A/N: Hey hey hey. Chapter 12 is here now :) I'm sorry for the delay: it's been an interesting couple of months but I'm here to stay for now. There's just one song and it's Blackbird by The Beatles. If you've watched Glee and love Klaine, you'll know the song, but here's the end of the YouTube URL just in case: /watch?v=uQJKFvc31mQ . Anyway, enjoy :) please review!

THE LIMA HERALD

October 2, 2012

CANCER SCIENTIST ARRESTED IN DETROIT FOLLOWING SON'S ASSAULT

Alexander Anderson, 42, was arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport last night following his son's assault. Anderson has arrested on suspicion of the violent actions against his own son, Blaine Anderson, late yesterday morning.

The suspect is being detained due to the severity of the injury and for abuse against a minor, Blaine Anderson only being 15 years of age. Blaine currently suffers from a concussion-induced coma with potential brain damage that could affect his lifestyle completely.

Alexander Anderson had recently relocated to Kyoto, Japan, in order to help fight the battle against cancer worldwide, and his work is rumoured to be just months away from finding a 98% guaranteed cure for breast, prostate and lung cancers, as well as planning further research for a 95% guaranteed leukaemia cure. He was passing through Ohio to attend a former co-worker's funeral, Matthew Vaughn, following his demise of excessive radioactive exposure as reported last week. However, Anderson may be unable to return to Japan to help his team, including his wife and mother of the victim Kate Anderson, perfect these breakthrough discoveries.

It is suspected after having a statement from a witness and resident of the house in which the assault took place that this violent attack was due to homophobic behaviour on Alexander Anderson's part. Whilst homophobia is common in Ohio (although The Lima Herald is positive towards homosexuality), very few cases result in such severe injury, with less than 1% of cases resulting in a comatose patient.

Burt Hummel, house resident, released a statement with his claim: "Blaine's a good kid, possibly the most polite and genuine young gentleman I've ever had the pleasure to meet. What happened in my home today, I consider unacceptable, and it's even worse that it was his own father who attacked him. Sexuality shouldn't be an issue. It's not like loving whoever you want is going to affect the entire world. And for a parent not to acknowledge that any kind of love is okay is appalling. I hope [Alexander] Anderson is locked away for some time."

Blaine Anderson is rumoured to be spending his fall break with high-school boyfriend, Kurt Hummel, 16, who both board at Dalton Academy in Westerville, Ohio, during the school's semesters. Whilst Kurt Hummel was unwilling to make a statement for us at this time, or for the police for that matter, we could tell as he sat by Blaine's bed holding his hand that there was a spark of hope in the teenager that Blaine would be healthy again soon.

It is currently unknown as to what Alexander Anderson's fate will be. However following numerous weeks being held in Fort Wayne and a trial with the odds against him, Alexander Anderson could be facing anything from 5 years behind bars. It is also unknown whether or not gay marriage will be legalised in Ohio anytime soon, but we here at The Lima Herald would fully support any propositions for any gay rights whatsoever.

After a very uncomfortable night, filled with nightmares and the consistent beeping from Blaine's heart rate, the last thing Kurt needed was to be woken by visitors, especially when he had barely slept a couple of hours. It wasn't like they were any of the Warblers either. After reading the Lima Herald that morning (which puzzled Kurt because no one reads it - not really), Rachel and Mercedes had insisted on stopping by. It's not that Kurt didn't love the two girls now sitting with him; he would have just rather been able to sleep a little longer after staying awake into the early hours of the morning staring at Blaine's still figure.

In other ways, he was glad to have them present during this difficult time. It meant that he didn't even have to leave Blaine's bedside anymore because, unlike Burt, they brought the coffee and food to him. They also found ways of keeping him distracted despite the elephant in the room. He knew that they meant well and were just trying to help, even if it meant helping Kurt's emotions instead of attempting in helping Blaine, something he was thankful for.

After a solid hour of talking this year's winter fashion necessities, Rachel asked a question, albeit slightly related, but it made Kurt's heart constrict uncomfortably, "What are you and Blaine doing for Christmas?"

