AN: HI EVERYBODY!

As promised, here is the next chapter. Thank you sooooo much for your patience! I'm stretched thin between stories but keeping my promise to update is important to me. So here's the next chapter! :)

Thank you to all my support and followers. :)

Here we finally learn more about Kurt and his life as it is now. It's not pretty but war scars can run deep.

Russian translation - 'nagyka' means 'whip'

ENJOY!

Please review. Please be kind

HAVE A NICE DAY!-ILOVESMESOMEGLEEx3x3

Chapter 21

As they walked towards Scarlet Towers, you could feel the tension in the air. Visitors went through one entrance. Employees were standing around, smoking or laughing. Stony-faced security guards either looked bored or unhappy. It was as if a great cloud hung over the place and Dave Jr. and Kevin didn't like it. When they got to the door, they were greeted with cold signs –

No weapons or sharp objects allowed

You must have a valid ID to enter

No food or drugs of any kind will be tolerated

If you are not allowed in, you will be escorted out

The place smelled of sterility and old hospitals. The walls were lined with '60s era bricks that were light blue and the floors were an ugly green tile. They approached the first security station where the cocky guard was checking out something on his cell phone. Behind him, a conveyor belt with computer scanners was moving other early morning visitors through.

Dave spoke up. "We're here to see-"

"Name?"

Dave blinked. "Who? Mine?"

The guard quickly got annoyed. "Yours!"

"David Karofsky."

"And yours?" he asked, looking at the other boy.

"Kevin Hargenson."

"IDs?" the guard asked with a severe sigh. The boys produced their state-issued identification cards and the guard coldly took them. He checked them with the proficiency of a notary public and handed them back.

"Now," he began, "who are you here to see?"

"Kurt Hummel." Dave said.

"Seems like he gets visitors every day. Any belongings on you?"

"No." Kevin answered. Dave looked at the guard oddly but didn't say anything.

"Then you can't come in."

"What?" the boys bewilderingly asked.

The guard looked them over and the dipped his head a little. "Just kidding. If you have any metal in your pockets, put them on this conveyor belt."

Dave glanced at Kevin and they were quickly annoyed. They took out their keys, cell phones, and anything else that might've been considered metal. They placed them in a basket and onto the conveyor belt.

"Walk through." The guard said. The boys started towards the metal detectors. "One at a time!"

Dave sighed and went first. Nothing happened. Then, Kevin came through. A little red light and buzzer went off.

"Stop!" the guard yelled. Immediately, he pulled out his metallic wand. "Spread your legs and arms."

Kevin's eyes went wide and Dave looked on helplessly. Meanwhile, the guard waved his metal-detecting device all over Kevin's body. There's a strange kind of violation when you go through this thing, but it's all in the name of security. Dave quickly looked at his surroundings and saw another visitor being wanded in the same way.

Finally, the guard was done. "Nothing. Do you take supplements?"

"Sometimes." Kevin meekly answered.

"Well, don't donate any blood!" the guard quipped and then laughed. He simply walked back to his station. Heavily annoyed, Kevin walked up to Dave and the two went towards the nurse's station. Dave inquired about the one they were looking for and the nurse on duty pointed them in the direction of room 222.

They had to take an elevator. It wobbled a little and the boys just looked at each other. Their surroundings were so unfamiliar and unforeseen that they didn't know to think or expect. Finally, the doors opened and they emerged on the second floor.

Patients milled about. Some were in wheelchairs and others talked to themselves. And still, a strange man just stared out into the Lima countryside, completely unaware of the boys' presence. As Dave and Kevin walked, they could see some residents strapped to the beds and other family members talking to them. Or, trying to.

And then, they came to room 222. The boys glanced at each other and approvingly nodded. The moment they waited for had finally arrived and their nerves were shot. Dave looked pensive and Kevin just looked scared. But when their eyes met, they were convinced they were doing the right thing. They even smiled at each other approvingly.

Then, they pushed open the door…

"Quinn!" Kevin exclaimed.

The boys advanced into the room only to be surprised to see Dave's grandma sitting there. She appeared to have a few bundles on her lap and she slowly stood up, looking at them.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"That's what I'd like to ask you!" Dave said.

"David! What ARE you-?"

"We thought," Kevin said, taking residence near the bed, "we could see…K-Kurt for ourselves. I…WE hope that's OK."

"Your grandpa wouldn't approve," Quinn warningly said, "but you're here now."

Dave glared at her. "Why are YOU here?"

"Because…" Quinn began, but stopped. She brushed some hair out of her eyes and looked up into his. "I've…secretly been coming here for years. Don'ttellyourgrandpa!"

