A/N: Thanks for all the reviews again! This is by far one of my favorite series I have right now. Forgive me if I'm not updating quite as often as I could be, I'm crazy busy between work and school. I hope you enjoy this chapter there was some extensive editing going on this so I'm hoping it came out the way I wanted it to. Please enjoy and remember to review, it keeps me going!

Chapter Four –

They took the ferry from the Liberty Park. Kurt paid for them both since Dave had been rather sly in paying for breakfast this morning. "So how is it you've lived here for fifteen years and have never come to see them up close?"

"Oh stop judging," joked Dave. "I just didn't really have the time, honestly, between getting caught up with school and then working such odd hours. It never really struck me as something to do. And I didn't want to go alone. I've seen them from afar obviously."

"I'll be honest, I probably made Blaine take me every couple years. I love these two places, especially Ellis Island. My great grandparents came over here from German. She and her mother were sent away by her father to keep them from being forced into a concentration camp."

"That's incredible, I don't know that sorta stuff about my family, never really asked though."

"Dad told me when I was little. I always had this fascination with love stories, and Dad was pretty proud of our heritage. Once I was old enough he told me about all of it. My favorite part of Ellis Island is searching for the family names. It's very cool."

When they arrived, the whole building looked very Roman with its large spires. "It's beautiful." Dave stared up in awe.

"People used to say they knew they were coming to a land of opportunity. My great grandmother said she cried when he saw Lady Liberty the first time. It is rather overwhelming."

They stepped inside. The first thing in front of them was a pile of luggage that spanned the entire length of nearly the whole room, big luggage, old luggage, small all shapes and sizes were piled several feet high and several feet long. "Wow."

Kurt smiled as they wandered around the building, looking at all the pictures. "This is amazing that all these people came through these doors. Can you imagine being one of them?"

"They must have been terrified."

"Or relieved. My dad once told me that when everyone arrived, they had to have a check-up. If they didn't pass, they had to be quarantined for a period of time." Kurt stopped by a little computer. "Type your last name in."

Dave smiled and quickly typed it in. He was surprised to find a Dafyd Karofsky in the system. "This place is really cool. I can't believe I never made it here."

Kurt looked back up at the building and nodded. "You ready to head to the Statue of Liberty?"

"Sure." They made their way back outside to wait for the next ferry. "Can I ask a personal question?" Dave asked.

"I guess, as long as it's okay to not answer."

"You said he just asked for a divorce? Did he even talk to you about it?"

Kurt paused, considering his next words. Two years ago he'd have blamed everything on Blaine. But that wasn't fair and despite that they didn't get along as well as he'd hoped, they still cared deeply for one another. "It wasn't entirely his fault, as I mentioned. And we did try to make things work, and they did work for the first eight years. We had a kid to try and make it better, but instead we only succeeded in hurting him too. Things got really bad right after Blaine lost a huge case about three years ago. A rapist and killer was somehow proven innocent and walked out a free man. Three weeks later another girl around five was killed. It destroyed Blaine. He started drinking." Kurt closed his eyes recollecting the final weeks and months of his marriage. "It all went downhill from there, rather rapidly I might add."

"I'm really sorry, Kurt. You deserved to be happy."

Kurt gave him a rueful smile. "Apparently the universe didn't get the memo." He shrugged, "Anyway, so now Blaine lives in Boston, and I'm left to raise our son while Blaine tries to work out his issues and I work out mine."

"Shit."

"Yeah," Kurt murmured as his eyes stared straight ahead. He wasn't going to show weakness. He'd been through that. He wasn't the same man he used to be and he wasn't a child anymore. He was tired of everyone seeing him as fragile. Kurt was surprised when he felt a hand on his shoulder. When he looked into the eyes of Dave Karofsky it felt like he was really seeing him, seeing someone he'd only seen once so many years ago, the boy who had cried in front of him for the briefest of moments. He was seeing the real man David, Dave to his friends. Not Karofsky. "Thank you," Kurt murmured, he hadn't told anyone the whole story, aside from his father. It felt good to really discuss it.

Dave didn't remove his hand. He kept it there, warming Kurt's shoulder. For the first time in two years, Kurt was beginning to feel like maybe he could get out of the dark pit he'd been buried in. "The ferry is here," Dave spoke, his voice soft.

They got on board and rode towards the Statue of Liberty. Dave looked up, unable to take his eyes off her. "She's beautiful."

Kurt nodded, deciding at that moment, whether with David or someone else, he was going to give whatever this was a shot. He was tired of feeling beaten and dragged down, and he was tired of feeling alone. "I can see why people fell in love with our country," Dave said as they stepped off onto the island.

To Kurt's surprise, Dave didn't seem in any hurry to relinquish his grip. They walked around the pedestal for a few minutes. "Do you want to see if we can go up to the pedestal? It's not prime tour season, so we might be able to get in quicker?"

