A/N I will apologise now if the GPA for Blaine in this story is inaccurate, but I am British so I don't know exactly how the American system works.

This chapter I have written slightly differently, it's all from Kurt's perspective. The next chapter is all from Blaine's and so will include some of the scenes from this one, only you will see it from his perspective instead. So I hope you enjoy it. :D

Thank you for all the favourites, follows and reviews. They make me very happy.

I don't own Glee, the songs or the characters.

Chapter Twenty One

Kurt had persuaded Blaine to come to the Lima Bean with him one afternoon after Warbler practise was over, as he was going to meet some of his friends and he told Blaine that he couldn't be without him. Blaine had acquiesced quickly. Blaine never said no to him. He was perfect in that way.

The two boys sat down opposite Mercedes, Santana and Tina after getting their coffee order, when Mercedes asked Kurt why he hadn't asked about the New York trip that New Directions were taking to nationals.

"Is it too painful to ask about?" Tina asked sympathetically.

"Yes as a matter of fact, it is. However while you are all off preparing to perform at nationals, the Warblers are preparing to perform at a nursing home, in a strip mall, next to a national bank of all places. I'm really proud of you all." he responded bitterly and took a sip of his coffee. Kurt felt Blaine place his hand over his and give him a comforting gaze. Blaine understood that he really wanted to go back to McKinley and that it was eating him up inside not to be a part of the team.

"We miss you so much." Tina responded with so much heart and soul.

"Isn't there any way you could come back home?" Mercedes questioned Kurt, hope filling her voice.

"I told him I would support him in going back, but there is still the issue of Karofsky." Blaine filled in for Kurt. He always knows when I'm too upset to talk about something. I love him so much. I don't want to say goodbye to him.

"Wait, what did you just say about Karofsky?" Santana looked intensely towards Blaine as if she was having some sort of revelation.

"Kurt needs to feel safe at school and with Karofsky there that can't happen." Blaine calmly replied, but Kurt had had enough of the subject. Blaine may have been calm about everything that had happened, but it was still very much a sore point to Kurt. Maybe having beaten the crap out of him has let Blaine let go of some of his pent up feelings about Karofsky bullying me. And, through me, Blaine. Kurt would have to ask Blaine about it later when they were alone. That was if the boy would be willing to talk about it. He had seemed reticent to bring that subject up whenever Kurt had tried to after the night of the concert.

"Ok, can we please change subject." Kurt asked his boyfriend giving him a pleading look.

"I'm sorry sweetheart. Of course. What do you want to talk about?" Blaine asked. Kurt changed the topic to fashion. He had spotted a perfect new outfit in the mall the other day and really wanted to discuss whether to purchase the outfit or not.

Santana suddenly flew out of her chair, making Kurt jump back in his seat at the sudden movement. "I gotta gay. Go, go, I've gotta go." He sneaked a sideways glance at Blaine who looked like he was about to laugh at Santana's mistaken word she had just blurted out. Blaine had all but convinced Kurt that Santana was playing on the same team as the two boys since he had drunkenly told both he and Sam at Rachel's party a while back, and Santana's behaviour was highly suspicious in Kurt's mind. Taking one last look at the retreating form of Santana he decided that he was going to have to keep an eye on the girl to see what she was up to. In the meantime, he went back to his discussion of his potential new outfit.

Kurt had just come off the phone with his father. Principal Figgins had phoned to say that Dave wanted to discuss things with Kurt and apologise for what had happened between the two of them earlier that year. Kurt was ecstatic. He could return home shortly if everything went well. Back to his room, his friends, his school and most importantly his family. He would miss the friends that he had made at Dalton and would try and make a concerted effort to keep in touch with them, especially Nick and Jeff. Then, of course, there was Blaine. He would miss him terribly, but he needed to go back to McKinley. It was practically crying out for him to return. He felt like there was a part of him that was missing, and, until he went back to claim it, he would never be fully whole. He would still see Blaine as much as he could, it just wouldn't be every day as it had been at Dalton. He would however have to go and tell Blaine about this, which was probably going to be one of the hardest conversations he had had with his gorgeous guy so far. Even harder than the one about sex.