Kurt nervously swallowed before looking over at his boyfriend's neutral face, the bruising still purple, but the swelling had gone down, "I don't know. He was either going to come over to mine again with his family or I was going to his with mine. We were planning on spending Christmas Day with our families separately, but were going to spend New Year's together," he paused to swallow again, choking down a few tears this time, "but wherever it is, I will be starting the year with him in my arms." He took Blaine's unresponsive hand in his for the first time that day, "I have this perfect vision for it all. The party atmosphere, the music, the closeness, the countdown..." A small smile played on his lips as he continued, "The perfect New Year's kiss. But even if it doesn't pan out the way I hope, it will still be amazing because it's with him."

The two girls chorused their coos of adoration for Kurt and his romantic side, but he didn't pay much attention. He was now absorbed in his own little world, thinking forward to how he envisioned it. He just hoped that Blaine would still want to be with him after all this.

The thing worrying Kurt the most about all of what was going on was whether this would cause Blaine to resent him. If they had just stayed friends and had gotten really close that way, then Alexander wouldn't have even shown up at the Hudson-Hummel household and it certainly wouldn't have led to Kurt sitting by Blaine's side, feeling helpless when he wanted more than anything to help. And he needed more than anything to be in Blaine's embrace telling him that he still loved him and always will; he needed it more than anything, but the longer he waited, the more he realised that he wouldn't get that until Blaine began to surface.

Kurt was snapped back into reality when the door opened and Cooper walked in, causing the two girls to squeal. Rachel began to talk very quickly, "You're Cooper Anderson. Are you related to Blaine? I mean, I know that Anderson is a common family name, but it just seems like too much of a coincidence that you have the same last name and that a commercial actor of your standard is here in a small Ohioan town hospital."

"Cooper is Blaine's brother," Kurt sighed when Cooper stood frozen by the door, bewildered by his first encounter with Rachel, "I'm actually surprised he didn't show up sooner."

Cooper shook his head to snap out of whatever state he had gotten himself into and replied to Kurt's comment, "Sorry. Dad just got transferred to Fort Wayne police station where he's being held until the trial. I had to go check that they had the right man, which they do. And then I asked him why he did it."

Kurt looked at him expectantly, "And?"

Cooper cleared his throat, "You don't want to know what he said."

"Yes I do. Tell me." Kurt pleaded.

Cooper kept a steady hand, "I'd rather I didn't."

Kurt darted his eyes over to the two girls across the bed from him, who were both still looking at Cooper in amazement before rolling his eyes, "This isn't over, Cooper."

"Noted." He opened the door once more and began to walk out, announcing, "I'm going to get a coffee quickly. I expect to come back to Blaine tap dancing on the bed or something."

Kurt chuckled as Cooper left the room, knowing fully well that the older man was joking, despite Kurt wanting more than anything for Blaine to just suddenly sit up as if nothing had happened. But once Kurt turned back to look at Blaine, he knew that it wouldn't happen anytime soon.

Cooper couldn't bring himself to tell Kurt what his father had said, but he knew he had to tell someone close to Kurt, and he knew that getting coffee from the hospital cafeteria was a good way to find either Burt or Finn, or maybe Carole if she was on her break. But he knew that he would be able to find at least one of Kurt's closest family members so that way he could talk about what went down in Fort Wayne in the early hours of the morning. Whilst his father's words were almost certainly empty threats, he didn't know who to turn to and Cooper knew he needed to vent.

He walked into the cafeteria to see Burt and Finn sitting in the corner, Finn with a notepad in front of him, writing something as Burt spoke. Cooper's train of thought for coffee was abandoned as his feet walked him over to the corner before he could think about it. He slid into the chair next to Finn, visibly tensing as he did because he wasn't sure if they were ready to accept him, especially after his father's performance.

Burt looked up at him and gave him a small smile, "Alright, Cooper?" Cooper shrugged as Burt slid a cup across the table to him, "Figured you'd arrive soon so thought I'd grab you a cup."

Cooper gladly accepted it, realising how genuinely lovely Burt Hummel was and this made him jealous of Kurt. Cooper was the favourite child, but even despite that, he still wasn't shown the level of kindness that Burt had just given him from his own father. Burt seemed like a man of equality as well because as he interacted with his stepson, he could see that he wanted Finn to be treated the same as he treated Kurt. Cooper knew that he would never get that in his family, not since Blaine came out.