"Grandma! Why didn't you tell me? And where is Kurt?"

"Well, I-" Quinn began but stopped. Just then, the doorknob began to turn. Whoever was on the other side of the door struggled a little with it. Dave and Kevin's heartrates shot skywards and they couldn't take their eyes off the door. Quinn merely watched as finally the knob turned all the way. Slowly, ever so slowly, the door opened…

Kurt emerged from the bathroom. The boys and Quinn stared at him as he walked out. Kurt's head was down as he stared at the doorknob of the bathroom door and then methodically closed it. His back was to them and every single nerve in the room was on fire. Dave felt Kevin's hand fall into his and the bigger boy nearly closed his eyes.

And then, Kurt turned around. The years had been relatively kind to him. He had a little pooch belly and his back was hunched a little. Kurt came to a stop when he saw two strangers in his room. But rather than get alarmed, he smiled. A tooth was missing yet that was still the 'Kurt Hummel' smile that Quinn fell in love with over forty years ago. Dave and Kurt merely stared at him and they could see that Kurt's eyes still sparkled that stunning azure blue.

"You're…" Dave began. "You're…Kurt."

"Yes." Kurt simply said. He slowly walked over to the bed and lied down. Kurt looked up at them and then over to Quinn. "It looks like we have visitors, cookie lady!"

Quinn looked at the boys and held up a tin of Hummel Cookies from Denmark. Dave painfully closed his eyes and felt Kevin's hand tighten in his own.

"So…you're Kurt?" Dave dumbly repeated.

"That's right. And you two fine, fine gentlemen are…?"

THAT snapped Dave out of his reverie and he could feel Kevin shiver a little.

"I'm Dave and this is Kevin."

Kurt smiled and held out his hand. "Well, it's nice to meet you two! I'm Kurt Hummel. This cookie lady and Dr. Smith both said I am, so I suppose I am!"

A short, gutteral sound escaped Dave's throat and Kevin let go of his hand. They stared at this man, this Vietnam vet, this…PERSON who had been the love of his grandpa's life and Dave didn't know what to do!

"Kurt?" Quinn asked, standing up. "Why don't you lie down for now?"

"Nonsense! I just got up. And besides, I have two fine young gentlemen in my room now." He looked up at them. And then, his eyes squinted a little. "But you, big boy… You look familiar."

Dave swallowed. "D-do I…?"

"Yeah! You look like…" Kurt put his finger to his chin and thought for a second. And then, he whipped his head up to Dave, flashing his still-golden smile. "Yogi Bear!"

Kevin and Quinn chuckled a little but Dave wasn't laughing at all.

"I'm…" Dave began, but stopped. He looked to Quinn for help.

"Kurt?" she said, advancing towards him, "this…this is Dave Karofsky. You're…"

And then Quinn stopped. Nobody knew what to do. Kurt goofily smiled at all of them and Kevin suddenly stepped forward."

"Hello Mr. Hummel!" Kevin brightly said, extending his hand. "I'm Kevin Hargenson. I'm a friend of Dave's!"

Kurt's smile widened and he took the proffered hand. "Well, hello there Kevin Hargson."

"That's Hargenson."

"Oh yes. Har-gen-son. I got it now. Thank you!"

"It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Hummel."

"Well, it's ALWAYS nice to meet a nice, young, handsome man like yourself."

Kevin kept his composure and Quinn and Dave merely watched.

"Well, um, thank you," Kevin started, clearing his throat. "I see that this…nice cookie lady has been coming to see you lately."

Quinn looked at Kevin curiously.

"Yes, she has!" Kurt enthusiastically said. "She says she…" And then, he stopped. Slowly, ever so slowly, he turned his head towards the big boy, the struggling one who was suddenly as lost as the sick man in the bed. "You just look…so darn…FAMILIAR!"

Abruptly, Kurt got on his knees and got right up in Dave's face! The bigger boy just stood there wide-eyed. Kurt merely studied him for a long moment before slowly sliding back onto the hospital bed. Having come to no conclusion, he lied back down and Quinn walked up to him.

"Here, Kurt." She said, offering him some water. "Breakfast was light today so we should probably keep you hydrated."

"Fuck, fuck, cocksucking, motherfucking, cocksucking commie bastards!"

"Kurt! Stay calm." Quinn said.

"COMMIE FUCKING BASTARDS!" Kurt roared, scratching his neck. "FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, COMMIE FUCKING BASTARDS DON'T YOU KILL MY DAVE I LOVE HIM FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK-!"

