Ok, big breath. Here is the last full chapter of this story. I hope it does the rest of the story justice. I will have a small epilogue after the chapter and then it's time to say goodbye to this story.

Please review.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Kurt was kept in hospital for a week and then he was allowed to come home, with strict instructions to rest. He would need to return in six weeks to have the cast removed and the doctor wanted him to come and see him in a couple of weeks to check his lungs and ribs. Burt had thought of closing the garage for the time being but he knew that they couldn't afford for him to do it. He had talked to Carole about his concern of Kurt being home alone but she had told him that between them and all of the kids, she doubted that Kurt would be alone all that often.

The day that Kurt arrived home, the entire glee club were waiting for him. As Burt turned the engine off, Finn led the group over to the driveway. Blaine had hopped out and walked around to Kurt's door. He opened the door and helped Kurt out of the car. He made sure that he was steady on his feet before stepping away from him but he kept his hand on the small of his back. The other kids walked over and stopped in front of him before they all started talking to him. They were welcoming him home, saying how glad they were that he was out of hospital.

Mercedes separated herself from the group and walked up to Kurt and wrapped her arms around him.

"Don't ever scare me like that again." She whispered in his ear.

Kurt wanted to point out that it wasn't his choice but he held his tongue and gave her a kiss on the cheek. As he made his way to the house, Blaine never left his side. Just as he hadn't left his side all week. He'd become a permanent fixture at the hospital. When Kurt had asked him about school, Blaine waved his concern off. He told him that he'd spoken to his dad who had spoken to the school. Wes and David had brought him their class notes every afternoon and his teachers had been setting work for him which he had been doing while Kurt slept.

When they got inside, Blaine and Burt made sure that Kurt was comfortable before sitting down. Quinn brought him some food and Britney handed him a drink. Then they both went to sit down. Quinn sat between Sam's outstretched legs and Britney settled herself on Artie's lap. He looked around the room at his friends. They were all sitting on the floor, making his lounge room look very small indeed. He then realised that they must all have taken the day off school as it was only midday. He was touched by their concern and yes, their love.

The kids stayed for the rest of the day, talking, singing and dancing while Kurt sat on the couch watching them all. It killed him that he couldn't join in. Finn had gotten Blaine up to sing earlier and he had sung a beautiful love ballad, never once taking his eyes off Kurt. When he had finished, they all clapped and the girls sighed. Kurt was swept away on a tidal wave of emotions that were crashing through him. Although he had this faint memory of Blaine singing another love song to him but he couldn't place where it had been.

Mr Shue arrived around four o'clock. He had come to visit Kurt at the same time every day. Burt offered him a drink and the two men went into the kitchen, leaving the kids alone. Although Burt came back in half an hour later to give Kurt his medicine. Thirty minutes after that, Principal Figgins knocked on the door. When he entered the house, he said hello to the kids and then asked Burt if he could speak to him privately, so he showed him into the kitchen and offered him a drink. Figgins declined the offer and waited until Burt had taken a seat.

"I have some news. As you are aware, the sentencing was today. Now, because they all plead guilty to the assault charges, the D.A decided not to charge them with a hate crime. Even though we all know why they attacked Kurt, the D.A said that he couldn't prove it in court. Anyway, all the boys were given twelve month sentences, to be served at the Juvenile Detention Centre and then they will have a further five years probation period."

Burt just sat there. It had all happened so fast. He dreaded to think what would have happened if Tina hadn't seen Kurt being hustled into that classroom.

"Please let Kurt know that when he's ready to come back to school, he will be safe. I promise you that."

Burt nodded his thanks and showed Figgins out. When he closed the door, he leant on it and closed his eyes. It was over. His son would be safe, at least for now. An hour later, just as Carole was arriving, all the kids and Mr Shue headed home. Finn told them that he would be back after he had dropped Rachel home. Carole patted his cheek and told him to drive carefully. After she'd kissed Burt hello, she went in to see Kurt. Kissing him on the cheek, she smiled at Blaine and squeezed his hand. Sitting down in the armchair, she talked to the boys about their day and she listened avidly to their responses. After half an hour, she stood up and went to prepare dinner.

As they ate dinner, Burt let them know what Figgins had told him about Azimio and the others. Finn, Blaine and Carole all said they should have been given longer sentences but Kurt was just happy that it was all over. All of a sudden Burt stood up and left the kitchen, only to return minutes later carrying an envelope. He handed it to Kurt, explaining that he found it in the letterbox the day after the beating. Kurt turned the letter over in his hands and decided to open it later.

After dinner, Kurt excused himself, telling the others that he was feeling tired and would be heading off to bed. Burt made sure that he took his medicine before he went downstairs. Blaine also excused himself and went downstairs with Kurt. When they reached the bed, Blaine helped Kurt remove his shirt and pants before helping him into his pyjamas and settling him in bed. He then walked around the bed and slid into the other side of the bed and he pulled Kurt into a cuddle. They lay that way for a while, not speaking, just enjoying being together. Eventually Blaine spoke.

"I've missed this. Being able to lay with you, to hold you."

"Me too, this is better than any medicine. Now, hand me that envelope will you."

Blaine carefully reached over, grabbed the envelope and handed it to Kurt who opened it and scanned the contents. Blaine grew very concerned when Kurt went white and started to shake.

"Kurt, what's wrong?"

"It's from Karofsky, the letter."

"Shit, what does that jerk want now?"

"I don't' know, I can't read it."

"Do you want me to read it for you?"

"Please."

Blaine picked up the letter, took a deep breath and started to read.

Kurt

Please don't throw this letter away without reading it. I know that this letter will only go a small way to making up for all that I have done to you. I can not excuse what I have done but I do wish to give you some explanation.

Firstly, let me say that you are all that I wish I could be. You know who you are and you are not afraid to let everyone know. It is something that I have always wanted to do but my circumstances are greatly different to yours. I have known for years that I am gay but due to my father's rabid homophobia I dared not let anyone know. My fear of my father and what he would do to me, made me fear everything. I had to work very hard to keep my true self hidden.

In my effort to do this, I have become a person that I no longer know or like. In part, that is why you have made such an impact in my life. In some ways, I was jealous. Jealous that you got to live your life the way you wanted to.

I am so very sorry for all that I have done to you. I am disgusted with myself. As I said, I am not making excuses but am only giving you an explanation. I hope to one day be able to apologise to you in person.

By the time you read this, I will be gone. I am leaving Lima and am going to live with my Aunt Josephine in New York but I hope to return one day. Please know that I am very sorry.

David.

When Blaine finished reading the letter, he folded the paper and looked at Kurt.

"He didn't know about the beating, did he?"

"No Kurt, I don't think he did."

Kurt sat and thought. He couldn't imagine having to live his life in secret. Hiding who he was. He now saw Karofsky from a whole new angle. He'd been so scared, just as Blaine had said. He looked at Blaine.

"You knew, somehow you knew."

"No, but I did suspect. I've seen it before. But, you know what? It's time to put this behind us and look to the future. To our future. I love you Kurt."

"I love you too Blaine."

And then they kissed. Together they could get through anything, as the past two weeks had proved. Kurt knew that his life with Blaine had just begun.