He padded down the corridors till he got to Blaine's and gave a tentative knock on the door before entering. Blaine was looking perplexed at his desk trying to complete homework of some kind. Kurt didn't know why he looked worried about it. He always got the highest grades possible, even without studying. He didn't know how Blaine did it with him taking nearly all AP classes, but he managed to keep a 4.85 grade point average. They all said that Jeff was the genius in Dalton and they were right to a degree, but Blaine was almost as smart as Jeff was, he just kept it well hidden from most people. He had always claimed that he was lucky and that he had studied to get the results he did, but Kurt knew better. It was like he managed to retain information after only having heard it once before from the teachers. His special guy was a genius in the disguise of a cute, musical loving, fashion conscious, glee star. He even helped Kurt out sometimes with his homework when Kurt knew that he could not possibly have been taught the things he had, and yet, Blaine seemed to know the answers anyway.

"Hey sweetie, what's wrong? You need help?" Kurt asked knowing full well the answer would be a resounding no.

"No, I just hate maths. It all jumbles into one after a while."

"Well take a break then and come talk to me. I have some news."

Blaine's face crumpled a little. It was as if he knew what was coming. But that's not possible, is it?

"Sure hon." Blaine took Kurt's outstretched hand and followed him to the bed.

"I just got a phone call from my dad to say that McKinley want to set up a meeting between mine and Karofsky's family as David wants to apologise for what he has done to me. So I'm just about to get going back to Lima."

Blaine was silent for a minute, looking down into his hands. He had his poker face on so Kurt had no idea what the dark haired boy was thinking. "If it goes well, does that mean you will transfer back to McKinley?"

"Yes it would. You know I love you, but I feel like a huge part of me is missing right now and I can only become whole again if I go back to where I belong."

"It's ok Kurt. You have to do what's right for you. I'll always be there for you no matter what." Kurt saw Blaine smile wanly at him. He could see the hurt buried deep within Blaine's liquid eyes that appeared to change colour as often as Kurt changed outfits. It distressed Kurt to see that Blaine was suffering at the thought of him leaving but he felt he had no choice. Kurt had not been able to fully be himself for a long time now and he craved the chance to become himself again once more.

His eyes filled with tears, he didn't want Blaine to hurt, only he didn't know any other way to make himself whole again. "I wish you could come with me. Then everything would be perfect." Who am I kidding, I'll never be able to have the perfect life.

"Oh honey. Come here." Blaine gave Kurt a tight squeeze, rubbing circles on his back with his right hand. "All I ask is that you stay safe, alright? That's all I ask. We don't know how genuine this apology is from Karofsky."

"I will. I'll phone you as soon as it's over to tell you how it's gone." With that Kurt stood up and gave Blaine a tender kiss goodbye, tasting the mint on his lips that he must not long since have eaten. Kurt poured everything into that kiss as he didn't know if that might be his last kiss with Blaine or not. He knew Blaine said that he would never leave him, but he wasn't sure if their relationship could cope being long distance.

Having arrived at McKinley he saw his father at the entrance talking to Finn about something. They both looked very deep in discussion but stopped short when they saw that Kurt was walking towards them.

"Hey kiddo. How are you? You didn't have any problems getting back?" Burt asked, concerned written across his face.

"No dad, everything was fine." Kurt rolled his eyes at Finn, who gave a little smirk at that. At least Finn and I have become proper brothers. I know he'll support me.

"Blaine alright?" His father questioned him further.

"He's great dad. He was doing his homework when I told him where I was going."

"Good, because you know it's gonna be hard on him if you do decide to transfer back here to McKinley."

"Yes dad, I know." When did dad become such a champion for Blaine? Oh well, at least I know he likes him.

"Well let's get inside then. Finn told me that the boy and his father are already here." Kurt nodded and his father put his arm around his shoulder as they walked into the school to go to the principals office. They arrived to find that David and his father were already there as Finn had suggested and also Mr Shue and Principal Figgins.