Dave and Kevin backed up and Quinn pressed the call button. Within a few seconds, nurses came in and restrained Kurt. The Vietnam vet was still yelling things that weren't really deciphered and Dave felt like his heart was breaking. Quinn acted like this was normal as a needle went into Kurt's arm. After a few seconds, Kurt subsided and that was it.

When the nurses left and Kurt was sleeping soundly, Quinn approached them. She did not look happy.

"You two. In the hall. Now."

She left. Dave and Kevin couldn't look at each other as they followed her. But Quinn acted like she knew exactly where she was going. She turned down the hall and rounded the corner of another, emerging in a waiting room of sorts. Ugly, multi-colored furniture were neatly organized and three-month old magazines were strewn around. The fluorescent lights above were harsh and Quinn merely sat down. Dave and Kevin came in and flanked her.

"Alright." Quinn began with an air of authority. "David? You will tell me why you're here."

"I think you should do the same!"

"Like I said, I've been coming here for years. Back when…"

Kevin leaned forward a little. "Please, Quinn. Please tell us…"

She looked at him a little dumbfounded. "My God…"

"What?" Kevin asked.

"You ARE like Kurt…was."

"So people have been telling me… But still. What's going on here?"

Quinn sighed. "Well, I suppose I should start at the beginning…" She straightened herself on the chair and tried to look at them as she spoke.

"Kurt was infected with Agent Orange."

"So was grandpa." Dave interrupted.

"But it doesn't always manifest in the same way. Did you see when Kurt…" she pursed her lips, "lost himself, he was scratching his neck?" Dave nodded. "And doesn't your grandpa sometimes do the same?" Dave thought for a second, but it was Kevin who answered.

"Yes! I have seen that!"

Quinn turned to him, her gray and blonde hair swinging a little. "Agent Orange does that. It also causes some liver concerns which pisses me off that your grandpa Karofsky still drinks." She made an ugly expression before returning to her softness. "But it also causes acne. SEVERE acne. Acne that feels like it's eating at your face and eating at your life…"

Dave blinked twice. That phrase. That phrase about eating stuck out in his mind. He'd heard it before but didn't remember. Instead, he gave his grandma the attention she deserved and she continued.

"Anyway, soon after your mom's three year birthday party…" Quinn began but then stopped. She touched her nose and struggled to continue. Kevin scooted closer and Dave bored eyes into her. She took that as strength and went on. "Kurt simply lost his mind."

"Lost his mind?" Dave asked.

"Yes." She turned to him. "Oh Davey. War is hell and Agent Orange tears your psyche apart sometimes. But Kurt's still in there sometimes. I know that he often refers to me as the 'cookie lady' and many days, that's all he can remember. Sometimes, Azimio comes with me and Kurt thinks he's just a big teddy bear." She darkly chuckled. And then, she grew quite serious. "And then…there are other times when Kurt comes back and everything I knew about him and your grandpa and their daughter…MY daughter…feels so…real."

"It is real…" Kevin whispered. He gently clasped her hand and she dropped her head. Dave automatically put his arm around his grandma and she wept. She cried the tears of losing someone without really losing them. The pain in your heart that swells and kills your psyche and forces you to hate wars and politics and anything that men think matter.

"This place…" Quinn began, changing subjects. "This place…wasn't like this when Kurt was…placed here."

"Placed here?" Dave asked.

"Kurt was committed."

Dave and Kevin's eyes widened.

"That's still legal?" Kevin asked.

"No. Not anymore. But back then, it was. And the Hummels were only looking out for Kurt. There was an…accident."

"What accident?" Dave asked.

"Oh Dave! I shouldn't have said anything. I shouldn't have-"

"Well, you did! And I need to know!"

She shrunk back from his harshness, only to hear Kevin's soft voice beside her. "Please Quinn. We know Kurt went through hell and we know you're right about him…don't we, Dave?" But the bigger boy didn't answer. "Anyway, WE do. And we know Kurt meant so, so much to you!" Quinn began to cry again. "And Kurt was loved and provided and was fascinating! And not only that, Kurt could become himself again-"

"We don't know that!" Quinn roared, standing up. She wiped her eyes and angrily looked at them. "You don't know what Kurt suffered! You don't know what your grandpa and I endured! We went through HELL WHEN KURT DIED TO US!"

And there it was. The admission that Dave's own grandpa used. That hateful word – 'died'. It was out and Quinn couldn't take it back. The boys stared up at her in total confusion.

"But he's right there!" Dave argued. "He's…!" And then, he stopped. Quinn finally looked at him with a firm compassion in her heart.