Dave grinned, "Sure."

The security guards confirmed that there was only one tour of about twelve people up there now, and agreed to let the two men go up. They hadn't brought much with them so the security check points were quick and easy. They went up to the base of her feet and looked around. "You can see almost all of New York." Dave stared in wonder.

"I love this city."

Kurt leaned against the wall of the pedestal, looking out over the water. "Why peanut butter?"

"Huh?" Dave felt like an idiot as soon as the word came out of his mouth.

Kurt glanced at him. "Why does Ellie only want to eat peanut butter?"

"She and her mom had just gotten into an argument I guess about the type of sandwich she could have, they didn't have a whole lot of time before they had to leave and Anne had made a peanut butter sandwich because it was quick. I guess Ella threw a temper tantrum over it. A friend of mine is a child psychologist, and she thinks it's El's way of coping, doing something to retain those memories of her mother."

"She seems like a good kid, Dave."

"She is." He shrugged and took up the same stance as Kurt, leaning against the wall. "It's a little odd. I've known Ellie since the day she was born. I always knew it was a lot of work for Anne and Steve, but I never realized just how difficult being a parent is. She didn't use to be this shy, back when her folks were alive. She was always so bubbly and cute. She smiled at everyone. I picked her up once from the nursery when she was really little, and all the caretakers could say was what a beautiful smile she had."

"My dad was positive that after my mother died I'd never smile again." Kurt looked over at Dave. "It takes time to heal from that, for you and her both. Just treat her like you normally would. You can't lessen the impact, but you can help the pain. It'll heal over time."

"I can't help but feel like she got a raw deal. She's only seven and already her life is disappointing," Dave replied.

Kurt laid his hand on Dave's forearm, gently rubbing his thumb in small circles. He stared back out at the sea, neither one meeting the other's eyes. "I don't think it's disappointing at all. She learned tragedy early on, but it doesn't mean she can't still be happy. That you can't still be happy."

Dave considered Kurt's words for a moment. before he looked over at the nurse. "What about you?"

"What about me?" Kurt chuckled, scooting forward slightly as a tourist move past them.

"When are you going to let yourself be happy again?"

Kurt scoffed at that for a moment. "I am happy."

"Really?"

Kurt didn't look at him, not quite willing to meet his eyes yet. "No. I keep thinking Chris needs a proper father. Plenty of people can raise a child as a single parent, but I don't know if I can. I love him, but we're so different."

"He adores you."

"Doesn't matter. My father struggled sometimes to raise me. He did an amazing job, but I watched him and could just see how much he wished my mother was around. Happiness is a dream."

"I think it's attainable."

Kurt finally met Dave's eyes. They held a look Kurt wasn't quite sure what to call, It didn't feel or look like pity, but it wasn't love or lust. "I wish I knew how to be happy."

Dave moved a little closer, knocking his shoulder against Kurt's. "Stop trying so damn hard," he grinned as Kurt laughed. "Let it work out itself. You've spent the past two years trying to fix your life, and you've done well. It's time to move on. Your son is happy right now, at least a majority of the time, and I think it's time to focus on you being happy to."

"And how do you suggest I do that?" Kurt quirked an eyebrow.

Dave looked at him and studied his every facial feature. "Can I kiss you?"

"Why are you asking?"

"Because last time I didn't, and I don't want a repeat."

Kurt swallowed a little before he leaned forward and he met Dave's lips. It wasn't violent like the kiss had been in high school, and it wasn't hesitant like Blaine's had been. It was a simple kiss, but it felt like a door was opened. Kurt pulled back he looked at Dave, grinning. "Was that a good first step?"

Dave laughed out loud. He threw an arm around Kurt's shoulders and pulled him close, hugging him for a moment before they relaxed back against the pedestal. "I think it's the start of something good," Dave replied.

o0o

They headed back to Dave's house after a little more walking, Kurt considered Dave as they moved across the water on the ferry. He'd never really thought Dave would make a good boyfriend, but he found himself willing to give it a shot. Dave was right that Kurt hadn't focused on himself at all in the past two years. He had spent far too much time getting down on himself. Maybe it was time to find out if there was such a thing as romance and happiness again.

Dave opened the door to his house and looked at Kurt. "I had a great time." That sounded cliché, but Dave had meant it.

"Me too. We'll have to have another adventure the next time you're off for the day."

"Sounds great." Dave leaned in, thankful when Kurt did the same, and their lips met in another kiss. "You have my number now so you call me anytime."

"I will." With one last kiss, Kurt headed to his car, driving off.

Dave smiled as he closed the door, closing his eyes. Fifteen years ago he'd been desperate to show Kurt this side of him, to tell him what he really felt. He'd been so terrified. Now all he could think about was that Kurt was willing to give him a second chance and that he was willing to test the waters. Dave didn't know if they'd end up being anything more than friends, but he was praying they would end up being much more.