When Blaine came out to his family at just 13-years-old, Cooper wasn't happy with his little brother, because at first he didn't understand how anyone could be something so unnatural. He didn't take it to their father's extreme and he knew that their mother was just shocked initially and therefore appeared like she didn't accept Blaine, but in the end she did. Then when Jamie happened towards the end of Blaine's middle school life, not long after he had come out of the closet, Cooper was furious because he realised that he would never be as brave as Blaine had to be in order to be happy; he was envious of Blaine, that's all it ever really was. And his envy had caused him to act out, make Blaine believe that being gay was just a phase, his words piling on top of their dad's. But now he regretted it all, and had learnt to accept that his brother likes boys because, for Blaine, it was considered natural, and Cooper knew that everyone deserved to love, especially his brother, because his brother had the biggest heart out of anyone else he knew.

Cooper was snapped out of reminiscing when Burt asked with concern, "You okay, Cooper? You're quieter than yesterday."

Cooper sighed before leaning in to talk quietly to the two guys with him, "I went to see my dad today and he just said some things that I could use against him in court."

"You going to tell us or are you just going to sit there and look down?" Burt asked before gulping down the last of his coffee.

"He said that he's always wanted to beat the gay out of Blaine and he hopes that this has done it. He also said that if Blaine's still gay then he will come back for more. Oh, and if he gets his hands on Kurt then your son isn't going to see another living day."

Burt pushed his chair back furiously and banged his fist against the table, causing the rest of the cafeteria to turn to him. He gave a wave of apology before leaning down to talk to Finn and Cooper, "Tell Kurt I've gone to Fort Wayne. I need to speak to Alexander as soon as possible. I'll be back before visiting hours end. Make sure my boy stays strong. You got that, guys?"

Both Finn and Cooper nodded before Burt left without another word.

After a few minutes of silence, Cooper decided to look over at what Finn was writing, but before he could ask, Finn told him, "This is a collection of evidence and statements that everyone has made so far. That way, when we put our collective heads together, your dad won't stand a chance." He turned to Cooper, "No offence but your dad's a jerk and I don't want him on the loose when my little brother is one of the people he's against and could possibly harm."

Cooper nodded, "I agree, because I don't want Blainers going through this ever again either. I don't care if it was a stranger or a bully or my own father or me in a blind rage, not that I ever would, but whoever it is deserves to go behind bars."

"I'm glad that you're going to be there for Blaine. He's the only family you've got right now until your mom can get time off to return here." Finn wholeheartedly said.

Cooper nodded as he sipped his coffee, "It's not just me though. He has you guys too. And I can tell you feel like he's family, and that will mean a lot to him."

Finn smiled as he returned to writing what Cooper had said whilst Burt was still around, "It's because he'll be my brother-in-law someday. I can feel it."

Cooper chuckled, "That makes us future in-laws too."

"Hey, I guess you're right, man."

By the time noon rolled around, all the New Directions had shown up at the hospital and Blaine's room's window sill was filled with flowers, get well soon cards and Kurt had even left the room for two minutes to buy Blaine a teddy bear holding a plush heart from the hospital gift shop. Blaine's room, the ward's waiting room and the cafeteria alike all had the former McKinley glee club milling around, here to support Kurt during his time of emotional need and to join in hoping that Blaine was okay.

Kurt didn't find all the familiar faces unwelcoming, especially since his dad, who had been his rock throughout everything these past couple of days, had gone off to Fort Wayne for the afternoon, although why was unclear.

Right now, he was sitting with Puck and Joe, silently watching Blaine's face as the other two guys talked guitar and what songs they could try and convince the Warbler council to let them play for Regionals.

Kurt thought he saw slight movement in Blaine's eyelids, but he knew that it was just his imagination showing him what he wanted to see. Or so he thought until Puck commented, "I may not be the smartest guy, but I know from my uncle's coma when I was 10 that a coma patient's eyes start to flicker in their sockets when they're having a thought." Kurt practically threw himself onto Blaine, half expecting his boyfriend to protest at how rough he was being, and started to cry happily. Puck chuckled slightly, "Dude, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be back to his old self. I'm just saying that he's not a vegetable right now."