The usual handshakes and greetings were customarily given between the teachers and Burt, Kurt preferring to take a back seat and say as little as possible. He sat in the closest chair to the door for safety reasons and crossed his right leg over his left. He really had nothing to verbalise at this point in time. He wanted to know exactly what David wanted. He was sure he was up to something, but what, he was unsure of. Principal Figgins then went on to state that Karofsky wanted to apologise to Kurt for all the hurt that he has caused him over the school years and that he had changed a new leaf. Kurt look across to his father who visibly shook at this as his face grew to that of extreme anger. Kurt shrank in his chair. I hope Dad doesn't get ill because of this, I don't know what I would do if I lost him.

"You know, you talk a great game, all I'm sorry this, and I'll never do that again. All I'm hearing is talk. Talk isn't gonna keep Kurt safe now is it?" Burt angrily ranted towards David. Kurt tried not to smirk as the large boy grew smaller and smaller under Burt's death stare and his aggressive tone. He already had a blackened bruise covering his left eye and stretching down over his cheek, which appeared swollen somewhat. That was all Blaine's doing and Kurt, although he did not condone violence of any kind, was extremely satisfied that David Karofsky had gotten his just desserts.

Figgins intervened at this point, seeing that Burt was not letting anything slide and he needed to convince Mr Hummel that Karofsky really had changed for the better. "But the anti-bullying club that David's started will. The fact is, since the club began enforcing the no bullying rule, we haven't had one incident within the school. There has been no incidents of people shoved into lockers, no slushie facials, and no taking of anyone's lunch money."

"Yeah and if I took all the water out the ocean it wouldn't be wet any more." Burt replied sarcastically. Everyone in the room looked at him strangely. Seriously Dad, you are going with that analogy. I'm not sure how many people in McKinley even know what an analogy is. Burt sighed at the confusion his words had created, "The bullying stopped because your top offender stopped." He pointedly remarked. Kurt at this point was trying to keep a poker face on as he was vastly amused by his fathers impatience with the both the teachers and with David Karofsky and his father.

"Mr Hummel, can I call you Burt?" David's dad asked calmly. Kurt looked intently at David's father. He had seemed like a reasonable individual the last time they had met but that didn't necessarily mean a thing.

"Of course."

"You remember how understanding I was about this when it all began? I didn't come to David's defence, I believed your son when he told us that David threatened his life. That's because the David I was seeing wasn't the young man I knew. He wasn't the kid that was a cub scout, that was good at heart. I still don't know what was going through his mind when he started bullying Kurt but I can tell you that the David I'm seeing now is my son again. This is the real deal." Karofsky's father had calmly explained to Kurt's. Kurt looked towards his father. He seemed to be receptive to listening to his man. His words made some sort of sense to Kurt. David was just a very confused person and he was lashing out at Kurt because he was everything that Dave was scared of being himself.

"Do you have any idea how much stress this has caused my family? My son has had to leave his friends, make an entirely new set of friends in a school that is nearly two hours away, may I add, which means we only get to see him on weekends because he has to dorm there during the week. We haven't been able to be a proper family since this all began because it has taken my son away from me. My wife and I have been spending money we don't have on private school. This is all 'cause of your son." Burt relayed the consequences of Dave's actions out on the line. The Hudson Hummel family would never get those six months back of their lives and of their money.

"Burt, were you always so accepting of homosexuals? We're the same age, you and I. I remember what we used to say when we were younger. Now its taken us a long time to figure out that it was wrong to say those things, or even think them. Why can't you just allow David the couple of months that it's taken him to figure this all out." David's dad was trying to ask for Burt's kindness in allowing Dave a second chance. Kurt's lips tightened. Kurt was not impressed with this man's apologetic stance. A couple of months, try just over half a year.

"He told my son that he was going to kill him."

"I never meant those words though, it was just a figure of speech." Dave tried in vain to get Burt to understand that he had changed. Kurt was not convinced either, but he wanted so desperately to come back he would be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Kurt looked across to his father. He was still fuming, he could see it all over his face.

"The words you said still matter David." Mr Shue interjected on the Hummel's behalf.

