CHAPTER SEVEN

"Let the other team take over for a while, Kurt," Rae said. "You've been working in there practically all by yourself for almost two hours now. Let Mackie and Grace get the others out."

Kurt wasn't going to argue with that. He'd been worried when Blaine had lost consciousness as they were moving him, but the boy was awake again now, as Kurt cleaned his cuts and scratches and bandaged them.

"I feel embarrassed," Blaine said.

"Why?"

"I fainted. That's just so…"

"What? Girly?"

"I was going to say cliche, but girly works, too."

Kurt laughed softly. "Don't worry about it. You'd be surprised by the number of grown men I've seen this past year who fainted at the sight of blood or needles. At least you have a legitimate excuse. Pain really sucks, believe me, I know from recent experience myself."

"You were in an accident?" Blaine asked, making Kurt's pulse race a little at the look of concern the other boy was giving him.

"I fractured my wrist and dislocated my shoulder in an explosion a few weeks ago. Part of the roof collapsed on me, knocking me unconscious."

"Being knocked out and fainting aren't the same," Blaine argued.

Kurt shrugged. "They both make you vulnerable," he replied.

Blaine didn't look convinced, and winced as Kurt cleaned a particularly deep scratch.

"Sorry," Kurt said, trying to be more gentle. "This one might actually need stitches. We'll get you into the next ambulance when it gets here. You and Thad can ride in together."

"Will you ride in with m...us?"

Kurt didn't miss the little slip up, and smiled. Blaine wanted him to stay with him. "Sure, I'll ride in with you if there is room. Is there someone you want me to call to meet you at the hospital? Parents? Girlfriend? Boyfriend?"

Blaine smiled up at him. "You could call my mom. I don't have a boyfriend," he emphasized, and Kurt smiled wider.

"Me either."

…

"Did you get his phone number?" Rae asked later that night as they were preparing to end their shift at the station.

Kurt frowned. "No. When we got to the ER, he was surrounded by a bunch of boys in blazers, and then a woman whom I assume was his mother came and shooed everyone away."

"Well that sucks. Did you at least find out his last name?"

"Anderson, or at least that is what one of the boys called the woman, Mrs. Anderson."

Rae grinned at him. "Well, you know his name and where he goes to school. It shouldn't be too hard to track him down."

Kurt just nodded.

Rae noticed his lack of enthusiasm. "Why aren't you more excited? That boy was really into you."

Kurt finished buttoning his shirt, and sighed. "Did you see those boys? I swear the one boy was wearing a Patek watch. And Mrs. Anderson was wearing real diamonds, and the dress suit she was wearing was a Siriano."

"So?" Rae said, confused.

"Rae, no mechanic's son can afford a Patek watch, and that dress suit costs more than my dad earns in a year."

"I still don't understand what that has to do with anything."

Kurt sighed again. "What would a guy who comes from that kind of money want with me? I have nothing to offer him."

"Kurt, I don't think he cared about that. He really seemed to like you."

"Hero worship, that's all. I'm just a novelty, someone who happened to be at the right place at the right time. Once he realizes I'm nothing special, he'll get bored and look for someone more exciting."

Rae shook her head. "I know you didn't spend much time with him, so how do you know that's the kind of guy he is? And it's not like you have to marry him or anything. Go out for coffee with him at least. Get to know him, let him know you. Maybe nothing comes out of it, maybe you get a friend, maybe even a boyfriend. You can't just give up without trying."

Kurt just shrugged and picked up his bag, heading to his car without another word.

…

"What's wrong?" Trent asked Monday at lunch. Blaine had gone home with his parents after being released from the hospital Saturday night, and had only returned to Dalton that morning, and had been moping since. Now the curly haired boy sat in the cafeteria picking at his lasagna, but not really eating it. "Still in pain?"

Blaine shook his head. "Not really, although the stitches itch a little. How's your shoulder?"

"Sore. We were all really lucky. Nick's broken arm was probably the worst injury. Thad will be out for another day or two, and David will have to wear a brace and sling for the next couple of weeks, but other than scratches and bruises, no one else was seriously hurt, not even the driver."

"That's good. Do you know if they caught the guy in the Pontiac?"

Trent shook his head. "I haven't heard, but they did catch the guy in the Mustang. It was in the newspaper yesterday. There was even a picture of that cute EMT cleaning you up."

"Really?" Blaine said, sounding eager.

"Ahh, so that explains it."

"What?"

"You like him. Did he turn you down?"

Blaine sighed. "I don't know. He seemed interested, and we were getting along fine in the ambulance, but we got separated at the hospital, and I didn't see him after that. I didn't even get a chance to get his number, or his last name."

"Hummel."

"Huh?"

"The newspaper identified him as Kurt Hummel, volunteer firefighter/EMT from Lima."

Blaine was out of his seat at once, lunch completely forgotten.

"Where are you going?" Trent called out, but Blaine didn't answer. Not that he really needed to. Trent had a feeling he knew what his friend was up to.