Kurt was smiling genuinely for the first time since everything had happened, his tears falling freely down his cheeks and onto Blaine's blankets, "At least he's not brain dead. It's one of the things I've been worrying about since all this happened."

Joe reached out and wiped Kurt's tears away, because after being neighbours with him for half a semester, Joe knew Kurt's moisturising routine was insanely elaborate and he didn't want the effort going to waste. He asked Kurt, "What else has been worrying you?"

"Well," Kurt sniffed to bring his breathing back under control, "that he was brain dead for a start. But also that he won't remember me or that he doesn't have any memories of us being together. Also all the schoolwork he's done over this semester because he's been working so hard. I'm also worried that he'll resent me for this when he comes out of this coma. But mostly that something in his body will give up the ghost and he'll just be gone forever."

Joe gave him a sad smile before standing up and walking to the door, "I'll be back. I just need a moment."

Once Joe had left, Puck joked, "Think you just made him cry, Hummel. I'm even tearing up a little after that."

"Can you give me a minute alone with Blaine please?" Kurt asked quietly. He wasn't sure if Puck had heard him until the other boy stood up and patted Kurt on the shoulder before following after Joe.

Like when Carole left the previous day, Kurt waited for the click of the door fully closing before saying anything, "Blaine, I'm really struggling without you. But I don't know how to say it anymore. So if being in both glee clubs have taught me anything, I should sing when I can't find the words to say."

He took a deep breath as the tears began to trickle down his face. He had only ever sung this song once in his life as he watched his mother slowly lose grip on her life. It wasn't that Kurt felt that Blaine was going to die too; he just needed to vent about possibly losing him as Kurt became increasingly worried about Blaine's memory loss being so significant that the relationship would be forgotten. He closed his eyes to concentrate on the lyrics before opening them to stare at Blaine's face through tear-glazed eyes as he sung:

Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
Take these broken wings and learn to fly.
All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see.
All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to be free.

More tears fell freely as Kurt sang, pouring all the emotions that he had experienced in the past 24 hours into one song, in hope that it would make him feel better. So far, it was a little, but he knew what this song symbolised, what meaning it could potentially have. It made Kurt feel horrible but he also felt like he was willing to accept the fact that he could lose Blaine, whether through amnesia or resentment, if that's what he had to do:

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly,
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly,
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
Take these broken wings and learn to fly.
All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

He lowered his head into Blaine's stomach, face against the sheets of Blaine's hospital bed and he sang barely above a whisper the last lines of the song:

You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

"Kurt?"

"Yeah?"

"That was beautiful."

"Thank you, Blaine." Kurt kept his head on his boyfriend's abdomen for a couple more seconds before whipping his head up in realisation that Blaine had just spoken. His eyes were wide but when he saw Blaine's eyes were still closed, he voiced aloud, "Must have been my imagination." But when Blaine's head moved from facing one side of the bed to the other, Kurt let out a squeal before questioning, "Blaine, can you hear me?"

"Yes... I feel sleepy though. Can we talk a bit later?" Blaine responded.

Kurt chuckled lightly before leaning over to kiss his boyfriend's forehead and press the nurse call button before sitting back in his seat and taking Blaine's hand in his, this time receiving a slight grip from Blaine as he slowly began to come round, "Okay, but I'm not going anywhere."

He thought he saw Blaine's mouth attempt a smile as the corners of his mouth twitched. Before Kurt knew it, Blaine was asleep but partially conscious, and he could tell that Blaine was mainly sleeping because of the very light snore that was always emitted when he slept was being created by the sleeping boy. Kurt's smile grew; he had always found Blaine's snoring endearing.

A minute later, Carole barrelled into the room, panic in her eyes as she questioned too quickly, "What's wrong? Is he okay? Why did you call for me? What's happened?"

It was then and only then that Kurt let out a choked sob/laugh combination because for the first time since yesterday morning, he was happy, so happy that it overwhelmed him. He looked up at Carole and responded, "He regained consciousness for a minute or so before complaining about being sleepy and then fell asleep."

Carole knelt down by Kurt and took his free hand in hers, "Kurt, it's normal for you to imagine something like this. Your mind is playing tricks because you want him conscious so desperately and-"

"Carole, look," he lifted his and Blaine's intertwined hands up, showing that Blaine's fingers were curled around his hand with a little bit of pressure, "I didn't bend his fingers for him. He did that."