"I know, I feel awful about saying them. Its not me not any more though, I swear."

"What do you think about all this Kurt?" Mr Shue turned to ask his former pupil.

What do I think. I think he's trying to cover his own ass, that's what I think. Someone else had found out he's gay and he is scared that it is going to come out if it looks like he's a homophobe. The question is who is it that's threatening to out him? Kurt decided to go with cautiously giving Dave the benefit of the doubt for now. He needed to get back to McKinley. "I believe he realises what he did to me was wrong."

"You're only saying that because you want to be back in this school so bad." Burt chided Kurt. As Kurt turned to give him a sharp look and he saw that Burt had a cautious look on his face. He was unsure of this boys sincerity as well as Kurt.

"Can Dave and I speak for a moment alone? You can wait right outside in the hall." Kurt asked the adults in the room. Figgins and Mr Shue got up immediately to let the two boys have time alone to settle their differences, along with David's dad. Burt, on the other hand, was very reluctant to leave. He gave his son a squeeze on his knee and indicated that he would be watching through the glass. Kurt could see Finn waiting to see what had happened in the corridor, anticipation growing in his jittery body.

Once they had all left the room and the doors were closed behind them Kurt whipped around to face the huge boy opposite him.

"Ok, what are you trying to play at here David?" Kurt decided not to beat around the bush. He was tired of playing games with this oversized jock. He knew he was hiding something it was just a matter of what.

Dave shook his head. "It was Santana's idea alright? She wants to be prom queen and she thought if she started this whole anti bullying thing up, with me no less, and get you back, then she would be a shoe in for the election."

"Wow, I am impressed with her latest scheme. She really is the devil in a red dress, isn't she? So why are you helping her?"

"So she won't out me ok? She found out and she's holding it over me." Karofsky sneered a little. "You know you could have done that, or your little hair gel friend. Why haven't you?"

"I don't believe in outing people and Blaine is the same." Well I don't know if that's true but I don't think Blaine would ever be that cruel to someone. Punch them yes, out them no. "You know if you are going to do this you should do it right and educate yourself about gay issues you know. So I propose that, if you don't want me to out you, we start up PFLAG at this school."

"A what?" Oh for the love of all that is sacred in my closet...

"Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays."

"Why don't you just paint a bullseye on my forehead. I think that would be kinder in the end." Kurt gave Karofsky an icy glare and the boy put his hands up in surrender.

"Fine, we'll do it your way." Karofsky had relented. Kurt's heart soared in his chest and he grinned manically towards his father. He was coming home at last.

Kurt was packing all his things in his room at Dalton to go back home. He would be transferring at noon tomorrow officially and couldn't wait. His heart was pounding at the thought of being back home in his large comfy bed with his things all around him. His father and brother downstairs watching sports and Carole in the kitchen cooking or in her and dad's room reading. All the small things that he had not been aware of till he moved to Dalton. Those were the things he missed the most. He would be back with his friends, in the bustling corridors of McKinley and the glee club that was a second home to him. His smile was permanently etched on his face. Dalton had been fun and the Warbler boys were all great but this had never felt like home to him.

Hearing a knock at the door, he twirled to face his door as it was being opened by Blaine with Nick and Jeff in tow.

"Kurtsie, do you have to leave? I'll miss you!" Jeff batted Blaine out the way and ran to Kurt, enveloping him. No one was more surprised at Jeff's actions than Kurt. His circulation was practically cut off.

"It's alright Jeff. We will still be friends. You can come see me and I'll come see you." Kurt was wriggling out of Jeff's arms at this point just so he could breathe again. Sensing Kurt's resistance, Jeff tightened his hold on Kurt. Kurt sighed in response, he was not getting out of this hold any time soon. I'll probably die from asphyxiation before he lets go.

"Promise?"

"Promise." Kurt replied limp in this boys arms. He felt a wash of sadness. Despite the fact that Jeff was ultra annoying most of the time, he was a lot of fun too. Kurt would miss that.

Nick joined in the hug at this point. "You better otherwise Jeff will hunt you down and he knows where you live." Oh jeez. He's gonna be around all the time...