Kurt wasn't thinking much differently. He'd been nervous seeing Dave at the picnic yesterday. Now he was thrilled. His and Blaine's split had been messy, but they'd been apart for two years now. Blaine hadn't waited very long to move away or to move on, and Kurt hadn't stopped him, but it had been two years since he'd really been with anyone. He was sure some people would suggest that even two years was too quick, but he remembered Noah telling him to get back up on the horse soon. Maybe Dave was just what he needed to do that.

He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Stopping at the red light, he pulled it out and smiled at the sight of Nancy's name on the screen. "My favorite sister-in-law."

"I'm your only one, goofy. How's it going?"

"Well… better than I expected."

"Dear brother, is that a smile I detect in your voice. Did you meet a boy?"

Kurt rolled his eyes. "I'm thirty, Nancy. Could you make me sound less like a pedophile?"

She sniggered on the other side. "Sorry. So tell me now before your brother gets home and demands to hear too! You know me, I love having the juicy gossip before everyone else."

"Where is Finn?" Kurt questioned as he glanced in both directions before moving into the intersection.

"He's at the shop with your dad, finishing a few things up."

Kurt smiled. Finn had become partners in ownership of the auto shop to help Burt out. He worked there a little on the weekends and during the summer too. It helped Kurt feel that his father was safe, not that he didn't trust the men his dad had hired. He did, but Finn was just extra security, and it gave Finn a little extra money when he wasn't teaching. "I may have met someone, yes."

"And?"

"Nance, it's been less than one day. Give me a break. For right now I'm just enjoying the company of someone other than my seven-year-old son."

"I know that feeling. You never told me that having a kid would take up all my time!"

"Sorry," Kurt laughed. They both loved being parents, but who were they if they couldn't complain about the difficulties of being a parent once in a while? "So is that the only reason you called? Your gossip senses tingled?"

"No, actually Finn and I are trying to plan a little vacation. I know it's the school year now, so it'll only be a long weekend, but any chance you want to take Laura for a little while? It wouldn't be until around the beginning of next year, but it would be a huge help."

"Nancy, you know I'm happy to take her, but I don't really understand why you want to come all the way out here to give me a baby for four days when you have her grandma and grandpa right there? Not to mention a perfectly willing younger sibling who enjoys the money."

"Well, your mom and dad have apparently decided it's time to celebrate their semi-retirement once your sister is out of high school. They're already talking about taking a vacation at the end of the school year. And Finn and I have recently been discussing possibly moving at some point… so we really wouldn't be that out of the way since we'd be moving to New Jersey."

"Wait… what?" Kurt's eyebrows shot up. "Finn wants to leave Carole and Dad?"

"No, but he wants more of a challenge, and he's been offered the opportunity to be a Head football coach and gym teacher at the beginning of next year in a school in Jersey, and he wants to come check it out. And while he loves his job as the coach at McKinley he wants to consider leaving Ohio, plus this is a private school and they're more well known for their arts too, so he can work with the Glee Club as well and know that his football players won't give him issues."

"Why hasn't he told me any of this!"

"Because I wanted to surprise you, jerk," Finn's voice came on over the phone.

Kurt smiled, "That's fantastic! Are you going to take it? It would be amazing having you around here. Don't get me wrong. I like knowing Mom and Dad have someone down there, but yeah, if you are going to get a better job that would be great, Finn!"

"I'm glad you think so. I'm pretty excited about it. Truth is I've been scoping it out for about a year now or so, and this was one of the first schools to get back to me. They just lost their Glee club and football teacher, and since I have a history of both they are interested, they also mentioned that there may be opportunity for growth in the position, which obviously there isn't here at McKinley.

"Well I'm very proud of you!" Kurt sighed as he headed into his apartment. "I'll be happy to take Laura for you. Just let me know when. What are Mom and Dad's thoughts?"

"I haven't actually told them yet. They knew I was looking, and we all knew it was a possibility it would take me farther away, but they have each other and Alex it'll be okay. And Mom has mentioned a couple times that Dad wouldn't mind being closer to you. So who knows? We could all be up there within a few years."

"That's great, Finn. I'm so excited for you."

"We're pretty excited too. Listen, I've got to go. Nancy's making dinner and Laura is fussing. I'll talk to you later?"

"I'd say."

"Okay. Later, Kurt."

"Bye, Finn." Kurt smiled. He couldn't help but feel like maybe things were starting to look up. While he did have Noah and he had his son, Kurt longed for his family again but knew he could never return to Ohio. He could visit, but living there was out of the question. He belonged here in on the east coast.

o0o

"So you're friend Kurt seems cool," Jim commented that night as they drove down the road in the ambulance. It wasn't unusual for most of the fireman to have a second job as an EMS. When Dave had come onto the team, Jim had offered him the opportunity to ride in the ambulance for a nice as back up, and Dave had loved it.