Carole looked at their hands in astonishment, "But he's been in the coma for a day. He's not meant to come out of it for a while. Coma patients are in comas for weeks, months, years. This isn't possible. This is unheard of. Coma patients don't just become conscious after a day."

"I know. It's unbelievable and yet it's happening."

Carole smiled and stood up before advancing to the door, "I need to tell his doctor immediately."

Without any more dialogue between them, Carole left the room, leaving the door open ajar. Kurt sat in the comfortable silence, his happiness still willing to burst from him but for now, he needed to remain calm for Blaine. He went to speak before Blaine muttered, "I love you, Kurt."

His heart threatened to leap out of his chest and he knew that if he was the one connected to the heart rate machine, the beeps would make him sound like he was having a heart attack when really, it was the rush of endorphins making him so overcome with emotion. He replied calmly, despite his brain and heart working at a million miles an hour, "I love you too, honey."

Burt walked into Fort Wayne's police station, his mood worsening by the second. He was about to be faced with his future son-in-law's father, the very man who beat his own son to unconsciousness. If it wasn't for what would be a cell door between them, Burt would not be opposed to strangling the man. He didn't understand how a parent could be so cruel to their own child. He would never even dream of doing this to Kurt, regardless of the situation. His son was the sunshine of his life and Burt wouldn't be able to do anything to intentionally hurt his boy emotionally or physically without feeling the worst case of guilty he would ever feel in his life.

He didn't even realise he had spoken to the cop at the front desk until after he had pinned the visitor's badge to his chest and was following another policeman to Alexander's cell. Alexander wouldn't be let out, which Burt was certainly thankful for because he didn't want to be arrested for assault. Instead, there would be strong metal bars in between the two men, giving Burt safety and Alexander a chance to not extend his inevitable prison sentence.

The guard stopped outside one of the small cells, and Burt walked straight into him having had his attention drawn to the simplicity of the prison cells that held yet-to-be-sentenced criminals. The guard turned to the cell and announced, "Anderson, you have a visitor."

The guard stepped back but kept within the vicinity to oversee the interaction, making sure the exchange didn't include violence in any way.

The man Burt had seen yesterday was not the same as the man in the cell. Sure, it was still Alexander Anderson, but a whole new side to Alexander that Burt had never seen. Unkempt hair, severely creased suit, prickly medium brown stubble. The man looked a mess and if it wasn't for the previous day's events, Burt may have took pity on him. But yesterday happened, so Burt couldn't find even the smallest molecule of compassion inside him. Instead, he stared coldly at the man sitting on what looked like the world's most uncomfortable bed. "Good," Burt thought to himself, "he deserves everything that's coming to him."

Alexander looked at him expectantly, "Well? Are you happy? Are you satisfied? I know it was you who alerted the cops."

Burt retorted, "Well, I don't take too kindly to anyone assaulting my future son-in-law, Alexander."

"Future son-in-law?! You must be dreaming."

"I'm not," Burt shrugged, "You should see how they act around each other and how they talk to and about each other. They both love each other more than I could have ever imagined them to. Hell, I don't think my boy will love anyone else like he loves your son ever again in any lifetime. And I can tell that in every parallel universe, they find each other and love each other in the same way they love each other right here and now. I will admit that I'm shocked that they fell in love so quickly but I'm supporting them now and forever will. It shouldn't matter who they love and why they do. Although seeing as it does, I'd have been happy if Kurt had fallen for someone half as decent as your son. Blaine didn't just exceed Kurt's expectations; he also exceeded mine, and I will be right there on their wedding day, 5, 10, 15 years from now. Whenever it is, I will be there fully supportive of them. And I thought you'd be with me, Alex. I really did."

Alexander replied, "You know, Burt, I never expected you to be a homo-supporter."

"Don't even start with me. You threatened the life from my son. This isn't just about gay rights anymore. The combination of beating your own son and telling Cooper that you want to kill mine is going to lock you up for a long time, all because you couldn't be supportive. In fact, even after you've done your time, I think it's best you stay away from my son, and by default, that means your son too because they will always be together," Burt paused to tip his baseball cap before turning to the guard, "I think I'm done here, officer, unless I'm allowed to beat the living crap out of him."