…

"Hey Kurt, long time no see!" Danny called out as he entered the garage. The only way Kurt had been able to convince Burt to stay home and rest was if Kurt promised to stop in and do the books once a week until Burt was well enough to do it on his own again.

"Been kind of busy," Kurt answered with a shrug.

"Yeah, running all over town playing Superman," Danny teased. His dad's assistant manager was a few years older than Burt, and talked with a Brooklyn accent, even though the man had never set foot outside of Ohio. "By the way, some guy came by yesterday asking for you."

Kurt frowned as he set his bag on his dad's desk in the office. "What did they want?"

Danny shrugged. "Don't know. He seemed awfully disappointed you weren't here."

"Did you get his name?"

"No, but I'm pretty sure it's the same guy who left a voicemail for you." The older man nodded towards the phone. Kurt picked it up and dialed into the answering service, and opened the voicemail.

Hey Kurt! Oh geez, I hope this is the correct number. If not, just delete this now.

Um...thanks for being my hero? I mean, yeah, um...I'm not the best with this, lol. I just really wanted to thank you and really would have loved to in person because I missed you at the hospital and...I mean I didn't get a chance to at the hospital. That didn't come out right, did it? I don't really have a lot of time because my friends, the other Warblers will be missing me and Wes will have my head if I'm late. So um...maybe come see Dalton some time? Yeah, I'll stop rambling now, lol. Bye Angel!

Oh! This is Blaine Warbler! Bye!

Kurt couldn't help the smile that spread across his face as the voicemail clicked off. Blaine sounded absolutely adorkable when he was flustered. And it really kind of sounded like the other boy wanted to see him again. Kurt frowned, though, when he realized the other boy hadn't left his phone number. And had the other boy called him Angel? He resisted the urge to listen to the message again.

…

Blaine was mentally kicking himself the next day. Why hadn't he left his phone number? Stupid Blaine!

"You're picking at your food again," Trent noted. "Things not going well with your hero?"

Blaine shrugged. "I left a voicemail, but forgot to leave my phone number. And I'm not even sure it was the correct number I called!"

Trent was frowning now as well. "Hummel isn't a very common surname in this state. How many numbers could there be?"

"One, but it was for Hummel Tire and Lube, so either I embarrassed myself on some business' voicemail, or Hummel isn't his last name."

Trent just shook his head and sighed, as a freshman approached them. "Blaine, there is a message for you in the office."

Blaine thanked the younger boy, and stood, wondering what the message was. He could only think it was from his parents. His dad was going out of town on business this week. Perhaps there was something he'd forgotten to tell Blaine about before he left.

He smiled at the receptionist as he entered the office. "You have a message for me?"

The receptionist smiled back. "Yes, Mr. Anderson, it just came in." She passed him an envelope, his name written in elegant script on it. Curious, he opened it. The note was short.

The Lima Bean, 5pm, Wednesday? Coffee and Conversation.

Kurt Hummel, (567) 447 7365

Blaine grinned from ear to ear.

…

Blaine arrived at the Lima Bean promptly at five o'clock, and looked around for Kurt, but didn't see him.

"Excuse me, are you Blaine?" He turned at the sound of his name, looking curiously at the dark skinned girl standing there.

"Yes. Do I know you?"

"We haven't met. I'm Mercedes, a friend of Kurt's. Unfortunately you just missed him. He and Rae, my sister and his partner, got called out on a run, and he wasn't sure how long he'd be. He asked me to tell you he's sorry, and that you shouldn't wait for him."

Blaine frowned, and thanked the girl. He understood Kurt wasn't standing him up, he had a very important job, but he was still disappointed. He ordered a medium drip to go, and headed back out to his car. Before he started his engine, he pulled out his phone.

I'm sorry I missed you, again. Please stay safe. Call me when you can, and we can reschedule. Talk to you later, Angel. -Blaine

…

It was well past eleven that night before Kurt checked his phone. The call that he'd gone out on originally that had forced him to miss seeing Blaine had been to patch up four guys who had been in a fight, and were in police custody. Almost immediately after they'd finished with them, he and Rae had been called out to a bicycle accident, followed by an intoxicated man passed out behind a bar. And then to top off their evening, there had been a fire in an apartment complex.

He'd just gotten into bed when he remembered his battery had gone dead. He fished the phone out of his messenger bag and plugged it in. He waited a few minutes before turning it on, and smiled when he saw the message from Blaine. He sent back a quick reply.

Not as sorry as I am that I had to run off. Maybe we can try again this weekend? -Kurt

…

I'm sorry I missed you again this weekend, Angel. My dad was supposed to go out of town on business, but his plans changed at the last minute, and he decided to surprise me with a late birthday trip to Chicago over the weekend. -Blaine

…

October, 2010

The Wedding was beautiful. Carole was radiant, and I've never seen my dad so happy! I'd still would have rather spent some time with you, though. -Kurt

…

Ugh! My brother dropped in to visit unexpectedly. I hate when he does that, he's so smug and acts all superior. I just wanted to ditch him and finally meet you for coffee, but my parents wouldn't let me. -Blaine

...

