Author's Note:

Injuries! Shutting up and letting you get on with it...

Don't know anything, don't know anyone, and certainly don't own anything. (I wish though!) Please feel free to review with constructive criticism, etc.

11 - Dislocated


The scream caused them all to turn. Coach Beiste flew down the steps taking them two at a time as Dan sprang over the rail, touching it with only his hands as he threw his feet out to the side and cleared it completely. They both literally hit the ground running as the parents took a split second to register whose child had screamed. Dan and Beiste were already wading through the teens to reach Blaine as Mrs. Anderson finally registered that it was he who screamed and began running for them.

"Give us some room guys," Beiste said reaching him.

Blaine lay on his back clutching at his left shoulder, moaning with tears in his eyes. His left shoulder was contorted and looked abnormally pushed forward.

"Oh my God," Sam said. He instantly recognized the dislocation since he'd had the same thing happen to him during the football season.

"It's going to be okay," Beiste said. She carefully checked Blaine over and once she was satisfied that his injuries were limited to his shoulder she said, "Danny, can you help me sit him up?"

Dan crouched down behind him and carefully helped him to sit up. Beiste felt of the shoulder causing Blaine to cry out once more. Mrs. Anderson held her hand to her mouth as Kurt stood staring with his lower lip quivering.

"It's going to be okay Blaine," the coach said. "Just hold on for me. Danny, can you hold him?"

Dan nodded and wrapped his arms diagonally around Blaine, bracing Blaine's back against his chest. Blaine groaned as Beiste manipulated his shoulder and then screamed as she gave it a slight twist with a not so gentle shove and it slipped back into place with a pop.

Dan looked up at Kurt. "Kurt, can you go grab his shirt?" Kurt just stood there staring blankly at Blaine. Dan looked over at Dave who was standing behind Kurt.

"Come on Kurt," Dave said grabbing his arm. "Let's go get his shirt." Kurt turned and went with him.

"I'll drive," Dan said.

"No, I don't wanna..." Blaine said.

"You need x-rays kid," Beiste said.

"I'm getting my keys," Dan said. "Sam, Finn can you guys help get him into the van? It'll be open by the time you get there."

They both nodded and began helping Blaine up as Dave and Kurt got back with his shirt. They helped slide the shirt onto his uninjured arm and just draped the other side over the injured one then led him toward the van.

Dan ran up the steps and into the house. The lights on the van blinked and the side doors started opening before he even reemerged. As he exited the door, he turned to the other parents. "Guys look, he really had his heart set on this, please, the food is all still in there, the charcoal is already on the grate. Please, stay and enjoy and we'll be back as soon as we can." They all gave him a compassionate smile as he turned to Burt. "I guess Kurt's coming with?"

Burt nodded. "It's not like he'll do any better here."

"Here, she's going to need this," Carole said handing Dan Mrs. Anderson's purse.

Dan nodded. He dashed down the steps, meeting Beiste at the bottom. "Please do what you can to keep the party going." She nodded at him and he ran for the van.

Blaine was inside and Dave helped Kurt around and into the other seat as Mrs. Andersen climbed into the front passenger seat. Finn fastened the seatbelt around Blaine as Sam said, "They'll get you all fixed up. I dislocated my shoulder toward the beginning of the season last year. It hurts like hell right now but you're gonna be fine, okay?" Blaine nodded.

"Thanks guys," Dan said as he approached them. He hit the button on his keychain and the rear doors began to close. Once he got to them, he stopped momentarily. "Hey, guys, check on those Warbler guys. They don't look like they're taking it well."

They looked over at Jeff who was running his fingers through his blonde hair looking extremely shaken as Nick and Jon both tried to console him.

"Will do, Mr. D," Finn said as Dan climbed into the car handing Mrs. Anderson her purse. She thanked him as he started it and backed down the driveway.


"Well what do we do guys?" Burt said to the others.

"Well I think between the three of us we can manage the grill," Paul said. "Actually, you're from Tennessee, Max, you should know plenty about barbeque."

"I can hold my own with a grill," Max said, as the three headed down the steps to the patio. "That boy of yours plans a nice shindig Burt."

"Planned our entire wedding, even taught Finn and I how to dance," Burt said proudly.

"The rest of you ladies want any more of Dan's great sweet tea or lemonade?" Carole asked grabbing the two pitchers and bringing them back the table.

"I'm in for tea," said Julie. "I don't know where he got those recipes, but they're both delicious.

"You can definitely tell he has southern roots," Anne said.

"He does?" Carole asked. "I thought his parents lived out near Westerville, in Delaware I think."