The guard shook his head and led the way back to the front office, Burt following close behind. He hoped that Blaine would receive justice for his situation and Burt could tell that that was exactly what he was going to get.

Blaine had woken up several times throughout the afternoon but he hadn't been able to think coherently and felt too exhausted to keep his eyes open. By the time he had been able to sustain a full conversation, dinner had arrived. It was his first meal since before Puck's party so he ate in silence, his eyes on Kurt as he, too, ate dinner. His boyfriend looked like he hadn't slept since it happened, and by the way he was ungracefully eating unlike the usual, he looked like he hadn't eaten either. Kurt also hadn't changed clothes, a tell-tale sign that he hadn't gone home either.

Since dinner, Kurt and Blaine had been smiling at each other, holding hands over Blaine's hospital bed sheets, not saying a word. Blaine didn't know where to start, and Kurt's mind was reeling with overexcited thoughts, none of which he was willing to share just yet because Blaine was still in recovery and wouldn't be able to take ecstatic Kurt at the moment.

Blaine finally broke the silence, "You've gone from complete stranger to the love of my life."

Kurt's jaw dropped before he could stop himself, "You heard me?"

Blaine shrugged, "Only fragments of whatever beautiful speech you came up with. Oh, and happy 1-month anniversary."

"It's not really that happy," Kurt chuckled slightly, "After all, you are in a hospital bed."

"Well, I like to think of it as we're here together, both willing to still be with each other in spite of everything."

Kurt raised an eyebrow, "Do you mean that?"

Blaine's eyes widened as he realised that Kurt was implying, and before he knew what he was doing, he sat fully upright and leant over to kiss Kurt. He didn't care how dizzy it made him feel or how his temples throbbed from the sudden movement; he knew that Kurt needed this from him now more than ever. The kiss wasn't rushed, nor was it slow. It was a happy medium, that showed Blaine cared more than anything but wasn't being too forceful about, and when Kurt kissed him back with the same pressure of his own lips, Blaine knew right there in that moment that any tension and resentment that they could have experienced would never even exist anymore. Blaine knew that actions spoke louder than words and this kiss only solidified that philosophy for him. Blaine knew that the relationship would just continue to grow stronger, and that they were both in this for the long-haul. This would be his only relationship in his life, and he was more than happy with that.

Blaine pulled away and sat back slightly, but still kept his back straight. He looked into his boyfriend's dilated eyes, the blue iris nearly completely swallowed by his pupil. Blaine couldn't help but give a lopsided smile when he saw that before actually answering Kurt's question, "Nothing will stop me from loving you, okay? Not homophobia, not distance, not rumours, nothing."

"I love you," Kurt responded softly, and Blaine could tell that his eyes were lighting up just by the way he felt them crease at the corners.

"I love you too."

Dear Journal,

Blaine is awake and doesn't resent me and wants to still be with me and I'm the love of his life and I need to calm down but can't because I can talk to him again and kiss him and hug him and actually get a response.

Dad still hasn't returned though. I assume he went home for a bit to rest. Can't say I blame him. I'm exhausted, and I know he is too because he's been worrying about me and Blaine, possibly too much for his own good.

- Kurt

Dear Journal,

I'm glad I'm alive and awake. I'm pretty sure I would have gone insane if I was in a coma for much longer. Don't know what I missed in the outside world. I do know though that Kurt has almost never left my bedside and, whilst I love the support, I don't like that he basically didn't sleep because of me.

Carole's being a spoil sport and won't let him cuddle up with me in bed because of all the equipment and wires and my condition as well apparently. It sucks but I'm pretty sure we can get by until we get out of here.

I missed him. I'm glad I don't have to miss him anymore. I'm glad I'm recovering so quickly. And I hope my father gets what he deserves because I can't stand people like him if they act like he did. I could live with his homophobia until he tried to break Kurt and me apart and then deliberately hurt me. He crossed a line at that point.

Anyway, I need rest and I think Kurt does too.

- Blaine

A/N: Sorry this took forever but I hope you enjoyed it. Please review :) -foreveragleek44