"You'll be there too, right Nick?" Kurt asked, strained now and throwing 'help me' glances towards Blaine, who was just standing limply, looking mournful. Nick laughed at the comment, no one could cope with Jeff all alone apart from Nick, but that was the way Nick liked it.

"Wherever Jeff goes, I follow." Nick winked at Kurt and then started to pull Jeff off of Kurt, who was starting to turn an interesting shade of purple.

"Come on sweetie. Let's let the two lovers have their goodbye alone."

"Ok. Bye Kurtsie. I'll miss you." Jeff sniffed as Nick rubbed comfortingly up and down his boyfriends back.

"Bye Kurt." Nick added and led his wailing guy out Kurt's room, trying to comfort him along the way.

"Wow, that was, well, something, I guess." Kurt said, not really knowing how to describe Jeff's actions as he went over to Blaine to give him a peck on the lips. Blaine was looking dishearteningly towards the floor, his smile not reaching his eyes. A pang started in the pit of Kurt's stomach. This was not going to go well.

"Hey, we'll see each other all the time. You'll probably get sick of me." Kurt told his special guy as his heart lurched and churned inside. I'll never get to spend too much time with you. I love you Blaine so much. Kurt was trying to stay the strong one for Blaine and wrapped his arms gently around Blaine's waist pulling him closer. When he felt Blaine's warm hands on his waist, his smile widened once more. Just a simple touch from Blaine was enough for Kurt to know that the dark haired boy loved him.

"It won't ever be enough time. I just want to stay with you forever." Blaine buried his head into Kurt's shoulder, tears escaping the corners of his eyes, betraying his misery.

"I wish that could happen too, but it can't gorgeous. You're here and I'm going home. Where I belong. That doesn't mean we have to say goodbye though. I love you, I don't want to give you up. You are the best thing that's happened to me this whole year. You're the best thing that ever happened to me." Kurt murmured the words into Blaine's ear trying desperately not to let any tears fall. I wish I could pack Blaine in my suitcase with all my things and take him with me.

"Kurt, kiss me." Blaine's head moved till he was facing Kurt's, only inches away. Kurt stomach lurched with a great heave, bittersweet yet also nervously in anticipation of being close to Blaine.

"I think I can manage that." Kurt smiled warmly to his lover. His heart ached and yet pounded at the same time as he lowered his lips gently onto his Blaine's. Kurt had wanted the kiss to be a sweet, romantic kiss of 'au revoir' but Blaine had other ideas. He pushed Kurt's mouth open with his tongue and grabbed the back of Kurt's head, thrusting his tongue into Kurt's mouth and letting out a groan at the taste of sweetness that was Kurt. Kurt decided not to push Blaine away but give him what he needed. Blaine was going to be the one left behind after all. Their romantic kiss turned quickly into a heated kiss full of raw passion, their tongues fighting each others for supremacy. Blaine's other hand skirted around Kurt's waist and pulled him closer. Kurt, sensing that Blaine wanted more then just the kiss, pushed Blaine back, both hands on his chest. Kurt was not feeling remotely sexual right now and he knew that Blaine was upset rather then lustful. One day Blaine, I will give you all of me, but that day is not today. Kurt stroked Blaine's cheek with his right hand and kissed him once more on the tip of his nose.

"I love you Blaine. I always will. Till the end of time." the tears were freely falling down Blaine's face and Kurt's stomach lurched, making him feel slightly nauseous and a stabbing pain entered his heart. He couldn't stand seeing Blaine this way, so clearly unhappy when his leaving Blaine's side would make him so much happier.

"I love you too." Blaine cried to Kurt through his tears. The two boys stood holding each other, not letting go in fear that if they were to let go, one of them would be carried away, never to be seen again.

Burt and Finn had just stepped into Kurt's room ready to pick some of his things up when they saw that he and Blaine were hugging each other as if they were the last two people left on Earth.

"Kurt, buddy, we need to get going." Burt gently put his hand on Kurt's shoulder so as not to startle the boy, when Kurt turned his head and gave a small nod.