"Oh, yeah, they do," Anne, said. "He went to high school in Georgia though; his mom is from here, but his dad's originally from Georgia. His dad was in the military and they were down there when Dan graduated and started college. He went to the University of Georgia to get his degree. We found it funny because we're originally from Chattanooga, right across the state line from Georgia. Max went to Georgia Tech in Atlanta and them and UGA are old rivals."

The ladies all looked over as the grill made a "whoosh" noise as it lit.

"Honey, please don't burn the man's house down," Julie yelled down to her husband as three men stared at the flames.

"Come on now," Paul, said, "You've got two engineers and a master mechanic down here, what could go wrong?" Dave looked over at his father. "Oh, go take care of your boyfriend young man!"

"As long as you're sure you don't need someone to standby with a fire extinguisher," Dave said fighting his laughter.

"Boyfriend now!" Paul yelled waving an extra long spatula in Dave's direction. Dave raised his hands in surrender and jogged over to join Sam with the two youngsters. "I never in all my years ever imagined I would ever use that phrase."

"You're telling us?" Burt said. "How are you holding up since finding out?"

"It's taking some getting used to, but Sam's a good kid so I think David chose pretty well," Paul said. "How are you dealing Max?"

"Well I've had a year to let it sink in," Max said.

"I thought they both just came out this year," Burt said.

"Sam did just tell us," Max said, "but he actually had a sorta kinda boyfriend at the school he was in before we moved here. Anne and I just kind of figured it out from little clues here and there."

"It was really that easy to tell them?" Julie asked Anne as she sat her cup back on the table.

"Well, yeah, kids just have a better time dealing with it than adults do," Anne said. "No preconceptions, so they just accept easier. They love Dave anyway so it was really no big deal. You've got a great young man there, Julie."

"Thank you," Julie said. "I was beginning to wonder last year. I should have known that something was wrong, Davey's never been violent and what he was doing to Kurt just wasn't like him. It didn't make any sense at all ... until the truth finally came out. I still can't believe we let it get that bad for him. Paul's dad and uncle are just ... well there's no word to use in polite company.

"I'm just glad that Dan's so quick on the uptake, and that he has such a great relationship with his brother. I still can't believe that Davey felt so alone that he felt he needed to sneak off as far as Dayton just to try and find somewhere that he could feel comfortable. Oh I don't even know what he was thinking."

"Oh Julie, he's a great guy," Anne said. "I have that on good authority; both Stevie and Stacy think so. You just have to raise them right and hope for the best."

"I still can't believe that Paul ended up as sane as he did considering his family," Julie said. "I can definitely say that of all the Karofsky men, I got the absolute best two."

"I'll drink to that!" Carole said raising her glass of tea. Anne and Julie both joined in the toast with a smile.

"Uh, oh! They're making toasts up there," Max, said.

"Let's just hope Puckerman didn't help make them," Burt said. "What is it? Oh yeah, Long Island Iced Tea."

"They'd never do that," Paul said.

"Let me know how you feel after you find a hung-over Sam in Dave's bed," Burt said.

"What?" Paul exclaimed.

Burt nodded. "I walk upstairs on a Sunday morning, talking to Kurt as usual. Walk into his room and see him on the bed face down ... with his clothes on. Odd, but hey it could happen ... not likely given his love of fashion, but hey ... anyway, I digress. I said something else and Kurt answers, only his voice comes from his bathroom, not the bed. Blaine pops his head up and says something like, 'What, where am I?' I'm thinking, 'You're definitely in the wrong damn place son!' I tell you had the boy not had all his clothes on I probably would have had my second heart attack then and there."

The other two fathers burst out laughing.

"Hey, I'm trying," Burt, said. "I mean his mom and I knew when he asked for a pair of sensible heels when he was three." The others smiled. "I just wish we'd have talked more about it then. She was always better at that kind of stuff, but we thought we had plenty of time before we had to worry about it. I didn't know then that I'd be doing eight years solo."

They both gave him compassionate looks.

"I can only imagine how hard it was, and is, for you Burt," Max said. "I mean our guys may be gay, but they're still the masculine, jock types. Not that there's anything wrong with Kurt being a little more ... flashy, he's still a great kid. I just imagine it's a little harder for you to understand him."

"Yeah," Burt said. "I mean I've never really thought about it that way, but you're right. I do keep trying, but some of the stuff he comes up with ... I just don't get. I mean I try ... hard, but I just don't get it. I'm so glad that him and Carole are getting along, and now that he's with Blaine, he has people that he can relate to."

"So how's it going with the four of you in the new house?" Julie asked.

