of how much he should trust Sebastian.

"I'm on my way to see him now. I could ask him if he wants to see you."

"I'm not so sure he'd want to, but you can ask." Sebastian flashed a smile and held out his hand for Adam's phone.

Adam gave him a look and handed Sebastian his phone so he could put in his number. "This is only so I can text you after I ask Kurt. Understood?"

"Understood," said Sebastian, looking Adam up and down one more time. "Can't blame a guy for trying."

Adam rolled his eyes. "I'll let you know what he says." He turned his back on Sebastian and walked over to the cash register to pay for the stuffed animal.

Sebastian enjoyed the view until Adam left to find the elevator and go up to Kurt's new room.