"That's right, Dave." She turned to the room's entrance and came to a stop, her back to them. Then, she softly said, "He might as well be dead…" She left. The boys were shocked into silence. They stared off after her, not knowing if she was returning to Kurt's room, or leaving, or crying, or anything. Finally, they looked at each other, serious expressions on their faces. They didn't exactly know what to do. As they stared, questions were psychically shared – should they go? Should they stay? Should they forget about Kurt? Should they ask Dave Sr. about everything?

Kevin blinked. Then, he stood up. "C'mon Dave. Let's go see Kurt one more time."

"W-why?" Dave mumbled.

"Because we still don't have all of the answers. And your grandma doesn't sound like she can give us anymore."

"She just gave us more questions… More problems…"

"I know." Kevin approached his boyfriend and touched his shaking shoulder. "But at least we might get more information about what's truly wrong with Kurt. And besides, even your grandma said Kurt is himself sometimes."

"That's…that's true, I suppose."

"That's the spirit, Dave. Let's go see him before we leave."

"OK."

Dave laboriously got up and the two left the ugly room, wishing they could leave the ugly truths behind. They walked down the hall back to Kurt's room and discovered Quinn was in there, giving him another cookie.

"Oh look!" Kurt exclaimed, mouth full. "It's those…" And then, he stopped. He struggled to swallow his cookie and then looked back up at his adopted grandson. "Damn! You look so familiar."

Dave tried to smile and pretty much accomplished that. Quinn was sitting in a nearby chair, her index finger resting on her head.

"Don't think," Quinn began, "that you're off the hook, Dave."

"Oh, now, cookie lady!" Kurt said. "You are normally so sweet but these two cute gentlemen in front of me can't be that bad!"

He scratched his acned throat and took a hearty bite of his cookie. But all too soon, Kurt started to choke.

"Oh, not again…" Quinn whined. She got up and poured some water in a plastic cup. The boys watched as Kurt downed some of the water. Quinn gently stroked Kurt's back, urging the delicious confection down his throat. Finally, he was able to swallow, just as he violently scratched his throat again. Quinn sighed and Dave just looked angry. But Kevin suddenly approached Kurt!

"It's so nice to finally meet you, Kurt. We've heard so much about you! And I know that this nice cookie lady and.." he smirked, "this cute boy beside me hope that you can come home some time." Quinn and Dave's eyes widened. "And besides-"

"Why would I leave?" Kurt asked. "I mean, I have a nice cookie lady, a teddy bear, and two fine, young gentlemen such as yourselves come…" And then, he looked at Dave again. Kurt's eyes suddenly widened, staring up at the big, Russian descent boy in front of him. "I know you!" Dave's eyes widened. "I DO know you! You're my…BOYFRIEND!"

Dave closed his eyes. "No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are! You're my big, stubborn Russian!"

Quinn, Kevin, and Dave Jr. all looked down. Nobody could speak. Nobody could move. The pain of seeing this once proud man reduced to a babbling cookie eater was just too much to bear and nobody could function. But Kurt was elated!

"You are! You are! I know you! I'm so glad that you came! And besides, we have to get Carrie ready for her two-year-old birthday party!"

Dave looked down. "That's…that's right, Kurt." Quinn and Kevin started crying. "That's right, Kurt. And you know I have to have a proper aparativ before the spanakopita gets served. And you make the best spanakopita I've ever…h-had…"

"That's right I do!" Kurt happily exclaimed. "What should we get Carrie for her birthday?"

Dave flashed his head quickly and looked up at him, feigning happiness. "I…well, I'll leave that up to you."

"OK! I'm sure she'd love an Andy Warhol painting or a…" Kurt stopped. He looked up and then became terrified. He saw Dave Jr. and Kevin and simply looked at them. That's when he turned and saw his friend of forty years.

"Quinn?" Kurt softly asked. She immediately got up and went up to him.

"Yes, Kurt?"

"Oh, I've missed you! But who are these two right here?"

Quinn burst into happy tears! She struggled to say, "This is your grandson, David Karofsky. And this is Dave's boyfriend, Kevin Hargenson."

"It's nice to meet you two, but…where's Dave?"

Hearts stopped beating. Quinn looked down and reached into her purse for a tissue. Dave and Kevin merely watched each other and just as Quinn was about to respond, Kurt yelled.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, orange, cocksucking, motherfucking, commie bastards!"

Quinn exploded in tears and ran from the room. Dave and Kevin followed just as hospital personnel passed them to give Kurt another shot.

.

They found Quinn down by the elevators. Her arms were folded over her belly and she was looking down. Dave was sure his grandma was crying but when they caught up to her, she turned and there were no tears. Instead, she just sadly looked up at him as Kevin carefully watched. That's when a fierce scowl adorned her face.