"Great," Carole said. "It's been interesting. Having Kurt around is kind of like having both another son and a daughter. I mean, I was used to Finn and all of his 'guy stuff': can't quite manage to hit the hamper, though he does try, bless his heart; gangly growth spurts; girlfriend drama ... pregnancy scare. At least we won't have to worry about that one with Kurt and Blaine." The other ladies laughed. "Kurt's almost a breath of fresh air, most of the time. He's definitely cleaner than Finn is, and if you ever need fashion advice or party planning, he's your guy."

"I think the best part is that Burt and I have been able to trade out a lot of the issues we had to deal with. He's been great with Finn, they talk football and cars and everything, and he even finally taught Finn how to shave without requiring a roll of toilet tissue when he was done." The other ladies giggled. "I get to talk fashion and decorating with Kurt. Burt tried his best to understand it all; they still do Sunday morning breakfast together every week. Well almost every week, Blaine is starting to get a little bit more of his time, but that gives us a little break and gives us some catch up time."

The other ladies laughed.


"You guys still with me?" Dan said as they left the subdivision.

"You're going to be okay. You're going to be okay," Kurt kept repeating.

"Kurt," Blaine said. He waited for Kurt to actually stop and look at him. "I'm going to be okay."

Kurt finally looked Blaine in the eyes. They were red, but the tears were gone. He was obviously still in pain, but something in his gaze told Kurt that everything was going to be fine.

"Sorry," Kurt said. "I was freaking out wasn't I?"

"I would be too if it were you," Blaine told him. "But I'm okay, or at least I will be. It's just dislocated, so we just need to let them ... relocate it and I'll be fine." He smiled through the pain.

Kurt rolled his eyes then took a deep breath, consciously deciding that he needed to be strong, hold it together and get Blaine through this.

Mrs. Anderson smiled at the two of them before reaching back to take Kurt's hand. "You're doing great Kurt," she said. "I'd hold your hand too Blaine, but I don't think you want to move that one."

He shook his head.


"We're here," Dan said pulling into the Emergency Room entrance. "I'll let you guys out at the doors, and then go park and join you. Go ahead and get him checked in."

As Dan pulled up to the doors, Kurt quickly jumped out and came around to help Blaine out. Mrs. Anderson quickly followed them inside as Dan pulled around to the parking lot.

Once Dan made his way inside he saw the other three heading for the waiting area. "All signed in?" he asked.

"They took his name and what was wrong and just told us to have a seat," Kurt said frowning as he sat down beside Blaine.

Dan took a seat across from them. "They'll call him in a little bit."

"Why not now, he's in pain," Kurt said.

"It's basic triage," Dan said. "They'll take people who are bleeding or having problems breathing and the like first."

Kurt huffed. "I'm sorry baby, are you alright?"

Blaine nodded, but he was looking a little pale.

"Blaine, are you sure you're okay?" Dan asked. He nodded again. "Can you say it?" There was a marked change from his demeanor in the car; something just struck Dan as not right.

"I'm okay," Blaine said shakily.

"Kurt, trade seats with me," Dan said.

"But..." Kurt started.

"Please," Dan said. Kurt complied rather unhappily. Dan leaned close to Blaine's ear. "This is one of those times that you just need to talk to me, even if you're not sure what to say," Dan said quietly. "You don't look okay."

"I'm just kind of nauseous," Blaine said.

"Is it the pain?" Dan asked.

"I'm not sure," Blaine said.

"Do you need us to get you something just in case?"

"No, it's just a queasy feeling. At least we hadn't eaten yet." Blaine tried to manage a chuckle but it just kind of trailed off.

"Then just look at Kurt and think soothing, pain free thoughts," Dan said.

Blaine gave him at least half a smile.

Eventually they called his name and all four of them stood up.

"Are you going to be able to make it on your own?" Dan asked.

"I'm not sure, I'm feeling a little unsteady," Blaine said.

"Kurt, why don't you stay here for right now," Mrs. Anderson said.

"It's okay Kurt," Dan said. "It's rather tight in there, besides, they usually just check vitals and history and stuff this first trip back, we'll probably be back out here before they send him back to actually do anything."

Kurt didn't look pleased, but he understood what Dan meant so he agreed to stay.

"I promise, I'll trade out with you when we get him back to the treatment area," Dan said.

Kurt smiled and nodded then sat back down.

Dan leaned down and Blaine placed his good arm around his neck as they followed the nurse back to the triage area.

The nurse began taking Blaine's vital signs and asking him what had happened and how much it hurt.