"Pull into the McDonalds. I'm in the mood for ice cream," Dave replied.

Jim pulled into the parking lot and put the window down in the drive-through, quickly ordering a McFlurry and an ice cream cone for himself. He paid for both and then handed Dave the McFlurry. "You dating him?"

Dave rolled his eyes as he ate his McFlurry. "I fail to see how that's any of your business."

"So you're screwing him."

"Dude." Dave looked at him. "I respect your wife and you're private relationship. Shut up and respect mine."

"Sorry," Jim mumbled as he licked his cone. "Seriously though, you two looked like deer in headlights or something when you saw each other. What was that about?"

"You don't give up do you?"

Jim huffed, acting offended. "Look, Davey, I'm your best friend. You were my best man at my wedding. For god's sakes, you're the godfather of my kids. I'm honestly not trying to pry. I just want to make sure you're cool, he's cool, and that everyone's cool."

"We're cool," Dave huffed, pausing he decided it was best to explain now than later. "If I tell you, promise to not act like a douche?"

"Uh, no. But I promise to be a better friend."

"We knew each other in high school."

"Like knew how? Boyfriends, sex buddies…enemies?"

"The later, more specifically… I tortured him. I was a bully."

Jim screwed up his face in surprise. "Dude, you don't really seem like a bully type. I mean, sure I've seen you push around some really stupid people but bullying?"

"Yeah, well a lot's changed since then, man, but back in high school I was a closet case. I didn't know who I was and I lived in a small city, so if one person knew you were a gay… everyone knew. I didn't want that to happen."

"Because of your old man?"

"That and some other stuff."

Jim nodded. "I'm assuming Kurt was not, however, a closet case?"

"No, though I must admit he's become more subtle with age. No, he used to wear these outfits… It's like he wanted attention or something. My friends, or at least who I thought were friends back then, used to torture him. We threw him in dumpsters. I slammed him into lockers daily and all sorts of shit. Hell, a couple of the guys threw pee balloons at him and nailed his lawn furniture to his roof."

"Shit." Jim paused, "Not the same day… right?"

"No," Dave replied, thankful that Jim was taking it all in stride. "We were terrible to him. We abused him day in and day out, did all sorts of stuff—anything that made him want to leave the school."

"So what changed? I mean obviously something had to because he didn't run for the hills when he saw your face. God knows if you'd done that shit to me, I'd have either killed you or ran."

"One day, our junior year, shortly after he met this other annoying gay kid, he decided to fight back. He's lucky I really was a closet case who just had it bad for him and not some killer. I threw his phone and slammed him into a locker, hard enough to leave bruises, and he chased after me into the boys locker room. We argued. Both of us called each other names until finally he'd spewed so much of his own hatred about how ignorant I was that I kissed him."

Jim was silent. He just looked over at Dave, his eyes wide. "Dude, you were fucked up."

"I know."

"What happened then?"

Dave sighed, "I tried to kiss him again, but he pushed me away so I ran out. I threatened to kill him a few days later and he changed schools. But the damage was already done. I was so hurt and terrified by what I'd done that I couldn't get over it, and not having him at school was killing me. So towards the end of the year, I gave him a formal apology in front of our parents and the principal. Kurt returned to school, and I started trying to protect him instead. A girl and me—Santana, you've met her—created this group called the Bully Whips to stop bullying. It worked too, not just for Kurt but for everyone. Then we went to prom, Kurt brought his…boyfriend, and I was with Santana as my beard. It was all going great… until I was named Prom King."

"Dude, that's awesome."

"No, it wasn't because Kurt was named Prom Queen. He ran for it, terrified out of his mind, I imagine, and humiliated."

"Did he come back?"

Dave smiled, "He was so strong, even then. He was always this strong guy. It's no wonder he lasted as long as he did with his spirit. Yeah he came back in, took his scepter and crown, said 'eat your heart out Kate Middleton' and offered to even dance with me."

"But you didn't do it."

"No, I was too afraid. By then I had it so deeply ingrained that I was wrong, he was wrong, and that we'd be killed if I came out. I couldn't. And I was so in love with him that I couldn't get him to see past the stupid boyfriend."

"Wow… You really have changed. That doesn't seem like you at all." Jim paused, "I am sorry for making fun of you. Are you dating him?"

"I don't know yet. We walked for a long time last night. Then we went to breakfast this morning and went to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I hope we're dating because it's pretty fun."

Jim chuckled, "He seems good for you, Dave. I'd like to see you happy, and I'm sure Steve would too if he were here."

"I wish he was."

Jim reached over and gripped Dave's shoulder. "I know. I'll try and make it better."

"You always have, Jim."