"I need to pack my things in the car now. So I'll call you and maybe see you at the weekend?" Kurt stated to Blaine, trying to keep upbeat as Blaine looked so miserable at the thought of Kurt leaving him. How can I leave him like this? This is breaking my heart...

Finn, Kurt had noticed, had not sensed anything out of the ordinary and was picking up a box ready to take down to the car.

"Come on Kurt, I wanna get back so I can play multi player with a new game the guys and I have got."

"Ok, Finn. Jeez." Kurt bit back irritated at his brothers lack of emotional awareness. He rolled his eyes at Blaine, who he saw had his lips curled up at the edges of his mouth, which made Kurt smile broadly. Looks like everything might just turn out alright after all. Kurt's heart was still aching dully, but he didn't feel the stabbing pains to his chest or breathlessness that he had felt beforehand. He would be able to do this, he could get by with seeing Blaine only two or three times a week. He knew it would be hard but that didn't mean it wasn't worth the commitment or the challenge.

All four quickly packed the two cars. Kurt, before getting into his car to drive back to Lima gave Blaine one more small hug and gentle kiss.

"I'll call you when I get back."

"I love you Kurt."

"I love you too." Kurt, with a heavy heart slid into his navigator and drove away from Dalton and Blaine. He did not look back, if he had he wasn't sure he would have been able to leave.

Standing outside McKinley high school Kurt felt a lift in his heart for the first time since last night when he left Blaine. Although he had slept soundly his heart still felt very heavy. His being home and the feeling of being where he belonged helped to life some of the weight. Mercedes, who he had spoken to on the phone last night in great excitement, was going to announce his return before he could make his grand entrance, top hat and all as this was a special occasion.

When he flourishingly announced to his friends that he was back and received a lot of hugs from both the boys and the girls, Mercedes told them that there was a reason why they were meeting in the quad of all places. The Warblers wanted to say goodbye. Looking up Kurt saw his special guy flanked by David and Wes.

"Kurt, the Warblers really wanted to say goodbye to you. I know I'll still see you but some of these guys might not."

"You promised you'd still come see me Kurt!" Jeff called out, eliciting laughter within the crowd that were watching. Kurt wriggled as it was rather embarrassing to have this much attention put upon him.

"I said some Jeff." Blaine called back, annoyance lacing his tone. "Anyway, as I said, we Warblers wanted to say good bye to you with a song."

Blaine started singing Keane's 'Somewhere Only We Know' with the Warblers and Kurt felt as if his heart might burst out of his chest it hurt so much. He didn't think it would be this hard to leave the Warblers behind, but he had grown close to some of them during his time at Dalton. Enough that it hurt that he wouldn't see them as regularly as before. Is this how Blaine feels about being in a different school to his best friend. I never thought about it before. It must be hard to know that you won't see each other all the time.

Kurt hugged each and every Warbler when they came past to say goodbye, with extended hugs for Jeff and Nick who were his closest friends. Then at the end, seeing a devastated Blaine before him caused tears to flow down his face and he flew into his lovers arms sobbing noisily.

"I'll never say good bye to you." Kurt said, telling Blaine that he, for one, would never give up on their love no matter where they both were.

"I'll never stop loving you Kurt. Never." Blaine replied, he was giving Kurt an almost bone crushing hug but Kurt did not care. It was his Blaine. His one and only. He would never let go of that.

"Come on Blaine, we have to get back to Dalton." Wes stated to the younger boy compassionately. Kurt was grateful to Wes and all the Warblers. They would take good care of Blaine. Just as his friends would take good care of him. He watched the Warblers leave till Blaine, standing at the top turned and mouthed 'I love you' to him before departing. Kurt had never felt this pain before. The lump in his throat was indescribably huge as his New Directions friends took a hold of him and gave him a group hug. Kurt however was still looking at where Blaine had been before he left, wishing for his return.

It had been a couple of days since Kurt's transfer back to McKinley and it felt as if he had never left. The group were all standing on stage listening to Mr Shue's little 'love yourself' speech before they were to perform 'Born This Way'.

However, what none of the club noticed was the shadow watching them from the back of the auditorium...