Chapter 4

A/N: Again, thank you so much for the reviews! I'm just going to warn you now that I'll be starting to add my own things to the story from now on. So if you see something that you don't recognize from the film, it's intentional. Please review if you have the time!

After Ty's speech, Kurt had kept his word and they had a boys' night in, with Ty soon falling into a deep comfortable sleep. The next morning, Kurt had brought him to work and left him with his friend Tina to look after in the relative calm of the staff area. He promised that he would be back to check on him every hour. Ty's shyness had emerged again, leaving him unable to really speak to Kurt's colleagues, shrinking into his own shell. Kurt couldn't help blaming himself for allowing this to happen, for not having anyone else to look after Ty properly.

On top of this, he had received a phone call early this morning that had unnerved him thoroughly. He couldn't remember feeling so put out in quite a while. Mercedes seemed to sense this, as they met to start their rounds. After a few minutes of silence, she spoke up. 'Damn Kurt, would you quit moping? You're no fun to be around today!'

Kurt sighed, pushing his supply trolley in front of him. 'Whatever. Today has not been a good day for Kurt Hummel, and it's not even half way through.'

Mercedes' look softened as she took in the stress and tension in Kurt's appearance.

'White boy, what's going on in that pretty little head of yours? I don't think you just happened to get out on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Am I right?'

Kurt nodded. 'I- I got a phone call this morning,' he said hesitantly. 'It was from the Warren Correctional Institution.'

Her mouth dropped open in shock. 'About what?'

'They said – It's not important. Forget I said anything.'

Mercedes grabbed his arm, causing him to flinch involuntarily. She released him quickly. 'Kurt honey, it's obviously not nothing. The last time you flinched when anyone touched you was a few years ago now. Please talk to me! It's not healthy to shut people out.'

Kurt closed his eyes, breathing deeply. 'Sorry Mercy, I'm just a bit on edge. They said that he wants me to visit. Apparently they're considering letting him out soon for his good behaviour. They think it might be good to see him before he gets out. You know, reconciliation and everything.'

Mercedes pulled him into a tight hug. 'I'm so sorry boo. But don't do anything you don't want to. He lost you, and he doesn't get to worm his way back into your life. You've moved on with Ty. And if he comes near you, I'll cut him.'

She felt Kurt relax and let out a watery chuckle on hearing that. 'You certainly have my permission to do so,' he said while he moved out of the hug, quickly wiping away a few stray tears that had fallen onto his cheeks. 'I know I've gotten over it. I guess it was just so unexpected. It shocked me and I didn't know how to react.'

Mercedes looked at him affectionately. 'You're safe boo.'

He gave her a genuine smile. 'I know. I'm happy here. But I don't want to dwell on this now, it isn't worth my time and attention. Now let's get back to work and go sort out the mess Mr. St. James has undoubtedly left us.'

No sooner had the words left his mouth, than the man in question appeared around the corner in front of them and began to walk in their direction. A flash of recognition was apparent in Jesse's eyes.

'You're the maid that helped me yesterday aren't you?' he asked, surveying Kurt closely.

'I'm not actually a m-' Kurt broke off when Jesse raised an eyebrow. He nodded mutely.

'I need you to do me another favour. I have an outfit left up in the wardrobe that simply does not work for me. It's too tight. I need you to return it for me. The receipt is pinned onto it.' Without waiting for an answer, he stalked off, leaving the two cleaners in the middle of the hall. 'Asshole,' Mercedes muttered while they headed towards Jesse's room. They chatted idly until they had the door unlocked and then she headed straight to the wardrobe.

'Hot damn!' Mercedes exclaimed when she had located the outfit. 'Kurt take a look at this!' she said as she removed it from the wardrobe and laid it reverently on the bed.

Kurt took a look at it and gasped. He nearly passed out when he saw the price tag. 'Mercedes,' he whispered. 'This costs more than my god damn apartment!'

Mercedes looked at him. She then looked at the outfit, and back to him again, an eyebrow cocked. Kurt realized what she was thinking, and his eyes widened in horror. 'No, Mercedes! Are you insane?' he hissed. 'It's not even mine, I can't go and try on someone else's clothes!'

She shrugged at him and started taking them off the hanger. 'Kurt he's bringing them back to the shop anyway, where's the harm in seeing if they fit?'

Kurt spluttered, trying to form a coherent sentence on why this was wrong on so many levels. In retaliation, Mercedes sent him a fierce glare and he shut up quickly.

A few minutes later he emerged from the bathroom, practically glowing. 'Oh Kurt. It's gorgeous.'

He couldn't help grinning. 'This is almost like what I used to wear back in high school. Except classier. And more expensive. God, how could he give such a fabulous outfit away?' He found a full-length mirror in the bathroom and admired himself in it. The tight black trousers accentuated his long thin legs, while still looking elegant. The dark button up shirt fitted snugly into his chest and arms, showing off his lithe body. To finish it off, there was a tight grey waistcoat, a grey bow tie and an impossibly soft beige scarf. On anyone else it might have looked mediocre. On Kurt it looked stunning.

His admiration for the outfit was interrupted when he suddenly saw his son's reflection in the mirror. 'Ty!' he turned to him worriedly. 'Are you okay, has something happened? How did you find me in here?'

'I asked Tina where you went. Dad, I met a man in an elevator and he said I could go with him to give his dog a walk if you said yes. Please, can I go?'

The air in Kurt's lungs completely left him on hearing his son's words. He lunged forward and grabbed his son by his shoulders. 'Ty! What have I told you about talking to strangers? What were you doing wandering around the hotel by yourself?'

'But daddy, he's –'

'No buts! Anything could have happened to you! What would I have done if you hadn't come back! Please, never ever do that again!' Kurt had buried his face in his son's shoulder at this point. 'Where has this man gone?'

'He's right here,' said a deep voice from the door. Kurt was too busy hugging his son close to him to look up at the man properly.

'I didn't mean to overhear your conversation. I swear I'm not some weird, disturbed creep. My name's –'

Kurt looked up and Blaine (for it was he) was unable to continue his introduction as he looked into Kurt's face for the first time. Words caught in his throat.

Kurt recognized the handsome face straight away, and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. 'Blaine Anderson,' he breathed.