"One to ten?" Blaine said. "Probably about a seven or an eight right now, but it was more like a fifteen or twenty when it first happened."

Another lady came in and asked for his ID and medical insurance information.

"I don't even know if I still have any," Blaine said looking at Dan as he took his wallet out and handed it to him. "He might have cancelled it."

His mother made a sound akin to a harrumph. "He'll damn well keep your insurance active or I'll make sure that yours and mine are both written into the divorce decree!" She handed the lady his medical card as Dan handed her his ID, then started filling out the other paperwork.

Blaine's eyes grew wide as he stared at her.

"Well, you're blood pressure is a little higher than I'd like," the nurse said as the machine chimed.

"Can't imagine why," Dan mumbled, gaining a small chuckle from Blaine.

"I think we have a bed open, let me just check and we'll take you on back," the nurse said.

"I'll go get Kurt," Dan said.

Mrs. Anderson caught his arm. "I'd really like him to come back here too, but since you're the one he's living with now, I'd really prefer that you be back here to know what they say and how to care for him." Dan nodded. "I'll switch with him once we get him back to a room."

Blaine smiled over at her.

"Okay, here we go, if you could just follow me," the nurse said.

Blaine's breathing got heavier as he went further back into the ER. Dan could actually feel him tremble as he helped to guide him down the hall.

A siren wailed as it pulled up outside then stopped. The nurse they were following stopped as the doors burst open and the ambulance crew brought someone in on a stretcher in front of them and wheeled them across the ER into a waiting trauma room. She then beckoned them to follow her again.

Dan felt Blaine tense as he pulled on his shoulder for balance and thought he could hear him groan.

"Is the pain getting worse?" Dan asked him.

"No, not really."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah ... I'm fine."

Once they reached the room, Dan helped him onto the bed and helped him prop up on some pillows. Blaine was visibly shaking now. He began to grimace.

"Blaine, how's the pain now?" Dan asked.

"About ... a ... ten," Blaine managed out through gritted teeth. He was tensing all of his limbs and looked almost as if all of his muscles were cramping up on him.

His mother was almost in tears as she stood wringing her hands at the drastic change in his state.

Dan reached over and began to rub his back. Noticing how extremely tense Blaine was, Dan walked over to his mother. "When was the last time he was at the hospital?" he asked quietly.

She looked at him with a pained expression.

He arched an eyebrow. "Ninth grade?" he whispered.

Her eyes grew wide as she nodded.

"Go get Kurt," he said softly, and then walked back over to Blaine.

"Blaine, everything is going to be alright," Dan said softly. "You just need to relax, okay. Can you do that for me?" He gently rubbed his back.

Blaine was in tears as he trembled. "It ... hurts."

"I know, just hold on for me. Take slow, deep breaths and just try to relax."

Mrs. Anderson returned with Kurt. His eyes grew wide as he saw Blaine; he was almost in tears as well.

"Kurt, it's just some bumps in the road," Dan said, staring at him as he nodded him over to the opposite side of the bed. He continued gently rubbing Blaine's back as he started at Kurt until he made eye contact. "This is just like, a little turbulence."

Kurt gave him a bewildered look as he stressed the last word.

Dan raised his eyebrows and nodded toward Blaine.

Kurt's eyes grew wide and he nodded. "Blaine, baby, it's okay." He gently grasped the side of Blaine's face tilting it toward him then leaned down and kissed him.

Blaine's eyes fluttered open in surprise then closed again as he gradually relaxed into the kiss.

Dan sighed as he felt the tension leave Blaine's back. He looked over at Mrs. Anderson who stared at them in confusion and amazement.

A nurse walked in, and seeing the three visitors in the room, she told them that they shouldn't all be back there. Dan said that he'd be more than happy to step out for a while.

"We usually prefer the parents to stay rather than the siblings," she told them.

"Well then that's fine, because I'm neither," Dan said following her out the door.

"It's okay Blaine," Kurt said quietly before tenderly kissing him again.

"Oh they're some of those," Dan heard the nurse say as they both walked out and she pulled the door closed partway.

He stopped. "Excuse me?" he asked pulling the door the rest of the way closed.

"Please?"

"They're some of ... what?" Dan asked.

"Well ... they're together," she said. "I mean I don't have a problem with those people, but they don't really need to be advertising it in public like that."

"Those people," Dan said nodding. "That's okay, you just go ahead and take care of your next patient, and I'll have a word..." He smiled at her politely.

She nodded and walked off.

Dan watched her as she walked down the hall...


End note:

Oh man ... another one? [evil grin]

There is still that theory that reviews speed up postings; do you think it's true?