I hope the Warblers are working as hard as New Directions for Sectionals. It's two weeks away, and I am ready to strangle Rachel Berry if she demands one more late rehearsal. I'm sorry we missed another coffee chance. -Kurt

…

Wes is driving us all crazy. Apparently perfect isn't perfect enough for him. I feel like one of the sisters from the story The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I'm certain I've worn holes in my shoes. What do you think of the idea of running away for a day, Angel? -Blaine

…

November, 2010

Kurt sighed as he scrubbed smoke from his face. So much for another attempt to meet up with Blaine. He was beginning to think this whole thing was doomed. Sectionals were tomorrow, and as of five minutes ago he was off rotation until Sunday. He'd briefly entertained the idea of texting Blaine and inviting him to join him at a diner halfway between Westerville and Lima, but it was just after nine. Rachel would throw a fit if he didn't get some sleep, and Blaine would be in the same boat.

At least they would see each other at the competition.

…

Blaine paced the green room nervously. The Warblers had been a little late getting to the venue because the school had insisted on an extra safety inspection of the transport vans after their last experience, and had gone straight backstage, since they were up second. The Hipsters were up first, and New Directions would finish out the competition.

Blaine had hoped to see Kurt and wish him luck before the competition began, but once again fate was not on their side.

It seemed to take forever before they were called on to the stage to perform. Blaine had earned a solo for this competition, and led them through Hey Soul Sister, all the while scanning the audience for Kurt, even though he knew the other boy must already be in their greenroom, getting ready to perform.

After his solo, the group performed a medley of 80's and 90's party songs. All in all, the audience seemed to enjoy it. They took their bows, and then seated themselves in the audience. A few moments later, New Directions were introduced. Blaine watched the stage eagerly, so was surprised when two blondes, one male and one female, emerged from the back of the auditorium, singing Time of My Life. There was no sign of Kurt at first, not till near the end of the song, anyway, when he and several others took the stage, dancing and harmonizing.

Blaine smiled when he saw him. He was just as beautiful as Blaine remembered, and he thought he could distinguish the angelic voice from the others.

He was so focused on Kurt, he didn't even notice what other songs New Directions performed. Afterwards, all three choirs headed backstage to await the judges' decision. Blaine was searching for Kurt in the crowd when a petite brunette stepped directly in front of him.

"Hi, I'm Rachel Berry, the star of New Directions. I watched your performance from the wings. You were amazing. Would you like to go out sometime?"

Blaine smiled politely at her. "Thank you, but I was actually looking for someone, miss."

"Blaine!" He smiled as he saw Kurt pushing through the crowd to reach him.

"Kurt! It's so good to see you again!"

"Oh, you know Kurt?" Rachel said, smiling even brighter at Blaine. "He never told me he had such a talented friend. You and I should do a duet sometime!"

Kurt was frowning at the girl, but before he could say anything, Rachel reached out and took Blaine's arm. "With my talent and your dapper vocals, we could really be a couple to contend with. My dads could arrange for talent scouts to see us perform. We could be stars by the time we graduate!"

"Uh, Rachel?" Kurt tried to cut in.

"Not now Kurt," she whispered, "can't you see I'm flirting? I can tell he's super interested in me."

Blaine couldn't help but overhear her, and was about to set her straight, but she didn't give him the chance. "You'll have to excuse Kurt. He doesn't understand the concept of networking. Where was I? Oh yes! I'm sure you'll agree that we make the perfect duet, and perhaps something more?"

"Rachel!" Kurt said, more sharply this time.

She was frowning at him now. "What is your problem, Kurt?"

"Would you mind unhanding my date?"

…

They were quiet as they stood in line at The Lima Bean later that afternoon. Now that they were finally together, neither of them knew exactly what to say. It was Kurt who finally broke the awkward silence.

"You call me Angel."

Blaine blushed. "Sorry. I just think about your voice that day. It sounded like an angel to me, and I guess it just stuck in my head."

It was Kurt's turn to blush. "I like it. Do you want to know what I call you?"

"What?" Blaine asked, a teasing smile on his face.

Instead of answering, Kurt pulled out his phone and opened up his messages. Blaine recognized his phone number, but the name beside it was 'Dreamy.' Blaine couldn't hold back the bark of laughter, and showed Kurt his own phone, With 'Angel' next to Kurt's number.

Once the ice was broken, they found they had a lot to talk about, including Blaine reminding Kurt of their disagreement over Katy Perry. They argued playfully for an hour the merits of Katy versus Gaga, before agreeing to disagree. After that, they talked about their tie at Sectionals earlier, their plans for after graduation, and the volunteer Fire/EMT program.

"It's just too bad they don't have something like that in Delaware County," Blaine commented.

Kurt smiled at him. "I guess it's a good thing your accident was in Allen County, then."

Blaine smiled back. "Yes. That was the best accident of my life."