"You need to leave now." She said. "I'm SURE you STOLE your grandpa's truck to get here." A wry smile temporarily replaced the scowl. "And I'm staying with Kurt a little while longer."

"Why?" Dave whined. "He…doesn't know you…anymore-"

"Yes, he does! He's…in and out of himself but he's getting better."

"He is?" Dave AND Kevin chorused.

"Yes, he is. And who knows? He might be able to come home s-some day."

"How long has he been here?" Dave inquired.

"Well, lemme see…" Quinn looked off, doing the math in her head. "A long time. Decades."

"Decades?!"

"Yes, Dave. Decades. But he's getting older now and soon, he may transfer to a nursing home."

"Which one?" Kevin asked. He hoped what the answer would be.

"Probably one as close to Dave as possible."

That answer didn't satisfy him very much and he took a half step closer to her. "What IS this place?"

Quinn looked up into his adorable eyes and saw nothing but kindness and concern. She addressed him directly.

"It's sort of a mental hospital."

"A mental hospital?"

"Yeah…sort of. Think of it as a nursing home for people who are a danger to themselves or maybe others. In the past, it was a respected place where people came to get treatment…but often, never left."

"Why would you put him here?" Dave angrily asked.

"We had no choice, Dave! Kurt was committed to Scarlet Towers by the Allen County Municipal Court. He was deemed a danger and his family had him sent here. And when Dave couldn't…" She trailed off.

"What?" Dave softly asked, his anger pushed aside.

She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Kurt's family…didn't want your grandpa to visit."

"What?!"

"It was very rushed! Kurt was put here in a matter of days and...!" her voice dropped a little, "And gay couples were heavily frowned on then. Still are."

Dave and Kevin glanced at each other. An elderly, redheaded woman needed the elevator and Quinn pushed the button for her. They smiled at each other and Quinn ducked around her, so the woman could more easily get on.

"You're very pretty, dear." She said.

"Thank you." Quinn responded.

"I hope whoever you're here to see can go home soon. I know my Charlie doesn't like this place and wants to come home." Then, she sighed. "But I just don't know if that's possible."

"Well, I hope it happens."

Quinn and the woman stared at each other. Ordinarily, this would be when two women, who survived hell with their sick loved ones, would compassionately smile. But the reality of the situation bound them to silence as they knew what the REAL truth probably was.

The elevator dinged and soon the doors opened.

"Take care, dear." The woman said. "And remember. Life is never what we truly want, is it?"

Quinn was dumbfounded. The boys watched her go and as the doors slowly shut, the woman smiled.

"She has a point." Dave darkly said.

"Dave!" Kevin admonished.

"Well! I mean…Kurt's out of his mind, grandpa can't visit his…" He shook his head. "And I really have no idea why YOU still come and visit him, grandma."

"Because I love him, Dave." She sadly smiled. "That's what you do when life and love interfere. That's why I'll continue to see him…in secret. I loved him too."

Dave felt Kevin capture his hand and the bigger boy squeezed. Quinn watched them and actually felt envy. These boys, these innocent youths, could actually hold hands in public and no one could really stop them. It was a bittersweet moment for her as she watched them. It's not like Kurt and Dave Sr. ever really got the opportunity to do that in public.

"Alright," Quinn began with an air of authority. "You shouldn't come here again. And I REALLY think you should get that truck back to your grandpa's before he busts a gasket."

"Grandmaaaaa!"

"Oh, shut up. Now, do as I say. And if you don't get the truck back within the next fifteen minutes, I'll call your grandpa." Dave's eyes widened! "Yes, I will! And I'll tell him to prepare the Nagyka."

"The what?" Dave asked.

"You don't want to know, Dave. Now git. Git!" He stared at her wondrously. "Despite my outward appearance, I can go just as hick as you ornery Karofsky men. Go! Shoo!"

"Alright, alright…" Dave whined. And then his voice softened. "Are you sure you're gonna be OK here?"

She sighed. "When will you Karofsky boys learn that I'm not that fragile?"

"I know! It's just-"

"Go. Shoo. And Kevin? You're not in trouble as long as Dave gets the truck back very soon."

"Yes, ma'am!" Kevin happily said. "Don't worry about that."

Dave growled and pressed the button on the elevator. A few tense moments passed before the doors opened and the boys entered.

"Don't tell him you were here, Dave."

"I won't."

They smiled at each other and the doors shut. And as the elevator descended to the first floor, all Dave could think about was how his mother got hurt at her three-year old birthday party.

.

AN: I hope you all liked this. Let me know what you think. If you have questions let me know. I'll try to update as soon as I can. :) Have a nice day!-ILOVESMESOMEGLEEX3